News by Levels · Level 2 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Compare totals and recognise the report’s publication status.
A Fossil Emissions Dip Does Not Mean a Total Decline
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 2 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
Which estimate includes land-use change?
Correct answer: A — 43.3 billion tonnes
Why: The second paragraph gives 43.3 billion as the total including land-use change.
Clue in the story: Including land-use change, the projected total rises to 43.3 billion tonnes. The figures are estimates for the year; the 2026 report was released as a preprint, before peer review.
What does preprint status tell us here?
Correct answer: C — The report was released before peer review
Why: The paragraph explicitly explains before peer review.
Clue in the story: Including land-use change, the projected total rises to 43.3 billion tonnes. The figures are estimates for the year; the 2026 report was released as a preprint, before peer review.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Compare the two emissions figures and state the report’s status.
One possible answer: The fossil estimate is 38.2 billion tonnes, while the total including land-use change is 43.3 billion. These are annual estimates, and the report was released as a preprint before peer review.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.
Grammar to discuss
Adding a component
Including land-use change
Including adds another source to the calculation. It explains why the total differs from the fossil-only figure.