Fill the gaps by using these key words from the text

Vocabulary 
– Prepositions 
Fill the gaps using a suitable preposition. Check in the text if you need help. 
People have been watching the World Cup _________________________ great interest. 
Mr Blanco was not present _________________________ this year’s World Cup. 
Argentina has changed ______________________ a successful country _______________________ an 
unsuccessful one. 
Many children are suffering _________________________ malnutrition. 
People are demonstrating _________________________ the President. 
Menem fixed the exchange rate _________________________ the dollar. 
Everyone hopes hyper-inflation will not return _________________________ Argentina. 
The IMF’s conditions are unpopular _________________________ the people 
If + Will. Complete the sentences with an appropriate phrase. 
If the government in Argentina doesn’t do something 
soon the people will be very unhappy
. 
If something similar happens in my country, I will _________________________ . 
If the IMF helps, life in Argentina will _________________________ . 
If I meet an Argentinian today, I will _________________________ . 
Discussion point 
If countries like Argentina produce enough food to feed 10 times their population, why are children suffering 
from malnutrition? 
© one 
stop
english.com 2002
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© one 
stop
english.com 2002
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This page can be photocopied. 

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Spare a tear for Argentina 
LEVEL TWO
-
INTERMEDIATE 
Pre-reading activities 
1
The following words can be found in the text about Argentina: 
World Cup
economy
currency
demonstrations 
bank accounts
exchange rate
debts
bankrupt 
Prediction. Which of these sentences is the best summary of the text? 
The Argentinian football team’s defeat in the World Cup will have a bad effect on the economy. 
People in Argentina have been demonstrating because of the exchange rate. 
Compared to the problems in the Argentinian economy, football is a minor problem. 
2
Skimming exercise 
Each of these sentences summarises a paragraph in the text. Put them in the correct order. 
The IMF wants to impose some unpopular conditions on Argentina. 
There are large demonstrations every day outside the Presidential Palace. 
The situation may get worse before it gets better 
When the dollar began to rise, Argentina suffered serious problems. 
Argentina is collapsing economically, politically and socially. 
In the mid-1990s President Menem introduced reforms and managed to control inflation. 
Argentina’s banks have frozen their customers accounts. 
© one 
stop
english.com 2002
1
This page can be photocopied. 

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Spare a tear for Argentina 
LEVEL TWO
-
INTERMEDIATE