B1/B2

The youth changing the world

1. Complete the definition of youth activism using the words in boxes. Then, say if you have heard
about youth activism and if you know any youth activists.

cause protests social media

• Youth activism is the participation of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in introducing
change related to a specific cause. It often includes taking part in protests, organizing events, and
using social media platforms to make their voices heard and spread information about social
issues.

2. Complete the quotes by youth activists. The first letters of the missing words are provided.
A. “Some people say that the climate crisis is something we have all created. But that is just another
convenient lie. Because if everyone is guilty then no one is to blame.” Greta Thunberg
B. “Education is the best weapon through which we can fight poverty, ignorance and terrorism.”
Malala Yousafzai
C. “Our message is saying no to plastic bags...we (…) become the living example that kids can do
things.” Melati Wijsen
D. “I think that’s important – that transgender individuals are just like everyone else. We have our
interests, our hobbies, our things we like to do. And people have to understand that.” Jazz Jennings
E. “It was the desire to see black girls and our experiences in the books that I was given to read at
school that forced me to speak my truth. I launched #1000BlackGirlBooks, a book drive to collect
the stories of women of colour.” Marley Dias

3. Match the quotes in ex. 2 with causes the youth activists represent. There are two causes not
represented. Then, discuss which of the activists you have heard of and say if there is anything else
you know about them.
T You can ask students if they can name other youth activists for the causes on the list.
1. climate justice A 4. human rights B 7. women’s rights
2. animal rights 5. LGBTQ+ rights D
3. racial justice E 6. ocean protection C

4. Choose the best options to complete the sentences about young activists.
A. Greta Thunberg is known for fighting for/standing up against/working against climate change.
She passionately fights for/involved in/speaks up a future with a healthy planet for everyone.

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The youth changing the world

Through her powerful speeches, Greta encourages people to get involved in/include in/stand up
preventing climate change.
B. Malala Yousafzai strongly believes that every girl speaks up to/teams up with/has the right to
education. Her story raised awareness of/worked towards/got involved in the challenges girls can
experience in accessing education.
C. Melati Wijsen, co-founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags, spoke up for/teamed up with/got involved in
her sister to fight against/fight for/stand up for plastic pollution. Their initiative encourages
communities to fight towards/work towards/team towards reducing single-use plastic and
choosing more sustainable alternatives.
D. Jazz Jennings, a transgender activist, uses her platform to speak up for/get involved in/fight
against the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Her efforts help to create a more inclusive society
where everyone can be themselves without fear of discrimination.
E. Marley Dias has the right to/stands up for/teams up with the representation of diversity in
literature. Believing that all children have the right/work towards/get involved in to see
themselves in the books they read, Marley started a campaign to collect and donate books that
feature black female characters.

5. Choose a cause from the boxes and write a short bio about a real activist you know of or an
imaginary one. In the bio, use at least three of the sentences below completed with your own ideas.

animal rights women’s rights access to healthcare

A. …was a teen when she/he started fighting…

B. A community in… benefited a lot when this activist got involved…
C. By using social media, the young activist tried to raise
awareness…
D. Because of their experience, … felt it was their
responsibility to speak up…
E. When they teamed up…, it helped the cause a lot.

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The youth changing the world

6. Look at some examples of activism and say which of them you have seen or heard activists do or
participated in yourself. Then, discuss which you think are the most effective.

writing posts on social media donating money to the cause

giving speeches collecting books on the topic and donating them to schools

participating in a protest creating educational videos

7. Choose one of the causes from the boxes and answer the questions below.

animal rights women’s rights access to healthcare ocean protection

human rights racial justice LGBTQ+ rights

• Why do think this cause is important?

• Does your community support the cause? If so, how?
• Do you actively support the cause? If so, how? If not, would you like to?
• Which of the examples of activism in ex. 6 are used to fight for this cause?

8. You are going to watch a video about Malala Yousafzai, a young activist from Pakistan. Choose the
statements which you think are true about her. Then, watch the beginning of the video
[https://youtu.be/ChQBHSL8vVg] (to 00:30) and check your ideas.
A. She’s the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
B. She’s the first Pakistani to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
C. She’s the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
D. She’s the first education activist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

9. Watch the second part of the video (from 00:31) and put the events in the correct order.
A. After Malala recovered from her injury, she kept raising awareness on the issue of education. 5
[02:00]
B. Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize. 6 [02:10]
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The youth changing the world

C. Malala started receiving threats from the Taliban but she continued speaking up for her rights. 3
[01:13]
D. Malala teamed up with the BBC and started blogging under a false name about her life, fears and
dreams. 2 [00:47]
E. Malala was shot by Taliban terrorists on her way home from school. 4 [01:24]
F. The Taliban took control of the place where Malala lived. 1 [00:35]

10. Discuss the questions.

• Why do you think Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
• How do you think winning the Nobel Peace Prize has affected Malala’s work and her message?
• In your opinion, in what ways has Malala’s activism influenced the world’s perception of girls’
education?
• What can individuals and communities around the world learn from Malala’s experiences?
• In what ways do you think a person’s background can influence how much they support a cause?

11. Respond to the following points of view using the phrases in the box.
• Young people shouldn’t get involved in activism but
focus on their education instead. Yes, but…
• If someone wants to change the world they should Unfortunately, …
become a politician, not an activist. It makes so much sense because…
• It’s impossible to measure the impact of activism so My thoughts exactly. What’s more, …
perhaps it’s not really worth the time and effort?
I don’t think so, because…
• Activism comes from the word ‘active’, which makes
me wonder if sharing a post can be considered activism.
• Watching young activists in action gives me hope for the future.
• The youth nowadays are more likely to stand up for what they believe in than previous generations.
• If young people take responsibility for the world’s problems, it means adults have failed at keeping
them safe.

This worksheet includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. It’s only
T available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. The task with the answer key is below, while the
students’ version is on the last page. Print it, cut it up and hand it out to your students.
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The youth changing the world

Use one word in each gap to complete the statements about social activism as a school subject.
When social activism is introduced as a school subject, students will benefit from it in many ways:
A. They will learn what rights they have as citizens, like the right to education and healthcare. This is
the first step to help them understand why activism is so important.
B. They will learn about historical figures who fought for things that are part of today’s world. That
will teach them that when people stand up for something important, they can make a difference.
C. They will learn how to debate. This will help them to speak up for what they believe in.
D. They will get involved in team projects. This will teach them that teaming up with other people
helps you achieve goals.
E. They will start projects in their communities. This will help them learn how to organize people to
work towards common goals.
F. They will learn about activism in other countries. This will help raise their awareness of cases
where people have to stand up against injustice.
After they have finished the task, ask students the following questions: Should social activism be
T introduced in the schools where you live? How effective would it be? Why should or shouldn’t children
learn about activism?

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The youth changing the world

Use one word in each gap to complete the statements about social activism as a school subject.
When social activism is introduced as a school subject, students will benefit from it in many ways:
A. They will learn what rights they have as citizens, like the right _________ education and
healthcare. This is the first step to help them understand why activism is so important.
B. They will learn about historical figures who fought _________ things that are part of today’s world.
That will teach them that when people stand _________ for something important, they can make a
difference.
C. They will learn how to debate. This will help them to _________ up for what they believe in.
D. They will get involved _________ team projects. This will teach them that teaming _________ with
other people helps you achieve goals.
E. They will start projects in their communities. This will help them learn how to organize people to
work _________ common goals.
F. They will learn about activism in other countries. This will help raise their _________ of cases
where people have to stand up _________ injustice.

Use one word in each gap to complete the statements about social activism as a school subject.
When social activism is introduced as a school subject, students will benefit from it in many ways:
A. They will learn what rights they have as citizens, like the right _________ education and
healthcare. This is the first step to help them understand why activism is so important.
B. They will learn about historical figures who fought _________ things that are part of today’s world.
That will teach them that when people stand _________ for something important, they can make a
change.
C. They will learn how to debate. This will help them to _________ up for what they believe in.
D. They will get involved _________ team projects. This will teach them that teaming _________ with
other people helps you achieve goals.
E. They will start projects in their communities. This will help them learn how to organize people to
work _________ common goals.
F. They will learn about activism in other countries. This will help raise their _________ of cases
where people have to stand up _________ injustice.

Copyrights by ESL Brains. For use only with license.