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Based on a current news article (native English source)

Students explore a news story about a housing bill that may become law even without the president’s signature. They practice key news vocabulary, future certainty and conditionals, then discuss the political conflict, answer questions, and write a short opinion paragraph.

B1 Intermediate60 minutesEnglishTeacher

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1. Image

Teacher note: Show the news article headline and source details.

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2. Vocabulary

  • landmark
    very important and likely to have a big effect
  • bipartisan
    supported by people in both major political parties
  • signature
    a person’s written name; in politics, it can show approval of a bill
  • veto
    to officially reject a bill or law
  • take effect
    to start working or become active
  • legislation
    a law or a proposed law
  • affordable housing
    homes that people can pay for more easily
  • majority
    more than half of a group or vote
  • recess
    a break from meetings or work in a legislature
  • hard-liner
    a person with very strict political views

Teacher note: Vocabulary set for a B1 news lesson on a U.S. housing bill and political conflict. Definitions are simple, clear, and focused on Congress, law-making, and disagreement.

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3. Grammar

Will for certainty and the first conditional

1) Will for a certain result

Use will + base verb when you think something is very likely or certain.

Form

  • Subject + will + verb
  • The bill will become law.
  • Johnson will talk to the president again.

When to use it

Use will for:

  • a prediction you believe is certain
  • a decision made now
  • a result you expect in the future

Examples from this news story

  • The housing bill will become law.
  • The president will either sign it or let it pass without a signature.
  • Johnson will continue pushing for support.
  • The deadline will start when the bill is sent to the White House.

2) First conditional for a likely future result

Use the first conditional to talk about a future action and its possible result.

Form

  • If + present simple, will + base verb
  • If Trump signs the bill, it will become law immediately.
  • If he does not sign it, the bill will still become law after ten days.

When to use it

Use the first conditional for:

  • a real possibility in the future
  • a likely result
  • a choice or condition with a clear outcome

Examples

  • If the president signs the housing bill, it will take effect sooner.
  • If Congress links two bills together, the debate will become more difficult.
  • If the Senate does not support the voting bill, the plan will face problems.
  • If lawmakers miss the deadline, the process will slow down.

3) Common mistakes

  • Wrong: If Trump will sign the bill, it becomes law.
    Right: If Trump signs the bill, it will become law.

  • Wrong: The bill becomes law if he will not veto it.
    Right: The bill will become law if he does not veto it.

  • Wrong: He will thinks about it.
    Right: He will think about it.

  • Wrong: If the bill will pass, Johnson is happy.
    Right: If the bill passes, Johnson will be happy.

4) Quick comparison

  • Will = strong future certainty
  • If + present simple + will = a likely future result

More practice examples

  • The housing bill will probably become law this week.
  • If both parties support the plan, the vote will move faster.
  • If the president delays again, reporters will ask more questions.
  • Johnson will keep saying the bill is important for affordable housing.
  • If the deadline passes without action, the bill will still have a path to law.

5) Study tip

When you see a news story about politics, look for:

  • will for predictions and certainty
  • if for conditions and possible results
  • time words like today, this week, after ten days, soon to understand the timeline.

Teacher note: Clear B1 grammar guide on will for certain results and first conditional for likely results, using the housing bill story as context.

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4. Grammar practice

Choose the best answer for each sentence. Think about will, be going to, and if + present simple.

1.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says the housing bill ____ become law, even if the president does not sign it.

2.

The president ____ think about the bill and talk about it again later this week.

3.

If the Senate does not support the voting bill, the White House ____ face more pressure over the housing bill.

4.

The speaker says he ____ try to keep the housing bill moving because it is already close to becoming law.

5.

If Trump signs the housing bill, he ____ take part in the final decision publicly.

Teacher note: Five B1 grammar multiple-choice items on will, be going to, and first conditional, all tied to the housing bill news story.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • Q1A. will
  • Q2B. is going to
  • Q3A. will
  • Q4A. is going to
  • Q5A. will

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5. Listening

Your browser does not support audio playback.

Listen to the news summary and answer the questions.

  1. What is the main topic of the report?
  2. What does Mike Johnson say will happen to the housing bill?
  3. What choice does President Trump have over the bill?
  4. What deadline is mentioned in the report?
  5. Why does Johnson say the bill matters?
  6. What other bill is creating pressure in Congress?
Teacher audio script
Reporter: In Washington, House Speaker Mike Johnson says the housing bill is on track to become law, even if President Donald Trump does not sign it. Johnson says the president has a choice: he can sign the bill, or he can let the ten-day deadline pass and allow it to take effect.

Reporter: Trump has delayed support for the measure because he wants action on a separate voting bill first. Johnson says the housing bill could help more families find homes they can afford. He also says the bill already passed Congress with strong support from both parties.

Reporter: At the same time, Republican leaders are dealing with pressure from members of their own party. Some lawmakers want the voting bill to move forward before they fully support the housing bill. That disagreement has made the schedule in the House more difficult this week.

Teacher note: Listening summary about the housing bill, Johnson’s comments, Trump’s delay, and the next steps in Congress.

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6. Multiple choice

Listen to the news summary, then choose the best answer for each question.

1.

Who says the housing bill will become law?

2.

What may Trump do next, according to the summary?

3.

What is the housing bill mainly about?

4.

Why are some Republicans under pressure?

Teacher note: Multiple-choice listening check on the housing-bill news story, focusing on speaker, timing, bill purpose, and political pressure.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • Q1A. House Speaker Mike Johnson
  • Q2A. Sign the bill or let it become law after the deadline
  • Q3A. Making housing more affordable
  • Q4A. They are arguing over a second bill that many want to connect t…

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7. Speaking

Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner

Speaking: Housing Bill Debate

Pair or small-group discussion

Talk about the news story and give short opinions. Try to ask one follow-up question after each answer.

Discussion prompts

  1. What do you think is the main issue in this article?
  2. In your opinion, why might a housing bill matter to ordinary people?
  3. Why do politicians sometimes delay a bill instead of voting right away?
  4. What does bipartisan support mean in real life, not just in theory?
  5. Is it a good idea to connect one bill to another bill? Why or why not?
  6. When politicians disagree, what is a fair way to reach a compromise?
  7. Which is more important in this story: speed, support, or political strategy? Explain your choice.
  8. How can a housing law affect families, renters, and first-time buyers?

Useful speaking phrases

  • I think the main point is...
  • In my view, this matters because...
  • One reason could be...
  • I agree / I partly agree, but...
  • From my perspective, politicians should...
  • That is a fair point, and I would add...
  • I am not sure, but maybe...
  • The best solution might be...

Follow-up challenge

After your partner speaks, ask one more question such as:

  • What makes you say that?
  • Can you give an example?
  • Do you think most voters would agree?
  • What would happen if the bill is delayed?

Teacher note

Encourage students to keep answers short at first, then expand with one reason and one example from the news story.

Teacher note: A guided speaking activity on the housing bill story, focused on opinions, compromise, and the meaning of bipartisan support.

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8. Short answer

Answer each question in 1–2 short sentences.

1.

What is the main event in this news story?

2.

How are the housing bill and the voting bill connected in the article?

3.

What does Mike Johnson say will happen to the housing bill?

4.

Why does Johnson say the housing bill matters to voters?

Teacher note: Short-answer practice on the housing bill story, with questions about the main event, the two bills, and Johnson’s stance.

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9. Writing task

Write a short opinion paragraph about the housing bill news story. Students should say whether politicians should prioritize housing, explain how compromise can work, and decide whether delaying a bill is a good strategy. They must use at least two lesson vocabulary words and include one reason plus one example from the news story. Do not copy the article; paraphrase in their own words.

Aim for at least 80 words.

Teacher note: Writing task asking students to give a short opinion on the housing bill, using lesson vocabulary and one clear example from the news story.

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10. True / false

Read each statement and decide if it is true or false.

  • House Speaker Mike Johnson said the housing bill will become law even if President Trump does not sign it.

  • The housing bill was passed by only a small number of lawmakers in both chambers.

  • Trump said he would support the housing bill before the voting bill moves ahead.

  • If Trump does nothing for ten days, the housing bill can still become law.

  • Some Republicans in the House stopped other votes while they pushed for the voting bill.

Teacher note: True/false check on the housing bill story, with simple factual statements about the bill, Trump’s options, and the political conflict.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • 1. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the housing bill will become law even i…True
  • 2. The housing bill was passed by only a small number of lawmakers in both…False
  • 3. Trump said he would support the housing bill before the voting bill mov…False
  • 4. If Trump does nothing for ten days, the housing bill can still become l…True
  • 5. Some Republicans in the House stopped other votes while they pushed for…True

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11. Board game

Student's turn (preview)

Student

Roll

Teacher

Preview — dice sync when the lesson is live

Roll the die, move along the path, and complete each news task as you go. Work with a partner or teacher to review the housing bill story, vocabulary, grammar, and opinions.

Teacher note: Roll the die, move along the path, and complete each news task as you go. Work with a partner or teacher to review the housing bill story, vocabulary, grammar, and opinions.

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12. AI conversation

Roles set by your teacherRole-play

Who is responsible for what

Stay in your role during the live voice chat. The AI partner follows the other role.

You (student)

USA Today reporter

AI partner

House Speaker Mike Johnson

What to do

  • Turn on your microphone and speak like a journalist in an interview.
  • Keep the conversation going for about 5 minutes.
  • Stay in role and stay on the news topic.
  • Ask at least one follow-up question and give short, polite opinions when needed.

Students connect here for a live 5-minute AI voice conversation.

Teacher note: Role-play interview: a USA Today reporter asks House Speaker Mike Johnson about the housing bill, Trump’s stance, and the political conflict.

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13. Dictation

Dictation script (teacher)

House Speaker Mike Johnson says the housing bill will become law if President Trump does not veto it within ten days.

Target script: 20–35 words · current: 21. Students need at least 15 typed words to complete when required.

Listen and type the sentence exactly as you hear it.

Your browser does not support audio playback.

AI-generated audio — replay as often as you need.

0 words typed15 words needed when required

Teacher note: Short dictation practice on the housing bill story, using simple news language and a key grammar structure.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • ScriptHouse Speaker Mike Johnson says the housing bill will become law if President Trump does not veto it within ten days.

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14. Image

Recap: the housing bill may still become law, even without the president’s signature. Read the original USA Today article for the full story.

Teacher note: Recap: the housing bill may still become law, even without the president’s signature. Read the original USA Today article for the full story.

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