Global inequality can feel distant, but it shapes whose voices are heard, whose futures are limited, and whose problems are ignored. In this lesson, you will explore what makes an issue a true global problem and how different forms of inequality affect people in Asia and Africa. You will connect these ideas to the Sustainable Development Goals and begin thinking like a writer who speaks to a global community. As you read, question, and reflect, you will prepare yourself to plan a focused opinion editorial on inequality.
🎯 Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain at least three criteria that make an issue a global problem and apply them to your own examples.
- Describe at least three types of inequality affecting people in Asia and Africa and connect each one to SDG 10 or SDG 16.
- Write a short reflection that links educational inequality to its possible effects on peaceful and just societies.
🧩 Key Ideas & Terms
- Global problem – an issue that affects many people or environments across countries and needs international cooperation.
- Inequality – unfair differences in opportunities, resources, or treatment between groups of people.
- Global inequality – unequal access to opportunities and resources across different countries and regions of the world.
- Global community – people and nations of the world, closely connected and affected by one another’s actions.
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – global goals created by the United Nations to address major world challenges.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – a goal focused on reducing inequality within and among countries.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – a goal focused on peaceful societies, justice for all, and fair institutions.
- Educational inequality – unfair differences in access to quality schooling, teachers, or learning resources.
- Economic inequality – gaps in income, wealth, or economic opportunities between people or groups.
- Gender inequality – unfair treatment or limited opportunities based on gender.
🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge
Before you dive into global inequality, quickly review what you already know about opinion editorials and global issues.
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What is an opinion editorial and how is it different from a simple news report?
Show Answer
An opinion editorial is a piece of writing that clearly states the writer’s viewpoint on an issue and supports it with reasons and evidence. Unlike a news report, which mainly presents facts and events, an opinion editorial focuses on persuading readers to agree with a position or consider a new perspective.
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In your own words, what does the word topic mean in the context of opinion writing?
Show Answer
The topic is the general issue or area of concern that the editorial will address. It is the starting point that you will later narrow into a more specific problem or angle.
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Think of one issue you have heard about in the news that affects people in more than one country. Why might this be considered a global issue?
Show Answer
An issue that affects people in more than one country is global because its causes, effects, or solutions go beyond a single place. It may involve shared resources, international decisions, or worldwide consequences such as climate change, pandemics, or large-scale conflicts.
📖 Explore the Lesson
Work through each checkpoint slowly. Read, think, and respond in your notebook before checking the suggested answers.
Checkpoint 1: What Makes a Problem Global?
Mini-goal: Understand the key features of a global problem and apply them to real examples.
Not every serious problem is a global problem. A flooded classroom or a power outage in your neighborhood matters a lot to you, but it may not affect people in other countries. A problem becomes global when its impact crosses borders, when it touches many people or environments in different parts of the world, and when solutions require cooperation between nations.
According to international discussions on global challenges, a global problem usually has several features. It has a widespread impact, meaning it affects a large number of people or ecosystems, not just one town or one family. It shows interconnectedness: the causes and effects link to other issues such as health, economy, or conflict. It has long-term consequences, so it can harm future generations if we ignore it. Finally, it is often complex, involving many causes and many people who need to work together.
Think about climate change. Rising temperatures affect crops, water supply, and weather patterns in many countries. One country’s pollution can contribute to storms or droughts somewhere else. Or consider a pandemic: a virus that starts in one region can spread quickly because of travel and trade. These problems cannot be solved by a single government acting alone; they need shared agreements, funding, and action.
When you write an opinion editorial later, you will not be able to solve every global problem. However, you can choose one part of a global problem, describe it clearly, and show why it matters. Before you can do that, you need to be sure you are truly dealing with a global issue, not just a personal annoyance or a local dispute.
Mini-summary: A global problem affects many people or environments across borders, is interconnected with other issues, has long-term effects, and is complex enough to require international cooperation.
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Which of the four features of a global problem do you find easiest to understand, and why?
Show Answer
Many learners find widespread impact easiest to understand because it is clear when many people or places are affected. You can see this in news coverage of big storms, pandemics, or conflicts that appear in stories from different countries.
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Think of a problem in your community. Does it become a global problem when you consider its causes or effects? Explain.
Show Answer
Some community problems remain local, such as a broken footbridge used only by one neighborhood. Others connect to global issues, like plastic waste blocking a river that flows into the ocean, adding to worldwide pollution. The answer will depend on the example you choose and how it links to wider systems.
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Why is it important for a writer to know whether an issue is truly global before writing an opinion editorial about it?
Show Answer
A writer needs to know if an issue is global so they can choose the right scope, examples, and audience. If the problem is global, they may refer to international data, agreements, or organizations. If it is local, they might focus on local leaders and actions instead of worldwide solutions.
Checkpoint 2: Seeing Inequality in Everyday Life
Mini-goal: Recognize different forms of inequality and how they appear in real situations.
Inequality is not just a number in a report. It shows up in daily routines: who gets to attend school, who can see a doctor, who has internet access, and who feels safe walking home. In many places, two learners your age can wake up in the same city but live completely different lives because of their family income, gender, or location.
Imagine two students, Amina and Ravi. Amina lives in a crowded urban neighborhood where her school lacks textbooks and reliable electricity. Ravi lives in a private community with fast internet, updated computers, and teachers who have advanced training. Both are hardworking, but their opportunities are not the same. This is educational inequality. Similar patterns appear in health, jobs, and safety, creating economic and social inequality.
In some parts of Asia and Africa, children travel long distances just to reach school, while others cannot attend at all because their families depend on their labor at home or in the fields. In other places, hospitals are far away or too expensive, so preventable illnesses become serious threats. When one group has far more access to resources than another, inequalities deepen and become harder to fix over time.
As a future writer of an opinion editorial, you will not list every kind of inequality. Instead, you will zoom in on one area, such as education, healthcare, economic opportunities, or gender. Today’s job is to notice how inequality looks and feels so that later you can describe it clearly and honestly in your writing.
Mini-summary: Inequality appears in everyday situations where some people enjoy much better access to education, health care, safety, or income than others, even when they live in the same community or region.
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Which example of inequality in this checkpoint felt most real or familiar to you? Why?
Show Answer
Many learners connect strongly with examples about unequal access to school resources or technology, such as outdated textbooks, slow internet, or crowded classrooms, because they can compare these conditions to their own experience.
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How might educational inequality today affect a learner’s future job opportunities?
Show Answer
If a learner receives lower-quality education, they may have fewer skills, weaker exam results, and less confidence. This can limit their chances of entering higher education or skilled jobs, trapping them in low-paying work and continuing the cycle of poverty.
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Why do you think inequality is often harder to see for those who have more advantages?
Show Answer
People who enjoy many advantages may assume their experiences are normal for everyone. They may not regularly visit areas with fewer resources or hear the stories of those who struggle, so the gap remains invisible unless they choose to look closely.
Checkpoint 3: Global Inequality in Asia and Africa
Mini-goal: Connect everyday inequalities to the wider picture of global inequality in Asia and Africa.
Asia and Africa are large, diverse regions with many cultures, languages, and histories. They also contain some of the world’s fastest-growing cities and some of its most marginalized communities. When we talk about global inequality in these regions, we are not saying that every country is the same. Instead, we look at patterns that keep certain groups at a disadvantage across different countries.
In many parts of Asia and Africa, children in rural areas often have fewer qualified teachers and less access to learning materials than children in major cities. Some schools lack clean water, safe buildings, or internet connections. In other places, health centers are too far away or too expensive for poor families. These patterns show how educational and healthcare inequality can combine, making it harder for young people to stay healthy and succeed in school.
Global inequality also appears between countries. Some nations have stronger economies, more stable governments, and better infrastructure, while others struggle with conflict, debt, or climate-related disasters. When global decisions are made about trade, climate action, or technology, the voices of poorer countries may be weaker, even though they often face the worst impacts of global problems.
As you prepare to write about inequality, remember that statistics and big words are not enough. Behind every number is a person: a learner who wants to study, a family deciding between medicine and food, a community rebuilding after floods. Your opinion editorial will be stronger if you can connect the global picture to these human stories.
Mini-summary: Global inequality in Asia and Africa appears within and between countries, affecting access to education, healthcare, and opportunities, especially for rural and low-income communities.
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How is global inequality different from inequality within one school or neighborhood?
Show Answer
Inequality within one school or neighborhood focuses on differences between people in the same small area. Global inequality looks at patterns across regions and countries, showing how whole groups of people or nations have fewer resources and less power than others.
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Why is it useful to think about real people, not just numbers, when you write about global inequality?
Show Answer
Thinking about real people helps your writing become more human and persuasive. Readers care more when they can imagine the lives of individuals affected by inequality, not just abstract statistics.
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Choose one example of inequality mentioned in this checkpoint and rewrite it in a single, clear sentence.
Show Answer
Sample sentence: “In many rural areas of Asia and Africa, students have fewer qualified teachers and learning materials than those in big cities, making it harder for them to succeed in school.” Your own sentence may differ but should be specific and clear.
Checkpoint 4: Connecting Inequality to the Sustainable Development Goals
Mini-goal: Understand how SDG 10 and SDG 16 are linked to global inequality and peaceful societies.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global targets created to improve life for people and protect the planet. They remind governments, organizations, and citizens of the changes we need to work toward together. Two of these goals are especially important when we talk about inequality in Asia and Africa: SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
SDG 10 focuses on reducing differences in income and opportunities within and among countries. This includes fairer access to education, healthcare, and decent work. SDG 16 highlights the need for peaceful societies, access to justice, and trustworthy institutions such as courts, police, and government offices. When institutions are fair and transparent, people are more likely to feel safe and respected.
Inequality and peace are closely linked. If some groups are always left out of education, jobs, or decision-making, frustration and conflict can grow. On the other hand, when people feel that laws are fair and rights are protected, it becomes easier to solve disagreements peacefully. That is why many educators and leaders say that addressing educational inequality is also a step toward building more peaceful societies.
When you later write an opinion editorial, you might argue that reducing educational inequality supports both SDG 10 and SDG 16. You could show how giving more learners access to quality education helps them participate in their communities, understand their rights, and work together to solve problems.
Mini-summary: SDG 10 and SDG 16 focus on reducing inequality and building peaceful, just societies with strong institutions. Tackling inequality, especially in education, supports both goals.
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In your own words, why do SDG 10 and SDG 16 belong together in discussions about inequality?
Show Answer
They belong together because unfair differences in opportunities can lead to tension and conflict, while fair rules and strong institutions help protect people’s rights. Reducing inequality makes it easier to build peaceful, just societies.
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How could improving access to education support both SDG 10 and SDG 16 at the same time?
Show Answer
Better access to education reduces inequality by giving more people the skills they need to succeed (SDG 10). It also helps people understand laws, participate in decisions, and resolve problems peacefully, which supports SDG 16.
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Think of a message you might want readers to remember about inequality and peace. How could you express it in one strong sentence?
Show Answer
Sample sentence: “If we want peaceful and just societies, we must first make sure that no group is left behind in education, health, or opportunity.” Your own sentence may have different wording but should clearly link inequality and peace.
Checkpoint 5: The Web of Inequality
Mini-goal: See how different forms of inequality are connected like strands in a web.
It can be tempting to talk about educational inequality, health inequality, or economic inequality as if they are separate boxes. In reality, they often form a web. For example, a child who cannot access healthcare may miss many days of school because of illness. A student who must work to support their family may have less time to study. A girl who faces gender discrimination may be kept out of school altogether.
These connections mean that solving just one part of the problem may not be enough. Building more schools will not help if children are too sick or hungry to attend. Providing scholarships will not work if families do not feel safe letting girls travel to school. Policymakers, teachers, and community leaders must look at the whole web of causes and effects.
For you as a writer, understanding this web is powerful. It allows you to argue that your chosen problem is not a small issue but part of a bigger picture. When you later narrow your focus to a specific problem, you can still show how it links to other forms of inequality and why it deserves attention from your readers.
Mini-summary: Different forms of inequality are connected. Changes in education, health, safety, or income can pull on each other like strands in a web, making solutions more complex.
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Give one example of how health and education can be connected in a web of inequality.
Show Answer
One example: Children who cannot access good healthcare may become sick more often and miss school. Missing school can lead to lower achievement and fewer future opportunities, continuing the cycle of poverty.
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How might gender inequality affect economic opportunities later in life?
Show Answer
If girls are discouraged or prevented from attending school, they may have fewer skills and qualifications as adults. This limits the jobs they can apply for, reduces their income, and keeps their families in poverty.
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Why is it helpful for your future opinion editorial to show connections between different inequalities instead of treating them separately?
Show Answer
Showing connections helps readers see that your chosen problem is part of a larger system. It makes your argument stronger because it reveals deeper causes and wider consequences, not just isolated facts.
Checkpoint 6: Preparing to Write about Inequality
Mini-goal: Begin thinking like a writer who will later plan an opinion editorial on global inequality.
So far, you have explored what makes a problem global, how inequality appears in daily life, and how it affects people in Asia and Africa. You have connected these ideas to the Sustainable Development Goals and the web of causes and effects. Now, step back and look at everything you have learned through the eyes of a writer.
An opinion editorial needs a clear focus. Instead of writing about “global inequality” in general, you might choose something like “educational inequality for rural girls in East Africa” or “economic inequality faced by migrant workers in parts of Asia.” At this stage, you do not need to decide your final focus yet, but you can start noticing which issues matter most to you.
Writers also think about readers. Who might need to hear about the inequality you are studying? Local community members? Government officials? Fellow students? International organizations? Your understanding of global problems and their human impact will help you choose examples and language that speak to your target readers.
Mini-summary: You are now ready to start thinking like a writer: choosing a specific focus, imagining your readers, and using what you know about global inequality to shape a strong opinion editorial later.
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Which inequality discussed today feels most important for you personally, and why?
Show Answer
Your answer will depend on your experiences and values. A strong response explains why a particular issue, such as educational inequality or gender inequality, feels especially urgent or unfair to you.
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If you had to choose a target reader for an opinion editorial on inequality, who would it be and why?
Show Answer
Possible answers include classmates, school leaders, local officials, or a wider online audience. The important part is explaining why that reader has the power or responsibility to respond to the inequality you describe.
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Write one possible working title for an opinion editorial on inequality in Asia or Africa.
Show Answer
Sample titles: “No Child Left Offline: Tackling Digital Inequality in Rural Schools” or “Let Girls Learn: Why Education for Girls Builds Peaceful Communities.” Your own title should name the inequality and hint at your opinion.
💡 Example in Action
Study these worked examples to see how ideas about global inequality can be expressed clearly.
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Global or Local?
Situation: A factory in one town releases smoke that affects only a nearby village.Show Answer
This situation is mainly a local problem because its impact is limited to one village, even though it is serious. It becomes global only if the pollution contributes to larger climate issues or crosses borders.
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Recognizing Educational Inequality
Situation: School A has 45 students in a class, no library, and no internet. School B in the same city has 25 students per class, a library, and stable internet.Show Answer
This is an example of educational inequality within the same city. Learners at School B have better access to resources and more attention from teachers, which can lead to better outcomes.
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Linking to SDG 10
Situation: A government program offers scholarships only to students from wealthier districts.Show Answer
This policy increases inequality because students from poorer districts are left out. A fairer program that supports disadvantaged learners would support SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
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Linking to SDG 16
Situation: In one region, people from certain ethnic groups are treated unfairly by local officials and have little chance to report abuses.Show Answer
This situation shows weak and unfair institutions, which goes against SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. It may also deepen social inequality and tension between groups.
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Choosing a Focus for Writing
Task: From the examples above, choose one situation that could become the focus of an opinion editorial. Explain your choice in one or two sentences.Show Answer
Many learners might choose the unequal scholarship program because it is unfair, affects many students, and could be changed by policy. An opinion editorial could argue for more inclusive scholarships that prioritize disadvantaged learners.
📝 Try It Out
Answer these items in your notebook. Then compare your ideas with the suggested answers.
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Write your own definition of a global problem in one or two sentences.
Show Answer
A global problem is an issue that affects many people or environments in different countries and needs cooperation between nations to solve, such as climate change or global inequality.
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List three examples of problems you think are global. For each, explain briefly why it is global.
Show Answer
Sample answers: climate change (affects weather and food in many countries), pandemics (spread quickly through travel), and global poverty (millions of people around the world lack basic needs). Each example crosses borders and needs international action.
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Describe one example of educational inequality you have seen, heard about, or imagined.
Show Answer
Answers will vary. One example: Some schools have computer labs and science equipment, while others do not, giving students very different chances to practice skills.
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Explain how economic inequality can affect a learner’s ability to stay in school.
Show Answer
Economic inequality may force learners to work instead of studying, prevent them from paying fees or transportation, or make it hard to buy uniforms, books, or internet access.
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Give one example of gender inequality related to education in any country.
Show Answer
In some communities, girls are expected to stay home and help with chores instead of attending school, or they may be married early, which interrupts their education.
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Choose either SDG 10 or SDG 16. Write a short explanation of how that goal connects to inequality in Asia or Africa.
Show Answer
Sample for SDG 10: SDG 10 connects to inequality in Asia and Africa because it calls for fairer access to resources and opportunities. This includes improving education, healthcare, and jobs for people who have been left behind.
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Rewrite this statement to make it clearer: “Inequality is bad for people.”
Show Answer
Sample rewrite: “Inequality limits people’s chances to get education, work, and healthcare, which harms families and communities.”
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Imagine a student who cannot attend school regularly because of long travel distances. Explain how this could be part of the web of inequality.
Show Answer
The long distance may cause tiredness, lateness, or absences, leading to lower grades. This reduces the student’s chances for higher education and good jobs, which keeps their family in economic hardship.
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Write one question you would like to ask a leader about global inequality in your region.
Show Answer
Sample question: “What specific steps is our community taking to make sure all children, especially those from poor families, can attend quality schools?”
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Draft one sentence that could serve as the opening line of an opinion editorial on global inequality.
Show Answer
Sample line: “While some young people in our region study with laptops and fast internet, many others still walk miles to overcrowded classrooms with no electricity.”
✅ Check Yourself
Use this self-check to see how well you understood today’s key ideas.
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Multiple-choice: Which feature is not usually part of a global problem?
a) Widespread impact
b) Interconnectedness
c) Short-term, local effect only
d) Long-term consequencesShow Answer
The best answer is c) Short-term, local effect only.
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Multiple-choice: Which situation best shows educational inequality?
a) Two friends both enjoy the same school library.
b) One school has modern facilities while another nearby school has very few books and no internet.
c) A learner prefers science to math.
d) A class chooses different club activities.Show Answer
The best answer is b).
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Short answer: In one or two sentences, explain what is meant by global inequality.
Show Answer
Global inequality refers to unfair differences in resources, opportunities, and power between different countries and regions. It affects who can access education, healthcare, and economic opportunities around the world.
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Multiple-choice: Which SDG focuses mainly on reducing inequality?
a) SDG 4
b) SDG 10
c) SDG 13
d) SDG 16Show Answer
The correct answer is b) SDG 10.
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Multiple-choice: Which SDG focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions?
a) SDG 6
b) SDG 8
c) SDG 10
d) SDG 16Show Answer
The correct answer is d) SDG 16.
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Short answer: Give one example of how educational inequality can affect peace in a society.
Show Answer
If some groups receive much weaker education than others, they may feel excluded and powerless. This can lead to frustration, mistrust, and even conflict, making it harder to build peaceful communities.
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Short answer: What does it mean to say that inequalities form a “web”?
Show Answer
It means different inequalities are connected. For example, poor health can affect school attendance, which affects job opportunities, which keeps families in poverty.
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Multiple-choice: Which statement is the best example of a focused problem for an opinion editorial?
a) Inequality.
b) Problems in the world.
c) Educational inequality for rural girls in one region of Africa.
d) The whole history of poverty.Show Answer
The best answer is c) because it is specific and focused.
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Short answer: Why should an opinion editorial writer think carefully about the target reader?
Show Answer
The writer needs to know who can act on the issue and how to persuade that audience. Understanding the reader helps the writer choose tone, examples, and evidence that will have the most impact.
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Multiple-choice: Which of the following is most likely a global problem?
a) A broken window in one classroom.
b) Repeated droughts affecting food production across several countries.
c) A disagreement between two classmates.
d) A local sports team losing a game.Show Answer
The best answer is b).
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Short answer: Name one way global inequality might affect young people’s futures.
Show Answer
Global inequality can limit young people’s access to quality education, jobs, or healthcare, reducing their chances to build secure and healthy lives.
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Short answer: How might unequal access to technology deepen educational inequality?
Show Answer
Learners without access to technology may struggle to complete digital tasks, research information, or join online classes, falling behind classmates who have these tools.
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Multiple-choice: Which phrase best describes the global community?
a) People who live on the same street.
b) Students in one classroom.
c) The people and nations of the world, connected and affecting each other.
d) Members of a sports club.Show Answer
The correct answer is c).
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Short answer: Why is it important to look for real people’s stories when discussing global inequality?
Show Answer
Real stories help readers feel empathy and understand the human impact of inequality. They make your writing more powerful than numbers alone.
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Reflection check: In one or two sentences, state the most important idea you are taking away from this lesson.
Show Answer
Sample answer: “I learned that global inequality is not just about numbers but about real people whose lives are shaped by unfair access to education, health, and opportunities. Understanding this will help me write more meaningful opinion editorials.”
🚀 Go Further
Choose one or more activities if you want to deepen your understanding or if you are a teacher planning extension work.
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Create a simple infographic that compares educational opportunities in two different communities in Asia or Africa.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Encourage learners to use clear visuals (bars, icons, or simple charts) based on trustworthy data. The goal is to communicate one or two key comparisons, not to include every statistic.
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Interview a family member or neighbor about an inequality they have noticed in your community.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Support learners in developing respectful interview questions and in summarizing responses without sharing sensitive personal details.
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Design a short message (three to five sentences) that could be posted on a school bulletin board about reducing inequality.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Ask learners to focus on one clear call to action, such as supporting inclusive school practices or sharing resources fairly.
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Choose one SDG related to inequality and create a mini-poster that explains it to younger learners.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Remind learners to use simple language, visuals, and local examples so that younger students can understand the goal easily.
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Start a “question wall” in your notebook: write down any questions about global inequality that you cannot yet answer.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Use learner questions to plan future reading, research activities, or small-group discussions that connect directly to their curiosities.
🔗 My Reflection
Notebook task: In 5–7 sentences, answer these questions in your own words:
- Which idea about global inequality in Asia and Africa affected you the most today?
- How does this idea change the way you see your own education and opportunities?
- What question do you still have about inequality that you want to explore in future lessons?
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