The Reading / Listening - Level 3

One of the word's most famous beer companies is changing the name of its best-selling beer. The company is Anheuser-Busch (AB), which is the USA's largest maker of beer. It is going to change the name of its Budweiser beer to 'America'. The name change will be only for six months, between May 23 and November. A company spokesperson said the name change is to try and increase sales. Budweiser used to be the USA's most popular beer but it has been losing market share for over 25 years. The word 'America' will replace the word 'Budweiser' on its cans. It will also use the same font that AB uses for Budweiser. In addition, the initials "AB" will be replaced by "US".

The new name and labeling is part of Budweiser’s summer-long campaign called "America is in Your Hands". There are many important national days during the campaign period, starting with the Memorial Day weekend on May 30 and ending with the presidential elections in November. In between are the summer Olympics and Labor Day. The company wants Americans to feel proud of America – both the company and the beer. Budweiser's vice president Ricardo Marques said: "Budweiser has always strived to embody America in a bottle, and we're honoured to salute this great nation, where our beer has been passionately brewed for the past 140 years."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0,  Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.wsj.com/articles/budweiser-to-rebrand-beer-to-america-through-elections-1462924800
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/business-36260352
  • http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/05/10/477499942/budweiser-will-call-itself-america-for-a-limited-time


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. AMERICA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about America. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       famous / beer / companies / change / increase / popular / market share / initials /
       labeling / national days / campaign / presidential elections / summer / bottle

Have a        chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. COUNTRY NAMES: Students A strongly believe country names should not be used for product banes; Students B strongly believe that is OK to use a country name as a product name.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. NAME CHANGES: What would be a better name for these products and why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • McDonald's Big Mac
  • Apple iPhone
  • Coca-Cola
  • Sony PlayStation
  • Facebook
  • Toyota Corolla
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. BEER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "beer". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. AMERICA: Rank these with your partner. Put the best products to be called 'America' at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • a video game
  • a kind of coffee
  • an airplane
  • a headache tablet
  • a hamburger
  • a car
  • a phone
  • a hat

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The company Anheuser-Busch has changed its name to 'America'.     T / F
  2. Budweiser's name change will be just for six months.     T / F
  3. The name change is to make the USA more famous in other nations.     T / F
  4. The word 'America' will be in a brand new font on the beer cans.     T / F
  5. A new Budweiser campaign is called "America is n Your Mouth".     T / F
  6. The campaign will end after the US presidential election.     T / F
  7. The company wants to increase people's pride in the USA.     T / F
  8. Budweiser has been made in the USA for around 140 years.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. famous
  2. maker
  3. spokesperson
  4. replace
  5. in addition
  6. campaign
  7. starting
  8. strived
  9. salute
  10. brewed
  1. tried hard
  2. exchange
  3. manufacturer
  4. prepared
  5. drive
  6. well known
  7. honour
  8. representative
  9. beginning
  10. also

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. changing the name of its best-
  2. try and increase
  3. it has been losing market
  4. It will also use the same
  5. the initials "AB" will be
  6. part of Budweiser’s summer-
  7. ending with the presidential
  8. feel
  9. we're honoured to
  10. our beer has been passionately
  1. salute this great nation
  2. proud of America
  3. font
  4. long campaign
  5. sales
  6. share
  7. brewed
  8. replaced by "US"
  9. elections
  10. selling beer

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
only
selling
sales
font
maker
initials
popular
market

One of the world's most famous beer companies is changing the name of its best-(1) ____________ beer. The company is Anheuser-Busch (AB), which is the USA's largest (2) ____________ of beer. It is going to change the name of its Budweiser beer to 'America'. The name change will be (3) ____________ for six months, between May 23 and November. A company spokesperson said the name change is to try and increase (4) ____________. Budweiser used to be the USA's most (5) ____________ beer but it has been losing (6) ____________ share for over 25 years. The word 'America' will replace the word 'Budweiser' on its cans. It will also use the same (7) ____________ that AB uses for Budweiser. In addition, the (8) ____________ "AB" will be replaced by "US".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
period
labeling
always
campaign
brewed
proud
bottle
elections

The new name and (9) ____________ is part of Budweiser’s summer-long (10) ____________ called "America is in Your Hands". There are many important national days during the campaign (11) ____________, starting with the Memorial Day weekend on May 30 and ending with the presidential (12) ____________ in November. In between are the summer Olympics and Labor Day. The company wants Americans to feel (13) ____________ of America – both the company and the beer. Budweiser's vice president Ricardo Marques said: "Budweiser has (14) ____________ strived to embody America in a (15) ____________, and we're honoured to salute this great nation, where our beer has been passionately (16) ____________ for the past 140 years."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  One of the word's most famous beer companies is changing the name ______ beer
     a.  of this best-selling
     b.  of its beast-selling
     c.  of its best-selling
     d.  of its past-selling

2)  It is going to change the name of its Budweiser ______
     a.  beer for 'America'
     b.  beer two 'America'
     c.  beer too 'America'
     d.  beer to 'America'

3)  A company spokesperson said the name change is to try ______
     a.  and increase sells
     b.  and increase sales
     c.  and increases sales
     d.  and increased sales

4)  Budweiser used to be the USA's most popular beer but it has been ______
     a.  lose in market share
     b.  losing market share
     c.  lost in market share
     d.  losing market shares

5)  The word 'America' will replace the word 'Budweiser' ______
     a.  on its cans
     b.  on this cans
     c.  on its scans
     d.  on its can

6)  The new name and labeling is part of Budweiser’s ______
     a.  summer-long campaign
     b.  summer-long campaigns
     c.  summer-long campaigner
     d.  summer-longs campaign

7)  There are many important national days during ______
     a.  the campaign periods
     b.  the campaign period
     c.  the campaigns period
     d.  the campaigns periods

8)  The company wants Americans to feel ______
     a.  proud of America
     b.  pride of America
     c.  proud off America
     d.  pride off America

9)  Budweiser has always strived to embody ______
     a.  America on a bottle
     b.  America in the bottle
     c.  America in a bottles
     d.  America in a bottle

10)  where our beer has been passionately brewed for ______ years
     a.  the pest 140
     b.  the paste 140
     c.  the past 140
     d.  the passed 140

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

One of the world's most famous beer companies (1) ___________________ name of its best-selling beer. The company is Anheuser-Busch (AB), which is the USA's largest maker of beer. It is going to (2) ___________________ of its Budweiser beer to 'America'. The name change (3) ___________________ six months, between May 23 and November. A company spokesperson said the name change is to try (4) ___________________. Budweiser used to be the USA's most popular beer but it has been losing (5) ___________________ over 25 years. The word 'America' will replace the word 'Budweiser' on its cans. It will also use the same font that AB uses for Budweiser. In (6) ___________________ "AB" will be replaced by "US".

The new name and (7) ___________________ of Budweiser’s summer-long campaign called "America is in Your Hands". There are many important national days (8) ___________________ period, starting with the Memorial Day weekend on May 30 and ending with the (9) ___________________ in November. In between are the summer Olympics and Labor Day. The company (10) ___________________ proud of America – both the company and the beer. Budweiser's vice president Ricardo Marques said: "Budweiser (11) ___________________ to embody America in a bottle, and we're honoured to salute this great nation, where our beer has been passionately (12) ___________________ 140 years."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the name of the company that makes Budweiser?
  2. For how long will Budweiser have its new name?
  3. When will the name change begin?
  4. For how long has Budweiser been losing market share?
  5. What will the initials "AB" change to on Budweiser cans?
  6. What is the name of Budweiser's summer-long campaign?
  7. What is happening on May 30th in the USA?
  8. What is happening in the USA at the end of the campaign?
  9. What is the position of Ricardo Marquez in Budweiser?
  10. For how long has Budweiser been brewed in the USA?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the company that makes Budweiser?
a) Jack Daniels
b) Anheuser-Busch
c) Nestle
d) Coca-Cola

2) For how long will Budweiser have its new name?
a) 2 weeks
b) a month
c) 3 months
d) 6 months

3) When will the name change begin?
a) May 23
b) May 24
c) May 25
d) May 26

4) For how long has Budweiser been losing market share?
a) 22 years
b) 20 years
c) 25 years
d) 28 years

5) What will the initials "AB" change to on Budweiser cans?
a) "BA"
b) "US"
c) "AZ"
d) "AS"

6) What is the name of Budweiser's summer-long campaign?
a) America is in Your Hands
b) America is in Your Mouth
c) America is in Your Heart
d) America is in Your Stomach

7) What is happening on May 30th in the USA?
a) USA Beer Day
b) the summer Olympics
c) Memorial Day
d) an election

8) What is happening in the USA at the end of the campaign?
a) the presidential elections
b) a big conference
c) the Olympics
d) USA Beer Day

9) What is the position of Ricardo Marquez in Budweiser?
a) vice president
b) chief brewer
c) owner
d) CEO

10) For how long has Budweiser been brewed in the USA?
a) 110 years
b) 120 years
c) 130 years
d) 140 years

Role play

Role A —A headache tablet

You think a headache tablet is the best product to be called 'America'. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things should not be called 'America'. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a hat, a video game or a hamburger.

Role B — A hat

You think a hat is the best product to be called 'America'. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things should not be called 'America'. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a hamburger, a video game or a headache tablet.

Role C — A video game

You think a video game is the best product to be called 'America'. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things should not be called 'America'. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a hat, a hamburger or a headache tablet.

Role D — A hamburger

You think a hamburger is the best product to be called 'America'. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things should not be called 'America'. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a hat, a video game or a headache tablet.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'name'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'change'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • long
    • during
    • 30
    • between
    • vice
    • 140
    • selling
    • largest
    • six
    • try
    • share
    • addition

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Budweiser beer renamed America

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'America'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of companies or products changing names?
    5. What do you know about Budweiser?
    6. Should Budweiser change its name forever to America?
    7. Which is the better name, Budweiser or America?
    8. How successful do you think the name change will be?
    9. What other things would sell well if they were called America?
    10. Would you buy things if they were called by your country's name?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. How important is labeling?
    3. Should Budweiser extend its campaign if the beer sells well?
    4. Is it important to buy things made in your own country?
    5. How proud are you of your country?
    6. What things does your country make that you are proud of?
    7. What things best embody your country?
    8. How great is your nation?
    9. What other products do you know that have been renamed?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the CEO of Budweiser?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    One of the world's most famous beer companies is changing the name of its best- (1) ____ beer. The company is Anheuser-Busch (AB), which is the USA's largest (2) ____ of beer. It is going to change the name of (3) ____ Budweiser beer to 'America'. The name change will be only for six months, between May 23 and November. A company spokesperson said the name change is to (4) ____ and increase sales. Budweiser used to be the USA's most popular beer but it has been losing market (5) ____ for over 25 years. The word 'America' will replace the word 'Budweiser' on its cans. It will also use the same font that AB uses for Budweiser. In addition, the (6) ____ "AB" will be replaced by "US".

    The new name and (7) ____ is part of Budweiser’s summer-long campaign called "America is in Your Hands". There are many important national days during the campaign period, starting (8) ____ the Memorial Day weekend on May 30 and ending with the presidential elections in November. In between are the summer Olympics and Labor Day. The company wants Americans to feel (9) ____ of America – (10) ____ the company and the beer. Budweiser's vice president Ricardo Marques said: "Budweiser has always strived to (11) ____ America in a bottle, and we're honoured to salute this great nation, where our beer has been (12) ____ brewed for the past 140 years."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     sales     (b)     sold     (c)     selling     (d)     seller    
    2. (a)     maker     (b)     baker     (c)     taker     (d)     faker    
    3. (a)     one     (b)     its     (c)     that     (d)     this    
    4. (a)     trail     (b)     fry     (c)     trial     (d)     try    
    5. (a)     part     (b)     divide     (c)     share     (d)     area    
    6. (a)     initialise     (b)     initials     (c)     initial     (d)     initially    
    7. (a)     labeling     (b)     handles     (c)     spades     (d)     quests    
    8. (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     on     (d)     with    
    9. (a)     fashion     (b)     apt     (c)     proud     (d)     thirsty    
    10. (a)     whole     (b)     every     (c)     all     (d)     both    
    11. (a)     bodily     (b)     embody     (c)     bodied     (d)     bodice    
    12. (a)     passionately     (b)     passion     (c)     passions     (d)     passionate

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the world's most uamfos beer companies
    2. the USA's eglstar maker of beer
    3. A company enoksessoprp
    4. try and asencier sales
    5. the USA's most pproaul beer
    6. the iinsalti "AB" will be replaced by "US"

    Paragraph 2

    1. Budweiser’s summer-long cnmpgaia
    2. important iaanolnt days
    3. the presidential tseeniocl
    4. feel rduop of America
    5. salute this great itnnoa
    6. our beer has been passionately rebdew

    Put the text back together

    1. (     )     for Budweiser. In addition, the initials "AB" will be replaced by "US".
    2. (     )     and the beer. Budweiser's vice president Ricardo Marques said: "Budweiser has
    3. (  1  )     One of the world's most famous beer companies is changing the name of its best-selling beer. The company is
    4. (     )     popular beer but it has been losing market share for over 25 years. The word 'America' will
    5. (     )     Anheuser-Busch (AB), which is the USA's largest maker of beer. It is going to change the name of its Budweiser beer
    6. (     )     to 'America'. The name change will be only for six months, between May 23 and November. A company
    7. (     )     The new name and labeling is part of Budweiser’s summer-long campaign called "America is in
    8. (     )     always strived to embody America in a bottle, and we're honoured to salute this
    9. (     )     replace the word 'Budweiser' on its cans. It will also use the same font that AB uses
    10. (     )     spokesperson said the name change is to try and increase sales. Budweiser used to be the USA's most
    11. (     )     great nation, where our beer has been passionately brewed for the past 140 years."
    12. (     )     Olympics and Labor Day. The company wants Americans to feel proud of America – both the company
    13. (     )     Your Hands". There are many important national days during the campaign period, starting with the Memorial Day weekend
    14. (     )     on May 30 and ending with the presidential elections in November. In between are the summer

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   of   One   companies   beer   famous   most   world's   .
    2. The   only   name   for   change   six   will   months   be   .
    3. USA's   used   most   to   popular   be   beer   the   Budweiser   .
    4. has   market   over   It   losing   for   years   been   share   25   .
    5. AB   will   the   that   It   use   font   uses   also   same   .
    6. campaign   Budweiser’s   Labeling   summer   is   -   part   long   of   .
    7. the   during   days   national   important   Many   period   campaign   .
    8. to   The   feel   company   proud   wants   of   Americans   America   .
    9. to   this   nation   honoured   salute   great   We're   .
    10. past   Beer   passionately   the  years   been   for   140  has   brewed   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    One of the world's most famous beer companies is  / are changing the name of its best-selling beer. The company is Anheuser-Busch (AB), which is the USA's largest maker for / of beer. It is going to change a / the name of its Budweiser beer to 'America'. The name change will be only from / for six months, between May 23 and November. A company / companies spokesperson said the name change is to try / trial and increase sales. Budweiser used / uses to be the USA's most popular beer but it has been losing market share / sharing for over 25 years. The word 'America' will replace the word 'Budweiser' on its cans / canned. It will also use the same font that AB uses for Budweiser. In addition, the initial / initials "AB" will be replaced by "US".

    The new name and labeling is party / part of Budweiser’s summer-long campaign called "America is in Your Hands". There are most / many important national days daring / during the campaign period, starting with the Memorial Day weekend in / on May 30 and ending with the presidential / president elections in November. In between / among are the summer Olympics and Labor Day. The company wants Americans to feel pride / proud of America – both the company and the beer. Budweiser's vice president Ricardo Marques said: "Budweiser has always strived / starved to embody America in a bottle, and we're honoured to salute / state this great nation, where our beer has been passionately brewing / brewed for the past 140 years."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    _n_ _f th_ w_rld's m_st f_m__s b__r c_mp_n__s _s ch_ng_ng th_ n_m_ _f _ts b_st-s_ll_ng b__r. Th_ c_mp_ny _s _nh__s_r-B_sch (_B), wh_ch _s th_ _S_'s l_rg_st m_k_r _f b__r. _t _s g__ng t_ ch_ng_ th_ n_m_ _f _ts B_dw__s_r b__r t_ '_m_r_c_'. Th_ n_m_ ch_ng_ w_ll b_ _nly f_r s_x m_nths, b_tw__n M_y 23 _nd N_v_mb_r. _ c_mp_ny sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d th_ n_m_ ch_ng_ _s t_ try _nd _ncr__s_ s_l_s. B_dw__s_r _s_d t_ b_ th_ _S_'s m_st p_p_l_r b__r b_t _t h_s b__n l_s_ng m_rk_t sh_r_ f_r _v_r 25 y__rs. Th_ w_rd '_m_r_c_' w_ll r_pl_c_ th_ w_rd 'B_dw__s_r' _n _ts c_ns. _t w_ll _ls_ _s_ th_ s_m_ f_nt th_t _B _s_s f_r B_dw__s_r. _n _dd_t__n, th_ _n_t__ls "_B" w_ll b_ r_pl_c_d by "_S".

    Th_ n_w n_m_ _nd l_b_l_ng _s p_rt _f B_dw__s_r’s s_mm_r-l_ng c_mp__gn c_ll_d "_m_r_c_ _s _n Y__r H_nds". Th_r_ _r_ m_ny _mp_rt_nt n_t__n_l d_ys d_r_ng th_ c_mp__gn p_r__d, st_rt_ng w_th th_ M_m_r__l D_y w__k_nd _n M_y 30 _nd _nd_ng w_th th_ pr_s_d_nt__l _l_ct__ns _n N_v_mb_r. _n b_tw__n _r_ th_ s_mm_r _lymp_cs _nd L_b_r D_y. Th_ c_mp_ny w_nts _m_r_c_ns t_ f__l pr__d _f _m_r_c_ – b_th th_ c_mp_ny _nd th_ b__r. B_dw__s_r's v_c_ pr_s_d_nt R_c_rd_ M_rq__s s__d: "B_dw__s_r h_s _lw_ys str_v_d t_ _mb_dy _m_r_c_ _n _ b_ttl_, _nd w_'r_ h_n__r_d t_ s_l_t_ th_s gr__t n_t__n, wh_r_ __r b__r h_s b__n p_ss__n_t_ly br_w_d f_r th_ p_st 140 y__rs."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    One of the world's most famous beer companies is changing the name of its best-selling beer the company is anheuser-busch (ab) which is the usa's largest maker of beer it is going to change the name of its budweiser beer to 'america' the name change will be only for six months between may 23 and november a company spokesperson said the name change is to try and increase sales budweiser used to be the usa's most popular beer but it has been losing market share for over 25 years the word 'america' will replace the word 'budweiser' on its cans it will also use the same font that ab uses for budweiser in addition the initials "ab" will be replaced by "us"

    the new name and labeling is part of budweiser’s summer-long campaign called "america is in your hands" there are many important national days during the campaign period starting with the memorial day weekend on may 30 and ending with the presidential elections in november in between are the summer olympics and labor day the company wants americans to feel proud of america – both the company and the beer budweiser's vice president ricardo marques said "budweiser has always strived to embody america in a bottle and we're honoured to salute this great nation where our beer has been passionately brewed for the past 140 years"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Oneoftheworld'smostfamousbeercompaniesischangingthenameofit
    sbest-sellingbeer.ThecompanyisAnheuser-Busch(AB),whichist
    heUSA'slargestmakerofbeer.ItisgoingtochangethenameofitsBudwe
    iserbeerto'America'.Thenamechangewillbeonlyforsixmonths,betwe
    enMay23andNovember.Acompanyspokespersonsaidthenamechan
    geistotryandincreasesales.BudweiserusedtobetheUSA'smostpopul
    arbeerbutithasbeenlosingmarketshareforover25years.Theword'Am
    erica'willreplacetheword'Budweiser'onitscans.Itwillalsousethesame
    fontthatABusesforBudweiser.Inaddition,theinitials"AB"willbereplac
    edby"US".ThenewnameandlabelingispartofBudweiser’ssummer-lo
    ngcampaigncalled"AmericaisinYourHands".Therearemanyimportan
    tnationaldaysduringthecampaignperiod,startingwiththeMemorialD
    ayweekendonMay30andendingwiththepresidentialelectionsinNove
    mber.InbetweenarethesummerOlympicsandLaborDay.Thecompan
    ywantsAmericanstofeelproudofAmerica–boththecompanyandtheb
    eer.Budweiser'svicepresidentRicardoMarquessaid:"Budweiserhasal
    waysstrivedtoembodyAmericainabottle,andwe'rehonouredtosalute
    thisgreatnation,whereourbeerhasbeenpassionatelybrewedforthepa
    st140years."

    Free writing

    Write about America for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Products should not be named after country names. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about Budweiser. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. TOP BRAND: Make a poster about the top brand in your country. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. NAME CHANGE: Write a magazine article about a product changing its name to your country's name. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on branding. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to sell things better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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