The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Ivory Coast has adopted a revolutionary new system of postal addresses that contain just three words. It means that for the first time ever, everyone in the country will be able to receive mail to their house or office. Up until now, people had to rely on post office boxes. There were only 150,000 of these nationwide and people had to rent them, which meant poorer people found it difficult to receive mail. The head of Ivory Coast's post office told the BBC: "We have 150,000 PO boxes for a population of nearly 24 million. That means a postal address is a luxury in Ivory Coast. We have to make postal access available to everyone." He said the three-word addresses would move Ivory Coast into the digital age.

The Ivory Coast's new postal system is based on the what3words.com geo-mapping system. Its software has divided the world into a grid of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each assigned a unique 3-word address. The software uses latitude and longitude coordinates to precisely pinpoint a location on a global address network. The 22 numbers from these coordinates are converted into three easy to remember words that replace house numbers, street and city names and zip codes. A what3words.com spokesperson said: "Poor addressing might seem no more than annoying in some countries, but around the world, it hampers the growth and development of nations, ultimately costing lives."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38262877
  • http://www.techrepublic.com/article/why-geocoding-is-better-than-street-addresses-and-will-power-future-tech-and-services/
  • http://what3words.com/about/


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. POSTAL ADDRESSES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about postal addresses. 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?

       revolutionary / system / postal address / post office / mail / luxury / population / age
       geo-mapping / software / trillion / unique / coordinates / remember / annoying / lives

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

3. E-MAIL: Students A strongly believe e-mail addresses are more important than postal addresses; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. POSTAL SYSTEM: How could it be better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How are things now?

Improvements

Stamps

 

 

Post offices

 

 

Postal services

 

 

Speed

 

 

Envelopes

 

 

Deliveries

 

 

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

6. MAIL: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to receive in the mail at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • photos
  • party invitation
  • flight tickets
  • a surprise
  • birthday card
  • letter from friend
  • Amazon package
  • a postcard

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Ivory Coast's new postal addresses contain just three words.     T / F
  2. Not everyone could get mail delivered to their house in Ivory Coast.     T / F
  3. The Ivory Coast Post Office had 1,500,000 PO boxes.     T / F
  4. The head of the post office said a postal address used to be a luxury.     T / F
  5. Mapping software divided the world into 57 trillion squares / addresses.   T / F
  6. The software did not use latitude and longitude coordinates.     T / F
  7. The new addresses use the house number and zip code in the address.    T / F
  8. A website said the old addresses help boost growth and development.     T / F

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

  1. adopted
  2. revolutionary
  3. rely
  4. luxury
  5. available
  6. grid
  7. unique
  8. pinpoint
  9. annoying
  10. ultimately
  1. at hand
  2. depend
  3. identify
  4. individual
  5. extravagance
  6. chosen
  7. eventually
  8. network
  9. ultra-modern
  10. irritating

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

  1. Ivory Coast has adopted a revolutionary
  2. postal addresses that contain
  3. for the first time
  4. people had to rely
  5. make postal access available
  6. geo-
  7. divided the world into
  8. coordinates to precisely
  9. city names and zip
  10. it hampers the
  1. a grid
  2. on post office boxes
  3. pinpoint a location
  4. mapping
  5. just three words
  6. growth
  7. new system
  8. codes
  9. to everyone
  10. ever

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
means
rely
access
head
age
revolutionary
luxury
rent

Ivory Coast has adopted a (1) ____________ new system of postal addresses that contain just three words. It (2) ____________ that for the first time ever, everyone in the country will be able to receive mail to their house or office. Up until now, people had to (3) ____________ on post office boxes. There were only 150,000 of these nationwide and people had to (4) ____________ them, which meant poorer people found it difficult to receive mail. The (5) ____________ of Ivory Coast's post office told the BBC: "We have 150,000 PO boxes for a population of nearly 24 million. That means a postal address is a (6) ____________ in Ivory Coast. We have to make postal (7) ____________ available to everyone." He said the three-word addresses would move Ivory Coast into the digital (8) ____________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
pinpoint
divided
costing
based
converted
unique
annoying
replace

The Ivory Coast's new postal system is (9) ____________ on the what3words.com geo-mapping system. Its software has (10) ____________ the world into a grid of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each assigned a (11) ____________ 3-word address. The software uses latitude and longitude coordinates to precisely (12) ____________ a location on a global address network. The 22 numbers from these coordinates are (13) ____________ into three easy to remember words that (14) ____________ house numbers, street and city names and zip codes. A what3words.com spokesperson said: "Poor addressing might seem no more than (15) ____________ in some countries, but around the world it hampers the growth and development of nations, ultimately (16) ____________ lives."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  a revolutionary new system of postal addresses that ______ words
     a.  contains just three
     b.  contained just three
     c.  containing just three
     d.  contain just three

2)  Up until now, people had to ______ office boxes
     a.  rely in post
     b.  relying post
     c.  rely on post
     d.  relying on post

3)  There were only 150,000 of these nationwide and people ______ them
     a.  had to rent
     b.  had to went
     c.  had to lent
     d.  had to sent

4)  That means a postal address is ______ Ivory Coast
     a.  a luxurious in
     b.  a luxury in
     c.  a luxuries in
     d.  a luxuriant in

5)  He said the three-word addresses would move Ivory Coast ______
     a.  into the digital aged
     b.  into the digitally age
     c.  into a digital age
     d.  into the digital age

6) Ivory Coast's new postal system is based on the what3words.com ______
     a.  geo-mapping system
     b.  geo-map in system
     c.  geo-mapped in system
     d.  geo-mapping systems

7)  the what3words.com geo-mapping system. Its software has divided the ______
     a.  world into a grid
     b.  world into a girdle
     c.  world into a gridiron
     d.  world into a griddle

8)  software uses latitude and longitude coordinates to precisely ______
     a.  pinned point a location
     b.  pinpoint a location
     c.  pin pointed a location
     d.  pin pointer a location

9)  words that replace house numbers, street and city names ______
     a.  and zip codes
     b.  and zipped codes
     c.  and zipper codes
     d.  and zips codes

10)  it hampers the growth and development of nations, ______ lives
     a.  ultimate costing
     b.  ultimately cost in
     c.  ultimately costing
     d.  ultimate cost in

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Ivory Coast (1) ___________________ revolutionary new system of postal addresses that contain just three words. It means (2) __________________ time ever, everyone in the country will be able to receive mail to their house or office. Up until now, people (3) ___________________ post office boxes. There were only 150,000 of these nationwide and people had to rent them, which meant poorer people (4) ___________________ to receive mail. The head of Ivory Coast's post office told the BBC: "We have 150,000 PO boxes for a population (5) ___________________. That means a postal address is a luxury in Ivory Coast. We have to make postal access available to everyone." He said the three-word addresses would move Ivory Coast into (6) ___________________.

The Ivory Coast's new postal system (7) ___________________ what3words.com geo-mapping system. Its software has divided the world (8) ___________________ trillion 3m x 3m squares, each assigned a unique 3-word address. The software (9) ___________________ longitude coordinates to precisely pinpoint a location on a global address network. The 22 numbers from these coordinates (10) ___________________ into three easy to remember words that replace house numbers, street and city names and zip codes. A what3words.com spokesperson said: "Poor addressing might seem no (11) ___________________ in some countries, but around the world it hampers the growth and development of nations, (12) ___________________ lives."

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the article call the new postal system?
  2. What did people have to rely on to get mail?
  3. How many PO boxes are there in Ivory Coast?
  4. Who does the post office head want to make postal access available to?
  5. What age did the post office head say Ivory Coast could enter?
  6. What kind of system creates the addresses?
  7. How many locations did software create around the world?
  8. How many numbers are in latitude and longitude coordinates?
  9. What kind of codes does the new address system replace?
  10. What does a spokesperson say poor addressing can cost?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did the article call the new postal system?
a) nice
b) revolutionary
c) worldwide
d) expensive

2) What did people have to rely on to get mail?
a) lots of stamps
b) luck
c) maps
d) post office boxes

3) How many PO boxes are there in Ivory Coast?
a) 150,000,000
b) 15,000
c) 150,000
d) 1,500,000

4) Who does the post office head want to make postal access available to?
a) everyone
b) people in the mountains
c) children
d) those who can pay

5) What age did the post office head say Ivory Coast could enter?
a) 21
b) the digital age
c) the space age
d) the real age

6) What kind of system creates the addresses?
a) a geo-mapping system
b) a street finder
c) Google Street View
d) one that makes stamps

7) How many locations did software create around the world?
a) 57,000,000
b) 57,000,000,000
c) 57,000,000,000,000
d) 57,000,000,000,000,000

8) How many numbers are in latitude and longitude coordinates?
a) 22
b) 57
c) 3
d) 150

9) What kind of codes does the new address system replace?
a) secret codes
b) penal codes
c) bar codes
d) zip codes

10) What does a spokesperson say poor addressing can cost?
a) words
b) stamps
c) lives
d) nations

Role play

Role A —Birthday Card

You think a birthday card is the best thing to receive in the mail. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): an Amazon package, a surprise or a letter from a friend.

Role B —Amazon Package

You think an Amazon package is the best thing to receive in the mail. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): a birthday card, a surprise or a letter from a friend.

Role C —A Surprise

You think a surprise is the best thing to receive in the mail. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): an Amazon package, a birthday card or a letter from a friend.

Role D —A Letter from a Friend

You think a letter from a friend is the best thing to receive in the mail. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): an Amazon package, a surprise or a birthday card.

After reading / listening

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

'postal'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'address'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • divided
    • unique
    • location
    • 22
    • zip
    • lives
    • ever
    • rely
    • poorer
    • 24
    • age

    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 - Ivory Coast gets three-word postal addresses

    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 'address'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of your postal address?
    5. Which is more important – an e-mail address or postal address? Why?
    6. What do you think of the three-word address system?
    7. What three words would you like for your address?
    8. How much mail do you get every day?
    9. How useful are post office boxes?
    10. Why is it important to be in the digital age?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. How does the three-word address system work?
    3. How useful might the three-word address system be?
    4. Would you like a three-word address or your current address?
    5. How will the world change if everyone has an address?
    6. How might poor addressing hamper growth?
    7. What's the best address in your country?
    8. What are the disadvantages of the three-word address system?
    9. What are the advantages of the three-word address system?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the three-word address creator?

    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)

    Ivory Coast has (1) ____ a revolutionary new system of postal addresses that contain just three words. It means that for the first time ever, everyone in the country will be able to receive mail to their house or office. Up (2) ____ now, people had to rely (3) ____ post office boxes. There were only 150,000 of these nationwide and people had to (4) ____ them, which meant poorer people found it difficult to receive mail. The head of Ivory Coast's post office told the BBC: "We have 150,000 PO boxes for a population of nearly 24 million. That means a postal address is a (5) ____ in Ivory Coast. We have to make postal access available to everyone." He said the three-word addresses would move Ivory Coast into the digital (6) ____.

    The Ivory Coast's new postal system is based (7) ____ the what3words.com geo-mapping system. Its software has divided the world into a (8) ____ of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each assigned a (9) ____ 3-word address. The software uses latitude and longitude coordinates to precisely (10) ____ a location on a global address network. The 22 numbers from these coordinates are converted into three easy to remember words that replace house numbers, street and city names and (11) ____ codes. A what3words.com spokesperson said: "Poor addressing might seem no more than annoying in some countries, but around the world it (12) ____ the growth and development of nations, ultimately costing lives."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     adopting     (b)     adopted     (c)     adaptive     (d)     adaptor    
    2. (a)     still     (b)     then     (c)     again     (d)     and    
    3. (a)     of     (b)     to     (c)     in     (d)     on    
    4. (a)     lent     (b)     rent     (c)     went     (d)     sent    
    5. (a)     luxurious     (b)     luxury     (c)     luxuries     (d)     luxuriate    
    6. (a)     aged     (b)     aging     (c)     age     (d)     ago    
    7. (a)     of     (b)     in     (c)     on     (d)     to    
    8. (a)     girdle     (b)     griddle     (c)     grid     (d)     gridiron    
    9. (a)     unicast     (b)     unicycle     (c)     unicorn     (d)     unique    
    10. (a)     pinpoint     (b)     exact     (c)     correct     (d)     pinned    
    11. (a)     zip     (b)     zipped     (c)     zipping     (d)     zipper    
    12. (a)     bumpers     (b)     clampers     (c)     hampers     (d)     stumpers

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a unvrlroiaeyto new system
    2. 150,000 of these aonwieitnd
    3. a ionlotpuap of nearly 24 million
    4. a postal address is a xluyur
    5. postal access aaalivelb to everyone
    6. move Ivory Coast into the atiilgd age

    Paragraph 2

    1. each gnsdeias a unique 3-word address
    2. latitude and longitude otdoraesicn
    3. riecleysp pinpoint a location
    4. revtcdone into three
    5. nynioagn in some countries
    6. limyteuatl costing lives

    Put the text back together

    (    )     of Ivory Coast's post office told the BBC: "We have 150,000 PO boxes for a population of

    (    )     address network. The 22 numbers from these coordinates are converted into three easy to remember

    (    )     mapping system. Its software has divided the world into a grid of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each assigned a unique

    (    )     words that replace house numbers, street and city names and zip

    (    )     codes. A what3words.com spokesperson said: "Poor addressing might seem no more than annoying in

    (    )     office. Up until now, people had to rely on post office boxes. There were only 150,000 of these nationwide

      )     The Ivory Coast's new postal system is based on the what3words.com geo-

    (    )     3-word address. The software uses latitude and longitude coordinates to precisely pinpoint a location on a global

    (    )     some countries, but around the world, it hampers the growth and development of nations, ultimately costing lives."

    (    )     and people had to rent them, which meant poorer people found it difficult to receive mail. The head

    (    )     nearly 24 million. That means a postal address is a luxury in Ivory Coast. We have to make postal access

    (    )     that for the first time ever, everyone in the country will be able to receive mail to their house or

    (  1  )     Ivory Coast has adopted a revolutionary new system of postal addresses that contain just three words. It means

    (    )     available to everyone." He said the three-word addresses would move Ivory Coast into the digital age.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   Adopted   addresses   postal   of   system   new   revolutionary   .
    2. in   first   will   everyone   the   For   country   ever   ,   the   time   .
    3. rely   to   had   people   ,   now   until   Up   boxes   office   post   on   .
    4. everyone   postal   We   access   have   available   to   to   make   .
    5. word  Three-  age  digital  the  into  Coast  Ivory  move  would  addresses   .
    6. world   software   into   has   a   divided   grid   the   Its   .
    7. address   a   location   pinpoint   network   global   on   a   Precisely   .
    8. coordinates   these   from   numbers   22   The   converted   are   .
    9. easy   replace   to   house  remember   numbers   words  Three   that   .
    10. addressing   Poor   annoying   than   more   no   seem   might   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Ivory Coast has adopted a revolution / revolutionary new system of postal addresses that contain just / justly three words. It means that for the first time every / ever, everyone in the country will be able to receive mail to their house or office. Up / Come until now, people had to rely in / on post office boxes. There were only 150,000 of these / them nationwide and people had to rent them, which meant poorer people found it difficult / difficulty to receive mail. The head of Ivory Coast's post office telling / told the BBC: "We have 150,000 PO boxes for a population of nearly 24 million. That means a postal address is a luxury / luxurious in Ivory Coast. We have to make postal access available to everyone." He said the three-word addresses would move Ivory Coast into the digital aged / age.

    The Ivory Coast's new postal system is biased / based on the what3words.com geo-mapping system. Its software has divided / division the world into a grid / griddle of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each assigned / resigned a unique 3-word address. The software uses aptitude / latitude and longitude coordinates to precisely / precision pinpoint a location on a global address network. The 22 numbers from these coordinates are converted / conversion into three easy to remember words that replace house numbers, street and city names and zipper / zip codes. A what3words.com spokesperson said: "Poor addressing might seem no more than annoying / annoyance in some countries, but around the world it hampers the growth and development of nations, ultimately / ultimate costing lives."

    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)

    _v_ry C__st h_s _d_pt_d _ r_v_l_t__n_ry n_w syst_m _f p_st_l _ddr_ss_s th_t c_nt__n j_st thr__ w_rds. _t m__ns th_t f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _v_r, _v_ry_n_ _n th_ c__ntry w_ll b_ _bl_ t_ r_c__v_ m__l t_ th__r h__s_ _r _ff_c_. _p _nt_l n_w, p__pl_ h_d t_ r_ly _n p_st _ff_c_ b_x_s. Th_r_ w_r_ _nly 150,000 _f th_s_ n_t__nw_d_ _nd p__pl_ h_d t_ r_nt th_m, wh_ch m__nt p__r_r p__pl_ f__nd _t d_ff_c_lt t_ r_c__v_ m__l. Th_ h__d _f _v_ry C__st's p_st _ff_c_ t_ld th_ BBC: "W_ h_v_ 150,000 P_ b_x_s f_r _ p_p_l_t__n _f n__rly 24 m_ll__n. Th_t m__ns _ p_st_l _ddr_ss _s _ l_x_ry _n _v_ry C__st. W_ h_v_ t_ m_k_ p_st_l _cc_ss _v__l_bl_ t_ _v_ry_n_." H_ s__d th_ thr__-w_rd _ddr_ss_s w__ld m_v_ _v_ry C__st _nt_ th_ d_g_t_l _g_.

    Th_ _v_ry C__st's n_w p_st_l syst_m _s b_s_d _n th_ wh_t3w_rds.c_m g__-m_pp_ng syst_m. _ts s_ftw_r_ h_s d_v_d_d th_ w_rld _nt_ _ gr_d _f 57 tr_ll__n 3m x 3m sq__r_s, __ch _ss_gn_d _ _n_q__ 3-w_rd _ddr_ss. Th_ s_ftw_r_ _s_s l_t_t_d_ _nd l_ng_t_d_ c__rd_n_t_s t_ pr_c_s_ly p_np__nt _ l_c_t__n _n _ gl_b_l _ddr_ss n_tw_rk. Th_ 22 n_mb_rs fr_m th_s_ c__rd_n_t_s _r_ c_nv_rt_d _nt_ thr__ __sy t_ r_m_mb_r w_rds th_t r_pl_c_ h__s_ n_mb_rs, str__t _nd c_ty n_m_s _nd z_p c_d_s. _ wh_t3w_rds.c_m sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d: "P__r _ddr_ss_ng m_ght s__m n_ m_r_ th_n _nn_y_ng _n s_m_ c__ntr__s, b_t _r__nd th_ w_rld _t h_mp_rs th_ gr_wth _nd d_v_l_pm_nt _f n_t__ns, _lt_m_t_ly c_st_ng l_v_s."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    ivory coast has adopted a revolutionary new system of postal addresses that contain just three words it means that for the first time ever everyone in the country will be able to receive mail to their house or office up until now people had to rely on post office boxes there were only 150000 of these nationwide and people had to rent them which meant poorer people found it difficult to receive mail the head of ivory coast's post office told the bbc "we have 150000 po boxes for a population of nearly 24 million that means a postal address is a luxury in ivory coast we have to make postal access available to everyone" he said the three-word addresses would move ivory coast into the digital age

    the ivory coast's new postal system is based on the what3wordscom geo-mapping system its software has divided the world into a grid of 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares each assigned a unique 3-word address the software uses latitude and longitude coordinates to precisely pinpoint a location on a global address network the 22 numbers from these coordinates are converted into three easy to remember words that replace house numbers street and city names and zip codes a what3wordscom spokesperson said "poor addressing might seem no more than annoying in some countries but around the world it hampers the growth and development of nations ultimately costing lives"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    IvoryCoasthasadoptedarevolutionarynewsystemofpostaladdresses
    thatcontainjustthreewords.Itmeansthatforthefirsttimeever,everyo
    neinthecountrywillbeabletoreceivemailtotheirhouseoroffice.Upuntil
    now,peoplehadtorelyonpostofficeboxes.Therewereonly150,000oft
    hesenationwideandpeoplehadtorentthem,whichmeantpoorerpeopl
    efounditdifficulttoreceivemail.TheheadofIvoryCoast'spostofficetold
    theBBC:"Wehave150,000POboxesforapopulationofnearly24million.
    ThatmeansapostaladdressisaluxuryinIvoryCoast.Wehavetomakepo
    stalaccessavailabletoeveryone."Hesaidthethree-wordaddressesw
    ouldmoveIvoryCoastintothedigitalage.TheIvoryCoast'snewpostalsy
    stemisbasedonthewhat3words.comgeo-mappingsystem.Itssoftwar
    ehasdividedtheworldintoagridof57trillion3mx3msquares,eachassig
    nedaunique3-wordaddress.Thesoftwareuseslatitudeandlongitudec
    oordinatestopreciselypinpointalocationonaglobaladdressnetwork.T
    he22numbersfromthesecoordinatesareconvertedintothreeeasytore
    memberwordsthatreplacehousenumbers,streetandcitynamesandzi
    pcodes.Awhat3words.comspokespersonsaid:"Pooraddressingmigh
    tseemnomorethanannoyinginsomecountries,butaroundtheworld,it
    hampersthegrowthanddevelopmentofnations,ultimatelycostinglive
    s."

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Postal addresses are more important than e-mail addresses. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    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 the what3words geo-mapping global addressing network. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. GEO-MAPPING: Make a poster about heo-mapping. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. POSTAL ADDRESSES: Write a magazine article about postal addresses being more important than e-mail addresses. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe this and with those who do not.

    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 geo-mapping. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how geo-mapping can help us. 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.)

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You