The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The government of Venezuela has seized nearly 4 million children's toys from a toy distributor. It will give the toys to children for free or at discounted prices in time for Christmas. The government says the distributor was unfairly charging high prices for the toys, which meant only the richest people could buy them. Venezuela has one of the highest rates of inflation in the world. This is the rate at which prices go up. The IMF says the rate could be as much as 2,000 per cent in 2017. Many Venezuelans can't afford to buy non-essential items like toys. Even a jar of Nutella can cost half the monthly minimum salary. In the past few months, Venezuela has also ordered price cuts on clothes.

In total, the government seized 3,821,926 toys from two warehouses. It tweeted: "Our children are sacred. We will not let anyone rob them at Christmas. Boys and girls of this country will have a happy Christmas." The government said the toy distributor was keeping the toys out of the shops to reduce their supply and so increase prices. The government also accused the company of buying them with dollars it got at very low rates several years ago and now wanted to sell the toys at much higher prices. The toy distributor has said it has done nothing wrong and was not trying to sell the toys at high prices to make huge profits. It said many of the toys were out of fashion.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0,  Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-09/venezuela-seizes-millions-of-toys-accuses-importer-of-hoarding
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38274267
  • http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/11/505189281/venezuela-seizes-nearly-4-million-toys-saying-theyre-overpriced


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. TOYS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about toys. 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?

       government / toys / discounted prices / inflation / essential / minimum salary / price /
       warehouse / boys / girls / shops / supply / dollars / several years ago / profit / fashion

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

3. TRADITIONAL: Students A strongly believe traditional toys are better than computer games; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. TOY REVIEW: Review these toys with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Toy

How much fun

Exercise

Education

Different uses

Action figure

 

 

 

 

Lego

 

 

 

 

Toy cars

 

 

 

 

Toy kitchen

 

 

 

 

Marbles

 

 

 

 

Monopoly

 

 

 

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

6. BEST TOYS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Monopoly
  • marbles
  • jigsaw puzzle
  • toy sword
  • action figures
  • toy cars
  • Lego
  • Play-Doh

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Venezuela will give 4 million toys to children for free.     T / F
  2. The government said toys were priced too high.     T / F
  3. Venezuela has the highest rate of inflation in the world.     T / F
  4. Venezuela also reduced the price of clothes recently.     T / F
  5. The government took toys from a dozen warehouses.     T / F
  6. The government said the company bought toys using Euro.     T / F
  7. The toy company said it hadn't done anything wrong.     T / F
  8. The toy company said many of the toys were no longer in fashion.     T / F

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

  1. seized
  2. free
  3. richest
  4. go up
  5. cuts
  6. rob
  7. also
  8. several
  9. wrong
  10. huge
  1. additionally
  2. wealthiest
  3. steal from
  4. very big
  5. taken
  6. reductions
  7. a number of
  8. without charge
  9. increase
  10. illegal

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

  1. give the toys to children
  2. one of the highest rates
  3. can't afford to buy non-essential
  4. cost half the monthly minimum
  5. Venezuela has also ordered price
  6. keeping the toys out of the shops to
  7. buying them with dollars it got
  8. The toy distributor has said it has
  9. make huge
  10. It said many of the toys were out
  1. items like toys
  2. at very low rates
  3. cuts on clothes
  4. profits
  5. for free
  6. of inflation
  7. of fashion
  8. salary
  9. reduce their supply
  10. done nothing wrong

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
free
much
minimum
seized
cuts
rates
unfairly
like

The government of Venezuela has (1) ____________ nearly 4 million children's toys from a toy distributor. It will give the toys to children for (2) ____________ or at discounted prices in time for Christmas. The government says the distributor was (3) ____________ charging high prices for the toys, which meant only the richest people could buy them. Venezuela has one of the highest (4) ____________ of inflation in the world. This is the rate at which prices go up. The IMF says the rate could be as (5) ____________ as 2,000 per cent in 2017. Many Venezuelans can't afford to buy non-essential items (6) ____________ toys. Even a jar of Nutella can cost half the monthly (7) ____________ salary. In the past few months, Venezuela has also ordered price (8) ____________ on clothes.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
nothing
total
fashion
keeping
supply
huge
anyone
low

In (9) ____________, the government seized 3,821,926 toys from two warehouses. It tweeted: "Our children are sacred. We will not let (10) ____________ rob them at Christmas. Boys and girls of this country will have a happy Christmas." The government said the toy distributor was (11) ____________ the toys out of the shops to reduce their (12) ____________ and so increase prices. The government also accused the company of buying them with dollars it got at very (13) ____________ rates several years ago and now wanted to sell the toys at much higher prices. The toy distributor has said it has done (14) ____________ wrong and was not trying to sell the toys at high prices to make (15) ____________ profits. It said many of the toys were out of (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  It will give the toys to children for free ______ prices
     a.  or that discounted
     b.  or what discounted
     c.  or at discounted
     d.  or rat discounted

2)  one of the highest rates of inflation in the world. This is the rate at which ______
     a.  prices gone up
     b.  prices go up
     c.  prices going up
     d.  prices goes up

3)  Many Venezuelans can't afford to buy non-essential ______
     a.  items like toys
     b.  items likes toys
     c.  items liked toys
     d.  items likeable toys

4)  Even a jar of Nutella can cost half the monthly ______
     a.  minimum solar
     b.  minimum seller
     c.  minimum celery
     d.  minimum salary

5)  In the past few months, Venezuela has also ordered ______ clothes
     a.  price cuts on
     b.  price cuts in
     c.  price cuts at
     d.  price cuts by

6)  In total, the government seized 3,821,926 toys from ______
     a.  two were houses
     b.  two where houses
     c.  two wear houses
     d.  two warehouses

7)  keeping the toys out of the shops to reduce their supply ______ prices
     a.  and so increases
     b.  and so increase
     c.  and so increased
     d.  and so increasing

8)  accused the company of buying them with dollars it got ______ rates
     a.  that very low
     b.  at very low
     c.  what very low
     d.  tat very low

9)  … and was not trying to sell the toys at high prices to ______
     a.  do huge profits
     b.  make huge profits
     c.  sell huge profits
     d.  buy huge profits

10)  It said many of the toys were ______
     a.  out of fashion
     b.  in of fashion
     c.  outer fashion
     d.  out for fashion

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The government of Venezuela (1) ___________________ 4 million children's toys from a toy distributor. It will give the toys to children for free or at discounted (2) ___________________ Christmas. The government says the distributor was (3) ___________________ high prices for the toys, which meant only the richest people could buy them. Venezuela has one of the highest rates of inflation in the world. This (4) ___________________ which prices go up. The IMF says the rate could be as much as 2,000 per cent in 2017. Many Venezuelans can't (5) ___________________ non-essential items like toys. Even a jar of Nutella can cost half the monthly minimum salary. In (6) ___________________ months, Venezuela has also ordered price cuts on clothes.

In total, the government seized 3,821,926 (7) ___________________ warehouses. It tweeted: "Our children are sacred. We will not let anyone rob them at Christmas. Boys and girls of this country (8) __________________ Christmas." The government said the toy distributor (9) ________________ toys out of the shops to reduce their supply and so increase prices. The government (10) ___________________ company of buying them with dollars it got at very low rates several years ago and now wanted (11) ___________________ much higher prices. The toy distributor has said it has done nothing wrong and was not trying to sell the toys at high prices to (12) ___________________. It said many of the toys were out of fashion.

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of prices will the government sell toys at?
  2. Who did the government say could buy the high-priced toys?
  3. How high could Venezuela's inflation rate be in 2017?
  4. What kind of items are difficult for many Venezuelans to buy?
  5. What other things did Venezuela order price cuts on?
  6. From how many warehouses did the government seize the toys?
  7. What did the government say the toy distributor wanted to reduce?
  8. What currency did the toy distributor use to buy the toys?
  9. What did the toy distributor say it had done?
  10. What did the toy distributor say about many of the toys?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of prices will the government sell toys at?
a) fair prices
b) discounted prices
c) good prices
d) crazy prices

2) Who did the government say could buy the high-priced toys?
a) a toy distributor
b) tourists
c) boys and girls
d) richer people

3) How high could Venezuela's inflation rate be in 2017?
a) 2,000%
b) 3,000%
c) 4,000%
d) 5,000%

4) What kind of items are difficult for many Venezuelans to buy?
a) items in high supply
b) clothes
c) non-essential items
d) luxury items

5) What other things did Venezuela order price cuts on?
a) DIY goods
b) clothes
c) computers
d) furniture

6) From how many warehouses did the government seize the toys?
a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1

7) What did the government say the toy distributor wanted to reduce?
a) toys
b) prices
c) demand
d) supply

8) What currency did the toy distributor use to buy the toys?
a) dollar
b) peso
c) bolivar
d) euro

9) What did the toy distributor say it had done?
a) nothing wrong
b) good
c) wonderful things
d) apologised

10) What did the toy distributor say about many of the toys?
a) they were reasonably priced
b) they were out of fashion
c) they were top quality
d) they were the latest

Role play

Role A — Action Figures

You think action figures are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the lest fun of these (and why): toy cars, Lego or marbles.

Role B — Toy Cars

You think toy cars are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the lest fun of these (and why): action figures, Lego or marbles.

Role C — Lego Blocks

You think Lego blocks are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the lest fun of these (and why): toy cars, action figures or marbles.

Role D — Marbles

You think marbles are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the lest fun of these (and why): toy cars, Lego or action figures.

After reading / listening

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

'children'

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

    • and 'toy'.

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

    • • 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:

    • two
    • rob
    • supply
    • dollars
    • nothing
    • fashion
    • nearly
    • free
    • buy
    • up
    • 2017
    • cuts

    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 - Venezuela seizes 4 million toys for its children

    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 'toy'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How important are toys?
    5. What do you think of the price of toys?
    6. What's the best toy ever?
    7. Is the government right to take the toys for the children?
    8. What do you know about inflation?
    9. Should all governments give children gifts on special days?
    10. Should governments tell companies how much to charge for things?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. Are traditional toys better than today's computer games?
    3. What do you think of toys you get free with fast food?
    4. How educational should toys be?
    5. What was the best toy you ever had?
    6. What is wrong with companies making big profits on toys?
    7. Why are toys based on cartoon characters so expensive?
    8. What toy would you buy for a child?
    9. How can toys go out of fashion?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the boss of the toy distributor?

    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)

    The government of Venezuela has (1) ____ nearly 4 million children's toys from a toy distributor. It will give the toys to children (2) ____ free or at discounted prices in (3) ____ for Christmas. The government says the distributor was unfairly charging high prices for the toys, which meant only the richest people could buy them. Venezuela has one (4) ____ the highest rates of inflation in the world. This is the rate at which prices go up. The IMF says the rate could be as much as 2,000 per cent in 2017. Many Venezuelans can't afford to buy (5) ____-essential items like toys. Even a jar of Nutella can cost half the monthly minimum salary. In the past few months, Venezuela has also ordered price (6) ____ on clothes.

    In total, the government seized 3,821,926 toys from two warehouses. It tweeted: "Our children are sacred. We will not let anyone (7) ____ them at Christmas. Boys and girls of this country will have a happy Christmas." The government said the toy distributor was keeping the toys out of the shops to (8) ____ their supply and so increase prices. The government (9) ____ accused the company of buying them with dollars it got at very low rates (10) ____ years ago and now wanted to sell the toys at much higher prices. The toy distributor has said it has done nothing (11) ____ and was not trying to sell the toys at high prices to make huge profits. It said many of the toys were (12) ____ of fashion.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     sized     (b)     seized     (c)     sneezed     (d)     sieved    
    2. (a)     of     (b)     by     (c)     at     (d)     for    
    3. (a)     timing     (b)     timed     (c)     time     (d)     times    
    4. (a)     of     (b)     by     (c)     at     (d)     for    
    5. (a)     not-     (b)     non-     (c)     no-     (d)     none-    
    6. (a)     cuts     (b)     tears     (c)     rips     (d)     frays    
    7. (a)     lob     (b)     robe     (c)     rob     (d)     lobe    
    8. (a)     reduce     (b)     reduction     (c)     reduced     (d)     reducing    
    9. (a)     too     (b)     more     (c)     and     (d)     also    
    10. (a)     civil     (b)     servile     (c)     several     (d)     save all    
    11. (a)     wrongs     (b)     wrongly     (c)     wronged     (d)     wrong    
    12. (a)     out     (b)     in     (c)     up     (d)     down

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The mrvnetgone of Venezuela
    2. for free or at cudnesoitd prices
    3. unfairly gcganhri high prices
    4. the highest rates of ntofaiinl in the world
    5. buy non-lnieeatss items like toys
    6. cost half the monthly mmmuini salary

    Paragraph 2

    1. Our children are adcres
    2. reduce their suplyp
    3. aiseecrn prices
    4. veralse years ago
    5. make huge fpoitsr
    6. the toys were out of shaoifn

    Put the text back together

    (    )     distributor. It will give the toys to children for free or at discounted prices in time

    (    )     2017. Many Venezuelans can't afford to buy non-essential items like toys. Even a jar of Nutella can cost half the

    (    )     dollars it got at very low rates several years ago and now wanted to sell the toys at much higher

    (    )     the toys at high prices to make huge profits. It said many of the toys were out of fashion.

    (    )     are sacred. We will not let anyone rob them at Christmas. Boys and girls of this country will have a

    (    )     the richest people could buy them. Venezuela has one of the highest rates of inflation in the

    (    )     happy Christmas." The government said the toy distributor was keeping the toys out of the shops to reduce their

    (    )     world. This is the rate at which prices go up. The IMF says the rate could be as much as 2,000 per cent in

    (    )     prices. The toy distributor has said it has done nothing wrong and was not trying to sell

    (    )     for Christmas. The government says the distributor was unfairly charging high prices for the toys, which meant only

    (  1  )     The government of Venezuela has seized nearly 4 million children's toys from a toy

    (    )     In total, the government seized 3,821,926 toys from two warehouses. It tweeted: "Our children

    (    )     monthly minimum salary. In the past few months, Venezuela has also ordered price cuts on clothes.

    (    )     supply and so increase prices. The government also accused the company of buying them with

    Put the words in the right order

    1. or   at   discounted   prices   Give   the   toys  to   children   for   free   .
    2. the   distributor   charging   for   The   unfairly  prices  toys  was  high  .
    3. This   which   is   prices   the   go   rate   up   at   .
    4. to   Many   afford   non-   items   can't   buy   essential   Venezuelans   .
    5. has   Venezuela   clothes   on   cuts   price   ordered   also   .
    6. seized  government   The  warehouses   two   from   toys   3,821,926   .
    7. supply   Keeping   the  toys   out   of   the   shops   to   reduce   their   .
    8. at   rates   with   got   low   them   it   very   Buying   dollars   .
    9. distributor   it   nothing   toy   said   done   The   has   has   wrong   .
    10. of   said   the   out   It   of   were   fashion   many   toys   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The government of Venezuela has seized / sized nearly 4 million children's toys from a toy distributor. It will give the toys to children for freely / free or at discounted prices in time / timing for Christmas. The government says the distributor was unfairly charged / charging high prices for the toys, which meant / meaning only the richest people could buy them. Venezuela has one of the highest rates of inflation in the world. This is the rate at / as which prices go up. The IMF says the rate could be as many / much as 2,000 per cent in 2017. Many Venezuelans can't afford / affords to buy non-essential items like toys. Even a jar of Nutella can cost halve / half the monthly minimum salary. In the past few months, Venezuela has also ordered price cuts / rips on clothes.

    In totally / total, the government seized 3,821,926 toys from two warehouses. It tweeted: "Our children / child are sacred. We will not let anyone rob / robe them at Christmas. Boys and girls / girl of this country will have a happy Christmas." The government said the toy distributor was keeping the toys up / out of the shops to / for reduce their supply and so increase prices. The government also / and accused the company of buying them with dollars it got at very low rates several years age / ago and now wanted to sell the toys at much higher prices. The toy distributor has said it has done nothing wrong / wrongly and was not trying to sell the toys at high prices to make huge profits. It said many of the toys were out / up of fashion.

    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)

    Th_ g_v_rnm_nt _f V_n_z__l_ h_s s__z_d n__rly 4 m_ll__n ch_ldr_n's t_ys fr_m _ t_y d_str_b_t_r. _t w_ll g_v_ th_ t_ys t_ ch_ldr_n f_r fr__ _r _t d_sc__nt_d pr_c_s _n t_m_ f_r Chr_stm_s. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt s_ys th_ d_str_b_t_r w_s _nf__rly ch_rg_ng h_gh pr_c_s f_r th_ t_ys, wh_ch m__nt _nly th_ r_ch_st p__pl_ c__ld b_y th_m. V_n_z__l_ h_s _n_ _f th_ h_gh_st r_t_s _f _nfl_t__n _n th_ w_rld. Th_s _s th_ r_t_ _t wh_ch pr_c_s g_ _p. Th_ _MF s_ys th_ r_t_ c__ld b_ _s m_ch _s 2,000 p_r c_nt _n 2017. M_ny V_n_z__l_ns c_n't _ff_rd t_ b_y n_n-_ss_nt__l _t_ms l_k_ t_ys. _v_n _ j_r _f N_t_ll_ c_n c_st h_lf th_ m_nthly m_n_m_m s_l_ry. _n th_ p_st f_w m_nths, V_n_z__l_ h_s _ls_ _rd_r_d pr_c_ c_ts _n cl_th_s.

    _n t_t_l, th_ g_v_rnm_nt s__z_d 3,821,926 t_ys fr_m tw_ w_r_h__s_s. _t tw__t_d: "__r ch_ldr_n _r_ s_cr_d. W_ w_ll n_t l_t _ny_n_ r_b th_m _t Chr_stm_s. B_ys _nd g_rls _f th_s c__ntry w_ll h_v_ _ h_ppy Chr_stm_s." Th_ g_v_rnm_nt s__d th_ t_y d_str_b_t_r w_s k__p_ng th_ t_ys __t _f th_ sh_ps t_ r_d_c_ th__r s_pply _nd s_ _ncr__s_ pr_c_s. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt _ls_ _cc_s_d th_ c_mp_ny _f b_y_ng th_m w_th d_ll_rs _t g_t _t v_ry l_w r_t_s s_v_r_l y__rs _g_ _nd n_w w_nt_d t_ s_ll th_ t_ys _t m_ch h_gh_r pr_c_s. Th_ t_y d_str_b_t_r h_s s__d _t h_s d_n_ n_th_ng wr_ng _nd w_s n_t try_ng t_ s_ll th_ t_ys _t h_gh pr_c_s t_ m_k_ h_g_ pr_f_ts. _t s__d m_ny _f th_ t_ys w_r_ __t _f f_sh__n.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the government of venezuela has seized nearly 4 million children's toys from a toy distributor it will give the toys to children for free or at discounted prices in time for christmas the government says the distributor was unfairly charging high prices for the toys which meant only the richest people could buy them venezuela has one of the highest rates of inflation in the world this is the rate at which prices go up the imf says the rate could be as much as 2000 per cent in 2017 many venezuelans can't afford to buy non-essential items like toys even a jar of nutella can cost half the monthly minimum salary in the past few months venezuela has also ordered price cuts on clothes

    in total the government seized 3821926 toys from two warehouses it tweeted "our children are sacred we will not let anyone rob them at christmas boys and girls of this country will have a happy christmas" the government said the toy distributor was keeping the toys out of the shops to reduce their supply and so increase prices the government also accused the company of buying them with dollars it got at very low rates several years ago and now wanted to sell the toys at much higher prices the toy distributor has said it has done nothing wrong and was not trying to sell the toys at high prices to make huge profits it said many of the toys were out of fashion

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThegovernmentofVenezuelahasseizednearly4millionchildren'stoysf
    romatoydistributor.Itwillgivethetoystochildrenforfreeoratdiscounte
    dpricesintimeforChristmas.Thegovernmentsaysthedistributorwasu
    nfairlycharginghighpricesforthetoys,whichmeantonlytherichestpeo
    plecouldbuythem.Venezuelahasoneofthehighestratesofinflationinth
    eworld.Thisistherateatwhichpricesgoup.TheIMFsaystheratecouldbe
    asmuchas2,000percentin2017.ManyVenezuelanscan'taffordtobuyn
    on-essentialitemsliketoys.EvenajarofNutellacancosthalfthemonthly
    minimumsalary.Inthepastfewmonths,Venezuelahasalsoorderedpri
    cecutsonclothes.Intotal,thegovernmentseized3,821,926toysfromt
    wowarehouses.Ittweeted:"Ourchildrenaresacred.Wewillnotletanyo
    nerobthematChristmas.BoysandgirlsofthiscountrywillhaveahappyC
    hristmas."Thegovernmentsaidthetoydistributorwaskeepingthetoys
    outoftheshopstoreducetheirsupplyandsoincreaseprices.Thegovern
    mentalsoaccusedthecompanyofbuyingthemwithdollarsitgotatveryl
    owratesseveralyearsagoandnowwantedtosellthetoysatmuchhigher
    prices.Thetoydistributorhassaidithasdonenothingwrongandwasnott
    ryingtosellthetoysathighpricestomakehugeprofits.Itsaidmanyofthe
    toyswereoutoffashion.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Computer games are better than toys. 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 this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. TOYS: Make a poster about toys. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. TRADITIONAL TOYS: Write a magazine article about children only needing traditional toys. 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 toys. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on what the best toys are for children, and why. 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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