The Reading / Listening - Traffic Signals - Level 6

Gender equality has reached the small human characters on traffic signals in Australia. Signals at ten pedestrian crossings in the city of Melbourne now depict walking red and green people in dresses. The initiative is part of a trial 12-month gender equality campaign unveiled by the city. The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, explained that the rationale behind the trial was to put more images of women in public places. She said: "There are many small, but symbolically significant ways that women are excluded from public space. This is a wonderful way to make public space more inclusive for women." She hopes the city's signals will have equal numbers of male and female figures in the future.

The new signals have drawn a mixed response from citizens. Many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers' money. A leading critic is Melbourne's mayor Robert Doyle, who told reporters: "I'm all for doing anything we can for gender equity, but really?" He added: "Unfortunately, I think this sort of costly exercise is more likely to bring derision." Others said the new images were a sign of political correctness gone crazy. Social media users asked why the image of the woman has to wear a dress, when many women wear trousers. Others said the money could have been better used for worthier projects that helped people in need.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Traffic Signals - Level 4  or  Traffic Signals - Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-39188096
  • http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/news-and-views/female-traffic-lights-in-melbourne-receive-mixed-response-20170307-gusjp7.html
  • http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-07/green-female-crossing-signal/8331320


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. TRAFFIC SIGNALS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about traffic signals. 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?

       gender equality / traffic signals / initiative / campaign / rationale / public space /
       mixed / response / waste / taxpayers' money / political correctness / dress / need

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

3. EQUALITY: Students A strongly believe pedestrian traffic signals should show men and women figures; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. PEDESTRIANS: What are the challenges pedestrians face and how they might be overcome? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Challenges

Solitions

Traffic signals

 

 

Cars

 

 

Pavements / Sidewalks

 

 

Mobile phone users

 

 

Cyclists

 

 

Other pedestrians

 

 

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

6. CROSSINGS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to keep pedestrians safe at crossings at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • all traffic stops
  • road markings
  • fences
  • well-lit space
  • male and female signals
  • beeps when safe to cross
  • countdown timer
  • colourful signals

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. There are 10 new female pedestrian traffic signals in Melbourne.     T / F
  2. The traffic signals are part of a year-long trial.     T / F
  3. The idea is to have more images of women in public places.     T / F
  4. Men cannot cross at the female traffic signals.     T / F
  5. The new signals are overwhelmingly popular.     T / F
  6. The mayor of Melbourne said the signals are good for his city.     T / F
  7. Many people say the signals are a good example of political correctness.  T / F
  8. Social media users said the money should help people in need.     T / F

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

  1. depict
  2. initiative
  3. unveiled
  4. significant
  5. equal
  6. response
  7. waste
  8. derision
  9. crazy
  10. in need
  1. reaction
  2. insane
  3. identical
  4. scheme
  5. ridicule
  6. important
  7. represent
  8. requiring help
  9. squandering
  10. revealed

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

  1. gender
  2. The initiative is part of
  3. the rationale
  4. small, but symbolically
  5. equal
  6. The new signals have drawn a mixed
  7. a waste of taxpayers'
  8. more likely to bring
  9. political
  10. worthier projects that helped
  1. numbers
  2. behind the trial
  3. correctness
  4. response from citizens
  5. a trial
  6. money
  7. people in need
  8. equality
  9. derision
  10. significant ways

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
unveiled
ways
characters
depict
equal
crossings
inclusive
rationale

Gender equality has reached the small human (1) ____________ on traffic signals in Australia. Signals at ten pedestrian (2) ____________ in the city of Melbourne now (3) ____________ walking red and green people in dresses. The initiative is part of a trial 12-month gender equality campaign (4) ____________ by the city. The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, explained that the (5) ____________ behind the trial was to put more images of women in public places. She said: "There are many small, but symbolically significant (6) ____________ that women are excluded from public space. This is a wonderful way to make public space more (7) ____________ for women." She hopes the city's signals will have (8) ____________ numbers of male and female figures in the future.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
critic
worthier
mixed
political
need
waste
users
costly

The new signals have drawn a (9) ____________ response from citizens. Many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary and a (10) ____________ of taxpayers' money. A leading (11) ____________ is Melbourne's mayor Robert Doyle, who told reporters: "I'm all for doing anything we can for gender equity, but really?" He added: "Unfortunately, I think this sort of (12) ____________ exercise is more likely to bring derision." Others said the new images were a sign of (13) ____________ correctness gone crazy. Social media (14) ____________ asked why the image of the woman has to wear a dress, when many women wear trousers. Others said the money could have been better used for (15) ____________ projects that helped people in (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Signals at ten pedestrian crossings in the city of Melbourne _____ red and green people
     a.  now depicts walking
     b.  now depicting walking
     c.  now depict walking
     d.  now depicted walking

2)  The initiative is part of a trial 12-month gender equality campaign ______ city
     a.  and failed by the
     b.  unveiled by the
     c.  and bailed by the
     d.  unrivalled by the

3)  The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, explained that the rationale ______
     a.  beyond the trial
     b.  behest the trial
     c.  beguiled the trial
     d.  behind the trial

4)  This is a wonderful way to make public space ______
     a.  more reclusive
     b.  more inclusion
     c.  more decisive
     d.  more inclusive

5)  the city's signals will have equal numbers of male and female ______ future
     a.  figures in a
     b.  figure sin the
     c.  figures on the
     d.  figures in the

6)  The new signals have drawn a mixed response ______
     a.  from citizens
     b.  from citizenry
     c.  from city sins
     d.  from city's sins

7)  Many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary and a ______ money
     a.  waste for taxpayers'
     b.  waste from taxpayers'
     c.  waste of taxpayers'
     d.  waste by taxpayers'

8)  Unfortunately, I think this sort of costly exercise is more likely ______
     a.  to bring collision
     b.  to bring division
     c.  to bring delusion
     d.  to bring derision

9)  Others said the new images were a sign of political correctness ______
     a.  gone crazily
     b.  gone crazed
     c.  gone crazy
     d.  gone crazies

10)  Others said the money could have been better used for ______
     a.  worthy are projects
     b.  wealthier projects
     c.  worsen projects
     d.  worthier projects

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Gender equality (1) ___________________ small human characters on traffic signals in Australia. Signals at ten pedestrian crossings in the city of Melbourne (2) ___________________ red and green people in dresses. The initiative is (3) ___________________ 12-month gender equality campaign unveiled by the city. The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, explained that the rationale behind the trial (4) ___________________ images of women in public places. She said: "There are many small, but symbolically significant ways that women (5) ___________________ public space. This is a wonderful way to make public space more inclusive for women." She hopes the city's signals (6) ___________________ numbers of male and female figures in the future.

The new signals have (7) ___________________ response from citizens. Many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary (8) ___________________ taxpayers' money. A leading critic is Melbourne's mayor Robert Doyle, who told reporters: "(9) ___________________ anything we can for gender equity, but really?" He added: "Unfortunately, I think this sort of costly exercise is more likely (10) ___________________." Others said the new images were a sign of political correctness gone crazy. Social media users asked (11) ___________________ the woman has to wear a dress, when many women wear trousers. Others said the money could have been better used for worthier projects that helped (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. How many traffic signals are there in Melbourne with female characters?
  2. For how long will the traffic signal trial run?
  3. Where did a minister want to put more images of women?
  4. What did the minister say the signals would make public spaces?
  5. What does the minister hope for male and female signals in the future?
  6. What kind of response has the signals drawn from citizens?
  7. What do critics say the signals are a waste of?
  8. What did the mayor say the signals would bring to Melbourne?
  9. What do critics think the signals are a crazy sign of?
  10. What do people think the money would have been better spent on?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many traffic signals are there in Melbourne with female characters?
a) 14
b) 12
c) 10
d) 8

2) For how long will the traffic signal trial run?
a) a year
b) 6 months
c) 3 months
d) 2 weeks

3) Where did a minister want to put more images of women?
a) on the roads
b) in public places
c) in shopping malls
d) in museums

4) What did the minister say the signals would make public spaces?
a) a tourist attraction
b) a nicer place to have lunch
c) a colourful addition to the city
d) more inclusive for women

5) What does the minister hope for male and female signals in the future?
a) they will be holograms
b) they will have different clothes
c) they will be equal in number
d) they will be more colourful

6) What kind of response has the signals drawn from citizens?
a) riots in the streets
b) a mixed response
c) they love them
d) they haven't decided

7) What do critics say the signals are a waste of?
a) electricity
b) space
c) time
d) taxpayers' money

8) What did the mayor say the signals would bring to Melbourne?
a) tourists
b) derision
c) safer roads
d) gender equality

9) What do critics think the signals are a crazy sign of?
a) gender equality
b) political correctness
c) dangers on the road
d) the times

10) What do people think the money would have been better spent on?
a) people in need
b) more roads
c) trousers
d) big projects

Role play

Role A — Countdown Timers

You think countdown timers are the best safety devices at pedestrian crossings. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their devices. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): colourful signals, beeps when it is safe to cross or fences.

Role B — Colourful Signals

You think colourful signals are the best safety devices at pedestrian crossings. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their devices. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): countdown timers, beeps when it is safe to cross or fences.

Role C — Beeps When It's Safe to Cross

You think beeps when it is safe to cross are the best safety devices at pedestrian crossings. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their devices. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): colourful signals, countdown timers or fences.

Role D — Fences

You think fences are the best safety devices at pedestrian crossings. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their devices. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): colourful signals, beeps when it is safe to cross or countdown timers.

After reading / listening

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

'traffic'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'signal'.

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

    • mixed
    • waste
    • all
    • sort
    • why
    • need
    • reached
    • depict
    • 12
    • behind
    • wonderful
    • future

    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 - Trial of 'female' traffic signals starts in Australia

    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 'gender'?
    3. Should pedestrian traffic signals show male and female images?
    4. How important is this initiative for gender equality?
    5. Are images of people the best things to have on traffic signals?
    6. How could signals at pedestrian crossings be improved?
    7. Should there be more images of women in public spaces?
    8. Do you agree with Ms Richardson that women are 'excluded'?
    9. Will the female figures on the signals make it more 'inclusive' for women?
    10. How will an equal number of male and female figures change society?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'equality'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why have the new signals drawn a mixed response?
    5. What would the reaction be in your town to this scheme?
    6. Do you think this scheme is a waste of taxpayers' money?
    7. Why might this initiative 'bring derision' to Melbourne?
    8. Should the images be of a unisex figure?
    9. Should the money have gone to worthier projects?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the city's mayor?

    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)

    Gender (1) ____ has reached the small human characters on traffic signals in Australia. Signals at ten pedestrian crossings in the city of Melbourne now (2) ____ walking red and green people (3) ____ dresses. The initiative is part of a trial 12-month gender equality campaign unveiled by the city. The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, explained that the rationale (4) ____ the trial was to put more images of women in public places. She said: "There are many small, but symbolically significant ways that women are excluded (5) ____ public space. This is a wonderful way to make public space more (6) ____ for women." She hopes the city's signals will have equal numbers of male and female figures in the future.

    The new signals have drawn a (7) ____ response from citizens. Many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary and a (8) ____ of taxpayers' money. A leading critic is Melbourne's mayor Robert Doyle, who told reporters: "I'm (9) ____ for doing anything we can for gender equity, but really?" He added: "Unfortunately, I think this sort of (10) ____ exercise is more likely to bring derision." Others said the new images were a sign of political correctness (11) ____ crazy. Social media users asked why the image of the woman has to wear a dress, when many women wear trousers. Others said the money could have been better used for (12) ____ projects that helped people in need.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     equality     (b)     equal     (c)     equals     (d)     equally    
    2. (a)     depart     (b)     depose     (c)     depict     (d)     depend    
    3. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     in     (d)     of    
    4. (a)     posterior     (b)     back     (c)     rear     (d)     behind    
    5. (a)     at     (b)     as     (c)     from     (d)     to    
    6. (a)     includes     (b)     inclusive     (c)     included     (d)     inclusion    
    7. (a)     assort     (b)     mixed     (c)     stirred     (d)     combine    
    8. (a)     garbage     (b)     waste     (c)     rubbish     (d)     trash    
    9. (a)     whole     (b)     entire     (c)     all     (d)     complete    
    10. (a)     accosted     (b)     costs     (c)     cost     (d)     costly    
    11. (a)     had     (b)     taken     (c)     been     (d)     gone    
    12. (a)     wither     (b)     wealthier     (c)     worse     (d)     worthier

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Gender tiulaqey
    2. asediptrne crossings
    3. The iitveianit is part of a trial
    4. campaign evdliuen by the city
    5. the rieaanolt behind the trial
    6. make public space more eicisvlnu for women

    Paragraph 2

    1. drawn a mixed response from itscnzie
    2. A leading rtcici
    3. Melbourne's raomy
    4. more likely to bring isneoird
    5. iaiolptcl correctness gone crazy
    6. better used for rtioerhw projects

    Put the text back together

    (    )     of taxpayers' money. A leading critic is Melbourne's mayor Robert Doyle, who told reporters: "I'm all for

    1  )     Gender equality has reached the small human characters on traffic signals in Australia. Signals at ten pedestrian

    (    )     exercise is more likely to bring derision." Others said the new images were a sign of political

    (    )     wear a dress, when many women wear trousers. Others said the money could have

    (    )     numbers of male and female figures in the future.

    (    )     small, but symbolically significant ways that women are excluded from public space. This is a wonderful

    (    )     that the rationale behind the trial was to put more images of women in public places. She said: "There are many

    (    )     of a trial 12-month gender equality campaign unveiled by the city. The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, explained

    (    )     way to make public space more inclusive for women." She hopes the city's signals will have equal

    (    )     The new signals have drawn a mixed response from citizens. Many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary and a waste

    (    )     doing anything we can for gender equity, but really?" He added: "Unfortunately, I think this sort of costly

    (    )     correctness gone crazy. Social media users asked why the image of the woman has to

    (    )     been better used for worthier projects that helped people in need.

    (    )     crossings in the city of Melbourne now depict walking red and green people in dresses. The initiative is part

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Signals   city   the   in   crossings   pedestrian   ten   at   .
    2. trial   month   campaign   a   -   equality   of   12   gender   Part   .
    3. images  more put   to   was  trial  The   places  public   in  women  of   .
    4. space   public   from   excluded   are   women   that   Ways   .
    5. male   figures   future   of   female   the   numbers   and   in   Equal   .
    6. citizens   signals   a  from  new   drawn  response   The  have   mixed  .
    7. critics   Many   unnecessary   is   scheme   new   the   say   .
    8. costly   exercise   is   more  likely   to   bring  derision  This   sort   of   .
    9. correctness  gone  crazy  The  new  images  were  a  sign  of  political  .
    10. been  for  The  have   used   projects  could   better  worthier  money   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Gender equality / equally has reached the small human characters on traffic signals in Australia. Signals at ten pedestrian crosses / crossings in the city of Melbourne now picturing / depict walking red and green people in dresses. The initiative is part of a trial / trail 12-month gender equality campaign unveiled by the city. The Minister for Women, Fiona Richardson, explained that the ration / rationale behind the trial was to put more images of women in public / publicly places. She said: "There are many small, but symbols / symbolically significant ways that women are excluded / exclusively from public space. This is a wonderful way for / to make public space more inclusive for women." She hopes the city's signals will have equal numbers of male and female figures in / on the future.

    The new signals have drawing / drawn a mixed response from citizens. Many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary and a wastage / waste of taxpayers' money. A leading critic / critique is Melbourne's mayor Robert Doyle, who told reporters: "I'm all / whole for doing anything we can for gender equity, but reality / really?" He added: "Unfortunately, I think this sort of costly exercise / exercising is more likely to bring derision." Others said the new images were a sign of political wrongness / correctness gone crazy. Social media users / usage asked why the image of the woman has to wear a dress, when many women wear trousers. Others said the money could have been better used for worth / worthier projects that helped people in need / needy.

    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)

    G_nd_r _q__l_ty h_s r__ch_d th_ sm_ll h_m_n ch_r_ct_rs _n tr_ff_c s_gn_ls _n __str_l__. S_gn_ls _t t_n p_d_str__n cr_ss_ngs _n th_ c_ty _f M_lb__rn_ n_w d_p_ct w_lk_ng r_d _nd gr__n p__pl_ _n dr_ss_s. Th_ _n_t__t_v_ _s p_rt _f _ tr__l 12-m_nth g_nd_r _q__l_ty c_mp__gn _nv__l_d by th_ c_ty. Th_ M_n_st_r f_r W_m_n, F__n_ R_ch_rds_n, _xpl__n_d th_t th_ r_t__n_l_ b_h_nd th_ tr__l w_s t_ p_t m_r_ _m_g_s _f w_m_n _n p_bl_c pl_c_s. Sh_ s__d: "Th_r_ _r_ m_ny sm_ll, b_t symb_l_c_lly s_gn_f_c_nt w_ys th_t w_m_n _r_ _xcl_d_d fr_m p_bl_c sp_c_. Th_s _s _ w_nd_rf_l w_y t_ m_k_ p_bl_c sp_c_ m_r_ _ncl_s_v_ f_r w_m_n." Sh_ h_p_s th_ c_ty's s_gn_ls w_ll h_v_ _q__l n_mb_rs _f m_l_ _nd f_m_l_ f_g_r_s _n th_ f_t_r_.

    Th_ n_w s_gn_ls h_v_ dr_wn _ m_x_d r_sp_ns_ fr_m c_t_z_ns. M_ny cr_t_cs s_y th_ n_w sch_m_ _s _nn_c_ss_ry _nd _ w_st_ _f t_xp_y_rs' m_n_y. _ l__d_ng cr_t_c _s M_lb__rn_'s m_y_r R_b_rt D_yl_, wh_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_'m _ll f_r d__ng _nyth_ng w_ c_n f_r g_nd_r _q__ty, b_t r__lly?" H_ _dd_d: "_nf_rt_n_t_ly, _ th_nk th_s s_rt _f c_stly _x_rc_s_ _s m_r_ l_k_ly t_ br_ng d_r_s__n." _th_rs s__d th_ n_w _m_g_s w_r_ _ s_gn _f p_l_t_c_l c_rr_ctn_ss g_n_ cr_zy. S_c__l m_d__ _s_rs _sk_d why th_ _m_g_ _f th_ w_m_n h_s t_ w__r _ dr_ss, wh_n m_ny w_m_n w__r tr__s_rs. _th_rs s__d th_ m_n_y c__ld h_v_ b__n b_tt_r _s_d f_r w_rth__r pr_j_cts th_t h_lp_d p__pl_ _n n__d.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    gender equality has reached the small human characters on traffic signals in australia signals at ten pedestrian crossings in the city of melbourne now depict walking red and green people in dresses the initiative is part of a trial 12-month gender equality campaign unveiled by the city the minister for women fiona richardson explained that the rationale behind the trial was to put more images of women in public places she said "there are many small but symbolically significant ways that women are excluded from public space this is a wonderful way to make public space more inclusive for women" she hopes the city's signals will have equal numbers of male and female figures in the future

    the new signals have drawn a mixed response from citizens many critics say the new scheme is unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers' money a leading critic is melbourne's mayor robert doyle who told reporters "i'm all for doing anything we can for gender equity but really" he added "unfortunately i think this sort of costly exercise is more likely to bring derision" others said the new images were a sign of political correctness gone crazy social media users asked why the image of the woman has to wear a dress when many women wear trousers others said the money could have been better used for worthier projects that helped people in need

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Genderequalityhasreachedthesmallhumancharactersontrafficsigna
    lsinAustralia.SignalsattenpedestriancrossingsinthecityofMelbourne
    nowdepictwalkingredandgreenpeopleindresses.Theinitiativeisparto
    fatrial12-monthgenderequalitycampaignunveiledbythecity.TheMin
    isterforWomen,FionaRichardson,explainedthattherationalebehindt
    hetrialwastoputmoreimagesofwomeninpublicplaces.Shesaid:"Ther
    earemanysmall,butsymbolicallysignificantwaysthatwomenareexclu
    dedfrompublicspace.Thisisawonderfulwaytomakepublicspacemorei
    nclusiveforwomen."Shehopesthecity'ssignalswillhaveequalnumber
    sofmaleandfemalefiguresinthefuture.Thenewsignalshavedrawnami
    xedresponsefromcitizens.Manycriticssaythenewschemeisunnecess
    aryandawasteoftaxpayers'money.AleadingcriticisMelbourne'smayo
    rRobertDoyle,whotoldreporters:"I'mallfordoinganythingwecanforg
    enderequity,butreally?"Headded:"Unfortunately,Ithinkthissortofco
    stlyexerciseismorelikelytobringderision."Otherssaidthenewimages
    wereasignofpoliticalcorrectnessgonecrazy.Socialmediausersasked
    whytheimageofthewomanhastowearadress,whenmanywomenwear
    trousers.Otherssaidthemoneycouldhavebeenbetterusedforworthier
    projectsthathelpedpeopleinneed.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    There must be an equal number of male and female images used in society. 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 Melbourne's new traffic signals. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. TRAFFIC SIGNALS: Make a poster about traffic signals. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. GENDER IMAGES: Write a magazine article about the need for there to be an equal number of male and female images in society. 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 traffic signals. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make them safer. 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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