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* 26-page lesson
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    (10 sentences)

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* Text jumble 15

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* Text Jumble

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* Prepositions

* Word order

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* Missing words

* Gap-fill

Boeing Dreamliners grounded worldwide (18th January, 2013)

Boeing's state-of-the-art Dreamliner passenger jet has been grounded in Japan, India, Chile and the USA amid safety concerns. The airliner has been hit with a spate of technical malfunctions in the past month. These range from cracked windshields, brake and electrical problems, and fuel spills. A battery fault found on Wednesday on one of Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) planes forced the flight to make an emergency landing. A Japanese transport official described the incident as "highly serious," which means there could have been an accident. Japanese authorities have suspended all Dreamliner flights until further notice. Japan's airlines have 24 of the 50 Dreamliners Boeing has sold to date.


 

The Dreamliner is expected to revolutionize the aviation industry. Its lightweight design, fuel efficiency and advanced safety features mean airlines have been queuing up to buy it. Boeing says it is investigating the issues but expressed confidence in the aircraft's safety. A company official has put the difficulties down to "teething problems" associated with a brand new airplane. Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said: "We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service." He added: "Boeing deeply regrets…the inconvenience to [our customers] and their passengers."

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21054089
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9807593/Europe-Japan-and-India-ground-Dreamliner-indefinitely.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jan/16/japanese-carriers-ground-24-boeing-787s


 
 

WARM-UPS

1. AIRLINE SAFETY: Walk around the class and talk to other students about airplane safety. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

state-of-the-art / passenger jet / grounded / malfunction / emergency landing / serious / aviation industry / fuel efficiency / safety features / teething problems / regrets

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

3. FLYING: How can flying be made better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Problems now

Solutions

Ticketing

 

 

Check-in

 

 

Immigration

 

 

Boarding gate

 

 

In-flight service

 

 

Baggage claim

 

 

4. AIRPLANES: Students A strongly believe airplanes are the best way to travel; Students B strongly disagree.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. FLIGHT: What's best about flying? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • legroom
  • inflight magazines
  • airplane food
  • entertainment console
  • landing
  • the service
  • duty free shopping
  • meeting other passengers

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

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

Boeing's Dreamliner has been grounded in just four countries.

T / F

b.

An oil spill forced a plan to make an emergency landing on Wednesday.

T / F

c.

An official said an incident involving a faulty battery wasn't so serious.

T / F

d.

Almost half the world's Dreamliners fly out of Japan.

T / F

e.

Boeing is having problems finding airlines to buy the Dreamliner.

T / F

f.

Boeing said it is confident the Dreamliner is a safe airplane.

T / F

g.

A Boeing official put the problems down to the aircraft being new.

T / F

h.

Boeing has yet to make an apology to customers or passengers.

T / F

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

1.

state-of-the-art

a.

convince

2.

amid

b.

defects

3.

malfunctions

c.

waiting in line

4.

forced

d.

as a result of

5.

suspended

e.

supposed

6.

expected

f.

nuisance

7.

queuing up

g.

shelved

8.

step

h.

cutting edge

9.

assure

i.

action

10.

inconvenience

j.

made

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

1.

state-of-the-art

a.

industry

2.

hit with a spate of

b.

landing

3.

fuel

c.

further notice

4.

make an emergency

d.

Dreamliner

5.

suspended all Dreamliner flights until

e.

up to buy it

6.

revolutionize the aviation

f.

in the aircraft's safety

7.

airlines have been queuing

g.

problems

8.

expressed confidence

h.

technical malfunctions

9.

teething

i.

the inconvenience

10.

Boeing deeply regrets

j.

spills

 

GAP FILL

Boeing's state-of-the-(1) ____________ Dreamliner passenger jet has been grounded in Japan, India, Chile and the USA (2) ____________ safety concerns. The airliner has been hit with a (3) ____________ of technical malfunctions in the past month. These range from cracked windshields, brake and electrical problems, and fuel (4) ____________. A battery fault found on Wednesday on one of Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) planes (5) ____________ the flight to make an emergency landing. A Japanese transport official described the incident as "highly (6) ____________," which means there could have been an accident. Japanese authorities have (7) ____________ all Dreamliner flights until further notice. Japan's airlines have 24 of the 50 Dreamliners Boeing has sold to (8) ____________.

 

 

 

serious
spills
suspended
amid
date
art
forced
spate

The Dreamliner is (9) ____________ to revolutionize the aviation industry. Its lightweight design, fuel (10) ____________ and advanced safety features mean airlines have been (11) ____________ up to buy it. Boeing says it is investigating the issues but (12) ____________ confidence in the aircraft's safety. A company official has put the difficulties down to "(13) ____________ problems" associated with a brand new airplane. Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said: "We will be taking every necessary (14) ____________ in the coming days to assure our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to (15) ____________." He added: "Boeing deeply (16) ____________ …the inconvenience to [our customers] and their passengers."

 

 

step
queuing
teething
efficiency
regrets
expected
expressed
service

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Boeing's state-of-the-art Dreamliner passenger jet ______

 

a.  is being grounded
b.  has been ground
c.  has been grounded
d.  was being grounded

2)

The airliner has been hit ______ technical malfunctions

 

a.  with a spate of
b.  with a spite of
c.  with a spit of
d.  whither spate toff

3)

These range from cracked windshields, brake and electrical problems, ______.

 

a.  and few spills
b.  and fueling spills
c.  and fuel spills
d.  and fuels pills

4)

A Japanese transport official described ______ "highly serious"

 

a.  the incident as
b.  the accident as
c.  the Occident as
d.  the incident was

5)

Japanese authorities have suspended all Dreamliner flights ______.

 

a.  until further notice
b.  until more notice
c.  until furthest notice
d.  before further notice

6)

The Dreamliner is expected to revolutionize ______.

 

a.  the aviation industry
b.  the flying industry
c.  the airplane industry
d.  the vocation industry

7)

Boeing says it is investigating the issues but ______ the aircraft's safety.

 

a.  expressed confidently in
b.  expressed confidence in
c.  expressed comfortable in
d.  expression confidence in

8)

A company official has put the difficulties down to "______"

 

a.  teething problems
b.  chewing problems
c.  mouthing problems
d.  teetering problems

9)

We will be taking every necessary step ______

 

a.  in the combing days
b.  in the arriving days
c.  in the becoming days
d.  in the coming days

10)

Boeing deeply regrets…______ [our customers] and their passengers.

 

a.  the inconveniently to
b.  the inconveniences to
c.  the inconvenience to
d.  the inconvenience too

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Boeing's state-of-the-art Dreamliner passenger (1) __________________ in Japan, India, Chile and the USA amid safety concerns. The airliner has been (2) __________________ technical malfunctions in the past month. These range from cracked windshields, brake and electrical problems, and fuel spills. () __________________ on Wednesday on one of Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) planes forced the flight to (4) ________________________. A Japanese transport official (5) __________________ as "highly serious," which means there could have been an accident. Japanese authorities have suspended all Dreamliner flights (6) __________________. Japan's airlines have 24 of the 50 Dreamliners Boeing has sold to date.

The Dreamliner is (7) __________________ the aviation industry. Its lightweight design, fuel (8) __________________ safety features mean airlines have been queuing up to buy it. Boeing says it is investigating the issues but (9) __________________ the aircraft's safety. A company official has put the difficulties (10) _____________________ associated with a brand new airplane. Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said: "We will be taking every necessary step in the (11) __________________ our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service." He added: "Boeing (12) ________________________ to [our customers] and their passengers."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

In how many countries has the Dreamliner been grounded?

2.

Over what timeframe have the malfunctions been reported?

3.

What piece of faulty equipment was found on Wednesday?

4.

What are the initials of the airline whose plane made an emergency landing?

5.

How many Dreamliners are operated by Japanese airlines?

6.

What kind of design does the article say the Dreamliner has?

7.

Why are airlines queuing up?

8.

What did a Boeing official say was responsible for the issues?

9.

Who is Jim McNerney?

10.

Who did Boeing apologise to?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

In which of these countries is the Dreamliner not grounded?

6.

What is advanced on the Dreamliner?

 

a) Chile
b) France
c) Japan
d) India

 

a) the inflight entertainment
b) the pilot's training
c) safety features
d) the wheel design

2.

What kind of malfunctions has the Dreamliner had?

7.

What did Boeing express?

 

a) air traffic control
b) wardrobe
c) parachute
d) technical

 

a) guilt
b) fears for the future
c) concerns for the company's profits
d) confidence in the safety of its aircraft

3.

What happened to windshields?

8.

What did Boeing say caused the technical difficulties?

 

a) they cracked
b) they shattered
c) they fell into the cockpit
d) they were too dark

 

a) teething problems
b) faulty teeth on cogs in the engines
c) seething problems
d) malfunctioning teeth

4.

What happened to an ANA flight on Wednesday?

9.

When will Boeing take steps to improve things?

 

a) it disappeared from radar screens
b) the engines wouldn't start
c) it had to make an emergency
    landing
d) the flight attendants went on strike

 

a) in the coming days
b) in the incoming days
c) coming in the days
d) come in the days

5.

For how long will Japan's Dreamliners be out of service?

10.

What does Boeing regret?

 

a) a few days
b) until further notice
c) until the end of Feb
d) until Boeing pays compensation

 

a) not spending longer on the plane's
     design
b) the inconvenience to customers
c) being a nuisance
d) selling the airplanes too soon

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Airline CEO

You are furious Boeing sold you so many defective airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. You want Boeing to give you back your money. You will buy airplanes from Airbus instead. You also want compensation – Boeing has damaged the image of your airline.

Role  B – Boeing boss

You understand the anger of airlines. However, they are making it a bigger problem than it really is. Tell the others three reasons why. You can't issue refunds. Airlines understand new planes have teething problems. You cannot pay compensation to airlines or passengers.

Role  C – Passenger

You missed your own wedding because your flight was canceled. You want Boeing to pay for a new wedding, including all the costs your guests incurred. You are very unhappy with Boeing. Tell the others three reasons why. You want to know why Boeing sold faulty airplanes.

Role  D – Aviation safety official

You believe Boeing's Dreamliners are the safest planes in the world. Tell the others three reasons why. All new airplanes have teething problems. Airlines know this, passengers should understand this. Tell Boeing's boss (s)he must compensate all passengers and airlines in full.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

passenger

jet

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • art
  • hit
  • spills
  • forced
  • means
  • date
  • industry
  • up
  • confidence
  • brand
  • step
  • deeply

AIRLINE SAFETY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about airplane safety 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

AIRLINE SAFETY DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'airline'?

c)

Do you worry about airline safety?

d)

What do you think of the problems the Dreamliner is having?

e)

Would you like to fly on a Dreamliner?

f)

Why do you think the airplane is having so many problems?

g)

How safe do you think flying is?

h)

What do you like and hate about flying?

i)

Which airlines would you recommend (or not) and why?

j)

Do you think flight attendants like flying?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What do you know about the Boeing Dreamliner?

c)

Do you think the "teething problems" excuse is an acceptable one?

d)

Do you think airlines will lose confidence in Boeing?

e)

What is your national carrier like?

f)

Do you have an 'airplane routine' or 'in-flight habits' when you fly?

g)

What should Boeing do for the affected airlines?

h)

Do you think flying has got better or worse over the years?

i)

What should Boeing do to compensate passengers?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Boeing's CEO?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

Boeing's state-of-the-(1) ____ Dreamliner passenger jet has been grounded in Japan, India, Chile and the USA amid safety concerns. The airliner has been hit with a (2) ____ of technical malfunctions in the past month. These range from cracked windshields, brake and electrical problems, and fuel (3) ____. A battery fault found on Wednesday on one of Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) planes forced the flight to make an emergency (4) ____. A Japanese transport official described the incident as "highly serious," which means there could have been an accident. Japanese authorities have (5) ____ all Dreamliner flights until further notice. Japan's airlines have 24 of the 50 Dreamliners Boeing has sold to (6) ____.

The Dreamliner is expected to revolutionize the (7) ____ industry. Its lightweight design, fuel efficiency and advanced safety features mean airlines have been queuing (8) ____ to buy it. Boeing says it is investigating the issues but expressed confidence (9) ____ the aircraft's safety. A company official has put the difficulties down to "teething problems" associated with a (10) ____ new airplane. Boeing CEO Jim McNerney said: "We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to (11) ____ our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service." He added: "Boeing (12) ____ regrets…the inconvenience to [our customers] and their passengers."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

art

(b)

artistic

(c)

artistry

(d)

artsy

2.

(a)

spite

(b)

spade

(c)

spate

(d)

spider

3.

(a)

thrills

(b)

soils

(c)

spills

(d)

silos

4.

(a)

demonstration

(b)

take off

(c)

flight

(d)

landing

5.

(a)

populated

(b)

commandeered

(c)

suspended

(d)

cautioned

6.

(a)

Japan

(b)

date

(c)

annually

(d)

order

7.

(a)

deviation

(b)

aviation

(c)

deprivation

(d)

captivation

8.

(a)

along

(b)

up

(c)

through

(d)

down

9.

(a)

on

(b)

up

(c)

in

(d)

of

10.

(a)

breeched

(b)

bloated

(c)

bland

(d)

brand

11.

(a)

leisure

(b)

sure

(c)

insure

(d)

assure

12.

(a)

deepest

(b)

depth

(c)

deeps

(d)

deeply

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

tteas-fo-teh-tra Dreamliner

2.

safety nnrcsceo

3.

a spate of ieachcnlt malfunctions

4.

cracked deidswilshn

5.

make an egyrneemc landing

6.

Japanese iaioethrtus

Paragraph 2

7.

the itonviaa industry

8.

fuel iinycfcefe

9.

uqnegiu up to buy it

10.

ighenett problems

11.

taking every aenyrsecs step

12.

nnieenvinceoc to our customers

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

month. These range from cracked windshields, brake and electrical problems, and fuel spills. A battery

(    )

The Dreamliner is expected to revolutionize the aviation industry. Its lightweight design, fuel

(    )

landing. A Japanese transport official described the incident as "highly serious," which

(    )

until further notice. Japan's airlines have 24 of the 50 Dreamliners Boeing has sold to date.

(    )

amid safety concerns. The airliner has been hit with a spate of technical malfunctions in the past

(    )

means there could have been an accident. Japanese authorities have suspended all Dreamliner flights

(    )

service." He added: "Boeing deeply regrets…the inconvenience to [our customers] and their passengers."

(    )

CEO Jim McNerney, said: "We will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to

(    )

down to "teething problems" associated with a brand new airplane. Boeing

(    )

efficiency and advanced safety features mean airlines have been queuing up to buy it. Boeing says it is

(    )

assure our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to

(    )

fault found on Wednesday on one of Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) planes forced the flight to make an emergency

1  )

Boeing's state-of-the-art Dreamliner passenger jet has been grounded in Japan, India, Chile and the USA

(    )

investigating the issues but expressed confidence in the aircraft's safety. A company official has put the difficulties

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

art    -    the   -   of   -   state    Boeing's   jet   passenger    Dreamliner.    

2.

malfunctions    in    the    past    Hit    with    a    spate    of    technical.    

3.

make     Forced     an     the     emergency     flight     landing     to.    

4.

have     all     flights     Authorities     suspended     Dreamliner.    

5.

Boeing     has     The     sold     50     to     Dreamliners     date.    

6.

industry     Expected     revolutionize     aviation     to     the.    

7.

up     Airlines     to     have     buy     been     it     queuing.    

8.

problems     teething     to     down     difficulties     the     Put.    

9.

will     We     step     necessary     every     taking     be.    

10.

deeply    our   regrets    customers   the    inconvenience    Boeing    to.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Boeing's state-of-the-art Dreamliner passenger jet has been earthed / grounded in Japan, India, Chile and the USA amid / middle safety concerns. The airliner has been hit with a spate / space of technical malfunctions in the past month. These range from cracks / cracked windshields, brake and electrical problems, and fuel spills. A battery faulty / fault found on Wednesday on one of Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) planes forced the flight to make / have an emergency landing. A Japanese transport official described the incident has / as "highly serious," which means there could have been an accident. Japanese authorities have suspension / suspended all Dreamliner flights until further / future notice. Japan's airlines have 24 of the 50 Dreamliners Boeing has sold to / two date.

The Dreamliner is expected / expectation to revolutionize the aviation industry. Its lightweight designers / design, fuel efficiency and advanced safety features mean airlines have been queuing along / up to buy it. Boeing says it is investigating the issuance / issues but expressed confidence in the aircraft's safe / safety. A company official has put the difficulties up / down to "teething problems" associated link / with a brand new airplane. Boeing's CEO Jim McNerney said: "We will be taking every / all necessary step in the coming days to assure / insure our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service." He added: "Boeing deeply regrets…the convenience / inconvenience to [our customers] and their passengers."

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)

B___ng's st_t_-_f-th_-_rt Dr__ml_n_r p_ss_ng_r j_t h_s b__n gr__nd_d _n J_p_n, _nd__, Ch_l_ _nd th_ _S_ _m_d s_f_ty c_nc_rns. Th_ __rl_n_r h_s b__n h_t w_th _ sp_t_ _f t_chn_c_l m_lf_nct__ns _n th_ p_st m_nth. Th_s_ r_ng_ fr_m cr_ck_d w_ndsh__lds, br_k_ _nd _l_ctr_c_l pr_bl_ms, _nd f__l sp_lls. _ b_tt_ry f__lt f__nd _n W_dn_sd_y _n _n_ _f J_p_n's _ll N_pp_n __rw_ys (_N_) pl_n_s f_rc_d th_ fl_ght t_ m_k_ _n _m_rg_ncy l_nd_ng. _ J_p_n_s_ tr_nsp_rt _ff_c__l d_scr_b_d th_ _nc_d_nt _s "h_ghly s_r___s," wh_ch m__ns th_r_ c__ld h_v_ b__n _n _cc_d_nt. J_p_n_s_ __th_r_t__s h_v_ s_sp_nd_d _ll Dr__ml_n_r fl_ghts _nt_l f_rth_r n_t_c_. J_p_n's __rl_n_s h_v_ 24 _f th_ 50 Dr__ml_n_rs B___ng h_s s_ld t_ d_t_.

Th_ Dr__ml_n_r _s _xp_ct_d t_ r_v_l_t__n_z_ th_ _v__t__n _nd_stry. _ts l_ghtw__ght d_s_gn, f__l _ff_c__ncy _nd _dv_nc_d s_f_ty f__t_r_s m__n __rl_n_s h_v_ b__n q____ng _p t_ b_y _t. B___ng s_ys _t _s _nv_st_g_t_ng th_ _ss__s b_t _xpr_ss_d c_nf_d_nc_ _n th_ __rcr_ft's s_f_ty. _ c_mp_ny _ff_c__l h_s p_t th_ d_ff_c_lt__s d_wn t_ "t__th_ng pr_bl_ms" _ss_c__t_d w_th _ br_nd n_w __rpl_n_. B___ng C__ J_m McN_rn_y s__d: "W_ w_ll b_ t_k_ng _v_ry n_c_ss_ry st_p _n th_ c_m_ng d_ys t_ _ss_r_ __r c_st_m_rs _nd th_ tr_v_ll_ng p_bl_c _f th_ 787's s_f_ty _nd t_ r_t_rn th_ __rpl_n_s t_ s_rv_c_." H_ _dd_d: "B___ng d__ply r_gr_ts…th_ _nc_nv_n__nc_ t_ [__r c_st_m_rs] _nd th__r p_ss_ng_rs."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

Boeing's state-of-the-art dreamliner passenger jet has been grounded in japan india chile and the usa amid safety concerns The airliner has been hit with a spate of technical malfunctions in the past month These range from cracked windshields brake and electrical problems and fuel spills A battery fault found on wednesday on one of japan's all nippon airways (ana) planes forced the flight to make an emergency landing A japanese transport official described the incident as "highly serious" which means there could have been an accident Japanese authorities have suspended all dreamliner flights until further notice Japan's airlines have 24 of the 50 dreamliners boeing has sold to date

The dreamliner is expected to revolutionize the aviation industry Its lightweight design fuel efficiency and advanced safety features mean airlines have been queuing up to buy it Boeing says it is investigating the issues but expressed confidence in the aircraft's safety A company official has put the difficulties down to "teething problems" associated with a brand new airplane boeing ceo jim mcnerney said "we will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure our customers and the travelling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service" He added "boeing deeply regrets…the inconvenience to [our customers] and their passengers"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Boeing'sstate-of-the-artDreamlinerpassengerjethasbeengroundedinJapan
,India,ChileandtheUSAamidsafetyconcerns.Theairlinerhasbeenhitwithaspate
oftechnicalmalfunctionsinthepastmonth.Theserangefromcrackedwindshields,
brakeandelectricalproblems,andfuelspills.AbatteryfaultfoundonWednesday
ononeofJapan'sAllNipponAirways(ANA)planesforcedtheflighttomakean
emergencylanding.AJapanesetransportofficialdescribedtheincidentas"highly
serious,"whichmeanstherecouldhavebeenanaccident.Japaneseauthorities
havesuspendedallDreamlinerflightsuntilfurthernotice.Japan'sairlineshave24
ofthe50DreamlinersBoeinghassoldtodate.TheDreamlinerisexpectedto
revolutionizetheaviationindustry.Itslightweightdesign,fuelefficiencyand
advancedsafetyfeaturesmeanairlineshavebeenqueuinguptobuyit.Boeingsays
itisinvestigatingtheissuesbutexpressedconfidenceintheaircraft'ssafety.
Acompanyofficialhasputthedifficultiesdownto"teethingproblems"associated
withabrandnewairplane.BoeingCEOJimMcNerneysaid:"Wewillbe
takingeverynecessarystepinthecomingdaystoassureourcustomersandthe
travellingpublicofthe787'ssafetyandtoreturntheairplanestoservice."He
added:"Boeingdeeplyregrets…theinconvenienceto[ourcustomers]and
theirpassengers."

FREE WRITING

Write about airplane safety for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Compare and contrast travelling by airplane and travelling by train.

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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 the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. AIRPLANE SAFETY: Make a poster about airplane safety. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. GROUNDED: Write a magazine article about the grounding of the Dreamliners. Include imaginary interviews with Boeing's CEO, airline CEOs and passengers.

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 Boeing's CEO. Ask him three questions about his airplane's safety. Give him three ideas how to restore public confidence in the airplane. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

state-of-the-art

a.

cutting edge

2.

amid

b.

as a result of

3.

malfunctions

c.

defects

4.

forced

d.

made

5.

suspended

e.

shelved

6.

expected

f.

supposed

7.

queuing up

g.

waiting in line

8.

step

h.

action

9.

assure

i.

convince

10.

inconvenience

j.

nuisance

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Four

2.

The past month

3.

A battery

4.

ANA

5.

24

6.

A lightweight one

7.

They want to buy Dreamliners

8.

Teething problems

9.

Boeing's CEO

10.

Its customers and their passengers

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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