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Panasonic China staff to get pollution pay (16th March, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Japanese electronics company Panasonic will pay its Japanese staff in China "pollution pay". The company wants to give its workers more money because of China's poor air quality. No one knows how many people will get the extra cash. Neither did the company say how much the additional pay would be. Panasonic did not announce any plans to give the payment to its Chinese staff. Workers who have to work in other countries usually get extra pay for phoning home, eating in restaurants or buying furniture. Panasonic is probably the first company in the world to give compensation to its workers because of pollution. Other companies in China may now follow Panasonic's example.

Air pollution is a serious problem in China. The World Health Organization said pollution levels there were 15 times higher than healthy levels. China's Premier, Li Keqiang, recently said his country would fight a "war on pollution". The Japan Times newspaper reported that: "Over the weekend, a top Chinese environment official said air quality was below national standards in almost every major city last year." There are several reasons why pollution in China has become so bad in recent years. The country's economic success means there are thousands more factories. China also uses coal as its main source of energy. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands more cars than before on China's roads.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26555874
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/03/13/business/panasonic-china-staff-get-pay-for-pollution/

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 :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. POLLUTION: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about pollution. 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.

electronics / staff / workers / additional / payment / phoning home / follow / example / serious problem / healthy levels / environment / reasons / economic / success / roads

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

3. MORE PAY: Why might these people ask for more pay? Should they get it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Why might they want more?	Should they get more?
Teachers
Soldiers
Street cleaners
Sales assistants
Customer service staff
Librarians

4. POLLUTION PAY: Students A strongly believe people should get pollution pay; Students B strongly believe that's a silly idea. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. HIGHEST SALARY: Rank these with your partner. Put the ones who should get the highest salary at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• English teacher

• nurse

• bank clerk

• police officer

• soldier

• train driver

• fire fighter

• hairdresser

6. AIR: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "air". 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.	Panasonic staff will get a 7% increase in pay because of pollution.	T / F
b.	The company said its Chinese workers would also get more pay.	T / F
c.	Panasonic may be the first company to offer pollution pay.	T / F
d.	The article said other companies might copy Panasonic.	T / F
e.	Pollution in China is 15 times higher than safe/healthy levels.	T / F
f.	China said it is fighting a war on pollution.	T / F
g.	Pollution was bad in half of China's major cities last year.	T / F
h.	China's main source of energy comes from oil.	T / F

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

1.	staff	a.	dining
2.	extra	b.	amounts
3.	eating	c.	copy
4.	buying	d.	quality
5.	example	e.	workers
6.	levels	f.	leading
7.	top	g.	primary
8.	standards	h.	additional
9.	main	i.	plus
10.	in addition	j.	purchasing

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

1.	poor	a.	work in other countries
2.	Panasonic did not announce any	b.	higher
3.	Workers who have to	c.	main source of energy
4.	give compensation	d.	Panasonic's example
5.	companies in China may now follow	e.	thousands more
6.	15 times	f.	why
7.	below national standards in almost	g.	to its workers
8.	There are several reasons	h.	every major city
9.	China also uses coal as its	i.	plans
10.	hundreds of	j.	air quality

GAP FILL

Japanese electronics company Panasonic will (1) ____________ its Japanese staff in China "pollution pay". The company wants to give its (2) ____________ more money because of China's poor air quality. No one knows how many people will get the (3) ____________ cash. Neither did the company say how much the additional pay would be. Panasonic did not (4) ____________ any plans to give the payment to its Chinese staff. Workers who have to work in other countries (5) ____________ get extra pay for phoning home, eating in restaurants or buying (6) ____________. Panasonic is probably the first company in the world to give (7) ____________ to its workers because of pollution. Other companies in China may now follow Panasonic's (8) ____________.

extra
pay
compensation
usually
workers
example
furniture
announce

Air pollution is a (9) ____________ problem in China. The World Health Organization said pollution levels there were 15 times higher than (10) ____________ levels. China's Premier, Li Keqiang, recently said his country would fight a "(11) ____________ on pollution". The Japan Times newspaper reported that: "Over the (12) ____________, a top Chinese environment official said air quality was below national standards in almost every major city last year." There are several (13) ____________ why pollution in China has become so bad in recent years. The country's economic (14) ____________ means there are thousands more factories. China also uses coal as its main (15) ____________ of energy. In addition, there are (16) ____________ of thousands more cars than before on China's roads.

weekend
war
serious
source
success
hundreds
healthy
reasons

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The company wants to give its workers more money because of China's ______
	a. poor air qualifies b. poor air qualify c. poor air quality d. poor air quantity
2)	Neither did the company say how much the ______ be
	a. additionally pay would b. addition all pay would c. add emotional pay would d. additional pay would
3)	Workers who have to work in other countries usually get extra pay ______
	a. for phone-in home b. for phoning home c. for phone in-home d. for phony home
4)	Panasonic is probably the first company in the world ______
	a. to give compensation b. to give condensation c. to give constipation d. to give commemoration
5)	Other companies in China may now follow ______
	a. Panasonic's exemplar b. Panasonic's exampled c. Panasonic's example d. Panasonic's examples
6)	pollution levels there were 15 times higher ______
	a. than healthy label b. than healthy levels c. than healthy level d. than healthy labels
7)	a top Chinese environment official said air quality was ______
	a. below national standards b. below nation all standards c. below gnash an all-standards d. below gnashing all standards
8)	There are several reasons why pollution in China has become so ______
	a. bad in recently years b. bad in resent years c. bad in re-scent years d. bad in recent years
9)	The country's economic success means there are thousands ______
	a. more factories b. mall factories c. Moor factories d. mar factories
10)	China also uses coal as its main ______
	a. sauce of energy b. source of energy c. soars of energy d. spores of energy

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Japanese (1) ___________________ Panasonic will pay its Japanese staff in China "pollution pay". The company wants to give its workers more money because of China's (2) ___________________. No one knows how many people will get the extra cash. Neither did the company say how much the (3) ___________________ be. Panasonic did not announce any plans to give the payment to its Chinese staff. Workers (4) ___________________ in other countries usually get extra pay for phoning home, eating in restaurants or buying furniture. Panasonic (5) ___________________ company in the world to give compensation to its workers because of pollution. Other companies in China (6) ___________________ Panasonic's example.

Air pollution (7) ___________________ in China. The World Health Organization said pollution levels there were (8) ___________________ than healthy levels. China's Premier, Li Keqiang, recently said his country would fight a "war on pollution". The Japan Times newspaper reported that: "Over the weekend, a top Chinese environment official (9) ___________________ below national standards in almost every major city last year." There are several (10) ___________________ in China has become so bad in recent years. The country's economic success means there are thousands more factories. China also uses coal as its (11) ___________________ energy. In addition, there are (12) ___________________ more cars than before on China's roads.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What poor thing made Panasonic want to pay workers more?
2.	How many people will get the extra pay?
3.	How much will the additional pay be?
4.	How many other companies give "pollution pay" to workers?
5.	What will other companies follow?
6.	How many times higher than healthy are China's pollution levels?
7.	What is China fighting a war on?
8.	In how many cities was pollution below China's standards last year?
9.	What does China use as its main source of energy?
10.	What are there more of on Chinese roads?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What poor thing made Panasonic want to pay workers more?	6.	How many times higher than healthy are China's pollution levels?
	a) huge profits b) poor air quality c) the kindness in CEO hearts d) strikes at factories		a) 15 b) 16 c) 17 d) 18
2.	How many people will get the extra pay?	7.	What is China fighting a war on?
	a) all of them b) half c) those who never come to work late d) no one knows		a) paper b) waste c) pollution d) corruption
3.	How much will the additional pay be?	8.	In how many cities was pollution below China's standards last year?
	a) Panasonic didn't say b) $386 c) 3.86% d) the workers can decide		a) nearly every major city b) half c) 79 d) 28,739
4.	How many other companies give "pollution pay" to workers?	9.	What does China use as its main source of energy?
	a) a few b) several c) probably none d) numerous		a) coal b) thermal energy c) hydro-electricity d) oil
5.	What will other companies follow?	10.	What are there more of on Chinese roads?
	a) the leader b) Panasonic's example c) the Great Wall of China d) profits		a) accidents b) billboards c) traffic jams d) cars

ROLE PLAY

Role A – English teacher

You are an English teacher. You think you should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why they shouldn't get a high salary. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these jobs (and why): nurse, soldier or bank clerk.

Role B – Nurse

You are a nurse. You think you should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why they shouldn't get a high salary. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these jobs (and why): English teacher, soldier or bank clerk.

Role C – Soldier

You are a soldier. You think you should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why they shouldn't get a high salary. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these jobs (and why): nurse, English teacher or bank clerk.

Role D – Bank clerk

You are a bank clerk. You think you should get the highest salary. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them reasons why they shouldn't get a high salary. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these jobs (and why): nurse, soldier or English teacher.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

pollution

pay

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:

electronics
knows
plans
home
first
follow

serious
fight
below
several
success
roads

POLLUTION SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about pollution 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.

POLLUTION 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 'pollution'?
c)	Is pollution pay a good idea?
d)	How much should it be?
e)	Do you think Panasonic's Chinese workers should also get the extra pay?
f)	What other dangerous things should workers get more pay for?
g)	Is it right that people who work in other countries get more pay?
h)	Why would you need more pay if you worked in another country?
i)	Should workers get less pay for working in beautiful cities?
j)	Should English teachers get more pay?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	How is air pollution where you live?
c)	Will pollution disappear when we use more green energy?
d)	Would you move if your city became too polluted?
e)	What does a country do in a "war on pollution"?
f)	How does a lot of pollution affect people's lives?
g)	Is economic success good, even if it brings lots of pollution?
h)	How can we reduce the number of cars on the roads?
i)	How much do you worry about pollution?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the boss of Panasonic?

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.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Japanese electronics company Panasonic will (1) ____ its Japanese staff in China "pollution pay". The company wants to give its workers more money because (2) ____ China's poor air quality. No one knows how many people will get the extra cash. Neither did the company say how much the additional pay would (3) ____. Panasonic did not announce any plans to give the payment to its Chinese staff. Workers who have to work in other countries usually get extra pay for (4) ____ home, eating in restaurants or buying furniture. Panasonic is (5) ____ the first company in the world to give compensation to its workers because of pollution. Other companies in China may now (6) ____ Panasonic's example.

Air pollution is a (7) ____ problem in China. The World Health Organization said pollution levels there were 15 times higher than healthy levels. China's Premier, Li Keqiang, recently said his country would fight a "war on pollution". The Japan Times newspaper reported that: "(8) ____ the weekend, a top Chinese environment official said air quality was below national standards in almost every (9) ____ city last year." There are several reasons why pollution in China has become so bad in recent years. The country's economic (10) ____ means there are thousands more factories. China also uses coal as its main (11) ____ of energy. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands more cars than (12) ____ on China's roads.

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

1.	(a)	payment	(b)	pay	(c)	payee	(d)	paid
2.	(a)	then	(b)	of	(c)	that	(d)	really
3.	(a)	take	(b)	have	(c)	do	(d)	be
4.	(a)	phoned	(b)	phoning	(c)	phone	(d)	phones
5.	(a)	probable	(b)	probability	(c)	probabilities	(d)	probably
6.	(a)	chase	(b)	trail	(c)	follow	(d)	stalk
7.	(a)	serious	(b)	serial	(c)	series	(d)	sears
8.	(a)	Under	(b)	Across	(c)	Over	(d)	Through
9.	(a)	capital	(b)	noisy	(c)	pollution	(d)	major
10.	(a)	success	(b)	excess	(c)	access	(d)	recess
11.	(a)	source	(b)	sauce	(c)	soars	(d)	spores
12.	(a)	before	(b)	past	(c)	early	(d)	history

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	Japanese oesrtlcenic company
2.	poor air ltauyqi
3.	taaildndoi pay
4.	Panasonic did not unocnaen any plans
5.	buying frntuueir
6.	follow Panasonic's xlepema
Paragraph 2
7.	a iessuro problem
8.	15 times higher than ythehla levels
9.	a top Chinese ervnmineont official
10.	below national stddsaanr
11.	The country's economic cesssuc
12.	uantshods more factories

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	fight a "war on pollution". The Japan Times newspaper reported that: "Over the weekend, a top Chinese environment
( )	or buying furniture. Panasonic is probably the first company in the world to give compensation to its workers because
( )	official said air quality was below national standards in almost every major
( )	years. The country's economic success means there are thousands more factories. China also uses coal as its main source
( )	levels there were 15 times higher than healthy levels. China's Premier, Li Keqiang, recently said his country would
( )	of pollution. Other companies in China may now follow Panasonic's example.
( )	Air pollution is a serious problem in China. The World Health Organization said pollution
( )	additional pay would be. Panasonic did not announce any plans to give the payment to its Chinese staff. Workers
( )	who have to work in other countries usually get extra pay for phoning home, eating in restaurants
( )	to give its workers more money because of China's poor air quality. No one
( )	city last year." There are several reasons why pollution in China has become so bad in recent
( )	of energy. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands more cars than before on China's roads.
( 1 )	Japanese electronics company Panasonic will pay its Japanese staff in China "pollution pay". The company wants
( )	knows how many people will get the extra cash. Neither did the company say how much the

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	pay China its Japanese Panasonic staff will in.
2.	wants its money company give more The to workers.
3.	how knows one No cash extra the get will people many.
4.	to countries have other who in Workers work.
5.	follow now may companies Other example Panasonic's.
6.	problem pollution in is China a serious Air.
7.	on His fight "war . would pollution" country a
8.	city in almost Below every national major standards.
9.	there means Success factories more thousands are.
10.	source of energy . China also uses coal as its main

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Japanese electronics / electrics company Panasonic will pay its Japanese staff in China "pollution pay". The company wants to give its workings / workers more money because of China's poor / poorly air quality. No one knows how many people will get the extra cashing / cash. Neither did the company say how much the additionally / additional pay would be. Panasonic did not announce / announcement any plans to give the payment to its Chinese staff. Workers who have to work in another / other countries usually get extra pay for phoning / phone home, eating in restaurants or buying furniture. Panasonic is probably the first company in / on the world to give compensation to its workers because of pollution. Other companies in China may now follow Panasonic's example / lesson.

Air pollution is a serious / seriously problem in China. The World Health Organization said pollution level / levels there were 15 times higher than healthy levels. China's Premier, Li Keqiang, recently say / said his country would fight / fighting a "war on pollution". The Japan Times newspaper reported that: "Over / Under the weekend, a top Chinese environment official said air quality was below national standards in almost / most every major city last year." There are several / severe reasons why pollution in China has become so bad in recently / recent years. The country's economic success means there are thousands most / more factories. China also uses coal as its main source of energy. In addition, there are hundreds of thousands more cars than before on China's road / roads.

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)

J_p_n_s_ _l_ctr_n_cs c_mp_ny P_n_s_n_c w_ll p_y _ts J_p_n_s_ st_ff _n Ch_n_ "p_ll_t__n p_y". Th_ c_mp_ny w_nts t_ g_v_ _ts w_rk_rs m_r_ m_n_y b_c__s_ _f Ch_n_'s p__r __r q__l_ty. N_ _n_ kn_ws h_w m_ny p__pl_ w_ll g_t th_ _xtr_ c_sh. N__th_r d_d th_ c_mp_ny s_y h_w m_ch th_ _dd_t__n_l p_y w__ld b_. P_n_s_n_c d_d n_t _nn__nc_ _ny pl_ns t_ g_v_ th_ p_ym_nt t_ _ts Ch_n_s_ st_ff. W_rk_rs wh_ h_v_ t_ w_rk _n _th_r c__ntr__s _s__lly g_t _xtr_ p_y f_r ph_n_ng h_m_, __t_ng _n r_st__r_nts _r b_y_ng f_rn_t_r_. P_n_s_n_c _s pr_b_bly th_ f_rst c_mp_ny _n th_ w_rld t_ g_v_ c_mp_ns_t__n t_ _ts w_rk_rs b_c__s_ _f p_ll_t__n. _th_r c_mp_n__s _n Ch_n_ m_y n_w f_ll_w P_n_s_n_c's _x_mpl_.

__r p_ll_t__n _s _ s_r___s pr_bl_m _n Ch_n_. Th_ W_rld H__lth _rg_n_z_t__n s__d p_ll_t__n l_v_ls th_r_ w_r_ 15 t_m_s h_gh_r th_n h__lthy l_v_ls. Ch_n_'s Pr_m__r, L_ K_q__ng, r_c_ntly s__d h_s c__ntry w__ld f_ght _ "w_r _n p_ll_t__n". Th_ J_p_n T_m_s n_wsp_p_r r_p_rt_d th_t: "_v_r th_ w__k_nd, _ t_p Ch_n_s_ _nv_r_nm_nt _ff_c__l s__d __r q__l_ty w_s b_l_w n_t__n_l st_nd_rds _n _lm_st _v_ry m_j_r c_ty l_st y__r." Th_r_ _r_ s_v_r_l r__s_ns why p_ll_t__n _n Ch_n_ h_s b_c_m_ s_ b_d _n r_c_nt y__rs. Th_ c__ntry's _c_n_m_c s_cc_ss m__ns th_r_ _r_ th__s_nds m_r_ f_ct_r__s. Ch_n_ _ls_ _s_s c__l _s _ts m__n s__rc_ _f _n_rgy. _n _dd_t__n, th_r_ _r_ h_ndr_ds _f th__s_nds m_r_ c_rs th_n b_f_r_ _n Ch_n_'s r__ds.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

japanese electronics company panasonic will pay its japanese staff in china "pollution pay" the company wants to give its workers more money because of china's poor air quality no one knows how many people will get the extra cash neither did the company say how much the additional pay would be panasonic did not announce any plans to give the payment to its chinese staff workers who have to work in other countries usually get extra pay for phoning home eating in restaurants or buying furniture panasonic is probably the first company in the world to give compensation to its workers because of pollution other companies in china may now follow panasonic's example

air pollution is a serious problem in china the world health organization said pollution levels there were 15 times higher than healthy levels china's premier li keqiang recently said his country would fight a "war on pollution" the japan times newspaper reported that "over the weekend a top chinese environment official said air quality was below national standards in almost every major city last year" there are several reasons why pollution in china has become so bad in recent years the country's economic success means there are thousands more factories china also uses coal as its main source of energy in addition there are hundreds of thousands more cars than before on china's roads

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

JapaneseelectronicscompanyPanasonicwillpayitsJapanesestaffi
nChina"pollutionpay".Thecompanywantstogiveitsworkersmore
moneybecauseofChina'spoorairquality.Nooneknowshowmanype
oplewillgettheextracash.Neitherdidthecompanysayhowmuchthe
additionalpaywouldbe.Panasonicdidnotannounceanyplanstogive
thepaymenttoitsChinesestaff.Workerswhohavetoworkinotherco
untriesusuallygetextrapayforphoninghome,eatinginrestaurants
orbuyingfurniture.Panasonicisprobablythefirstcompanyinthewor
ldtogivecompensationtoitsworkersbecauseofpollution.Othercom
paniesinChinamaynowfollowPanasonic'sexample.Airpollutionisa
seriousprobleminChina.TheWorldHealthOrganizationsaidpolluti
onlevelstherewere15timeshigherthanhealthylevels.China'sPrem
ier,LiKeqiang,recentlysaidhiscountrywouldfighta"waronpollution
".TheJapanTimesnewspaperreportedthat:"Overtheweekend,ato
pChineseenvironmentofficialsaidairqualitywasbelownationalsta
ndardsinalmosteverymajorcitylastyear."Thereareseveralreason
swhypollutioninChinahasbecomesobadinrecentyears.Thecountr
y'seconomicsuccessmeanstherearethousandsmorefactories.Chi
naalsousescoalasitsmainsourceofenergy.Inaddition,therearehu
ndredsofthousandsmorecarsthanbeforeonChina'sroads.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

People should not get more pay because of pollution. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

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

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

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

4. POLLUTION PAY: Write a magazine article about pollution pay. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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 pollution. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to reduce it. 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...

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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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	staff	a.	workers
2.	extra	b.	additional
3.	eating	c.	dining
4.	buying	d.	purchasing
5.	follow	e.	copy
6.	levels	f.	amounts
7.	top	g.	leading
8.	standards	h.	quality
9.	main	i.	primary
10.	in addition	j.	plus

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Air quality
2.	No one knows
3.	Panasonic didn't say
4.	Probably none
5.	Panasonic's example
6.	15
7.	Pollution
8.	Nearly every major city
9.	Coal
10.	Cars

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

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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Panasonic China staff to get pollution pay (16th March, 2014)

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