Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Barack Obama's credit card problem (20th October, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Even the President of the United States of America has embarrassing moments with credit cards. Barack Obama had one last month. A restaurant cashier told him she couldn't accept his credit card. He was having dinner at an expensive restaurant in an upmarket area of New York. The President told reporters: "I went to a restaurant during the U.N. General Assembly, and my credit card was rejected….It turned out, I guess, I don't use it enough." He added that the cashier thought his card was being used for illegal purposes. He explained that he did not have enough cash to pay for the restaurant bill. Luckily, his wife paid the bill using her credit card and they could leave the restaurant.

Mr Obama told his credit card story on Friday while he was signing a new law to protect consumers from identity theft. In particular, the new law tightens the controls on credit cards. Obama said: "Even I'm affected by this." Identity theft is a growing problem all over the world. Officials in the USA think that 100 million people have been affected in the past year because someone stole their private information online. The new law is called "BuySecure". It wants the credit card industry to change from cards with magnetic strips to those with microchips and PIN numbers. Magnetic strips are old technology. It is easy for hackers to read them and put the information on other cards.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/10/17/president-obamas-credit-card-was-rejected-last-month/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obamas-credit-card-declined-at-restaurant/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29664831

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. CREDIT CARDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about credit cards. 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?

the President / embarrassing / cashier / expensive restaurant / illegal / pay the bill / consumers / identity theft / controls / private information / microchips / PIN / hackers

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

3. IDENTITY THEFT: How can we protect these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Possible dangers	How to keep it (them) safe
Credit cards
E-mail account
ATM card
Bank account
Passport
Phone number

4. CASH: Students A strongly believe cash is better than credit cards; Students B strongly believe the opposite. 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. EMBARRASSING: Rank these with your partner. Put the most embarrassing at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• bad hair

• body noises

• stain on T-shirt

• family members

• falling over

• forgetting someone's name

• having no money

• too few clothes

6. CASHIER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "cashier". 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.	Barack Obama's credit card caused him embarrassment.	T / F
b.	Mr Obama was shopping in the Apple Store in New York.	T / F
c.	Mr Obama was in New York on a family vacation.	T / F
d.	Mr Obama's wife used her credit card to save her husband.	T / F
e.	Mr Obama signed a new law to tighten credit card security.	T / F
f.	Over 150 million people had private information stolen in the past year.	T / F
g.	The new law is called "BeSecure".	T / F
h.	Credit cards are moving away from having magnetic strips on the back.	T / F

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

1.	embarrassing	a.	money
2.	upmarket	b.	declined
3.	rejected	c.	switch
4.	illegal	d.	strengthens
5.	cash	e.	uncomfortable
6.	story	f.	touched
7.	tightens	g.	unlawful
8.	affected	h.	expensive
9.	change	i.	simple
10.	easy	j.	tale

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

1.	embarrassing	a.	area of New York
2.	A restaurant cashier told him she couldn't	b.	for illegal purposes
3.	in an upmarket	c.	on other cards
4.	his card was being used	d.	to those with microchips
5.	his wife paid the bill	e.	moments
6.	protect consumers from identity	f.	industry
7.	100 million people have been	g.	accept his credit card
8.	the credit card	h.	theft
9.	change from cards with magnetic strips	i.	using her credit card
10.	put the information	j.	affected in the past year

GAP FILL

Even the President of the United States of America has (1) ____________ moments with credit cards. Barack Obama had one last month. A restaurant (2) ____________ told him she couldn't (3) ____________ his credit card. He was having dinner at an expensive restaurant in an (4) ____________ area of New York. The President told reporters: "I went to a restaurant (5) ____________ the U.N. General Assembly, and my credit card was rejected….It (6) ____________ out, I guess, I don't use it enough." He added that the cashier thought his card was being used for illegal (7) ____________. He explained that he did not have enough cash to pay for the restaurant bill. Luckily, his wife paid the bill (8) ____________ her credit card and they could leave the restaurant.

during
purposes
cashier
upmarket
embarrassing
using
accept
turned

Mr Obama told his credit card story on Friday while he was (9) ____________ a new law to protect (10) ____________ from identity theft. In particular, the new law tightens the (11) ____________ on credit cards. Obama said: "Even I'm affected by this." Identity theft is a (12) ____________ problem all over the world. Officials in the USA think that 100 million people have been (13) ____________ in the past year because someone stole their private information online. The new law is called "BuySecure". It wants the credit card (14) ____________ to change from cards with magnetic strips to those with (15) ____________ and PIN numbers. Magnetic strips are old technology. It is easy for (16) ____________ to read them and put the information on other cards.

affected
hackers
consumers
microchips
controls
industry
signing
growing

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Even the President of the United States of America has ______
	a. embarrassing monuments b. embarrassing mementoes c. embarrassing moments d. embarrassing movements
2)	A restaurant cashier told him she couldn't ______ card
	a. except his credit b. expect his credit c. aspect his credit d. accept his credit
3)	He was having dinner at an expensive restaurant in ______
	a. an upmarket area b. an up mark it area c. an up make it area d. an up market area
4)	He added that the cashier thought his card was being used ______
	a. for illegal purposes b. for illegally purposes c. for ill eagle purposes d. for ill legal purposes
5)	He explained that he did not have enough cash to pay for ______
	a. the restaurant till b. the restaurant dill c. the restaurant bill d. the restaurant mill
6)	Mr Obama told his credit card story on Friday while he was ______
	a. singing a new law b. signing in a new law c. signing a new law d. sign in a new law
7)	In particular, the new law tightens the controls ______
	a. in credit cards b. on credit cards c. by credit cards d. of credit cards
8)	Officials in the USA think that 100 million people have been ______ year
	a. affected in the past b. reflected in the past c. deflected in the past d. infected in the past
9)	It wants the credit card industry to change from cards ______
	a. with magnetic stripes b. with magnetic strict c. with magnetic strips d. with magnetic slips
10)	It is easy for hackers to read them and put the information ______
	a. on another cards b. on other cards c. on all other cards d. on the other cards

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Even the President of the United States of America (1) ___________________ moments with credit cards. Barack Obama had one last month. A restaurant cashier told him she (2) ___________________ credit card. He was having dinner at an expensive restaurant (3) ___________________ area of New York. The President told reporters: "I went to a restaurant during the U.N. General Assembly, and my credit card was rejected….It turned out, I guess, I (4) ___________________." He added that the cashier thought his card was being (5) ___________________ purposes. He explained that he did not have enough cash to pay for the restaurant bill. Luckily, (6) ___________________ bill using her credit card and they could leave the restaurant.

Mr Obama told his credit card story on Friday (7) ___________________ a new law to protect consumers from identity theft. In particular, the new law (8) ___________________ credit cards. Obama said: "Even I'm affected by this." Identity (9) ___________________ problem all over the world. Officials in the USA think that 100 million people (10) ___________________ in the past year because someone stole their private information online. The new law is called "BuySecure". It wants the credit card industry to change from cards with magnetic (11) ___________________ microchips and PIN numbers. Magnetic strips are old technology. It is easy (12) ___________________ them and put the information on other cards.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of moments did the article say U.S. Presidents can have?
2.	Where was Barack Obama when his credit card was rejected?
3.	Why was Barack Obama in New York?
4.	Why didn't Barack Obama pay by cash?
5.	Who paid the bill?
6.	Who does a new law protect?
7.	What does the article say is a growing problem around the world?
8.	How many people have been affected by loss of private information?
9.	What industry does the law hope to change?
10.	What kind of technology does the article call magnetic strips?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of moments did the article say U.S. Presidents can have?	6.	Who does a new law protect?
	a) crazy ones b) embarrassing ones c) short ones d) tender ones		a) consumers b) restaurants c) children d) sick people
2.	Where was Barack Obama when his credit card was rejected?	7.	What does the article say is a growing problem around the world?
	a) in a park b) in a petrol (gas) station c) in a store d) in a restaurant		a) fake software b) piracy c) identity theft d) money
3.	Why was Barack Obama in New York?	8.	How many people have been affected by loss of private information?
	a) for a credit card industry meeting b) on vacation c) for the U.N. General Assembly d) to open his new office		a) 100 million b) a billion c) 10,000,000 d) ten million
4.	Why didn't Barack Obama pay by cash?	9.	What industry does the law hope to change?
	a) he didn't have enough b) it was a credit-card only place c) he had no dollars d) he left his wallet at home		a) the software industry b) the security industry c) the food industry d) the credit card industry
5.	Who paid the bill?	10.	What kind of technology does the article call magnetic strips?
	a) a security guard b) his wife c) the U.S. taxpayer d) a stranger		a) cutting-edge technology b) advanced technology c) old technology d) digital technology

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Credit card

You think a credit card is the thing most at risk of being stolen. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are safer. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why): Internet password, a phone number or an ATM card.

Role B – Internet password

You think an Internet password is the thing most at risk of being stolen. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are safer. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why): credit card, a phone number or ATM card.

Role C – Phone number

You think a phone number is the thing most at risk of being stolen. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are safer. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why): Internet password, credit card or ATM card.

Role D – ATM card

You think an ATM card is the thing most at risk of being stolen. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are safer. Also, tell the others which is the safest of these (and why): Internet password, a phone number or credit card.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

embarrassing

moments

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:

even
accept
area
enough
illegal
leave

new
controls
world
online
numbers
read

CREDIT CARDS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about credit cards 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.

CREDIT CARDS DISCUSSION

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 'embarrassing'?
3)	Tell me about one of your most embarrassing moments.
4)	Have you ever had a problem paying for something?
5)	What do you think about Barack Obama's problem?
6)	How do you tell the U.S. President his credit card is no good?
7)	How often do you go to expensive restaurants?
8)	What is the upmarket area of your town like?
9)	Do you ever go out without enough cash?
10)	What would Mr Obama have done without his wife to pay the bill?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Do you worry about using credit cards?
12)	What do you think of using credit cards for online shopping?
14)	Are credit cards better than cash?
15)	How much do you worry about identity theft?
16)	Are all your passwords super-safe and difficult to guess?
17)	What are the good and bad things about credit cards?
18)	How will we pay for things in the future?
19)	What advice do you have for Barack Obama?
20)	What questions would you like to ask Barack Obama?

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

Even the President of the United States of America has (1) ____ moments with credit cards. Barack Obama had one last month. A restaurant cashier told him she couldn't (2) ____ his credit card. He was having dinner at an expensive restaurant in an (3) ____ area of New York. The President told reporters: "I went to a restaurant during the U.N. General Assembly, and my credit card was (4) ____ ….It turned out, I guess, I don't use it enough." He added that the cashier thought his card was being used (5) ____ illegal purposes. He explained that he did not have enough cash to pay for the restaurant bill. Luckily, his wife paid the bill (6) ____ her credit card and they could leave the restaurant.

Mr Obama told his credit card story on Friday while he was (7) ____ a new law to protect consumers from identity theft. (8) ____ particular, the new law tightens the controls on credit cards. Obama said: "Even I'm affected by this." Identity theft is a growing problem (9) ____ over the world. Officials in the USA think that 100 million people have been (10) ____ in the past year because someone stole their private information online. The new law is called "BuySecure". It wants the credit card industry to change from cards with magnetic strips to (11) ____ with microchips and PIN numbers. Magnetic strips are old technology. It is easy for hackers to read them and put the information on (12) ____ cards.

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

1.	(a)	embassy	(b)	embarrasses	(c)	embracing	(d)	embarrassing
2.	(a)	except	(b)	reject	(c)	expect	(d)	accept
3.	(a)	online market	(b)	upmarket	(c)	unmarked	(d)	upscale
4.	(a)	injected	(b)	suggested	(c)	rejected	(d)	reflected
5.	(a)	from	(b)	of	(c)	for	(d)	far
6.	(a)	using	(b)	uses	(c)	usage	(d)	used
7.	(a)	singing	(b)	signing	(c)	signaling	(d)	sighing
8.	(a)	In	(b)	On	(c)	At	(d)	Of
9.	(a)	far	(b)	all	(c)	of	(d)	at
10.	(a)	reflected	(b)	infected	(c)	affected	(d)	inspected
11.	(a)	they	(b)	them	(c)	those	(d)	that
12.	(a)	others	(b)	another	(c)	the other	(d)	other

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	rnssigbeaamr moments
2.	she couldn't tcecap his credit card
3.	in an mutprkae area of New York
4.	my credit card was erdctjee
5.	used for aielllg purposes
6.	he did not have eghuon cash
Paragraph 2
7.	a new law to pctoret consumers
8.	intytdie theft
9.	the new law tteinhgs the controls
10.	100 limnlio people
11.	the credit card ysntuird
12.	cards with eianctmg strips

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	strips are old technology. It is easy for hackers to read them and put the information on other cards.
( )	New York. The President told reporters: "I went to a restaurant during the U.N. General Assembly, and my
( )	Mr Obama told his credit card story on Friday while he was signing a new law to protect
( )	consumers from identity theft. In particular, the new law tightens the controls on credit cards. Obama said:
( )	moments with credit cards. Barack Obama had one last month. A restaurant cashier told him she couldn't
( )	accept his credit card. He was having dinner at an expensive restaurant in an upmarket area of
( )	credit card was rejected….It turned out, I guess, I don't use it enough." He added that the cashier thought his card was
( )	"Even I'm affected by this." Identity theft is a growing problem all over the
( )	being used for illegal purposes. He explained that he did not have enough cash to pay for the restaurant
( )	year because someone stole their private information online. The new law is called "BuySecure". It wants the
( )	world. Officials in the USA think that 100 million people have been affected in the past
( 1 )	Even the President of the United States of America has embarrassing
( )	bill. Luckily, his wife paid the bill using her credit card and they could leave the restaurant.
( )	credit card industry to change from cards with magnetic strips to those with microchips and PIN numbers. Magnetic

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	last Obama one month Barack had .
2.	having was He restaurant expensive an at dinner .
3.	used His for card illegal was purposes being .
4.	to cash enough have not did he that explained He pay .
5.	using bill the paid wife his , Luckily card credit her .
6.	consumers theft new protect identity A to from law .
7.	new the credit The tightens on law controls cards .
8.	over Identity a all world is problem the theft growing .
9.	have in year people affected past million been the 100 .
10.	them for hackers It to is read easy .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Even the President of the United States of America has embarrasses / embarrassing moments with credit cards. Barack Obama had one lost / last month. A restaurant cashier told him she couldn't except / accept his credit card. He was having dinner at an expensive / expansive restaurant in an upmarket area / arena of New York. The President told reporters: "I went to a restaurant during the U.N. General Assembly, and my credit card was rejected / rejoiced….It turned out, I guess, I don't use it plenty / enough." He added that the cashier thought his card was being used for illegally / illegal purposes. He explained that he did not have / earn enough cash to pay for the restaurant bill. Luckily, his wife paid the bill using / used her credit card and they could leave the restaurant.

Mr Obama told his credit card story at / on Friday while he was signing a new law to protect / protection consumers from identity thief / theft. In particular, the new law tightens the controls / controlled on credit cards. Obama said: "Even I'm affected by this." Identity theft is a growth / growing problem all over the world. Officials in the USA think that 100 million people have been infected / affected in the past year because someone stole / steals their private information online. The new law is called "BuySecure". It wants the credit card industrial / industry to change from cards with magnetic strips to those with microchips and PIN members / numbers. Magnetic strips are old technology. It is easy for hackers to read them and put the information on other / another cards.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_v_n th_ Pr_s_d_nt _f th_ _n_t_d St_t_s _f _m_r_c_ h_s _mb_rr_ss_ng m_m_nts w_th cr_d_t c_rds. B_r_ck _b_m_ h_d _n_ l_st m_nth. _ r_st__r_nt c_sh__r t_ld h_m sh_ c__ldn't _cc_pt h_s cr_d_t c_rd. H_ w_s h_v_ng d_nn_r _t _n _xp_ns_v_ r_st__r_nt _n _n _pm_rk_t _r__ _f N_w Y_rk. Th_ Pr_s_d_nt t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_ w_nt t_ _ r_st__r_nt d_r_ng th_ _.N. G_n_r_l _ss_mbly, _nd my cr_d_t c_rd w_s r_j_ct_d…._t t_rn_d __t, _ g__ss, _ d_n't _s_ _t _n__gh." H_ _dd_d th_t th_ c_sh__r th__ght h_s c_rd w_s b__ng _s_d f_r _ll_g_l p_rp_s_s. H_ _xpl__n_d th_t h_ d_d n_t h_v_ _n__gh c_sh t_ p_y f_r th_ r_st__r_nt b_ll. L_ck_ly, h_s w_f_ p__d th_ b_ll _s_ng h_r cr_d_t c_rd _nd th_y c__ld l__v_ th_ r_st__r_nt.

Mr _b_m_ t_ld h_s cr_d_t c_rd st_ry _n Fr_d_y wh_l_ h_ w_s s_gn_ng _ n_w l_w t_ pr_t_ct c_ns_m_rs fr_m _d_nt_ty th_ft. _n p_rt_c_l_r, th_ n_w l_w t_ght_ns th_ c_ntr_ls _n cr_d_t c_rds. _b_m_ s__d: "_v_n _'m _ff_ct_d by th_s." _d_nt_ty th_ft _s _ gr_w_ng pr_bl_m _ll _v_r th_ w_rld. _ff_c__ls _n th_ _S_ th_nk th_t 100 m_ll__n p__pl_ h_v_ b__n _ff_ct_d _n th_ p_st y__r b_c__s_ s_m__n_ st_l_ th__r pr_v_t_ _nf_rm_t__n _nl_n_. Th_ n_w l_w _s c_ll_d "B_yS_c_r_". _t w_nts th_ cr_d_t c_rd _nd_stry t_ ch_ng_ fr_m c_rds w_th m_gn_t_c str_ps t_ th_s_ w_th m_cr_ch_ps _nd P_N n_mb_rs. M_gn_t_c str_ps _r_ _ld t_chn_l_gy. _t _s __sy f_r h_ck_rs t_ r__d th_m _nd p_t th_ _nf_rm_t__n _n _th_r c_rds.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

even the president of the united states of america has embarrassing moments with credit cards barack obama had one last month a restaurant cashier told him she couldn't accept his credit card he was having dinner at an expensive restaurant in an upmarket area of new york the president told reporters "i went to a restaurant during the un general assembly and my credit card was rejected…it turned out i guess i don't use it enough" he added that the cashier thought his card was being used for illegal purposes he explained that he did not have enough cash to pay for the restaurant bill luckily his wife paid the bill using her credit card and they could leave the restaurant

mr obama told his credit card story on friday while he was signing a new law to protect consumers from identity theft in particular the new law tightens the controls on credit cards obama said "even i'm affected by this" identity theft is a growing problem all over the world officials in the usa think that 100 million people have been affected in the past year because someone stole their private information online the new law is called "buysecure" it wants the credit card industry to change from cards with magnetic strips to those with microchips and pin numbers magnetic strips are old technology it is easy for hackers to read them and put the information on other cards

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

EventhePresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmericahasembarrassingmomentswithc
reditcards.BarackObamahadonelastmonth.Arestaurantcashiertoldhimshecoul
dn'taccepthiscreditcard.Hewashavingdinneratanexpensiverestaurantinanupm
arketareaofNewYork.ThePresidenttoldreporters:"Iwenttoarestaurantduringth
eU.N.GeneralAssembly,andmycreditcardwasrejected….Itturnedout,Iguess,Ido
n'tuseitenough."Headdedthatthecashierthoughthiscardwasbeingusedforillegal
purposes.Heexplainedthathedidnothaveenoughcashtopayfortherestaurantbill.
Luckily,hiswifepaidthebillusinghercreditcardandtheycouldleavetherestaurant.
MrObamatoldhiscreditcardstoryonFridaywhilehewassigninganewlawtoprotectc
onsumersfromidentitytheft.Inparticular,thenewlawtightensthecontrolsoncredi
tcards.Obamasaid:"EvenI'maffectedbythis."Identitytheftisagrowingproblemall
overtheworld.OfficialsintheUSAthinkthat100millionpeoplehavebeenaffectedint
hepastyearbecausesomeonestoletheirprivateinformationonline.Thenewlawisc
alled"BuySecure".Itwantsthecreditcardindustrytochangefromcardswithmagne
ticstripstothosewithmicrochipsandPINnumbers.Magneticstripsareoldtechnolog
y.Itiseasyforhackerstoreadthemandputtheinformationonothercards.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Credit cards are better than cash. 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 problems with credit cards. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CREDIT CARDS: Make a poster about credit cards. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. CASH OR CREDIT?: Write a magazine article about credit cards and cash. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for cash and against credit cards, and with people who are for credit cards and against cash.

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 credit cards. Ask him/her three questions about credit cards. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

F

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	embarrassing	a.	uncomfortable
2.	upmarket	b.	expensive
3.	rejected	c.	declined
4.	illegal	d.	unlawful
5.	cash	e.	money
6.	story	f.	tale
7.	tightens	g.	strengthens
8.	affected	h.	touched
9.	change	i.	switch
10.	easy	j.	simple

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Embarrassing ones
2.	In a restaurant (in New York)
3.	For the U.N. General Assembly
4.	He didn't have enough
5.	His wife
6.	Consumers
7.	Identity theft
8.	100 million
9.	The credit card industry
10.	Old technology

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

c

4.

a

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

d

10.

c

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Barack Obama's credit card problem (20th October, 2014)

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS