Breaking News English Lesson on Flying Cars

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Flying 'car' could be on sale next year (15th July, 2018)

The Reading / Listening - Flying Cars - Level 6

Humanity is set to enter a new era of transport as a flying car could go on sale next year. The BlackFly airborne vehicle was unveiled by maker Opener in California on Thursday. It is the brainchild of Google co-founder Larry Page. BlackFly's designers say it can travel for up to 40km at a speed of 100kph. It will eventually cost the same as a typical sports-utility car. The vehicle has been tested in Canada, which has authorized its use. Even though it will take to the skies, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's license to get behind the controls. However, BlackFly operators will have to successfully complete a pilot's written examination and receive training in how to use the vehicle.

Critics say the term "car" is somewhat of a misnomer as it has no wheels and cannot be driven on roads. A more accurate description would be a person-carrying drone. The vehicle can only carry one person and is powered by eight propellers - four at the front of the car and four at the back. Company CEO Marcus Leng said: "Opener is re-energizing the art of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the everyday restrictions of ground transportation." A former vice-president of knowledge at Google said the age of personal flight could be arriving with BlackFly. He said: "I've noticed in my career that things go from impossible to inevitable in a very short period of time."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Flying Cars - Level 4 or Flying Cars - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44805697
https://www.forbes.com/sites/unicefusa/2018/07/05/redesigning-the-mongolian-ger-to-help-solve-a-health-crisis/#399e11cd7edc
https://www.techradar.com/news/blackfly-flying-car-lets-you-take-to-the-skies-without-a-pilots-license

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. FLYING CARS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about flying cars. 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?
era / transport / vehicle / brainchild / speed / typical / skies / pilots / examination /
critics / accurate / description / propeller / flight / restrictions / personal flight / time
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SKIES: Students A strongly believe all cars should be in the skies and not on the roads; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TRANSPORT: What will the transport of the future look like? What are the downsides of each form? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Kind of transport	Downsides
Cars
Airplanes
Boats
Underwater vehicles
Rockets
Trains

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. FLYING: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "flying". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CARS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things about cars that need the most improvement at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

fuel efficiency
comfort
cost
environmentally friendly
speed
safety
reliability
looks

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	humanity	a.	An idea or invention which is considered to be a particular person's creation.
2.	era	b.	About an aircraft being in the air after taking off.
3.	airborne	c.	A long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic.
4.	unveiled	d.	A thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, truck, or cart.
5.	brainchild	e.	All of the people in the world.
6.	typical	f.	Showing or announcing publicly for the first time.
7.	vehicle	g.	Having the distinctive qualities of a particular type of person or thing.

Paragraph 2

8.	critics	h.	A mechanical device for propelling a boat or aircraft, consisting of a revolving shaft with two or more broad, angled blades attached to it.
9.	misnomer	i.	The limitation or control of someone or something, or the state of being limited or restricted.
10.	accurate	j.	Inexpensive; reasonably priced.
11.	propellers	k.	A wrong or inaccurate name.
12.	affordable	l.	Certain to happen; unavoidable.
13.	restrictions	m.	People who judge the merits of literary, artistic, or musical works, especially one who does so professionally.
14.	inevitable	n.	Faithfully or fairly representing the truth about someone.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The article said a new era of transport will start in June 2019. T / F
A founder of Google initiated the idea for this flying car. T / F
The new flying car will travel at a speed of 100kph. T / F
People won't need to get a pilot's license to fly the car. T / F
Critics of the car say it isn't really a car. T / F
The new car can carry two people. T / F
The company CEO said the car will encourage people to like art. T / F
An ex-Google executive said the idea of a flying car is impossible. T / F

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

set
unveiled
eventually
authorized
training
critics
accurate
restrictions
noticed
inevitable

limitations
in the long run
instruction
reviewers
shown
unavoidable
allowed
observed
ready
correct

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

Humanity is set to enter a new
a typical sports-
Even though it will take
get behind
complete a pilot's written
the term "car" is somewhat
powered
the everyday restrictions of ground
things go from impossible
in a very short period

to inevitable
examination
transportation
of a misnomer
to the skies
of time
era of transport
by eight propellers
the controls
utility car

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

brainchild
vehicle
skies
typical
era
complete
authorized
sale

Humanity is set to enter a new (1) ____________ of transport as a flying car could go on (2) ____________ next year. The BlackFly airborne vehicle was unveiled by maker Opener in California on Thursday. It is the (3) ____________ of Google co-founder Larry Page. BlackFly's designers say it can travel for up to 40km at a speed of 100kph. It will eventually cost the same as a (4) ____________ sports-utility car. The vehicle has been tested in Canada, which has (5) ____________ its use. Even though it will take to the (6) ____________, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's license to get behind the controls. However, BlackFly operators will have to successfully (7) ____________ a pilot's written examination and receive training in how to use the (8) ____________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

drone
personal
art
misnomer
inevitable
accurate
powered
restrictions

Critics say the term "car" is somewhat of a (9) ____________ as it has no wheels and cannot be driven on roads. A more (10) ____________ description would be a person-carrying (11) ____________. The vehicle can only carry one person and is (12) ____________ by eight propellers - four at the front of the car and four at the back. Company CEO Marcus Leng said: "Opener is re-energizing the (13) ____________ of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the everyday (14) ____________ of ground transportation." A former vice-president of knowledge at Google said the age of (15) ____________ flight could be arriving with BlackFly. He said: "I've noticed in my career that things go from impossible to (16) ____________ in a very short period of time."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) a new era of transport as a flying car could go ______ year
     a. in sale next
     b. on sail next
     c. on sale next
     d. in sail next
2) The BlackFly airborne vehicle was ______ Opener
     a. non-veiled by maker
     b. in veiled by maker
     c. unveiled by maker
     d. reviled by maker
3) The vehicle has been tested in Canada, which has ______
     a. offer raised its use
     b. author raised its use
     c. or theorized its use
     d. authorized its use
4) take to the skies, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's license ______ the controls
     a. too get behind
     b. to got behind
     c. to get beyond
     d. to get behind
5) complete a pilot's written examination and receive training in how to ______
     a. uses the vehicle
     b. used the vehicle
     c. abuse the vehicle
     d. use the vehicle

6) Critics say the term "car" is somewhat ______
     a. of a miss know ma
     b. offer mist gnome a
     c. of a misnomer
     d. of a me snowman
7) A more accurate description would be a person-______
     a. carry in drone
     b. carrying groan
     c. carrying drain
     d. carrying drone
8) The vehicle can only carry one person and is powered ______
     a. on eight propellers
     b. at eight propellers
     c. by eight propellers
     d. to eight propellers
9) Opener is re-energizing the art of flight with a safe and ______ vehicle
     a. affable flight in
     b. a forty ball flying
     c. afford a ball flying
     d. affordable flying
10) I've noticed in my career that things go from impossible ______
     a. twin editable
     b. two in edit a ball
     c. to inevitable
     d. too in affable

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Humanity is set to enter a (1) ___________________ transport as a flying car could go on sale next year. The BlackFly airborne vehicle (2) ___________________ maker Opener in California on Thursday. It is the brainchild of Google co-founder Larry Page. BlackFly's designers say it can travel for up to 40km at (3) ___________________ 100kph. It will eventually cost the same as a typical sports-utility car. The vehicle has been tested in Canada, which has (4) ___________________. Even though it will take to the skies, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's license (5) ___________________ the controls. However, BlackFly operators will have to successfully complete a pilot's written examination and receive training in (6) ___________________ the vehicle.

Critics (7) ___________________ "car" is somewhat of a misnomer as it has no wheels and cannot be driven on roads. A more accurate description would be a person-carrying drone. The vehicle can only carry one person and (8) ___________________ eight propellers - four at the front of the car and four at the back. Company CEO Marcus Leng said: "Opener is re-energizing the (9) ___________________ with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the (10) ___________________ ground transportation." A former vice-president of knowledge at Google said the age (11) ___________________ could be arriving with BlackFly. He said: "I've noticed in my career that things go from impossible to inevitable in a very short (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

What is humanity set to enter a new era of?
What is the name of the company that made the flying car?
How fast can the new car fly?
What will people not need to get to fly the car?
What will people have to get in order to fly the car?
What did critics say was a misnomer?
How many people can the car carry?
How many propellers does the car have?
What did a CEO say the car re-energized?
How long did a CEO say things went from impossible to inevitable?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is humanity set to enter a new era of?
a) relations
b) transport
c) tourism
d) computing
2) What is the name of the company that made the flying car?
a) Skies
b) Flier
c) Closer
d) Opener
3) How fast can the new car fly?
a) 200kph
b) 120kph
c) 100kph
d) 80kph
4) What did the article say people would not need to fly the car?
a) a pilot's license
b) a bank loan
c) a crash helmet
d) a medical
5) What will people have to get in order to fly the car?
a) a love of heights
b) training
c) a compass
d) a crash helmet

6) What did critics say was a misnomer?
a) the term "car"
b) flight
c) drones
d) vehicles
7) How many people can the car carry?
a) 4
b) 2
c) 1
d) 3
8) How many propellers does the car have?
a) 8
b) 12
c) 16
d) 20
9) What did a CEO say the car re-energized?
a) hybrid cars
b) knowledge
c) automobile companies
d) the art of flight
10) How long did a CEO say things went from impossible to inevitable?
a) five days and three hours
b) an infinite time
c) a very short period of time
d) forever

Role play

Role A – Speed
You think speed is the biggest thing that needs to improve in cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which of these needs improving the least (and why): safety, design or fuel efficiency.

Role B – Safety
You think safety is the biggest thing that needs to improve in cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which of these needs improving the least (and why): speed, design or fuel efficiency.

Role C – Design
You think design is the biggest thing that needs to improve in cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which of these needs improving the least (and why): safety, speed or fuel efficiency.

Role D – Fuel Efficiency
You think fuel efficiency is the biggest thing that needs to improve in cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which of these needs improving the least (and why): safety, design or speed.

After reading / listening

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

'fly'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'car'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

wheels

more

front

safe

former

short

sale

brainchild

travel

tested

skies

complete

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Flying 'car' could be on sale next year

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'flying'?
What do you think of flying cars?
Would you like to buy a flying car?
What are the dangers of flying cars?
What do you think of a new era of transport?
How would flying cars change our lives?
Where would you go in a flying car?
Should people need a license to fly the car?
Will flying cars mean the end of airplanes?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'car'?
What do you think about what you read?
Should BlackFly be called a car?
How safe would you feel in a flying car?
What would flying cars do to ease traffic on roads?
What do you think of the idea of flying trains?
What rules would be needed for flying cars?
What other things we think are impossible might come true?
What questions would you like to ask the car's designers?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Humanity is set to (1) _____ a new era of transport as a flying car could go on sale next year. The BlackFly airborne vehicle was unveiled (2) _____ maker Opener in California on Thursday. It is the brainchild of Google co-(3) _____ Larry Page. BlackFly's designers say it can travel for up to 40km at a speed of 100kph. It will eventually cost the same as a (4) _____ sports-utility car. The vehicle has been tested in Canada, which has authorized its use. Even though it will (5) _____ to the skies, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's license to get behind the controls. However, BlackFly operators will have to (6) _____ complete a pilot's written examination and receive training in how to use the vehicle.

Critics say the term "car" is somewhat of a (7) _____ as it has no wheels and cannot be driven on roads. A more accurate description would be a person-carrying drone. The vehicle can only carry one person and is (8) _____ by eight propellers - four at the front of the car and four at the back. Company CEO Marcus Leng said: "Opener is re-energizing the (9) _____ of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the everyday restrictions (10) _____ ground transportation." A former vice-president of knowledge at Google said the age of (11) _____ flight could be arriving with BlackFly. He said: "I've noticed in my career that things go from impossible to (12) _____ in a very short period of time."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) entail (b) entering (c) entrance (d) enter
(a) to (b) at (c) of (d) by
(a) funder (b) founder (c) finder (d) foundry
(a) typify (b) typing (c) typical (d) typist
(a) have (b) put (c) take (d) rocket
(a) successfully (b) successes (c) succeed (d) successful
(a) gnome (b) misnomer (c) inflamer (d) grader
(a) powered (b) powers (c) powerful (d) powering
(a) guile (b) art (c) creative (d) talent
(a) at (b) by (c) of (d) to
(a) personality (b) personalize (c) personal (d) person
(a) invitational (b) unviable (c) unenviable (d) inevitable

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The BlackFly airborne ihveelc
eivdelnu by maker Opener
It is the irnalicbdh of Google
a lapctiy sports-utility car
hioaeurdtz its use
BlackFly raepostor

Paragraph 2

somewhat of a sroemimn
A more caucrtea description
powered by eight prlploerse
safe and aaloerbdff
the everyday iensrttoicrs of ground transportation
things go from impossible to ivnlbeieta

Put the text back together

(...) its operators from the everyday restrictions of ground transportation." A former vice-
(...) next year. The BlackFly airborne vehicle was unveiled by maker Opener in California on Thursday. It is the brainchild
(...) president of knowledge at Google said the age of personal flight could be arriving with BlackFly. He said: "I've
(...) of Google co-founder Larry Page. BlackFly's designers say it can travel for up to 40km at a
(...) Critics say the term "car" is somewhat of a misnomer as it has no wheels and cannot be driven
(...) Humanity is set to enter a new era of transport as a flying car could go on sale
(...) on roads. A more accurate description would be a person-carrying drone. The vehicle can only
(...) a pilot's written examination and receive training in how to use the vehicle.
(...) back. Company CEO Marcus Leng said: "Opener is re-energizing the art of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free
(...) carry one person and is powered by eight propellers - four at the front of the car and four at the
(...) speed of 100kph. It will eventually cost the same as a typical sports-utility car. The vehicle has been
(...) license to get behind the controls. However, BlackFly operators will have to successfully complete
(...) tested in Canada, which has authorized its use. Even though it will take to the skies, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's
(...) noticed in my career that things go from impossible to inevitable in a very short period of time."

Put the words in the right order

to era Set a enter transport . of new
car on sale next A go could year .
it to though skies . will the Even take
get the controls . license behind pilot's to A
training the how in vehicle . Receive to use
"car" The a misnomer . is somewhat of term
only The can vehicle one person . carry
is art flight . the of Opener re-energizing
its the everyday operators Free restrictions . from
arriving . be The could personal flight of age

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Humanity is set to enter a new are / era of transport as a flying car could go on / in sale next year. The BlackFly airborne vehicle was unveiled by maker Opener in California on Thursday. It is the brainchild for / of Google co-founder Larry Page. BlackFly's designers say it can travel for along / up to 40km at a speed of 100kph. It will eventual / eventually cost the same as a typical sports-utility car. The vehicle has been testing / tested in Canada, which has authorized / authority its use. Even though it will take to the skies, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's license for / to get behind the controls. However, BlackFly operators will have to successfully compete / complete a pilot's written examination and receive training in how to use the vehicular / vehicle.

Critics say the term "car" is somewhat / what of a misnomer as it has no wheels and cannot be driven on roads. A more accuracy / accurate description would be a person-carrying drone. The vehicle can only carry one person and is powerful / powered by eight propellers - four at the front of the car and four at the backing / back. Company CEO Marcus Leng said: "Opener is re-energizing the artistic / art of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free / freely its operators from the everyday restrictions of ground transportation." A former / firmer vice-president of knowledge at Google said the age / aged of personal flight could be arriving with BlackFly. He said: "I've noticed on / in my career that things go from impossible to inevitable in a very short period off / of time."

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)

H_m_n_t y _s s_t t_ _n t_r _ n_w _r_ _f t r_n s p_r t _s _ f l y_n g c_r c__ l d g_ _n s_l_ n_x t y__ r . T h_ B l_c k F l y __ r b_r n_ v_h_c l_ w_s _n v__ l_d b y m_k_r O p_n_r _n C_l_f_r n__ _n T h_r s d_y . I t _s t h_ b r__ n c h_l d _f G__ g l_ c_- f__ n d_r L_r r y P_g_. B l_c k F l y ' s d_s_g n_r s s_y _t c_n t r_v_l f_r _p t_ 4 0 k m _t _ s p__ d _f 1 0 0 k p h . I t w_l l _v_n t__ l l y c_s t t h_ s_m_ _s _ t y p_c_l s p_r t s -_t_l_t y c_r . T h_ v_h_c l_ h_s b__ n t_s t_d _n C_n_d_, w h_c h h_s __ t h_r_z_d _t s _s_. E v_n t h__ g h _t w_l l t_k_ t_ t h_ s k__ s , d r_v_r s (_r p_l_t s ) w_l l n_t n__ d _ p_l_t ' s l_c_n s_ t_ g_t b_h_n d t h_ c_n t r_l s . H_w_v_r , B l_c k F l y _p_r_t_r s w_l l h_v_ t_ s_c c_s s f_l l y c_m p l_t_ _ p_l_t ' s w r_t t_n _x_m_n_t__ n _n d r_c__ v_ t r__ n_n g _n h_w t_ _s_ t h_ v_h_c l_.

C r_t_c s s_y t h_ t_r m " c_r " _s s_m_w h_t _f _ m_s n_m_r _s _t h_s n_ w h__ l s _n d c_n n_t b_ d r_v_n _n r__ d s . A m_r_ _c c_r_t_ d_s c r_p t__ n w__ l d b_ _ p_r s_n - c_r r y_n g d r_n_. T h_ v_h_c l_ c_n _n l y c_r r y _n_ p_r s_n _n d _s p_w_r_d b y __ g h t p r_p_l l_r s - f__ r _t t h_ f r_n t _f t h_ c_r _n d f__ r _t t h_ b_c k . C_m p_n y C E O M_r c_s L_n g s__ d : " O p_n_r _s r_-_n_r g_z_n g t h_ _r t _f f l_g h t w_t h _ s_f_ _n d _f f_r d_b l_ f l y_n g v_h_c l_ t h_t c_n f r__ _t s _p_r_t_r s f r_m t h_ _v_r y d_y r_s t r_c t__ n s _f g r__ n d t r_n s p_r t_t__ n . " A f_r m_r v_c_- p r_s_d_n t _f k n_w l_d g_ _t G__ g l_ s__ d t h_ _g_ _f p_r s_n_l f l_g h t c__ l d b_ _r r_v_n g w_t h B l_c k F l y . H_ s__ d : " I ' v_ n_t_c_d _n m y c_r__ r t h_t t h_n g s g_ f r_m _m p_s s_b l_ t_ _n_v_t_b l_ _n _ v_r y s h_r t p_r__ d _f t_m_. "

Punctuate the text and add capitals

humanity is set to enter a new era of transport as a flying car could go on sale next year. the blackfly airborne vehicle was unveiled by maker opener in california on thursday. it is the brainchild of google co-founder larry page. blackfly's designers say it can travel for up to 40km at a speed of 100kph. it will eventually cost the same as a typical sports-utility car. the vehicle has been tested in canada, which has authorized its use. even though it will take to the skies, drivers (or pilots) will not need a pilot's license to get behind the controls. however, blackfly operators will have to successfully complete a pilot's written examination and receive training in how to use the vehicle.

critics say the term "car" is somewhat of a misnomer as it has no wheels and cannot be driven on roads. a more accurate description would be a person-carrying drone. the vehicle can only carry one person and is powered by eight propellers - four at the front of the car and four at the back. company ceo marcus leng said: "opener is re-energizing the art of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the everyday restrictions of ground transportation." a former vice-president of knowledge at google said the age of personal flight could be arriving with blackfly. he said: "i've noticed in my career that things go from impossible to inevitable in a very short period of time."

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Humanityissettoenteraneweraoftransportasaflyingcarcouldgoonsal
enextyear.TheBlackFlyairbornevehiclewasunveiledbymakerOpener
inCaliforniaonThursday.ItisthebrainchildofGoogleco-founderLarr
yPage.BlackFly'sdesignerssayitcantravelforupto40kmataspeedof10
0kph.Itwilleventuallycostthesameasatypicalsports-utilitycar.Thev
ehiclehasbeentestedinCanada,whichhasauthorizeditsuse.Eventhou
ghitwilltaketotheskies,drivers(orpilots)willnotneedapilot'slicenseto
getbehindthecontrols.However,BlackFlyoperatorswillhavetosucces
sfullycompleteapilot'swrittenexaminationandreceivetraininginhowt
ousethevehicle.Criticssaytheterm"car"issomewhatofamisnomerasit
hasnowheelsandcannotbedrivenonroads.Amoreaccuratedescriptio
nwouldbeaperson-carryingdrone.Thevehiclecanonlycarryoneperso
nandispoweredbyeightpropellers-fouratthefrontofthecarandfou
rattheback.CompanyCEOMarcusLengsaid:"Openerisre-energizing
theartofflightwithasafeandaffordableflyingvehiclethatcanfreeitsope
ratorsfromtheeverydayrestrictionsofgroundtransportation."Aforme
rvice-presidentofknowledgeatGooglesaidtheageofpersonalflightco
uldbearrivingwithBlackFly.Hesaid:"I'venoticedinmycareerthatthing
sgofromimpossibletoinevitableinaveryshortperiodoftime."

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Flying cars are the future even though they could be dangerous. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. FLYING CARS: Make a poster about flying cars. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. TRANSPORT: Write a magazine article about flying cars being the future of transport. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on flying cars. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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Breaking News English Lesson on Flying Cars

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