The Reading / Listening - Railway Stations - Level 3

A railway station in London has been named as the best station in Europe for passengers. The station is London St Pancras, which is also called St Pancras International. It is an international station because the Eurostar trains to France, Belgium and Holland start there. St Pancras was chosen as the best railway station in Europe by the Consumer Choice Centre. This organisation asks rail passengers every year about their opinions on different stations in Europe. Passengers answer questions on a survey about accessibility, cleanliness, connectivity, friendliness of staff, and the number of platforms. There is also a question about the number of days station staff went on strike throughout the year.

St Pancras was the only UK station in the top ten. Zurich Central Station was number two and Leipzig Central Station came in third. Five of the top ten stations were in Germany. They were Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich. A spokesman from the Consumer Choice Centre commented on the beauty of St Pancras, which was built in a gothic style and opened in 1868. The spokesman said: "London St Pancras does not just look like a station from another world, it also leads this index as Europe's best railway station." He added: "High points were awarded to the stations that offered great destinations around the continent and also had a healthy mix of shops, restaurants and conveniences."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Railway Stations - Level 0,  Railway Stations - Level 1   or  Railway Stations - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.cityam.com/london-st-pancras-tops-list-of-europes-best-train-stations/
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-8024183/The-best-railway-stations-Europe-named-Londons-St-Pancras-International-No1.html
  • https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/europe-best-train-stations-st-pancras-london-uk-germany-railway-a9344696.html


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. RAILWAY STATIONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about railway stations. 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?
       London / railway station / international / France / Belgium / Holland / passenger /
       top ten / consumer / beauty / gothic / destination / continent / shops / restaurants
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. RAIL: Students A strongly believe rail is the best way to travel; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THE BEST: What are the best of these things and why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

The Best

Why?

Airport

 

 

Car

 

 

Shop

 

 

Website

 

 

Sightseeing spot

 

 

Colour

 

 
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. EUROPE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "Europe". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. DESTINATION: Rank these with your partner. Put the best destination at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Tokyo
  • Sydney
  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Mexico City
  • San Francisco
  • London
  • Delhi
  • Nairobi

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. named a. What someone thinks about something.
      2. passenger b. Gave someone a position or gave something a rank on a "best of" list.
      3. consumer c. A person who buys things and services for personal use.
      4. opinion d. How easy it is to reach or get somewhere.
      5. survey e. The long part of a railway station where people wait to get on a train or step onto to get off a train.
      6. accessibility f. A traveler on a bus, train, boat or in a car, airplane, etc. but not the driver, pilot, or crew.
      7. platform g. A list of questions used to find out about the opinions or experiences of a group of people.

    Paragraph 2

      8. spokesman h. A list of things.
      9. gothic i. Two or more different qualities, things, or people put together.
      10. conveniences j. Any of the world's seven main continuous area of land (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America).
      11. index k. Toilets / restrooms (British English).
      12. destination l. The place where someone or something is going.
      13. continent m. A man who makes statements on behalf of a group or individual.
      14. mix n. Of or in the style of architecture that was in western Europe in the 12th–16th centuries.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. St Pancras in London was named the world's best railway station.     T / F
  2. St Pancras is an international train station.     T / F
  3. Passengers were asked about accessibility, cleanliness and connectivity.  T / F
  4. A survey question was about how many days rail staff went on strike.    T / F
  5. Five of Europe's top ten railway stations are in Germany.     T / F
  6. The London St Pancras railway station was built in 1868.     T / F
  7. A spokesman said St Pancras looked like any other railway station.     T / F
  8. High points were given to stations for having multilingual staff.     T / F

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

  1. start
  2. opinions
  3. survey
  4. staff
  5. throughout
  6. top
  7. beauty
  8. index
  9. awarded
  10. mix
  1. questionnaire
  2. combination
  3. for the whole of
  4. list
  5. attractiveness
  6. thoughts
  7. given
  8. workers
  9. begin
  10. best

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

  1. named as the
  2. asks rail passengers every year
  3. Passengers answer questions on a
  4. the number of
  5. the number of days station staff went
  6. the only UK station in
  7. Five of the top
  8. built in a gothic
  9. like a station from
  10. great destinations around
  1. style
  2. platforms
  3. ten stations
  4. about their opinions
  5. the continent
  6. survey
  7. best station in Europe
  8. another world
  9. on strike
  10. the top ten

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
also
passengers
staff
trains
survey
throughout
named
opinions

A railway station in London has been (1) ____________ as the best station in Europe for passengers. The station is London St Pancras, which is (2) ____________ called St Pancras International. It is an international station because the Eurostar (3) ____________ to France, Belgium and Holland start there. St Pancras was chosen as the best railway station in Europe by the Consumer Choice Centre. This organisation asks rail (4) ____________ every year about their (5) ____________ on different stations in Europe. Passengers answer questions on a (6) ____________ about accessibility, cleanliness, connectivity, friendliness of (7) ____________, and the number of platforms. There is also a question about the number of days station staff went on strike (8) ____________ the year.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
style
top
destinations
third
world
beauty
mix
index

St Pancras was the only UK station in the (9) ____________ ten. Zurich Central Station was number two and Leipzig Central Station came in (10) ____________. Five of the top ten stations were in Germany. They were Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich. A spokesman from the Consumer Choice Centre commented on the (11) ____________ of St Pancras, which was built in a gothic (12) ____________ and opened in 1868. The spokesman said: "London St Pancras does not just look like a station from another (13) ____________, it also leads this (14) ____________ as Europe's best railway station." He added: "High points were awarded to the stations that offered great (15) ____________ around the continent and also had a healthy (16) ____________ of shops, restaurants and conveniences."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  A railway station in London has been named as the best station in Europe ______
     a.  for passenger
     b.  for passers by
     c.  for pass angers
     d.  for passengers
2)  This organisation asks rail passengers every year ______
     a.  about them opinions
     b.  about they opinions
     c.  about their opinions
     d.  about they're opinions
3)  Passengers answer questions on ______ accessibility
     a.  a scurvy about
     b.  a survey about
     c.  a servile about
     d.  a surver about
4)  cleanliness, connectivity, friendliness of staff, and the ______
     a.  number of platform
     b.  number of platforms
     c.  number of plait forms
     d.  number of plaited forms
5)  There is also a question about the number of days station staff ______
     a.  wanting strike
     b.  went an strike
     c.  went in strike
     d.  went on strike

6)  St Pancras was the only UK station in ______
     a.  the tops ten
     b.  the stop ten
     c.  the top ten
     d.  the topped ten
7)  A spokesman from the Consumer Choice Centre commented on ______ St Pancras
     a.  the beauty of
     b.  the beautiful of
     c.  the bounty of
     d.  the booty of
8)  London St Pancras does not just look like a station ______
     a.  from other world
     b.  from another word
     c.  from others ward
     d.  from another world
9) awarded to the stations that offered great destinations ______
     a.  around the continent
     b.  abound the continent
     c.  astound the continent
     d.  aground the continent
10)  and also had a healthy mix of shops, restaurants ______
     a.  end conveniences
     b.  and conveniences
     c.  an conveniences
     d.  aid conveniences

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A railway station in London (1) ___________________ as the best station in Europe for passengers. The station is London St Pancras, which is also called St Pancras International. (2) ___________________ international station because the Eurostar trains to France, Belgium and Holland start there. St Pancras (3) ___________________ the best railway station in Europe by the Consumer Choice Centre. This organisation (4) ___________________ every year about their opinions on different stations in Europe. Passengers answer questions (5) ___________________ about accessibility, cleanliness, connectivity, friendliness of staff, and the number of platforms. There is also a question about the number of days station staff (6) ___________________ throughout the year.

St Pancras was the only UK station in (7) ___________________. Zurich Central Station was number two and Leipzig Central Station came in third. Five of the top ten stations were in Germany. They were Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich. A (8) ___________________ Consumer Choice Centre commented on the beauty of St Pancras, which was built in a gothic (9) ___________________ in 1868. The spokesman said: "London St Pancras does not just look like a station from another world, it also (10) ___________________ as Europe's best railway station." He added: "High points were awarded to the stations that offered (11) ___________________ the continent and also had a (12) ___________________ shops, restaurants and conveniences."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is another name for London St Pancras?
  2. Where do trains go to from St Pancras besides Belgium and France?
  3. What is the name of the organisation that conducted a survey?
  4. Who did passengers answer questions about the friendliness of?
  5. What was there also a survey question on?
  6. What railway station was second on the list?
  7. How many German stations were in the top ten?
  8. What style was St Pancras built in?
  9. In what year did St Pancras open?
  10. What did stations get points for offering?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is another name for London St Pancras?
a) London Global
b) St Pancras International
c) Bob
d) UK Gateway
2) Where do trains go to from St Pancras besides Belgium and France?
a) Dublin
b) Edinburgh
c) Barcelona
d) Holland
3) What is the name of the organisation that conducted a survey?
a) Consumer Centre of Choice
b) Centre for Consumer Choice
c) Consumer Choice Centre
d) Bob
4) Who did passengers answer questions about the friendliness of?
a) staff
b) Bob
c) other passengers
d) tourists
5) What was there also a survey question on?
a) the best time to travel
b) the number of days staff went on strike
c) ticket prices
d) Bob

6) What railway station was second on the list?
a) Zurich
b) Madrid
c) Oslo
d) Munich
7) How many German stations were in the top ten?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 5
d) 6
8) What style was St Pancras built in?
a) gothic
b) art deco
c) brutalism
d) post modern
9) In what year did St Pancras open?
a) 1920
b) 1966
c) 1066
d) 1868
10) What did stations get points for offering?
a) multilingual staff
b) hotels
c) great destinations
d) delicious croissants and coffee

Role play

Role  A – Tokyo
You think Tokyo is the best destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Rio de Janeiro, London or Delhi.

Role  B – Rio de Janeiro
You think Rio de Janeiro is the best destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Tokyo, London or Delhi.

Role  C – London
You think London is the best destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo or Delhi.

Role  D – Delhi
You think Delhi is the best destination. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their destinations. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Rio de Janeiro, London or Tokyo.

After reading / listening

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

'railway'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'station'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • named
    • called
    • chosen
    • year
    • survey
    • days
    • top
    • five
    • beauty
    • just
    • high
    • mix

    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 - Railway Stations

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'railway'?
    3. What is your favourite railway station?
    4. How important are railway stations?
    5. How important are 'best of' lists?
    6. What do you know about London railway stations?
    7. Are underground or over ground stations best?
    8. How friendly are staff at your nearest railway station?
    9. What questions should be on a survey about railway stations?
    10. What score out of ten would you give your nearest railway station?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'station'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of travelling by rail?
    5. What railway journey around the world would you like to take?
    6. Why do you think so many German stations were on the list?
    7. What services do railway stations need?
    8. What railway station would you like to visit?
    9. What do you think of railway stations in space?
    10. What questions would you like to ask London St Pancras?

    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)

    A railway station in London has been (1) ____ as the best station in Europe for passengers. The station is London St Pancras, which is also called St Pancras International. It is an international station (2) ____ the Eurostar trains to France, Belgium and Holland start there. St Pancras was chosen (3) ____ the best railway station in Europe by the Consumer Choice Centre. This organisation asks rail passengers every year about their opinions (4) ____ different stations in Europe. Passengers answer questions on a survey about accessibility, (5) ____, connectivity, friendliness of staff, and the number of platforms. There is also a question about the number of days station staff went on (6) ____ throughout the year.

    St Pancras was the only UK station in the top ten. Zurich Central Station was number two and Leipzig Central Station (7) ____ in third. Five of the top ten stations were in Germany. They were Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich. A spokesman from the Consumer Choice Centre commented on the (8) ____ of St Pancras, which was built in a gothic style and opened in 1868. The spokesman said: "London St Pancras does not just look like a station from (9) ____ world, it also leads (10) ____ index as Europe's best railway station." He added: "High points were awarded to the stations that offered great (11) ____ around the continent and also had a (12) ____ mix of shops, restaurants and conveniences."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     named     (b)     naming     (c)     names     (d)     name    
    2. (a)     although     (b)     however     (c)     because     (d)     so    
    3. (a)     so     (b)     if     (c)     as     (d)     on    
    4. (a)     as     (b)     by     (c)     at     (d)     on    
    5. (a)     cleanser     (b)     cleanse     (c)     cleanliness     (d)     cleansing    
    6. (a)     stricken     (b)     strike     (c)     struck     (d)     stroke    
    7. (a)     gave     (b)     came     (c)     left     (d)     done    
    8. (a)     booty     (b)     beauty     (c)     bounty     (d)     beautify    
    9. (a)     other     (b)     others     (c)     another     (d)     the others    
    10. (a)     those     (b)     these     (c)     thus     (d)     this    
    11. (a)     destined     (b)     disdains     (c)     destines     (d)     destinations    
    12. (a)     well     (b)     nutritious     (c)     wellbeing     (d)     healthy

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the best station in Europe for srsgenapes
    2. their spiinono on different stations
    3. a seyrvu about accessibility
    4. friendliness of tsfaf
    5. the number of tarfopmls
    6. went on strike ugohtourth the year

    Paragraph 2

    1. the teybua of St Pancras
    2. built in a citohg style
    3. High points were rdaeawd to the stations
    4. great iastninotsde around the continent
    5. a eahlyht mix of shops
    6. restaurants and einvcecoenns

    Put the text back together

    (...)  about accessibility, cleanliness, connectivity, friendliness of staff, and the number of platforms. There is also
    (...)  two and Leipzig Central Station came in third. Five of the top ten stations were in Germany. They were
    (...)  St Pancras was the only UK station in the top ten. Zurich Central Station was number
    (...)  a question about the number of days station staff went on strike throughout the year.
    (...)  best railway station." He added: "High points were awarded to the stations that offered great
    (...)  by the Consumer Choice Centre. This organisation asks rail passengers every year about their
    (...)  to France, Belgium and Holland start there. St Pancras was chosen as the best railway station in Europe
    (  1  ) A railway station in London has been named as the best station in Europe for passengers. The station is
    (...)  beauty of St Pancras, which was built in a gothic style and opened in 1868. The spokesman said: "London St Pancras does not just
    (...)  look like a station from another world, it also leads this index as Europe's
    (...)  London St Pancras, which is also called St Pancras International. It is an international station because the Eurostar trains
    (...)  opinions on different stations in Europe. Passengers answer questions on a survey
    (...)  Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich. A spokesman from the Consumer Choice Centre commented on the
    (...)  destinations around the continent and also had a healthy mix of shops, restaurants and conveniences."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. best   Named   for   as   passengers   .   the   station
    2. station   .   St Pancras   was   as   best   railway   chosen   the
    3. every   asks   This   passengers   rail   organisation   year   .
    4. answer   Passengers   accessibility  .   a   on   about   questions   survey
    5. on   staff   days   strike   .   number   of   The   went
    6. only   ten   .   in   top   the   station   The   UK
    7. the   Germany   .   of   Five   stations   in   top   ten
    8. looks   another   a   like   world   .   It   station   from
    9. this   index   best   .   as   leads   Europe's   also   It
    10. offered   the   Stations   great   around   continent   .   destinations

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A railway station in London has been naming / named as the best station in Europe for passengers. The station is London St Pancras, which is also called St Pancras International. It is an international station however / because the Eurostar trains to France, Belgium and Holland starting / start there. St Pancras was chosen as the best / well railway station in Europe by the Consumer Choice Centre. This organisation asks trail / rail passengers every year about their opinions in / on different stations in Europe. Passengers answer questions on a scurvy / survey about accessibility, cleanliness, connectivity, friendliness of staff / stuff, and the number of platforms. There is also a question about the numeral / number of days station staff went on strike / stroke throughout the year.

    St Pancras was the just / only UK station in the top ten. Zurich Central Station was number two / twice and Leipzig Central Station came in third. Five of the top ten stations were in Germany. They were Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich. A spokesman from a / the Consumer Choice Centre commented on the booty / beauty of St Pancras, which was built / build in a gothic style and opened on / in 1868. The spokesman said: "London St Pancras does not just look like a station from others / another world, it also leads this index / decimal as Europe's best railway station." He added: "High points were rewarded / awarded to the stations that offered great destinations around the continent and also had a healthy / wellbeing mix of shops, restaurants and conveniences."

    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)

    A r__ l w_y s t_t__ n _n L_n d_n h_s b__ n n_m_d _s t h_ b_s t s t_t__ n _n E_r_p_ f_r p_s s_n g_r s . T h_ s t_t__ n _s L_n d_n S t P_n c r_s , w h_c h _s _l s_ c_l l_d S t P_n c r_s I n t_r n_t__ n_l . I t _s _n _n t_r n_t__ n_l s t_t__ n b_c__ s_ t h_ E_r_s t_r t r__ n s t_ F r_n c_, B_l g__ m _n d H_l l_n d s t_r t t h_r_. S t P_n c r_s w_s c h_s_n _s t h_ b_s t r__ l w_y s t_t__ n _n E_r_p_ b y t h_ C_n s_m_r C h__ c_ C_n t r_. T h_s _r g_n_s_t__ n _s k s r__ l p_s s_n g_r s _v_r y y__ r _b__ t t h__ r _p_n__ n s _n d_f f_r_n t s t_t__ n s _n E_r_p_. P_s s_n g_r s _n s w_r q__ s t__ n s _n _ s_r v_y _b__ t _c c_s s_b_l_t y , c l__ n l_n_s s , c_n n_c t_v_t y , f r__ n d l_n_s s _f s t_f f , _n d t h_ n_m b_r _f p l_t f_r m s . T h_r_ _s _l s_ _ q__ s t__ n _b__ t t h_ n_m b_r _f d_y s s t_t__ n s t_f f w_n t _n s t r_k_ t h r__ g h__ t t h_ y__ r .

    S t P_n c r_s w_s t h_ _n l y U K s t_t__ n _n t h_ t_p t_n . Z_r_c h C_n t r_l S t_t__ n w_s n_m b_r t w_ _n d L__ p z_g C_n t r_l S t_t__ n c_m_ _n t h_r d . F_v_ _f t h_ t_p t_n s t_t__ n s w_r_ _n G_r m_n y . T h_y w_r_ B_r l_n , F r_n k f_r t , H_m b_r g , L__ p z_g _n d M_n_c h . A s p_k_s m_n f r_m t h_ C_n s_m_r C h__ c_ C_n t r_ c_m m_n t_d _n t h_ b___t y _f S t P_n c r_s , w h_c h w_s b__ l t _n _ g_t h_c s t y l_ _n d _p_n_d _n 1 8 6 8 . T h_ s p_k_s m_n s__ d : " L_n d_n S t P_n c r_s d__ s n_t j_s t l__ k l_k_ _ s t_t__ n f r_m _n_t h_r w_r l d , _t _l s_ l__ d s t h_s _n d_x _s E_r_p_' s b_s t r__ l w_y s t_t__ n . " H_ _d d_d : " H_g h p__ n t s w_r_ _w_r d_d t_ t h_ s t_t__ n s t h_t _f f_r_d g r__ t d_s t_n_t__ n s _r__ n d t h_ c_n t_n_n t _n d _l s_ h_d _ h__ l t h y m_x _f s h_p s , r_s t__ r_n t s _n d c_n v_n__ n c_s . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a railway station in london has been named as the best station in europe for passengers. the station is london st pancras, which is also called st pancras international. it is an international station because the eurostar trains to france, belgium and holland start there. st pancras was chosen as the best railway station in europe by the consumer choice centre. this organisation asks rail passengers every year about their opinions on different stations in europe. passengers answer questions on a survey about accessibility, cleanliness, connectivity, friendliness of staff, and the number of platforms. there is also a question about the number of days station staff went on strike throughout the year.

    st pancras was the only uk station in the top ten. zurich central station was number two and leipzig central station came in third. five of the top ten stations were in germany. they were berlin, frankfurt, hamburg, leipzig and munich. a spokesman from the consumer choice centre commented on the beauty of st pancras, which was built in a gothic style and opened in 1868. the spokesman said: "london st pancras does not just look like a station from another world, it also leads this index as europe's best railway station." he added: "high points were awarded to the stations that offered great destinations around the continent and also had a healthy mix of shops, restaurants and conveniences

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ArailwaystationinLondonhasbeennamedasthebeststationinEuropef
    orpassengers.ThestationisLondonStPancras,whichisalsocalledStPa
    ncrasInternational.ItisaninternationalstationbecausetheEurostartr
    ainstoFrance,BelgiumandHollandstartthere.StPancraswaschosenas
    thebestrailwaystationinEuropebytheConsumerChoiceCentre.Thisor
    ganisationasksrailpassengerseveryyearabouttheiropinionsondiffer
    entstationsinEurope.Passengersanswerquestionsonasurveyabouta
    ccessibility,cleanliness,connectivity,friendlinessofstaff,andthenum
    berofplatforms.Thereisalsoaquestionaboutthenumberofdaysstation
    staffwentonstrikethroughouttheyear.StPancraswastheonlyUKstatio
    ninthetopten.ZurichCentralStationwasnumbertwoandLeipzigCentr
    alStationcameinthird.FiveofthetoptenstationswereinGermany.They
    wereBerlin,Frankfurt,Hamburg,LeipzigandMunich.Aspokesmanfro
    mtheConsumerChoiceCentrecommentedonthebeautyofStPancras,
    whichwasbuiltinagothicstyleandopenedin1868.Thespokesmansaid:
    "LondonStPancrasdoesnotjustlooklikeastationfromanotherworld,it
    alsoleadsthisindexasEurope'sbestrailwaystation."Headded:"Highpo
    intswereawardedtothestationsthatofferedgreatdestinationsaroundt
    hecontinentandalsohadahealthymixofshops,restaurantsandconven
    iences."

    Free writing

    Write about railway stations for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Rail is the best form of travel. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. RAILWAY STATIONS: Make a poster about railway stations. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. UNDERGROUND: Write a magazine article about moving all railway stations underground. 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 railway stations. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on the best railway station. 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

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    Answers

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

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