The Reading / Listening - Sliced Mayonnaise - Level 6

Whatever will they think of next? A food manufacturer in Japan has invented a new product that seems destined to become a huge, global bestseller. The imaginative new culinary invention is sliced mayonnaise. Japanese food company Bourbon believes their handy new comestible will catch on big time. The mayonnaise slices are called "mayo sheets" on the label of the product in Japan. The packaging describes the item as being a "sheet-like condiment" that is good for "easy cooking". The mayo slices (or sheets) come in two flavours – spicy cod roe (mentaiko in Japanese) and tuna. A spokesperson from the company hopes people will add its mayo slices to liven up sandwiches or enhance the taste of pasta dishes.

The new product will start selling soon in Japan for a price of $1.80 for a pack of four slices. While the company is sure the mayo sheets will be very popular with consumers, especially those in Japan, the social media jury is out on whether the new item is a good idea. The cnet.com website wrote: "Both mayo fans and haters chimed in on Twitter - in equal parts excitement and disgust - about the new slices." The Gizmodo.com website wrote: "Slapping a slice of mayo on a plate of fresh pasta isn't exactly a serving suggestion Americans might embrace, but the next time you're making a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in a hurry, you might actually be happy to reach for a quick slice."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Sliced Mayonnaise - Level 4  or  Sliced Mayonnaise - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.cnet.com/news/mayonnaise-by-the-slice-innovation-or-curse-from-the-gods/
  • https://gizmodo.com/you-can-thank-japan-for-inventing-convenient-sliced-may-1841829600
  • https://www.foodandwine.com/news/mayonnaise-slices-japan


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. MAYONNAISE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about mayonnaise. 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?
       food / manufacturer / invention / new product / culinary / mayonnaise / packaging /
       consumers / social media / disgust / pasta / bacon / sandwich / in a hurry / slice
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PROCESSED FOOD: Students A strongly believe processed food should be banned; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SLICED: What do you think of these sliced things How convenient are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What Do You Think?

How Convenient?

Mayonnaise

 

 

Cheese

 

 

Bread

 

 

Pizza

 

 

Cake

 

 

Life

 

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

  • tuna
  • chicken
  • cheese
  • egg
  • ham
  • vegetables
  • peanut butter
  • jam

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. destined a. Convenient to have or use.
      2. culinary b. A substance such as salt, pepper or ketchup that is used to add flavor to food.
      3. handy c. Certain to do something in the future.
      4. catch on d. Of, for or about cooking.
      5. big time e. Become popular.
      6. condiment f. On a large scale; to a great extent.
      7. enhance g. Increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.

    Paragraph 2

      8. consumer h. Giving or presenting food or drink to someone.
      9. jury i. A person who buys goods and services for personal use.
      10. chimed j. A very bad feeling because of something unpleasant or offensive.
      11. disgust k. An idea or plan put forward for consideration.
      12. serving l. Public opinion.
      13. suggestion m. Accept or support a belief, theory, or change willingly and enthusiastically.
      14. embrace n. Added an opinion.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article asked about who they will think of next.     T / F
  2. The company thinks its new product will sell in small numbers.     T / F
  3. In Japan, the mayo slices are called "mayo sheets".     T / F
  4. Some of the mayo slices are flavoured with spicy cod roe.     T / F
  5. The slices will sell in packs of eight for $1.80.     T / F
  6. A jury on social media will decide whether to allow the sale of the slices.  T / F
  7. A website was unsure whether American would like the mayo slices.     T / F
  8. A website suggested the mayo slices are good for people in a hurry.     T / F

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

  1. manufacturer
  2. huge
  3. invention
  4. handy
  5. enhance
  6. pack
  7. chimed in
  8. disgust
  9. embrace
  10. hurry
  1. heighten
  2. convenient
  3. rush
  4. enormous
  5. interjected
  6. revulsion
  7. maker
  8. welcome
  9. creation
  10. carton

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

  1. A food manufacturer in Japan has invented
  2. destined to become a huge,
  3. The imaginative new culinary
  4. their handy new comestible will catch
  5. its mayo slices to liven
  6. a price of $1.80 for a
  7. the social media jury
  8. Both mayo fans and haters chimed
  9. a serving suggestion Americans might
  10. be happy to reach for
  1. invention
  2. in on Twitter
  3. pack of four slices
  4. a quick slice
  5. global bestseller
  6. embrace
  7. up sandwiches
  8. a new product
  9. is out
  10. on big time

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
destined
handy
liven
packaging
next
flavours
invention
time

Whatever will they think of (1) ____________? A food manufacturer in Japan has invented a new product that seems (2) ____________ to become a huge, global bestseller. The imaginative new culinary (3) ____________ is sliced mayonnaise. Japanese food company Bourbon believes their (4) ____________ new comestible will catch on big (5) ____________. The mayonnaise slices are called "mayo sheets" on the label of the product in Japan. The (6) ____________ describes the item as being a "sheet-like condiment" that is good for "easy cooking". The mayo slices (or sheets) come in two (7) ____________ – spicy cod roe (mentaiko in Japanese) and tuna. A spokesperson from the company hopes people will add its mayo slices to (8) ____________ up sandwiches or enhance the taste of pasta dishes.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
chimed
exactly
selling
jury
hurry
sure
embrace
parts

The new product will start (9) ____________ soon in Japan for a price of $1.80 for a pack of four slices. While the company is (10) ____________ the mayo sheets will be very popular with consumers, especially those in Japan, the social media (11) ____________ is out on whether the new item is a good idea. The cnet.com website wrote: "Both mayo fans and haters (12) ____________ in on Twitter - in equal (13) ____________ excitement and disgust - about the new slices." The Gizmodo.com website wrote: "Slapping a slice of mayo on a plate of fresh pasta isn't (14) ____________ a serving suggestion Americans might (15) ____________, but the next time you're making a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in a (16) ____________, you might actually be happy to reach for a quick slice."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  a new product that seems destined to become a huge, ______
     a.  globally bestseller
     b.  global bestseller
     c.  globe all bestseller
     d.  glow ball bestseller
2)  The imaginative new ______
     a.  cull in airy invention
     b.  cool in airy invention
     c.  culinary invention
     d.  culling airy invention
3)  Bourbon believes their handy new comestible will catch ______
     a.  on big time
     b.  in big time
     c.  on big times
     d.  on bigger time
4)  The mayo slices (or sheets) come ______ flavours
     a.  in two
     b.  into
     c.  in too
     d.  in to
5)  the company hopes people will add its mayo slices ______ sandwiches
     a.  to liven up
     b.  to liven down
     c.  to liven on
     d.  to liven across

6)  The new product will start selling soon in Japan for a price of ______
     a.  $1.80 for a puck
     b.  $1.80 for a pack
     c.  $1.80 for a pick
     d.  $1.80 for a peck
7)  with consumers, especially those in Japan, the social media ______
     a.  jewellery is out
     b.  jury is out
     c.  dewy is out
     d.  due rise out
8)  mayo fans and haters chimed in on Twitter - in equal parts ______
     a.  excite and disgust
     b.  excites and disgusted
     c.  excitement and disgusts
     d.  excitement and disgust
9)  a plate of fresh pasta isn't exactly a serving suggestion Americans ______
     a.  might embarrass
     b.  might in brace
     c.  might embers
     d.  might embrace
10)  in a hurry, you might actually be happy to reach ______ slice
     a.  four a quick
     b.  for a quickly
     c.  for a quick
     d.  for a quicken

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Whatever will they (1) ___________________? A food manufacturer in Japan has invented a new product that (2) ___________________ become a huge, global bestseller. The imaginative new culinary invention is sliced mayonnaise. Japanese food company Bourbon believes their handy new comestible will (3) ___________________ time. The mayonnaise slices are called "mayo sheets" on the label of the product in Japan. The packaging describes the (4) ___________________ a "sheet-like condiment" that is good for "easy cooking". The mayo slices (or sheets) (5) ___________________ flavours – spicy cod roe (mentaiko in Japanese) and tuna. A spokesperson from the company hopes people will add its mayo slices to liven up sandwiches or (6) ___________________ of pasta dishes.

The new product will start (7) ___________________ Japan for a price of $1.80 for a pack of four slices. While the company is sure the mayo sheets will be very (8) ___________________, especially those in Japan, the social media (9) ___________________ one whether the new item is a good idea. The cnet.com website wrote: "Both mayo (10) ___________________ chimed in on Twitter - in equal parts excitement and disgust - about the new slices." The Gizmodo.com website wrote: "Slapping a slice of mayo on a plate of fresh pasta isn't (11) ___________________ suggestion Americans might embrace, but the next time you're making a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in a hurry, you might actually be happy to reach (12) ___________________ slice."

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the article say the mayo slices are destined to become?
  2. What are the mayo slices called in Japan?
  3. How many flavours do the mayo slices come in?
  4. What did the article say the mayo slices could liven up?
  5. What did the article say the mayo slices could enhance the taste of?
  6. How many slices will you be able to buy in Japan for $1.80?
  7. What is out on deciding whether the slices are good or not?
  8. Who did cnet.com say chimed in on Twitter besides mayo fans?
  9. Who did gizmodo.com say might not embrace the new mayo slices?
  10. What kind of sandwich was mentioned at the end of the article?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What did the article say the mayo slices are destined to become?
a) a lunchtime staple
b) a huge, global bestseller
c) the best thing since sliced bread
d) the future of food
2)  What are the mayo slices called in Japan?
a) may do
b) mayoshi
c) mayo heaven
d) mayo sheets
3) How many flavours do the mayo slices come in?
a) two
b) three
c) five
d) 14
4) What did the article say the mayo slices could liven up?
a) breakfast
b) restaurants and cafes
c) sandwiches
d) our life
5) What did the article say the mayo slices could enhance the taste of?
a) everything
b) pasta dishes
c) sandwiches
d) sauces

6) How many slices will you be able to buy in Japan for $1.80?
a) four
b) eight
c) 12
d) 20
7) What is out on deciding whether the slices are good or not?
a) cooks
b) a website
c) the social media jury
d) time
8) Who did cnet.com say chimed in on Twitter besides mayo fans?
a) mayo haters
b) bakers
c) pasta fans
d) sandwich haters
9) Who did gizmodo.com say might not embrace the new mayo slices?
a) Americans
b) food aficionados
c) vegans
d) sandwich shops
10) What kind of sandwich was mentioned at the end of the article?
a) a mayo sandwich
b) a toasted sandwich
c) a sandwich on brown bread
d) a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich

Role play

Role  A – Tuna
You think tuna is the best sandwich filling. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fillings. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these (and why): jam, vegetable or egg.

Role  B – Jam
You think jam is the best sandwich filling. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fillings. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these (and why): tuna, vegetable or egg.

Role  C – Vegetable
You think vegetable is the best sandwich filling. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fillings. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these (and why): jam, tuna or egg.

Role  D – Egg
You think egg is the best sandwich filling. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their fillings. Also, tell the others which is the least tasty of these (and why): jam, vegetable or tuna.

After reading / listening

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

'slice'

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

    • and 'mayonnaise'.

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

    • • 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:

    • think
    • huge
    • catch
    • good
    • two
    • taste
    • soon
    • sure
    • jury
    • fans
    • fresh
    • quick

    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 - Sliced Mayonnaise

    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 'slice'?
    3. What do you think of sliced mayonnaise?
    4. What do you think of sliced bread?
    5. What other sliced things do you think are useful?
    6. Would you like to try the sliced mayonnaise?
    7. What do you think of Japanese food?
    8. What flavours would you add to mayonnaise?
    9. What are your favourite condiments?
    10. What would you use to enhance the taste of food?

    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 'mayonnaise'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What is the best thing since sliced bread?
    5. What things do you want to see sliced?
    6. Is sliced mayo or mayo in a jar best?
    7. What are the best things to eat mayo with?
    8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
    9. Why might people react with disgust towards a mayo slice?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the company?

    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)

    Whatever will they think of next? A food manufacturer in Japan has invented a new product that seems (1) ____ to become a huge, global bestseller. The imaginative new (2) ____ invention is sliced mayonnaise. Japanese food company Bourbon believes their handy new comestible will catch (3) ____ big time. The mayonnaise slices are called "mayo sheets" on the label of the product in Japan. The packaging describes the item as (4) ____ a "sheet-like condiment" that is good for "easy cooking". The mayo slices (or sheets) (5) ____ in two flavours – spicy cod roe (mentaiko in Japanese) and tuna. A spokesperson from the company hopes people will add its mayo slices to liven up sandwiches or (6) ____ the taste of pasta dishes.

    The new product will start selling soon in Japan for a price of $1.80 for a pack of four slices. (7) ____ the company is sure the mayo sheets will be very popular with consumers, especially those in Japan, the social media jury is (8) ____ on whether the new item is a good idea. The cnet.com website wrote: "Both mayo fans and haters chimed in on Twitter - in (9) ____ parts excitement and disgust - about the new slices." The Gizmodo.com website wrote: "(10) ____ a slice of mayo on a plate of fresh pasta isn't exactly a serving suggestion Americans might (11) ____, but the next time you're making a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in a (12) ____, you might actually be happy to reach for a quick slice."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     destiny     (b)     destination     (c)     destined     (d)     density    
    2. (a)     culinary     (b)     culminate     (c)     cumin     (d)     climatic    
    3. (a)     as     (b)     on     (c)     up     (d)     over    
    4. (a)     taking     (b)     having     (c)     doing     (d)     being    
    5. (a)     cook     (b)     go     (c)     come     (d)     slice    
    6. (a)     embrace     (b)     enhance     (c)     embroil     (d)     entry    
    7. (a)     While     (b)     However     (c)     But     (d)     Which    
    8. (a)     across     (b)     over     (c)     uo     (d)     out    
    9. (a)     separate     (b)     main     (c)     equal     (d)     whole    
    10. (a)     Slurping     (b)     Slopping     (c)     Slipping     (d)     Slapping    
    11. (a)     hug     (b)     embrace     (c)     hold     (d)     cuddle    
    12. (a)     hurry     (b)     scurry     (c)     flurry     (d)     furry

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. etdsdien to become a huge, global bestseller
    2. The imaginative new clarnuyi invention
    3. their handy new cmesbltoei
    4. a sheet-like tniomndec
    5. eilnv up sandwiches
    6. neanhce the taste of pasta dishes

    Paragraph 2

    1. very popular with essoncmur
    2. the social media ujyr is out
    3. mayo fans and haters cidmhe in on Twitter
    4. in equal parts excitement and isgutsd
    5. a serving uoegnigsst
    6. Americans might cemaebr

    Put the text back together

    (...)  food company Bourbon believes their handy new comestible will catch on big time. The mayonnaise slices
    (...)  in on Twitter - in equal parts excitement and disgust - about the new slices." The Gizmodo.com
    (...)  people will add its mayo slices to liven up sandwiches or enhance the taste of pasta dishes.
    (...)  and tomato sandwich in a hurry, you might actually be happy to reach for a quick slice."
    (...)  The new product will start selling soon in Japan for a price of $1.80 for a pack of four slices. While the company is
    (...)  as being a "sheet-like condiment" that is good for "easy cooking". The mayo slices (or sheets) come
    (...)  out on whether the new item is a good idea. The cnet.com website wrote: "Both mayo fans and haters chimed
    (...)  in two flavours – spicy cod roe (mentaiko in Japanese) and tuna. A spokesperson from the company hopes
    (...)  destined to become a huge, global bestseller. The imaginative new culinary invention is sliced mayonnaise. Japanese
    (...)  sure the mayo sheets will be very popular with consumers, especially those in Japan, the social media jury is
    (...)  suggestion Americans might embrace, but the next time you're making a bacon, lettuce,
    (...)  website wrote: "Slapping a slice of mayo on a plate of fresh pasta isn't exactly a serving
    (  1  ) Whatever will they think of next? A food manufacturer in Japan has invented a new product that seems
    (...)  are called "mayo sheets" on the label of the product in Japan. The packaging describes the item

    Put the words in the right order

    1. bestseller   .   huge,   a   Destined   become   to   global
    2. culinary   new   imaginative   mayonnaise  .   is   sliced   The   invention
    3. comestible   will   catch   Their   on   new   time   .   big
    4. come   two   in   mayo   slices   flavours   .   The
    5. liven   mayo   to   sandwiches   .   Add   its   up   slices
    6. The   soon   .   will   new   product   start   selling
    7. mayo   very   sheets   popular   .   Sure   the   be   will
    8. mayo   fresh   A   of   on   pasta   .   slice
    9. making   bacon   The   you're   a   sandwich   .   next   time
    10. to   a   happy   slice   .   reach   quick   Be   for

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Whatever / Whichever will they think of next? A food manufacturer in Japan has invented a new product that seems destiny / destined to become a huge, global bestseller. The imaginative new culinary / culmination invention is sliced mayonnaise. Japanese food company Bourbon believes their candy / handy new comestible / combustible will catch on big time. The mayonnaise slices are called "mayo sheets" on the label at / of the product in Japan. The packaging describes the item as been / being a "sheet-like condiment" that is good for "easy cooking". The mayo slices (or sheets) come / go in two flavours – spicy cod roe (mentaiko in Japanese) and tuna. A spokesperson from the company hopes people will add its mayo slices to livery / liven up sandwiches or enhance / entrance the taste of pasta dishes.

    The new product will start sale / selling soon in Japan for a price of $1.80 for a pack of four slices. While the company is surely / sure the mayo sheets will be very popular with consumers, especially them / those in Japan, the social media jury is up / out on whether the new item is a good idea. The cnet.com website wrote: "Both mayo fans and haters chimed / banged in on Twitter - in / on equal parts excitement and disgust - about the new slices." The Gizmodo.com website wrote: "Slopping / Slapping a slice of mayo on a plate of fresh pasta isn't exactly / exact a serving suggestion Americans might embrace, but the next time you're making a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in a hurriedly / hurry, you might actually be happy to reach for a quick / quicken slice."

    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)

    W h_t_v_r w_l l t h_y t h_n k _f n_x t ? A f__ d m_n_f_c t_r_r _n J_p_n h_s _n v_n t_d _ n_w p r_d_c t t h_t s__ m s d_s t_n_d t_ b_c_m_ _ h_g_, g l_b_l b_s t s_l l_r . T h_ _m_g_n_t_v_ n_w c_l_n_r y _n v_n t__ n _s s l_c_d m_y_n n__ s_. J_p_n_s_ f__ d c_m p_n y B__ r b_n b_l__ v_s t h__ r h_n d y n_w c_m_s t_b l_ w_l l c_t c h _n b_g t_m_. T h_ m_y_n n__ s_ s l_c_s _r_ c_l l_d " m_y_ s h__ t s " _n t h_ l_b_l _f t h_ p r_d_c t _n J_p_n . T h_ p_c k_g_n g d_s c r_b_s t h_ _t_m _s b__ n g _ " s h__ t - l_k_ c_n d_m_n t " t h_t _s g__ d f_r "__ s y c__ k_n g " . T h_ m_y_ s l_c_s (_r s h__ t s ) c_m_ _n t w_ f l_v__ r s – s p_c y c_d r__ ( m_n t__ k_ _n J_p_n_s_) _n d t_n_. A s p_k_s p_r s_n f r_m t h_ c_m p_n y h_p_s p__ p l_ w_l l _d d _t s m_y_ s l_c_s t_ l_v_n _p s_n d w_c h_s _r _n h_n c_ t h_ t_s t_ _f p_s t_ d_s h_s .

    T h_ n_w p r_d_c t w_l l s t_r t s_l l_n g s__ n _n J_p_n f_r _ p r_c_ _f $ 1 . 8 0 f_r _ p_c k _f f__ r s l_c_s . W h_l_ t h_ c_m p_n y _s s_r_ t h_ m_y_ s h__ t s w_l l b_ v_r y p_p_l_r w_t h c_n s_m_r s , _s p_c__ l l y t h_s_ _n J_p_n , t h_ s_c__ l m_d__ j_r y _s __ t _n w h_t h_r t h_ n_w _t_m _s _ g__ d _d__ . T h_ c n_t . c_m w_b s_t_ w r_t_: " B_t h m_y_ f_n s _n d h_t_r s c h_m_d _n _n T w_t t_r - _n _q__ l p_r t s _x c_t_m_n t _n d d_s g_s t - _b__ t t h_ n_w s l_c_s . " T h_ G_z m_d_. c_m w_b s_t_ w r_t_: " S l_p p_n g _ s l_c_ _f m_y_ _n _ p l_t_ _f f r_s h p_s t_ _s n ' t _x_c t l y _ s_r v_n g s_g g_s t__ n A m_r_c_n s m_g h t _m b r_c_, b_t t h_ n_x t t_m_ y__ ' r_ m_k_n g _ b_c_n , l_t t_c_, _n d t_m_t_ s_n d w_c h _n _ h_r r y , y__ m_g h t _c t__ l l y b_ h_p p y t_ r__ c h f_r _ q__ c k s l_c_. "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    whatever will they think of next a food manufacturer in japan has invented a new product that seems destined to become a huge global bestseller the imaginative new culinary invention is sliced mayonnaise japanese food company bourbon believes their handy new comestible will catch on big time the mayonnaise slices are called mayo sheets on the label of the product in japan the packaging describes the item as being a sheetlike condiment that is good for easy cooking the mayo slices or sheets come in two flavours  spicy cod roe mentaiko in japanese and tuna a spokesperson from the company hopes people will add its mayo slices to liven up sandwiches or enhance the taste of pasta dishes

    the new product will start selling soon in japan for a price of 180 for a pack of four slices while the company is sure the mayo sheets will be very popular with consumers especially those in japan the social media jury is out on whether the new item is a good idea the cnetcom website wrote both mayo fans and haters chimed in on twitter in equal parts excitement and disgust about the new slices the gizmodocom website wrote slapping a slice of mayo on a plate of fresh pasta isnt exactly a serving suggestion americans might embrace but the next time youre making a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich in a hurry you might actually be happy to reach for a quick slice

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Whateverwilltheythinkofnext?AfoodmanufacturerinJapanhasinvent
    edanewproductthatseemsdestinedtobecomeahuge,globalbestseller
    .Theimaginativenewculinaryinventionisslicedmayonnaise.Japanese
    foodcompanyBourbonbelievestheirhandynewcomestiblewillcatchon
    bigtime.Themayonnaiseslicesarecalled"mayosheets"onthelabelofth
    eproductinJapan.Thepackagingdescribestheitemasbeinga"sheet-li
    kecondiment"thatisgoodfor"easycooking".Themayoslices(orsheets
    )comeintwoflavours–spicycodroe(mentaikoinJapanese)andtuna.As
    pokespersonfromthecompanyhopespeoplewilladditsmayoslicestoli
    venupsandwichesorenhancethetasteofpastadishes.Thenewproduct
    willstartsellingsooninJapanforapriceof$1.80forapackoffourslices.W
    hilethecompanyissurethemayosheetswillbeverypopularwithconsu
    mers,especiallythoseinJapan,thesocialmediajuryisoutonwhetherth
    enewitemisagoodidea.Thecnet.comwebsitewrote:"Bothmayofansa
    ndhaterschimedinonTwitter-inequalpartsexcitementanddisgust-ab
    outthenewslices."TheGizmodo.comwebsitewrote:"Slappingasliceof
    mayoonaplateoffreshpastaisn'texactlyaservingsuggestionAmerican
    smightembrace,butthenexttimeyou'remakingabacon,lettuce,andto
    matosandwichinahurry,youmightactuallybehappytoreachforaquick
    slice."

    Free writing

    Write about sliced mayonnaise for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Sliced mayonnaise is the best idea since sliced bread. 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. MAYONNAISE: Make a poster about mayonnaise. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ALL SLICED: Write a magazine article about making all food sliced for our convenience. 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 mayonnaise. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on sliced mayonnaise. 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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