The Reading / Listening - Pay Phones - Level 3

The end is coming for New York's public pay phones. New York City officials say workers are currently removing all public pay phones from the city's streets. Pay phones used to be everywhere in the city - on every street corner and in every park and public place. Engineers have started the removal work by taking away 30 pay phones from the Hell's Kitchen area of the city. In the coming months, the remaining phones will go. New York City spokesman Corey Johnson told the CNN news agency that: "The antiquated and outdated pay phone booths take up much-needed sidewalk space. Removing these booths is a win for pedestrians who navigate these crowded blocks."

Many New Yorkers probably won't even notice the phones are going. Most younger people have never used one. They may have to read the instructions to use a phone, and scramble for coins to feed it. Modern technology means the public phone is no longer needed. Over 95 per cent of Americans have a mobile phone. Mr Corey said New Yorkers no longer want the phones. He said: "My office has received numerous community complaints from local residents about these antiquated pay phones, which present public safety and quality of life issues. Additionally, they take up sorely needed sidewalk space that could better serve people with disabilities and families with strollers."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Pay Phones - Level 0 Pay Phones - Level 1   or  Pay Phones - Level 2

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/02/us/nyc-pay-phone-removal-trnd/index.html
  • https://gothamist.com/news/last-remaining-pay-phones-nyc-will-be-ripped-out
  • https://nypost.com/2020/02/28/nyc-will-remove-remaining-payphones-replacing-some-with-linknyc-kiosks-report-says/


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. PHONES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about phones. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       the end / pay phones / officials / workers / park / city / outdated / space / pedestrians
       notice / instructions / coins / technology / office / complaints / safety / disabilities
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PAY PHONES: Students A strongly believe it is very, very important to have pay phones in the streets; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. THE END: What things in society do we no longer need? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Do We Need Them?

Why?

What Would We Use Instead?

Public pay phones

 

 

 

Televisions

 

 

 

Keys

 

 

 

Cars

 

 

 

Books

 

 

 

Cameras

 

 

 

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. PUBLIC: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "public". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. STREETS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things needed on streets at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • pay phones
  • toilets
  • police stations
  • no parking signs
  • lights
  • local maps
  • seats
  • art

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. official a. Still there.
      2. currently b. Too old to be used.
      3. removing c. A person working as a representative of an organization or government department.
      4. remaining d. Of a space full of people, leaving little or no room for movement.
      5. outdated e. Right now; at this moment.
      6. pedestrian f. Taking away.
      7. crowded g. A person walking along a road or street.

    Paragraph 2

      8. notice h. Physical or mental conditions that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.
      9. instructions i. Become aware of.
      10. coin j. Details on how to do, make or use something.
      11. numerous k. An action of saying you are unhappy about something.
      12. complaint l. Large in number; many.
      13. local m. A flat, round piece of metal used as money.
      14. disabilities n. Belonging or relating to a particular area or neighborhood.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article said the end has come for pay phones in the USA.     T / F
  2. Pay phones used to be on every street corner in New York City.     T / F
  3. The phone removal will start with 30 phones.     T / F
  4. Removing the pay phones will free up space on sidewalks.     T / F
  5. The article said most New Yorkers will notice the phones have gone.     T / F
  6. The article said young people may need instructions to use a pay phone. T / F
  7. An NYC official said his office had many complaints from locals.     T / F
  8. The article said sidewalk space was sorely needed for public pay phones. T / F

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

  1. currently
  2. area
  3. remaining
  4. take up
  5. crowded
  6. notice
  7. instructions
  8. numerous
  9. issues
  10. serve
  1. matters
  2. packed
  3. see
  4. directions
  5. many
  6. presently
  7. help
  8. district
  9. use
  10. surviving

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

  1. The end is
  2. Pay phones used to be everywhere
  3. on every street
  4. In the coming
  5. pedestrians who navigate these
  6. probably won't even
  7. Most younger people have never
  8. read the
  9. complaints from local
  10. people with
  1. corner
  2. disabilities
  3. crowded blocks
  4. notice
  5. instructions
  6. in the city
  7. residents
  8. coming
  9. used one
  10. months

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
corner
remaining
coming
crowded
outdated
space
removal
currently

The end is (1) ____________ for New York's public pay phones. New York City officials say workers are (2) ____________ removing all public pay phones from the city's streets. Pay phones used to be everywhere in the city - on every street (3) ____________ and in every park and public place. Engineers have started the (4) ____________ work by taking away 30 pay phones from the Hell's Kitchen area of the city. In the coming months, the (5) ____________ phones will go. New York City spokesman Corey Johnson told the CNN news agency that: "The antiquated and (6) ____________ pay phone booths take up much-needed sidewalk (7) ____________. Removing these booths is a win for pedestrians who navigate these (8) ____________ blocks."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
never
local
serve
longer
notice
quality
instructions
office

Many New Yorkers probably won't even (9) ____________ the phones are going. Most younger people have (10) ____________ used one. They may have to read the (11) ____________ to use a phone, and scramble for coins to feed it. Modern technology means the public phone is no (12) ____________ needed. Over 95 per cent of Americans have a mobile phone. Mr Corey said New Yorkers no longer want the phones. He said: "My (13) ____________ has received numerous community complaints from (14) ____________ residents about these antiquated pay phones, which present public safety and (15) ____________ of life issues. Additionally, they take up sorely needed sidewalk space that could better (16) ____________ people with disabilities and families with strollers."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Pay phones used to be everywhere in the city - on ______
     a.  every street corners
     b.  every street corner
     c.  every street cornered
     d.  every street cornering
2)  taking away 30 pay phones from the Hell's Kitchen ______ city
     a.  arena of the
     b.  aerial of the
     c.  aurora of the
     d.  area of the
3)  In the coming months, the remaining ______
     a.  phone will go
     b.  phones will gone
     c.  phones will go
     d.  phone will going
4)  outdated pay phone booths take up much-needed ______
     a.  sidewalk space
     b.  sideway space
     c.  side wall space
     d.  sides walk space
5)  a win for pedestrians who navigate ______
     a.  these crowd it blocks
     b.  these crowded blocks
     c.  these crowded block
     d.  those crowded block

6)  Many New Yorkers probably won't even notice the ______
     a.  phones are going
     b.  phones are gone
     c.  phones are go in
     d.  phones are gone in
7)  Most younger people have ______
     a.  never used once
     b.  never used ones
     c.  never used one
     d.  never used only
8)  read the instructions to use a phone, and scramble for coins ______
     a.  two fee bit
     b.  tooth edit
     c.  to fee ditto
     d.  to feed it
9)  My office has received numerous community complaints ______
     a.  from local residence
     b.  from local residents
     c.  from local reside ants
     d.  from local residential
10)  take up sorely needed sidewalk space that could better serve ______
     a.  people within disabilities
     b.  people wither disabilities
     c.  people with disabilities
     d.  people without disabilities

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The (1) ___________________ for New York's public pay phones. New York City officials say workers are (2) ___________________ public pay phones from the city's streets. Pay phones used to be everywhere in the city - on every street corner (3) ___________________ park and public place. Engineers have started the removal work by taking away 30 pay phones from the Hell's Kitchen (4) ___________________ city. In the coming months, the remaining phones will go. New York City spokesman Corey Johnson told the CNN (5) ___________________: "The antiquated and outdated pay phone booths take up much-needed sidewalk space. Removing these booths is a win for pedestrians (6) ___________________ crowded blocks."

Many New Yorkers probably won't (7) ___________________ phones are going. Most younger people have never used one. They may have to read the instructions to use a phone, and scramble for (8) ___________________ it. Modern technology means the public phone is (9) ___________________. Over 95 per cent of Americans have a mobile phone. Mr Corey said New Yorkers no longer want the phones. He said: "My office has received numerous community complaints (10) ___________________ about these antiquated pay phones, which present public safety and quality of life issues. Additionally, (11) ___________________ sorely needed sidewalk space that could better (12) ___________________ disabilities and families with strollers."

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the article say is coming for New York's pay phones?
  2. Where did the article say pay phones used to be in New York?
  3. How many pay phones are being taken away to begin with?
  4. Who is Corey Johnson?
  5. For whom did the article say removing the phones was a win?
  6. Who did the article say would probably not notice the phone removal?
  7. What did the article say younger people might have to read?
  8. What percentage of Americans have a mobile phone?
  9. What did a spokesman say his office had received?
  10. What kind of people could clearer sidewalks help?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did the article say is coming for New York's pay phones?
a) the chainsaws
b) higher bills
c) nicer colours
d) the end
2) Where did the article say pay phones used to be in New York?
a) on the subway
b) everywhere
c) in museums
d) in city hall
3) How many pay phones are being taken away to begin with?
a) 20
b) 25
c) 30
d) 35
4) Who is Corey Johnson?
a) an NYC spokesman
b) a pedestrian
c) a phone maker
d) a pay phone repairman
5) For whom did the article say removing the phones was a win?
a) tourists
b) Apple
c) pedestrians
d) restaurants

6) Who did the article say would probably not notice the phone removal?
a) drivers
b) many New Yorkers
c) phone engineers
d) tourists
7) What did the article say younger people might have to read?
a) books
b) Kindle
c) street signs
d) instructions
8) What percentage of Americans have a mobile phone?
a) over 95%
b) 82%
c) nearly 99%
d) just over 82%
9) What did a spokesman say his office had received?
a) advice
b) gifts
c) complaints
d) lost smartphones
10) What kind of people could clearer sidewalks help?
a) street cleaners
b) people with disabilities
c) the homeless
d) skateboarders

Role play

Role  A – Pay Phones
You think pay phones are the most important things to have on streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): art, toilets or lights.

Role  B – Art
You think art is the most important thing to have on streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): pay phones, toilets or lights.

Role  C – Toilets
You think toilets are the most important things to have on streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): art, pay phones or lights.

Role  D – Lights
You think lights are the most important things to have on streets. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as necessary. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): art, toilets or pay phones.

After reading / listening

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

'pay'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'phone'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • coming
    • everywhere
    • started
    • coming
    • take
    • blocks
    • notice
    • read
    • coins
    • numerous
    • issues
    • serve

    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 - Pay Phones

    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 'phone'?
    3. How important are pay phones?
    4. Do cities need pay phones?
    5. Are there any public pay phones in your town?
    6. What is the best thing about your phone?
    7. Do we need landlines?
    8. How important is sidewalk space?
    9. What do you think of pedestrians using their phones while they walk?
    10. Are phones on watches better than smartphones?

    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 'public'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How important is your phone to you?
    5. What is the best phone in the world?
    6. Should New York keep some pay phones for tourism?
    7. Do young people know how to use public pay phones?
    8. What would life be like without your mobile phone?
    9. What do you think of New York?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the New York officials?

    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)

    The end is (1) ____ for New York's public pay phones. New York City officials say workers are (2) ____ removing all public pay phones from the city's streets. Pay phones used to be everywhere in the city - on (3) ____ street corner and in every park and public place. Engineers have started the removal work (4) ____ taking away 30 pay phones from the Hell's Kitchen area of the city. In the coming months, the remaining phones will go. New York City spokesman Corey Johnson told the CNN news agency that: "The antiquated and (5) ____ pay phone booths take up much-needed sidewalk space. Removing these booths is a win for pedestrians who navigate these (6) ____ blocks."

    Many New Yorkers probably won't even (7) ____ the phones are going. Most younger people have never used one. They may have to read the instructions to use a phone, and scramble for coins to (8) ____ it. Modern technology means the public phone is no longer needed. Over 95 per cent of Americans have a mobile phone. Mr Corey said New Yorkers no (9) ____ want the phones. He said: "My office has received numerous community complaints from local (10) ____ about these antiquated pay phones, which (11) ____ public safety and quality of life issues. Additionally, they take up sorely needed sidewalk space that could better (12) ____ people with disabilities and families with strollers."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     comes     (b)     coming     (c)     came     (d)     come    
    2. (a)     currency     (b)     currently     (c)     currants     (d)     currant    
    3. (a)     all     (b)     even     (c)     whole     (d)     every    
    4. (a)     as     (b)     by     (c)     in     (d)     to    
    5. (a)     updated     (b)     outdated     (c)     inundated     (d)     use-by-date    
    6. (a)     clouded     (b)     crowed     (c)     crowded     (d)     cowed    
    7. (a)     aware     (b)     knowledge     (c)     notice     (d)     conscious    
    8. (a)     food     (b)     fodder     (c)     feed     (d)     fad    
    9. (a)     lengthen     (b)     longs     (c)     longing     (d)     longer    
    10. (a)     residents     (b)     residence     (c)     resides     (d)     residuals    
    11. (a)     present     (b)     gift     (c)     makes     (d)     danger    
    12. (a)     reserve     (b)     server     (c)     serve     (d)     sever

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. New York City fioscifal
    2. started the avmerlo work
    3. the einginamr phones will go
    4. ddatuote pay phone booths
    5. Removing these booths is a win for datspsenire
    6. navigate these wdcoder blocks

    Paragraph 2

    1. read the tuionitsrnsc
    2. Modern tlgeooycnh
    3. received nreusmuo community complaints
    4. public eyfsta
    5. tauqyil of life issues
    6. people with istdabiiseil

    Put the text back together

    (...)  space. Removing these booths is a win for pedestrians who navigate these crowded blocks."
    (...)  longer want the phones. He said: "My office has received numerous community
    (...)  in the city - on every street corner and in every park and public place. Engineers have started the removal
    1  ) The end is coming for New York's public pay phones. New York City officials say workers are currently
    (...)  safety and quality of life issues. Additionally, they take up sorely needed sidewalk space
    (...)  news agency that: "The antiquated and outdated pay phone booths take up much-needed sidewalk
    (...)  complaints from local residents about these antiquated pay phones, which present public
    (...)  Many New Yorkers probably won't even notice the phones are going. Most younger people have never used
    (...)  removing all public pay phones from the city's streets. Pay phones used to be everywhere
    (...)  one. They may have to read the instructions to use a phone, and scramble for coins to feed it. Modern technology means
    (...)  that could better serve people with disabilities and families with strollers."
    (...)  work by taking away 30 pay phones from the Hell's Kitchen area of the city. In the coming
    (...)  months, the remaining phones will go. New York City spokesman Corey Johnson told the CNN
    (...)  the public phone is no longer needed. Over 95 per cent of Americans have a mobile phone. Mr Corey said New Yorkers no

    Put the words in the right order

    1. in   to   the   used   city   .   Phones   everywhere   be
    2. taking   the   removal   away   Started   by   work   phones   .
    3. the   phones   In   coming   will   months   go   .   the
    4. up   space   .   booths   take   Phone   sidewalk   much-needed
    5. win   these   booths   pedestrians   .   Removing   a   is   for
    6. even   New   phones   .   notice   won't   probably   the   Yorkers
    7. instructions   .   have   to   may   the   read   They
    8. Americans   of   phone   .   have   Over   mobile   a   95%
    9. these   Complaints   residents   from   pay   phones   .   about   local
    10. that   could   people   with   better   Space   disabilities   .   serve

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The end is coming for New York's publicity / public pay phones. New York City officials say workers are currency / currently removing all public pay phones from the city's street / streets. Pay phones used to be everywhere in the city - on every street corner and in every park and public plaice / place. Engineers have started the removal / remove work by taking away 30 pay phones from the Hell's Kitchen arena / area of the city. In the coming months, the remaining phones will go / gone. New York City spokesman Corey Johnson told the CNN news agency that: "The antiquated and outdated / dating pay phone booths take up much-needed sidewalk / sideways space. Removing these booths is a win for pedestrians who navigate these crowded books / blocks."

    Many New Yorkers probably won't even entice / notice the phones are going. Most younger people have never useful / used one. They may have to read the instruction / instructions to use a phone, and scramble / crumble for coins to feed it. Modern technology means / meanings the public phone is no longer needed. Over 95 per cent of Americans have a mobility / mobile phone. Mr Corey said New Yorkers no length / longer want the phones. He said: "My office has received number / numerous community complaints from local residents about these antiquated pay phones, which present / gift public safety and quality of life issues. Additionally, they take up sorely needed sidewalk space that could better reserve / serve people with disabilities and families with strollers."

    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)

    T h_ _n d _s c_m_n g f_r N_w Y_r k ' s p_b l_c p_y p h_n_s . N_w Y_r k C_t y _f f_c__ l s s_y w_r k_r s _r_ c_r r_n t l y r_m_v_n g _l l p_b l_c p_y p h_n_s f r_m t h_ c_t y ' s s t r__ t s . P_y p h_n_s _s_d t_ b_ _v_r y w h_r_ _n t h_ c_t y - _n _v_r y s t r__ t c_r n_r _n d _n _v_r y p_r k _n d p_b l_c p l_c_. E n g_n__ r s h_v_ s t_r t_d t h_ r_m_v_l w_r k b y t_k_n g _w_y 3 0 p_y p h_n_s f r_m t h_ H_l l ' s K_t c h_n _r__ _f t h_ c_t y . I n t h_ c_m_n g m_n t h s , t h_ r_m__ n_n g p h_n_s w_l l g_. N_w Y_r k C_t y s p_k_s m_n C_r_y J_h n s_n t_l d t h_ C N N n_w s _g_n c y t h_t : " T h_ _n t_q__ t_d _n d __ t d_t_d p_y p h_n_ b__ t h s t_k_ _p m_c h - n__ d_d s_d_w_l k s p_c_. R_m_v_n g t h_s_ b__ t h s _s _ w_n f_r p_d_s t r__ n s w h_ n_v_g_t_ t h_s_ c r_w d_d b l_c k s . "

    M_n y N_w Y_r k_r s p r_b_b l y w_n ' t _v_n n_t_c_ t h_ p h_n_s _r_ g__ n g . M_s t y__ n g_r p__ p l_ h_v_ n_v_r _s_d _n_. T h_y m_y h_v_ t_ r__ d t h_ _n s t r_c t__ n s t_ _s_ _ p h_n_, _n d s c r_m b l_ f_r c__ n s t_ f__ d _t . M_d_r n t_c h n_l_g y m__ n s t h_ p_b l_c p h_n_ _s n_ l_n g_r n__ d_d . O v_r 9 5 p_r c_n t _f A m_r_c_n s h_v_ _ m_b_l_ p h_n_. M r C_r_y s__ d N_w Y_r k_r s n_ l_n g_r w_n t t h_ p h_n_s . H_ s__ d : " M y _f f_c_ h_s r_c__ v_d n_m_r__ s c_m m_n_t y c_m p l__ n t s f r_m l_c_l r_s_d_n t s _b__ t t h_s_ _n t_q__ t_d p_y p h_n_s , w h_c h p r_s_n t p_b l_c s_f_t y _n d q__ l_t y _f l_f_ _s s__ s . A d d_t__ n_l l y , t h_y t_k_ _p s_r_l y n__ d_d s_d_w_l k s p_c_ t h_t c__ l d b_t t_r s_r v_ p__ p l_ w_t h d_s_b_l_t__ s _n d f_m_l__ s w_t h s t r_l l_r s . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the end is coming for new yorks public pay phones new york city officials say workers are currently removing all public pay phones from the citys streets pay phones used to be everywhere in the city on every street corner and in every park and public place engineers have started the removal work by taking away 30 pay phones from the hells kitchen area of the city in the coming months the remaining phones will go new york city spokesman corey johnson told the cnn news agency that the antiquated and outdated pay phone booths take up much needed sidewalk space removing these booths is a win for pedestrians who navigate these crowded blocks

    many new yorkers probably wont even notice the phones are going most younger people have never used one they may have to read the instructions to use a phone and scramble for coins to feed it modern technology means the public phone is no longer needed over 95 per cent of americans have a mobile phone mr corey said new yorkers no longer want the phones he said my office has received numerous community complaints from local residents about these antiquated pay phones which present public safety and quality of life issues additionally they take up sorely needed sidewalk space that could better serve people with disabilities and families with strollers

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheendiscomingforNewYork'spublicpayphones.NewYorkCityofficial
    ssayworkersarecurrentlyremovingallpublicpayphonesfromthecity's
    streets.Payphonesusedtobeeverywhereinthecity-oneverystreetco
    rnerandineveryparkandpublicplace.Engineershavestartedtheremov
    alworkbytakingaway30payphonesfromtheHell'sKitchenareaofthecit
    y.Inthecomingmonths,theremainingphoneswillgo.NewYorkCityspo
    kesmanCoreyJohnsontoldtheCNNnewsagencythat:"Theantiquated
    andoutdatedpayphoneboothstakeupmuch-neededsidewalkspace.R
    emovingtheseboothsisawinforpedestrianswhonavigatethesecrowd
    edblocks."ManyNewYorkersprobablywon'tevennoticethephonesare
    going.Mostyoungerpeoplehaveneverusedone.Theymayhavetoreadt
    heinstructionstouseaphone,andscrambleforcoinstofeedit.Modernte
    chnologymeansthepublicphoneisnolongerneeded.Over95percentof
    Americanshaveamobilephone.MrCoreysaidNewYorkersnolongerwa
    ntthephones.Hesaid:"Myofficehasreceivednumerouscommunityco
    mplaintsfromlocalresidentsabouttheseantiquatedpayphones,which
    presentpublicsafetyandqualityoflifeissues.Additionally,theytakeups
    orelyneededsidewalkspacethatcouldbetterservepeoplewithdisabiliti
    esandfamilieswithstrollers."

    Free writing

    Write about pay phones for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We don't need public pay phones or land lines. 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. PHONES: Make a poster about phones. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. PUBLIC PHONES: Write a magazine article about making a law requiring public phones for people who do not have mobile phones. 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 pay phones. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas 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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