Breaking News English Lesson: Printer Ink

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Printer ink one of world's most expensive liquids (27th July, 2021)

The Reading / Listening - Printer Ink - Level 3

When we think of expensive liquids, quality champagne or French perfumes come to mind. You might be surprised to discover that printer ink is one of the world's costliest liquids. A survey from the U.K. consumer watchdog "Which?" revealed that some printer ink that is sold by tech companies is pricier than many champagnes. It reported that printer ink from printer makers can be up to 286% more expensive than alternative ink from companies that do not make printers. The watchdog said that some branded printer ink can cost as much as $846 a litre. A consumer rights expert from Which? said: "Printer ink shouldn't cost more than a bottle of high-end champagne or Chanel No 5."

Which? said non-branded ink cartridges can be as good as, if not better than the cartridges made by the big printer makers. The expert said: "We've found that there are lots of third-party products that are outperforming their branded counterparts at a fraction of the cost." Which? calculated that buying non-branded ink could save consumers around $398 a year. It added that deciding which ink to put in a printer should be "a personal choice and not dictated by the make of your printer". Printer manufacturers said they produce better quality ink. Epson said: "As non-genuine inks are not designed or tested by Epson, we cannot guarantee these inks will not damage the printer."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Printer Ink - Level 0, Printer Ink - Level 1 or Printer Ink - Level 2

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57941625
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/which-consumer-printer-ink-costs-more-than-high-end-champagne-bottle-chanel-no5-230157556.html
https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/07/the-cheap-ink-that-printer-firms-dont-want-you-to-use/ - Which?

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. PRINTER INK: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about printer ink. 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?
expensive / liquid / champagne / perfume / tech / printer ink / alternative / consumer
cartridges / expert / fraction / cost / calculated / personal choice / damage / printer
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. REGULATED: Students A strongly believe the government should control the price of printer ink; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. TECH: How important is this technology? How could it be made better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Importance	Improvements
Printers
TVs
Smartphones
Laptop computers
Games consoles
Watches

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. PERFUME: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "perfume". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. EXPENSIVE: Rank these with your partner. Put the things which should never be expensive at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Printer ink
T-shirts
Internet charges
Bread and rice
Gasoline
Newspapers
Chocolate
Education

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	liquid	a.	A look at the opinions or experience of a group of people, based on different questions.
2.	discover	b.	A type of product made by a particular company under a particular name.
3.	survey	c.	Something that flows freely like water or oil.
4.	watchdog	d.	Become aware of a fact or situation.
5.	alternative	e.	A person or group who monitors what companies do and look for examples of bad things.
6.	branded	f.	One or more things available as another possibility.
7.	expert	g.	Someone who knows everything about a subject.

Paragraph 2

8.	cartridge	h.	A person who purchases goods and services for personal use.
9.	third-party	i.	A container that holds photographic film, ink, gun shot, or another item.
10.	counterpart	j.	A small or tiny part, amount, or proportion of something.
11.	fraction	k.	Decided what someone must do; ordered.
12.	consumer	l.	A person, company or group besides the two involved in a situation.
13.	dictated	m.	Make a promise about something, especially a product.
14.	guarantee	n.	A person or thing holding a position or performing a function that is the same to that of another person or thing in another place.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says oil is one of the world's most expensive liquids. T / F
The article mentions research from a consumer group called "Which?". T / F
Branded printer ink can be 286% more expensive than non-branded ink. T / F
Some branded printer ink costs over $800 a litre. T / F
The consumer group said branded printer ink is always better. T / F
The group said non-branded ink outperformed branded ink. T / F
The group said people spend an average of $398 a year on printer ink. T / F
The printer maker Epson said it tests non-branded printer ink. T / F

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

expensive
discover
revealed
alternative
expert
cartridges
fraction
calculated
dictated
guarantee

containers
substitute
worked out
costly
promise
made public
controlled
specialist
tiny amount
find out

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

French perfumes come
printer ink is one of the world's
the U.K. consumer
A consumer rights
a bottle of high-
non-branded ink cartridges can be
at a fraction
save consumers around
a personal
non-

as good
end champagne
genuine inks
watchdog
$398 a year
to mind
expert
choice
costliest liquids
of the cost

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

tech
quality
end
alternative
revealed
expert
costliest
branded

When we think of expensive liquids, (1) _____________________ champagne or French perfumes come to mind. You might be surprised to discover that printer ink is one of the world's (2) _____________________ liquids. A survey from the U.K. consumer watchdog "Which?" (3) _____________________ that some printer ink that is sold by (4) _____________________ companies is pricier than many champagnes. It reported that printer ink from printer makers can be up to 286% more expensive than (5) _____________________ ink from companies that do not make printers. The watchdog said that some (6) _____________________ printer ink can cost as much as $846 a litre. A consumer rights (7) _____________________ from Which? said: "Printer ink shouldn't cost more than a bottle of high-(8) _____________________ champagne or Chanel No 5."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

outperforming
cartridges
damage
personal
fraction
genuine
expert
dictated

Which? said non-branded ink (9) _____________________ can be as good as, if not better than the cartridges made by the big printer makers. The (10) _____________________ said: "We've found that there are lots of third-party products that are (11) _____________________ their branded counterparts at a (12) _____________________ of the cost." Which? calculated that buying non-branded ink could save consumers around $398 a year. It added that deciding which ink to put in a printer should be "a (13) _____________________ choice and not (14) _____________________ by the make of your printer". Printer manufacturers said they produce better quality ink. Epson said: "As non-(15) _____________________ inks are not designed or tested by Epson, we cannot guarantee these inks will not (16) _____________________ the printer."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) When we think of expensive liquids, quality champagne or French perfumes ______
     a. came two minds
     b. come to mind
     c. comes to minds
     d. come two mind
2) You might be surprised to discover that printer ink is one of the world's ______
     a. cost lest liquids
     b. costly yeast liquids
     c. costliest liquids
     d. cost least liquids
3) printer ink from printer makers can be up to 286% more expensive ______
     a. than alternatives ink
     b. than alternative ink
     c. than alternatively ink
     d. than alternate tiff ink
4) The watchdog said that some branded printer ink can cost as much as ______
     a. $846 a letter
     b. $846 a little
     c. $846 ail tar
     d. $846 a litre
5) Printer ink shouldn't cost more than a bottle of ______
     a. high-bend champagne
     b. high-yonder champagne
     c. hired champagne
     d. high-end champagne

6) non-branded ink cartridges can be as good as, if not better ______
     a. than the cartridges
     b. than the car fridges
     c. than the cart ridges
     d. than the cart fridges
7) there are lots of third-party products that are outperforming their ______
     a. brand it counterparts
     b. bran dead counterparts
     c. branded counterparts
     d. bran deed counterparts
8) Which? calculated that buying non-branded ink could ______ $398
     a. save consumer around
     b. serve consumers around
     c. saves consumers around
     d. save consumers around
9) Printer manufacturers said they produce ______
     a. better quality ink
     b. better qualify ink
     c. better qualification
     d. better quell a tea ink
10) Epson, we cannot guarantee these inks will not ______
     a. damaged the printer
     b. damage that printer
     c. damaged their printer
     d. damage the printer

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

When we think (1) ____________________, quality champagne or French perfumes come to mind. You might be (2) ____________________ that printer ink is one of the world's costliest liquids. A survey from the U.K. consumer watchdog "Which?" (3) ____________________ printer ink that is sold by tech companies is pricier than many champagnes. It reported that printer ink from printer makers can (4) ____________________ 286% more expensive than alternative ink from companies that do not make printers. The watchdog said (5) ____________________ printer ink can cost as much as $846 a litre. A consumer (6) ____________________ Which? said: "Printer ink shouldn't cost more than a bottle of high-end champagne or Chanel No 5."

Which? said non-branded ink cartridges can be as good as, (7) ____________________ than the cartridges made by the big printer makers. The expert said: "We've found that there are lots (8) ____________________ products that are outperforming their branded counterparts at (9) ____________________ the cost." Which? calculated that buying non-branded ink could save consumers around $398 a year. It added that deciding which ink (10) ____________________ a printer should be "a personal choice and not dictated by the make of your printer". Printer manufacturers said they produce (11) ____________________. Epson said: "As non-genuine inks are not designed or tested by Epson, we cannot guarantee these inks (12) ____________________ the printer."

Comprehension questions

What expensive liquid does the article mention besides perfume?
What is the name of the consumer watchdog the article mentions?
How much more expensive can branded printer ink be?
How much does the article say a litre of printer ink can cost?
What is the name of the perfume the article mentions?
What did a watchdog say could be as good as branded ink cartridges?
What did an expert say non-branded inks outperformed?
How much can people say each year by using non-branded ink?
What did the consumer group save deciding which ink to use should be?
What can't Epson guarantee if non-branded inks are used?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What expensive liquid does the article mention besides perfume?
a) saffron juice
b) oil
c) champagne
d) Antarctica mineral water
2) What is the name of the consumer watchdog the article mentions?
a) Which?
b) What?
c) Why?
d) Whatever
3) How much more expensive can branded printer ink be?
a) 268% more expensive
b) 286% more expensive
c) 288% more expensive
d) 266% more expensive
4) How much does the article say a litre of printer ink can cost?
a) $864
b) $848
c) $868
d) $846
5) What is the name of the perfume the article mentions?
a) Guerlain Shalimar
b) Dior Diorissimo
c) Chanel No 5
d) White Diamonds

6) What did a watchdog say could be as good as branded ink cartridges?
a) synthetic ink cartridges
b) non-branded ink cartridges
c) vegetable-based ink cartridges
d) iPads
7) What did an expert say non-branded inks outperformed?
a) digital printing
b) photocopiers
c) newspaper ink
d) branded inks
8) How much can people say each year by using non-branded ink?
a) $498
b) $398
c) $392
d) $308
9) What did the consumer group save deciding which ink to use should be?
a) price
b) personal choice
c) quality
d) maker

10) What can't Epson guarantee if non-branded inks are used?
a) printer damage
b) quality
c) smudging
d) incorrect colours

Role play

Role A – Printer Ink
You think printer ink is the one thing that should never be expensive. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it is OK for their things to be expensive. Also, tell the others which of these can be expensive (and why): Internet charges, gasoline or chocolate.

Role B – Internet Charges
You think Internet charges is the one thing that should never be expensive. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it is OK for their things to be expensive. Also, tell the others which of these can be expensive (and why): printer ink, gasoline or chocolate.

Role C – Gasoline
You think gasoline is the one thing that should never be expensive. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it is OK for their things to be expensive. Also, tell the others which of these can be expensive (and why): Internet charges, printer ink or chocolate.

Role D – Chocolate
You think chocolate is the one thing that should never be expensive. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why it is OK for their things to be expensive. Also, tell the others which of these can be expensive (and why): Internet charges, gasoline or printer ink.

After reading / listening

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

'printer'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'ink'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

mind

survey

tech

286

846

5

better

fraction

save

personal

quality

damage

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 - Printer Ink

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'printer'?
What do you think of printers?
What do you think of the price of printer ink?
Why is printer ink more expensive than expensive perfume?
Should we print less?
Is it better to use non-branded ink?
Who would pay $846 for a litre of printer ink?
What can printer makers do to make ink cheaper?
What do you think of the printers you use?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'ink'?
What do you think about what you read?
Do you prefer branded or non-branded printer ink?
What can we use instead of printers?
How often do you use a printer?
Why do printer companies want us to use their ink?
Do you think printer companies produce better quality ink?
Is printing now out-of-date technology?
What questions would you like to ask a printer company CEO?

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)

When we think of expensive liquids, quality champagne or French perfumes come to (1) ____. You might be surprised to discover that printer ink is one of the world's (2) ____ liquids. A survey from the U.K. consumer watchdog "Which?" revealed that some printer ink that is sold by tech companies is (3) ____ than many champagnes. It reported that printer ink from printer makers can be up to 286% more expensive than (4) ____ ink from companies that do not make printers. The watchdog said that some branded printer ink can cost as much as $846 (5) ____ litre. A consumer rights expert from Which? said: "Printer ink shouldn't cost more than a bottle of high-(6) ____ champagne or Chanel No 5."

Which? said non-branded ink cartridges can be as good as, if (7) ____ better than the cartridges made by the big printer makers. The expert said: "We've (8) ____ that there are lots of third-party products that are outperforming their branded counterparts at a (9) ____ of the cost." Which? calculated that buying non-branded ink could (10) ____ consumers around $398 a year. It added that deciding which ink to put in a printer should be "a personal choice and not dictated (11) ____ the make of your printer". Printer manufacturers said they produce better quality ink. Epson said: "As non-genuine inks are not designed or tested by Epson, we cannot guarantee (12) ____ inks will not damage the printer."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) come (b) have (c) go (d) see
(a) coasting (b) coaster (c) costliest (d) costs
(a) prettier (b) précis (c) pricier (d) priced
(a) intern (b) nativity (c) native (d) alternative
(a) a (b) for (c) the (d) at
(a) finish (b) end (c) start (d) begin
(a) now (b) none (c) non (d) not
(a) saw (b) found (c) watched (d) looked
(a) faction (b) friction (c) fraction (d) fiction
(a) suave (b) sieve (c) serve (d) save
(a) on (b) as (c) at (d) by
(a) them (b) these (c) that (d) they

Spelling

Paragraph 1

French fupreme
one of the world's eslciostt liquids
more expensive than iateetlnvar ink
The acogdthw said that
A urnsmeco rights expert
a bottle of high-end cenpmahga

Paragraph 2

non-branded ink rrgcitadse
their branded uroprncettsa
at a ritfocna of the cost
a personal cioech
non-enuineg inks
we cannot gtnaeerua these

Put the text back together

(...) by the big printer makers. The expert said: "We've found that there are lots of third-party products that are
(...) Which? said non-branded ink cartridges can be as good as, if not better than the cartridges made
(...) said that some branded printer ink can cost as much as $846 a litre. A consumer rights
(...) consumers around $398 a year. It added that deciding which ink to put in a printer should be "a personal
(...) choice and not dictated by the make of your printer". Printer manufacturers said they
(...) to 286% more expensive than alternative ink from companies that do not make printers. The watchdog
(...) surprised to discover that printer ink is one of the world's costliest liquids. A survey from the U.K. consumer
(...) produce better quality ink. Epson said: "As non-genuine inks are not designed or
(...) outperforming their branded counterparts at a fraction of the cost." Which? calculated that buying non-branded ink could save
(...) expert from Which? said: "Printer ink shouldn't cost more than a bottle of high-end champagne or Chanel No 5."
(...) than many champagnes. It reported that printer ink from printer makers can be up
(...) watchdog "Which?" revealed that some printer ink that is sold by tech companies is pricier
(...) tested by Epson, we cannot guarantee these inks will not damage the printer."
( 1 ) When we think of expensive liquids, quality champagne or French perfumes come to mind. You might be

Put the words in the right order

Printer of ink one costliest is the liquids .
survey consumer "Which?" . A from U.K. the watchdog
286% expensive Up to alternative ink . than more
ink much Printer can $846 . as cost as
ink more shouldn't than cost Printer champagne .
than if cartridges . As better not as, good
brands Outperforming the a cost . of fraction at
could $398 . save Non-branded ink around consumers
Epson . not by inks tested Non-genuine are
will these printers . inks not We guarantee damage

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

When we think of / as expensive liquids, quality champagne or French perfumes come to mind. You might been / be surprised to discover that printer ink is two / one of the world's costliest liquids. A scurvy / survey from the U.K. consumer watchdog "Which?" revealed that some printer ink that is sold by tech companies is pricy / pricier than many champagnes. It reported that printer ink from printer makers can be up / down to 286% more expensive than alternatively / alternative ink from companies that do not make printers. The watchdog said that some bland / branded printer ink can cost as much as $846 a litre. A consumer rights expat / expert from Which? said: "Printer ink shouldn't cost more than a bottle of high-end / high-start champagne or Chanel No 5."

Which? said non-branded ink cartridges / cartridge can be as good as, if not better than the cartridges made buy / by the big printer makers. The expert said: "We've found that there are lots / lot of third-party products that are outperforming them / their branded counterparts at a fraction / function of the cost." Which? calculated / calculation that buying non-branded ink could save consumes / consumers around $398 a year. It added that deciding which ink to put in a printer should be "a personal choice / choose and not dictated by the make of your printer". Printer manufacturers said they produce better qualify / quality ink. Epson said: "As non-genuine inks are not designed or tested by Epson, we cannot guarantee these inks will not damage their / the printer."

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)

Wh_n w_ th_nk _f _xp_ns_v_ l_q__ds, q__l_ty ch_mp_gn_ _r Fr_nch p_rf_m_s c_m_ t_ m_nd. Y__ m_ght b_ s_rpr_s_d t_ d_sc_v_r th_t pr_nt_r _nk _s _n_ _f th_ w_rld's c_stl__st l_q__ds. _ s_rv_y fr_m th_ _.K. c_ns_m_r w_tchd_g "Wh_ch?" r_v__l_d th_t s_m_ pr_nt_r _nk th_t _s s_ld by t_ch c_mp_n__s _s pr_c__r th_n m_ny ch_mp_gn_s. _t r_p_rt_d th_t pr_nt_r _nk fr_m pr_nt_r m_k_rs c_n b_ _p t_ 286% m_r_ _xp_ns_v_ th_n _lt_rn_t_v_ _nk fr_m c_mp_n__s th_t d_ n_t m_k_ pr_nt_rs. Th_ w_tchd_g s__d th_t s_m_ br_nd_d pr_nt_r _nk c_n c_st _s m_ch _s $846 _ l_tr_. _ c_ns_m_r r_ghts _xp_rt fr_m Wh_ch? s__d: "Pr_nt_r _nk sh__ldn't c_st m_r_ th_n _ b_ttl_ _f h_gh-_nd ch_mp_gn_ _r Ch_n_l N_ 5."

Wh_ch? s__d n_n-br_nd_d _nk c_rtr_dg_s c_n b_ _s g__d _s, _f n_t b_tt_r th_n th_ c_rtr_dg_s m_d_ by th_ b_g pr_nt_r m_k_rs. Th_ _xp_rt s__d: "W_'v_ f__nd th_t th_r_ _r_ l_ts _f th_rd-p_rty pr_d_cts th_t _r_ __tp_rf_rm_ng th__r br_nd_d c__nt_rp_rts _t _ fr_ct__n _f th_ c_st." Wh_ch? c_lc_l_t_d th_t b_y_ng n_n-br_nd_d _nk c__ld s_v_ c_ns_m_rs _r__nd $398 _ y__r. _t _dd_d th_t d_c_d_ng wh_ch _nk t_ p_t _n _ pr_nt_r sh__ld b_ "_ p_rs_n_l ch__c_ _nd n_t d_ct_t_d by th_ m_k_ _f y__r pr_nt_r". Pr_nt_r m_n_f_ct_r_rs s__d th_y pr_d_c_ b_tt_r q__l_ty _nk. _ps_n s__d: "_s n_n-g_n__n_ _nks _r_ n_t d_s_gn_d _r t_st_d by _ps_n, w_ c_nn_t g__r_nt__ th_s_ _nks w_ll n_t d_m_g_ th_ pr_nt_r."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

when we think of expensive liquids quality champagne or french perfumes come to mind you might be surprised to discover that printer ink is one of the worlds costliest liquids a survey from the uk consumer watchdog which revealed that some printer ink that is sold by tech companies is pricier than many champagnes it reported that printer ink from printer makers can be up to 286 more expensive than alternative ink from companies that do not make printers the watchdog said that some branded printer ink can cost as much as 846 a litre a consumer rights expert from which said printer ink shouldnt cost more than a bottle of highend champagne or chanel no 5

which said nonbranded ink cartridges can be as good as if not better than the cartridges made by the big printer makers the expert said weve found that there are lots of thirdparty products that are outperforming their branded counterparts at a fraction of the cost which calculated that buying nonbranded ink could save consumers around 398 a year it added that deciding which ink to put in a printer should be a personal choice and not dictated by the make of your printer printer manufacturers said they produce better quality ink epson said as nongenuine inks are not designed or tested by epson we cannot guarantee these inks will not damage the printer

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Whenwethinkofexpensiveliquids,qualitychampagneorFrenchperfu
mescometomind.Youmightbesurprisedtodiscoverthatprinterinkison
eoftheworld'scostliestliquids.AsurveyfromtheU.K.consumerwatchd
og"Which?"revealedthatsomeprinterinkthatissoldbytechcompanies
ispricierthanmanychampagnes.Itreportedthatprinterinkfromprinter
makerscanbeupto286%moreexpensivethanalternativeinkfromcom
paniesthatdonotmakeprinters.Thewatchdogsaidthatsomebrandedp
rinterinkcancostasmuchas$846alitre.Aconsumerrightsexpertfrom
Which?said:"Printerinkshouldn'tcostmorethanabottleofhigh-endc
hampagneorChanelNo5."Which?saidnon-brandedinkcartridgesca
nbeasgoodas,ifnotbetterthanthecartridgesmadebythebigprinterma
kers.Theexpertsaid:"We'vefoundthattherearelotsofthird-partypro
ductsthatareoutperformingtheirbrandedcounterpartsatafractionoft
hecost."Which?calculatedthatbuyingnon-brandedinkcouldsavec
onsumersaround$398ayear.Itaddedthatdecidingwhichinktoputinap
rintershouldbe"apersonalchoiceandnotdictatedbythemakeofyourpri
nter".Printermanufacturerssaidtheyproducebetterqualityink.Epson
said:"Asnon-genuineinksarenotdesignedortestedbyEpson,wecan
notguaranteetheseinkswillnotdamagetheprinter."

Free writing

Write about printer ink for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Consumers should be able to put non-branded ink in their printers. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. PRINTER INK: Make a poster about printer ink. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. NON-BRANDED PRINTER INK: Write a magazine article about stopping printer companies from using technology that blocks the use of non-branded ink in their printers. 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 printer ink. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on the price of printer ink. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: Printer Ink

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