The Reading / Listening - Chinese Cars - Level 6

China is set to become the world's largest automobile exporter for the first time. In the first quarter of this year, China surpassed traditional car-making giants Japan and Germany for the first time. Chinese manufacturers exported more than 1.06 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2023. In doing so, they overtook Japan's number of 1.05 million. China's car industry has made great strides in the past few years. Throughout the 2010s, it managed to produce around a million cars a year. That doubled to two million in 2021 and then tripled to three million a year later. China is forecast to more than quadruple production numbers from just four years ago to become the world's largest auto exporter.

China is becoming the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs). Elon Musk's Tesla has a giant "gigafactory" in China. It has a capacity of 1.25 million vehicles a year, but is yet to reach maximum output. The plant exports a large volume of Tesla cars to Canada, Europe and Japan. However, Tesla is about to lose its crown as the world's largest EV maker to a Chinese company called BYD. Last month, BYD launched a compact EV called Seagull, with a starting price of $11,000. The top three countries that China exports cars to are Russia, the United States and Mexico. Exports to Russia have been boosted by Western countries imposing trade sanctions on Moscow.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Chinese Cars - Level 4  or  Chinese Cars - Level 5

Sources
  • https://carnewschina.com/2023/05/13/china-became-the-worlds-largest-vehicle-exporter-in-q1-2023-surpassing-japan/
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65643064
  • https://www.businessinsider.com/cheap-chinese-electric-cars-will-upend-the-us-vehicle-market-2023-5


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. CHINESE CAR COMPANIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Chinese car companies. 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?
       China / automobile / exports / car-making giants / manufacturers / tripled / numbers /
       the world's largest / gigafactory / capacity / crown / electric vehicle / trade sanctions
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ELECTRIC CARS: Students A strongly believe electric cars are great for the environment; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CARS: What do you know and think about the cars from these countries? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Think

Chinese cars

 

 

German cars

 

 

Japanese cars

 

 

British cars

 

 

American cars

 

 

Italian cars

 

 

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

  • Electric cars
  • Buses
  • Trains
  • Ferries
  • E-scooters
  • Bicycles
  • Subways
  • Rickshaws

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. set a. Became three times as much or as many.
      2. quarter b. One of four three-month periods of the financial year.
      3. surpassed c. A thing used for transporting people or goods, especially on land, such as a car, lorry, bus, etc.
      4. vehicle d. Ready or likely to.
      5. made great strides e. Increase or be increased fourfold.
      6. tripled f. Exceeded; was greater than.
      7. quadruple g. Progressed or advanced a lot.

    Paragraph 2

      8. manufacturer h. The amount of something produced by a person, machine, or industry.
      9. gigafactory i. The amount of something that something can produce.
      10. capacity j. A small car.
      11. output k. A person or company that makes goods for sale.
      12. crown l. A really, really, really big building in which to make things.
      13. compact m. Actions taken by countries to get another country to stop doing something or change its behaviour.
      14. sanctions n. The role of being the best at or top of something.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. China is set to be the world's leading car exporter again.     T / F
  2. China exported more than one million more cars than Japan in 2023.     T / F
  3. China quadrupled its car exports in 2023 from a year earlier.     T / F
  4. China's car exports will be four times bigger in 2023 than in 2019.     T / F
  5. Tesla said it would build its first "gigafactory" in China.     T / F
  6. Tesla will soon be overtaken as the world's leading EV manufacturer.     T / F
  7. A Chinese company has priced its electric car at $11,000.     T / F
  8. China's car exports to Russia went up because of trade sanctions.   T / F

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

  1. surpassed
  2. manufacturers
  3. forecast
  4. quadruple
  5. auto
  6. giant
  7. output
  8. crown
  9. compact
  10. imposing
  1. predicted
  2. car
  3. title
  4. makers
  5. enormous
  6. applying
  7. overtook
  8. small
  9. increase fourfold
  10. production

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

  1. China is set
  2. In the first
  3. China's car industry has made
  4. That doubled
  5. China is forecast to more than
  6. It has a capacity
  7. yet to reach
  8. Tesla is about to lose its crown as
  9. Exports to Russia have been
  10. Western countries imposing
  1. to two million in 2021
  2. quadruple production
  3. boosted
  4. trade sanctions on Moscow
  5. quarter of this year
  6. the world's largest EV maker
  7. to become the world's largest
  8. maximum output
  9. great strides
  10. of 1.25 million vehicles

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
strides
quarter
exporter
giants
forecast
automobile
tripled
managed

China is set to become the world's largest (1) _____________________ exporter for the first time. In the first quarter of this year, China surpassed traditional car-making (2) _____________________ Japan and Germany for the first time. Chinese manufacturers exported more than 1.06 million vehicles in the first (3) _____________________ of 2023. In doing so, they overtook Japan's number of 1.05 million. China's car industry has made great (4) _____________________ in the past few years. Throughout the 2010s, it (5) _____________________ to produce around a million cars a year. That doubled to two million in 2021 and then (6) _____________________ to three million a year later. China is (7) _____________________ to more than quadruple production numbers from just four years ago to become the world's largest auto (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
capacity
launched
sanctions
giant
boosted
crown
maximum
top

China is becoming the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs). Elon Musk's Tesla has a (9) _____________________ "gigafactory" in China. It has a (10) _____________________ of 1.25 million vehicles a year, but is yet to reach (11) _____________________ output. The plant exports a large volume of Tesla cars to Canada, Europe and Japan. However, Tesla is about to lose its (12) _____________________ as the world's largest EV maker to a Chinese company called BYD. Last month, BYD (13) _____________________ a compact EV called Seagull, with a starting price of $11,000. The (14) _____________________ three countries that China exports cars to are Russia, the United States and Mexico. Exports to Russia have been (15) _____________________ by Western countries imposing trade (16) _____________________ on Moscow.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  the world's largest automobile exporter for the first time. In ______
     a.  the first quality
     b.  the first caution
     c.  the first cauterize
     d.  the first quarter
2)  China's car industry has ______
     a.  made great slides
     b.  made great asides
     c.  made great astride
     d.  made great strides
3)  That doubled to two million in 2021 ______
     a.  and then tripped
     b.  and then trapsed
     c.  and then tripled
     d.  and then dribbled
4)  China is forecast to more than ______
     a.  quadruplet production numbers
     b.  quadruple production numbers
     c.  quad ruble production numbers
     d.  quadrupled production numbers
5)  just four years ago to become the world's ______
     a.  largest anti-exporter
     b.  largest auto exporter
     c.  largest ought to exporter
     d.  largest ore to exporter

6)  China is becoming the world's largest manufacturer ______
     a.  of electric vehicles
     b.  of electrician vehicles
     c.  of electrically vehicles
     d.  of electrics vehicles
7)  It has a capacity of 1.25 million vehicles a year, but is yet to ______
     a.  reach maximum output
     b.  breach maximum output
     c.  leach maximum output
     d.  wish maximum output
8)  However, Tesla is about to ______
     a.  lose its glow
     b.  lose its gown
     c.  lose its clown
     d.  lose its crown
9)  Last month, BYD launched ______
     a.  a comp act EV
     b.  ache on pact EV
     c.  a compact EV
     d.  ache impact EV
10)  boosted by Western countries imposing trade ______
     a.  suctions on Moscow
     b.  sanctuaries on Moscow
     c.  sanctions on Moscow
     d.  stations on Moscow

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

China is set to become the world's largest automobile (1) ________________ first time. In the first quarter of this year, China (2) ___________________-making giants Japan and Germany for the first time. Chinese manufacturers exported more than 1.06 million vehicles in (3) ____________________ of 2023. In doing so, they overtook Japan's number of 1.05 million. China's car industry has made (4) ____________________ the past few years. Throughout the 2010s, it managed to produce around a million cars a year. That doubled to two million in 2021 and (5) ____________________ three million a year later. China is forecast to more than quadruple production numbers from just four years ago to become the world's (6) ____________________.

China is becoming the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs). Elon Musk's Tesla has a giant "gigafactory" in China. It (7) ____________________ of 1.25 million vehicles a year, but is yet to reach maximum output. The plant exports a (8) ____________________ Tesla cars to Canada, Europe and Japan. However, Tesla is about to lose (9) ____________________ the world's largest EV maker to a Chinese company called BYD. Last month, BYD (10) ____________________ EV called Seagull, with a starting price of $11,000. The top three countries that China (11) ____________________ are Russia, the United States and Mexico. Exports to Russia have been boosted by Western countries imposing (12) ____________________ Moscow.

Comprehension questions

  1. When did China become the world's largest automobile exporter?
  2. What countries did China overtake to become the largest exporter?
  3. How many cars did Japan export in the first three months of 2023?
  4. By how much did China's auto exports rise in 2021?
  5. How much bigger will China's car exports be in 2023 than in 2019?
  6. Which company has a "gigafactory" in China?
  7. Which company will soon be the world's largest exporter of EVs?
  8. How much is a new compact EV selling for?
  9. What are the three countries China exports the most cars to?
  10. What does the article say Western countries have imposed on Russia?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When did China become the world's largest automobile exporter?
a) last week
b) last year
c) the first quarter of 2023
d) February of this year
2) What countries did China overtake to become the largest exporter?
a) Japan and Germany
b) Italy and France
c) Germany and the USA
d) the USA and South Korea
3) How many cars did Japan export in the first three months of 2023?
a) 1.06 million
b) 1.05 million
c) 1.04 million
d) 1.03 million
4) By how much did China's auto exports rise in 2021?
a) they tripled
b) they quadrupled
c) they quintupled
d) they doubled
5) How much bigger will China's car exports be in 2023 than in 2019?
a) three times bigger
b) two times bigger
c) four times bigger
d) five times bigger

6) Which company has a "gigafactory" in China?
a) Nissan
b) Tesla
c) Hyundai
d) Ford
7) Which company will soon be the world's largest exporter of EVs?
a) DYB
b) YBD
c) BDY
d) BYD
8) How much is a new compact EV selling for?
a) $12,000
b) $11,000
c) $10,000
d) $18,000
9) What are the three countries China exports the most cars to?
a) South Korea, Thailand and Australia
b) Russia, the United States and Mexico
c) the USA, Canada and Brazil
d) the UK, France and Italy
10) What does the article say Western countries have imposed on Russia?
a) tariffs
b) regulations
c) import duties
d) trade sanctions

Role play

Role  A – Electric Cars
You think electric cars are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): trains, e-scooters or bicycles.

Role  B – Trains
You think trains are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): electric cars, e-scooters or bicycles.

Role  C – E-scooters
You think e-scooters are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): trains, electric cars or bicycles.

Role  D – Bicycles
You think bicycles are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their forms. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): trains, e-scooters or electric cars.

After reading / listening

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

'China'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'car'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • traditional
    • 1.06
    • overtook
    • great
    • produce
    • numbers
    • giant
    • yet
    • crown
    • launched
    • top
    • trade

    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 - Chinese Cars

    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 'China'?
    3. What do you think of China being the world's biggest car maker?
    4. What do you think of German cars?
    5. What are your favourite cars?
    6. What goods made in China do you buy?
    7. What car makers do you have in your country?
    8. Why is China becoming the world's leading auto maker?
    9. How many more cars can the world cope with?
    10. Should we be looking at reducing the number of cars on the roads?

    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 'car'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of Japanese cars?
    5. What do you think of American cars?
    6. What do you think of electric cars?
    7. What do you think of Tesla?
    8. Should we all be buying compact cars?
    9. What will cars of the future be like?
    10. What questions would you like to ask auto makers?

    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)

    China is set to become the world's largest automobile exporter for the first time. In the (1) ____ quarter of this year, China surpassed traditional car-making (2) ____ Japan and Germany for the first time. Chinese manufacturers exported more than 1.06 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2023. In doing (3) ____, they overtook Japan's number of 1.05 million. China's car industry has made great (4) ____ in the past few years. Throughout the 2010s, it managed to produce around a million cars a year. That doubled (5) ____ two million in 2021 and then tripled to three million a year later. China is forecast to more than quadruple production numbers from just four years ago to become the world's largest (6) ____ exporter.

    China is becoming the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs). Elon Musk's Tesla has a giant "gigafactory" in China. It has a (7) ____ of 1.25 million vehicles a year, but is (8) ____ to reach maximum output. The plant exports a large volume of Tesla cars to Canada, Europe and Japan. However, Tesla is about to lose its (9) ____ as the world's largest EV maker to a Chinese company called BYD. Last month, BYD launched a compact EV called Seagull, with a (10) ____ price of $11,000. The top three countries that China exports cars (11) ____ are Russia, the United States and Mexico. Exports to Russia have been boosted (12) ____ Western countries imposing trade sanctions on Moscow.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     last     (b)     third     (c)     fast     (d)     first    
    2. (a)     mammoth     (b)     colossus     (c)     dwarf     (d)     giant    
    3. (a)     such     (b)     so     (c)     though     (d)     these    
    4. (a)     slides     (b)     spades     (c)     strides     (d)     studs    
    5. (a)     too     (b)     two     (c)     to     (d)     at    
    6. (a)     auto     (b)     ought to     (c)     otter     (d)     other    
    7. (a)     climax     (b)     capacity     (c)     certainty     (d)     contrail    
    8. (a)     yet     (b)     bet     (c)     let     (d)     met    
    9. (a)     cloak     (b)     crown     (c)     sword     (d)     orb    
    10. (a)     initial     (b)     pre-     (c)     starting     (d)     money    
    11. (a)     from     (b)     at     (c)     to     (d)     of    
    12. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     by

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the world's largest alooembtui exporter
    2. suarepdss traditional car-making giants
    3. 1.06 million hleicesv
    4. made great stridse in the past few years
    5. rtelpdi to three million
    6. more than qaplerduu production

    Paragraph 2

    1. the world's largest aafrteumnurc
    2. Tesla has a giant iaargctyfog in China
    3. It has a payacict of 1.25 million
    4. The plant exports a large uolemv
    5. BYD launched a ccaoptm EV
    6. imposing trade saoticnsn on Moscow

    Put the text back together

    (...)   "gigafactory" in China. It has a capacity of 1.25 million vehicles a year, but is yet to reach maximum
    (...)   of this year, China surpassed traditional car-making giants Japan and Germany for the first
    (...)   time. Chinese manufacturers exported more than 1.06 million vehicles in the first quarter
    (...)   have been boosted by Western countries imposing trade sanctions on Moscow.
    (...)   to two million in 2021 and then tripled to three million a year later. China is forecast to more than
    (...)   of 2023. In doing so, they overtook Japan's number of 1.05 million. China's car industry has made great
    (...)   exports cars to are Russia, the United States and Mexico. Exports to Russia
    (...)   quadruple production numbers from just four years ago to become the world's largest auto exporter.
    (...) China is set to become the world's largest automobile exporter for the first time. In the first quarter
    (...)   EV called Seagull, with a starting price of $11,000. The top three countries that China
    (...)   output. The plant exports a large volume of Tesla cars to Canada, Europe and Japan. However, Tesla is about to lose its
    (...)   crown as the world's largest EV maker to a Chinese company called BYD. Last month, BYD launched a compact
    1  )   China is becoming the world's largest manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs). Elon Musk's Tesla has a giant
    (...)   strides in the past few years. Throughout the 2010s, it managed to produce around a million cars a year. That doubled

    Put the words in the right order

    1. become   the   automobile   world's   exporter   .   Set   largest   to
    2. the   first   2023   .   In   year   the   quarter   of
    3. car   industry   made   China's   strides   .   great   has
    4. doubled   That   to   in   two   2021   .   cars   million
    5. is   than   Chinese   to   forecast   more   quadruple   production   .
    6. cars   .   The   of   a   exports   large   volume   plant
    7. the   as   Lose   world's   its   crown   maker   .   largest
    8. compact   a   BYD   called   Seagull   .   EV   launched
    9. top   cars   China   The   countries   to   .   three   exports
    10. imposing   trade   Western   sanctions   countries   Moscow   .   on

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    China is set to become the world's largest automobile importer / exporter for the first time. In the first quarter of this year, China surplus / surpassed traditional car-making giants Japan and Germany for the first timing / time. Chinese manufacturers exported more than 1.06 million vehicles in the first quarter / quarterly of 2023. In doing / done so, they overtook Japan's number of 1.05 million. China's car industry has made great walks / strides in the past / post few years. Throughout the 2010s, it managed to produce around a million cars a year. That twice / doubled to two million in 2021 and then tripled / triplet to three million a year later. China is forecast / cast to more than quadruple production numbers from just four years ago to become the world's largest auto exporter.

    China is becoming the world's largest manufacturer by / of electric vehicles (EVs). Elon Musk's Tesla has a colossus / giant "gigafactory" in China. It has a capacity of / at 1.25 million vehicles a year, but is yet to breach / reach maximum output. The plant exports a large volume / sound of Tesla cars to Canada, Europe and Japan. However, Tesla is about to lose its crown / cap as the world's largest EV maker to a Chinese company called / name BYD. Last month, BYD launched a contact / compact EV called Seagull, with a starting price of $11,000. The top three countries that China exports cars from / to are Russia, the United States and Mexico. Exports to Russia have been boosted by Western countries imposing trade sanctions in / on Moscow.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Ch_n_  _s  s_t  t_  b_c_m_  th_  w_rld's  l_rg_st  __t_m_b_l_  _xp_rt_r  f_r  th_  f_rst  t_m_.  _n  th_  f_rst  q__rt_r  _f  th_s  y__r,  Ch_n_  s_rp_ss_d  tr_d_t__n_l  c_r-m_k_ng  g__nts  J_p_n  _nd  G_rm_ny  f_r  th_  f_rst  t_m_.  Ch_n_s_  m_n_f_ct_r_rs  _xp_rt_d  m_r_  th_n  1.06  m_ll__n  v_h_cl_s  _n  th_  f_rst  q__rt_r  _f  2023.  _n  d__ng  s_,  th_y  _v_rt__k  J_p_n's  n_mb_r  _f  1.05  m_ll__n.  Ch_n_'s  c_r  _nd_stry  h_s  m_d_  gr__t  str_d_s  _n  th_  p_st  f_w  y__rs.  Thr__gh__t  th_  2010s,  _t  m_n_g_d  t_  pr_d_c_  _r__nd  _  m_ll__n  c_rs  _  y__r.  Th_t  d__bl_d  t_  tw_  m_ll__n  _n  2021  _nd  th_n  tr_pl_d  t_  thr__  m_ll__n  _  y__r  l_t_r.  Ch_n_  _s  f_r_c_st  t_  m_r_  th_n  q__dr_pl_  pr_d_ct__n  n_mb_rs  fr_m  j_st  f__r  y__rs  _g_  t_  b_c_m_  th_  w_rld's  l_rg_st  __t_  _xp_rt_r.

    Ch_n_  _s  b_c_m_ng  th_  w_rld's  l_rg_st  m_n_f_ct_r_r  _f  _l_ctr_c  v_h_cl_s  (_Vs).  _l_n  M_sk's  T_sl_  h_s  _  g__nt  "g_g_f_ct_ry"  _n  Ch_n_.  _t  h_s  _  c_p_c_ty  _f  1.25  m_ll__n  v_h_cl_s  _  y__r,  b_t  _s  y_t  t_  r__ch  m_x_m_m  __tp_t.  Th_  pl_nt  _xp_rts  _  l_rg_  v_l_m_  _f  T_sl_  c_rs  t_  C_n_d_,  __r_p_  _nd  J_p_n.  H_w_v_r,  T_sl_  _s  _b__t  t_  l_s_  _ts  cr_wn  _s  th_  w_rld's  l_rg_st  _V  m_k_r  t_  _  Ch_n_s_  c_mp_ny  c_ll_d  BYD.  L_st  m_nth,  BYD  l__nch_d  _  c_mp_ct  _V  c_ll_d  S__g_ll,  w_th  _  st_rt_ng  pr_c_  _f  $11,000.  Th_  t_p  thr__  c__ntr__s  th_t  Ch_n_  _xp_rts  c_rs  t_  _r_  R_ss__,  th_  _n_t_d  St_t_s  _nd  M_x_c_.  _xp_rts  t_  R_ss__  h_v_  b__n  b__st_d  by  W_st_rn  c__ntr__s  _mp_s_ng  tr_d_  s_nct__ns  _n  M_sc_w.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    china is set to become the worlds largest automobile exporter for the first time in the first quarter of this year china surpassed traditional carmaking giants japan and germany for the first time chinese manufacturers exported more than 106 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2023 in doing so they overtook japans number of 105 million chinas car industry has made great strides in the past few years throughout the 2010s it managed to produce around a million cars a year that doubled to two million in 2021 and then tripled to three million a year later china is forecast to more than quadruple production numbers from just four years ago to become the worlds largest auto exporter

    china is becoming the worlds largest manufacturer of electric vehicles evs elon musks tesla has a giant gigafactory in china it has a capacity of 125 million vehicles a year but is yet to reach maximum output the plant exports a large volume of tesla cars to canada europe and japan however tesla is about to lose its crown as the worlds largest ev maker to a chinese company called byd last month byd launched a compact ev called seagull with a starting price of 11000 the top three countries that china exports cars to are russia the united states and mexico exports to russia have been boosted by western countries imposing trade sanctions on moscow

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Chinaissettobecometheworld'slargestautomobileexporterforthefirs
    ttime.Inthefirstquarterofthisyear,Chinasurpassedtraditionalcar-ma
    kinggiantsJapanandGermanyforthefirsttime.Chinesemanufacturers
    exportedmorethan1.06millionvehiclesinthefirstquarterof2023.Indo
    ingso,theyovertookJapan'snumberof1.05million.China'scarindustry
    hasmadegreatstridesinthepastfewyears.Throughoutthe2010s,itma
    nagedtoproducearoundamillioncarsayear.Thatdoubledtotwomillioni
    n2021andthentripledtothreemillionayearlater.Chinaisforecasttomo
    rethanquadrupleproductionnumbersfromjustfouryearsagotobecom
    etheworld'slargestautoexporter.Chinaisbecomingtheworld'slargest
    manufacturerofelectricvehicles(EVs).ElonMusk'sTeslahasagiant"gi
    gafactory"inChina.Ithasacapacityof1.25millionvehiclesayear,butisy
    ettoreachmaximumoutput.TheplantexportsalargevolumeofTeslaca
    rstoCanada,EuropeandJapan.However,Teslaisabouttoloseitscrown
    astheworld'slargestEVmakertoaChinesecompanycalledBYD.Lastmo
    nth,BYDlaunchedacompactEVcalledSeagull,withastartingpriceof$1
    1,000.ThetopthreecountriesthatChinaexportscarstoareRussia,theU
    nitedStatesandMexico.ExportstoRussiahavebeenboostedbyWester
    ncountriesimposingtradesanctionsonMoscow.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Electric cars are good for the environment. 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. CHINESE CAR COMPANIES: Make a poster about Chinese car companies. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Write a magazine article about electric vehicles. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.
    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 Chinese car companies. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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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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