The Reading / Listening - Toys - Level 3

Toys R Us is planning to open 120 new stores in the USA in the near future. The toy retail giant said the new stores will increase the number of its stores from 40 to 160. The company said it wants shoppers to have more places to buy toys, gifts and collectibles. The new stores will sell popular brands such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokemon and KPop Demon Hunters. Some stores will also have candy shops inside them. Others will have fun, family-friendly cafes that will have a toy-themed atmosphere. A company executive said: "This is a major moment for Toys R Us." He added that the company is growing in different areas, including stores in malls, airports and other locations.

The new stores are an important part of the company's comeback in America. Toys R Us closed its last U.S. stores in 2018 after it filed for bankruptcy. It reopened two physical stores in 2019. In 2022, it began opening shops inside the famous American department store Macy's. Toys R Us now has about 400 shops inside Macy's stores across the USA. The company says toys are becoming more popular with adults as well as with children. The market research company Circana said toy sales among adults are particularly strong. A vice-president at Circana said toys are becoming "hobbies, fandom ecosystems, and social experiences" for adults rather than just toys for children.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Toys - Level 0,  Toys - Level 1   or  Toys - Level 2

Sources
  • https://abcnews.com/GMA/News/toys-us-planning-major-comeback-ahead-holiday-season/story
  • https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/retail/2026/09/19/toys-r-us-expands-with-120-new-stores-across-the-us/91850087007/
  • https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/toys-r-us-opening-120-new-stores-rcna598543


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. TOY STORES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about toy stores. 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?
       toys / stores / retail giants / shoppers / gifts / collectibles / brands / cafes / airports /
       bankruptcy / department store / adults / hobbies / social experiences / children
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DIGITAL TOYS: Students A strongly believe digital toys are better than physical toys; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BETTER TOY STORES: How can you improve the following areas of toy stores? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Improvements

Why?

Store layout

 

 

Price

 

 

Customer service

 

 

Online shopping

 

 

Store appearance

 

 

Product variety

 

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

  • Video games
  • Dolls
  • Puzzles
  • Soft toys
  • Board games
  • Remote-controlled toys
  • Musical toys
  • Building toys

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

1. the near future a. The business of selling things to people.
2. retail b. Things that people like to collect.
3. giant c. Places where something is or happens.
4. collectibles d. A very large or important company or business.
5. brands e. The feeling or mood of a place.
6. atmosphere f. A time that will happen soon.
7. locations g. Names that companies use for their products.

    Paragraph 2

      8. comeback h. A situation in which a company cannot pay its debts and has to close or reorganize.
      9. bankruptcy i. Shops that people can visit in person, rather than shops that only sell things online.
      10. physical stores j. A system of connected parts that work together.
      11. popular k. The amount or number of things that are sold.
      12. sales l. Liked by many people.
      13. particularly m. A return to success after a difficult time.
      14. ecosystems n. More than usual or more than other things.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Toys R Us will open 120 new stores over the next few years.     T / F
  2. The company said the stores will only sell collectibles.     T / F
  3. Some of the new shops will have cafes and candy stores.     T / F
  4. Some of the new stores will be in airports.     T / F
  5. Toys R Us is making a comeback after closing its stores in 2018.     T / F
  6. The company has around 400 stores in a US chain of malls.     T / F
  7. Toys R Us said toys are becoming popular with adults.     T / F
  8. A market research company said toys are social experiences for kids.     T / F

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

  1. increase
  2. popular
  3. candy
  4. atmosphere
  5. locations
  6. comeback
  7. filed
  8. famous
  9. particularly
  10. experiences
  1. applied
  2. feel
  3. especially
  4. well liked
  5. well known
  6. places
  7. expand
  8. return
  9. events
  10. sweets

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

  1. open 120 new stores in the USA
  2. new stores will sell popular brands
  3. family-
  4. This is a major
  5. the company is growing
  6. an important part of the company's
  7. it filed
  8. toys are becoming more
  9. social
  10. rather than just
  1. friendly cafes
  2. popular with adults
  3. in different areas
  4. toys for children
  5. comeback
  6. moment for Toys R Us
  7. in the near future
  8. experiences for adults
  9. such as LEGO
  10. for bankruptcy

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
collectibles
friendly
near
candy
locations
number
growing
moment

Toys R Us is planning to open 120 new stores in the USA in the (1) ______________________________________________ future. The toy retail giant said the new stores will increase the (2) ______________________________________________ of its stores from 40 to 160. The company said it wants shoppers to have more places to buy toys, gifts and (3) ______________________________________________. The new stores will sell popular brands such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokemon and KPop Demon Hunters. Some stores will also have (4) ______________________________________________ shops inside them. Others will have fun, family-(5) ______________________________________________ cafes that will have a toy-themed atmosphere. A company executive said: "This is a major (6) ______________________________________________ for Toys R Us." He added that the company is (7) ______________________________________________ in different areas, including stores in malls, airports and other (8) ______________________________________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
across
filed
among
children
famous
hobbies
comeback
becoming

The new stores are an important part of the company's (9) ______________________________________________ in America. Toys R Us closed its last U.S. stores in 2018 after it (10) ______________________________________________ for bankruptcy. It reopened two physical stores in 2019. In 2022, it began opening shops inside the (11) ______________________________________________ American department store Macy's. Toys R Us now has about 400 shops inside Macy's stores (12) ______________________________________________ the USA. The company says toys are (13) ______________________________________________ more popular with adults as well as with children. The market research company Circana said toy sales (14) ______________________________________________ adults are particularly strong. A vice-president at Circana said toys are becoming "(15) ______________________________________________, fandom ecosystems, and social experiences" for adults rather than just toys for (16) ______________________________________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Toys R Us is planning to open 120 new stores in the USA in ______
     a.  the near future
     b.  a near future
     c.  the nearly future
     d.  the near futures
2)  The toy retail giant said the new stores will increase the number ______
     a.  off its stores
     b.  of its stores
     c.  of it stores
     d.  of its store
3)  it wants shoppers to have more places to buy toys, ______
     a.  gift sand collectibles
     b.  gifts and collectible
     c.  grifts and collectibles
     d.  gifts and collectibles
4)  Others will have fun, family-friendly cafes that will have a ______
     a.  toy-themed atmospheric
     b.  toy-themed atmosphere
     c.  toy-them atmosphere
     d.  toy-teamed atmosphere
5)  the company is growing in different areas, including stores in malls, airports ______
     a.  end other locations
     b.  and another locations
     c.  and other location
     d.  and other locations

6)  The new stores are an important part of the company's ______
     a.  come backing America
     b.  came back in America
     c.  comeback in America
     d.  go back in America
7)  Toys R Us closed its last U.S. stores in 2018 after it ______
     a.  flied for bankruptcy
     b.  fired for bankruptcy
     c.  filed for bankruptcy
     d.  filled for bankruptcy
8)  Toys R Us now has about 400 shops inside Macy's stores ______
     a.  a cross the USA
     b.  a crosses the USA
     c.  a cress the USA
     d.  across the USA
9)  The market research company Circana said toy sales among adults ______
     a.  are particularly strong
     b.  have particularly strong
     c.  are particularly strength
     d.  are particularly strongly
10)  toys are becoming hobbies, fandom ecosystems, ______
     a.  and special experiences
     b.  and social experiences
     c.  and society experiences
     d.  and social experience

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Toys R Us is planning to open 120 new stores in the USA in (1) __________________________________________________. The toy retail giant said the new stores will (2) __________________________________________________ of its stores from 40 to 160. The company said it wants shoppers to have more places to buy toys, (3) __________________________________________________. The new stores will sell popular brands such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokemon and KPop Demon Hunters. Some stores will also have (4) __________________________________________________ them. Others will have fun, family-friendly cafes that will have a toy-themed atmosphere. A company executive said: "This is a (5) __________________________________________________ Toys R Us." He added that the company is growing in different areas, including stores in malls, airports (6) __________________________________________________.

The new stores are an important part of the (7) __________________________________________________ America. Toys R Us closed its last U.S. stores in 2018 after (8) __________________________________________________ bankruptcy. It reopened two physical stores in 2019. In 2022, it began opening shops (9) __________________________________________________ American department store Macy's. Toys R Us now has about 400 shops inside Macy's stores across the USA. The company says toys are becoming more (10) __________________________________________________ as well as with children. The market research company Circana said toy (11) __________________________________________________ are particularly strong. A vice-president at Circana said toys are becoming "hobbies, fandom ecosystems, and social experiences" for adults (12) __________________________________________________ toys for children.

Comprehension questions

  1. When will Toys R Us open the new stores?
  2. What does Toys R Us want shoppers to buy besides toys and gifts?
  3. What will some stores have inside them besides candy shops?
  4. What kind of cafes will other stores have?
  5. Where will Toys R Us open stores besides malls?
  6. Where does the article say Toys R Us is making a comeback?
  7. What did Toys R Us file for after it closed two stores in 2018?
  8. How many stores does Toys R Us have inside Macy's?
  9. Who are toys becoming more popular with?
  10. What kind of company is Circana?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When will Toys R Us open the new stores?
a) over the next decade
b) this year
c) in the near future
d) next year
2) What does Toys R Us want shoppers to buy besides toys and gifts?
a) collectibles
b) clothes
c) concert tickets
d) stocks
3) What will some stores have inside them besides candy shops?
a) karaoke
b) cafes
c) photo booths
d) games arcades
4) What kind of cafes will other stores have?
a) pet cafes
b) international chain cafes
c) children's cafes
d) family-friendly cafes
5) Where will Toys R Us open stores besides malls?
a) next to supermarkets
b) train stations
c) airports
d) near schools

6) Where does the article say Toys R Us is making a comeback?
a) in Asia
b) in America
c) online
d) all over the world
7) What did Toys R Us file for after it closed two stores in 2018?
a) government loans
b) copyright protection
c) tax returns
d) bankruptcy
8) How many stores does Toys R Us have inside Macy's?
a) exactly 400
b) around 400
c) just fewer than 400
d) just over 400
9) Who are toys becoming more popular with?
a) pensioners
b) adults
c) business people
d) pets
10) What kind of company is Circana?
a) a market research company
b) a toy maker
c) a bank
d) a business consultancy

Role play

Role  A – Video Games
You think video games are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): soft toys, board games or building toys.

Role  B – Soft Toys
You think soft toys are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): video games, board games or building toys.

Role  C – Board Games
You think board games are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): soft toys, video games or building toys.

Role  D – Building Toys
You think building toys are the best toys. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their toys. Also, tell the others which is the least fun of these (and why): soft toys, board games or video games.

After reading / listening

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

'toy'

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

    • and 'store'.

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

    • • 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:

    • planning
    • number
    • places
    • brands
    • candy
    • growing
    • comeback
    • filed
    • famous
    • well
    • sales
    • vice

    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 - Toys

    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 'toy'?
    3. What do you know about Toys R Us?
    4. What do you think of toy stores?
    5. What were your favourite toys when you were a child?
    6. What are your favourite toy stores?
    7. Which is better, LEGO or Pokemon?
    8. What do you think of toy stores having cafes inside them?
    9. What do you think of having toy stores at airports?
    10. What is the best toy ever made?

    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 'store'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Are physical toys better than digital toys?
    5. Should all toys be unisex?
    6. What do you think of department stores?
    7. What do you think of adults playing with toys?
    8. What toys did children have 100 years ago?
    9. What toy would you like to play with right now?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the boss of Toys R Us?

    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)

    Toys R Us is planning (1) ____ open 120 new stores in the USA in the near future. The toy retail giant said the new stores will increase the number (2) ____ its stores from 40 to 160. The company said it wants (3) ____ to have more places to buy toys, gifts and collectibles. The new stores will sell popular brands such as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokemon and KPop Demon Hunters. (4) ____ stores will also have candy shops inside them. Others will have fun, family-(5) ____ cafes that will have a toy-themed atmosphere. A company executive said: "This is a major moment for Toys R Us." He added (6) ____ the company is growing in different areas, including stores in malls, airports and other locations.

    The new stores are an (7) ____ part of the company's comeback in America. Toys R Us closed its last U.S. stores in 2018 after it (8) ____ for bankruptcy. It reopened two physical stores in 2019. In 2022, it began opening shops inside the famous American department store Macy's. Toys R Us now has about 400 shops inside Macy's stores across the USA. The company says toys are (9) ____ more popular with adults as well (10) ____ with children. The market research company Circana said toy sales among adults are particularly (11) ____. A vice-president at Circana said toys are becoming "hobbies, fandom ecosystems, and social experiences" for adults rather than (12) ____ toys for children.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     to     (b)     for     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     as    
    (a)     shops     (b)     shopping     (c)     shoppers     (d)     shoplifters    
    (a)     Every     (b)     Much     (c)     Any     (d)     Some    
    (a)     friendly     (b)     friend     (c)     friends     (d)     befriend    
    (a)     which     (b)     that     (c)     such     (d)     what    
    (a)     importantly     (b)     importance     (c)     import     (d)     important    
    (a)     flied     (b)     filed     (c)     filled     (d)     fled    
    (a)     becomes     (b)     become     (c)     becoming     (d)     became    
    (a)     for     (b)     has     (c)     what     (d)     as    
    (a)     strongly     (b)     strengthen     (c)     strength     (d)     strong    
    (a)     adjust     (b)     just     (c)     justly     (d)     justice

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the toy laerti giant
    2. the new stores will sell apluorp brands
    3. family-friendly ecfsa
    4. have a toy-themed marehostep
    5. a company ceeitvuex
    6. airports and other slotnoica

    Paragraph 2

    1. part of the company's kmbaceoc in America
    2. after it filed for kyanrctbup
    3. It reopened two csphaliy stores in 2019
    4. the market sehreacr company
    5. rrctuyialapl strong
    6. social esiceernpex

    Put the text back together

    (    )   "hobbies, fandom ecosystems, and social experiences" for adults rather than just toys for children.
    (    )   2018 after it filed for bankruptcy. It reopened two physical stores in 2019. In 2022, it began opening shops
    (    )   across the USA. The company says toys are becoming more popular with adults as well as with
    (    )   adults are particularly strong. A vice-president at Circana said toys are becoming
    (    )   as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokemon and KPop Demon Hunters. Some stores will also have candy shops
    (    )   buy toys, gifts and collectibles. The new stores will sell popular brands such
    (    )   children. The market research company Circana said toy sales among
    (    )   executive said: "This is a major moment for Toys R Us." He added that the company is
    (    )   growing in different areas, including stores in malls, airports and other locations.
    (    )   inside the famous American department store Macy's. Toys R Us now has about 400 shops inside Macy's stores
    (    )   inside them. Others will have fun, family-friendly cafes that will have a toy-themed atmosphere. A company
    (    )   stores will increase the number of its stores from 40 to 160. The company said it wants shoppers to have more places to
    (    )   The new stores are an important part of the company's comeback in America. Toys R Us closed its last U.S. stores in
    (  1  )   Toys R Us is planning to open 120 new stores in the USA in the near future. The toy retail giant said the new

    Put the words in the right order

    1. 120   It   is   new   open   planning   stores   to   .
    2. It   have   more   places   shoppers   to   wants   .
    3. a   atmosphere   cafes   Friendly   have   that   toy-themed   will   .
    4. a   for   is   major   moment   store   the   This   .
    5. areas   company   different   growing   in   is   The   .
    6. an   company's   comeback   It's   important   of   part   the   .
    7. 2019   physical   reopened   stores   It   two   in   .
    8. American   department   famous   inside   Opening  shops   store   the  .
    9. adults   becoming   more   popular   Toys   are   with   .
    10. adults   just   rather   experiences   for   Social   than   toys   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Toys R Us is planning / plans to open 120 new stores in the USA in the nearly / near future. The toy retail giant said the new stores will increase the number of them / its stores from 40 to 160. The company said it wants shoppers / shops to have more places to buy toys, gifts and collectibles. The new stores will sell popular brands such was / as LEGO, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Pokemon and KPop Demon Hunters. Some stores will also have / be candy shops inside them. Others will have fun, family-friendly cafes what / that will have a toy-themed atmosphere. A company executive spoke / said: "This is a major moment for Toys R Us." He added that the company is grown / growing in different areas, including stores in malls, airports and other / another locations.

    The new stores are a / an important part of the company's comeback in America. Toys R Us closed its lastly / last U.S. stores in 2018 after it filed / filled for bankruptcy. It reaped / reopened two physical stores in 2019. In 2022, it began opening shops inside the famous / infamous American department store Macy's. Toys R Us now has about 400 shops inside Macy's stores across the USA. The company says toys are become / becoming more popular with adults as well as / what with children. The market research company Circana said toy sales between / among adults are particularly / peculiar strong. A vice-president at Circana said toys are becoming "hobbies, fandom ecosystems, and social experiences" foradults rather / prefer than just toys for children.

    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)

    T_ys  R  _s  _s  pl_nn_ng  t_  _p_n  120  n_w  st_r_s  _n  th_  _S_  _n  th_  n__r  f_t_r_.  Th_  t_y  r_t__l  g__nt  s__d  th_  n_w  st_r_s  w_ll  _ncr__s_  th_  n_mb_r  _f  _ts  st_r_s  fr_m  40  t_  160.  Th_  c_mp_ny  s__d  _t  w_nts  sh_pp_rs  t_  h_v_  m_r_  pl_c_s  t_  b_y  t_ys,  g_fts  _nd  c_ll_ct_bl_s.  Th_  n_w  st_r_s  w_ll  s_ll  p_p_l_r  br_nds  s_ch  _s  L_G_,  B_rb__,  H_t  Wh__ls,  P_k_m_n  _nd  KP_p  D_m_n  H_nt_rs.  S_m_  st_r_s  w_ll  _ls_  h_v_  c_ndy  sh_ps  _ns_d_  th_m.  _th_rs  w_ll  h_v_  f_n,  f_m_ly-fr__ndly  c_f_s  th_t  w_ll  h_v_  _  t_y-th_m_d  _tm_sph_r_.  _  c_mp_ny  _x_c_t_v_  s__d:  "Th_s  _s  _  m_j_r  m_m_nt  f_r  T_ys  R  _s."  H_  _dd_d  th_t  th_  c_mp_ny  _s  gr_w_ng  _n  d_ff_r_nt  _r__s,  _ncl_d_ng  st_r_s  _n  m_lls,  __rp_rts  _nd  _th_r  l_c_t__ns.

    Th_  n_w  st_r_s  _r_  _n  _mp_rt_nt  p_rt  _f  th_  c_mp_ny's  c_m_b_ck  _n  _m_r_c_.  T_ys  R  _s  cl_s_d  _ts  l_st  _.S.  st_r_s  _n  2018  _ft_r  _t  f_l_d  f_r  b_nkr_ptcy.  _t  r__p_n_d  tw_  phys_c_l  st_r_s  _n  2019.  _n  2022,  _t  b_g_n  _p_n_ng  sh_ps  _ns_d_  th_  f_m__s  _m_r_c_n  d_p_rtm_nt  st_r_  M_cy's.  T_ys  R  _s  n_w  h_s  _b__t  400  sh_ps  _ns_d_  M_cy's  st_r_s  _cr_ss  th_  _S_.  Th_  c_mp_ny  s_ys  t_ys  _r_  b_c_m_ng  m_r_  p_p_l_r  w_th  _d_lts  _s  w_ll  _s  w_th  ch_ldr_n.  Th_  m_rk_t  r_s__rch  c_mp_ny  C_rc_n_  s__d  t_y  s_l_s  _m_ng  _d_lts  _r_  p_rt_c_l_rly  str_ng.  _  v_c_-pr_s_d_nt  _t  C_rc_n_  s__d  t_ys  _r_  b_c_m_ng  "h_bb__s,  f_nd_m  _c_syst_ms,  _nd  s_c__l  _xp_r__nc_s"  f_r  _d_lts  r_th_r  th_n  j_st  t_ys  f_r  ch_ldr_n.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    toys r us is planning to open 120 new stores in the usa in the near future the toy retail giant said the new stores will increase the number of its stores from 40 to 160 the company said it wants shoppers to have more places to buy toys gifts and collectibles the new stores will sell popular brands such as lego barbie hot wheels pokemon and kpop demon hunters some stores will also have candy shops inside them others will have fun family friendly cafes that will have a toy themed atmosphere a company executive said this is a major moment for toys r us he added that the company is growing in different areas including stores in malls airports and other locations

    the new stores are an important part of the companys comeback in america toys r us closed its last us stores in 2018 after it filed for bankruptcy it reopened two physical stores in 2019 in 2022 it began opening shops inside the famous american department store macys toys r us now has about 400 shops inside macys stores across the usa the company says toys are becoming more popular with adults as well as with children the market research company circana said toy sales among adults are particularly strong a vice president at circana said toys are becoming hobbies fandom ecosystems and social experiences for adults rather than just toys for children

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ToysRUsisplanningtoopen120newstoresintheUSAinthenearfuture.T
    hetoyretailgiantsaidthenewstoreswillincreasethenumberofitsstores
    from40to160.Thecompanysaiditwantsshopperstohavemoreplacest
    obuytoys,giftsandcollectibles.Thenewstoreswillsellpopularbrandssu
    chasLEGO,Barbie,HotWheels,PokemonandKPopDemonHunters.So
    mestoreswillalsohavecandyshopsinsidethem.Otherswillhavefun,fa
    mily-friendlycafesthatwillhaveatoy-themedatmosphere.Acompany
    executivesaid:"ThisisamajormomentforToysRUs."Headdedthatthec
    ompanyisgrowingindifferentareas,includingstoresinmalls,airportsa
    ndotherlocations.Thenewstoresareanimportantpartofthecompany's
    comebackinAmerica.ToysRUscloseditslastU.S.storesin2018afteritfil
    edforbankruptcy.Itreopenedtwophysicalstoresin2019.In2022,itbeg
    anopeningshopsinsidethefamousAmericandepartmentstoreMacy's.
    ToysRUsnowhasabout400shopsinsideMacy'sstoresacrosstheUSA.T
    hecompanysaystoysarebecomingmorepopularwithadultsaswellasw
    ithchildren.ThemarketresearchcompanyCircanasaidtoysalesamong
    adultsareparticularlystrong.Avice-presidentatCircanasaidtoysareb
    ecoming"hobbies,fandomecosystems,andsocialexperiences"foradu
    ltsratherthanjusttoysforchildren.

    Free writing

    Write about Toys R Us for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Physical toys and games are better than online ones. 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. TOYS: Make a poster about toys. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. PHYSICAL TOYS: Write a magazine article about encouraging sales of physical toys rather than digital ones. 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 toys. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on toy stores. 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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