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U.S. fast-food workers stop working (1st September, 2013)

Fast-food workers in 58 cities in the USA did not go to work on Thursday. They went on strike because they want more money. The workers currently get paid the minimum wage. This was set at $7.25 in 2009 and has not changed since then. Many workers say they cannot afford to live on that. The price of everything has gone up but their wages have stayed the same for five years. The workers want $15 an hour, which is double their current rate. Julio Wilson, a cashier at a pizza restaurant, told the BBC he earns $9 an hour. He said that wasn't enough to support himself and his five-year-old daughter. He said: "I know I'm risking my job, but it's my right to fight for what I deserve."


 

McDonald's and Burger King both spoke about the strike. They said they did not make decisions about how much to pay workers in most of their restaurants. They said each restaurant is an independent franchise and the manager decides how much to pay the staff. McDonald's profits were over $5.5 billion in 2011. The burger giants did say that an increase in wages would mean more expensive burgers. America's National Restaurant Association said the wages were low because the staff are young and have little work experience. It said: "Only five per cent of restaurant employees earn the minimum wage and those that do are [mainly] working part-time and half are teenagers."

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Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23886031 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-fast-food-strike-20130829,0,5180708.story?track=rss http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/08/28/low-wage-workers/2711379/



 

WARM-UPS

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1. WAGES / SALARY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about wages / salary. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

fast food / go on strike / minimum wage / afford to live / double / cashier / risking / McDonald's / restaurants / independent / staff / profits / burgers / work experience

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. JOBS: Complete this table with your partner(s). How much should they get an hour? Why? Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Job

Hourly rate?

Why?

Fast-food worker

 

 

English teacher

 

 

IT professor

 

 

Soldier

 

 

Nurse

 

 

Bank manager

 

 

4. MINIMUM WAGE: Students A strongly believe the minimum wage should double; Students B strongly believe this would be crazy.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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See a sample

5. LOW PAY: Rank these low-paid jobs and share your rankings with your partner. Put the job you would least like to do at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • fast-food worker

  • dishwasher

  • cashier

  • amusement park worker

  • movie theater usher

  • farm worker

  • English teacher

  • home care worker

6. MONEY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "money". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.



 

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

Workers in 58 American cities went on strike in Thursday.

T / F

b.

The workers get the same pay today as they did in 2009.

T / F

c.

The fast-food workers want a 50% pay increase.

T / F

d.

One worker said he didn't want to risk losing his job.

T / F

e.

McDonald's said it didn't decide how much to pay its workers.

T / F

f.

McDonald's made over $5.5 billion in profits last year.

T / F

g.

A restaurant association said wages were low because staff are young.

T / F

h.

Half of all restaurant workers get the minimum wage.

T / F

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

1.

workers

a.

survive

2.

currently

b.

poor

3.

live

c.

reward

4.

earns

d.

presently

5.

deserve

e.

lead to

6.

pay

f.

merit

7.

increase

g.

employees

8.

mean

h.

lowest level

9.

low

i.

is paid

10.

minimum

j.

rise

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

1.

They went on strike because

a.

over $5.5 billion

2.

workers say they cannot

b.

himself

3.

he earns

c.

experience

4.

that wasn't enough to support

d.

they want more money

5.

it's my right to fight

e.

$9 an hour

6.

each restaurant is an independent

f.

time

7.

McDonald's profits were

g.

afford to live on that

8.

an increase in wages would mean

h.

for what I deserve

9.

have little work

i.

franchise

10.

working part-

j.

more expensive burgers



 

GAP FILL

From  http://www.BreakingNewsEnglish.com/1309/130901-minimum-wage.html

Fast-food workers in 58 cities in the USA did not go to work on Thursday. They went (1) ____________ strike because they want more money. The workers (2) ____________ get paid the minimum wage. This was set at $7.25 in 2009 and has not changed (3) ____________ then. Many workers say they cannot afford to live on that. The price of (4) ____________ has gone up but their wages have stayed the same for five years. The workers want $15 an hour, which is (5) ____________ their current rate. Julio Wilson, a cashier at a pizza restaurant, told the BBC he (6) ____________ $9 an hour. He said that wasn't (7) ____________ to support himself and his five-year-old daughter. He said: "I know I'm risking my job, but it's my (8) ____________ to fight for what I deserve."

 

 

earns
since
on
right
everything
enough
currently
double

McDonald's and Burger King both spoke about the strike. They said they did not make (9) ____________ about how much to pay workers in most of their restaurants. They said each restaurant is an independent (10) ____________ and the manager decides how much to pay the staff. McDonald's (11) ____________ were over $5.5 billion in 2011. The burger giants did say that an increase in wages would (12) ____________ more expensive burgers. America's National Restaurant Association said the wages were (13) ____________ because the staff are young and have (14) ____________ work experience. It said: "Only five per cent of restaurant employees earn the (15) ____________ wage and those that do are [mainly] working part-time and (16) ____________ are teenagers."

 

low
minimum
mean
franchise
half
decisions
little
profits


 
 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

The workers currently get paid the ______

 

a.  minimal wage
b.  maximum wage
c.  minimum wage
d.  maximal wage

2)

This was set at $7.25 in 2009 and has not ______

 

a.  changed since them
b.  changed since then
c.  changed since now
d.  changed since when

3)

The price of everything has gone up but their wages have ______

 

a.  stayed the same
b.  stays the same
c.  staying the same
d.  staid the same

4)

He said that wasn't enough ______

 

a.  to support his self
b.  to support hymns elf
c.  to support himself
d.  to support him shelf

5)

it's my right to fight for ______

 

a.  want I deserve
b.  that I deserve
c.  what I deserve
d.  which I deserve

6)

They said they did not make decisions about how much ______

 

a.  to bay workers
b.  to day workers
c.  to hay workers
d.  to pay workers

7)

They said each restaurant is an ______

 

a.  independence franchise
b.  independent franchise
c.  independent French fries
d.  independence French fries

8)

McDonald's profits were over $5.5 ______

 

a.  million in 2011
b.  billion in 2011
c.  trillion in 2011
d.  quadrillion in 2011

9)

The burger giants did say that an increase in wages would mean ______

 

a.  most expensive burgers
b.  many expensive burgers
c.  much expensive burgers
d.  more expensive burgers d. 

10)

the staff are young and have ______

 

a.  small work experience
b.  few work experience
c.  little work experience
d.  tiny work experience

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Fast-food workers in 58 cities in the USA did not go to work on Thursday. They (1) ___________________ they want more money. The workers currently get paid the minimum wage. (2) ___________________ $7.25 in 2009 and has not changed since then. Many workers say they cannot afford (3) ___________________. The price of everything has gone up but their wages have stayed the same for five years. The workers want $15 an hour, which is (4) ___________________ rate. Julio Wilson, a cashier at a pizza restaurant, told the BBC he earns $9 an hour. He said that wasn't enough to (5) ___________________ five-year-old daughter. He said: "I know I'm risking my job, but it's my (6) ___________________ what I deserve."

McDonald's and Burger King both spoke about the strike. They said they did not (7) ___________________ how much to pay workers in most of their restaurants. They said each restaurant is an (8) ___________________ and the manager decides how much to pay the staff. McDonald's profits were over $5.5 billion in 2011. The (9) ___________________ say that an increase in wages would mean more expensive burgers. America's National Restaurant Association said the (10) ___________________ because the staff are young and have little (11) ___________________. It said: "Only five per cent of restaurant employees earn (12) ___________________ and those that do are [mainly] working part-time and half are teenagers."


 
 

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

In how many cities did fast-food workers go on strike?

2.

How much is the minimum wage in the USA?

3.

When was the last time the minimum wage increased?

4.

How much are the fast-work workers asking for?

5.

How much does Julio Wilson get paid?

6.

Who makes decisions about workers' pay in McDonald's?

7.

How much profit did McDonald's make in 2011?

8.

What would happen to burgers of workers got more pay?

9.

How many fast-food workers earn the minimum wage?

10.

How many fast-food workers are teenagers?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

In how many cities did fast-food workers go on strike?

6.

Who makes decisions about workers' pay in McDonald's?

 

a) 85
b) 508
c) 580
d) 58

 

a) the CEO
b) managers
c) accountants
d) human resources officers

2.

How much is the minimum wage in the USA?

7.

What was McDonald's profit in 2011?

 

a) $7.35
b) $7.25
c) $7.55
d) $7.95

 

a) $5.55 billion
b) less than $5.5 billion
c) $5.5 billion
d) more than $5.5 billion

3.

When was the last time the minimum wage increased?

8.

What would happen to burgers of workers got more pay?

 

a) 2007
b) 2008
c) 2009
d) 2010

 

a) they'd go up in price
b) they would be more delicious
c) there would be less meat
d) nothing

4.

How much are the fast-work workers asking for?

9.

How many fast-food workers earn the minimum wage?

 

a) $15
b) $12
c) $10
d) $9

 

a) 50%
b) 15%
c) 5%
d) 0.5%

5.

How much does Julio Wilson get paid?

10.

How many fast-food workers are teenagers?

 

a) $7
b) $8
c) $9
d) $10

 

a) 35%
b) 50%
c) 65%
d) 75%

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Fast-food worker

You think a fast-food worker is the worst job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are good about their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): cashier, English teacher or farm worker.

Role  B – Cashier

You think a cashier is the worst job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are good about their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): fast-food worker, English teacher or farm worker.

Role  C – English teacher

You think an English teacher is the worst job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are good about their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): cashier, fast-food worker or farm worker.

Role  D – Farm worker

You think a farm worker is the worst job. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are good about their jobs. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): cashier, English teacher or fast-food worker.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

part

time

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • 58
  • 7.25
  • 2009
  • 15
  • 9
  • 5
  • decisions
  • manager
  • profits
  • expensive
  • little
  • half

WAGES / SALARY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about wages / salary 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

WAGES / SALARY DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'worker'?

c)

What do you think about working in a fast-food restaurant?

d)

Is $7.25 an hour OK for a fast-food worker?

e)

Is it wrong the minimum wage in the USA hasn't changed since 2009?

f)

What do people do when they cannot afford to live?

g)

Do you think the workers deserve to have their pay doubled?

h)

Would you work in a fast-food restaurant?

i)

Is it right to go on strike?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the cashier Julio Wilson?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Should McDonald's and Burger King increase workers' pay?

c)

What do you think of the service in fast-food restaurants?

d)

How can fast-food restaurants improve?

e)

Would you pay more for a burger to give the staff a higher salary?

f)

Should all young people be paid so little?

g)

How do the public treat fast-food workers?

h)

Will you say something nice to the staff next time you go to a fast-food restaurant?

i)

Which is better, working in a fast-food restaurant or on a farm?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the CEO of McDonald's?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Fast-food workers in 58 cities in the USA did not go to work on Thursday. They went (1) ____ strike because they want more money. The workers currently get  (2) ____ the minimum wage. This was set at $7.25 in 2009 and has not changed (3) ____ then. Many workers say they cannot afford to live on that. The price of everything has gone up but their wages have stayed the same for five years. The workers want $15 an hour, which is (4) ____ their current rate. Julio Wilson, a cashier at a pizza restaurant, told the BBC he (5) ____ $9 an hour. He said that wasn't enough to support himself and his five-year-old daughter. He said: "I know I'm risking my job, but it's my (6) ____ to fight for what I deserve."

McDonald's and Burger King both spoke about the strike. They said they did not  (7) ____ decisions about how much to pay workers in most of their restaurants. They said each restaurant is an (8) ____ franchise and the manager decides how much to pay the staff. McDonald's profits were over $5.5 billion in 2011. The burger (9) ____ did say that an increase in wages would mean more expensive burgers. America's National Restaurant Association said the wages were (10) ____ because the staff are young and have (11) ____ work experience. It said: "Only five per cent of restaurant employees earn the minimum wage and (12) ____ that do are [mainly] working part-time and half are teenagers."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

in

(b)

on

(c)

of

(d)

as

2.

(a)

pay

(b)

paid

(c)

paying

(d)

pays

3.

(a)

for

(b)

around

(c)

ever

(d)

since

4.

(a)

treble

(b)

double

(c)

triple

(d)

doubled

5.

(a)

learns

(b)

earns

(c)

urns

(d)

ferns

6.

(a)

write

(b)

rite

(c)

right

(d)

rate

7.

(a)

have

(b)

do

(c)

make

(d)

think

8.

(a)

independence

(b)

independently

(c)

independent

(d)

interdependent

9.

(a)

jumbos

(b)

ogres

(c)

monsters

(d)

giants

10.

(a)

low

(b)

short

(c)

cheap

(d)

small

11.

(a)

little

(b)

small

(c)

few

(d)

enough

12.

(a)

them

(b)

they

(c)

those

(d)

their

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

they cannot rdaffo to live on that

2.

eloubd their current rate

3.

a hsrecia at a pizza restaurant

4.

that wasn't enough to rtosppu himself

5.

his five-year-old hdargtue

6.

fight for what I veedres

Paragraph 2

7.

they did not make disoisecn

8.

an pnindeetend franchise

9.

McDonald's sotfrpi were over $5.5 billion

10.

an niecrsae in wages

11.

have little work renepcieex

12.

restaurant lmeyepose

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

were over $5.5 billion in 2011. The burger giants did say that an increase in wages would mean more expensive

(    )

decisions about how much to pay workers in most of their restaurants. They said each restaurant is an

(    )

the minimum wage and those that do are [mainly] working part-time and half are teenagers."

(    )

at $7.25 in 2009 and has not changed since then. Many workers say they cannot afford to live

(    )

hour, which is double their current rate. Julio Wilson, a cashier at a pizza restaurant, told the BBC he earns

(    )

burgers. America's National Restaurant Association said the wages were low because the staff

(    )

on strike because they want more money. The workers currently get paid the minimum wage. This was set

(    )

$9 an hour. He said that wasn't enough to support himself and his five-year-old

(    )

on that. The price of everything has gone up but their wages have stayed the same for five years. The workers want $15 an

(    )

independent franchise and the manager decides how much to pay the staff. McDonald's profits

(    )

are young and have little work experience. It said: "Only five per cent of restaurant employees earn

1  )

Fast-food workers in 58 cities in the USA did not go to work on Thursday. They went

(    )

daughter. He said: "I know I'm risking my job, but it's my right to fight for what I deserve."

(    )

McDonald's and Burger King both spoke about the strike. They said they did not make

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

workers    say    they    cannot    afford     to    live    on    that    Many.    

2.

wages     the     five     Their     stayed     for     have     same     years.    

3.

that     himself     wasn't     enough     He     to     said     support.    

4.

know     I'm     risking     my     job     ."     He     said     :     "     I

5.

fight     for     My     what     right     I     to     deserve.    

6.

not    make    decisions    about    how    much    to    pay    They    did.    

7.

manager     much     the     The     how     pay     decides     to     staff.    

8.

expensive    An   wages   more   in   mean   burgers   increase    would.    

9.

staff     were     are     low     young     because     the     Wages.    

10.

of    restaurant   employees   earn   the   minimum   wage   Only    5%.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Fast-food workers in 58 cities in the USA did not go for / to work on Thursday. They went on / in strike because they want most / more money. The workers currently get paid the minimum wage. This was get / set at $7.25 in 2009 and has not changed since / for then. Many workers say they cannot afford to live on that. The price of everything has gone increase / up but their wages have stayed the same from / for five years. The workers want $15 an hour, which is double their current / currant rate. Julio Wilson, a cashier at a pizza restaurant, told the BBC he earns $9 a / an hour. He said that wasn't enough to support himself and his five-year-old daughter. He said: "I know I'm risking my job, but it's my write / right to fight for what I deserve."

McDonald's and Burger King both / all spoke about the strike. They said they did not make decisions about how many / much to pay workers in most of their restaurants. They said each restaurant is an independence / independent franchise and the manager decides how much to pay the stuff / staff. McDonald's profits were / was over $5.5 billion in 2011. The burger giants did say that an increase in wages would meant / mean more expensive burgers. America's National Restaurant Association said the wages were low / cheap because the staff are young and have few / little work experience. It said: "Only five per cent of / for restaurant employees earn the minimum wage and those / them that do are [mainly] working part-time and half are teenagers."

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)

F_st-f__d w_rk_rs _n 58 c_t__s _n th_ _S_ d_d n_t g_ t_ w_rk _n Th_rsd_y. Th_y w_nt _n str_k_ b_c__s_ th_y w_nt m_r_ m_n_y. Th_ w_rk_rs c_rr_ntly g_t p__d th_ m_n_m_m w_g_. Th_s w_s s_t _t $7.25 _n 2009 _nd h_s n_t ch_ng_d s_nc_ th_n. M_ny w_rk_rs s_y th_y c_nn_t _ff_rd t_ l_v_ _n th_t. Th_ pr_c_ _f _v_ryth_ng h_s g_n_ _p b_t th__r w_g_s h_v_ st_y_d th_ s_m_ f_r f_v_ y__rs. Th_ w_rk_rs w_nt $15 _n h__r, wh_ch _s d__bl_ th__r c_rr_nt r_t_. J_l__ W_ls_n, _ c_sh__r _t _ p_zz_ r_st__r_nt, t_ld th_ BBC h_ __rns $9 _n h__r. H_ s__d th_t w_sn't _n__gh t_ s_pp_rt h_ms_lf _nd h_s f_v_-y__r-_ld d__ght_r. H_ s__d: "_ kn_w _'m r_sk_ng my j_b, b_t _t's my r_ght t_ f_ght f_r wh_t _ d_s_rv_."

McD_n_ld's _nd B_rg_r K_ng b_th sp_k_ _b__t th_ str_k_. Th_y s__d th_y d_d n_t m_k_ d_c_s__ns _b__t h_w m_ch t_ p_y w_rk_rs _n m_st _f th__r r_st__r_nts. Th_y s__d __ch r_st__r_nt _s _n _nd_p_nd_nt fr_nch_s_ _nd th_ m_n_g_r d_c_d_s h_w m_ch t_ p_y th_ st_ff. McD_n_ld's pr_f_ts w_r_ _v_r $5.5 b_ll__n _n 2011. Th_ b_rg_r g__nts d_d s_y th_t _n _ncr__s_ _n w_g_s w__ld m__n m_r_ _xp_ns_v_ b_rg_rs. _m_r_c_'s N_t__n_l R_st__r_nt _ss_c__t__n s__d th_ w_g_s w_r_ l_w b_c__s_ th_ st_ff _r_ y__ng _nd h_v_ l_ttl_ w_rk _xp_r__nc_. _t s__d: "_nly f_v_ p_r c_nt _f r_st__r_nt _mpl_y__s __rn th_ m_n_m_m w_g_ _nd th_s_ th_t d_ _r_ [m__nly] w_rk_ng p_rt-t_m_ _nd h_lf _r_ t__n_g_rs."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

fast-food workers in 58 cities in the usa did not go to work on thursday they went on strike because they want more money the workers currently get paid the minimum wage this was set at $725 in 2009 and has not changed since then many workers say they cannot afford to live on that the price of everything has gone up but their wages have stayed the same for five years the workers want $15 an hour which is double their current rate julio wilson a cashier at a pizza restaurant told the bbc he earns $9 an hour he said that wasn't enough to support himself and his five-year-old daughter he said "i know i'm risking my job but it's my right to fight for what i deserve"

mcdonald's and burger king both spoke about the strike they said they did not make decisions about how much to pay workers in most of their restaurants they said each restaurant is an independent franchise and the manager decides how much to pay the staff mcdonald's profits were over $55 billion in 2011 the burger giants did say that an increase in wages would mean more expensive burgers america's national restaurant association said the wages were low because the staff are young and have little work experience it said "only five per cent of restaurant employees earn the minimum wage and those that do are [mainly] working part-time and half are teenagers"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Fast-foodworkersin58citiesintheUSAdidnotgotoworkonThur
sday.Theywentonstrikebecausetheywantmoremoney.Theworker
scurrentlygetpaidtheminimumwage.Thiswassetat$7.25in2009an
dhasnotchangedsincethen.Manyworkerssaytheycannotaffordtoli
veonthat.Thepriceofeverythinghasgoneupbuttheirwageshavesta
yedthesameforfiveyears.Theworkerswant$15anhour,whichisdou
bletheircurrentrate.JulioWilson,acashieratapizzarestaurant,toldt
heBBCheearns$9anhour.Hesaidthatwasn'tenoughtosupporthims
elfandhisfive-year-olddaughter.Hesaid:"IknowI'mriskingmyjob,b
utit'smyrighttofightforwhatIdeserve."McDonald'sandBurgerKing
bothspokeaboutthestrike.Theysaidtheydidnotmakedecisionsabo
uthowmuchtopayworkersinmostoftheirrestaurants.Theysaideach
restaurantisanindependentfranchiseandthemanagerdecideshow
muchtopaythestaff.McDonald'sprofitswereover$5.5billionin2011.
Theburgergiantsdidsaythatanincreaseinwageswouldmeanmoree
xpensiveburgers.America'sNationalRestaurantAssociationsaidth
ewageswerelowbecausethestaffareyoungandhavelittleworkexper
ience.Itsaid:"Onlyfivepercentofrestaurantemployeesearnthemini
mumwageandthosethatdoare[mainly]workingpart-timeand
halfareteenagers."

FREE WRITING

Write about wages / salary for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Working in a fast food restaurant is not a good job.   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 wages / salary. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. WAGES / SALARY: Make a poster about wages / salary. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. FAST-FOOD WORKERS: Write a magazine article about how much pay fast-food workers should get. Include imaginary interviews with workers and restaurant bosses.

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 a fast-food worker. Ask him/her three questions about wages / salary. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to get more pay. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

workers

a.

employees

2.

currently

b.

presently

3.

live

c.

survive

4.

earns

d.

is paid

5.

deserve

e.

merit

6.

pay

f.

reward

7.

increase

g.

rise

8.

mean

h.

lead to

9.

low

i.

poor

10.

minimum

j.

lowest level

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

58

2.

$7.25

3.

2009

4.

$15

5.

$9 an hour

6.

Restaurant managers

7.

Over $5.5 billion

8.

Their price would go up

9.

5%

10.

Half

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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