The Reading / Listening - Level 5

The USA is recalling a record 34 million cars because of airbag safety concerns. It is the biggest recall in US history. Takata, the manufacturer of the airbags, has said that the bags are defective and should be repaired or replaced. A spokesman from Takata said the airbags open too quickly, which can cause broken bits of glass or metal to be shot into the faces of drivers or passengers. Eleven different models of car have the bags. It follows other recalls from Japanese car manufacturers. The faulty airbags have been linked to six deaths and over 100 injuries.

The US Department for Transportation said: "Today is a major step forward for public safety. The department…is taking the proactive steps necessary to ensure that defective [airbags] are replaced with safe ones as quickly as possible, and that the highest risks are addressed first." Takata's CEO said: "We are pleased to have reached this agreement…which represents a clear path forward." The recall will cost the company and its customers up to $5 billion. Despite this, the CEO said he expects the company will make a profit this year.

Try the same news story at these levels:

    Level 4 or  Level 6

Sources
  • http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/19/us-autos-takata-recall-idUSKBN0O428E20150519
  • http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/20/business/takata-airbag-recall.html?_r=0
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32806056


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.

It is the biggest recall

a.

of car

2.

the airbags open

b.

airbags

3.

bits of glass

c.

or passengers

4.

the faces of drivers

d.

in US history

5.

Eleven different models

e.

and over 100 injuries

6.

car

f.

or metal

7.

faulty

g.

too quickly

8.

linked to six deaths

h.

manufacturers



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PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.

a major step forward

a.

addressed first

2.

taking the proactive

b.

airbags are replaced

3.

ensure that defective

c.

a profit

4.

the highest risks are

d.

forward

5.

We are pleased to have reached

e.

for public safety

6.

a clear path

f.

this agreement

7.

The recall will cost

g.

steps necessary

8.

the company will make

h.

the company

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

The USA is (1) ___________________ 34 million cars because of airbag safety concerns. It is the biggest (2) ___________________ history. Takata, the manufacturer of the airbags, has said that the bags are defective and should be (3) ___________________. A spokesman from Takata said the airbags open too quickly, which can cause (4) ___________________ glass or metal to be shot (5) ___________________ drivers or passengers. Eleven different models of car have the bags. It follows other recalls from Japanese car manufacturers. The (6) ___________________ been linked to six deaths and over 100 injuries.

The US Department for Transportation said: "Today (7) ___________________ forward for public safety. The department…is taking the proactive steps necessary (8) ___________________ defective [airbags] are replaced (9) ___________________ quickly as possible, and that the highest risks are addressed first." Takata's CEO said: "We are pleased to have (10) ___________________…which represents a clear path forward." The (11) ___________________ company and its customers up to $5 billion. Despite this, the CEO said he expects the company (12) ___________________ this year.

AIRBAGS SURVEY

From  http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1505/150522-airbag-recall-5.html

Write five GOOD questions about airbags 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.

 

 

 

 

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

 

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Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about airbags for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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