Volkswagen to recall 11 million cars

The Reading / Listening - Level 4

Volkswagen (VW) will recall around 11 million cars because of the emissions tests scandal. It is in big trouble. Some experts say the recall could cost VW more than $6.5 billion. VW admitted cheating in emissions tests in the USA and Europe. It changed data to show that VW cars were more fuel-efficient than they really are. VW is Europe's largest carmaker. It has over 750,000 workers. It has lost more than a third of its market value and has damaged its image.

Bosses at VW could face criminal charges. Some staff acted criminally because they knew about the cheating. Others decided to install the cheating software. A company spokesperson said they must take responsibility. He added: "We only found out about the problems in the last board meeting, shortly before the media did….We need to find out why the board wasn't informed earlier about the problems when they were known about over a year ago."

Try the same news story at these levels:

Level 5 or Level 6

Sources

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/09/29/uk-volkswagen-emissions-plan-idUKKCN0RT0P820150929
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34397426
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/vw-board-member-some-staff-were-warned-about-cheat-year-ago

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

VOLKSWAGEN SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Volkswagen 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.

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)	________________________________________________________

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

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

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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