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Consumers asked to throw away hoverboards (19th December, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Three of the UK's biggest retailers, including online giant Amazon, are advising customers to dispose of hoverboards amid safety concerns. There have been many online reports of the toy catching fire and exploding. Stores have told consumers they will get a refund if they take their hoverboard to a special recycling centre for electronic equipment. They have asked manufacturers to address these safety issues. Hoverboards are self-balancing, two-wheeled scooters that can transport users like a skateboard, but without using any physical effort. They are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this Christmas and the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping for the popular device.

Electrical Safety First, a consumer protection group in the UK, said that around half-a-million people in the UK have bought a hoverboard as a Christmas gift. Another million people have put it on their shopping list in the run-up to Christmas Day. Britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer Tesco said: "We've suspended the sale of all hoverboards, both in stores and online, as a precautionary measure." Amazon said of the call to dispose of the hoverboards: "We regret the inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority." Hoverboards cannot be used on public roads in Britain because they have not been registered as vehicles.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/shopping-and-consumer-news/12052732/Get-rid-of-your-hoverboards-now-Amazon-tells-customers.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35109728
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3361995/Amazon-throw-hoverboards-away-advice-amid-safety-alert.html

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 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. HOVERBOARDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about hoverboards. 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?

retailers / online / giant / consumers / recycling / electronic / equipment / popular / protection / shopping / measure / dispose / understand / satisfaction / priority

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

3. GIFTS FOR KIDS: How good are these as gifts for kids? What are the good and bad things about them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good	Bad
iPhone
PlayStation
Socks
Hoverboards
Books
Music

4. HOVERBOARDS: Students A strongly believe no child under the age of 16 should be allowed to use a hoverboard; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. DEVICES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• iPad

• iPhone

• PlayStation

• Smart watch

• GPS

• calorie counter

• step counter

• digital camera

6. ONLINE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "online". 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.	Four of the UK's top stores have told people to get rid of hoverboards.	T / F
b.	There are reports that hoverboards have exploded and caught fire.	T / F
c.	There will be no refunds for people who bought a hoverboard.	T / F
d.	Hoverboards are now the top-selling Christmas gift.	T / F
e.	Over a million people in the UK have bought a hoverboard.	T / F
f.	Tesco is Britain's biggest bricks-and-mortar retailer.	T / F
g.	Amazon apologised for the inconvenience the hoverboards caused.	T / F
h.	Hoverboards are not registered to be used on the roads.	T / F

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

1.	biggest	a.	makers
2.	dispose of	b.	present
3.	manufacturers	c.	postponed
4.	currently	d.	throw away
5.	hoping	e.	safety
6.	gift	f.	largest
7.	run-up	g.	prime concern
8.	suspended	h.	wishing
9.	precautionary	i.	presently
10.	priority	j.	lead-in

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

1.	amid safety	a.	many kids
2.	reports of the toy catching	b.	is our highest priority
3.	Stores have told consumers they will get	c.	concerns
4.	without using any physical	d.	protection group
5.	the retailers' decision will disappoint	e.	measure
6.	a consumer	f.	as vehicles
7.	as a precautionary	g.	fire and exploding
8.	We regret the inconvenience	h.	effort
9.	your safety and satisfaction	i.	a refund
10.	they have not been registered	j.	this may cause you

GAP FILL

Three of the UK's biggest retailers, including online (1) _________ Amazon, are advising customers to (2) __________ of hoverboards amid safety (3) __________. There have been many online reports of the toy (4) __________ fire and exploding. Stores have told consumers they will get a (5) __________ if they take their hoverboard to a special recycling centre for electronic equipment. They have asked manufacturers to (6) __________ these safety issues. Hoverboards are self-balancing, two-wheeled scooters that can transport users like a skateboard, but without using any physical (7) __________. They are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this Christmas and the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping for the popular (8) __________.

refund
concerns
giant
device
effort
catching
dispose
address

Electrical Safety First, a (9) __________ protection group in the UK, said that around half-a-million people in the UK have bought a hoverboard as a Christmas (10) __________. Another million people have put it on their shopping list in the (11) __________ -up to Christmas Day. Britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer Tesco said: "We've (12) __________ the sale of all hoverboards, both in stores and online, as a precautionary (13) __________." Amazon said of the call to dispose of the hoverboards: "We regret the inconvenience this may cause you but (14) __________ you will understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest (15) __________." Hoverboards cannot be used on public roads in Britain because they have not been registered as (16) __________.

measure
priority
gift
vehicles
suspended
consumer
trust
run

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	advising customers to dispose of hoverboards ______
	a. amid safety concerns b. a mid safety concerns c. rabid safety concerns d. armed safety concerns
2)	There have been many online reports of the toy ______ exploding
	a. catch in fire and b. catching fire and c. catching in fire and d. caught in fire and
3)	They have asked manufacturers to address ______
	a. these safety issue b. these safe tea issues c. these safety issues d. these safely issues
4)	scooters that can transport users like a skateboard, but without using ______
	a. any physically effort b. any physical efforts c. any physical effort d. any physical effortless
5)	the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping for ______
	a. the popularity device b. the popular devices c. the popular device d. the populate device
6)	around half-a-million people in the UK have bought a hoverboard ______ gift
	a. as a Christmas b. has a Christmas c. was a Christmas d. is a Christmas
7)	Another million people have put it on their shopping list in ______ Christmas Day
	a. the run-up too b. the run-up to c. the run-up two d. the run-up through
8)	We regret the inconvenience this may cause you ______ understand
	a. but trusts you will b. but trust you will c. but trusty you will d. but trussed you will
9)	understand that your safety and satisfaction is ______
	a. our highest priority b. our highest prioritise c. our highest priorities d. our highest prior tea
10)	cannot be used on public roads in Britain because they have not been ______
	a. registered as vehicular b. registered as vehicle c. registered as beer cals d. registered as vehicles

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Three (1) ___________________ biggest retailers, including online giant Amazon, are advising customers (2) ___________________ hoverboards amid safety concerns. There have been many online reports of the toy (3) ___________________ exploding. Stores have told consumers they will get a refund if they take their hoverboard to a special recycling centre for electronic equipment. They have asked manufacturers (4) ___________________ safety issues. Hoverboards are self-balancing, two-wheeled scooters that can transport users like a skateboard, but without using (5) ___________________. They are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this Christmas and the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping (6) ___________________ device.

Electrical Safety First, a (7) ___________________ group in the UK, said that around half-a-million people in the UK (8) ___________________ hoverboard as a Christmas gift. Another million people have put it on their shopping list (9) ___________________ to Christmas Day. Britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer Tesco said: "We've suspended the sale of all hoverboards, both (10) ___________________, as a precautionary measure." Amazon said of the call to dispose of the hoverboards: "We regret the inconvenience this may cause you (11) ___________________ understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority." Hoverboards cannot be used on public roads in Britain because they have not (12) ___________________ vehicles.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many of the UK's biggest retailers advised customers?
2.	According to online reports, what happened to some hoverboards?
3.	What kind of centre should customers take hoverboards back to?
4.	How many wheels do hoverboards have?
5.	Who does the article say will be disappointed this Christmas?
6.	What is Electrical Safety First?
7.	How many people have a hoverboard on their Christmas list?
8.	What is the name of the largest brick-and-mortar store in Britain?
9.	Which company regrets inconvenience to customers?
10.	Why can't hoverboards be used on public roads in Britian?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How many of the UK's biggest retailers advised customers?	6.	What is Electrical Safety First?
	a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5		a) a consumer protection group b) a hoverboard manufacturer c) Britain's largest computer store d) a college
2.	According to online reports, what happened to some hoverboards?	7.	How many people have a hoverboard on their Christmas list?
	a) they won a race b) they broke a speed record c) they caught fire d) they snapped in two		a) half-a-million b) a billion c) 100,000 d) a million
3.	What kind of centre should customers take hoverboards back to?	8.	What is the name of the largest brick-and-mortar store in Britain?
	a) a shopping mall b) a children's centre c) a racing centre d) a recycling centre		a) Rosco b) Al Fresco c) Tesco d) Telesco
4.	How many wheels do hoverboards have?	9.	Which company regrets inconvenience to customers?
	a) 4 b) 2 c) 3 d) 5		a) Harrods b) Hoverboard Inc. c) eBay d) Amazon
5.	Who does the article say will be disappointed this Christmas?	10.	Why can't hoverboards be used on public roads in Britian?
	a) kids b) Amazon c) Santa Claus d) manufacturers		a) they have no seats b) they are not vehicles c) the roads are too dangerous d) their wheels are too small

ROLE PLAY

Role A – iPads

You think iPads are the best devices. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devices aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): PlayStations, digital cameras or calorie counters.

Role B – PlayStations

You think PlayStations are the best devices. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devices aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): iPads, digital cameras or calorie counters.

Role C – Digital cameras

You think digital cameras are the best devices. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devices aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): PlayStations, iPads or calorie counters.

Role D – Calorie counters

You think calorie counters are the best devices. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their devices aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): PlayStations, digital cameras or iPads.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

online

giant

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:

giant
safety
amid
special
two
children

half
another
sale
call
highest
vehicles

HOVERBOARDS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about hoverboards 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.

HOVERBOARDS DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'Amazon'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	What do you know about hoverboards?
5)	What do you think of the retailers for promising refunds?
6)	How dangerous do you think hoverboards are?
7)	What gift would you really like?
8)	What kind of compensation should the makers pay?
9)	Do you think shopping malls should ban hoverboards?
10)	Where would you use a hoverboard?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What do you think of the online store Amazon?
13)	How much fun do you think hoverboards are? Why?
14)	How successful have you been at getting refunds?
15)	Do you prefer bricks-and-mortar stores or online stores?
16)	What problems would hoverboards create on the roads?
17)	Would you like a board that can truly hover?
18)	How much are hoverboards like science fiction come true?
19)	What should be the age limit for kids to start using hoverboards?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the boss of Amazon?

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

Three of the UK's biggest retailers, (1) ____ online giant Amazon, are advising customers to dispose of hoverboards amid (2) ____ concerns. There have been many online reports of the toy catching fire and exploding. Stores have told consumers they will get a (3) ____ if they take their hoverboard to a special recycling centre for electronic equipment. They have asked manufacturers to (4) ____ these safety issues. Hoverboards are self-balancing, two-wheeled scooters that can transport users like a skateboard, but without (5) ____ any physical effort. They are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this Christmas and the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping for the (6) ____ device.

Electrical Safety First, a consumer (7) ____ group in the UK, said that around half-a-million people in the UK have bought a hoverboard as a Christmas gift. Another million people have put it on their shopping (8) ____ in the run-up to Christmas Day. Britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer Tesco said: "We've (9) ____ the sale of all hoverboards, both in stores and online, as a (10) ____ measure." Amazon said of the call to dispose of the hoverboards: "We regret the inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will understand that your safety and satisfaction is our (11) ____ priority." Hoverboards cannot be used on public roads in Britain because they have not been registered as (12) ____.

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

1.	(a)	include	(b)	including	(c)	inclusive	(d)	includes
2.	(a)	safe	(b)	safety	(c)	safely	(d)	safer
3.	(a)	foundation	(b)	fund	(c)	funding	(d)	refund
4.	(a)	mail	(b)	address	(c)	post	(d)	upload
5.	(a)	uses	(b)	using	(c)	used	(d)	use
6.	(a)	popularity	(b)	popularise	(c)	popular	(d)	poplar
7.	(a)	production	(b)	prevention	(c)	protection	(d)	protein
8.	(a)	paper	(b)	sheet	(c)	list	(d)	writing
9.	(a)	hovered	(b)	decorated	(c)	hung	(d)	suspended
10.	(a)	precautionary	(b)	precaution	(c)	precautions	(d)	caution
11.	(a)	highest	(b)	high	(c)	height	(d)	heightens
12.	(a)	hoverboards	(b)	hovers	(c)	vehicles	(d)	cars

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the UK's biggest rtieeaslr
2.	catching fire and opnglxdie
3.	a special ieyclcgnr centre
4.	electronic imnupqeet
5.	ipiontaspd many kids
6.	the popular cieevd
Paragraph 2
7.	a consumer roinctotep group
8.	edsnsedpu the sale of all hoverboards
9.	a raetrioncyaup measure
10.	We regret the cieinnnecoven
11.	our highest rryioitp
12.	registered as svichlee

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	centre for electronic equipment. They have asked manufacturers to address these safety issues. Hoverboards are self-
( )	Electrical Safety First, a consumer protection group in the UK, said that around half-a-million people in the UK have
( )	of hoverboards amid safety concerns. There have been many online reports of the toy catching
( )	used on public roads in Britain because they have not been registered as vehicles.
( )	fire and exploding. Stores have told consumers they will get a refund if they take their hoverboard to a special recycling
( )	balancing, two-wheeled scooters that can transport users like a skateboard, but without using any physical
( )	effort. They are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this Christmas and the retailers'
( )	up to Christmas Day. Britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer Tesco said: "We've suspended the sale
( )	to dispose of the hoverboards: "We regret the inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will
( 1 )	Three of the UK's biggest retailers, including online giant Amazon, are advising customers to dispose
( )	bought a hoverboard as a Christmas gift. Another million people have put it on their shopping list in the run-
( )	understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority." Hoverboards cannot be
( )	of all hoverboards, both in stores and online, as a precautionary measure." Amazon said of the call
( )	decision will disappoint many kids hoping for the popular device.

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	toy the of reports online many been have There fire catching .
2.	told will refund have they a Stores consumers get .
3.	a centre take to recycling They hoverboard special their .
4.	most the of one currently are They children for gifts popular .
5.	will decision retailers' The kids many disappoint .
6.	group protection consumer A UK the in .
7.	put it on their shopping list Another million people have .
8.	sale the suspended We've hoverboards all of .
9.	you inconvenience this We may regret cause the .
10.	in Hoverboards used roads be public Britain cannot on .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Three of the UK's biggest retails / retailers, including online giant Amazon, are advising customers to dispose of hoverboards avid / amid safety concerns. There have been many online reports of the toy caught / catching fire and exploding. Stores have told consumers / consumer they will get a refund if they take their hoverboard to a specially / special recycling centre for electronic equipment / equipped. They have asked manufacturers to address these safety issues / issuance. Hoverboards are self-balancing, two-wheeled scooters that can transport usages / users like a skateboard, but without using any physical effort / effect. They are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this Christmas and the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping / hopping for the popular device.

Electrical Safety First, a consumer protective / protection group in the UK, said that around half-a-million people in the UK have bought a hoverboard as / has a Christmas gift. Another million people have put it on their shopping listing / list in the run-up / run-down to Christmas Day. Britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer Tesco said: "We've suspension / suspended the sale of all hoverboards, both in stores and online, as a precautionary measure / measured." Amazon said of the call to dispose of the hoverboards: "We regret the incontinence / inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will understand that your safe / safety and satisfaction is our highest priority / prioritise." Hoverboards cannot be used on public roads in Britain because they have not been registered / registration as vehicles.

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)

Thr__ _f th_ _K's b_gg_st r_t__l_rs, _ncl_d_ng _nl_n_ g__nt _m_z_n, _r_ _dv_s_ng c_st_m_rs t_ d_sp_s_ _f h_v_rb__rds _m_d s_f_ty c_nc_rns. Th_r_ h_v_ b__n m_ny _nl_n_ r_p_rts _f th_ t_y c_tch_ng f_r_ _nd _xpl_d_ng. St_r_s h_v_ t_ld c_ns_m_rs th_y w_ll g_t _ r_f_nd _f th_y t_k_ th__r h_v_rb__rd t_ _ sp_c__l r_cycl_ng c_ntr_ f_r _l_ctr_n_c _q__pm_nt. Th_y h_v_ _sk_d m_n_f_ct_r_rs t_ _ddr_ss th_s_ s_f_ty _ss__s. H_v_rb__rds _r_ s_lf-b_l_nc_ng, tw_-wh__l_d sc__t_rs th_t c_n tr_nsp_rt _s_rs l_k_ _ sk_t_b__rd, b_t w_th__t _s_ng _ny phys_c_l _ff_rt. Th_y _r_ c_rr_ntly _n_ _f th_ m_st p_p_l_r g_fts f_r ch_ldr_n th_s Chr_stm_s _nd th_ r_t__l_rs' d_c_s__n w_ll d_s_pp__nt m_ny k_ds h_p_ng f_r th_ p_p_l_r d_v_c_.

_l_ctr_c_l S_f_ty F_rst, _ c_ns_m_r pr_t_ct__n gr__p _n th_ _K, s__d th_t _r__nd h_lf-_-m_ll__n p__pl_ _n th_ _K h_v_ b__ght _ h_v_rb__rd _s _ Chr_stm_s g_ft. _n_th_r m_ll__n p__pl_ h_v_ p_t _t _n th__r sh_pp_ng l_st _n th_ r_n-_p t_ Chr_stm_s D_y. Br_t__n's l_rg_st br_cks-_nd-m_rt_r r_t__l_r T_sc_ s__d: "W_'v_ s_sp_nd_d th_ s_l_ _f _ll h_v_rb__rds, b_th _n st_r_s _nd _nl_n_, _s _ pr_c__t__n_ry m__s_r_." _m_z_n s__d _f th_ c_ll t_ d_sp_s_ _f th_ h_v_rb__rds: "W_ r_gr_t th_ _nc_nv_n__nc_ th_s m_y c__s_ y__ b_t tr_st y__ w_ll _nd_rst_nd th_t y__r s_f_ty _nd s_t_sf_ct__n _s __r h_gh_st pr__r_ty." H_v_rb__rds c_nn_t b_ _s_d _n p_bl_c r__ds _n Br_t__n b_c__s_ th_y h_v_ n_t b__n r_g_st_r_d _s v_h_cl_s.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

three of the uk's biggest retailers including online giant amazon are advising customers to dispose of hoverboards amid safety concerns there have been many online reports of the toy catching fire and exploding stores have told consumers they will get a refund if they take their hoverboard to a special recycling centre for electronic equipment they have asked manufacturers to address these safety issues hoverboards are self-balancing two-wheeled scooters that can transport users like a skateboard but without using any physical effort they are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this christmas and the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping for the popular device

electrical safety first a consumer protection group in the uk said that around half-a-million people in the uk have bought a hoverboard as a christmas gift another million people have put it on their shopping list in the run-up to christmas day britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer tesco said "we've suspended the sale of all hoverboards both in stores and online as a precautionary measure" amazon said of the call to dispose of the hoverboards "we regret the inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority" hoverboards cannot be used on public roads in britain because they have not been registered as vehicles

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ThreeoftheUK'sbiggestretailers,includingonlinegiantAmazon,aread
visingcustomerstodisposeofhoverboardsamidsafetyconcerns.There
havebeenmanyonlinereportsofthetoycatchingfireandexploding.Sto
reshavetoldconsumerstheywillgetarefundiftheytaketheirhoverboar
dtoaspecialrecyclingcentreforelectronicequipment.Theyhaveasked
manufacturerstoaddressthesesafetyissues.Hoverboardsareself-ba
lancing,two-wheeledscootersthatcantransportuserslikeaskateboar
d,butwithoutusinganyphysicaleffort.Theyarecurrentlyoneofthemos
tpopulargiftsforchildrenthisChristmasandtheretailers'decisionwilldi
sappointmanykidshopingforthepopulardevice.ElectricalSafetyFirst,
aconsumerprotectiongroupintheUK,saidthataroundhalf-a-millio
npeopleintheUKhaveboughtahoverboardasaChristmasgift.Another
millionpeoplehaveputitontheirshoppinglistintherun-uptoChristma
sDay.Britain'slargestbricks-and-mortarretailerTescosaid:"We'vesu
spendedthesaleofallhoverboards,bothinstoresandonline,asaprecau
tionarymeasure."Amazonsaidofthecalltodisposeofthehoverboards:
"Weregrettheinconveniencethismaycauseyoubuttrustyouwillunder
standthatyoursafetyandsatisfactionisourhighestpriority."Hoverboa
rdscannotbeusedonpublicroadsinBritainbecausetheyhavenotbeenr
egisteredasvehicles.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Safety checks need to be tightened on all goods sold to the public. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 hoverboards. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. HOVERBOARDS: Make a poster about hoverboards. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SAFETY CONCERNS: Write a magazine article about the safety concerns regarding hoverboards. 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 the boss of a hoverboard company. Ask him/her three questions about hoverboards. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to market and sell 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	biggest	a.	largest
2	dispose of	b.	throw away
3.	manufacturers	c.	makers
4.	currently	d.	presently
5.	hoping	e.	wishing
6.	gift	f.	present
7.	run-up	g.	prime concern
8.	suspended	h.	postponed
9.	precautionary	i.	safety
10.	priority	j.	lead-in

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Three
2.	They caught fire and exploded
3.	A recycling centre for electronic equipment
4.	Two
5.	Kids (children)
6.	A consumer protection group
7.	A million
8.	Tesco
9.	Amazon
10.	They have not been registered as vehicles

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

a

7.

d

8.

c

9.

d

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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Consumers asked to throw away hoverboards (19th December, 2015)

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