The Reading / Listening - Level 6

A British businessman has developed a product that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged, or 'spiked'. This happens if one person slips drugs into the glass of another person. The drinker then loses self-control and is often the victim of rape, sexual assault or theft. The new product is called Test Your Drink and was invented by entrepreneur Gary Bates. It is a small kit that contains six sheets of test paper that you can dip into your drink to test for drugs that are commonly used to spike drinks, like Ketamine and GHB. Both these substances are also known as 'date rape drugs' as they put the drinker into a deep, unconscious state and disrupt their memories.

Drink spiking is a growing problem across the world and is a lot more common than many people think. It is a particular concern for young women, although up to 20 per cent of victims are men. Studies in the UK, USA and Australia show that between 10 and 25 per cent of female college students have been bought a drink that was spiked or had a drink that someone spiked. Mr Bates had advice for anyone concerned about these predatory drugs. He said: "Our message is, 'Don't leave your drinks unattended'. If you are worried that something might have happened, [the Test Your Drink kit] will give you peace of mind." The product will soon be available to purchase at a price of approximately $1.65* per pack.

* TBC (To be confirmed)

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3606715/The-real-dangers-drink-spiking-Nearly-10-students-claim-fallen-victim-MEN-risk-too.html
  • http://health.usnews.com/health-care/articles/2016-05-24/drink-spiking-a-problem-on-us-campuses
  • http://testyourdrink.com


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. DRINK SPIKING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about drink spiking. 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?

       product / drugged / self-control / sexual assault / entrepreneur / kit / substances /
       growing problem / common / victims / advice / predatory / concerned / peace of mind

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

3. SUBSTANCES: Students A strongly believe any no drugs should not be for sale anywhere, including cigarettes; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. TEST YOUR…: What things would you like to test before having, using or buying? Share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

  • Food
  • Clothes
  • Car
  • Computer
  • Insurance
  • English lesson
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. TEST: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "test". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. DRUGS: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • nicotine
  • over-the –counter drugs
  • helium
  • glue
  • caffeine
  • painkillers
  • alcohol
  • cough medicine

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A businessman has created a new product to spike drinks.     T / F
  2. The new product is called Test Your Drink.     T / F
  3. The product contains a kit with six pieces of paper.     T / F
  4. To test a drink, people dip one of the papers into the glass.     T / F
  5. The article says drink spiking is not as common as we think.     T / F
  6. As much as a fifth of drink spiking victims are men.     T / F
  7. The product's inventor advised people to leave their drink unattended.     T / F
  8. The product will soon be on sale for a price of $16.50.     T / F

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

  1. spiked
  2. theft
  3. entrepreneur
  4. dip
  5. disrupt
  6. common
  7. concern
  8. unattended
  9. peace of mind
  10. approximately
  1. play havoc with
  2. immerse
  3. unguarded
  4. worry
  5. robbery
  6. freedom from worry
  7. businessman
  8. about
  9. prevalent
  10. drugged

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

  1. drinks they think might have been drugged,
  2. sexual
  3. test paper that you can dip
  4. these substances are also known
  5. put the drinker into a deep,
  6. a lot more common
  7. predatory
  8. Don't leave your drinks
  9. give you peace
  10. approximately
  1. as 'date rape drugs'
  2. of mind
  3. $1.65 per pack
  4. or 'spiked'
  5. unattended
  6. into your drink
  7. assault
  8. drugs
  9. unconscious state
  10. than many people think

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
control
commonly
spiked
disrupt
slips
developed
substances
kit

A British businessman has (1) ____________ a product that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged, or '(2) ____________'. This happens if one person (3) ___________ drugs into the glass of another person. The drinker then loses self-(4) ____________ and is often the victim of rape, sexual assault or theft. The new product is called Test Your Drink and was invented by entrepreneur Gary Bates. It is a small (5) _________ that contains six sheets of test paper that you can dip into your drink to test for drugs that are (6) ____________ used to spike drinks, like Ketamine and GHB. Both these (7) ____________ are also known as 'date rape drugs' as they put the drinker into a deep, unconscious state and (8) ____________ their memories.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
female
growing
unattended'
victims
purchase
predatory
mind
particular

Drink spiking is a (9) ____________ problem across the world and is a lot more common than many people think. It is a (10) ____________ concern for young women, although up to 20 per cent of (11) ____________ are men. Studies in the UK, USA and Australia show that between 10 and 25 per cent of (12) ____________ college students have been bought a drink that was spiked or had a drink that someone spiked. Mr Bates had advice for anyone concerned about these (13) ____________ drugs. He said: "Our message is, 'Don't leave your drinks (14) ____________ '. If you are worried that something might have happened, [the Test Your Drink kit] will give you peace of (15) ____________." The product will soon be available to (16) ____________ at a price of approximately $1.65 per pack.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  This happens if one person slips drugs into the glass ______
     a.  of the other person
     b.  of another person
     c.  of another people
     d.  off another person

2)  The drinker then loses self-control and is often the victim of rape, sexual ______
     a.  assaults or theft
     b.  assault or theft
     c.  assault of theft
     d.  assault or thefts

3)  The new product is called Test Your Drink and was invented ______ Gary Bates
     a.  by enter printer
     b.  by entrepreneurs
     c.  by entrepreneur
     d.  by enter preener

4) test paper that you can dip into your drink to test for drugs that ______
     a.  are commonly used
     b.  aren't commonly used
     c.  are commonly usage
     d.  are comma-only used

5)  they put the drinker into a deep, unconscious state and ______
     a.  disrupts their memorise
     b.  disrupts their memories
     c.  disrupt their memories
     d.  disrupt their memorise

6)  a growing problem across the world and is a lot more common than ______
     a.  many people thinks
     b.  many people thinking
     c.  many people think
     d.  many people thinkers

7) a particular concern for young women, although up to 20 per cent ______
     a.  of victims are men
     b.  of victim are women
     c.  off victims are men
     d.  of victims are women

8)  Mr Bates had advice for anyone concerned about these ______
     a.  pre-dated drugs
     b.  predator drugs
     c.  predator e-drugs
     d.  predatory drugs

9)  He said: "Our message is, 'Don't leave ______'
     a.  your drinks in attended
     b.  your drinks unattended
     c.  your drinks in attendant
     d.  your drinks unintended

10) the Test Your Drink kit will give you ______
     a.  piece of mind
     b.  peace for mind
     c.  piece off mind
     d.  peace of mind

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A British businessman (1) ___________________ product that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged, or 'spiked'. This happens if one person (2) ___________________ the glass of another person. The drinker then loses self-control and is often (3) ___________________ rape, sexual assault or theft. The new product is called Test Your Drink and was invented by entrepreneur Gary Bates. It is (4) ___________________ that contains six sheets of test paper that you can dip into your drink to test for drugs that are (5) ___________________ to spike drinks, like Ketamine and GHB. Both these substances are also known as 'date rape drugs' as they put the drinker into a deep, unconscious state (6) ___________________ memories.

Drink spiking is a growing (7) ___________________ the world and is a lot more common than many people think. It is (8) ___________________ for young women, although up to 20 per cent of victims are men. Studies in the UK, USA and Australia (9) ___________________ 10 and 25 per cent of female college students have been bought a drink that was spiked or had a drink that someone spiked. Mr Bates had advice for (10) ___________________ about these predatory drugs. He said: "Our message is, 'Don't leave your (11) ___________________'. If you are worried that something might have happened, [the Test Your Drink kit] will give you (12) ___________________." The product will soon be available to purchase at a price of approximately $1.65 per pack.

Comprehension questions

  1. Where is the inventor of the product from?
  2. What did the article say a person can lose if their drink is spiked?
  3. How many sheets of paper are in the test?
  4. What is the other drug mentioned besides Ketamine?
  5. What do the drugs disrupt?
  6. Where is drink spiking a growing problem?
  7. What percentage of drink spiking victims are men?
  8. What did the entrepreneur tell people not to do with their drinks?
  9. What did the entrepreneur say the kit would do to your mind?
  10. How much will one pack of the Test Your Drink sheets cost?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where is the inventor of the product from?
a) Senegal
b) Britain
c) Brazil
d) Japan

2) What did the article say a person could lose if their drink is spiked?
a) friends
b) their mind
c) their money
d) self-control

3) How many sheets of paper are in the test?
a) 6
b) 16
c) 600
d) 60

4) What is the other drug mentioned besides Ketamine?
a) BGH
b) HGB
c) GHB
d) GBH

5) What do the drugs disrupt?
a) a night out
b) memories
c) drinking
d) fun

6) Where is drink spiking a growing problem?
a) in the countryside
b) in breweries and vineyards
c) across the world
d) supermarkets

7) What percentage of drink spiking victims are men?
a) around 20%
b) exactly 20%
c) slightly over 20%
d) up to 20%

8) What did the entrepreneur tell people not to do with their drinks?
a) leave them unattended
b) mix them
c) give them away
d) not drink them

9) What did the entrepreneur say the kit would give your mind?
a) peace
b) food for thought
c) a drink
d) a good night's sleep

10) How much will one pack of the Test Your Drink sheets cost?
a) ¥165
b) $1.65
c) £1.65
d) €1.65

Role play

Role A —Caffeine

You think caffeine is the worst drug. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as bad with their drugs. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why): alcohol, nicotine or over-the-counter drugs.

Role B —Alcohol

You think alcohol is the worst drug. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as bad with their drugs. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why): caffeine, nicotine or over-the-counter drugs.

Role C —Nicotine

You think nicotine is the worst drug. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as bad with their drugs. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why): alcohol, caffeine or over-the-counter drugs.

Role D —Over-the-counter drugs

You think over-the-counter drugs are the worst drugs. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as bad with their drugs. Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why):  alcohol, nicotine or caffeine.

After reading / listening

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

'test'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'drink'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • across
    • young
    • 10
    • advice
    • leave
    • price
    • helps
    • slips
    • theft
    • dip
    • both
    • state

    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 - New product tests for spiked drinks

    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 'drugged'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about drink spiking?
    5. What should the punishment be for spiking someone's drink?
    6. How would you feel if someone spiked your drink?
    7. Should places that sell drinks provide the Test Your Drink product?
    8. Would you buy and use the product?
    9. How dangerous is drink spiking?
    10. Would / Do you worry about your loved ones going out for a drink?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. Why is drink spiking so common at colleges and universities?
    3. Would you buy this product for people you know?
    4. What can be done to protect people against drink spiking?
    5. What do you think about Gary Bates' message?
    6. How much peace of mind do you think the test kit provides?
    7. What other dangers are there of going out for a drink?
    8. What other things that we eat and drink could we use test paper on?
    9. Where could the Test Your Drink product be used?
    10. What questions would you like to ask about the product?

    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)

    A British businessman has developed a (1) ____ that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged, or 'spiked'. This happens if one person (2) ____ drugs into the glass of another person. The drinker then (3) ____ self-control and is often the victim of rape, sexual assault or theft. The new product is called Test Your Drink and was (4) ____ by entrepreneur Gary Bates. It is a small kit that contains six sheets of test paper that you can (5) ____ into your drink to test for drugs that are commonly used to spike drinks, like Ketamine and GHB. Both these substances are also known as 'date rape drugs' as they put the drinker into a (6) ____, unconscious state and disrupt their memories.

    Drink spiking is a (7) ____ problem across the world and is a lot more (8) ____ than many people think. It is a particular concern for young women, although up to 20 per cent of victims are men. Studies in the UK, USA and Australia (9) ____ that between 10 and 25 per cent of female college students have been bought a drink that was spiked or had a drink that someone spiked. Mr Bates had (10) ____ for anyone concerned about these predatory drugs. He said: "Our message is, 'Don't leave your drinks unattended'. If you are worried that something might have happened, [the Test Your Drink kit] will give you peace of (11) ____." The product will soon be available to purchase at a price of approximately $1.65 (12) ____ pack.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     product     (b)     production     (c)     produce     (d)     productive    
    2. (a)     ships     (b)     sips     (c)     slips     (d)     snips    
    3. (a)     reduces     (b)     less     (c)     loses     (d)     drops    
    4. (a)     convicted     (b)     indentured     (c)     convened     (d)     invented    
    5. (a)     dip     (b)     lip     (c)     nip     (d)     pip    
    6. (a)     depth     (b)     deep     (c)     deepen     (d)     deeps    
    7. (a)     grows     (b)     grown     (c)     growth     (d)     growing    
    8. (a)     average     (b)     common     (c)     norm     (d)     usually    
    9. (a)     solve     (b)     store     (c)     show     (d)     see    
    10. (a)     advises     (b)     advisory     (c)     advise     (d)     advice    
    11. (a)     skull     (b)     brain     (c)     head     (d)     mind    
    12. (a)     par     (b)     per     (c)     pro     (d)     pre

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. ovedeplde a product
    2. rape, sexual astuasl or theft
    3. invented by urreeeetnpnr Gary Bates
    4. Both these sstsbueanc
    5. into a deep iusoncsonuc state
    6. irupdst their memories

    Paragraph 2

    1. a paailrtcru concern for young women
    2. 20 per cent of iistmvc are men
    3. concerned about these orpytraed drugs
    4. Don't leave your drinks dnettuedna
    5. be ivaleaalb to purchase
    6. at a price of teyrlappmaiox $1.65

    Put the text back together

    (    )     was invented by entrepreneur Gary Bates. It is a small kit that contains six

    (    )     like Ketamine and GHB. Both these substances are also known as 'date rape

    (    )     'spiked'. This happens if one person slips drugs into the glass of another person. The drinker then loses self-

    (    )     for anyone concerned about these predatory drugs. He said: "Our message is, 'Don't leave your

    (    )     give you peace of mind." The product will soon be available to purchase at a price of approximately $1.65 per pack.

    (    )     control and is often the victim of rape, sexual assault or theft. The new product is called Test Your Drink and

    (    )     A British businessman has developed a product that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged, or

    (    )     sheets of test paper that you can dip into your drink to test for drugs that are commonly used to spike drinks,

    (    )     drugs' as they put the drinker into a deep, unconscious state and disrupt their memories.

    (    )     think. It is a particular concern for young women, although up to 20 per cent of victims are men. Studies in

    (    )     the UK, USA and Australia show that between 10 and 25 per cent of female college

    (    )     students have been bought a drink that was spiked or had a drink that someone spiked. Mr Bates had advice

    (    )     drinks unattended'. If you are worried that something might have happened, [the Test Your Drink kit] will

    (    )     Drink spiking is a growing problem across the world and is a lot more common than many people

    Put the words in the right order

    1. product   a   Developed   drinks   test   people   helps   that   .
    2. glass   person   slips   the   another   person   into   of   One   drugs   .
    3. is  and  control   -  self   loses   then  drinker   The  victim  the   often  .
    4. of   A   that   sheets   paper   kit   six   test   small   contains   .
    5. ,   They   drinker   deep   state   the   a   unconscious   put   into   .
    6. across   is   the   a   world   growing   Drink   problem   spiking   .
    7. lot   A   think   people   many   than   common   more   .
    8. young   for   concern   particular   a   is   It   women   .
    9. for   Advice   drugs   predatory   these   about   concerned   anyone   .
    10. soon   will   product   The   purchase   to   available   be   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A British businessman has developed a produce / product that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged, or 'spiked'. This happens / happened if one person slips / slaps drugs into the glass of another person. The drinker then loses self-control and is often the victims / victim of rape, sexual assault or theft / thieve. The new product is called Test Your Drink and was invented by / from entrepreneur Gary Bates. It is a small bit / kit that contains six sheets of test paper that you can dip into your drink to test for / as drugs that are commonly / common used to spike drinks, like Ketamine and GHB. Both these substances are also known as 'date rape drugs' as they put the drinker into a deep, unconscious state and distrust / disrupt their memories.

    Drink spiking is a growth / growing problem across the world and is a lot more commonly / common than many people think. It is a particular concern for young women, although up to 20 per cent by / of victims are men. Studies in the UK, USA and Australia show / shown that between 10 and 25 per cent of female college students have been bought a drink that was spiked or / nor had a drink that someone spiked. Mr Bates had advice for anyone concerned / cornered about these predatory / preparatory drugs. He said: "Our message is, 'Don't leave your drinks attended / unattended'. If you are worried that something might have happening / happened, [the Test Your Drink kit] will give you peace of mind / mined." The product will soon be available to purchase at a price of approximately $1.65 per pack.

    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)

    _ Br_t_sh b_s_n_ssm_n h_s d_v_l_p_d _ pr_d_ct th_t h_lps p__pl_ t_st dr_nks th_y th_nk m_ght h_v_ b__n dr_gg_d, _r 'sp_k_d'. Th_s h_pp_ns _f _n_ p_rs_n sl_ps dr_gs _nt_ th_ gl_ss _f _n_th_r p_rs_n. Th_ dr_nk_r th_n l_s_s s_lf-c_ntr_l _nd _s _ft_n th_ v_ct_m _f r_p_, s_x__l _ss__lt _r th_ft. Th_ n_w pr_d_ct _s c_ll_d T_st Y__r Dr_nk _nd w_s _nv_nt_d by _ntr_pr_n__r G_ry B_t_s. _t _s _ sm_ll k_t th_t c_nt__ns s_x sh__ts _f t_st p_p_r th_t y__ c_n d_p _nt_ y__r dr_nk t_ t_st f_r dr_gs th_t _r_ c_mm_nly _s_d t_ sp_k_ dr_nks, l_k_ K_t_m_n_ _nd GHB. B_th th_s_ s_bst_nc_s _r_ _ls_ kn_wn _s 'd_t_ r_p_ dr_gs' _s th_y p_t th_ dr_nk_r _nt_ _ d__p, _nc_nsc___s st_t_ _nd d_sr_pt th__r m_m_r__s.

    Dr_nk sp_k_ng _s _ gr_w_ng pr_bl_m _cr_ss th_ w_rld _nd _s _ l_t m_r_ c_mm_n th_n m_ny p__pl_ th_nk. _t _s _ p_rt_c_l_r c_nc_rn f_r y__ng w_m_n, _lth__gh _p t_ 20 p_r c_nt _f v_ct_ms _r_ m_n. St_d__s _n th_ _K, _S_ _nd __str_l__ sh_w th_t b_tw__n 10 _nd 25 p_r c_nt _f f_m_l_ c_ll_g_ st_d_nts h_v_ b__n b__ght _ dr_nk th_t w_s sp_k_d _r h_d _ dr_nk th_t s_m__n_ sp_k_d. Mr B_t_s h_d _dv_c_ f_r _ny_n_ c_nc_rn_d _b__t th_s_ pr_d_t_ry dr_gs. H_ s__d: "__r m_ss_g_ _s, 'D_n't l__v_ y__r dr_nks _n_tt_nd_d'. _f y__ _r_ w_rr__d th_t s_m_th_ng m_ght h_v_ h_pp_n_d, [th_ T_st Y__r Dr_nk k_t] w_ll g_v_ y__ p__c_ _f m_nd." Th_ pr_d_ct w_ll s__n b_ _v__l_bl_ t_ p_rch_s_ _t _ pr_c_ _f _ppr_x_m_t_ly $1.65 p_r p_ck.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a british businessman has developed a product that helps people test drinks they think might have been drugged or 'spiked' this happens if one person slips drugs into the glass of another person the drinker then loses self-control and is often the victim of rape sexual assault or theft the new product is called test your drink and was invented by entrepreneur gary bates it is a small kit that contains six sheets of test paper that you can dip into your drink to test for drugs that are commonly used to spike drinks like ketamine and ghb both these substances are also known as 'date rape drugs' as they put the drinker into a deep unconscious state and disrupt their memories

    drink spiking is a growing problem across the world and is a lot more common than many people think it is a particular concern for young women although up to 20 per cent of victims are men studies in the uk usa and australia show that between 10 and 25 per cent of female college students have been bought a drink that was spiked or had a drink that someone spiked mr bates had advice for anyone concerned about these predatory drugs he said "our message is 'don't leave your drinks unattended' if you are worried that something might have happened [the test your drink kit] will give you peace of mind" the product will soon be available to purchase at a price of approximately $165 per pack

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ABritishbusinessmanhasdevelopedaproductthathelpspeopletestdri
    nkstheythinkmighthavebeendrugged,or'spiked'.Thishappensifonep
    ersonslipsdrugsintotheglassofanotherperson.Thedrinkerthenlosess
    elf-controlandisoftenthevictimofrape,sexualassaultortheft.Thene
    wproductiscalledTestYourDrinkandwasinventedbyentrepreneurGar
    yBates.Itisasmallkitthatcontainssixsheetsoftestpaperthatyoucandi
    pintoyourdrinktotestfordrugsthatarecommonlyusedtospikedrinks,li
    keKetamineandGHB.Boththesesubstancesarealsoknownas'daterap
    edrugs'astheyputthedrinkerintoadeep,unconsciousstateanddisrupt
    theirmemories.Drinkspikingisagrowingproblemacrosstheworldandi
    salotmorecommonthanmanypeoplethink.Itisaparticularconcernfor
    youngwomen,althoughupto20percentofvictimsaremen.Studiesinth
    eUK,USAandAustraliashowthatbetween10and25percentoffemaleco
    llegestudentshavebeenboughtadrinkthatwasspikedorhadadrinktha
    tsomeonespiked.MrBateshadadviceforanyoneconcernedaboutthes
    epredatorydrugs.Hesaid:"Ourmessageis,'Don'tleaveyourdrinksuna
    ttended'.Ifyouareworriedthatsomethingmighthavehappened,[theT
    estYourDrinkkit]willgiveyoupeaceofmind."Theproductwillsoonbeav
    ailabletopurchaseatapriceofapproximately$1.65perpack.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    All drugs that can harm or control people should not be sold in shops. 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 drink spiking. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. DRINK SPIKING: Make a poster about the growing problem of drink spiking. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. TEST YOUR DRINK: Write a magazine article about the product Test Your Drink. Include imaginary interviews with the inventor, the police and bar owners.

    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 drink spiking. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how people can guard against it. 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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