The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The Swedish furniture giant IKEA has banned old people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China. Store managers decided to clamp down on what they described as 'illegal date clubs'. Since the store opened several years ago, hundreds of lonely, divorced or widowed elderly people have descended on the cafeteria in search of love and companionship. Many of them simply used the café as a meeting place and did not buy anything. Management said they occupied seats for 'extended periods,' 'spoke loudly,' 'spat on the floor,' 'flirted' and had 'quarrels and fights'. The store posted a notice saying: "From today, the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first."

The older clientele are up in arms over the ban. They say they have nowhere else to go. An 88-year-old IKEA regular said: "We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there are barely any of our peers there. We feel like aliens there - surrounded by youngsters." Another frequent visitor to the restaurant said: "I guess few people know just how lonely old people are. Our kids are not around, and some visit only on weekends. I feel quite good when I come here. I talk with friends, but some elderly do meet people who become lovers." Some customers have little sympathy for those in search of love. They have complained that there is nowhere to sit because of the matchmaking groups.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/ikea-losing-patience-with-elderly-chinese-who-assemble-in-store-to-find-love
  • http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/ikea-eatery-its-no-pay-no-stay
  • http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ikea-bans-illegal-blind-dating-group-store-cafeteria-in-shanghai-china-a7359271.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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. DATING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about dating. 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?

       furniture / giant / store / managers / lonely / divorced / meeting place / flirted / food /
       clientele / up in arms / regular / peers / aliens / youngsters / weekends / lovers

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

3. SIT DOWN: Students A strongly believe old people should be able to sit and chat in restaurants without buying anything; Students B strongly believe that's stupid.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. IN SEARCH OF LOVE: How can these things / people / places help people in search of love?Discuss this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Restaurants
  • Internet
  • Bosses
  • Celebrities
  • Libraries
  • Trains
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. DATE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "date". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. ROMANCE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best places for romance at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • a shopping mall
  • Disneyland
  • a French restaurant
  • the Sahara Desert
  • an IKEA restaurant
  • a movie theatre
  • the beach
  • a train

Before reading / listening

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

  1. IKEA has banned old people from dating at all of its stores in China.     T / F
  2. Managers at IKEA Shanghai described "illegal date clubs" at the store.     T / F
  3. Most of the elderly buy tea and cookies at the cafe.     T / F
  4. The restaurant told customers they need to but food before sitting down. T / F
  5. The elderly customers fully understand and accept IKEA's dating ban.     T / F
  6. The elderly customers say they prefer going to McDonald's.     T / F
  7. An aged person said few people understand their loneliness.     T / F
  8. IKEA customers are full of sympathy for the old people.     T / F

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

  1. banned
  2. clamp down on
  3. descended on
  4. occupied
  5. quarrels
  6. up in arms
  7. barely
  8. frequent
  9. sympathy
  10. complained
  1. pity
  2. took up
  3. arguments
  4. angry
  5. put a stop to
  6. regular
  7. prohibited
  8. protested
  9. hardly
  10. arrived in hordes

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

  1. managers decided to clamp
  2. divorced
  3. Many of them simply used the café
  4. spat
  5. only be for people who purchase
  6. The older clientele are up in
  7. there are barely any of our
  8. surrounded
  9. customers have little sympathy for
  10. complained that there is
  1. peers there
  2. by youngsters
  3. on the floor
  4. nowhere to sit
  5. or widowed
  6. those in search of love
  7. down
  8. their food first
  9. arms over the ban
  10. as a meeting place

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
descended
giant
occupied
purchase
several
simply
'quarrels
clamp

The Swedish furniture (1) ____________ IKEA has banned old people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China. Store managers decided to (2) ____________ down on what they described as 'illegal date clubs'. Since the store opened (3) ____________ years ago, hundreds of lonely, divorced or widowed elderly people have (4) ____________ on the cafeteria in search of love and companionship. Many of them (5) ____________ used the café as a meeting place and did not buy anything. Management said they (6) ____________ seats for 'extended periods,' 'spoke loudly,' 'spat on the floor,' 'flirted' and had '(7) ____________ and fights'. The store posted a notice saying: "From today, the restaurant will only be for people who (8) ____________ their food first."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
youngsters
clientele
sympathy
regular
lovers
aliens
visit
barely

The older (9) ____________ are up in arms over the ban. They say they have nowhere else to go. An 88-year-old IKEA (10) ____________ said: "We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there are (11) ____________ any of our peers there. We feel like (12) ____________ there - surrounded by (13) ____________." Another frequent visitor to the restaurant said: "I guess few people know just how lonely old people are. Our kids are not around, and some (14) ____________ only on weekends. I feel quite good when I come here. I talk with friends, but some elderly do meet people who become (15) ____________." Some customers have little (16) ____________ for those in search of love. They have complained that there is nowhere to sit because of the matchmaking groups.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Store managers decided to clamp down on what they described as '______'
     a.  illegally date clubs
     b.  illegal dated clubs
     c.  illegal date clubs
     d.  illegal date club

2)  elderly people have descended on the cafeteria in search of love ______
     a.  and companion ship
     b.  and company ship
     c.  and compare onions hip
     d.  and companionship

3)  Management said they occupied seats for '______'
     a.  extended periods
     b.  extending periods
     c.  extension periods
     d.  extended period

4)  'spoke loudly,' 'spat on the floor,' 'flirted' and had '______'
     a.  quotas and flights
     b.  quotas and fights
     c.  quarrels and flights
     d.  quarrels and fights

5)  From today, the restaurant will only be for people who purchase ______
     a.  their foods first
     b.  their food fast
     c.  their food first
     d.  they're food first

6)  The older clientele are up in ______ ban
     a.  arms over the
     b.  legs under the
     c.  legs over the
     d.  arms under the

7)  We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there are barely any ______ there
     a.  of our pears
     b.  of our peers
     c.  of our pairs
     d.  of our pares

8)  We feel like aliens there - surrounded ______
     a.  by young stars
     b.  buy youngsters
     c.  bye young stores
     d.  by youngsters

9)  Some customers have little sympathy for those ______
     a.  in searches of love
     b.  in searching of love
     c.  in search of love
     d.  in searched of love

10)  They have complained that there is nowhere to sit because of the ______
     a.  match make in groups
     b.  match made in groups
     c.  matched making groups
     d.  matchmaking groups

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Swedish furniture giant IKEA (1) ___________________ people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China. Store managers decided to clamp down on what (2) ___________________ 'illegal date clubs'. Since the store opened several years ago, hundreds of lonely, divorced (3) ___________________ people have descended on the cafeteria in search of love and companionship. Many of them (4) ___________________ café as a meeting place and did not buy anything. Management said they occupied seats (5) ___________________ periods,' 'spoke loudly,' 'spat on the floor,' 'flirted' and had 'quarrels and fights'. The store posted a notice saying: "From today, the restaurant will only be for people (6) ___________________ food first."

The older clientele (7) ___________________ over the ban. They say they have nowhere else to go. An 88-year-old IKEA regular said: "We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there (8) ___________________ of our peers there. We feel like aliens there - surrounded by youngsters." Another frequent visitor to the restaurant said: "(9) ___________________ people know just how lonely old people are. Our kids are not around, and some visit only on weekends. I (10) ___________________ when I come here. I talk with friends, but some elderly do meet people who become lovers." Some customers have (11) ___________________ those in search of love. They have complained that there is (12) ___________________ because of the matchmaking groups.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who decided to ban old people dating in an IKEA store?
  2. When did the store open?
  3. What do many older people use the cafeteria as?
  4. How did IKEA's management say the elderly people spoke?
  5. What must people now do before they sit down in the cafeteria?
  6. What did an 88-year-old say there were barely any of in KFC?
  7. Who did an 88-year-old say elderly people were surrounded by in KFC?
  8. When do the kids of elderly people visit them?
  9. Who has little sympathy for the elderly people?
  10. What did regular customers complain about there being a lack of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who decided to ban old people dating in an IKEA store?
a) the Swedish CEO
b) store managers
c) the police
d) shareholders

2) When did the store open?
a) last week
b) 1936
c) at 9 am
d) several years ago

3) What do many older people use the cafeteria as?
a) a love nest
b) a park
c) a meeting place
d) a second home

4) How did IKEA's management say the elderly people spoke?
a) loudly
b) rudely
c) quickly
d) softly

5) What must people now do before they sit down in the cafeteria?
a) buy furniture
b) purchase food
c) find a friend
d) take a ticket

6) What did an 88-year-old say there were barely any of in KFC?
a) peers
b) youngsters
c) aliens
d) managers

7) Who did an 88-year-old say elderly people were surrounded by in KFC?
a) peers
b) managers
c) youngsters
d) aliens

8) When do the kids of elderly people visit them?
a) at the weekends
b) during holidays
c) at the New Year
d) on their birthday

9) Who has little sympathy for the elderly people?
a) youngsters
b) store managers
c) aliens
d) some customers

10) What did regular customers complain about there being a lack of?
a) store managers
b) furniture
c) seats
d) food

Role play

Role A — IKEA

You think IKEA is the best place for romance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why): Disneyland, a French restaurant or the Sahara Desert.

Role B — Disneyland

You think Disneyland is the best place for romance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why): IKEA, a French restaurant or the Sahara Desert.

Role C — A French restaurant

You think a French restaurant is the best place for romance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why): Disneyland, IKEA or the Sahara Desert.

Role D — The Sahara Desert

You think the Sahara Desert is the best place for romance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their places. Also, tell the others which is the least romantic of these (and why):  Disneyland, a French restaurant or IKEA.

After reading / listening

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

'elderly'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'people'.

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

    • arms
    • barely
    • aliens
    • kids
    • lovers
    • groups
    • giant
    • clamp
    • several
    • widowed
    • spoke
    • first

    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 - Shanghai IKEA bans old people from dating

    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 'dating'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What should IKEA do about the older people?
    5. Where can the older people go to find love?
    6. Could IKEA use the matchmaking as a business opportunity?
    7. How difficult is it to be old and alone?
    8. What is wrong with using a store's café as a meeting place?
    9. Should coffee shops stop people using seats for extended periods?
    10. What advice do you have for the IKEA managers?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. Are the older clientele right to be up in arms?
    3. Is this the same as young people spending ages in McDonald's?
    4. What makes society a place where old people feel alienated?
    5. How do old people find friends in your country?
    6. How does this story reflect on IKEA?
    7. What can the old people do to help IKEA?
    8. Would you let the old people have your seat if you had bought a meal?
    9. What is the compromise here?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the IKEA managers?

    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)

    The Swedish furniture giant IKEA has (1) ____ old people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China. Store managers decided to (2) ____ down on what they described as 'illegal date clubs'. Since the store opened several years ago, hundreds of lonely, divorced or (3) ____ elderly people have descended on the cafeteria in search of love and companionship. Many of them (4) ____ used the café as a meeting place and did not buy anything. Management said they occupied seats for 'extended periods,' 'spoke loudly,' '(5) ____ on the floor,' 'flirted' and had 'quarrels and fights'. The store posted a notice saying: "From today, the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food (6) ____."

    The older clientele are up in (7) ____ over the ban. They say they have nowhere else to go. An 88-year-old IKEA regular said: "We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there are barely any of our (8) ____ there. We feel like aliens there - surrounded by youngsters." Another frequent visitor to the restaurant said: "I guess (9) ____ people know just how lonely old people are. Our kids are not (10) ____, and some visit only on weekends. I feel quite good when I come here. I talk with friends, but some elderly do meet people who become lovers." Some customers have (11) ____ sympathy for those in search of love. They have complained that there is nowhere to sit because of the (12) ____ groups.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     binned     (b)     banned     (c)     bind     (d)     band    
    2. (a)     crump     (b)     cramp     (c)     clump     (d)     clamp    
    3. (a)     widow     (b)     widowed     (c)     widows     (d)     widower    
    4. (a)     easily     (b)     justly     (c)     simply     (d)     handily    
    5. (a)     spat     (b)     spit     (c)     split     (d)     splat    
    6. (a)     first     (b)     fast     (c)     firstly     (d)     fist    
    7. (a)     minds     (b)     hearts     (c)     legs     (d)     arms    
    8. (a)     peers     (b)     pears     (c)     pares     (d)     pores    
    9. (a)     several     (b)     few     (c)     multitudes     (d)     loving    
    10. (a)     visit     (b)     through     (c)     around     (d)     roughly    
    11. (a)     small     (b)     few     (c)     little     (d)     low    
    12. (a)     matched     (b)     matchmaking     (c)     martial     (d)     matrimony

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The Swedish unfeiturr giant IKEA
    2. divorced or iowdedw elderly people
    3. dddnecsee on the cafeteria
    4. ccdiepuo seats for extended periods
    5. had lreursaq and fights
    6. for people who serhapuc their food first

    Paragraph 2

    1. The older lleetenic are up in arms
    2. there are alryeb any of our peers
    3. ruuodrneds by youngsters
    4. Another tfeeuqrn visitor
    5. customers have little hsyatmyp
    6. They have elpadmoinc

    Put the text back together

    (    )     regular said: "We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there are barely any of our

    (    )     on weekends. I feel quite good when I come here. I talk with friends, but some elderly do meet people

    (    )     on the floor,' 'flirted' and had 'quarrels and fights'. The store posted a notice

    (    )     peers there. We feel like aliens there - surrounded by youngsters." Another frequent visitor to the

    (    )     The older clientele are up in arms over the ban. They say they have nowhere else to go. An 88-year-old IKEA

    (    )     not buy anything. Management said they occupied seats for 'extended periods,' 'spoke loudly,' 'spat

    (    )     restaurant said: "I guess few people know just how lonely old people are. Our kids are not around, and some visit only

    (    )     who become lovers." Some customers have little sympathy for

    (    )     saying: "From today, the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first."

    (    )     years ago, hundreds of lonely, divorced or widowed elderly people have descended on the cafeteria in search

    (    )     decided to clamp down on what they described as 'illegal date clubs'. Since the store opened several

    (    )     those in search of love. They have complained that there is nowhere to sit because of the matchmaking groups.

    (    )     of love and companionship. Many of them simply used the café as a meeting place and did

    1  )     The Swedish furniture giant IKEA has banned old people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China. Store managers

    Put the words in the right order

    1. down   Clamp   clubs   date   illegal   as   described   they   what   on   .
    2. People   on   in   love   descended   cafeteria   of   have   the   search   .
    3. of   them   simply   used   the   café   as   a   meeting   place   Many   .
    4. extended   for   seats   occupied   they   said   Management   periods   .
    5. first   who   Only   purchase   be   their   for   food   people   .
    6. arms   ban   clientele   in   the   older   up   over   The   are   .
    7. -   feel   surrounded   like   by   aliens   youngsters   there   We   .
    8. just   how   lonely   old   people   are   I   guess   few   people   know   .
    9. sympathy   in   love   little   those   of  have   for   search   Customers  .
    10. that   have   sit   nowhere   there   complained   They   to   is   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The Swedish furniture giant IKEA has binned / banned old people from dating at its store in Shanghai, China. Store managers decided to clamp down / up on what they described as 'illegal / illegally date clubs'. Since the store opened several years ago, hundreds / hundred of lonely, divorced or widowed elderly people have rescinded / descended on the cafeteria in search of love and one-upmanship / companionship. Many of them simply / simple used the café as a meeting place and did not buy nothing / anything. Management said they occupied seats for 'extended periods,' 'spoke loudly,' 'spat / splat on the floor,' 'flirted' and had 'quarrels and fights'. The store posted a notice / notable saying: "From today, the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first."

    The older clientele are up in legs / arms over the ban. They say they have nowhere else to go. An 88-year-old IKEA regularly / regular said: "We've been to McDonald's and KFC, but there are barely / barley any of our pears / peers there. We feel like aliens there - surrounded by / at youngsters." Another frequent visit / visitor to the restaurant said: "I guess several / few people know just how lonely old people are. Our kids are not around, and some visit only on weekends. I feel quite good when I come here. I talk with friends, but some elderly do meet people who become loves / lovers." Some customers have little sympathy / sympathetic for those in search of love. They have complained / complainants that there is nowhere to sit because of the matchmaking groups.

    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)

    Th_ Sw_d_sh f_rn_t_r_ g__nt _K__ h_s b_nn_d _ld p__pl_ fr_m d_t_ng _t _ts st_r_ _n Sh_ngh__, Ch_n_. St_r_ m_n_g_rs d_c_d_d t_ cl_mp d_wn _n wh_t th_y d_scr_b_d _s '_ll_g_l d_t_ cl_bs'. S_nc_ th_ st_r_ _p_n_d s_v_r_l y__rs _g_, h_ndr_ds _f l_n_ly, d_v_rc_d _r w_d_w_d _ld_rly p__pl_ h_v_ d_sc_nd_d _n th_ c_f_t_r__ _n s__rch _f l_v_ _nd c_mp_n__nsh_p. M_ny _f th_m s_mply _s_d th_ c_fé _s _ m__t_ng pl_c_ _nd d_d n_t b_y _nyth_ng. M_n_g_m_nt s__d th_y _cc_p__d s__ts f_r '_xt_nd_d p_r__ds,' 'sp_k_ l__dly,' 'sp_t _n th_ fl__r,' 'fl_rt_d' _nd h_d 'q__rr_ls _nd f_ghts'. Th_ st_r_ p_st_d _ n_t_c_ s_y_ng: "Fr_m t_d_y, th_ r_st__r_nt w_ll _nly b_ f_r p__pl_ wh_ p_rch_s_ th__r f__d f_rst."

    Th_ _ld_r cl__nt_l_ _r_ _p _n _rms _v_r th_ b_n. Th_y s_y th_y h_v_ n_wh_r_ _ls_ t_ g_. _n 88-y__r-_ld _K__ r_g_l_r s__d: "W_'v_ b__n t_ McD_n_ld's _nd KFC, b_t th_r_ _r_ b_r_ly _ny _f __r p__rs th_r_. W_ f__l l_k_ _l__ns th_r_ - s_rr__nd_d by y__ngst_rs." _n_th_r fr_q__nt v_s_t_r t_ th_ r_st__r_nt s__d: "_ g__ss f_w p__pl_ kn_w j_st h_w l_n_ly _ld p__pl_ _r_. __r k_ds _r_ n_t _r__nd, _nd s_m_ v_s_t _nly _n w__k_nds. _ f__l q__t_ g__d wh_n _ c_m_ h_r_. _ t_lk w_th fr__nds, b_t s_m_ _ld_rly d_ m__t p__pl_ wh_ b_c_m_ l_v_rs." S_m_ c_st_m_rs h_v_ l_ttl_ symp_thy f_r th_s_ _n s__rch _f l_v_. Th_y h_v_ c_mpl__n_d th_t th_r_ _s n_wh_r_ t_ s_t b_c__s_ _f th_ m_tchm_k_ng gr__ps.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the swedish furniture giant ikea has banned old people from dating at its store in shanghai china store managers decided to clamp down on what they described as 'illegal date clubs' since the store opened several years ago hundreds of lonely divorced or widowed elderly people have descended on the cafeteria in search of love and companionship many of them simply used the café as a meeting place and did not buy anything management said they occupied seats for 'extended periods' 'spoke loudly' 'spat on the floor' 'flirted' and had 'quarrels and fights' the store posted a notice saying "from today the restaurant will only be for people who purchase their food first"

    the older clientele are up in arms over the ban they say they have nowhere else to go an 88-year-old ikea regular said "we've been to mcdonald's and kfc but there are barely any of our peers there we feel like aliens there - surrounded by youngsters" another frequent visitor to the restaurant said "i guess few people know just how lonely old people are our kids are not around and some visit only on weekends i feel quite good when i come here i talk with friends but some elderly do meet people who become lovers" some customers have little sympathy for those in search of love they have complained that there is nowhere to sit because of the matchmaking groups

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheSwedishfurnituregiantIKEAhasbannedoldpeoplefromdatingatits
    storeinShanghai,China.Storemanagersdecidedtoclampdownonwha
    ttheydescribedas'illegaldateclubs'.Sincethestoreopenedseveralyea
    rsago,hundredsoflonely,divorcedorwidowedelderlypeoplehavedesc
    endedonthecafeteriainsearchofloveandcompanionship.Manyofthe
    msimplyusedthecaféasameetingplaceanddidnotbuyanything.Mana
    gementsaidtheyoccupiedseatsfor'extendedperiods,''spokeloudly,''s
    patonthefloor,''flirted'andhad'quarrelsandfights'.Thestorepostedan
    oticesaying:"Fromtoday,therestaurantwillonlybeforpeoplewhopurc
    hasetheirfoodfirst."Theolderclienteleareupinarmsovertheban.They
    saytheyhavenowhereelsetogo.An88-year-oldIKEAregularsaid:"We
    'vebeentoMcDonald'sandKFC,buttherearebarelyanyofourpeersther
    e.Wefeellikealiensthere-surroundedbyyoungsters."Anotherfreq
    uentvisitortotherestaurantsaid:"Iguessfewpeopleknowjusthowlone
    lyoldpeopleare.Ourkidsarenotaround,andsomevisitonlyonweekend
    s.IfeelquitegoodwhenIcomehere.Italkwithfriends,butsomeelderlyd
    omeetpeoplewhobecomelovers."Somecustomershavelittlesympath
    yforthoseinsearchoflove.Theyhavecomplainedthatthereisnowheret
    ositbecauseofthematchmakinggroups.

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    Restaurants should allow old people to sit in their seats to find love. 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 this story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. DATING: Write a magazine article about old people finding love in restaurants without buying food. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

    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 dating. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on the best places to go on a date. 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.)

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You