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Bicycles outsell cars in most EU countries (6th December, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The BBC reports that in 2102, more bicycles were sold than cars in 26 out of 28 countries in the European Union. There appear to be several reasons behind this growing trend. One is because of the recession experienced in many countries after the global financial crisis. Many countries introduced austerity measures, which took away the spending power of consumers who might ordinarily have bought a car instead of a bicycle. The continuing rise in fuel prices is also making motorists think twice about driving. Another reason is that more people are getting into cycling. The BBC reports that: "The popularity of cycling appears to be going beyond the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern Europe."

A whopping 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars. Europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012, compared to 19.2 million bicycles. Sergio Marchionne, the head of the Italian car giant FIAT, said this was a sorry state of affairs for the car industry, and described it as "carmageddon". Car sales in Italy slumped so badly that they were at their lowest levels since 1965 – a five-decade low. The head of the Italian cycling federation believes there has been, "a small revolution in terms of lifestyle". The head of Italian cycling manufacturer Bianchi agreed. He said: "Customers these days want bikes they can commute with, and top-of-the-range bikes. They are looking for long-term investments."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25209551
http://www.france24.com/en/20131203-southern-europe-joins-north-bike-revolution

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. BICYCLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bicycles. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

bicycles / reasons / trend / recession / financial crisis / consumers / fuel prices / industry / slumped / revolution / lifestyle / commute / top-of-the-range / investments

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

3. COMPARISON: Compare bicycles and cars using the words on the left? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Bicycle	Car
Price
Hobby
City
Clothing
Self-image
Fun

4. CYCLING: Students A strongly believe cycling is better than driving; 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. FITNESS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• cycling

• aerobics

• jogging

• karate

• swimming

• bodybuilding

• dancing

• tennis

6. TREND: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "trend". 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.	Cars outsold bicycles in just two of the European Union countries.	T / F
b.	The global financial crisis is not a reason for the rise in bicycle sales.	T / F
c.	Gasoline / petrol prices have fueled the popularity of cycling.	T / F
d.	Cycling's growing popularity is still limited to northern Europe.	T / F
e.	In 2012, Europeans bought 12 million cars and 19.2 million bicycles.	T / F
f.	The head of Italy's car giant FIAT apologized to the car industry.	T / F
g.	Car sales in Italy are at their lowest in almost 50 years.	T / F
h.	Bicycles are not seen by people as investments.	T / F

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

1.	appear	a.	boss
2.	trend	b.	seeking
3.	measures	c.	huge
4.	motorists	d.	seem
5.	traditional	e.	fell
6.	whopping	f.	maker
7.	head	g.	drivers
8.	slumped	h.	actions
9.	manufacturer	i.	shift
10.	looking for	j.	established

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

1.	several reasons behind	a.	into cycling
2.	austerity	b.	of affairs
3.	consumers who might ordinarily	c.	cycling capitals'
4.	more people are getting	d.	terms of lifestyle
5.	going beyond the traditional	e.	measures
6.	this was a sorry state	f.	term investments
7.	Car sales in Italy	g.	this growing trend
8.	a small revolution in	h.	commute with
9.	bikes they can	i.	have bought a car
10.	They are looking for long-	j.	slumped so badly…

GAP FILL

The BBC reports that in 2102, more bicycles were sold than cars in 26 out of 28 countries in the European Union. There appear to be (1) ____________ reasons behind this growing trend. One is because of the (2) ____________ experienced in many countries after the global financial (3) ____________. Many countries introduced austerity measures, which took away the spending (4) ____________ of consumers who might ordinarily have bought a car instead of a bicycle. The continuing (5) ____________ in fuel prices is also making motorists think (6) ____________ about driving. Another reason is that more people are (7) ____________ into cycling. The BBC reports that: "The popularity of cycling appears to be going (8) ____________ the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern Europe."

twice
power
recession
beyond
getting
several
crisis
rise

A (9) ____________ 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars. Europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012, (10) ____________ to 19.2 million bicycles. Sergio Marchionne, the head of the Italian car giant FIAT, said this was a (11) ____________ state of affairs for the car industry, and described it as "carmageddon". Car sales in Italy (12) ____________ so badly that they were at their lowest levels since 1965 – a five-(13) ____________ low. The head of the Italian cycling federation believes there has been, "a small revolution in (14) ____________ of lifestyle". The head of Italian cycling manufacturer Bianchi agreed. He said: "Customers these days want bikes they can (15) ____________ with, and top-of-the-(16) ____________ bikes. They are looking for long-term investments."

decade
sorry
range
compared
terms
commute
whopping
slumped

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	There appear to be several reasons behind ______
	a. this growing trends b. this growing trendy c. this growing trend d. this growing trending
2)	the recession experienced in many countries after the ______
	a. global financial crisis b. global financially crises c. global financials crisis d. global financial crises
3)	Many countries introduced ______
	a. austerity measured b. austerity measure c. austerity measure is d. austerity measures
4)	the spending power of consumers who might ______ bought a car
	a. ordinary have b. order nearly have c. ordered nearly have d. ordinarily have
5)	The popularity of cycling appears to be going beyond the traditional ______
	a. cycling capital is b. cycling capitals c. cycling capitalise d. cycling capital
6)	Europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012, ______ million bicycles
	a. compares to 19.2 b. comparison to 19.2 c. compared to 19.2 d. compare it to 19.2
7)	the head of the Italian car giant FIAT, said this was a sorry ______
	a. state of a fairs b. state of airs c. state of affairs d. state offer airs
8)	there has been a small revolution in ______
	a. teams of lifestyle b. tomes of lifestyle c. turns of lifestyle d. terms of lifestyle
9)	Customers these days want bikes they can commute with, and top-of-______
	a. the-range bikes b. the-ranger bikes c. the-ranged bikes d. the-ranges bikes
10)	They are looking for long-______
	a. term investment b. term invest meant c. term investments d. term invest mints

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The BBC reports that in 2102, more bicycles were sold than cars in 26 out of 28 countries in the European Union. (1) ___________________ several reasons behind this growing trend. One is because of the recession experienced in many countries after the (2) ___________________. Many countries introduced (3) ___________________, which took away the spending power of consumers who (4) ___________________ bought a car instead of a bicycle. The continuing rise in fuel prices is also making motorists (5) ___________________ driving. Another reason is that more people are getting into cycling. The BBC reports that: "The popularity of cycling appears to (6) ___________________ the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern Europe."

A whopping 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars. Europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012, (7) ___________________ million bicycles. Sergio Marchionne, the head of the Italian car giant FIAT, said this was a sorry (8) ___________________ the car industry, and described it as "carmageddon". Car sales in Italy (9) ___________________ that they were at their lowest levels since 1965 – (10) ___________________. The head of the Italian cycling federation believes there has been, "a small revolution in (11) ___________________ ". The head of Italian cycling manufacturer Bianchi agreed. He said: "Customers these days want bikes they can commute with, and (12) ___________________ bikes. They are looking for long-term investments."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	In how many EU countries did cars outsell bicycles in 2012?
2.	What is the first reason given for this trend?
3.	What took away the spending power of consumers?
4.	What might make motorists think twice?
5.	Where are Europe's traditional 'cycling capitals'?
6.	How many bicycles were sold in 2012?
7.	Who described car sales as "carmageddon"?
8.	When was the last time Italian car sales were so low?
9.	What kind of revolution did Italy's cycling federation say is happening?
10.	What kind of bikes do customers want?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	In how many EU countries did cars outsell bicycles in 2012?	6.	How many bicycles were sold in 2012?
	a) 28 b) 2 c) 26 d) all		a) 19.2 million b) 12 million c) 7 million d) 12.7 million
2.	What is the first reason given for this trend?	7.	Who described car sales as "carmageddon"?
	a) spending b) financial c) power d) recession		a) an EU leader b) a top cyclist c) the boss of FIAT d) a journalist
3.	What took away the spending power of consumers?	8.	When was the last time Italian car sales were so low?
	a) the EU b) growing trends c) austerity measures d) many countries		a) 1965 b) 1975 c) 1988 d) 2002
4.	What might make motorists think twice?	9.	What kind of revolution did Italy's cycling federation say is happening?
	a) fuel prices b) governments c) cyclists d) the EU		a) a revolutionary revolution b) a cycling revolution c) a velvet revolution d) a lifestyle revolution
5.	Where are Europe's traditional 'cycling capitals'?	10.	What kind of bikes do customers want?
	a) Berlin and Rome b) northern Europe c) along the Tour de France d) Italy		a) mountain bikes b) ones with gears c) top-of-the-range bikes d) mid-price models

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Cars

You think cars are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their modes. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): bicycles, buses or motorbikes.

Role B – Bicycles

You think bicycles are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their modes. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cars, buses or motorbikes.

Role C – Buses

You think buses are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their modes. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): bicycles, cars or motorbikes.

Role D – Motorbikes

You think motorbikes are the best form of transport. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their modes. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): bicycles, buses or cars.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

bicycle

car

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:

26
several
crisis
instead
getting
beyond

compared
giant
slumped
terms
agreed
looking

BICYCLES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about bicycles 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.

BICYCLES DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'bicycle'?
c)	How important is a bicycle to you?
d)	Can you remember the first time you rode a bike?
e)	Should we all be riding bicycles?
f)	Should more people be cycling instead of driving?
g)	How safe is it to cycle on your country's roads?
h)	Would you buy a bicycle instead of a car if your spending power decreased?
i)	What are the bad points about cycling?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the boss of a bicycle company?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	How do you feel when you are cycling?
c)	Are you surprised more people don't cycle?
d)	What do you think of the term "carmageddon"?
e)	Should people who cycle instead of drive get tax breaks?
f)	How different will driving and cycling be in 50 years from now?
g)	Should cycling lanes be made more important than roads for cars?
h)	Is it better to cycle or drive to work?
i)	Would you rather have a top-of-the-range bicycle or a similarly-priced car?
j)	What questions would you like to ask the boss of a car company?

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

The BBC reports that in 2102, more bicycles were sold than cars in 26 (1) ____ of 28 countries in the European Union. There appear to be (2) ____ reasons behind this growing trend. One is because of the recession experienced in many countries after the global financial crisis. Many countries introduced austerity (3) ____, which took away the spending power of consumers who might (4) ____ have bought a car instead of a bicycle. The continuing rise in fuel prices is also making motorists think (5) ____ about driving. Another reason is that more people are getting into cycling. The BBC reports that: "The popularity of cycling appears to be going (6) ____ the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern Europe."

A whopping 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars. Europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012, (7) ____ to 19.2 million bicycles. Sergio Marchionne, the head of the Italian car giant FIAT, said this was a (8) ____ state of affairs for the car industry, and described it as "carmageddon". Car sales in Italy (9) ____ so badly that they were at their lowest levels since 1965 – a five-decade low. The head of the Italian cycling federation believes there has been, "a small revolution in (10) ____ of lifestyle". The head of Italian cycling manufacturer Bianchi agreed. He said: "Customers these days want bikes they can (11) ____ with, and top-of-the-(12) ____ bikes. They are looking for long-term investments."

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

1.	(a)	out	(b)	with	(c)	from	(d)	about
2.	(a)	numeral	(b)	digital	(c)	several	(d)	cyclical
3.	(a)	tapes	(b)	rulers	(c)	measures	(d)	gauges
4.	(a)	ordinary	(b)	orderly	(c)	ordinal	(d)	ordinarily
5.	(a)	double	(b)	two-fold	(c)	twice	(d)	two
6.	(a)	behind	(b)	beyond	(c)	beneath	(d)	behest
7.	(a)	comparison	(b)	compared	(c)	comparative	(d)	compares
8.	(a)	pity	(b)	sorry	(c)	apology	(d)	down
9.	(a)	slammed	(b)	slacked	(c)	slumped	(d)	slouched
10.	(a)	times	(b)	tunes	(c)	tones	(d)	terms
11.	(a)	endure	(b)	trip	(c)	journey	(d)	commute
12.	(a)	gears	(b)	time-trial	(c)	angle	(d)	range

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	because of the rosneices
2.	Many countries introduced uteayrtsi measures
3.	consumers who might nrdiroliay have bought a car
4.	making srmoottis think twice
5.	The lraupoipyt of cycling
6.	beyond the drnalaotiit 'cycling capitals'
Paragraph 2
7.	a sorry state of arfisfa
8.	a five-daedec low
9.	the Italian cycling rdnefoteai
10.	Italian cycling amrecrafutun
11.	bikes they can mmcotue with
12.	long-term netstmvnsie

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	rise in fuel prices is also making motorists think twice about driving. Another reason is that more people
( )	federation believes there has been, "a small revolution in terms of lifestyle". The head of Italian
( )	so badly that they were at their lowest levels since 1965 – a five-decade low. The head of the Italian cycling
( )	A whopping 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars. Europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012,
( )	appear to be several reasons behind this growing trend. One is because of the recession
( )	cycling manufacturer Bianchi agreed. He said: "Customers these days want bikes they can
( )	experienced in many countries after the global financial crisis. Many countries introduced austerity measures, which took
( 1 )	The BBC reports that in 2102, more bicycles were sold than cars in 26 out of 28 countries in the European Union. There
( )	away the spending power of consumers who might ordinarily have bought a car instead of a bicycle. The continuing
( )	are getting into cycling. The BBC reports that: "The popularity of cycling
( )	compared to 19.2 million bicycles. Sergio Marchionne, the head of the Italian car giant FIAT, said this was a sorry
( )	commute with, and top-of-the-range bikes. They are looking for long-term investments."
( )	appears to be going beyond the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern Europe."
( )	state of affairs for the car industry, and described it as "carmageddon". Car sales in Italy slumped

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	behind growing reasons this trend Several.
2.	have Consumers bought who a might car ordinarily.
3.	about motorists twice driving Making think.
4.	more people are getting into cycling Another reason is that.
5.	Europe cycling capitals Beyond of the northern traditional.
6.	12 million Europeans cars bought in just 2012.
7.	a was This industry car the for affairs of state sorry.
8.	They levels were since at 1965 their lowest.
9.	terms of lifestyle There has been a small revolution in.
10.	commute Customers want can days they with these bikes.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The BBC reports that in 2102, more bicycles were sales / sold than cars in 26 out of 28 countries in the European Union. There appearing / appear to be several reasons behind this growing trendy / trend. One is because of the recession experienced in / at many countries after the global financial crisis. Many countries introduced austerity measurements / measures, which took away the spending / expenditure power of consumers who might ordinarily / ordinary have bought a car instead of a bicycle. The continuing rise in fuel prices is also making motorists think twice / double about driving. Another reason is that more people are getting out of / into cycling. The BBC reports that: "The popularity of cycling appears to be going behind / beyond the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern Europe."

A whopping / whipping 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars. Europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012, comparison / compared to 19.2 million bicycles. Sergio Marchionne, the head of the Italian car monster / giant FIAT, said this was a sorry nation / state of affairs for the car industry, and described it has / as "carmageddon". Car sales in Italy slumped / swamped so badly that they were at their lowest levels since 1965 – a five-decade down / low. The head of the Italian cycling federation believes there has been, "a small resolution / revolution in terms of lifestyle". The head of Italian cycling manufacturer Bianchi agreeing / agreed. He said: "Customers these days want bikes they can commute with, and top-of-the-range / ranger bikes. They are looking for long-term investments."

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_ BBC r_p_rts th_t _n 2102, m_r_ b_cycl_s w_r_ s_ld th_n c_rs _n 26 __t _f 28 c__ntr__s _n th_ __r_p__n _n__n. Th_r_ _pp__r t_ b_ s_v_r_l r__s_ns b_h_nd th_s gr_w_ng tr_nd. _n_ _s b_c__s_ _f th_ r_c_ss__n _xp_r__nc_d _n m_ny c__ntr__s _ft_r th_ gl_b_l f_n_nc__l cr_s_s. M_ny c__ntr__s _ntr_d_c_d __st_r_ty m__s_r_s, wh_ch t__k _w_y th_ sp_nd_ng p_w_r _f c_ns_m_rs wh_ m_ght _rd_n_r_ly h_v_ b__ght _ c_r _nst__d _f _ b_cycl_. Th_ c_nt_n__ng r_s_ _n f__l pr_c_s _s _ls_ m_k_ng m_t_r_sts th_ng tw_c_ _b__t dr_v_ng. _n_th_r r__s_n _s th_t m_r_ p__pl_ _r_ g_tt_ng _nt_ cycl_ng. Th_ BBC r_p_rts th_t: "Th_ p_p_l_r_ty _f cycl_ng _pp__rs t_ b_ g__ng b_y_nd th_ tr_d_t__n_l 'cycl_ng c_p_t_ls' _f n_rth_rn __r_p_."

_ wh_pp_ng 50 p_r c_nt m_r_ b_cycl_s w_r_ s_ld th_n c_rs. __r_p__ns b__ght j_st 12 m_ll__n c_rs _n 2012, c_mp_r_d t_ 19.2 m_ll__n b_cycl_s. S_rg__ M_rch__nn_, th_ h__d _f th_ _t_l__n c_r g__nt F__T, s__d th_s w_s _ s_rry st_t_ _f _ff__rs f_r th_ c_r _nd_stry, _nd d_scr_b_d _t _s "c_rm_g_dd_n". C_r s_l_s _n _t_ly sl_mp_d s_ b_dly th_t th_y w_r_ _t th__r l_w_st l_v_ls s_nc_ 1965 – _ f_v_-d_c_d_ l_w. Th_ h__d _f th_ _t_l__n cycl_ng f_d_r_t__n b_l__v_s th_r_ h_s b__n, "_ sm_ll r_v_l_t__n _n t_rms _f l_f_styl_". Th_ h__d _f _t_l__n cycl_ng m_n_f_ct_r_r B__nch_ _gr__d. H_ s__d: "C_st_m_rs th_s_ d_ys w_nt b_k_s th_y c_n c_mm_t_ w_th, _nd t_p _f th_ r_ng_ b_k_s. Th_y _r_ l__k_ng f_r l_ng-t_rm _nv_stm_nts."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the bbc reports that in 2102 more bicycles were sold than cars in 26 out of 28 countries in the european union there appear to be several reasons behind this growing trend one is because of the recession experienced in many countries after the global financial crisis many countries introduced austerity measures which took away the spending power of consumers who might ordinarily have bought a car instead of a bicycle the continuing rise in fuel prices is also making motorists think twice about driving another reason is that more people are getting into cycling the bbc reports that "the popularity of cycling appears to be going beyond the traditional 'cycling capitals' of northern europe"

a whopping 50 per cent more bicycles were sold than cars europeans bought just 12 million cars in 2012 compared to 192 million bicycles sergio marchionne the head of the italian car giant fiat said this was a sorry state of affairs for the car industry and described it as "carmageddon" car sales in italy slumped so badly that they were at their lowest levels since 1965 – a five-decade low the head of the italian cycling federation believes there has been "a small revolution in terms of lifestyle" the head of italian cycling manufacturer bianchi agreed he said "customers these days want bikes they can commute with and top-of-the-range bikes they are looking for long-term investments"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheBBCreportsthatin2102,morebicyclesweresoldthancarsin26outof28count
riesintheEuropeanUnion.Thereappeartobeseveralreasonsbehindthisgrowing
trend.Oneisbecauseoftherecessionexperiencedinmanycountriesaftertheglob
alfinancialcrisis.Manycountriesintroducedausteritymeasures,whichtookawa
ythespendingpowerofconsumerswhomightordinarilyhaveboughtacarinstead
ofabicycle.Thecontinuingriseinfuelpricesisalsomakingmotoriststhingtwiceab
outdriving.Anotherreasonisthatmorepeoplearegettingintocycling.TheBBCre
portsthat:"Thepopularityofcyclingappearstobegoingbeyondthetraditional'cy
clingcapitals'ofnorthernEurope."Awhopping50percentmorebicyclesweresold
thancars.Europeansboughtjust12millioncarsin2012,comparedto19.2million
bicycles.SergioMarchionne,theheadoftheItaliancargiantFIAT,saidthiswasaso
rrystateofaffairsforthecarindustry,anddescribeditas"carmageddon".Carsale
sinItalyslumpedsobadlythattheywereattheirlowestlevelssince1965–afive-
decadelow.TheheadoftheItaliancyclingfederationbelievestherehasbeen,"as
mallrevolutionintermsoflifestyle".TheheadofItaliancyclingmanufacturerBian
chiagreed.Hesaid:"Customersthesedayswantbikestheycancommutewith,an
dtopoftherangebikes.Theyarelookingforlong-terminvestments."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

It is time to start reducing our cat use and cycle more. 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 bicycle sales in your country. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. BIKES OR CARS?: Write a magazine article comparing bicycles and cars. Include imaginary interviews with people who prefer bikes and people who prefer cars.

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 head of a motoring organisation. Ask him/her three questions about how bicycles are outselling cars. Give him/her three ideas of how to reverse this trend. 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

T

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	appear	a.	seem
2.	trend	b.	shift
3.	measures	c.	actions
4.	motorists	d.	drivers
5.	traditional	e.	established
6.	whopping	f.	huge
7.	head	g.	boss
8.	slumped	h.	fell
9.	manufacturer	i.	maker
10.	looking for	j.	seeking

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Two
2.	Recession
3.	Austerity measures
4.	Rising fuel prices
5.	Northern Europe
6.	19.2 million
7.	Sergio Marchionne, the head of FIAT
8.	1965
9.	a lifestyle revolution
10.	Commuting and top-of-the-range bikes

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

c

4.

a

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

d

10.

c

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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Bicycles outsell cars in most EU countries (6th December, 2014)

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