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Cubans can now buy a car more easily (22nd December, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Cuba's government is making it easier for Cubans to buy foreign made, new and used cars. The Havana Times reports that: "The Council of Ministers of Cuba decided at its current meeting to open up the retail sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans and minibuses." It added that the government would also "prioritize bicycle sales on the retail market" and offer them at very affordable prices. New laws mean the government is further relaxing regulations on car ownership. Until 2011, people were not permitted to sell cars that were made after the 1959 Cuban revolution. This made Havana look like it was in a time warp as every car on the road was a vintage model from yesteryear.

The Cuban government will set and control the price of all imported and new vehicles. It will also be the only entity that can import foreign cars into the country. Cubans will need to buy an imported car from the government. According to the Communist Party newspaper, all profits from sales will go towards improving Cuba's roads and transportation system. Car dealers are not anticipating a huge influx of sales. Most people in Cuba cannot afford to buy even a used car, let alone a new one. Havana resident Jorge Canso commented on this, saying: "Yeah, I can buy one, but with what? Unfortunately our economy doesn't allow us to save money to be able to buy one."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www. bbc.co.uk /news/world-latin-america-25450026
http://www. miamiherald.com /2013/12/19/3828433/cuba-lifts-all-restrictions-on.html
http://www. havanatimes.org /?p=100683

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. CUBA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Cuba. 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.

foreign cars / meeting / prioritize / government / regulations / revolution / yesteryear / control prices / new vehicles / profits / transportation / car dealers / save money

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

3. YESTERYEAR: What things from the past would you like life to be like today? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What's wrong with today's	Are the past's things better? Why?
Manners
Shopping
Food
TV
Cities
Pace of life

4. REVOLUTIONS: Students A strongly believe revolutions are good; Students B strongly believe they are bad. 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. PRICE CONTROLS: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put things governments should control the price of at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• healthcare

• electricity

• bread

• education fees

• phone calls

• cars

• houses

• cigarettes

6. CAR: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "car". 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.	Cuba is still making it difficult for people to but foreign cars.	T / F
b.	The government is giving priority to the sale of bicycles.	T / F
c.	In 2010, people couldn't sell cars that were newer than 50 years old.	T / F
d.	The Cuban revolution happened over 60 years ago.	T / F
e.	There will be no price controls on cars sold in Cuba from now.	T / F
f.	Only Cuba's government will be able to import foreign cars.	T / F
g.	All profits from car sales help improve Cuba's transport infrastructure.	T / F
h.	A man called Jorge is very happy that he can now buy a car.	T / F

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

1.	current	a.	rush
2.	affordable	b.	the past
3.	further	c.	fix
4.	permitted	d.	latest
5.	yesteryear	e.	organization
6.	set	f.	bettering
7.	entity	g.	to a greater extent
8.	improving	h.	inexpensive
9.	influx	i.	let
10.	allow	j.	allowed

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

1.	Cuba's government is making	a.	to be able to buy one
2.	offer them at very affordable	b.	model from yesteryear
3.	relaxing regulations	c.	improving Cuba's roads
4.	it was in a time	d.	control the price
5.	every car on the road was a vintage	e.	of sales
6.	set and	f.	on car ownership
7.	the only entity that can	g.	it easier for Cubans
8.	go towards	h.	import foreign cars
9.	anticipating a huge influx	i.	warp
10.	save money	j.	prices

GAP FILL

Cuba's government is making it (1) ____________ for Cubans to buy foreign made, new and used cars. The Havana Times reports that: "The Council of Ministers of Cuba decided at its (2) ____________ meeting to open up the (3) ____________ sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans and minibuses." It added that the government would also "(4) ____________ bicycle sales on the retail market" and offer them at very affordable prices. New laws mean the government is further (5) ____________ regulations on car ownership. Until 2011, people were not (6) ____________ to sell cars that were made after the 1959 Cuban (7) ____________. This made Havana look like it was in a (8) ____________ warp as every car on the road was a vintage model from yesteryear.

permitted
prioritize
revolution
easier
current
time
relaxing
retail

The Cuban government will (9) ____________ and control the price of all imported and new (10) ____________. It will also be the only entity that can import foreign cars into the country. Cubans will need to buy an imported car from the government. According to the Communist Party newspaper, all profits from sales will go (11) ____________ improving Cuba's roads and transportation system. Car (12) ____________ are not anticipating a (13) ____________ influx of sales. Most people in Cuba cannot (14) ____________ to buy even a used car, let alone a new one. Havana resident Jorge Canso (15) ____________ on this, saying: "Yeah, I can buy one, but with what? Unfortunately our economy doesn't (16) ____________ us to save money to be able to buy one."

commented
vehicles
huge
dealers
set
allow
afford
towards

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The Council of Ministers of Cuba decided at its current meeting to open up ______
	a. the retails ale b. the retails sale c. the re-tale sale d. the retail sale
2)	prioritize bicycle sales on the retail market and offer them at ______
	a. very affable prices b. very affordability prices c. very affordable prices d. very afforded prices
3)	people were not permitted to sell cars that were made after the 1959 ______
	a. Cuban revolutions b. Cuban revolution c. Cuban revolutionize d. Cuban revolutionary
4)	This made Havana look like it was in ______
	a. a time wrap b. a time warp c. a time warm d. a time ward
5)	every car on the road was a vintage model ______
	a. from yesteryear b. from yes to year c. from jester year d. from yesterday year
6)	The Cuban government will set and control the price of all imported ______
	a. and new vehicle b. and new vehicles c. and new beer calls d. and new be a culls
7)	go towards improving Cuba's roads and ______
	a. transport a shun system b. transport attention system c. transportation systems d. transportation system
8)	Car dealers are not anticipating a huge ______
	a. in flux of sales b. influx of sales c. in flax of sales d. in blocks of sales
9)	Havana resident Jorge Canso ______
	a. commented in this b. commented on this c. commented an this d. commented and this
10)	our economy doesn't allow us to ______
	a. saves money b. save money c. savings money d. saved money

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Cuba's government is (1) ___________________ for Cubans to buy foreign made, new and used cars. The Havana Times reports that: "The Council of Ministers of Cuba decided at its current meeting to (2) ___________________ sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans and minibuses." It added that the government would also "prioritize bicycle sales on the retail market" and offer them at (3) ___________________. New laws mean the government is further (4) ___________________ on car ownership. Until 2011, people were (5) ___________________ sell cars that were made after the 1959 Cuban revolution. This made Havana look like it was in (6) ___________________ every car on the road was a vintage model from yesteryear.

The Cuban government (7) ___________________ the price of all imported and new vehicles. It will also (8) ___________________ that can import foreign cars into the country. Cubans will need to buy an imported car from the government. According to the Communist Party newspaper, all profits from sales (9) ___________________ improving Cuba's roads and transportation system. Car dealers are not anticipating (10) ___________________ sales. Most people in Cuba cannot afford to buy even a used car, (11) ___________________ one. Havana resident Jorge Canso commented on this, saying: "Yeah, I can buy one, but with what? Unfortunately our economy doesn't allow us to save (12) ___________________ buy one."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Who is making it easier for Cubans to buy cars?
2.	When did the Council of Ministers of Cuba make a decision?
3.	What will the government prioritize?
4.	From when were Cubans able to buy cars newer than 50 years old?
5.	When does the article say the cars on Havana's roads were from?
6.	What will the Cuban government set and control?
7.	Who can import foreign cars into Cuba?
8.	What do profits from car sales go towards?
9.	What aren't car dealers expecting?
10.	What does a Havana resident complain about?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Who is making it easier for Cubans to buy cars?	6.	What will the Cuban government set and control?
	a) the USA b) Toyota c) the Cuban government d) Cuba's car dealers		a) gasoline prices b) prices of new cars c) salaries of taxi drivers d) the engine size of cars
2.	When did the Council of Ministers of Cuba make a decision?	7.	Who can import foreign cars into Cuba?
	a) at a recent meeting b) 2012 c) last September d) 5 days ago		a) anyone b) car dealers c) Toyota d) only the Cuban government
3.	What will the government prioritize?	8.	What do profits from car sales go towards?
	a) health b) bicycle sales c) the environment d) education		a) hospitals and schools b) better roads c) Cuba's car industry d) road safety campaigns
4.	From when were Cubans able to buy cars newer than 50 years old?	9.	What aren't car dealers expecting?
	a) 2012 b) 2009 c) 2007 d) 2011		a) help b) lots of sales c) the new models of Mercedes Benz d) profit
5.	When does the article say the cars on Havana's roads were from?	10.	What does a Havana resident complain about?
	a) once in a blue moon b) once upon a time c) yesteryear d) the 19th century		a) not being able to save b) traffic jams c) the quality of foreign cars d) holes in the road

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Cars

You think cars from yesteryear are better than they are today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which of these are better today than in the past (and why): people's manners, city life or television.

Role B – People's manners

You think people's manners from yesteryear are better than they are today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which of these are better today than in the past (and why): cars, cities or television.

Role C – Cities

You think city life from yesteryear is better than it is today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which of these are better today than in the past (and why): people's manners, city life or television.

Role D – Television

You think television from yesteryear is better than it is today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ideas. Also, tell the others which of these are better today than in the past (and why): people's manners, city life or cars.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

new

used

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:

easier
current
added
relaxing
2011
model

set
need
towards
huge
resident
allow

CUBA SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Cuba 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.

CUBA & CARS 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 'Cuba'?
c)	What do you think about what you read?
d)	Why did Cuba make it difficult for people to buy cars?
e)	How important is a car to you?
f)	How will the new decision change people's lives in Cuba?
g)	Would you like to see Havana when it was full of pre-1959 cars?
h)	What's your favourite car (and why)?
i)	What are the bad things about cars?
j)	Do you prefer the look of today's cars or of vintage cars?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Should the government set the price of cars?
c)	Do you think cars are good value for money?
d)	Are imported cars best?
e)	Which country makes the best cars?
f)	What are the roads like in your country?
g)	What will cars be like in the future?
h)	What would your city be like if it were a no-car city?
i)	Do you think Cuba will have more problems now because of more cars?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Cuba's president?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

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

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Cuba's government is making it (1) ____ for Cubans to buy foreign made, new and used cars. The Havana Times reports that: "The Council of Ministers of Cuba decided at its (2) ____ meeting to open up the retail sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans and minibuses." It added that the government would also "prioritize bicycle sales on the retail market" and (3) ____ them at very affordable prices. New laws mean the government is further (4) ____ regulations on car ownership. Until 2011, people were not (5) ____ to sell cars that were made after the 1959 Cuban revolution. This made Havana look like it was in a time warp as every car on the road was a vintage model from (6) ____.

The Cuban government will (7) ____ and control the price of all imported and new vehicles. It will also be the only (8) ____ that can import foreign cars into the country. Cubans will need to buy an imported car from the government. According (9) ____ the Communist Party newspaper, all profits from sales will go towards improving Cuba's roads and transportation system. Car (10) ____ are not anticipating a huge influx of sales. Most people in Cuba cannot afford to buy even a used car, let (11) ____ a new one. Havana resident Jorge Canso commented on this, saying: "Yeah, I can buy one, but with what? Unfortunately our economy doesn't allow us to save money to be able to buy (12) ____."

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

1.	(a)	eased	(b)	easier	(c)	eases	(d)	easily
2.	(a)	currant	(b)	current	(c)	currency	(d)	currants
3.	(a)	afford	(b)	effort	(c)	affront	(d)	offer
4.	(a)	lounging	(b)	relaxing	(c)	chilling	(d)	resting
5.	(a)	permits	(b)	permitting	(c)	permission	(d)	permitted
6.	(a)	yesterday	(b)	pre-year	(c)	yesteryear	(d)	yearly
7.	(a)	set	(b)	get	(c)	let	(d)	met
8.	(a)	volume	(b)	city	(c)	entity	(d)	dealership
9.	(a)	by	(b)	as	(c)	of	(d)	to
10.	(a)	dealers	(b)	merchants	(c)	vendors	(d)	brokers
11.	(a)	alone	(b)	lonesome	(c)	lonely	(d)	loner
12.	(a)	car	(b)	it	(c)	this	(d)	one

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	The nulciCo of Ministers
2.	offer them at very afordleabf prices
3.	relaxing uorantieslg on car ownership
4.	people were not itmeerptd to sell cars
5.	the 1959 Cuban nolirvuteo
6.	a gteivna model from yesteryear
Paragraph 2
7.	all imported and new lsvichee
8.	import rfeogni cars
9.	go towards imgnvpori Cuba's roads
10.	iaaigtnincpt a huge influx of sales
11.	cannot dofafr to buy even a used car
12.	aetnryfntluoU our economy doesn't allow us to

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	like it was in a time warp as every car on the road was a vintage model from yesteryear.
( )	to sell cars that were made after the 1959 Cuban revolution. This made Havana look
( )	up the retail sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans and minibuses." It added that the government would
( )	sales will go towards improving Cuba's roads and transportation system. Car dealers are not
( )	anticipating a huge influx of sales. Most people in Cuba cannot afford to buy even a used
( )	Times reports that: "The Council of Ministers of Cuba decided at its current meeting to open
( )	car, let alone a new one. Havana resident Jorge Canso commented on this, saying: "Yeah, I can buy
( )	further relaxing regulations on car ownership. Until 2011, people were not permitted
( )	one, but with what? Unfortunately our economy doesn't allow us to save money to be able to buy one."
( )	entity that can import foreign cars into the country. Cubans will need to buy an imported car
( )	from the government. According to the Communist Party newspaper, all profits from
( )	The Cuban government will set and control the price of all imported and new vehicles. It will also be the only
( 1 )	Cuba's government is making it easier for Cubans to buy foreign made, new and used cars. The Havana
( )	also "prioritize bicycle sales on the retail market" and offer them at very affordable prices. New laws mean the government is

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	it Cuba's easier government for is Cubans making.
2.	is relaxing government further regulations The.
3.	made after the 1959 Cuban revolution Sell cars that were.
4.	warp time a in was it like look Havana made This.
5.	a was road the on car Every yesteryear from model vintage.
6.	Control of and price imported vehicles the all new.
7.	foreign entity cars that can The import only.
8.	improving sales towards roads from go Cuba's Profits will.
9.	of sales Car dealers are not anticipating a huge influx.
10.	us money our allow save Unfortunately doesn't to economy.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Cuba's government is making / made it easier for Cubans to buy foreign made, new and used / useful cars. The Havana Times reports that: "The Council of Ministers of Cuba decision / decided at its current meeting to open up the retail sail / sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans and minibuses." It added that the government would also "prioritize / priority bicycle sales on the retail marketing / market" and offer them at very affording / affordable prices. New laws mean the government is farther / further relaxing regulations on car ownership. Until 2011, people were not permitted to sell cars that were made after the 1959 Cuban revolution / revolutionary. This made Havana look like it was in a time warp as every car on the road was a vintage / vantage model from yesteryear.

The Cuban government will set / let and control the price of all imported and new vehicles. It will also be the only entirety / entity that can import foreign cars into the country. Cubans will need to buy an imported car from the government. According of / to the Communist Party newspaper, all profits from sales will go / come towards improving Cuba's roads and transportation system. Car dealings / dealers are not anticipating a huge reflux / influx of sales. Most people in Cuba cannot afford to buy even a used car, bet / let alone a new one. Havana residence / resident Jorge Canso commented on this, saying: "Yeah, I can buy one, but with / without what? Unfortunately our economy doesn't allow us to save money to be able / capable to buy one."

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)

C_b_'s g_v_rnm_nt _s m_k_ng _t __s__r f_r C_b_ns t_ b_y f_r__gn m_d_, n_w _nd _s_d c_rs. Th_ H_v_n_ T_m_s r_p_rts th_t: "Th_ C__nc_l _f M_n_st_rs _f C_b_ d_c_d_d _t _ts c_rr_nt m__t_ng t_ _p_n _p th_ r_t__l s_l_ _f n_w _nd _s_d m_t_rcycl_s, c_rs, v_ns _nd m_n_b_s_s." _t _dd_d th_t th_ g_v_rnm_nt w__ld _ls_ "pr__r_t_z_ b_cycl_ s_l_s _n th_ r_t__l m_rk_t" _nd _ff_r th_m _t v_ry _ff_rd_bl_ pr_c_s. N_w l_ws m__n th_ g_v_rnm_nt _s f_rth_r r_l_x_ng r_g_l_t__ns _n c_r _wn_rsh_p. _nt_l 2011, p__pl_ w_r_ n_t p_rm_tt_d t_ s_ll c_rs th_t w_r_ m_d_ _ft_r th_ 1959 C_b_n r_v_l_t__n. Th_s m_d_ H_v_n_ l__k l_k_ _t w_s _n _ t_m_ w_rp _s _v_ry c_r _n th_ r__d w_s _ v_nt_g_ m_d_l fr_m y_st_ry__r.

Th_ C_b_n g_v_rnm_nt w_ll s_t _nd c_ntr_l th_ pr_c_ _f _ll _mp_rt_d _nd n_w v_h_cl_s. _t w_ll _ls_ b_ th_ _nly _nt_ty th_t c_n _mp_rt f_r__gn c_rs _nt_ th_ c__ntry. C_b_ns w_ll n__d t_ b_y _n _mp_rt_d c_r fr_m th_ g_v_rnm_nt. _cc_rd_ng t_ th_ C_mm_n_st P_rty n_wsp_p_r, _ll pr_f_ts fr_m s_l_s w_ll g_ t_w_rds _mpr_v_ng C_b_'s r__ds _nd tr_nsp_rt_t__n syst_m. C_r d__l_rs _r_ n_t _nt_c_p_t_ng _ h_g_ _nfl_x _f s_l_s. M_st p__pl_ _n C_b_ c_nn_t _ff_rd t_ b_y _v_n _ _s_d c_r, l_t _l_n_ _ n_w _n_. H_v_n_ r_s_d_nt J_rg_ C_ns_ c_mm_nt_d _n th_s, s_y_ng: "Y__h, _ c_n b_y _n_, b_t w_th wh_t? _nf_rt_n_t_ly __r _c_n_my d__sn't _ll_w _s t_ s_v_ m_n_y t_ b_ _bl_ t_ b_y _n_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

cuba's government is making it easier for cubans to buy foreign made new and used cars the havana times reports that "the council of ministers of cuba decided at its current meeting to open up the retail sale of new and used motorcycles cars vans and minibuses" it added that the government would also "prioritize bicycle sales on the retail market" and offer them at very affordable prices new laws mean the government is further relaxing regulations on car ownership until 2011 people were not permitted to sell cars that were made after the 1959 cuban revolution this made havana look like it was in a time warp as every car on the road was a vintage model from yesteryear

the cuban government will set and control the price of all imported and new vehicles it will also be the only entity that can import foreign cars into the country cubans will need to buy an imported car from the government according to the communist party newspaper all profits from sales will go towards improving cuba's roads and transportation system car dealers are not anticipating a huge influx of sales most people in cuba cannot afford to buy even a used car let alone a new one havana resident jorge canso commented on this saying "yeah i can buy one but with what unfortunately our economy doesn't allow us to save money to be able to buy one"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Cuba'sgovernmentismakingiteasierforCubanstobuyforeignmade,newand
usedcars.TheHavanaTimesreportsthat:"TheCouncilofMinistersofCubadeci
dedatitscurrentmeetingtoopenuptheretailsaleofnewandusedmotorcycles,
cars,vansandminibuses."Itaddedthatthegovernmentwouldalso"prioritizeb
icyclesalesontheretailmarket"andofferthematveryaffordableprices.Newla
wsmeanthegovernmentisfurtherrelaxingregulationsoncarownership.Until
2011,peoplewerenotpermittedtosellcarsthatweremadeafterthe1959Cuba
nrevolution.ThismadeHavanalooklikeitwasinatimewarpaseverycaronther
oadwasavintagemodelfromyesteryear.TheCubangovernmentwillsetandco
ntrolthepriceofallimportedandnewvehicles.Itwillalsobetheonlyentitythatc
animportforeigncarsintothecountry.Cubanswillneedtobuyanimportedcarfr
omthegovernment.AccordingtotheCommunistPartynewspaper,allprofitsfr
omsaleswillgotowardsimprovingCuba'sroadsandtransportationsystem.Ca
rdealersarenotanticipatingahugeinfluxofsales.MostpeopleinCubacannotaf
fordtobuyevenausedcar,letaloneanewone.HavanaresidentJorgeCansoco
mmentedonthis,saying:"Yeah,Icanbuyone,butwithwhat?Unfortunatelyou
reconomydoesn'tallowustosavemoneytobeabletobuyone."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

What are the advantages of a world with and without cars? 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 Cuba. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. CUBA: Write a magazine article about Cuba. Include imaginary interviews with people who live there and people who want to visit.

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 Cuba's president. Ask him three questions about cars in Cuba. Give him three ideas that will help people buy a car. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	current	a.	latest
2.	affordable	b.	inexpensive
3.	further	c.	to a greater extent
4.	permitted	d.	allowed
5.	yesteryear	e.	the past
6.	set	f.	fix
7.	entity	g.	organization
8.	improving	h.	bettering
9.	influx	i.	rush
10.	allow	j.	let

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The Cuban government
2.	At its recent meeting
3.	Bicycle sales
4.	2011
5.	Yesteryear
6.	Prices of new and imported vehicles
7.	Only Cuba's government
8.	Improving Cuba's roads
9.	A huge influx of sales
10.	Not being able to save

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

b

4.

d

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

b

9.

b

10.

a

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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Cubans can now buy a car more easily (22nd December, 2014)

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