Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

New paint to say goodbye to car washes (1st May, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has unveiled a prototype of a self-cleaning paint that means cars may no longer need washing. The new nanotechnology paint repels water, oil and other dirt the environment can throw at a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and uses a process called nanopatterning. This coats the surface of something with tiny bumps and grooves that stop water and oil from sticking to it. Nissan said the paint has "responded well" to many weather conditions, including frost, rain, sleet and snow. The carmaker added that its engineers will continue testing the paint in the near future to see how close they can get to a product ready for market.

Nissan's website says: "Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that." However, it has no immediate plans to use the new paint as standard on its cars. It may offer it as an option in the future. Company spokeswoman Geraldine Ingham said the new paint is currently only being tested on the company's Note family car. She said: "The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the stress out of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families' lives easier." She added: "We are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting, cutting-edge technology like this incredible coating application.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/nissan-develops-first-self-cleaning-car-prototype
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/181370-nissans-self-cleaning-car-could-kill-off-car-washing-forever
http://mashable.com/2014/04/25/self-cleaning-nissan-note/

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. CAR WASHES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about car washes. 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.

automobile / manufacturer / environment / nanopatterning / weather conditions / chore / immediate plans / standard / carefully engineered / everyday problems

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

3. SELF-CLEANING: What are the good and bad points of these things being self-cleaning? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good points	Bad points
Cars
Clothes
Dishes
Desks
Hair
Teeth

4. CAR WASHES: Students A strongly believe car washes will go out of business because of the new self-cleaning paint; Students B strongly believe not. 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. SELF-: Rank these with your partner. Put the most desirable things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• self-cleaning cars

• self-driving cars

• self-answering e-mails

• self-making beds

• self-ironing shirts

• self-making coffee

• self-doing homework

• self-finding keys

6. WATER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "water". 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.	The new paint is currently at the prototype stage of development.	T / F
b.	The paint keeps oil and water away from the surface of the car.	T / F
c.	The technology coats the car with a totally smooth layer of paint.	T / F
d.	The paint will be on sale from next month.	T / F
e.	Nissan said washing a car is cheap but boring.	T / F
f.	The new paint will come as standard on all new Nissan cars.	T / F
g.	Nissan wants to make family life easier.	T / F
h.	Nissan said it will always test cutting-edge technologies.	T / F

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

1.	automobile	a.	prepared
2.	repels	b.	strain
3.	coats	c.	cuts
4.	grooves	d.	layers
5.	ready	e.	choice
6.	chore	f.	car
7.	option	g.	devoted
8.	stress	h.	keeps away
9.	committed	i.	unbelievable
10.	incredible	j.	burden

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

1.	Nissan has unveiled a	a.	families' lives easier
2.	tiny bumps	b.	sticking to it
3.	stop water and oil from	c.	they can get
4.	responded well to many	d.	plans
5.	to see how close	e.	prototype
6.	Washing a car can	f.	edge technology
7.	it has no immediate	g.	and grooves
8.	new ways to make	h.	everyday problems
9.	committed to addressing	i.	weather conditions
10.	cutting-	j.	be a chore

GAP FILL

The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has (1) ____________ a prototype of a self-cleaning paint that means cars may no (2) ____________ need washing. The new nanotechnology paint (3) ____________ water, oil and other dirt the environment can throw at a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and uses a (4) ____________ called nanopatterning. This coats the surface of something with tiny bumps and grooves that stop water and oil from (5) ____________ to it. Nissan said the paint has "responded well" to many weather conditions, including frost, rain, (6) ____________ and snow. The carmaker added that its engineers will continue testing the paint in the (7) ____________ future to see how close they can get to a product ready for (8) ____________.

near
market
repels
unveiled
sticking
longer
sleet
process

Nissan's website says: "Washing a car can be a (9) ____________ – and a costly one at that." However, it has no (10) ____________ plans to use the new paint as standard on its cars. It may offer it as an option in the future. Company spokeswoman Geraldine Ingham said the new paint is (11) ____________ only being tested on the company's Note family car. She said: "The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the (12) ____________ out of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are (13) ____________ thinking of new ways to make families' lives easier." She added: "We are (14) ____________ to addressing everyday problems our customers (15) ____________ and will always consider testing exciting, cutting-edge technology like this (16) ____________ coating application.

stress
incredible
currently
committed
chore
constantly
immediate
face

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has ______
	a. unveiled a prototype b. unrivalled a prototype c. unravelled a prototype d. unavailable a prototype
2)	The new nanotechnology paint repels water, oil ______
	a. and other dirt b. and other dirty c. and other dirtied d. and other ditty
3)	This coats the surface of something with tiny ______
	a. mumps and groups b. bums and gruels c. bumps and grooves d. bunks and gloves
4)	the paint has "responded well" to many ______
	a. weather condition b. weathered conditions c. weather conditions d. weathered condition
5)	see how close they can get to a product ______
	a. ready for marketing b. read it for market c. ready four market d. ready for market
6)	Nissan's website says: "Washing a car ______."
	a. can be a chow b. can be a chore c. can be a claw d. can be a sure
7)	However, it has no immediate plans to use the new ______
	a. paint was standard b. paint as standard c. paint has standard d. paint is standard
8)	… carefully engineered to take the stress out of ______
	a. customer driven b. customer drive-in c. customer driving in d. customer driving
9)	We are committed to addressing ______
	a. everyday problems b. all-day problems c. everyway problems d. everyone's problems
10)	consider testing exciting, cutting-edge technology like this incredible ______
	a. coasting application b. coating application c. coaching application d. coaxing application

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has (1) ___________________ of a self-cleaning paint that means cars may no longer need washing. The new nanotechnology (2) ___________________, oil and other dirt the environment can throw at a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and (3) ___________________ called nanopatterning. This coats the surface of something with tiny (4) ___________________ that stop water and oil from sticking to it. Nissan said the paint has "responded well" to many weather conditions, (5) ___________________, sleet and snow. The carmaker added that its engineers will continue testing the paint in the near future to (6) ___________________ can get to a product ready for market.

Nissan's website says: "Washing a (7) ___________________ – and a costly one at that." However, it has no immediate plans to use the new paint as standard on its cars. It may offer it (8) ___________________ the future. Company spokeswoman Geraldine Ingham said the new paint is currently only (9) ___________________ company's Note family car. She said: "The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to (10) ___________________ of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families' lives easier." She added: " (11) ___________________ to addressing everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting, (12) ___________________ like this incredible coating application.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	At what stage of development is the new paint?
2.	What does the paint do to oil and water?
3.	What does nanopatterning coat a surface with?
4.	What has the paint responded well to?
5.	What are engineers trying to get the paint ready for?
6.	What did Nissan say washing a car could be?
7.	On how many models of car is the paint being tested?
8.	What does the Nissan say its Note car takes out of driving?
9.	What does Nissan hope to do to families' lives?
10.	What kind of technology does Nissan want to keep testing?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	At what stage of development is the new paint?	6.	What did Nissan say washing a car could be?
	a) the final stage b) stage 17 c) the prototype stage d) around the middle		a) fun b) a chore c) a part-time job d) a thing of the past
2.	What does the paint do to oil and water?	7.	On how many models of car is the paint being tested?
	a) repel them b) mix them c) turn them into fuel d) use them as cleaning agents		a) 17 b) 8 c) 3 d) 1
3.	What does nanopatterning coat a surface with?	8.	What does the Nissan say its Note car takes out of driving?
	a) bands and groups b) grooves and bumps c) pumps and gloves d) groves and lumps		a) danger b) stress c) boredom d) fun
4.	What has the paint responded well to?	9.	What does Nissan hope to do to families' lives?
	a) car critics b) spraying c) different colours d) weather conditions		a) give them more time b) make them easier c) get them from A to B faster d) make them drive more
5.	What are engineers trying to get the paint ready for?	10.	What kind of technology does Nissan want to keep testing?
	a) a technology prize b) the Tokyo Motor Show c) market d) Summer		a) cutting-edge technology b) disruptive technology c) nuts-and-bolts technology d) advances in technology

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Self-cleaning cars

You think self-cleaning cars would help motorists most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so helpful about their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least probable of these (and why): self-driving cars, self-fuelling cars or self-repairing cars.

Role B – Self-driving cars

You think self-driving cars would help motorists most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so helpful about their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least probable of these (and why): self-cleaning cars, self-fuelling cars or self-repairing cars.

Role C – Self-fuelling cars

You think self-fuelling cars would help motorists most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so helpful about their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least probable of these (and why): self-cleaning cars, self-driving cars or self-repairing cars.

Role D – Self-repairing cars

You think self-repairing cars would help motorists most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so helpful about their ideas. Also, tell the others which is the least probable of these (and why): self-cleaning cars, self-fuelling cars or self-driving cars.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

car

wash

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:

means
throw
coats
well
continue
ready

costly
standard
family
ways
face
incredible

CAR WASHES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about car washes 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.

CAR WASHES 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 'paint'?
c)	What need do you have for paint?
d)	What do you think of the new self-cleaning paint?
e)	How could this paint improve your life?
f)	How bad is this news for car was businesses?
g)	What do you think of the idea of self-cleaning clothes?
h)	What do you think of nanotechnology?
i)	What else could the paint be used for?
j)	Would this paint make you buy a Nissan?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	How much of a chore is washing a car?
c)	What household chores do you like and dislike?
d)	Should the paint be standard on all cars?
e)	How much extra would you pay to have this paint on a car?
f)	How would self-cleaning plates, cups and cutlery help you?
g)	What stresses are there in driving?
h)	What everyday problems do car owners face?
i)	What cutting-edge technology excites you at the moment?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Nissan?

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 Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has (1) ____ a prototype of a self-cleaning paint that means cars may no longer need washing. The new nanotechnology paint (2) ____ water, oil and other dirt the environment can throw at a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and uses a process called nanopatterning. This (3) ____ the surface of something with tiny bumps and (4) ____ that stop water and oil from sticking to it. Nissan said the paint has "responded well" to many weather conditions, including frost, rain, (5) ____ and snow. The carmaker added that its engineers will continue testing the paint in the near future to see how close they can get to a product (6) ____ for market.

Nissan's website says: "Washing a car can be a (7) ____ – and a costly one at that." However, it has no immediate plans to use the new paint as (8) ____ on its cars. It may offer it as an option in the future. Company spokeswoman Geraldine Ingham said the new paint is (9) ____ only being tested on the company's Note family car. She said: "The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to (10) ____ the stress out of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families' lives easier." She added: "We are committed to addressing (11) ____ problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting, cutting-(12) ____ technology like this incredible coating application.

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

1.	(a)	unraveled	(b)	unveiled	(c)	unrivaled	(d)	unbelievable
2.	(a)	impales	(b)	compels	(c)	expels	(d)	repels
3.	(a)	matts	(b)	coats	(c)	shines	(d)	indents
4.	(a)	angles	(b)	planes	(c)	grooves	(d)	trajectories
5.	(a)	sleet	(b)	skit	(c)	smitten	(d)	slate
6.	(a)	ready	(b)	prepare	(c)	sell	(d)	produce
7.	(a)	gnash	(b)	prude	(c)	knoll	(d)	chore
8.	(a)	standard	(b)	nice	(c)	colour	(d)	feature
9.	(a)	present	(b)	currently	(c)	immediately	(d)	recently
10.	(a)	repel	(b)	extinguish	(c)	take	(d)	squash
11.	(a)	all day	(b)	rainy day	(c)	everyday	(d)	some day
12.	(a)	rim	(b)	edge	(c)	border	(d)	side

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	automobile arnuauftmrec
2.	a oortytepp of a self-cleaning paint
3.	The new nanotechnology paint lpsree water
4.	This coats the fsucaer
5.	the paint has "dsrpdonee well"
6.	its enrgsneie will continue testing
Paragraph 2
7.	it has no emtadieim plans
8.	aatsddnr on its cars
9.	nlcytntaso thinking of new ways
10.	imtodetmc to addressing everyday problems
11.	igtcutn-dege technology
12.	this erbindilce coating application

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	cleaning paint that means cars may no longer need washing. The new nanotechnology paint repels
( )	plans to use the new paint as standard on its cars. It may offer it as an option in the
( )	water, oil and other dirt the environment can throw at a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and
( )	ways to make families' lives easier." She added: "We are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers
( )	face and will always consider testing exciting, cutting-edge technology like this incredible coating application.
( )	engineers will continue testing the paint in the near future to see how close they can get to a product ready for market.
( )	well" to many weather conditions, including frost, rain, sleet and snow. The carmaker added that its
( )	uses a process called nanopatterning. This coats the surface of something with tiny
( 1 )	The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has unveiled a prototype of a self-
( )	bumps and grooves that stop water and oil from sticking to it. Nissan said the paint has "responded
( )	future. Company spokeswoman Geraldine Ingham said the new paint is currently only being
( )	Nissan's website says: "Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that." However, it has no immediate
( )	tested on the company's Note family car. She said: "The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take
( )	the stress out of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	a of prototype a unveiled has Nissan paint cleaning - self.
2.	no That longer means need cars washing may.
3.	tiny This surface with the something bumps coats of.
4.	has to conditions paint well weather The responded many.
5.	the testing continue will engineers Its paint.
6.	be a one and a car a chore can Washing costly –.
7.	paint on new standard cars the as its Use.
8.	option in the future It may offer it as an.
9.	engineered the of Carefully take out to stress driving.
10.	problems everyday addressing to committed are We.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan has unraveled / unveiled a prototype of a self-cleaning / self-cleansing paint that means cars may not / no longer need washing. The new nanotechnology paint expels / repels water, oil and other dirt / dirty the environment can throw at a car. The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and uses a prowess / process called nanopatterning. This coats / jackets the surface of something with tiny bumps and grooves that stop water and oil for / from sticking to it. Nissan said the paint has "responded good / well" to many weather conditions, including frost, rain, sleet and snow. The carmaker added that its engineers will continue testing the paint in the near / nearly future to see how close they can get to a product ready for market.

Nissan's website says: "Washing a car can be a chore / chose – and a costly one at that." However, it has no immediacy / immediate plans to use the new paint as standardise / standard on its cars. It may offer it as an optional / option in the future. Company spokeswoman Geraldine Ingham said the new paint is currently / current only being tested on the company's Note family car. She said: "The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the stressed / stress out of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of / from new ways to make families' lives easier." She added: "We are commitment / committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face / head and will always consider testing exciting, cutting-edge technology like this incredible / incredibly coating application.

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_ J_p_n_s_ __t_m_b_l_ m_n_f_ct_r_r N_ss_n h_s _nv__l_d _ pr_t_typ_ _f _ s_lf-cl__n_ng p__nt th_t m__ns c_rs m_y n_ l_ng_r n__d w_sh_ng. Th_ n_w n_n_t_chn_l_gy p__nt r_p_ls w_t_r, __l _nd _th_r d_rt th_ _nv_r_nm_nt c_n thr_w _t _ c_r. Th_ p__nt _s c_ll_d _ltr_-_v_r Dry _nd _s_s _ pr_c_ss c_ll_d n_n_p_tt_rn_ng. Th_s c__ts th_ s_rf_c_ _f s_m_th_ng w_th t_ny b_mps _nd gr__v_s th_t st_p w_t_r _nd __l fr_m st_ck_ng t_ _t. N_ss_n s__d th_ p__nt h_s "r_sp_nd_d w_ll" t_ m_ny w__th_r c_nd_t__ns, _ncl_d_ng fr_st, r__n, sl__t _nd sn_w. Th_ c_rm_k_r _dd_d th_t _ts _ng_n__rs w_ll c_nt_n__ t_st_ng th_ p__nt _n th_ n__r f_t_r_ t_ s__ h_w cl_s_ th_y c_n g_t t_ _ pr_d_ct r__dy f_r m_rk_t.

N_ss_n's w_bs_t_ s_ys: "W_sh_ng _ c_r c_n b_ _ ch_r_ – _nd _ c_stly _n_ _t th_t." H_w_v_r, _t h_s n_ _mm_d__t_ pl_ns t_ _s_ th_ n_w p__nt _s st_nd_rd _n _ts c_rs. _t m_y _ff_r _t _s _n _pt__n _n th_ f_t_r_. C_mp_ny sp_k_sw_m_n G_r_ld_n_ _ngh_m s__d th_ n_w p__nt _s c_rr_ntly _nly b__ng t_st_d _n th_ c_mp_ny's N_t_ f_m_ly c_r. Sh_ s__d: "Th_ N_ss_n N_t_ h_s b__n c_r_f_lly _ng_n__r_d t_ t_k_ th_ str_ss __t _f c_st_m_r dr_v_ng, _nd N_ss_n's _ng_n__rs _r_ c_nst_ntly th_nk_ng _f n_w w_ys t_ m_k_ f_m_l__s' l_v_s __s__r." Sh_ _dd_d: "W_ _r_ c_mm_tt_d t_ _ddr_ss_ng _v_ryd_y pr_bl_ms __r c_st_m_rs f_c_ _nd w_ll _lw_ys c_ns_d_r t_st_ng _xc_t_ng, c_tt_ng-_dg_ t_chn_l_gy l_k_ th_s _ncr_d_bl_ c__t_ng _ppl_c_t__n.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the japanese automobile manufacturer nissan has unveiled a prototype of a self-cleaning paint that means cars may no longer need washing the new nanotechnology paint repels water oil and other dirt the environment can throw at a car the paint is called ultra-ever dry and uses a process called nanopatterning this coats the surface of something with tiny bumps and grooves that stop water and oil from sticking to it nissan said the paint has "responded well" to many weather conditions including frost rain sleet and snow the carmaker added that its engineers will continue testing the paint in the near future to see how close they can get to a product ready for market

nissan's website says "washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that" however it has no immediate plans to use the new paint as standard on its cars it may offer it as an option in the future company spokeswoman geraldine ingham said the new paint is currently only being tested on the company's note family car she said "the nissan note has been carefully engineered to take the stress out of customer driving and nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families' lives easier" she added "we are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting cutting-edge technology like this incredible coating application

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheJapaneseautomobilemanufacturerNissanhasunveiledaprototy
peofaself-cleaningpaintthatmeanscarsmaynolongerneedwash
ing.Thenewnanotechnologypaintrepelswater,oilandotherdirtthee
nvironmentcanthrowatacar.ThepaintiscalledUltra-EverDryan
dusesaprocesscallednanopatterning.Thiscoatsthesurfaceofsomet
hingwithtinybumpsandgroovesthatstopwaterandoilfromstickingt
oit.Nissansaidthepainthas"respondedwell"tomanyweatherconditi
ons,includingfrost,rain,sleetandsnow.Thecarmakeraddedthatitse
ngineerswillcontinuetestingthepaintinthenearfuturetoseehowclos
etheycangettoaproductreadyformarket.Nissan'swebsitesays:"Wash
ingacarcanbeachore–andacostlyoneatthat."However,ithas
noimmediateplanstousethenewpaintasstandardonitscars.Itmayo
fferitasanoptioninthefuture.CompanyspokeswomanGeraldineIng
hamsaidthenewpaintiscurrentlyonlybeingtestedonthecompany's
Notefamilycar.Shesaid:"TheNissanNotehasbeencarefullyenginee
redtotakethestressoutofcustomerdriving,andNissan'sengineersar
econstantlythinkingofnewwaystomakefamilies'liveseasier."Shea
dded:"Wearecommittedtoaddressingeverydayproblemsourcusto
mersfaceandwillalwaysconsidertestingexciting,cutting-edget
echnologylikethisincrediblecoatingapplication.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Compare and contrast washing a car by hand and using the self-cleaning paint.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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

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

4. SELF-CLEANING: Write a magazine article about self-cleaning products (you might have to invent some). Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a technology expert. Ask him/her three questions about nanotechnology. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	automobile	a.	car
2.	repels	b.	keeps away
3.	coats	c.	layers
4.	grooves	d.	cuts
5.	ready	e.	prepared
6.	chore	f.	burden
7.	option	g.	choice
8.	stress	h.	strain
9.	committed	i.	devoted
10.	incredible	j.	unbelievable

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The prototype stage
2.	Repel them
3.	Tiny bumps and grooves
4.	Many weather conditions
5.	Market
6.	A chore
7.	One (the Nissan Note)
8.	Stress
9.	Make them easier
10.	Cutting-edge technology

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 ;-)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

New paint to say goodbye to car washes (1st May, 2014)

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS