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London drivers face idling fine (26th March, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Drivers in central London will soon face a $30 fine if they sit in traffic without turning off their engine. Authorities want to reduce the amount of pollution in England's capital city. The fines could start on May 1. Throughout April, traffic wardens in the London district of Westminster will ask motorists to turn off their car engines if they are not driving. If people do not follow their advice, the new law will start. The fines are because local residents and businesses complained about the air quality in London. Westminster has the second highest proportion of deaths from air pollution in Britain. A spokeswoman, Heather Acton, said: "The council is committed to improving air quality in Westminster."

Ms Acton told reporters about the importance of keeping people moving on the roads and reducing air pollution. She said: "Motor traffic plays an important role in keeping our city moving, which is vital for its economic prosperity. We want to raise motorist awareness of the impact engine idling can have on the environment, with air and noise pollution affecting overall health." Not everyone is happy with the new fine. The Institute of Advanced Motorists warned that people could see the fine as a "revenue-raising exercise". It said the traffic wardens should focus on "old buses, coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling for long periods" and not on energy-efficient cars.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/11490974/Visitors-to-West-End-face-20-fines-for-leaving-engines-on.html
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-31989916
http://www.businesscar.co.uk/news/2015/westminster-council-impose-fines-for-idling-motorists

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

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

drivers / fine / traffic / engine / pollution / motorists / advice / air quality / businesses / reporters / importance / vital / economic prosperity / overall health / happy / efficient

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

3. TRAFFIC: How can we make things better? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Problems	Solutions
Roads
Idling
Jams
Parking
Cyclists
Trucks

4. IDLING: Students A strongly believe people who idle their engine should be fined; 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. FINES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to fine at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• idling

• speeding

• driving and texting

• double parking

• driving with no insurance

• not wearing seat belts

• loud music in car

• driving too slowly

6. ENGINE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "engine". 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.	There will soon be a $30-dollar idling fine all across London.	T / F
b.	The fines will start on May 1.	T / F
c.	Local people complained about air quality in London.	T / F
d.	The local council said it has no commitments to improve air quality.	T / F
e.	A council spokeswoman said it was important to keep traffic moving.	T / F
f.	The spokeswoman said traffic is important for economic prosperity.	T / F
g.	The article says a motoring group was happy with the fines.	T / F
h.	The motoring group said energy-efficient cars should not be fined.	T / F

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

1.	central	a.	money
2.	amount	b.	stick to
3.	motorists	c.	part
4.	follow	d.	drivers
5.	committed	e.	lowering
6.	importance	f.	inner
7.	reducing	g.	concentrate
8.	role	h.	dedicated
9.	revenue	i.	seriousness
10.	focus	j.	volume

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

1.	Drivers in central London will soon	a.	raising exercise
2.	reduce the amount	b.	advice
3.	ask motorists to turn	c.	air quality
4.	follow their	d.	awareness
5.	committed to improving	e.	our city moving
6.	the importance of keeping	f.	of pollution
7.	an important role in keeping	g.	cars
8.	raise motorist	h.	face a $30 fine
9.	a revenue-	i.	people moving
10.	energy-efficient	j.	off their car engines

GAP FILL

Drivers in central London will soon (1) __________ a $30 fine if they sit in traffic without turning off their engine. Authorities want to reduce the (2) __________ of pollution in England's capital city. The fines could start on May 1. Throughout April, (3) __________ wardens in the London district of Westminster will ask (4) __________ to turn off their car engines if they are not driving. If people do not follow their (5) __________, the new law will start. The fines are because (6) __________ residents and businesses complained about the air (7) __________ in London. Westminster has the second highest proportion of deaths from air pollution in Britain. A spokeswoman, Heather Acton, said: "The council is committed to (8) __________ air quality in Westminster."

motorists
amount
face
quality
traffic
improving
advice
local

Ms Acton told reporters about the (9) __________ of keeping people moving on the roads and reducing air pollution. She said: "Motor traffic plays an important (10) __________ in keeping our city moving, which is vital for its economic (11) __________. We want to raise motorist awareness of the (12) __________ engine idling can have on the environment, with air and (13) __________ pollution affecting overall health." Not everyone is happy with the new fine. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (14) __________ that people could see the fine as a "revenue-raising exercise". It said the traffic wardens should (15) __________ on "old buses, coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling for long periods" and not on energy-(16) __________ cars.

impact
role
warned
importance
efficient
prosperity
focus
noise

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Drivers in central London will soon ______
	a. face the $30 fine b. face as $30 fine c. face a $30 fine d. facer $30 fine
2)	Authorities want to reduce the amount ______
	a. of pollution b. for pollution c. if pollution d. from pollution
3)	ask motorists to turn off their car engines if they ______
	a. are not driven b. are not driving c. are not drive-in d. are not driving in
4)	local residents and businesses complained ______
	a. about the airs quality b. about the aired quality c. about the airy quality d. about the air quality
5)	The council is committed to improving air quality ______
	a. at Westminster b. by Westminster c. on Westminster d. in Westminster
6)	the importance of keeping people moving ______
	a. in the roads b. at the roads c. by the roads d. on the roads
7)	Motor traffic plays an important role in keeping ______
	a. your city moving b. hour city moving c. our city moving d. power city moving
8)	We want to raise motorist awareness of the impact engine ______
	a. idle in can have b. idling can have c. idol in can have d. I'd lingo can have
9)	people could see the fine as a revenue-______
	a. rising exercise b. raising exercise c. arising exercise d. arisen exercise
10)	coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling ______
	a. four long periods b. for long periods c. fore long periods d. form long periods

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Drivers in central London (1) ___________________ $30 fine if they sit in traffic without turning off their engine. Authorities want to reduce the (2) ___________________ in England's capital city. The fines could start on May 1. Throughout April, traffic wardens in the London district of Westminster will ask motorists (3) ___________________ car engines if they are not driving. If people do not follow their advice, the new law will start. The fines are because (4) ___________________ businesses complained about the air quality in London. Westminster has the second highest proportion (5) ___________________ pollution in Britain. A spokeswoman, Heather Acton, said: "The council (6) ___________________ improving air quality in Westminster."

Ms Acton told reporters about the importance (7) ___________________ moving on the roads and reducing air pollution. She said: "Motor traffic plays (8) ___________________ keeping our city moving, which is vital for its economic prosperity. We want (9) ___________________ awareness of the impact engine idling can have on the environment, with air and noise pollution affecting (10) ___________________." Not everyone is happy with the new fine. The Institute of Advanced Motorists warned that people could see the fine as a "(11) ___________________ exercise". It said the traffic wardens should focus on "old buses, coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling for long periods" and not on (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	In which part of London will drivers face a fine?
2.	When might the fines start?
3.	What will happen if motorists do not follow the traffic wardens' advice?
4.	What did local residents and businesses complain about?
5.	Who is committed to improving air quality?
6.	Who did a spokeswoman say it was important to keep moving?
7.	What did a spokeswoman say motor traffic is vital for?
8.	What does Westminster Council want to raise?
9.	What is a motoring group worried the fines might be?
10.	What did the group say the traffic wardens should not fine?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	In which part of London will drivers face a fine?	6.	Who did a spokeswoman say it was important to keep moving?
	a) the suburbs b) Central London (Westminster) c) east London d) the area next to Buckingham Palace		a) people b) wheels c) air d) pollution
2.	When might the fines start?	7.	What did a spokeswoman say motor traffic is vital for?
	a) May 15 b) May 11 c) May 5 d) May 1		a) air quality b) roads c) economic prosperity d) oil company profits
3.	What will happen if motorists do not follow the traffic wardens' advice?	8.	What does Westminster Council want to raise?
	a) the fines will start b) they will get a warning c) the council will ban traffic d) their driving license will be taken away		a) motorist awareness b) taxes c) roads d) bridges
4.	What did local residents and businesses complain about?	9.	What is a motoring group worried the fines might be?
	a) the council b) speeding cars c) air quality d) double parking		a) a money-collecting exercise b) expensive c) bad d) helpful
5.	Who is committed to improving air quality?	10.	What did the group say the traffic wardens should not fine?
	a) a car maker b) the council c) the London Air Group d) taxi drivers		a) buses b) taxis c) subway trains d) new, energy-efficient cars

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Idling

You think idling is the worst thing to do in traffic. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): speeding, driving and texting or not wearing seat belts.

Role B – Speeding

You think speeding is the worst thing to do in traffic. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): idling, driving and texting or not wearing seat belts.

Role C – Driving and texting

You think driving and texting is the worst thing to do in traffic. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): speeding, idling or not wearing seat belts.

Role D – Not wearing a seatbelt

You think not wearing seat belts is the worst thing to do in traffic. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so bad. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): speeding, driving and texting or idling.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

air

quality

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:

face
amount
ask
local
second
committed

moving
role
vital
noise
focus
large

IDLING SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about idling 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.

IDLING DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'idling'?
3)	How bad is pollution from cars?
4)	What do you think of the idea of everyone using public transport?
5)	What do you think of the $30 idling fine?
6)	What other problems does traffic cause?
7)	Why do people idle their engines?
8)	How much of a success do you think the fines will be?
9)	What's the air quality like in your country?
10)	How can we improve air quality?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	How important are roads?
13)	How can we make roads better, safer, easier to use, etc?
14)	How much do you know about the impact of cars on the environment?
15)	What do you think about noise pollution?
16)	Why might people not like the fines?
17)	Is there a problem if the fines are just for raising money?
18)	Should old cars be banned from using the roads?
19)	What do you think of cars?
20)	What questions would you like to ask London's government?

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

Drivers in central London will soon (1) ____ a $30 fine if they sit in traffic without turning off their engine. Authorities want to reduce the (2) ____ of pollution in England's (3) ____ city. The fines could start on May 1. Throughout April, traffic wardens in the London district of Westminster will ask motorists to turn off their car engines if they are not driving. If people do not (4) ____ their advice, the new law will start. The fines are because local residents and businesses complained about the air quality in London. Westminster has the (5) ____ highest proportion of deaths from air pollution in Britain. A spokeswoman, Heather Acton, said: "The council is committed (6) ____ improving air quality in Westminster."

Ms Acton told reporters about the importance (7) ____ keeping people moving on the roads and reducing air pollution. She said: "Motor traffic (8) ____ an important role in keeping our city moving, which is vital for its economic prosperity. We want to raise motorist awareness of the impact engine idling can have (9) ____ the environment, with air and noise pollution affecting (10) ____ health." Not everyone is happy with the new fine. The Institute of Advanced Motorists warned that people could see the fine as a "revenue-(11) ____ exercise". It said the traffic wardens should focus on "old buses, coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling for long periods" and not (12) ____ energy-efficient cars.

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

1.	(a)	head	(b)	nose	(c)	face	(d)	mouth
2.	(a)	amount	(b)	mount	(c)	mountain	(d)	amass
3.	(a)	capital	(b)	initial	(c)	spatial	(d)	numeral
4.	(a)	follow	(b)	do	(c)	chase	(d)	have
5.	(a)	pair	(b)	duo	(c)	double	(d)	second
6.	(a)	by	(b)	at	(c)	for	(d)	to
7.	(a)	of	(b)	from	(c)	for	(d)	if
8.	(a)	takes	(b)	be	(c)	does	(d)	plays
9.	(a)	on	(b)	of	(c)	off	(d)	oh
10.	(a)	every	(b)	overall	(c)	eventually	(d)	eventual
11.	(a)	rising	(b)	raising	(c)	risen	(d)	arisen
12.	(a)	on	(b)	of	(c)	off	(d)	if

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	reduce the amount of tuopllnoi
2.	the London istrtcid of Westminster
3.	ask toisrtsmo to turn off their car engines
4.	local iensdsrte
5.	The council is committed to pngiimorv
6.	air tuayiql
Paragraph 2
7.	the emtocrapin of keeping people moving
8.	vital for its economic pieyposrrt
9.	raise totsirmo awareness
10.	affecting veloarl health
11.	a "eunreve-raising exercise"
12.	energy-nieftfcei cars

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	have on the environment, with air and noise pollution affecting overall health." Not everyone is happy
( )	off their engine. Authorities want to reduce the amount of pollution in England's capital
( )	city. The fines could start on May 1. Throughout April, traffic wardens in the London district of Westminster will ask
( )	motorists to turn off their car engines if they are not driving. If people do not follow their
( )	Ms Acton told reporters about the importance of keeping people moving on the roads and
( )	for its economic prosperity. We want to raise motorist awareness of the impact engine idling can
( )	reducing air pollution. She said: "Motor traffic plays an important role in keeping our city moving, which is vital
( )	with the new fine. The Institute of Advanced Motorists warned that people could see the fine
( )	advice, the new law will start. The fines are because local residents and businesses complained about the air
( )	pollution in Britain. A spokeswoman, Heather Acton, said: "The council is committed to improving air quality in Westminster."
( )	quality in London. Westminster has the second highest proportion of deaths from air
( 1 )	Drivers in central London will soon face a $30 fine if they sit in traffic without turning
( )	as a "revenue-raising exercise". It said the traffic wardens should focus on "old buses,
( )	coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling for long periods" and not on energy-efficient cars.

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	face soon will London central in Drivers fine $30 a.
2.	want of to pollution reduce the Authorities amount.
3.	if they are not driving Turn off their car engines.
4.	air Businesses quality complained in about London the.
5.	is quality committed to The improving council air.
6.	on people of the moving The roads keeping importance.
7.	the The idling on engine have environment impact can.
8.	fine happy with Not the everyone new is.
9.	revenue a as fine the see could People exercise raising -.
10.	said the traffic wardens should focus on old buses It.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Drivers in central London will soon face / head a $30 fine if they sit in traffic without turning off their engine. Authorities want to deduce / reduce the amount of pollution / polluted in England's capital city. The fines could start on May 1. Without / Throughout April, traffic wardens in the London district of Westminster will ask motorists / motors to turn off their car engines if they are not driving. If people do not follow their advice / advise, the new law will start. The fines are because / so local residents and businesses complained about the air quality / qualify in London. Westminster has the second highest proportion / portion of deaths from air pollution in Britain. A spokeswoman, Heather Acton, said: "The council is committed by / to improving air quality in Westminster."

Ms Acton told reporters about the important / importance of keeping people moving on the roads and reducing / reduction air pollution. She said: "Motor traffic plays an important role / roll in keeping our city moving, which is viral / vital for its economic prosperity. We want to raise motorist awareness of the impact / compact engine idling can have on the environment, with air and noise pollution affecting every / overall health." Not everyone is happy with the new / newly fine. The Institute of Advanced Motorists warned that people could see / look the fine as a "revenue-raising exercise". It said the traffic wardens should focus in / on "old buses, coaches, large trucks, utility company vans or taxis idling for long period / periods" and not on energy-efficient cars.

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)

Dr_v_rs _n c_ntr_l L_nd_n w_ll s__n f_c_ _ $30 f_n_ _f th_y s_t _n tr_ff_c w_th__t t_rn_ng _ff th__r _ng_n_. __th_r_t__s w_nt t_ r_d_c_ th_ _m__nt _f p_ll_t__n _n _ngl_nd's c_p_t_l c_ty. Th_ f_n_s c__ld st_rt _n M_y 1. Thr__gh__t _pr_l, tr_ff_c w_rd_ns _n th_ L_nd_n d_str_ct _f W_stm_nst_r w_ll _sk m_t_r_sts t_ t_rn _ff th__r c_r _ng_n_s _f th_y _r_ n_t dr_v_ng. _f p__pl_ d_ n_t f_ll_w th__r _dv_c_, th_ n_w l_w w_ll st_rt. Th_ f_n_s _r_ b_c__s_ l_c_l r_s_d_nts _nd b_s_n_ss_s c_mpl__n_d _b__t th_ __r q__l_ty _n L_nd_n. W_stm_nst_r h_s th_ s_c_nd h_gh_st pr_p_rt__n _f d__ths fr_m __r p_ll_t__n _n Br_t__n. _ sp_k_sw_m_n, H__th_r _ct_n, s__d: "Th_ c__nc_l _s c_mm_tt_d t_ _mpr_v_ng __r q__l_ty _n W_stm_nst_r."

Ms _ct_n t_ld r_p_rt_rs _b__t th_ _mp_rt_nc_ _f k__p_ng p__pl_ m_v_ng _n th_ r__ds _nd r_d_c_ng __r p_ll_t__n. Sh_ s__d: "M_t_r tr_ff_c pl_ys _n _mp_rt_nt r_l_ _n k__p_ng __r c_ty m_v_ng, wh_ch _s v_t_l f_r _ts _c_n_m_c pr_sp_r_ty. W_ w_nt t_ r__s_ m_t_r_st _w_r_n_ss _f th_ _mp_ct _ng_n_ _dl_ng c_n h_v_ _n th_ _nv_r_nm_nt, w_th __r _nd n__s_ p_ll_t__n _ff_ct_ng _v_r_ll h__lth." N_t _v_ry_n_ _s h_ppy w_th th_ n_w f_n_. Th_ _nst_t_t_ _f _dv_nc_d M_t_r_sts w_rn_d th_t p__pl_ c__ld s__ th_ f_n_ _s _ "r_v_n__-r__s_ng _x_rc_s_". _t s__d th_ tr_ff_c w_rd_ns sh__ld f_c_s _n "_ld b_s_s, c__ch_s, l_rg_ tr_cks, _t_l_ty c_mp_ny v_ns _r t_x_s _dl_ng f_r l_ng p_r__ds" _nd n_t _n _n_rgy-_ff_c__nt c_rs.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

drivers in central london will soon face a $30 fine if they sit in traffic without turning off their engine authorities want to reduce the amount of pollution in england's capital city the fines could start on may 1 throughout april traffic wardens in the london district of westminster will ask motorists to turn off their car engines if they are not driving if people do not follow their advice the new law will start the fines are because local residents and businesses complained about the air quality in london westminster has the second highest proportion of deaths from air pollution in britain a spokeswoman heather acton said "the council is committed to improving air quality in westminster"

ms acton told reporters about the importance of keeping people moving on the roads and reducing air pollution she said "motor traffic plays an important role in keeping our city moving which is vital for its economic prosperity we want to raise motorist awareness of the impact engine idling can have on the environment with air and noise pollution affecting overall health" not everyone is happy with the new fine the institute of advanced motorists warned that people could see the fine as a "revenue-raising exercise" it said the traffic wardens should focus on "old buses coaches large trucks utility company vans or taxis idling for long periods" and not on energy-efficient cars

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

DriversincentralLondonwillsoonfacea$30fineiftheysitintrafficwithou
tturningofftheirengine.Authoritieswanttoreducetheamountofpolluti
oninEngland'scapitalcity.ThefinescouldstartonMay1.ThroughoutApr
il,trafficwardensintheLondondistrictofWestminsterwillaskmotoristst
oturnofftheircarenginesiftheyarenotdriving.Ifpeopledonotfollowthe
iradvice,thenewlawwillstart.Thefinesarebecauselocalresidentsandb
usinessescomplainedabouttheairqualityinLondon.Westminsterhast
hesecondhighestproportionofdeathsfromairpollutioninBritain.Aspo
keswoman,HeatherActon,said:"Thecounciliscommittedtoimproving
airqualityinWestminster."MsActontoldreportersabouttheimportanc
eofkeepingpeoplemovingontheroadsandreducingairpollution.Shesa
id:"Motortrafficplaysanimportantroleinkeepingourcitymoving,whic
hisvitalforitseconomicprosperity.Wewanttoraisemotoristawareness
oftheimpactengineidlingcanhaveontheenvironment,withairandnois
epollutionaffectingoverallhealth."Noteveryoneishappywiththenewfi
ne.TheInstituteofAdvancedMotoristswarnedthatpeoplecouldseethe
fineasa"revenue-raisingexercise".Itsaidthetrafficwardensshouldfo
cuson"oldbuses,coaches,largetrucks,utilitycompanyvansortaxisidli
ngforlongperiods"andnotonenergy-efficientcars.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Anyone caught idling should be immediately expelled. 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 idling in exams. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. EXPELLED: Write a magazine article about the students who were expelled. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them being expelled.

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

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

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on idling. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to stop 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	central	a.	inner
2	amount	b.	volume
3.	motorists	c.	drivers
4.	follow	d.	stick to
5.	committed	e.	dedicated
6.	importance	f.	seriousness
7.	reducing	g.	lowering
8.	role	h.	part
9.	revenue	i.	money
10.	focus	j.	concentrate

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Central London (Westminster)
2.	May 1
3.	The fines will start
4.	Air quality
5.	The council
6.	People
7.	Economic prosperity
8.	Motorist awareness
9.	A revenue-raising exercise
10.	New, energy-efficient cars

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

a

10.

d

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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London drivers face idling fine (26th March, 2015)

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