The Reading / Listening - Paris Metro - Level 3

A pregnant woman got into trouble while she was using the Metro in Paris. She was given a 60-euro fine for walking the wrong way along a station platform. Sixty euros is about $74. The woman said she took a shortcut because she wanted to save some time on her journey. However, inspectors at Concorde station caught her and immediately fined her. A spokesman for the Paris Metro told the AFP news agency that the woman correctly got a fine for not following the rules. He said the rules were there to control the flow of people so everyone can get to trains or out of stations more quickly. He added that the "walk this way" systems are clearly marked with easy-to-see signs in the stations.

The incident has got lots of people talking on social media. Many users are angry that a pregnant woman was fined because she didn't want to walk a long way. A spokesman for a passenger group said the fine was "completely stupid" and that the rules needed to change. A woman on social media complained with a similar story. She said: "I was the only person in the corridor when they stopped me. It's unacceptable." The Metro responded to complaints with a message that read: "I am sorry that this situation surprises you, but these are the current regulations. In the same way that if a car drives in a prohibited area, the car's driver (who is breaking the law) receives a fine."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Paris Metro - Level 0,  Paris Metro - Level 1   or  Paris Metro - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.news24.com/World/News/paris-metro-fines-pregnant-woman-for-walking-wrong-way-20180303
  • https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/5716973/pregnant-woman-fined-walked-wrong-way-metro-underground-paris/
  • https://www.rt.com/news/420390-french-metro-pregnant-fine/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. TRAIN STATIONS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about train stations. 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?
       pregnant / trouble / the wrong way / shortcut / journey / rules / flow / stations /
       social media / passenger / stupid / similar / corridor / complaints / surprises / law
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. FOLLOW THE RULES: Students A strongly believe we should all follow all rules; Students B strongly believe rules are made to be broken.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. RULES: How good or bad are (were) these? How (do) did they affect your life? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good / Bad

How they affected you

School rules

 

 

Parents' rules

 

 

Sports rules

 

 

Club/Team rules

 

 

Internet rules

 

 

City rules

 

 
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. TROUBLE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "trouble". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. FINES: Rank these with your partner. Put the things we should fine most at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • anger in public
  • speeding
  • noise pollution
  • Internet abuse
  • walking the wrong way
  • jaywalking
  • spitting
  • swearing

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. pregnant a. Someone who checks to see if people are following rules, or if people have a ticket on a train.
      2. platform b. Go from one place to another place in a smooth stream, usually in large numbers.
      3. shortcut c. In a way that is very easy to see or understand.
      4. journey d. Of a woman having an unborn child inside her.
      5. inspectors e. A quicker way from A to B.
      6. flow f. An act of traveling from one place to another place.
      7. clearly g. The walkway next to a railway track where passengers get on and off trains at a station.

    Paragraph 2

      8. incident h. Not OK; not satisfactory or allowable.
      9. completely i. Say how unhappy or angry you are about something.
      10. stupid j. An event or happening.
      11. complained k. Of the present time; happening or being used or done now.
      12. unacceptable l. Totally.
      13. current m. Banned; not allowed.
      14. prohibited n. Having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. A woman got a $60 fine for walking the wrong way in the Paris Metro.     T / F
  2. The woman took a shortcut to reduce her journey time.     T / F
  3. Station inspectors fined the woman a week after they caught her.     T / F
  4. The Paris Metro admitted that "Walk this way" signs were hard to see.     T / F
  5. The article said many social media users wanted the fine to be higher.     T / F
  6. A passenger group said the fine was "completely stupid".     T / F
  7. The Paris Metro apologized for people's surprise at the fine.     T / F
  8. The Paris Metro compared the fine to a car driver's fine.     T / F

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

  1. given
  2. immediately
  3. following
  4. flow
  5. clearly
  6. incident
  7. completely
  8. complained
  9. regulations
  10. prohibited
  1. obeying
  2. protested
  3. happening
  4. straightaway
  5. forbidden
  6. handed
  7. rules
  8. movement
  9. obviously
  10. totally

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

  1. A pregnant woman got
  2. she took a
  3. she wanted to save
  4. rules were there to control the flow
  5. marked with easy-to-see
  6. The incident has got
  7. the fine was completely
  8. I was the only person
  9. I am sorry that this situation
  10. if a car drives in a
  1. in the corridor
  2. signs
  3. surprises you
  4. shortcut
  5. stupid
  6. into trouble
  7. prohibited area
  8. lots of people talking
  9. some time
  10. of people

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
platform
correctly
systems
trouble
marked
fined
shortcut
flow

A pregnant woman got into (1) ____________ while she was using the Metro in Paris. She was given a 60-euro fine for walking the wrong way along a station (2) ____________. Sixty euros is about $74. The woman said she took a (3) ____________ because she wanted to save some time on her journey. However, inspectors at Concorde station caught her and immediately (4) ____________ her. A spokesman for the Paris Metro told the AFP news agency that the woman (5) ____________ got a fine for not following the rules. He said the rules were there to control the (6) ____________ of people so everyone can get to trains or out of stations more quickly. He added that the "walk this way" (7) ____________ are clearly (8) ____________ with easy-to-see signs in the stations.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
stupid
regulations
unacceptable
angry
prohibited
way
surprises
similar

The incident has got lots of people talking on social media. Many users are (9) ____________ that a pregnant woman was fined because she didn't want to walk a long (10) ____________. A spokesman for a passenger group said the fine was "completely (11) ____________ " and that the rules needed to change. A woman on social media complained with a (12) ____________ story. She said: "I was the only person in the corridor when they stopped me. It's (13) ____________." The Metro responded to complaints with a message that read: "I am sorry that this situation (14) ____________ you, but these are the current (15) ____________. In the same way that if a car drives in a (16) ____________ area, the car's driver (who is breaking the law) receives a fine."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  She was given a 60-euro fine for walking the wrong way ______ platform
     a.  as long a station
     b.  along way station
     c.  along as way station
     d.  along a station
2)  However, inspectors at Concorde station caught her and immediately ______
     a.  fired her
     b.  filed her
     c.  fived her
     d.  fined her
3) the woman correctly got a fine for not ______
     a.  following a rules
     b.  followed in a rule
     c.  following the rules
     d.  followed in the rules
4)  control the flow of people so everyone can get to trains or out of stations ______
     a.  more quick
     b.  more quickly
     c.  more quicker
     d.  more quickest
5)  He added that the "walk this way" systems are clearly marked with ______ signs
     a.  easily-to-see
     b.  easy-too-see
     c.  easy-to-seen
     d.  easy-to-see

6)  The incident has got lots of people ______ media
     a.  talking by social
     b.  talking up social
     c.  talking in social
     d.  talking on social
7)  a pregnant woman was fined because she didn't want to ______
     a.  walk a long way
     b.  walk a long wait
     c.  walk a long weigh
     d.  walk a long ways
8)  I was the only person in the corridor when they stopped me. ______
     a.  It's unacceptably
     b.  It's unacceptable
     c.  It's not acceptably
     d.  It's unaccepted
9)  I am sorry that this situation surprises you, but these are the ______
     a.  currently regulations
     b.  currant regulations
     c.  current regulations
     d.  currency regulations
10)  In the same way that if a car drives in a ______
     a.  prohibit it area
     b.  prohibit the area
     c.  prohibits it area
     d.  prohibited area

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A pregnant woman (1) ___________________ while she was using the Metro in Paris. She was given a 60-euro fine for walking the wrong way along (2) ___________________. Sixty euros is about $74. The woman said she took a shortcut because she wanted to (3) ___________________ on her journey. However, inspectors at Concorde station caught her and immediately fined her. A spokesman for the Paris Metro told the AFP news agency that the woman correctly got a fine for not (4) ___________________. He said the rules were there to (5) ___________________ of people so everyone can get to trains or out of stations more quickly. He added that the "walk this way" systems (6) ___________________ with easy-to-see signs in the stations.

The incident has got lots of people talking (7) ___________________. Many users are angry that a pregnant woman was fined because she didn't want to (8) ___________________ way. A spokesman for a passenger group said the fine was "completely stupid" and that (9) ___________________ to change. A woman on social media complained with (10) ___________________. She said: "I was the only person in the corridor when they stopped me. It's unacceptable." The Metro responded to complaints with a message that read: "I am sorry that this situation surprises you, but these are (11) ___________________. In the same way that if a car drives in a prohibited area, the car's driver (who is breaking the law) (12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. How much was the fine in dollars?
  2. What did the women take to save time?
  3. Who caught her at Concorde station?
  4. What are the rules to control the flow of?
  5. What system are there clear signs for in the stations?
  6. Where are lots of people talking?
  7. What did a passenger call the fine?
  8. How many people were in a corridor with another woman who got fined?
  9. What did the Metro say about the regulations?
  10. Who did the Metro use a law-breaking comparison?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How much was the fine in dollars?
a) around $60
b) about $74
c) nearly $47
d) over $80
2) What did the women take to save time?
a) a train pass
b) a watch
c) running shoes
d) a shortcut
3) Who caught her at Concorde station?
a) passengers
b) train drivers
c) inspectors
d) police officers
4) What are the rules to control the flow of?
a) people
b) information
c) water
d) trains
5) What system are there clear signs for in the stations?
a) "Walk on the left"
b) "Walk this way"
c) "Walk on the right"
d) "Keep straight ahead"

6) Where are lots of people talking?
a) on social media
b) on the train
c) on the train platform
d) on the telephone
7) What did a passenger call the fine?
a) Bob
b) fair
c) stupid
d) too low
8) How many people were in a corridor with another woman who got fined?
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3
9) What did the Metro say about the regulations?
a) they needed updating
b) they were too strict
c) they were too old
d) they were current
10) Who did the Metro use a law-breaking comparison?
a) a pickpocket
b) a thief
c) a car driver
d) a kidnapper

Role play

Role  A – Walking the Wrong Way
You think walking the wrong way should get the biggest fine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why fines for their things shouldn't be so high. Also, tell the others which of these should get no fine (and why): spitting in public, swearing in public or noise pollution.

Role  B – Spitting in Public
You think spitting in public should get the biggest fine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why fines for their things shouldn't be so high. Also, tell the others which of these should get no fine (and why): walking the wrong way, swearing in public or noise pollution.

Role  C – Swearing in Public
You think swearing in public should get the biggest fine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why fines for their things shouldn't be so high. Also, tell the others which of these should get no fine (and why): spitting in public, walking the wrong way or noise pollution.

Role  D – Noise Pollution
You think noise pollution should get the biggest fine. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why fines for their things shouldn't be so high. Also, tell the others which of these should get no fine (and why):  spitting in public, swearing in public or walking the wrong way.

After reading / listening

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

'metro'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'fine'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • lots
    • group
    • change
    • person
    • sorry
    • area
    • trouble
    • along
    • save
    • immediately
    • correctly
    • clearly

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Paris Metro fines woman for walking wrong way

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'metro'?
    3. What do you think of rules?
    4. Should people get fined for walking the wrong way?
    5. Why are there rules in train stations?
    6. How important are shortcuts?
    7. What do you think of people who do not follow rules?
    8. Someone once said rules were made to be broken. Do you agree?
    9. What rules do you break?
    10. What rules do you hate?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'fine'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Are people right to be angry about this?
    5. What would happen if no one followed rules?
    6. Do you think the fine was "completely stupid"?
    7. Should there be more caring rules for pregnant women?
    8. What do you think of metro systems?
    9. Is the walking rule similar to rules for car drivers?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the woman?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    A pregnant woman got into trouble (1) ____ she was using the Metro in Paris. She was given a 60-euro fine for walking the wrong way (2) ____ a station platform. Sixty euros is about $74. The woman said she took a (3) ____ because she wanted to save some time on her journey. However, inspectors at Concorde station (4) ____ her and immediately fined her. A spokesman for the Paris Metro told the AFP news agency that the woman correctly got a fine for not following the rules. He said the rules were there to control the (5) ____ of people so everyone can get to trains or out of stations more quickly. He added that the "walk this way" systems are (6) ____ marked with easy-to-see signs in the stations.

    The incident has (7) ____ lots of people talking on social media. Many users are angry that a pregnant woman was fined because she didn't want to walk a long way. A spokesman for a passenger group said the fine was "(8) ____ stupid" and that the rules needed to change. A woman on social media complained with a (9) ____ story. She said: "I was the only person in the corridor when they stopped me. It's unacceptable." The metro (10) ____ to complaints with a message that read: "I am sorry that this situation surprises you, but these are the (11) ____ regulations. In the same way that if a car drives in a prohibited area, the car's driver (who is (12) ____ the law) receives a fine."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     that     (b)     which     (c)     while     (d)     how    
    2. (a)     along     (b)     long     (c)     longing     (d)     longs    
    3. (a)     shortcut     (b)     short-change     (c)     short-circuit     (d)     shortlist    
    4. (a)     caught     (b)     captured     (c)     trapped     (d)     netted    
    5. (a)     flower     (b)     flow     (c)     flown     (d)     flowery    
    6. (a)     cleared     (b)     clears     (c)     clarity     (d)     clearly    
    7. (a)     been     (b)     done     (c)     got     (d)     watched    
    8. (a)     completion     (b)     completed     (c)     completes     (d)     completely    
    9. (a)     similar     (b)     same     (c)     similarly     (d)     similarity    
    10. (a)     resorted     (b)     responded     (c)     resounded     (d)     repeated    
    11. (a)     currant     (b)     current     (c)     currency     (d)     currently    
    12. (a)     breaks     (b)     broken     (c)     breaking     (d)     breaker

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. A rnanpget woman
    2. got into ruolbte
    3. save some time on her eoyujrn
    4. caught her and ymldtaeiime fined her
    5. the woman ctryerloc got a fine
    6. lecarly marked with easy-to-see signs

    Paragraph 2

    1. The nciitend has got lots of people talking
    2. a sarnpsgee group
    3. the fine was completely usiptd
    4. The Metro responded to itoclpmsna
    5. these are the crteunr regulations
    6. if a car drives in a bitiorphde area

    Put the text back together

    (...)  angry that a pregnant woman was fined because she didn't want to walk a long way. A spokesman for a passenger
    (...)  fine for walking the wrong way along a station platform. Sixty euros is about $74. The woman said she took a
    (...)  were there to control the flow of people so everyone can get to trains or out
    (...)  her and immediately fined her. A spokesman for the Paris Metro told the AFP news
    (...)  media complained with a similar story. She said: "I was the only person in the corridor when they
    (...)  way that if a car drives in a prohibited area, the car's driver (who is breaking the law) receives a fine."
    (...)  stopped me. It's unacceptable." The Metro responded to complaints with a message that read: "I am
    (...)  group said the fine was "completely stupid" and that the rules needed to change. A woman on social
    (...)  The incident has got lots of people talking on social media. Many users are
    (...)  shortcut because she wanted to save some time on her journey. However, inspectors at Concorde station caught
    (...)  sorry that this situation surprises you, but these are the current regulations. In the same
    (...)  of stations more quickly. He added that the "walk this way" systems are clearly marked with easy-to-see signs in the stations.
    (  1  ) A pregnant woman got into trouble while she was using the Metro in Paris. She was given a 60-euro
    (...)  agency that the woman correctly got a fine for not following the rules. He said the rules

    Put the words in the right order

    1. wrong   Walking   way   the   platform   .   a   along   station
    2. took   shortcut   to   She   some   time   .   save   a
    3. not   fine   Got   the   following   a   rules   .   for
    4. of   to   were   control   flow   the   Rules   people   .
    5. are   marked   clearly   Systems   with   signs   .   easy-to-see
    6. was   that   Angry   pregnant   fined   .   woman   a
    7. want   a   She   to   didn't   way   .   walk   long
    8. A   said   the   "completely   fine   was   stupid"   .   spokesman
    9. am   surprises   sorry   situation   that   I   this   you   .
    10. in   prohibited   drives   a   If   area   .   car   a

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A pregnant woman got into / onto trouble while she was using the Metro in Paris. She was given a 60-euro fine for walking the wrong way long / along a station platform. Sixty euros is about $74. The woman said she gave / took a shortcut because she wanted to save many / some time on her journey. However, inspectors at Concorde station caught / trapped her and immediately fined / fired her. A spokesman for the Paris Metro told the AFP news agency that the woman correctly / correct got a fine for not following the rules. He said the rules were there to control the flown / flow of people so everyone can get to trains or out of stations more quick / quickly. He added that the "walk this way" systems are clearly / clear marked with easy-to-see signs in the stations.

    The incident / incidence has got lots of people talking on social / socially media. Many users are angry / angrily that a pregnant woman was fined because she didn't want to walk a long way. A spokesman for a passenger group said the fine was "completely stupid" and that the rules necessary / needed to change. A woman on social media complained / complaint with a similar story. She said: "I was the only person on / in the corridor when they stopped me. It's unacceptable." The Metro responded to complains / complaints with a message that read: "I am sorry then / that this situation surprises you, but these are the currant / current regulations. In the same way that if a car drives in a prohibited / exhibited area, the car's driver (who is breaking the law) receives a fine."

    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)

    A   p r_g n_n t   w_m_n   g_t  _n t_  t r__ b l_  w h_l_  s h_  w_s  _s_n g   t h_  M_t r_ _n   P_r_s .   S h_  w_s   g_v_n  _  6 0 -__ r_  f_n_  f_r   w_l k_n g   t h_  w r_n g   w_y  _l_n g  _  s t_t__ n   p l_t f_r m .   S_x t y  __ r_s  _s  _b__ t   $ 7 4 .   T h_  w_m_n   s__ d   s h_  t__ k  _  s h_r t c_t   b_c__ s_  s h_  w_n t_d   t_  s_v_  s_m_  t_m_ _n   h_r   j__ r n_y .   H_w_v_r ,  _n s p_c t_r s  _t   C_n c_r d_  s t_t__ n   c__ g h t   h_r  _n d  _m m_d__ t_l y   f_n_d   h_r .   A   s p_k_s m_n   f_r   t h_  P_r_s   M_t r_  t_l d   t h_  A F P   n_w s  _g_n c y   t h_t   t h_  w_m_n   c_r r_c t l y   g_t  _  f_n_  f_r   n_t   f_l l_w_n g   t h_  r_l_s .   H_  s__ d   t h_  r_l_s   w_r_  t h_r_  t_  c_n t r_l   t h_  f l_w  _f   p__ p l_  s_ _v_r y_n_  c_n   g_t   t_  t r__ n s  _r  __ t  _f   s t_t__ n s   m_r_  q__ c k l y .   H_ _d d_d   t h_t   t h_  " w_l k   t h_s   w_y "   s y s t_m s  _r_  c l__ r l y   m_r k_d   w_t h  __ s y - t_- s__   s_g n s  _n   t h_  s t_t__ n s .

    T h_ _n c_d_n t   h_s   g_t   l_t s  _f   p__ p l_  t_l k_n g  _n   s_c__ l   m_d__ .   M_n y  _s_r s  _r_ _n g r y   t h_t  _  p r_g n_n t   w_m_n   w_s   f_n_d   b_c__ s_  s h_  d_d n ' t   w_n t   t_  w_l k  _  l_n g   w_y .   A   s p_k_s m_n   f_r  _  p_s s_n g_r   g r__ p   s__ d   t h_  f_n_  w_s   " c_m p l_t_l y   s t_p_d "  _n d   t h_t   t h_  r_l_s   n__ d_d   t_  c h_n g_.   A   w_m_n  _n   s_c__ l   m_d__   c_m p l__ n_d   w_t h  _  s_m_l_r   s t_r y .   S h_  s__ d :   " I   w_s   t h_ _n l y   p_r s_n  _n   t h_  c_r r_d_r   w h_n   t h_y   s t_p p_d   m_.   I t ' s  _n_c c_p t_b l_. "   T h_  M_t r_  r_s p_n d_d   t_  c_m p l__ n t s   w_t h  _  m_s s_g_  t h_t   r__ d :   " I  _m   s_r r y   t h_t   t h_s   s_t__ t__ n   s_r p r_s_s   y__ ,   b_t   t h_s_ _r_  t h_  c_r r_n t   r_g_l_t__ n s .   I n   t h_  s_m_  w_y   t h_t  _f  _  c_r   d r_v_s  _n  _  p r_h_b_t_d  _r__ ,   t h_  c_r ' s   d r_v_r   ( w h_ _s   b r__ k_n g   t h_  l_w )   r_c__ v_s  _  f_n_. "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a pregnant woman got into trouble while she was using the metro in paris she was given a 60euro fine for walking the wrong way along a station platform sixty euros is about 74 the woman said she took a shortcut because she wanted to save some time on her journey however inspectors at concorde station caught her and immediately fined her a spokesman for the paris metro told the afp news agency that the woman correctly got a fine for not following the rules he said the rules were there to control the flow of people so everyone can get to trains or out of stations more quickly he added that the walk this way systems are clearly marked with easytosee signs in the stations

    the incident has got lots of people talking on social media many users are angry that a pregnant woman was fined because she didnt want to walk a long way a spokesman for a passenger group said the fine was completely stupid and that the rules needed to change a woman on social media complained with a similar story she said i was the only person in the corridor when they stopped me its unacceptable the metro responded to complaints with a message that read i am sorry that this situation surprises you but these are the current regulations in the same way that if a car drives in a prohibited area the cars driver who is breaking the law receives a fine

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ApregnantwomangotintotroublewhileshewasusingtheMetroinParis.
    Shewasgivena60-eurofineforwalkingthewrongwayalongastationpl
    atform.Sixtyeurosisabout$74.Thewomansaidshetookashortcutbec
    auseshewantedtosavesometimeonherjourney.However,inspectors
    atConcordestationcaughtherandimmediatelyfinedher.Aspokesmanf
    ortheParisMetrotoldtheAFPnewsagencythatthewomancorrectlygota
    finefornotfollowingtherules.Hesaidtherulesweretheretocontrolthefl
    owofpeoplesoeveryonecangettotrainsoroutofstationsmorequickly.
    Headdedthatthe"walkthisway"systemsareclearlymarkedwitheasy-
    to-seesignsinthestations.Theincidenthasgotlotsofpeopletalkingons
    ocialmedia.Manyusersareangrythatapregnantwomanwasfinedbeca
    useshedidn'twanttowalkalongway.Aspokesmanforapassengergrou
    psaidthefinewas"completelystupid"andthattherulesneededtochang
    e.Awomanonsocialmediacomplainedwithasimilarstory.Shesaid:"Iw
    astheonlypersoninthecorridorwhentheystoppedme.It'sunacceptabl
    e."TheMetrorespondedtocomplaintswithamessagethatread:"Iamso
    rrythatthissituationsurprisesyou,butthesearethecurrentregulations
    .Inthesamewaythatifacardrivesinaprohibitedarea,thecar'sdriver(w
    hoisbreakingthelaw)receivesafine."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    People should always follow the rules. Discuss.

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    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 news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. TRAIN STATIONS: Make a poster about train stations. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. RULES: Write a magazine article about everyone always having to follow the rules. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on train stations. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on what rules there need to be for passengers in stations. 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

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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