The Reading / Listening - Customer Reviews - Level 3

The computer giant Apple has removed all customer reviews from several of its online Apple stores. The reviews section was a useful way for customers to leave feedback for other people about Apple's products. The reviews section on the Apple Store began disappearing last week. Apple has removed the "Ratings and Reviews" section of its online stores across the world. The reviews pages have gone from the stores in the USA, UK and Australia. This means that anyone in those countries wanting to find reviews on Apple products will have to visit other websites. Apple has not yet commented on its decision to remove the ratings and reviews section, so nobody knows why they have taken this action.

The website pcmag.com speculated that the removal could have been a mistake, but then it said the removal was part of a new Apple policy. It said: "Clearly, Apple has decided its online store is better without customer feedback for some reason. Alternatively, the customer feedback system is being overhauled." PC Mag said Apple used to be very open and allow all kinds of comments, including very negative reviews. It said: "Apple wasn't shy about leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up on its store in the past". It added: "We're also heading into the busiest shopping period of the year, and Apple online store customers have lost an important source of information when deciding what to buy."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Customer Reviews - Level 0,  Customer Reviews - Level 1   or  Customer Reviews - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.pcmag.com/news/372114/apple-removes-all-customer-reviews-from-its-online-stores
  • https://gizmodo.com/apples-online-store-quietly-kills-user-reviews-and-rati-1839987454
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7712635/Apple-removes-ability-review-products-online-store-leaving-customers-dark.html


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. CUSTOMER REVIEWS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about customer reviews. 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?
       computer / giant / Apple / customers / online store / reviews / feedback / decision /
       speculate / mistake / system / negative / the past / shopping / information / buy
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. FEEDBACK: Students A strongly believe feedback is very important; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. REVIEW: What would you write in a review of these websites? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good Things

Bad Things

Apple Store

 

 

Google

 

 

Facebook

 

 

Wikipedia

 

 

Amazon

 

 

BreakingNewsEnglish

 

 
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. CUSTOMER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "customer". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ONLINE STORES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Music
  • Clothes
  • Electronics
  • Food
  • Books
  • Delivery food
  • Medicine
  • Furniture

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. giant a. A different part of a book, newspaper, website, or document.
      2. several b. A very large company or organization.
      3. products c. Things that are made and sold.
      4. section d. Go to a website or web page.
      5. disappearing e. The option you arrive at after thinking about what to do.
      6. visit f. More than two but not many.
      7. decision g. Going away so it cannot be seen or is no longer there.

    Paragraph 2

      8. speculated h. As another option or possibility.
      9. mistake i. The place where information comes from.
      10. policy j. Very, very, very.
      11. alternatively k. A course of action decided by a government, party, business, or person.
      12. overhauled l. Take something apart to look at it and make it better.
      13. extremely m. Guessed or decided something without having proof.
      14. source n. An action or judgment that is wrong.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The writer of the article called Apple a giant.     T / F
  2. Reviews on the Apple Store began disappearing in 2018.     T / F
  3. There are still reviews on the Australia Apple Store.     T / F
  4. Apple has not yet commented on the disappearing reviews.     T / F
  5. A website said the disappearing reviews might be a mistake.     T / F
  6. The website said Apple might be overhauling its system.     T / F
  7. The website said Apple never allowed negative reviews on its site.     T / F
  8. The website said customers have found a new source of information.     T / F

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

  1. removed
  2. products
  3. section
  4. visit
  5. commented
  6. mistake
  7. policy
  8. overhauled
  9. negative
  10. information
  1. details
  2. go to
  3. error
  4. guidelines
  5. goods
  6. maintained
  7. bad
  8. taken away
  9. spoken about
  10. area

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

  1. The computer
  2. leave
  3. visit other
  4. Apple has not yet commented
  5. nobody knows why they have
  6. the removal could have
  7. the customer feedback system is
  8. extremely
  9. the busiest shopping period
  10. an important source
  1. of information
  2. on its decision
  3. taken this action
  4. been a mistake
  5. of the year
  6. giant Apple
  7. websites
  8. feedback for other people
  9. negative reviews
  10. being overhauled

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
feedback
find
disappearing
nobody
giant
decision
several
gone

The computer (1) ____________ Apple has removed all customer reviews from (2) ____________ of its online Apple stores. The reviews section was a useful way for customers to leave (3) ____________ for other people about Apple's products. The reviews section on the Apple Store began (4) ____________ last week. Apple has removed the "Ratings and Reviews" section of its online stores across the world. The reviews pages have (5) ____________ from the stores in the USA, UK and Australia. This means that anyone in those countries wanting to (6) ____________ reviews on Apple products will have to visit other websites. Apple has not yet commented on its (7) ____________ to remove the ratings and reviews section, so (8) ____________ knows why they have taken this action.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
shy
source
speculated
period
policy
past
kinds
overhauled

The website pcmag.com (9) ____________ that the removal could have been a mistake, but then it said the removal was part of a new Apple (10) ____________. It said: "Clearly, Apple has decided its online store is better without customer feedback for some reason. Alternatively, the customer feedback system is being (11) ____________." PC Mag said Apple used to be very open and allow all (12) ____________ of comments, including very negative reviews. It said: "Apple wasn't (13) ____________ about leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up on its store in the (14) ____________ ". It added: "We're also heading into the busiest shopping (15) ____________ of the year, and Apple online store customers have lost an important (16) ____________ of information when deciding what to buy."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Apple has removed all customer reviews from ______ online Apple stores
     a.  sever all of its
     b.  severe all of its
     c.  several of its
     d.  sever rail of its
2)  The reviews section was a useful way for customers ______
     a.  tool eave feedback
     b.  too leave feedback
     c.  to leaf feedback
     d.  to leave feedback
3)  The reviews section on the Apple Store began ______ week
     a.  disappearing last
     b.  disappearance last
     c.  disappear ring last
     d.  disappear in last
4)  This means that anyone in those countries wanting to find reviews ______
     a.  in Apple products
     b.  at Apple products
     c.  on Apple products
     d.  by Apple products
5)  its decision to remove the ratings and ______
     a.  reviews sector
     b.  reviews sect shun
     c.  reviews section
     d.  reviews suction

6)  The website pcmag.com speculated that the removal could have ______
     a.  been a mistaken
     b.  been a mistake
     c.  been a miss take
     d.  been a mistakenly
7)  but then it said the removal was part of a ______
     a.  news Apple policy
     b.  newly Apple policy
     c.  newt Apple policy
     d.  new Apple policy
8)  Apple has decided its online store is better without customer feedback ______
     a.  for sum reason
     b.  foursome reason
     c.  fours um reason
     d.  for some reason
9)  leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up on its store ______
     a.  in a past
     b.  in the past
     c.  in then past
     d.  in them past
10)  We're also heading into the busiest shopping ______ year
     a.  period off the
     b.  period of the
     c.  period of a
     d.  period of then

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The computer giant Apple has removed all customer reviews (1) ___________________ its online Apple stores. The reviews section was a useful way for customers (2) ___________________ for other people about Apple's products. The reviews section on the Apple Store began disappearing last week. Apple has removed the (3) ___________________ section of its online stores across the world. The reviews pages have gone from the stores in the USA, UK and Australia. This means (4) ___________________ those countries wanting to find reviews on Apple products will have to visit other websites. Apple has (5) ___________________ on its decision to remove the ratings and reviews section, so nobody knows why they have (6) ___________________.

The website pcmag.com (7) ___________________ removal could have been a mistake, but then it said the removal (8) ___________________ a new Apple policy. It said: "Clearly, Apple has decided its online store is better without customer feedback (9) ___________________. Alternatively, the customer feedback system is being overhauled." PC Mag said Apple used to be very (10) ___________________ all kinds of comments, including very negative reviews. It said: "Apple wasn't shy about leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up on its store (11) ___________________". It added: "We're also heading into the busiest shopping period of the year, and Apple online store customers have lost an important (12) ___________________ when deciding what to buy."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of giant did the writer call Apple?
  2. When did the customer reviews start disappearing from Apple Stores?
  3. In which countries does the article say there are no Apple Store reviews?
  4. Where can people now find reviews of Apple products?
  5. Who did the writer say knows why Apple took this decision?
  6. What is the name of the website that commented on the reviews?
  7. What did the website say might be being overhauled?
  8. What kind of reviews did Apple always allow on its website?
  9. What did the writer call this time of the year?
  10. What did a website say Apple customers have lost a source of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of giant did the writer call Apple?
a) a scary giant
b) a gentle giant
c) a computer giant
d) a coding giant
2) When did the customer reviews start disappearing from Apple Stores?
a) last week
b) 10 days ago
c) last month
d) in 2017
3) In which countries does the article say there are no Apple Store reviews?
a) the USA, Canada and South Africa
b) the USA, UK and Australia
c) the UK, New Zealand and Ireland
d) Australia, Ireland and Canada
4) Where can people now find reviews of Apple products?
a) on Amazon
b) on MSN
c) in newspapers
d) on other websites
5) Who did the writer say knows why Apple took this decision?
a) Mr Apple
b) a technology website
c) nobody
d) a computer designer

6) What is the name of the website that commented on the reviews?
a) onlinemag.com
b) pcmag.com
c) apples.com
d) review.com
7) What did the website say might be being overhauled?
a) a department
b) a computer
c) a web page
d) Apple's system
8) What kind of reviews did Apple always allow on its website?
a) nice ones
b) extremely negative reviews
c) critical ones
d) funny ones
9) What did the writer call this time of the year?
a) the silly season
b) the busiest shopping period
c) stress city
d) a time of hope and joy
10) What did a website say Apple customers have lost a source of?
a) information
b) income
c) secrets
d) web pages

Role play

Role  A – Music
You think online music stores are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their stores. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): online food stores, online medicine stores or online electronics stores.

Role  B – Food
You think online food stores are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their stores. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): online music stores, online medicine stores or online electronics stores.

Role  C – Medicine
You think online medicine stores are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their stores. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): online food stores, online music stores or online electronics stores.

Role  D – Electronics
You think online electronics stores are best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their stores. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): online food stores, online medicine stores or online music stores.

After reading / listening

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

'customer'

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

    • and 'review'.

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

    • • 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:

    • giant
    • way
    • last
    • across
    • gone
    • yet
    • mistake
    • policy
    • some
    • shy
    • period
    • source

    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 - Customer Reviews

    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 'customer'?
    3. What do you know about Apple?
    4. What do you think of customer reviews?
    5. Do you ever write customer reviews?
    6. Do you ever read customer reviews?
    7. Why do you think Apple removed the customer reviews section?
    8. What review would you give for Apple?
    9. How would you review BreakingNewsEnglish.com?
    10. How might people review your work?

    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 'review'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of Apple?
    5. What is Apple's best product?
    6. Why do so many people love Apple?
    7. How important are customer reviews?
    8. How can people get reviews on Apple products now?
    9. Are online stores better than real stores?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Apple?

    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)

    The computer giant Apple has (1) ____ all customer reviews from several of its online Apple stores. The reviews section was a useful (2) ____ for customers to leave feedback for other people about Apple's products. The reviews section on the Apple Store (3) ____ disappearing last week. Apple has removed the "Ratings and Reviews" (4) ____ of its online stores across the world. The reviews pages have gone from the stores in the USA, UK and Australia. This means that anyone in those countries (5) ____ to find reviews on Apple products will have to visit other websites. Apple has not yet commented (6) ____ its decision to remove the ratings and reviews section, so nobody knows why they have taken this action.

    The website pcmag.com speculated that the removal could have been (7) ____ mistake, but then it said the removal was part of a new Apple (8) ____. It said: "Clearly, Apple has decided its online store is better without customer feedback for (9) ____ reason. Alternatively, the customer feedback system is being overhauled." PC Mag said Apple used to be very open and allow (10) ____ kinds of comments, including very negative reviews. It said: "Apple wasn't shy about leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up on its store (11) ____ the past". It added: "We're also heading into the busiest shopping period of the year, and Apple online store customers have lost an important (12) ____ of information when deciding what to buy."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     removal     (b)     removes     (c)     removed     (d)     removing    
    2. (a)     way     (b)     meme     (c)     pit     (d)     use    
    3. (a)     began     (b)     start     (c)     commence     (d)     inaugurated    
    4. (a)     section     (b)     sector     (c)     secret     (d)     sect    
    5. (a)     want     (b)     wanted     (c)     wants     (d)     wanting    
    6. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     to     (d)     on    
    7. (a)     a     (b)     big     (c)     the     (d)     so    
    8. (a)     police     (b)     politics     (c)     poll     (d)     policy    
    9. (a)     some     (b)     much     (c)     many     (d)     such    
    10. (a)     whole     (b)     all     (c)     every     (d)     much    
    11. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     of     (d)     on    
    12. (a)     source     (b)     soars     (c)     sauce     (d)     saws

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. veaslre of its online Apple stores
    2. leave edcfeakb for other people
    3. The reviews osietcn
    4. Apple has not yet mncmetode
    5. its ocnsiedi to remove the ratings
    6. why they have taken this icnoat

    Paragraph 2

    1. The website pcmag.com leuetcdsap that
    2. could have been a ktmesai
    3. system is being edvohlreua
    4. including very itevngae reviews
    5. the busiest shopping oiredp
    6. an important osercu of information

    Put the text back together

    (  1  ) The computer giant Apple has removed all customer reviews from several of its online Apple stores. The reviews section
    (...)  The website pcmag.com speculated that the removal could have been a mistake, but then it said the removal was part
    (...)  commented on its decision to remove the ratings and reviews section, so nobody knows why they have taken this action.
    (...)  removed the "Ratings and Reviews" section of its online stores across the world. The reviews
    (...)  countries wanting to find reviews on Apple products will have to visit other websites. Apple has not yet
    (...)  was a useful way for customers to leave feedback for other people about Apple's
    (...)  heading into the busiest shopping period of the year, and Apple online store customers
    (...)  have lost an important source of information when deciding what to buy."
    (...)  for some reason. Alternatively, the customer feedback system is being overhauled." PC Mag said Apple used
    (...)  about leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up on its store in the past". It added: "We're also
    (...)  of a new Apple policy. It said: "Clearly, Apple has decided its online store is better without customer feedback
    (...)  products. The reviews section on the Apple Store began disappearing last week. Apple has
    (...)  to be very open and allow all kinds of comments, including very negative reviews. It said: "Apple wasn't shy
    (...)  pages have gone from the stores in the USA, UK and Australia. This means that anyone in those

    Put the words in the right order

    1. all   giant   Computer   customer   removed   Apple   has   reviews   .
    2. reviews   way   .   section   useful   The   was   a
    3. USA   .   from   the   the   stores   in   gone   have   Pages
    4. on   commented   not   has   decision   .   its   Apple   yet
    5. action   .   this   have   Nobody   knows   taken   why   they
    6. been   removal   could   The   a   mistake   .   have
    7. policy   .   The   part   was   a   removal   of   new
    8. the  Alternatively,   customer  is  system  overhauled  .  being  feedback
    9. heading   busiest   We're   also   the   period   .   shopping   into
    10. important   an   lost   source   of   information   .   Customers   have

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The computer giant Apple has removal / removed all customer reviews from several of its online Apple stores. The reviews section was a useless / useful way for customers to leave feedback for another / other people about Apple's products. The reviews section / sector on the Apple Store began disappearing next / last week. Apple has removed the "Ratings and Reviews" section of its online stores across the world. The reviews pages have going / gone from the stores in the USA, UK and Australia. This means that anyone in those / them countries wanting to find reviews on Apple products will have to often / visit other websites. Apple has not yet commented on its decision to remove the gratings / ratings and reviews section, so nobody knows why they have taken this section / action.

    The website pcmag.com speculated / rectified that the removal could have been a mistake, but then it said the removal was partner / part of a new Apple police / policy. It said: "Clearly, Apple has decided / declined its online store is better without customer feedback for some reason. Alternatively, the customer feedback system is being hauled over / overhauled." PC Mag said Apple used to be very open and allow all kinds / kind of comments, including very negative review / reviews. It said: "Apple wasn't shy about leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up / down on its store in the past". It added: "We're also heading into the busiest shopping era / period of the year, and Apple online store customers have lost an important sauce / source of information when deciding what to buy."

    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)

    T h_ c_m p_t_r g__ n t A p p l_ h_s r_m_v_d _l l c_s t_m_r r_v__ w s f r_m s_v_r_l _f _t s _n l_n_ A p p l_ s t_r_s . T h_ r_v__ w s s_c t__ n w_s _ _s_f_l w_y f_r c_s t_m_r s t_ l__ v_ f__ d b_c k f_r _t h_r p__ p l_ _b__ t A p p l_' s p r_d_c t s . T h_ r_v__ w s s_c t__ n _n t h_ A p p l_ S t_r_ b_g_n d_s_p p__ r_n g l_s t w__ k . A p p l_ h_s r_m_v_d t h_ " R_t_n g s _n d R_v__ w s " s_c t__ n _f _t s _n l_n_ s t_r_s _c r_s s t h_ w_r l d . T h_ r_v__ w s p_g_s h_v_ g_n_ f r_m t h_ s t_r_s _n t h_ U S A , U K _n d A_s t r_l__ . T h_s m__ n s t h_t _n y_n_ _n t h_s_ c__ n t r__ s w_n t_n g t_ f_n d r_v__ w s _n A p p l_ p r_d_c t s w_l l h_v_ t_ v_s_t _t h_r w_b s_t_s . A p p l_ h_s n_t y_t c_m m_n t_d _n _t s d_c_s__ n t_ r_m_v_ t h_ r_t_n g s _n d r_v__ w s s_c t__ n , s_ n_b_d y k n_w s w h y t h_y h_v_ t_k_n t h_s _c t__ n .

    T h_ w_b s_t_ p c m_g . c_m s p_c_l_t_d t h_t t h_ r_m_v_l c__ l d h_v_ b__ n _ m_s t_k_, b_t t h_n _t s__ d t h_ r_m_v_l w_s p_r t _f _ n_w A p p l_ p_l_c y . I t s__ d : " C l__ r l y , A p p l_ h_s d_c_d_d _t s _n l_n_ s t_r_ _s b_t t_r w_t h__ t c_s t_m_r f__ d b_c k f_r s_m_ r__ s_n . A l t_r n_t_v_l y , t h_ c_s t_m_r f__ d b_c k s y s t_m _s b__ n g _v_r h__ l_d . " P C M_g s__ d A p p l_ _s_d t_ b_ v_r y _p_n _n d _l l_w _l l k_n d s _f c_m m_n t s , _n c l_d_n g v_r y n_g_t_v_ r_v__ w s . I t s__ d : " A p p l_ w_s n ' t s h y _b__ t l__ v_n g _x t r_m_l y n_g_t_v_ r_v__ w s _n d r_t_n g s _p _n _t s s t_r_ _n t h_ p_s t " . I t _d d_d : " W_' r_ _l s_ h__ d_n g _n t_ t h_ b_s__ s t s h_p p_n g p_r__ d _f t h_ y__ r , _n d A p p l_ _n l_n_ s t_r_ c_s t_m_r s h_v_ l_s t _n _m p_r t_n t s__ r c_ _f _n f_r m_t__ n w h_n d_c_d_n g w h_t t_ b_y . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the computer giant apple has removed all customer reviews from several of its online apple stores the reviews section was a useful way for customers to leave feedback for other people about apples products the reviews section on the apple store began disappearing last week apple has removed the ratings and reviews section of its online stores across the world the reviews pages have gone from the stores in the usa uk and australia this means that anyone in those countries wanting to find reviews on apple products will have to visit other websites apple has not yet commented on its decision to remove the ratings and reviews section so nobody knows why they have taken this action

    the website pcmagcom speculated that the removal could have been a mistake but then it said the removal was part of a new apple policy it said clearly apple has decided its online store is better without customer feedback for some reason alternatively the customer feedback system is being overhauled pc mag said apple used to be very open and allow all kinds of comments including very negative reviews it said apple wasnt shy about leaving extremely negative reviews and ratings up on its store in the past it added were also heading into the busiest shopping period of the year and apple online store customers have lost an important source of information when deciding what to buy

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThecomputergiantApplehasremovedallcustomerreviewsfromsever
    alofitsonlineApplestores.Thereviewssectionwasausefulwayforcusto
    merstoleavefeedbackforotherpeopleaboutApple'sproducts.Therevi
    ewssectionontheAppleStorebegandisappearinglastweek.Applehasr
    emovedthe"RatingsandReviews"sectionofitsonlinestoresacrossthe
    world.ThereviewspageshavegonefromthestoresintheUSA,UKandAu
    stralia.Thismeansthatanyoneinthosecountrieswantingtofindreview
    sonAppleproductswillhavetovisitotherwebsites.Applehasnotyetcom
    mentedonitsdecisiontoremovetheratingsandreviewssection,sonobo
    dyknowswhytheyhavetakenthisaction.Thewebsitepcmag.comspec
    ulatedthattheremovalcouldhavebeenamistake,butthenitsaidthere
    movalwaspartofanewApplepolicy.Itsaid:"Clearly,Applehasdecidedit
    sonlinestoreisbetterwithoutcustomerfeedbackforsomereason.Alter
    natively,thecustomerfeedbacksystemisbeingoverhauled."PCMagsai
    dAppleusedtobeveryopenandallowallkindsofcomments,includingve
    rynegativereviews.Itsaid:"Applewasn'tshyaboutleavingextremelyn
    egativereviewsandratingsuponitsstoreinthepast".Itadded:"We'real
    soheadingintothebusiestshoppingperiodoftheyear,andAppleonlines
    torecustomershavelostanimportantsourceofinformationwhendecidi
    ngwhattobuy."

    Free writing

    Write about customer reviews for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    All companies should have a customer reviews section on their websites. 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. CUSTOMER REVIEWS: Make a poster about customer reviews. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. LAW: Write a magazine article about it being law for companies to have a customer reviews section on their website. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 customer reviews. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on customer reviews. 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

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

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