The Reading / Listening - Car License Plates - Level 3

Most of us don't really take much notice of car license plates. Maybe we should look at them more from now because they may be valuable. One license plate has just sold for nearly $15 million in Dubai, UAE. It is the world's most expensive plate. The plate had the letter and number P7 on it. The previous highest price was also set in the UAE. That was in 2008, when someone paid $14.3 million for a license plate with the number "one" on it. It is not known who broke the record earlier this week. However, locals say it might be difficult for the person's identity to remain a secret. The sale is big news in Dubai, so many drivers will be aware of the P7 plate.

The money from the record-breaking license plate will help poor people worldwide. The cash will go to a charity called the One Billion Meals Endowment. This charity was set up by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. It brings food to hungry people all around the world. The auction house told reporters it was happy with the sale. A spokesperson from Emirates Auction said: "We are proud to announce that the Most Noble Numbers charity auction…has set a new world record. We are thrilled that the proceeds will go directly towards supporting the…campaign, which aims to establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid fund."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Car License Plates - Level 0 Car License Plates - Level 1   or  Car License Plates - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.cbsnews.com/news/most-expensive-license-plate-in-the-world-sold-at-auction-for-15-million-dubai/
  • https://www.thedrive.com/news/worlds-most-expensive-license-plate-brings-15m-at-dubai-auction
  • https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/license-plate-just-sold-world-170000871.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. CAR LICENSE PLATES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about car license plates. 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?
       car license plates / valuable / Dubai / expensive / letter / number / identity / drivers /
       record breaking / cash / charity / meals / reporters / auction / Ramadan / food aid
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CHARITIES: Students A strongly believe a lot of the proceeds from charities should go to charities; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. HIGHEST PRICE: What's the most you would pay for these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Price

Why?

A smartphone

 

 

A shirt

 

 

Sneakers

 

 

A car

 

 

A restaurant meal

 

 

A wallet

 

 

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

  • Art
  • Car license plates
  • Houses
  • English books
  • Smartphones
  • Used clothes
  • Cars
  • Food

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. notice a. Having knowledge or understanding of a situation or fact.
      2. valuable b. The fact of looking at or paying attention to something.
      3. previous c. The fact of being who (and their name) or what a person or thing is.
      4. local d. Worth a lot of money.
      5. identity e. A person who lives in a particular area or neighbourhood.
      6. remain f. Happening before in time or order; the one before the one now.
      7. aware g. Continue to be as it is now.

    Paragraph 2

      8. charity h. An organization set up to provide help and raise money for those who need help.
      9. set up i. Able to be kept at the same (or similar) level.
      10. ruler j. Start a new business, project, campaign, etc.
      11. auction k. Very, very, very happy.
      12. proud l. A person who is head of a country.
      13. thrilled m. A public sale in which things are sold to the person who pays the highest price.
      14. sustainable n. Feeling very happy because of one's own achievements, things or those of people we like.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says no one notices car license plates.     T / F
  2. A car license plate sold for just over $15 million in Dubai.     T / F
  3. The number on the record-breaking plate was "7P".     T / F
  4. It will be very easy to keep the new plate owner's identity a secret.     T / F
  5. The money from the auction will go to help hungry people worldwide.     T / F
  6. A food charity was established by the ruler of Dubai.     T / F
  7. The auction house was happy with the amount of money raised.     T / F
  8. The charity wants to create an unsustainable food aid fund.     T / F

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

  1. valuable
  2. previous
  3. difficult
  4. remain
  5. aware
  6. poor
  7. cash
  8. happy
  9. announce
  10. directly
  1. state
  2. stay
  3. impoverished
  4. former
  5. conscious
  6. expensive
  7. pleased
  8. straight
  9. hard
  10. money

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

  1. Most of us don't really take much
  2. One license plate has just sold
  3. The previous highest
  4. It is not known who
  5. difficult for the person's identity
  6. The cash will
  7. This charity was set
  8. It brings food to hungry
  9. We are
  10. the proceeds will go directly towards
  1. up by Dubai's ruler
  2. broke the record
  3. to remain a secret
  4. supporting the campaign
  5. notice of car license plates
  6. people
  7. thrilled
  8. for nearly $15 million
  9. go to a charity
  10. price

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
most
paid
aware
valuable
identity
notice
letter
broke

Most of us don't really take much (1) _____________________ of car license plates. Maybe we should look at them more from now because they may be (2) _____________________. One license plate has just sold for nearly $15 million in Dubai, UAE. It is the world's (3) _____________________ expensive plate. The plate had the (4) _____________________ and number P7 on it. The previous highest price was also set in the UAE. That was in 2008, when someone (5) _____________________ $14.3 million for a license plate with the number "one" on it. It is not known who (6) _____________________ the record earlier this week. However, locals say it might be difficult for the person's (7) _____________________ to remain a secret. The sale is big news in Dubai, so many drivers will be (8) _____________________ of the P7 plate.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
auction
aid
proud
worldwide
thrilled
ruler
sale
new

The money from the record-breaking license plate will help poor people (9) _____________________. The cash will go to a charity called the One Billion Meals Endowment. This charity was set up by Dubai's (10) _____________________ Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. It brings food to hungry people all around the world. The (11) _____________________ house told reporters it was happy with the (12) _____________________. A spokesperson from Emirates Auction said: "We are (13) _____________________ to announce that the Most Noble Numbers charity auction…has set a (14) _____________________ world record. We are (15) _____________________ that the proceeds will go directly towards supporting the…campaign, which aims to establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food (16) _____________________ fund."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Maybe we should look at them more from now because they ______
     a.  may be valuables
     b.  may be vulnerable
     c.  may be fallible
     d.  may be value a ball
2)  One license plate has just sold for ______
     a.  near $15 million
     b.  early $15 million
     c.  nearly $15 million
     d.  gnarly $15 million
3)  It is not known who broke the record ______
     a.  earlier that week
     b.  earlier this week
     c.  earlier these week
     d.  earlier his week
4)  locals say it might be difficult for the person's identity to ______
     a.  remains a secret
     b.  remain the secret
     c.  remain a secret
     d.  remain ass egret
5)  The sale is big news in Dubai, so many drivers ______
     a.  will be aware
     b.  will beware
     c.  will be a where
     d.  will beer wear

6)  The money from the record-breaking license plate will ______
     a.  help poorly people
     b.  help poor people
     c.  help pour people
     d.  help pore people
7)  It brings food to hungry people all ______
     a.  around a world
     b.  a round the world
     c.  around the world
     d.  abound the world
8)  The auction house told reporters it was happy ______
     a.  with the sail
     b.  with the shale
     c.  with the seal
     d.  with the sale
9)  We are thrilled that the proceeds will go directly towards ______
     a.  support tin the campaign
     b.  support in the campaign
     c.  supporting the campaign
     d.  support thing the campaign
10)  establish the largest Ramadan sustainable ______
     a.  food aid fond
     b.  food aid fund
     c.  food aid fend
     d.  food aid find

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Most of us don't really take (1) ____________________ car license plates. Maybe we should look at them more from now because they (2) ____________________. One license plate has just sold for nearly $15 million in Dubai, UAE. It is the world's most expensive plate. The plate had the (3) ____________________ P7 on it. The previous highest price was also set in the UAE. That was in 2008, when someone paid $14.3 million for a license plate with the number "one" on it. It (4) ____________________ who broke the record earlier this week. However, locals say it might be difficult for the person's identity (5) ____________________ secret. The sale is big news in Dubai, so many drivers will (6) ____________________ the P7 plate.

The money from the record-breaking license plate (7) ____________________ people worldwide. The cash will go to a charity called the One Billion Meals Endowment. This charity (8) ____________________ by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. It brings food to hungry people all around the world. The auction house told reporters it was happy (9) ____________________. A spokesperson from Emirates Auction said: "We (10) ____________________ announce that the Most Noble Numbers charity auction…has set a new world record. We are thrilled that the proceeds (11) ____________________ towards supporting the…campaign, which aims to establish the largest Ramadan sustainable (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. Who doesn't take much notice of car license plates?
  2. Why should we look at car license plates more?
  3. What was written on the record-breaking car license plate?
  4. When was the previous record for a car license plate set?
  5. What might be difficult to be kept a secret?
  6. Who will the money from the car license plate sale help?
  7. What is the One Billion Meals Endowment?
  8. Who set up the One Billion Meals Endowment?
  9. How did Emirates Auction feel about the new world record?
  10. What will the proceeds of a campaign help to establish?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who doesn't take much notice of car license plates?
a) some of us
b) all of us
c) most of us
d) none of us
2) Why should we look at car license plates more?
a) They may be valuable.
b) We all should.
c) People who love cars.
d) People who love auctions.
3) What was written on the record-breaking car license plate?
a) 7P
b) P7
c) P17
d) 17P
4) When was the previous record for a car license plate set?
a) 2018
b) 2003
c) 2007
d) 2008
5) What might be difficult to be kept a secret?
a) the car the plate is on
b) the exact price of the plate
c) the new owner's identity
d) the location of the auction house

6) Who will the money from the car license plate sale help?
a) car drivers
b) poor / hungry people
c) people without cars
d) homeless people
7) What is the One Billion Meals Endowment?
a) a restaurant
b) a website
c) a food company
d) a charity
8) Who set up the One Billion Meals Endowment?
a) car owners
b) the ruler of Dubai
c) a charity
d) an auction house
9) How did Emirates Auction feel about the new world record?
a) sad
b) proud
c) amazed
d) depressed
10) What will the proceeds of a campaign help to establish?
a) a sustainable food aid fund
b) better cars
c) tastier food
d) new restaurants

Role play

Role  A – Car License Plates
You think car license plates are the best thing to auction. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): used clothes, smartphones or food.

Role  B – Used Clothes
You think used clothes are the best thing to auction. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): car license plates, smartphones or food.

Role  C – Smartphones
You think smartphones are the best thing to auction. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): used clothes, car license plates or food.

Role  D – Food
You think food is the best thing to auction. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): used clothes, smartphones or car license plates.

After reading / listening

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

'car'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'license'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • notice
    • valuable
    • previous
    • someone
    • locals
    • aware
    • poor
    • cash
    • ruler
    • sale
    • new
    • largest

    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 - Car License Plates

    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 'car'?
    3. What are license plates like in your country?
    4. What's your favourite car?
    5. What do you think of auctions?
    6. What do you know about Dubai?
    7. Would you pay a lot of money for a license plate?
    8. What would you like to buy at an auction?
    9. What would you do if you had $15 million?
    10. What advice do you have for the new plate owner?

    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 'license'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What license plate number would you like?
    5. How else can auctions help poor and hungry people?
    6. What do you do to help poorer people?
    7. Should money be shared so there is no need for charities?
    8. What world record would you like to break?
    9. What charities do you support?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the new plate owner?

    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)

    Most of us don't really take (1) ____ notice of car license plates. Maybe we should look at them more from now because they may be (2) ____. One license plate has just sold for nearly $15 million in Dubai, UAE. It is the world's most expensive plate. The plate had the letter and number P7 on it. The (3) ____ highest price was also set in the UAE. That was in 2008, (4) ____ someone paid $14.3 million for a license plate with the number "one" on it. It is not known who broke the record earlier this week. However, locals say it might (5) ____ difficult for the person's identity to remain a secret. The sale is big news in Dubai, so many drivers will be aware (6) ____ the P7 plate.

    The money from the record-breaking license plate will help (7) ____ people worldwide. The cash will go to a charity called the One Billion Meals Endowment. This charity was (8) ____ up by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. It brings food to hungry people all around the world. The auction house told reporters it was happy (9) ____ the sale. A spokesperson from Emirates Auction said: "We are proud (10) ____ announce that the Most Noble Numbers charity auction…has set a new world record. We are (11) ____ that the proceeds will go directly towards supporting the…campaign, which aims to establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     lots     (b)     much     (c)     loads     (d)     whole    
    2. (a)     valuation     (b)     values     (c)     value     (d)     valuable    
    3. (a)     previously     (b)     previews     (c)     previous     (d)     prevents    
    4. (a)     when     (b)     where     (c)     that     (d)     who    
    5. (a)     have     (b)     be     (c)     do     (d)     take    
    6. (a)     of     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    7. (a)     poorly     (b)     poverty     (c)     poor     (d)     faulty    
    8. (a)     set     (b)     bet     (c)     met     (d)     let    
    9. (a)     wither     (b)     within     (c)     without     (d)     with    
    10. (a)     for     (b)     on     (c)     to     (d)     at    
    11. (a)     thrilling     (b)     thrills     (c)     thriller     (d)     thrilled    
    12. (a)     fend     (b)     fund     (c)     find     (d)     fond

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. don't really take much ocitne
    2. they may be labauevl
    3. The oripvesu highest price
    4. collas say it might be difficult
    5. for the person's tdiytien to remain a secret
    6. many drivers will be aaewr

    Paragraph 2

    1. The cash will go to a yhaitrc
    2. The cuontia house
    3. We are dorpu to announce that
    4. We are ihlltred
    5. the roedcpse will go directly
    6. isbstnaleau food aid fund

    Put the text back together

    (...)  in Dubai, UAE. It is the world's most expensive plate. The plate had the letter and number P7
    (...)  world record. We are thrilled that the proceeds will go directly towards supporting
    (...)  for a license plate with the number "one" on it. It is not known who broke the record earlier
    (...)  on it. The previous highest price was also set in the UAE. That was in 2008, when someone paid $14.3 million
    (...)  now because they may be valuable. One license plate has just sold for nearly $15 million
    1  ) Most of us don't really take much notice of car license plates. Maybe we should look at them more from
    (...)  go to a charity called the One Billion Meals Endowment. This charity was set up by Dubai's
    (...)  this week. However, locals say it might be difficult for the person's identity to
    (...)  remain a secret. The sale is big news in Dubai, so many drivers will be aware of the P7 plate.
    (...)  The money from the record-breaking license plate will help poor people worldwide. The cash will
    (...)  house told reporters it was happy with the sale. A spokesperson from Emirates Auction said: "We are
    (...)  ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. It brings food to hungry people all around the world. The auction
    (...)  proud to announce that the Most Noble Numbers charity auction…has set a new
    (...)  the…campaign, which aims to establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid fund."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. of   us   don't   much   take   notice   .   really   Most
    2. we   more   look   Maybe   at   them   now   .   should
    3. It   world's   is   the   expensive   plate   .   most
    4. "one"   with   A   it   .   plate   the   number   on
    5. P7   aware   the   will   be   plate   .   of   Drivers
    6. charity   .   will   a   cash   go   The   to
    7. set   ruler   .   This   Dubai's   up   was   by   charity
    8. reporters   was   The   happy   .   auction   house   it   told
    9. go   will   supporting   towards   campaign   .   Proceeds   the   directly
    10. sustainable   Ramadan   fund   .   Establish   the   largest   aid   food

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Most of them / us don't really take much notice of car license plates. Maybe we should look at them more from then / now because they may be valuable. One license plate has just / justly sold for nearly $15 million in Dubai, UAE. It is the world's most expensively / expensive plate. The plate had the letter / letters and number P7 on it. The previous highest price was also sat / set in the UAE. That was in 2008, when someone paid / pays $14.3 million for a license plate with the number "one" on it. It is not known / knowing who broke the record earlier this week. However, locals say it might be different / difficult for the person's identity to remain a secret. The sale is big news in Dubai, so many drivers will beware / be aware of the P7 plate.

    The money at / from the record-breaking license plate will help poor / poverty people worldwide. The cache / cash will go to a charity called the One Billion Meals Endowment. This charity was set down / up by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. It brings food to hunger / hungry people all around the world. The auction house told reports / reporters it was happy with the sale. A spokesperson from Emirates Auction said: "We are proud / pride to announce that the Most Noble Numbers charity auction…has set a new world record. We are thrilling / thrilled that the proceeds will go directly towards supporting the…campaign, which aims for / to establish the largest Ramadan sustainable food aid fund / find."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    M_st  _f  _s  d_n't  r__lly  t_k_  m_ch  n_t_c_  _f  c_r  l_c_ns_  pl_t_s.  M_yb_  w_  sh__ld  l__k  _t  th_m  m_r_  fr_m  n_w  b_c__s_  th_y  m_y  b_  v_l__bl_.  _n_  l_c_ns_  pl_t_  h_s  j_st  s_ld  f_r  n__rly  $15  m_ll__n  _n  D_b__,  ___.  _t  _s  th_  w_rld's  m_st  _xp_ns_v_  pl_t_.  Th_  pl_t_  h_d  th_  l_tt_r  _nd  n_mb_r  P7  _n  _t.  Th_  pr_v___s  h_gh_st  pr_c_  w_s  _ls_  s_t  _n  th_  ___.  Th_t  w_s  _n  2008,  wh_n  s_m__n_  p__d  $14.3  m_ll__n  f_r  _  l_c_ns_  pl_t_  w_th  th_  n_mb_r  _n_  _n  _t.  _t  _s  n_t  kn_wn  wh_  br_k_  th_  r_c_rd  __rl__r  th_s  w__k.  H_w_v_r,  l_c_ls  s_y  _t  m_ght  b_  d_ff_c_lt  f_r  th_  p_rs_n's  _d_nt_ty  t_  r_m__n  _  s_cr_t.  Th_  s_l_  _s  b_g  n_ws  _n  D_b__,  s_  m_ny  dr_v_rs  w_ll  b_  _w_r_  _f  th_  P7  pl_t_.

    Th_  m_n_y  fr_m  th_  r_c_rd-br__k_ng  l_c_ns_  pl_t_  w_ll  h_lp  p__r  p__pl_  w_rldw_d_.  Th_  c_sh  w_ll  g_  t_  _  ch_r_ty  c_ll_d  th_  _n_  B_ll__n  M__ls  _nd_wm_nt.  Th_s  ch_r_ty  w_s  s_t  _p  by  D_b__'s  r_l_r  Sh__kh  M_h_mm_d  b_n  R_sh_d.  _t  br_ngs  f__d  t_  h_ngry  p__pl_  _ll  _r__nd  th_  w_rld.  Th_  __ct__n  h__s_  t_ld  r_p_rt_rs  _t  w_s  h_ppy  w_th  th_  s_l_.  _  sp_k_sp_rs_n  fr_m  _m_r_t_s  __ct__n  s__d:  "W_  _r_  pr__d  t_  _nn__nc_  th_t  th_  M_st  N_bl_  N_mb_rs  ch_r_ty  __ct__n…h_s  s_t  _  n_w  w_rld  r_c_rd.  W_  _r_  thr_ll_d  th_t  th_  pr_c__ds  w_ll  g_  d_r_ctly  t_w_rds  s_pp_rt_ng  th_…c_mp__gn,  wh_ch  __ms  t_  _st_bl_sh  th_  l_rg_st  R_m_d_n  s_st__n_bl_  f__d  __d  f_nd."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    most of us dont really take much notice of car license plates maybe we should look at them more from now because they may be valuable one license plate has just sold for nearly 15 million in dubai uae it is the worlds most expensive plate the plate had the letter and number p7 on it the previous highest price was also set in the uae that was in 2008 when someone paid 143 million for a license plate with the number "one" on it it is not known who broke the record earlier this week however locals say it might be difficult for the persons identity to remain a secret the sale is big news in dubai so many drivers will be aware of the p7 plate

    the money from the recordbreaking license plate will help poor people worldwide the cash will go to a charity called the one billion meals endowment this charity was set up by dubais ruler sheikh mohammed bin rashid it brings food to hungry people all around the world the auction house told reporters it was happy with the sale a spokesperson from emirates auction said we are proud to announce that the most noble numbers charity auction has set a new world record we are thrilled that the proceeds will go directly towards supporting the campaign which aims to establish the largest ramadan sustainable food aid fund

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Mostofusdon'treallytakemuchnoticeofcarlicenseplates.Maybewesh
    ouldlookatthemmorefromnowbecausetheymaybevaluable.Onelicen
    seplatehasjustsoldfornearly$15millioninDubai,UAE.Itistheworld'sm
    ostexpensiveplate.TheplatehadtheletterandnumberP7onit.Theprev
    ioushighestpricewasalsosetintheUAE.Thatwasin2008,whensomeon
    epaid$14.3millionforalicenseplatewiththenumber"one"onit.Itisnotk
    nownwhobroketherecordearlierthisweek.However,localssayitmight
    bedifficultfortheperson'sidentitytoremainasecret.Thesaleisbignewsi
    nDubai,somanydriverswillbeawareoftheP7plate.Themoneyfromthe
    record-breakinglicenseplatewillhelppoorpeopleworldwide.Thecas
    hwillgotoacharitycalledtheOneBillionMealsEndowment.Thischarity
    wassetupbyDubai'srulerSheikhMohammedbinRashid.Itbringsfoodt
    ohungrypeopleallaroundtheworld.Theauctionhousetoldreportersitw
    ashappywiththesale.AspokespersonfromEmiratesAuctionsaid:"We
    areproudtoannouncethattheMostNobleNumberscharityauction…ha
    ssetanewworldrecord.Wearethrilledthattheproceedswillgodirectlyto
    wardssupportingthe…campaign,whichaimstoestablishthelargestRa
    madansustainablefoodaidfund."

    Free writing

    Write about car license plate for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    People should be able to design their own car license plates. 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. CAR LICENSE PLATES: Make a poster about car license plates. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. AUCTIONS: Write a magazine article about having more auctions to sell the things we don't need. 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 car license plates. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to improve them. 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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