The Reading / Listening - Testing on Animals - Level 3

The government in the U.K. will allow cosmetics to be tested on animals for the first time in 25 years. It banned testing in 1998. It was still allowed on animals if there were great benefits for humans. This meant scientists could test chemicals on animals to develop new medicines. However, a court in London said animal testing for cosmetics could start again. The judges in the court followed European Union laws on the safer use of chemicals in animal testing. One chemical that can now be tested on animals is already widely used. It is in sunscreen, foundation and skincare products. The U.K. government said it was "committed to the protection of animals in science".

Many people are angry with the government's decision. Surprisingly, many cosmetics companies are unhappy. A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made up of over 80 cosmetics brands, wrote a letter to the U.K. government. It said changing the law was a terrible decision. A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice." A scientist at Unilever, one of the world's largest cosmetic companies, said testing was "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology, testing could be carried out without using animals.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Testing on Animals - Level 0,  Testing on Animals - Level 1   or  Testing on Animals - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.iflscience.com/uk-government-to-allow-animal-testing-for-cosmetics-after-25-year-ban-68801
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-65484552
  • https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1766972/Outrage-animal-tests-makeup-resume-25-year-ban


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. COSMETICS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about cosmetics. 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?
       government / cosmetics / testing / animal / humans / chemicals / sunscreen / science
       angry / decision / cruelty / brands / millions / devastating / campaign / technology
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NO TESTING: Students A strongly believe we should never test on animals; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ANIMALS: Should animals be used for these things? Why / Why not? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Should They Be Used?

Why? / Why Not?

Testing on cosmetics

 

 

Pets

 

 

Food

 

 

Zoos

 

 

Hunting

 

 

Sport

 

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

  • Dogs
  • Lions
  • Rabbits
  • Horses
  • Chimpanzees
  • Elephants
  • Cats
  • Bears

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. allow a. A good thing that comes from or because of something.
      2. banned b. Let someone have or do something.
      3. benefit c. Grow and become more bigger or better.
      4. develop d. A drug that makes our body better if we are ill.
      5. medicine e. Officially stopped someone / people from doing something.
      6. committed f. The action of keeping harm or danger away from something or someone.
      7. protection g. Putting all of your effort and energy into doing something.

    Paragraph 2

      8. angry h. The result or conclusion of deciding something.
      9. decision i. Very, very shocking or damaging.
      10. brand j. Feeling or showing strong annoyance, displeasure, rage, etc.
      11. terrible k. A type of product made by a company under a well-known name.
      12. devastating l. A sudden shock or disappointment.
      13. blow m. Extremely bad or serious.
      14. carried out n. Do something; perform a task.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Testing on animals for cosmetics could not be done in the UK in 1999.     T / F
  2. Testing on animals for medicines was OK in the UK in 1999.     T / F
  3. The European Union said the UK could test on animals again.     T / F
  4. The UK government said it wants to protect animals in science.     T / F
  5. Cosmetics companies are angry with the UK's decision.     T / F
  6. A group of 18 cosmetics companies wrote a letter to the government.     T / F
  7. Unilever is the world's largest cosmetics company.     T / F
  8. A scientist said using technology was better than using animals.     T / F

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

  1. allow
  2. banned
  3. benefits
  4. cosmetics
  5. protection
  6. angry
  7. terrible
  8. blow
  9. unnecessary
  10. carried out
  1. advantages
  2. really bad
  3. make up
  4. furious
  5. let
  6. shock
  7. safe keeping
  8. prohibited
  9. done
  10. needless

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

  1. for the first time
  2. great benefits for
  3. develop new
  4. laws on the safer use
  5. foundation and
  6. many cosmetics companies
  7. made up of over
  8. changing the law was a
  9. people who have supported campaigns
  10. testing could be carried out
  1. are unhappy
  2. of chemicals
  3. to end this
  4. 80 cosmetics brands
  5. humans
  6. without using animals
  7. skincare products
  8. in 25 years
  9. terrible decision
  10. medicines

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
court
still
chemical
allow
protection
judges
meant
sunscreen

The government in the U.K. will (1) _____________________ cosmetics to be tested on animals for the first time in 25 years. It banned testing in 1998. It was (2) _____________________ allowed on animals if there were great benefits for humans. This (3) _____________________ scientists could test chemicals on animals to develop new medicines. However, a (4) _____________________ in London said animal testing for cosmetics could start again. The (5) _____________________ in the court followed European Union laws on the safer use of chemicals in animal testing. One (6) _____________________ that can now be tested on animals is already widely used. It is in (7) _____________________, foundation and skincare products. The U.K. government said it was "committed to the (8) _____________________ of animals in science".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
changing
unhappy
largest
brands
carried
blow
decision
end

Many people are angry with the government's (9) _____________________. Surprisingly, many cosmetics companies are (10) _____________________. A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made up of over 80 cosmetics (11) _____________________, wrote a letter to the U.K. government. It said (12) _____________________ the law was a terrible decision. A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating (13) _____________________ to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to (14) _____________________ this appalling practice." A scientist at Unilever, one of the world's (15) _____________________ cosmetic companies, said testing was "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology, testing could be (16) _____________________ out without using animals.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) It was still allowed on animals if there were great ______
     a.  benefits four humans
     b.  benefits for humans
     c.  benefits form humans
     d.  benefits fore humans
2)  The judges in the court followed European Union laws on the safer ______
     a.  used of chemicals
     b.  usage chemicals
     c.  use of chemicals
     d.  use off chemicals
3)  One chemical that can now be tested on animals is ______
     a.  all ready widely used
     b.  already wide reused
     c.  all ready wide reused
     d.  already widely used
4)  It is in sunscreen, foundation ______
     a.  and skint care products
     b.  and skink are products
     c.  and skin car products
     d.  and skincare products
5)  The U.K. government said it was committed to the protection of ______
     a.  animal sin science
     b.  animals in science
     c.  animals' sin science
     d.  animals on science

6)  Many people are angry with ______
     a.  the government's decision
     b.  a government's decisions
     c.  the government decision
     d.  the government's decisions
7)  A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made up of over ______
     a.  18 cosmetics brands
     b.  80 cosmetic brands
     c.  80 cosmetics brands
     d.  18 cosmetics brand
8)  Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be ______
     a.  a devastate tin blow
     b.  a devastate in blow
     c.  a devastated blow
     d.  a devastating blow
9)  one of the world's largest cosmetic companies said ______
     a.  testing was as necessary
     b.  testing was unnecessary
     c.  testing was non-necessary
     d.  testing wasn't unnecessary
10)  She said that with today's technology, testing could ______
     a.  be carried out
     b.  be carry doubt
     c.  be carried doubt
     d.  be carries doubt

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The government in the U.K. (1) ____________________ to be tested on animals for the first time in 25 years. It banned testing in 1998. It was still allowed on animals if there were (2) ____________________ humans. This meant scientists could test chemicals on animals to develop new medicines. However, a court in London said animal testing for cosmetics (3) ____________________. The judges in the court followed European Union laws on the (4) ____________________ chemicals in animal testing. One chemical that can now be tested on animals is already widely used. It is in sunscreen, foundation (5) ____________________. The U.K. government said it was "committed to (6) ____________________ animals in science".

Many people are angry with the government's decision. Surprisingly, many cosmetics companies are unhappy. (7) ____________________ Cruelty Free International, which is made (8) ____________________ 80 cosmetics brands, wrote a letter to the U.K. government. It said changing the law was (9) ____________________. A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a (10) ____________________ the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice." A scientist at Unilever, one (11) ____________________ largest cosmetic companies, said testing was "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology, testing could (12) ____________________ without using animals.

Comprehension questions

  1. When was animal testing for cosmetics banned in the UK?
  2. Where is the court where judges decided animal testing could continue?
  3. What did judges in the court follow?
  4. In what is a chemical widely used besides sunscreen and foundation?
  5. What did the UK government say it was committed to protect?
  6. How do cosmetics companies feel about the UK government's decision?
  7. How many cosmetics companies joined together to write a letter?
  8. What company said the decision was a "devastating blow"?
  9. What is one of the world's largest cosmetics companies?
  10. What could be used to test cosmetics instead of animals?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  When was animal testing for cosmetics banned in the UK?
a) 1999
b) 1998
c) 1989
d) 1988
2)  Where is the court where judges decided animal testing could continue?
a) Brussels
b) the European Union headquarters
c) London
d) Paris
3)  What did judges in the court follow?
a) the UK government
b) their leaders
c) their noses
d) European Union laws
4)  In what is a chemical widely used besides sunscreen and foundation?
a) nail polish
b) skincare products
c) lipstick
d) pet food
5)  What did the UK government say it was committed to protect?
a) animals in science
b) cosmetics companies
c) science
d) the European Union

6)  How do cosmetics companies feel about the UK government's decision?
a) unhappy
b) relieved
c) angry
d) happy
7)  How many cosmetics companies joined together to write a letter?
a) around 80
b) just fewer than 80
c) exactly 80
d) more than 80
8)  What company said the decision was a "devastating blow"?
a) the Face Shop
b) Cosmetics Inc.
c) the Body Shop
d) Skincare Care
9)  What is one of the world's largest cosmetics companies?
a) Mary Quant
b) Revlon
c) Chanel
d) Unilever
10)  What could be used to test cosmetics instead of animals?
a) ChatGPT
b) technology
c) fish
d) insects

Role play

Role  A – Dogs
You think dogs are the best animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): horses, chimpanzees or cats.

Role  B – Horses
You think horses are the best animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): dogs, chimpanzees or cats.

Role  C – Chimpanzees
You think chimpanzees are the best animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): horses, dogs or cats.

Role  D – Cats
You think cats are the best animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their animals. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): horses, chimpanzees or dogs.

After reading / listening

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

'cosmetics'

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

    • and 'animals'.

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

    • • 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:

    • allow
    • great
    • new
    • judges
    • widely
    • science
    • angry
    • 80
    • terrible
    • blow
    • largest
    • carried

    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 - Testing on Animals

    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 'cosmetics'?
    3. What do you think of cosmetics?
    4. Are cosmetics good value for money?
    5. Should cosmetics be tested on animals?
    6. Should animals be used to test anything?
    7. Are cosmetics more important than animal rights?
    8. What cosmetics do you use?
    9. What do you think of skincare products?
    10. What advice do you have for the U.K. government?

    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 'test'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Do people need to use cosmetics?
    5. Is looking natural better than using cosmetics?
    6. Why are cosmetics companies angry about testing on animals?
    7. How can we end cruelty to animals?
    8. Can people wear too much cosmetics?
    9. Can cosmetics harm our skin?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a cosmetics company boss?

    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 government in the U.K. will (1) ____ cosmetics to be tested on animals for the first time in 25 years. It banned testing in 1998. It was still allowed on animals if there were great (2) ____ for humans. This meant scientists could test chemicals on animals to (3) ____ new medicines. However, a court in London said animal testing for cosmetics could start again. The judges in the court (4) ____ European Union laws on the safer use of chemicals in animal testing. One chemical that can now be tested on animals is already (5) ____ used. It is in sunscreen, foundation and skincare products. The U.K. government said it was "committed to the protection of animals (6) ____ science".

    Many people are (7) ____ with the government's decision. Surprisingly, many cosmetics companies are unhappy. A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made (8) ____ of over 80 cosmetics brands, wrote a letter to the U.K. government. It said changing the law was a (9) ____ decision. A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating (10) ____ to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this (11) ____ practice." A scientist at Unilever, one of the world's largest cosmetic companies, said testing was "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology, testing could be carried (12) ____ without using animals.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     let     (b)     allow     (c)     give     (d)     try    
    2. (a)     beneficial     (b)     benefits     (c)     benefited     (d)     benefitting    
    3. (a)     elope     (b)     cope     (c)     envelope     (d)     develop    
    4. (a)     chased     (b)     followed     (c)     stalked     (d)     trailed    
    5. (a)     shortly     (b)     loudly     (c)     lengthily     (d)     widely    
    6. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     in     (d)     by    
    7. (a)     angry     (b)     anger     (c)     angrily     (d)     angers    
    8. (a)     down     (b)     in     (c)     up     (d)     out    
    9. (a)     terror     (b)     terrific     (c)     terrify     (d)     terrible    
    10. (a)     blow     (b)     puff     (c)     gust     (d)     wheeze    
    11. (a)     appalling     (b)     appealing     (c)     a paling     (d)     apparel    
    12. (a)     out     (b)     up     (c)     in     (d)     by

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. there were great btnifees for humans
    2. develop new eimneidcs
    3. One hcicamle that can now be tested
    4. foundation and skincare scoruptd
    5. The U.K. government said it was dttoiemmc
    6. the icoterotpn of animals

    Paragraph 2

    1. angry with the government's cdoisnei
    2. rculeyt free
    3. made up of over 80 cosmetics nsdabr
    4. a vsianagdett blow
    5. end this llnpiapag practice
    6. testing was cseaensnyru

    Put the text back together

    (...)  chemical that can now be tested on animals is already widely used. It is in sunscreen, foundation
    (...)  and skincare products. The U.K. government said it was "committed to the protection of animals in science".
    (...)  medicines. However, a court in London said animal testing for cosmetics could start
    (...)  Many people are angry with the government's decision. Surprisingly, many cosmetics
    (  1  )The government in the U.K. will allow cosmetics to be tested on animals for the first time
    (...)  for humans. This meant scientists could test chemicals on animals to develop new
    (...)  Unilever, one of the world's largest cosmetic companies, said testing was
    (...)  "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology, testing could be carried out without using animals.
    (...)  decision. A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating
    (...)  blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice." A scientist at
    (...)  companies are unhappy. A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made up of over
    (...)  in 25 years. It banned testing in 1998. It was still allowed on animals if there were great benefits
    (...)  again. The judges in the court followed European Union laws on the safer use of chemicals in animal testing. One
    (...)  80 cosmetics brands, wrote a letter to the U.K. government. It said changing the law was a terrible

    Put the words in the right order

    1. benefits   there   humans   .   If   great   for   were
    2. animals   develop   new   Test   chemicals   on   to   medicines   .
    3. could   start   testing   Animal   for   cosmetics   again   .
    4. on   chemical   can   be   One   that   tested   animals   .
    5. animals   .   of   was   protection   It   the   committed   to
    6. angry   are   government's   decision   .   Many   with   people   the
    7. be   devastating   .   would   cosmetics   testing   Animal   for
    8. end   to   have   who   People   this   .   campaigns   supported
    9. world's   It's   companies   .   the   of   one   largest   cosmetic
    10. animals   .   carried   out   Testing   could   without   be   using

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The government in the U.K. will allow / let cosmetics to be tested on animals for the first time in 25 years. It banned testing in 1998. It was still allowed on / in animals if there were great benefit / benefits for humans. This meant scientists could test chemical / chemicals on animals to develop new medicines. However, a court at / in London said animal testing for cosmetics could start again. The judges in the court chased / followed European Union laws on the safer / safety use of chemicals in animal testing. One chemical that can now be tested on animals is already shortly / widely used. It is in sunscreen, foundation and skincare products / produce. The U.K. government said it was "committed at / to the protection of animals in science".

    Many people are angrily / angry with the government's decision. Surprisingly, many cosmetics companies are unhappily / unhappy. A group called Cruelty Free International, which is made / created up of over 80 cosmetics brands, wrote the / a letter to the U.K. government. It said changing the law was a terrible decide / decision. A spokesperson for the Body Shop said: "Allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating blow / puff to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling / appealing practice." A scientist at Unilever, one / two of the world's largest cosmetic companies, said testing was "unnecessary". She said that with today's technology / technological, testing could be carried in / out without using animals.

    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)

    Th_  g_v_rnm_nt  _n  th_  _.K.  w_ll  _ll_w  c_sm_t_cs  t_  b_  t_st_d  _n  _n_m_ls  f_r  th_  f_rst  t_m_  _n  25  y__rs.  _t  b_nn_d  t_st_ng  _n  1998.  _t  w_s  st_ll  _ll_w_d  _n  _n_m_ls  _f  th_r_  w_r_  gr__t  b_n_f_ts  f_r  h_m_ns.  Th_s  m__nt  sc__nt_sts  c__ld  t_st  ch_m_c_ls  _n  _n_m_ls  t_  d_v_l_p  n_w  m_d_c_n_s.  H_w_v_r,  _  c__rt  _n  L_nd_n  s__d  _n_m_l  t_st_ng  f_r  c_sm_t_cs  c__ld  st_rt  _g__n.  Th_  j_dg_s  _n  th_  c__rt  f_ll_w_d  __r_p__n  _n__n  l_ws  _n  th_  s_f_r  _s_  _f  ch_m_c_ls  _n  _n_m_l  t_st_ng.  _n_  ch_m_c_l  th_t  c_n  n_w  b_  t_st_d  _n  _n_m_ls  _s  _lr__dy  w_d_ly  _s_d.  _t  _s  _n  s_nscr__n,  f__nd_t__n  _nd  sk_nc_r_  pr_d_cts.  Th_  _.K.  g_v_rnm_nt  s__d  _t  w_s  "c_mm_tt_d  t_  th_  pr_t_ct__n  _f  _n_m_ls  _n  sc__nc_".

    M_ny  p__pl_  _r_  _ngry  w_th  th_  g_v_rnm_nt's  d_c_s__n.  S_rpr_s_ngly,  m_ny  c_sm_t_cs  c_mp_n__s  _r_  _nh_ppy.  _  gr__p  c_ll_d  Cr__lty  Fr__  _nt_rn_t__n_l,  wh_ch  _s  m_d_  _p  _f  _v_r  80  c_sm_t_cs  br_nds,  wr_t_  _  l_tt_r  t_  th_  _.K.  g_v_rnm_nt.  _t  s__d  ch_ng_ng  th_  l_w  w_s  _  t_rr_bl_  d_c_s__n.  _  sp_k_sp_rs_n  f_r  th_  B_dy  Sh_p  s__d:  "_ll_w_ng  _n_m_l  t_st_ng  f_r  c_sm_t_cs  w__ld  b_  _  d_v_st_t_ng  bl_w  t_  th_  m_ll__ns  _f  p__pl_  wh_  h_v_  s_pp_rt_d  c_mp__gns  t_  _nd  th_s  _pp_ll_ng  pr_ct_c_."  _  sc__nt_st  _t  _n_l_v_r,  _n_  _f  th_  w_rld's  l_rg_st  c_sm_t_c  c_mp_n__s,  s__d  t_st_ng  w_s  "_nn_c_ss_ry".  Sh_  s__d  th_t  w_th  t_d_y's  t_chn_l_gy,  t_st_ng  c__ld  b_  c_rr__d  __t  w_th__t  _s_ng  _n_m_ls.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the government in the uk will allow cosmetics to be tested on animals for the first time in 25 years it banned testing in 1998 it was still allowed on animals if there were great benefits for humans this meant scientists could test chemicals on animals to develop new medicines however a court in london said animal testing for cosmetics could start again the judges in the court followed european union laws on the safer use of chemicals in animal testing one chemical that can now be tested on animals is already widely used it is in sunscreen foundation and skincare products the uk government said it was committed to the protection of animals in science

    many people are angry with the governments decision surprisingly many cosmetics companies are unhappy a group called cruelty free international which is made up of over 80 cosmetics brands wrote a letter to the uk government it said changing the law was a terrible decision a spokesperson for the body shop said allowing animal testing for cosmetics would be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have supported campaigns to end this appalling practice a scientist at unilever one of the worlds largest cosmetic companies said testing was unnecessary she said that with todays technology testing could be carried out without using animals

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThegovernmentintheU.K.willallowcosmeticstobetestedonanimalsfo
    rthefirsttimein25years.Itbannedtestingin1998.Itwasstillallowedon
    animalsifthereweregreatbenefitsforhumans.Thismeantscientistsco
    uldtestchemicalsonanimalstodevelopnewmedicines.However,acour
    tinLondonsaidanimaltestingforcosmeticscouldstartagain.Thejudges
    inthecourtfollowedEuropeanUnionlawsonthesaferuseofchemicalsin
    animaltesting.Onechemicalthatcannowbetestedonanimalsisalready
    widelyused.Itisinsunscreen,foundationandskincareproducts.TheU.
    K.governmentsaiditwas"committedtotheprotectionofanimalsinscie
    nce".Manypeopleareangrywiththegovernment'sdecision.Surprising
    ly,manycosmeticscompaniesareunhappy.AgroupcalledCrueltyFreeI
    nternational,whichismadeupofover80cosmeticsbrands,wrotealette
    rtotheU.K.government.Itsaidchangingthelawwasaterribledecision.
    AspokespersonfortheBodyShopsaid:"Allowinganimaltestingforcos
    meticswouldbeadevastatingblowtothemillionsofpeoplewhohavesup
    portedcampaignstoendthisappallingpractice."AscientistatUnilever,
    oneoftheworld'slargestcosmeticcompanies,saidtestingwas"unnece
    ssary".Shesaidthatwithtoday'stechnology,testingcouldbecarriedout
    withoutusinganimals.

    Free writing

    Write about cosmetics testing on animals for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Animals should never be used to test cosmetics or anything else. 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. COSMETICS: Make a poster about cosmetics. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. NO TESTING: Write a magazine article about never using animals to test cosmetics. 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 cosmetics. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on cosmetics. 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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