The Reading / Listening - Elon Musk to remove blocking feature on X - Level 6

Elon Musk has announced he will remove the blocking feature from accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter. Mr Musk, who is the owner of X, said users would no longer be able to block comments from unwanted followers. Under the new policy, X users will be unable to restrict individual accounts from contacting them, following them or seeing their posts. However, people will still be able to block direct messages. Musk wrote on Friday: "Block is going to be deleted as a 'feature,' except for DMs." He added that being allowed to block other people's comments "makes no sense". The change would be the latest in Musk's overhaul of his platform. Others include the name and logo change and layoffs of employees.

Many X users are up in arms over Mr Musk's latest proposal. They believe the block function is essential to keep people safe and to prevent hateful content and harassment from appearing in their feeds. Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of the crypto-currency company Binance, said Musk should concentrate his efforts on making X safer and easier to use. He said: "X should really solve the bots and spam problems before removing blocks." Another critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make bullying more common. He said it could inhibit the free speech of users who are the targets of bullies and predators. Another observer said people, "need a mechanism to block abusive users".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Elon Musk to remove blocking feature on X - Level 4  or  Elon Musk to remove blocking feature on X - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/18/elon-musk-says-x-users-will-be-losing-the-ability-to-block-content-.html
  • https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/18/23837494/elon-musk-twitter-x-remove-blocking
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/08/18/musk-ends-block-feature-on-x-in-latest-twitter-change-up


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. SOCIAL MEDIA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about social media. 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?
       blocking / X / Twitter / followers / accounts / posts / direct messages / sense / logo /
       up in arms / harassment / crypto-currency / concentrate / bullying / critic / predators
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BLOCK: Students A strongly believe we should not be allowed to block other people on social media; Students B strongly believe we should. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SOCIAL MEDIA: What are the good and bad things about these social media platforms? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good Things

Bad Things

X

 

 

Facebook

 

 

TikTok

 

 

YouTube

 

 

Instagram

 

 

Reddit

 

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

  • X
  • Apple
  • McDonald's
  • Chanel
  • Nike
  • The Olympics
  • Barbie
  • Mercedes Benz

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. formerly a. A temporary or permanent discharge of a worker or workers because of economic conditions or shortage of work.
      2. policy b. A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual.
      3. restrict c. A distinctive attribute or aspect of something.
      4. feature d. In the past; in earlier times.
      5. overhaul e. Workers in a company or organization.
      6. layoffs f. Put a limit on; keep under control.
      7. employees g. Analyze and improve (a system).

    Paragraph 2

      8. up in arms h. Aggressive pressure or intimidation.
      9. proposal i. Arousing, deserving of, or filled with hatred.
      10. hateful j. Hinder, restrain, or prevent (an action or process).
      11. harassment k. Very angry.
      12. critic l. A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration by others.
      13. inhibit m. A person who ruthlessly exploits others.
      14. predator n. A person who expresses an unfavourable opinion of something.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Twitter is formerly known as X.     T / F
  2. X users will still be able to block direct messages.     T / F
  3. Elon Musk said blocking people's comments made sense.     T / F
  4. Elon Musk said he was considering changing his name.     T / F
  5. Many people raised their arms when Twitter became X.     T / F
  6. A crypto-currency CEO said Elon Musk should focus on spam.     T / F
  7. A critic said the new X could increase free speech for targets of bullies.    T / F
  8. Not allowing blocking could increase bullying.     T / F

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

  1. announced
  2. formerly
  3. restrict
  4. overhaul
  5. employees
  6. up in arms
  7. hateful
  8. concentrate
  9. solve
  10. mechanism
  1. rebuild
  2. workers
  3. detestable
  4. very angry
  5. made it known
  6. work out
  7. limit
  8. tool
  9. previously
  10. focus

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

  1. formerly
  2. Block is going to be deleted
  3. makes no
  4. the latest in Musk's overhaul
  5. layoffs of
  6. Many X users are up
  7. prevent hateful content
  8. Musk should concentrate his efforts
  9. X should really solve the bots
  10. users who are the targets of bullies
  1. on making X safer
  2. sense
  3. and predators
  4. and harassment
  5. of his platform
  6. as a feature
  7. known as Twitter
  8. in arms
  9. employees
  10. and spam problems

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
deleted
unwanted
formerly
layoffs
longer
direct
sense
restrict

accounts on X, (1) _____________________ known as Twitter. Mr Musk, who is the owner of X, said users would no (2) _____________________ be able to block comments from (3) _____________________ followers. Under the new policy, X users will be unable to (4) _____________________ individual accounts from contacting them, following them or seeing their posts. However, people will still be able to block (5) _____________________ messages. Musk wrote on Friday: "Block is going to be (6) _____________________ as a 'feature,' except for DMs." He added that being allowed to block other people's comments "makes no (7) _____________________". The change would be the latest in Musk's overhaul of his platform. Others include the name and logo change and (8) _____________________ of employees.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
efforts
bullying
arms
currency
mechanism
solve
hateful
targets

Many X users are up in (9) _____________________ over Mr Musk's latest proposal. They believe the block function is essential to keep people safe and to prevent (10) _____________________ content and harassment from appearing in their feeds. Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of the crypto- (11) _____________________ company Binance, said Musk should concentrate his (12) _____________________ on making X safer and easier to use. He said: "X should really (13) _____________________ the bots and spam problems before removing blocks." Another critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make (14) _____________________ more common. He said it could inhibit the free speech of users who are the (15) _____________________ of bullies and predators. Another observer said people, "need a (16) _____________________ to block abusive users".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Elon Musk has announced he will remove the blocking ______
     a.  feature from account
     b.  feature from all accounts
     c.  feature from accounts
     d.  feature from acorns
2)  Mr Musk, who is the owner of X, said users would no longer be able ______
     a.  to block comment
     b.  to block comments
     c.  to block commence
     d.  to block commences
3)  Under the new policy, X users will be unable to ______
     a.  reset individual accounts
     b.  restrict individual accounts
     c.  restrict individually accounts
     d.  restrict individual account
4)  He added that being allowed to block other people's comments ______
     a.  makes no sentence
     b.  makes no sensible
     c.  makes no senses
     d.  makes no sense
5)  Others include the name and logo change and ______
     a.  layoffs off employees
     b.  layoff soft employees
     c.  layoffs of employers
     d.  layoffs of employees

6)  Many X users are up in arms over Mr ______
     a.  Musk's latex proposal
     b.  Musk's lay test proposal
     c.  Musk's late test proposal
     d.  Musk's latest proposal
7)  He said X should really solve the bots ______
     a.  and spam problems
     b.  and ham problems
     c.  and span problems
     d.  and sham problems
8)  Another critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make ______
     a.  bully more common
     b.  bullying more common
     c.  bully in more common
     d.  bullion more common
9)  it could inhibit the free speech of users who are the targets of ______
     a.  bully and predators
     b.  bullies and predator
     c.  bullies and predators
     d.  bullies end predators
10)  Another observer said people need a mechanism to ______
     a.  block abrasive users
     b.  block abusive users
     c.  block abuse sieve users
     d.  block abusive user

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Elon Musk has announced he will remove the blocking feature from accounts on X, (1) ____________________ Twitter. Mr Musk, who is the owner of X, said users would no longer be able to block comments from unwanted followers. Under the new policy, X users will be (2) ____________________ individual accounts from contacting them, following them or seeing their posts. However, people will (3) ____________________ to block direct messages. Musk wrote on Friday: "Block is going to (4) ____________________ a 'feature,' except for DMs." He added that being allowed to block other people's comments "(5) ____________________". The change would be the latest in Musk's overhaul of his platform. Others include the name and logo (6) ____________________ of employees.

Many X users are (7) ____________________ over Mr Musk's latest proposal. They believe the block function is essential to keep people safe and to (8) ____________________ and harassment from appearing in their feeds. Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of the crypto-currency company Binance, said Musk should (9) ____________________ on making X safer and easier to use. He said: "X should really (10) ____________________ and spam problems before removing blocks." Another critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make (11) ____________________. He said it could inhibit the free speech of users who are the targets of bullies and predators. Another observer said people, "need a mechanism to (12) ____________________".

Comprehension questions

  1. Who is the owner of X?
  2. Who did Elon Musk say people would not be able to block?
  3. What feature will users still be able to block?
  4. What did Elon Musk say made no sense?
  5. What change has Elon Musk made besides the logo and name of Twitter?
  6. How do many people feel about the changes?
  7. What is Changpeng Zhao the CEO of?
  8. What did Changpeng Zhao say Elon Musk should focus on?
  9. What did a critic say there could be more of without the block feature?
  10. What did an observer say was needed for people to block abusive users?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who is the owner of X?
a) Tim Cook
b) Changpeng Zhao
c) Elon Musk
d) an investment fund
2) Who did Elon Musk say people would not be able to block?
a) unwanted followers
b) celebrities
c) family
d) friends
3) What feature will users still be able to block?
a) friend requests
b) videos
c) images
d) direct messages
4) What did Elon Musk say made no sense?
a) life
b) the block feature
c) social media
d) sharing posts
5) What change has Elon Musk made besides the logo and name of Twitter?
a) raising salaries
b) relocating its headquarters
c) laying off employees
d) the company motto

6) How do many people feel about the changes?
a) in two minds
b) up in arms
c) down in the dumps
d) over the moon
7) What is Changpeng Zhao the CEO of?
a) a free speech company
b) Twitter
c) Facebook
d) a crypto-currency company
8) What did Changpeng Zhao say Elon Musk should focus on?
a) ham and eggs
b) spam and bots
c) increasing users
d) money
9) What did a critic say there could be more of without the block feature?
a) bullying
b) direct messages
c) posts
d) layoffs
10) What did an observer say was needed for people to block abusive users?
a) bullies
b) nice users
c) a new law
d) a mechanism

Role play

Role  A – X
You think the X logo is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their logos. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Apple, the Olympics or Nike.

Role  B – Apple
You think the Apple logo is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their logos. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): X, the Olympics or Nike.

Role  C – The Olympics
You think the Olympics logo is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their logos. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Apple, X or Nike.

Role  D – Nike
You think the Nike logo is the best. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their logos. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Apple, the Olympics or X.

After reading / listening

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

'social'

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

    • and 'media'.

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

    • • 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:

    • remove
    • unwanted
    • seeing
    • except
    • sense
    • employees
    • arms
    • hateful
    • efforts
    • lack
    • free
    • targets

    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 - Elon Musk to remove blocking feature on X

    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 'social'?
    3. What do you know about X (formerly Twitter)?
    4. What social media platform is best?
    5. Do you worry about being on social media?
    6. How important is it to be able to block people?
    7. Are there friends on your social media who are not really friends?
    8. What are the good and bad things about blocking people?
    9. How good a business leader is Elon Musk?
    10. What changes would you like social media platforms to make?

    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 'media'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Which is the better name, X or Twitter?
    5. How important is social media to you?
    6. Have you received any hateful comments on social media?
    7. How big a problem are bots and spam?
    8. What do you think of online bullying?
    9. How can we keep predators away from social media?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Elon Musk?

    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)

    Elon Musk has announced he will remove the blocking feature from accounts on X, (1) ____ known as Twitter. Mr Musk, who is the owner of X, said users would no (2) ____ be able to block comments from unwanted followers. Under the new policy, X users will be unable to (3) ____ individual accounts from contacting them, following them or seeing their posts. However, people will still be able to block direct messages. Musk wrote on Friday: "Block is going to be deleted (4) ____ a 'feature,' except for DMs." He added that being allowed to block other people's comments "makes no (5) ____". The change would be the latest in Musk's overhaul of his platform. Others include the name and logo change and (6) ____ of employees.

    Many X users are up in (7) ____ over Mr Musk's latest proposal. They believe the block function is essential to keep people safe and to prevent (8) ____ content and harassment from appearing in their feeds. Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of the crypto-currency company Binance, said Musk should concentrate his efforts (9) ____ making X safer and easier to use. He said: "X should really (10) ____ the bots and spam problems before removing blocks." Another critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make bullying more common. He said it could (11) ____ the free speech of users who are the targets of bullies and predators. Another observer said people, "need a (12) ____ to block abusive users".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     formerly     (b)     firmly     (c)     femur     (d)     framer    
    2. (a)     shorter     (b)     lengthen     (c)     longer     (d)     shorten    
    3. (a)     detach     (b)     unlock     (c)     restrict     (d)     annihilate    
    4. (a)     has     (b)     was     (c)     be     (d)     as    
    5. (a)     sense     (b)     sensible     (c)     sensory     (d)     senses    
    6. (a)     layabouts     (b)     layoffs     (c)     layouts     (d)     laybys    
    7. (a)     heads     (b)     legs     (c)     hands     (d)     arms    
    8. (a)     hatful     (b)     hateful     (c)     hatred     (d)     hated    
    9. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     by    
    10. (a)     evolve     (b)     solve     (c)     involve     (d)     devolve    
    11. (a)     entreat     (b)     stencil     (c)     smoke     (d)     inhibit    
    12. (a)     mechanic     (b)     mechanism     (c)     mechanical     (d)     machine

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Musk has onenunadc he will remove the blocking feature
    2. rymeflro known as Twitter
    3. tirsrect individual accounts
    4. Block is going to be dtelede as a feature
    5. Musk's holareuv of his platform
    6. yfsalof of employees

    Paragraph 2

    1. Mr Musk's latest plraopos
    2. esiseanlt to keep people safe
    3. prevent hateful content and ansershamt
    4. netoctnaerc his efforts
    5. tiinbhi the free speech of users
    6. block auisevb users

    Put the text back together

    (...)   critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make bullying more common. He said it could
    (...)   being allowed to block other people's comments "makes no sense". The change would be the latest
    (...)   of the crypto-currency company Binance, said Musk should concentrate his efforts on making X
    (...) Elon Musk has announced he will remove the blocking feature from accounts on X, formerly
    (...)   inhibit the free speech of users who are the targets of bullies and predators. Another observer
    (...)   said people, "need a mechanism to block abusive users".
    (...)   accounts from contacting them, following them or seeing their posts. However, people will still be able to
    (...)   people safe and to prevent hateful content and harassment from appearing in their feeds. Changpeng Zhao, the CEO
    (...)   block direct messages. Musk wrote on Friday: "Block is going to be deleted as a 'feature,' except for DMs." He added that
    (...)   known as Twitter. Mr Musk, who is the owner of X, said users would no longer be able to block
    (...)   safer and easier to use. He said: "X should really solve the bots and spam problems before removing blocks." Another
    (...)   comments from unwanted followers. Under the new policy, X users will be unable to restrict individual
    (...)   Many X users are up in arms over Mr Musk's latest proposal. They believe the block function is essential to keep
    (...)   in Musk's overhaul of his platform. Others include the name and logo change and layoffs of employees.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. blocking   from   will   He   the   remove   accounts   .   feature
    2. able   from   block   comments   unwanted   Be   followers   .   to
    3. accounts   .   individual   will   be   unable   to   restrict   Users
    4. Musk's   his   in   latest   overhaul   of   platform   .   The
    5. Others   logo   and   layoffs   .   and   name   include   change,
    6. users   X   Many   in   arms   .   are   up
    7. is   essential   people   safe   .   The   keep   to   function
    8. solve   should   bots   X   really   problems   .   the
    9. It   inhibit   the   speech   of   users   .   free   could
    10. People   a   abusive   block   need   users   .   mechanism   to

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Elon Musk has announced he will remove the blocking future / feature from accounts on X, formerly known / knowing as Twitter. Mr Musk, who is the owner of X, said users would no longer / longing be able to block comments from / for unwanted followers. Under the new policy, X users will be unable to restrict individual accounts from contracting / contacting them, following them or seeing their posts. However, people will still be able to block directive / direct messages. Musk wrote on Friday: "Block is going to be deleted has / as a 'feature,' except for DMs." He added that being allowed to block other people's comments "makes no sense / nonsense". The change would be the latest in Musk's overall / overhaul of his platform. Others include the name and logo change and layoffs / layouts of employees.

    Many X users are up in legs / arms over Mr Musk's latest proposal. They believe the block function is essential for / to keep people safe and to prevent hateful / hated content and harassment from appearing in their heeds / feeds. Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of the crypto-currency company Binance, said Musk should concentrate / cooperate his efforts on making X safer and easier / easily to use. He said: "X should really solve the pots / bots and spam problems before removing blocks." Another critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make bully / bullying more common. He said it could inhibit the free / freedom speech of users who are the targets of bullies and predators. Another observer said people, "need a mechanism to block abusive / abrasive users".

    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)

    _l_n  M_sk  h_s  _nn__nc_d  h_  w_ll  r_m_v_  th_  bl_ck_ng  f__t_r_  fr_m  _cc__nts  _n  X,  f_rm_rly  kn_wn  _s  Tw_tt_r.  Mr  M_sk,  wh_  _s  th_  _wn_r  _f  X,  s__d  _s_rs  w__ld  n_  l_ng_r  b_  _bl_  t_  bl_ck  c_mm_nts  fr_m  _nw_nt_d  f_ll_w_rs.  _nd_r  th_  n_w  p_l_cy,  X  _s_rs  w_ll  b_  _n_bl_  t_  r_str_ct  _nd_v_d__l  _cc__nts  fr_m  c_nt_ct_ng  th_m,  f_ll_w_ng  th_m  _r  s___ng  th__r  p_sts.  H_w_v_r,  p__pl_  w_ll  st_ll  b_  _bl_  t_  bl_ck  d_r_ct  m_ss_g_s.  M_sk  wr_t_  _n  Fr_d_y:  "Bl_ck  _s  g__ng  t_  b_  d_l_t_d  _s  _  'f__t_r_,'  _xc_pt  f_r  DMs."  H_  _dd_d  th_t  b__ng  _ll_w_d  t_  bl_ck  _th_r  p__pl_'s  c_mm_nts  "m_k_s  n_  s_ns_".  Th_  ch_ng_  w__ld  b_  th_  l_t_st  _n  M_sk's  _v_rh__l  _f  h_s  pl_tf_rm.  _th_rs  _ncl_d_  th_  n_m_  _nd  l_g_  ch_ng_  _nd  l_y_ffs  _f  _mpl_y__s.

    M_ny  X  _s_rs  _r_  _p  _n  _rms  _v_r  Mr  M_sk's  l_t_st  pr_p_s_l.  Th_y  b_l__v_  th_  bl_ck  f_nct__n  _s  _ss_nt__l  t_  k__p  p__pl_  s_f_  _nd  t_  pr_v_nt  h_t_f_l  c_nt_nt  _nd  h_r_ssm_nt  fr_m  _pp__r_ng  _n  th__r  f__ds.  Ch_ngp_ng  Zh__,  th_  C__  _f  th_  crypt_-c_rr_ncy  c_mp_ny  B_n_nc_,  s__d  M_sk  sh__ld  c_nc_ntr_t_  h_s  _ff_rts  _n  m_k_ng  X  s_f_r  _nd  __s__r  t_  _s_.  H_  s__d:  "X  sh__ld  r__lly  s_lv_  th_  b_ts  _nd  sp_m  pr_bl_ms  b_f_r_  r_m_v_ng  bl_cks."  _n_th_r  cr_t_c  s__d  th_  l_ck  _f  _  bl_ck_ng  f__t_r_  c__ld  m_k_  b_lly_ng  m_r_  c_mm_n.  H_  s__d  _t  c__ld  _nh_b_t  th_  fr__  sp__ch  _f  _s_rs  wh_  _r_  th_  t_rg_ts  _f  b_ll__s  _nd  pr_d_t_rs.  _n_th_r  _bs_rv_r  s__d  p__pl_,  "n__d  _  m_ch_n_sm  t_  bl_ck  _b_s_v_  _s_rs".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    elon musk has announced he will remove the blocking feature from accounts on x formerly known as twitter mr musk who is the owner of x said users would no longer be able to block comments from unwanted followers under the new policy x users will be unable to restrict individual accounts from contacting them following them or seeing their posts however people will still be able to block direct messages musk wrote on friday block is going to be deleted as a feature except for dms he added that being allowed to block other peoples comments makes no sense the change would be the latest in musks overhaul of his platform others include the name and logo change and layoffs of employees

    many x users are up in arms over mr musks latest proposal they believe the block function is essential to keep people safe and to prevent hateful content and harassment from appearing in their feeds changpeng zhao the ceo of the cryptocurrency company binance said musk should concentrate his efforts on making x safer and easier to use he said x should really solve the bots and spam problems before removing blocks another critic said the lack of a blocking feature could make bullying more common he said it could inhibit the free speech of users who are the targets of bullies and predators another observer said people need a mechanism to block abusive users

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ElonMuskhasannouncedhewillremovetheblockingfeaturefromaccou
    ntsonX,formerlyknownasTwitter.MrMusk,whoistheownerofX,saidus
    erswouldnolongerbeabletoblockcommentsfromunwantedfollowers.
    Underthenewpolicy,Xuserswillbeunabletorestrictindividualaccounts
    fromcontactingthem,followingthemorseeingtheirposts.However,pe
    oplewillstillbeabletoblockdirectmessages.MuskwroteonFriday:"Bloc
    kisgoingtobedeletedasa'feature,'exceptforDMs."Headdedthatbeing
    allowedtoblockotherpeople'scomments"makesnosense".Thechang
    ewouldbethelatestinMusk'soverhaulofhisplatform.Othersincludethe
    nameandlogochangeandlayoffsofemployees.ManyXusersareupinar
    msoverMrMusk'slatestproposal.Theybelievetheblockfunctionisesse
    ntialtokeeppeoplesafeandtopreventhatefulcontentandharassmentf
    romappearingintheirfeeds.ChangpengZhao,theCEOofthecrypto-c
    urrencycompanyBinance,saidMuskshouldconcentratehiseffortsonm
    akingXsaferandeasiertouse.Hesaid:"Xshouldreallysolvethebotsand
    spamproblemsbeforeremovingblocks."Anothercriticsaidthelackofa
    blockingfeaturecouldmakebullyingmorecommon.Hesaiditcouldinhi
    bitthefreespeechofuserswhoarethetargetsofbulliesandpredators.An
    otherobserversaidpeople,"needamechanismtoblockabusiveusers".

    Free writing

    Write about blocking on social media for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Do you think social media users should be able to block other users. 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. SOCIAL MEDIA: Make a poster about social media. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BLOCKING USERS: Write a magazine article about requiring all social media companies to remove the blocking feature. 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 social media. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make it better. 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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