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Coca Cola changes recipe after online petition (9th May, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest beverage maker, is amending the recipe of several of its drinks following an online petition. The drinks manufacturer will remove a substance called brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from drinks like Powerade and Fanta. BVO is a food additive that helps stop other ingredients from separating. It contains the chemical bromide, which is commonly used as a flame retardant. Coca-Cola spokesman Josh Gold advised consumers that: "All of our beverages, including those with BVO, are safe and always have been, and [they] comply with all regulations in the countries where they are sold. The safety and quality of our products is our highest priority."

In 1970, the USA's Food and Drug Administration removed BVO from its "generally recognised as safe" list but did not ban its use. The substance was the subject of a social media campaign to get it removed from drinks. An American teenager, Sarah Kavanagh, started a petition on the site Change.org. She questioned why the ingredient was being used in what are supposed to be health drinks. More than 200,000 people signed the petition. Ms Kavanagh said: "It's really good to know that companies, especially big companies, are listening to consumers." She added: "I'm glad to know the Powerade sold at my school and consumed by people around the world will be a little bit healthier without BVO."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-05-05/coca-cola-to-remove-controversial-ingredient-from-its-beverages
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/coke-pepsi-dropping-bvo-drinks-23599329
http://www.change.org/petitions/powerade-if-gatorade-can-take-crazy-chemical-bvo-out-of-sports-drinks-so-can-you

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

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. COCA COLA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Coca Cola. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

beverage / recipe / petition / food additive / ingredients / flame / regulations / priority / safe / social media / campaign / teenager / health drinks / consumers / healthier

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. FOOD: What are the pros and cons of putting these things in food? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Pros	Cons
Salt
Preservatives
Sweeteners
Coloring
Taste enhancers
Starch

4. ADDITIVES: Students A strongly believe food additives should be made illegal; Students B strongly believe they are OK. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. DRINKS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Coca Cola

• Milk

• Mineral water

• Coffee

• Sports drinks

• Tea

• Tomato juice

• Lemonade

6. PETITION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "petition". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	Coca Cola is changing the recipe of all its drinks.	T / F
b.	The company is adding a substance called BVO.	T / F
c.	BVO helps stop the ingredients of drinks from separating.	T / F
d.	Coca Cola said its top priorities are safety and quality.	T / F
e.	The U.S. government decided BVO was not "safe" in 1970.	T / F
f.	A U.S. teen started an online campaign to get Coca Cola to drop BVO.	T / F
g.	Over 2 million people signed an online petition against BVO.	T / F
h.	A teenager complained that big companies never listen to consumers.	T / F

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

1.	beverage	a.	theme
2.	petition	b.	concern
3.	remove	c.	customers
4.	commonly	d.	take out
5.	priority	e.	assumed
6.	ban	f.	drink
7.	subject	g.	prohibit
8.	supposed	h.	slightly
9.	consumers	i.	appeal
10.	a little bit	j.	frequently

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

1.	the world's largest	a.	additive
2.	amending the recipe of	b.	good to know
3.	food	c.	drinks
4.	comply with	d.	beverage maker
5.	The safety and quality of our products	e.	the petition
6.	a social	f.	several of its drinks
7.	health	g.	bit healthier
8.	200,000 people signed	h.	all regulations
9.	It's really	i.	is our highest priority
10.	the world will be a little	j.	media campaign

GAP FILL

The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest (1) ____________ maker, is amending the recipe of (2) ____________ of its drinks following an online petition. The drinks manufacturer will remove a (3) ____________ called brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from drinks like Powerade and Fanta. BVO is a food (4) ____________ that helps stop other ingredients from separating. It contains the chemical bromide, which is (5) ____________ used as a flame retardant. Coca-Cola spokesman Josh Gold (6) ____________ consumers that: "All of our beverages, including those with BVO, are safe and always have been, and [they] (7) ____________ with all regulations in the countries where they are sold. The safety and quality of our products is our highest (8) ____________."

commonly
comply
several
additive
advised
beverage
priority
substance

In 1970, the USA's Food and Drug Administration removed BVO from its "(9) ____________ recognised as safe" list but did not ban its use. The substance was the subject of a social media (10) ____________ to get it removed from drinks. An American teenager, Sarah Kavanagh, started a (11) ____________ on the site Change.org. She questioned why the (12) ____________ was being used in what are (13) ____________ to be health drinks. More than 200,000 people signed the petition. Ms Kavanagh said: "It's really good to know that companies, (14) ____________ big companies, are listening to consumers." She added: "I'm (15) ____________ to know the Powerade sold at my school and consumed by people around the world will be a little bit (16) ____________ without BVO."

supposed
glad
petition
generally
healthier
campaign
especially
ingredient

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest ______
	a. beverage marker b. beverage market c. beverage maker d. beverage makers
2)	amending the recipe of several of its drinks following ______
	a. an online partition b. an online petition c. an online pet station d. an online competition
3)	BVO is a food additive that helps stop other ingredients ______
	a. from separation b. from separating c. from splitting d. from separate in
4)	It contains the chemical bromide, which is commonly used as ______
	a. a flame retardant b. a flame strident c. a flame redundant d. a flame retardant
5)	The safety and quality of our products is ______
	a. our highest priorities b. our highest priority c. our high its priority d. our high it's priority
6)	removed BVO from its "generally recognised ______
	a. as safest b. as safely list c. as safer" list d. as safe" list
7)	The substance was the subject of a social ______
	a. media campaign b. medium campaign c. media campaigns d. medium campaigns
8)	questioned why the ingredient was being used in what are supposed ______
	a. too be health drinks b. to be health drinks c. two be health drinks d. 2B health drinks
9)	companies, especially big companies, are ______
	a. listening in to consumers b. listening to customers c. listening to consumers d. listening in to customers
10)	people around the world will be a little bit ______
	a. healthier without BVO b. healthier with at BVO c. healthier wither out BVO d. healthier we thought BVO

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest (1) ___________________, is amending the (2) ___________________ of its drinks following an online petition. The drinks manufacturer will (3) ___________________ called brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from drinks like Powerade and Fanta. BVO is a food additive that helps (4) ___________________ from separating. It contains the chemical bromide, which is commonly used as a flame retardant. Coca-Cola spokesman Josh Gold (5) ___________________: "All of our beverages, including those with BVO, are safe and always have been, and [they] comply with all regulations in the countries where they are sold. The safety and quality of our products (6) ___________________."

In 1970, the USA's Food and Drug Administration removed BVO from its "(7) ___________________ safe" list but did not ban its use. The substance was the subject of a (8) ___________________ to get it removed from drinks. An American teenager, Sarah Kavanagh, started a petition on the site Change.org. She questioned (9) ___________________ was being used in what (10) ___________________ health drinks. More than 200,000 people signed the petition. Ms Kavanagh said: "It's really good to know that companies, especially big companies, (11) ___________________." She added: "I'm glad to know the Powerade sold at my school and consumed by people around the world (12) ___________________ healthier without BVO."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	How many drinks is Coca Cola amending the recipe to?
2.	What is BVO?
3.	What is the chemical bromine commonly used in?
4.	What did a spokesman say Coca Cola's beverages comply with?
5.	What are the highest priorities for Coca Cola?
6.	When did the U.S. government omit BVO from its "safe" list?
7.	How old is the person who started a petition?
8.	How many people signed the petition?
9.	Who did the woman say listened to consumers?
10.	How did the woman say the world would be different without BVO?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	How many drinks is Coca Cola amending the recipe to?	6.	When did the U.S. government omit BVO from its "safe" list?
	a) seventeen b) seven c) 70 d) several		a) 1950 b) 1960 c) 1970 d) 1980
2.	What is BVO?	7.	How old is the person who started a petition?
	a) a new health food b) a food additive c) Coca Cola's new drink (Bio-Vio- Organic) d) a chemical used in fire extinguishers		a) between 13 and 19 b) in her 20s c) thirtysomething d) 47
3.	What is the chemical bromine commonly used in?	8.	How many people signed the petition?
	a) explosives b) toilet cleaners c) rat poison d) flame retardants		a) 2 million b) twenty thousands c) 200,000 d) twelve thousand
4.	What did a spokesman say Coca Cola's beverages comply with?	9.	Who did the woman say listened to consumers?
	a) guidelines b) requests c) regulations d) tastes		a) no one b) big companies c) sales representatives d) customers
5.	What are the highest priorities for Coca Cola?	10.	How did the woman say the world would be different without BVO?
	a) health and safety b) CEO bonuses and shareholder dividends c) profit and company value d) safety and quality		a) it would be healthier b) there's be fewer abbreviations c) differently d) with her mouth

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Food colouring

You think food colouring is the worst thing to add to food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their additives. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): preservatives, flavourings or sugar.

Role B – Preservatives

You think preservatives are the worst thing to add to food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their additives. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): food colouring, flavourings or sugar.

Role C – Flavourings

You think flavourings are the worst thing to add to food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their additives. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): preservatives, food colouring or sugar.

Role D – Sugar

You think sugar is the worst thing to add to food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their additives. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): preservatives, flavourings or food colouring.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

online

petition

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:

several
remove
stops
used
always
highest

safe
social
site
health
really
bit

COCA COLA SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Coca Cola 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

COCA COLA DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'additive'?
c)	Do you worry about what additives are in your food?
d)	Why do food companies use so many additives?
e)	How healthy are Coca Cola products?
f)	What do you think of Coca Cola changing its recipe?
g)	Do you believe companies that say their products are safe?
h)	Is safety or profits a company's highest priority?
i)	Should we only buy food that has no additives?
j)	What do you think about the Coca Cola Company?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What do you know about the Coca Cola Company?
c)	How worrying is it that Coca Cola has used BVO since 1970?
d)	Why do you think such chemicals are used in health drinks?
e)	Will you think more from now about buying soft drinks?
f)	What do you think of the social media campaign?
g)	What online petitions have you signed?
h)	How much do big companies listen to consumers?
i)	What would you like to start a petition about?
j)	What questions would you like to ask Coca Cola's boss?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest beverage (1) ____, is amending the recipe of several of its drinks (2) ____ an online petition. The drinks manufacturer will remove a substance called brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from drinks like Powerade and Fanta. BVO is a food (3) ____ that helps stop other ingredients from separating. It contains the chemical bromide, which is (4) ____ used as a flame retardant. Coca-Cola spokesman Josh Gold advised consumers that: "All of our beverages, including those with BVO, are safe and always have been, and [they] comply (5) ____ all regulations in the countries where they are sold. The safety and quality of our products is our (6) ____ priority."

In 1970, the USA's Food and Drug Administration removed BVO from its "(7) ____ recognised as safe" list but did not ban its (8) ____. The substance was the subject of a social media campaign to get it removed from drinks. An American teenager, Sarah Kavanagh, started a petition on the site Change.org. She questioned why the ingredient was being used in what are (9) ____ to be health drinks. More than 200,000 people (10) ____ the petition. Ms Kavanagh said: "It's really good to know that companies, especially big companies, are listening to consumers." She added: "I'm (11) ____ to know the Powerade sold at my school and consumed by people around the world will be a little (12) ____ healthier without BVO."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	maker	(b)	marker	(c)	market	(d)	marquee
2.	(a)	chasing	(b)	pursuing	(c)	following	(d)	hightailing
3.	(a)	addictive	(b)	addition	(c)	additive	(d)	addicted
4.	(a)	predominant	(b)	utmost	(c)	furthermore	(d)	commonly
5.	(a)	with	(b)	to	(c)	for	(d)	of
6.	(a)	tallest	(b)	highest	(c)	biggest	(d)	largest
7.	(a)	concurrently	(b)	markedly	(c)	additionally	(d)	generally
8.	(a)	using	(b)	use	(c)	usage	(d)	usability
9.	(a)	normalised	(b)	requested	(c)	supposed	(d)	surmised
10.	(a)	autographed	(b)	scribed	(c)	named	(d)	signed
11.	(a)	gladioli	(b)	gladden	(c)	gladly	(d)	glad
12.	(a)	tad	(b)	bit	(c)	chomp	(d)	extra

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the world's largest garveeeb maker
2.	remove a scasbtneu called BVO
3.	a food vedidiat
4.	commonly used as a flame netatrdar
5.	they comply with all srigtelouan
6.	our highest roitpyri
Paragraph 2
7.	oiencredzg (UK) / roczneidge (USA) as safe
8.	the subject of a social media macgnipa
9.	Sarah Kavanagh started a petnitoi
10.	what are puposdse to be health drinks
11.	iypacllees big companies
12.	listening to mncoeruss

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	at my school and consumed by people around the world will be a little bit healthier without BVO."
( )	which is commonly used as a flame retardant. Coca-Cola spokesman Josh Gold advised
( )	In 1970, the USA's Food and Drug Administration removed BVO from its "generally recognised as
( )	200,000 people signed the petition. Ms Kavanagh said: "It's really good to know that companies, especially big
( )	from drinks. An American teenager, Sarah Kavanagh, started a petition on the site Change.org. She questioned
( )	recipe of several of its drinks following an online petition. The drinks manufacturer will remove a substance called
( )	brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from drinks like Powerade and Fanta. BVO is a food
( )	with all regulations in the countries where they are sold. The safety and quality of our products is our highest priority."
( )	consumers that: "All of our beverages, including those with BVO, are safe and always have been, and [they] comply
( )	safe" list but did not ban its use. The substance was the subject of a social media campaign to get it removed
( )	companies, are listening to consumers." She added: "I'm glad to know the Powerade sold
( )	additive that helps stop other ingredients from separating. It contains the chemical bromide,
( 1 )	The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest beverage maker, is amending the
( )	why the ingredient was being used in what are supposed to be health drinks. More than

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	maker the The beverage amending largest is recipe world's.
2.	will remove a substance The . drinks manufacturer
3.	flame commonly retardant used as Bromide a is.
4.	where sold regulations countries are All the they in.
5.	of highest our priority products is Quality our.
6.	get social it media removed campaign to A.
7.	why used the ingredient She was questioned being.
8.	the More , signed 200,000 people petition than .
9.	are to companies listening consumers Big.
10.	The be bit BVO will little without world a healthier.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The Coca-Cola Company, the world's largest beverage maker, is demeaning / amending the recipe of several / numerous of its drinks following an online petition. The drinks manufacturer / manufactures will remove a substance called brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from drinks such / like Powerade and Fanta. BVO is a food additive / addiction that helps stop other ingredients from separating. It contains the chemistry / chemical bromide, which is commonly used as a flame retardant / dependent. Coca-Cola spokesman Josh Gold advised consumers that: "All of our beverages, including those with BVO, are safely / safe and always have been, and [they] comply / reply with all regulations in the countries where they are sold. The safety and quality of our products is our highest prioritise / priority."

In 1970, the USA's Food and Drug Administration removed BVO from its "generally recognised as safe" last / list but did not ban its useful / use. The substance was the object / subject of a social media campaign to get it removed from drinks. An American teenager, Sarah Kavanagh, started a petition / partition on the site Change.org. She questioned why the ingredient was being used in what are supposed / supposedly to be health drinks. More than 200,000 people singed / signed the petition. Ms Kavanagh said: "It's really / reality good to know that companies, especially big companies, are listening / lessening to consumers." She added: "I'm glued / glad to know the Powerade sold at my school and consumed by people around the world will be a little bit / tad healthier without BVO."

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

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ C_c_-C_l_ C_mp_ny, th_ w_rld's l_rg_st b_v_r_g_ m_k_r, _s _m_nd_ng th_ r_c_p_ _f s_v_r_l _f _ts dr_nks f_ll_w_ng _n _nl_n_ p_t_t__n. Th_ dr_nks m_n_f_ct_r_r w_ll r_m_v_ _ s_bst_nc_ c_ll_d br_m_n_t_d v_g_t_bl_ __l (BV_) fr_m dr_nks l_k_ P_w_r_d_ _nd F_nt_. BV_ _s _ f__d _dd_t_v_ th_t h_lps st_p _th_r _ngr_d__nts fr_m s_p_r_t_ng. _t c_nt__ns th_ ch_m_c_l br_m_d_, wh_ch _s c_mm_nly _s_d _s _ fl_m_ r_t_rd_nt. C_c_-C_l_ sp_k_sm_n J_sh G_ld _dv_s_d c_ns_m_rs th_t: "_ll _f __r b_v_r_g_s, _ncl_d_ng th_s_ w_th BV_, _r_ s_f_ _nd _lw_ys h_v_ b__n, _nd [th_y] c_mply w_th _ll r_g_l_t__ns _n th_ c__ntr__s wh_r_ th_y _r_ s_ld. Th_ s_f_ty _nd q__l_ty _f __r pr_d_cts _s __r h_gh_st pr__r_ty."

_n 1970, th_ _S_'s F__d _nd Dr_g _dm_n_str_t__n r_m_v_d BV_ fr_m _ts "g_n_r_lly r_c_gn_s_d _s s_f_" l_st b_t d_d n_t b_n _ts _s_. Th_ s_bst_nc_ w_s th_ s_bj_ct _f _ s_c__l m_d__ c_mp__gn t_ g_t _t r_m_v_d fr_m dr_nks. _n _m_r_c_n t__n_g_r, S_r_h K_v_n_gh, st_rt_d _ p_t_t__n _n th_ s_t_ Ch_ng_._rg. Sh_ q__st__n_d why th_ _ngr_d__nt w_s b__ng _s_d _n wh_t _r_ s_pp_s_d t_ b_ h__lth dr_nks. M_r_ th_n 200,000 p__pl_ s_gn_d th_ p_t_t__n. Ms K_v_n_gh s__d: "_t's r__lly g__d t_ kn_w th_t c_mp_n__s, _sp_c__lly b_g c_mp_n__s, _r_ l_st_n_ng t_ c_ns_m_rs." Sh_ _dd_d: "_'m gl_d t_ kn_w th_ P_w_r_d_ s_ld _t my sch__l _nd c_ns_m_d by p__pl_ _r__nd th_ w_rld w_ll b_ _ l_ttl_ b_t h__lth__r w_th__t BV_."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the coca-cola company the world's largest beverage maker is amending the recipe of several of its drinks following an online petition the drinks manufacturer will remove a substance called brominated vegetable oil (bvo) from drinks like powerade and fanta bvo is a food additive that helps stop other ingredients from separating it contains the chemical bromide which is commonly used as a flame retardant coca-cola spokesman josh gold advised consumers that "all of our beverages including those with bvo are safe and always have been and [they] comply with all regulations in the countries where they are sold the safety and quality of our products is our highest priority"

in 1970 the usa's food and drug administration removed bvo from its "generally recognised as safe" list but did not ban its use the substance was the subject of a social media campaign to get it removed from drinks an american teenager sarah kavanagh started a petition on the site changeorg she questioned why the ingredient was being used in what are supposed to be health drinks more than 200000 people signed the petition ms kavanagh said "it's really good to know that companies especially big companies are listening to consumers" she added "i'm glad to know the powerade sold at my school and consumed by people around the world will be a little bit healthier without bvo"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheCoca-ColaCompany,theworld'slargestbeveragemaker,isame
ndingtherecipeofseveralofitsdrinksfollowinganonlinepetition.Thedrin
ksmanufacturerwillremoveasubstancecalledbrominatedvegetableoil(
BVO)fromdrinkslikePoweradeandFanta.BVOisafoodadditivethathelps
stopotheringredientsfromseparating.Itcontainsthechemicalbromide,
whichiscommonlyusedasaflameretardant.Coca-ColaspokesmanJ
oshGoldadvisedconsumersthat:"Allofourbeverages,includingthosewit
hBVO,aresafeandalwayshavebeen,and[they]complywithallregulation
sinthecountrieswheretheyaresold.Thesafetyandqualityofourproductsi
sourhighestpriority."In1970,theUSA'sFoodandDrugAdministrationre
movedBVOfromits"generallyrecognisedassafe"listbutdidnotbanitsuse
.Thesubstancewasthesubjectofasocialmediacampaigntogetitremoved
fromdrinks.AnAmericanteenager,SarahKavanagh,startedapetitionon
thesiteChange.org.Shequestionedwhytheingredientwasbeingusedin
whataresupposedtobehealthdrinks.Morethan200,000peoplesignedth
epetition.MsKavanaghsaid:"It'sreallygoodtoknowthatcompanies,esp
eciallybigcompanies,arelisteningtoconsumers."Sheadded:"I'mgladto
knowthePoweradesoldatmyschoolandconsumedbypeoplearoundthew
orldwillbealittlebithealthierwithoutBVO."

FREE WRITING

Write about Coca Cola for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

No food should contain any additives. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 Coca Cola. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. ADDITIVES: Make a poster about food additives. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. COCA COLA: Write a magazine article about Coca Cola changing its recipe. Include imaginary interviews with people from Coca Cola who are for and against food additives.

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 a food expert. Ask him/her three questions about food additives. Give him/her three of your opinions on 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	beverage	a.	drink
2.	petition	b.	appeal
3.	remove	c.	take out
4.	commonly	d.	frequently
5.	priority	e.	concern
6.	ban	f.	prohibit
7.	subject	g.	theme
8.	supposed	h.	assumed
9.	consumers	i.	customers
10.	a little bit	j.	slightly

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Several
2.	A food additive
3.	Flame retardants
4.	Regulations in the countries where they are sold
5.	Safety and quality
6.	1970
7.	She's a teenager
8.	200,000
9.	(Big) companies
10.	It would be a little bit healthier

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

d

4.

c

5.

d

6.

c

7.

a

8.

c

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Coca Cola changes recipe after online petition (9th May, 2014)

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