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McDonald's says no GM French fries (17th November, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The U.S. government has said a new, genetically modified potato is OK to eat, but McDonald's said it will not use it in its French fries and hash browns. The potato company said it changed the DNA of normal potatoes to make the vegetables better. It said the new potato has less sugar and fewer things inside it that can give people cancer. It also said the potatoes are stronger. It was confident that people would buy the new potato in supermarkets. McDonald's made a statement about the new potato. It said: "McDonald's USA does not source GMO potatoes, nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing practices." The company did not say what it thought of McDonald's not using its new potato.

French fries are one of the most commonly eaten foods in the world. They are very popular with fast food restaurants. The expression ‘French Fried Potatoes’ was first used in English in an 1856 book called 'Cookery for Maids of All Work'. In the early 20th century, the term 'French fried' was being used to mean 'deep-fried'. Food historians say French fries actually come from Belgium and not France. Both countries say they were the first company to cook French fries. Belgians say the word 'French fries' is used instead of 'Belgian fries' because France has a worldwide image for good food. Some people think the term 'French' was used when U.S. soldiers arrived in Europe during World War I.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.foodworldnews.com/articles/8918/20141115/what-does-mcdonalds-say-to-gmo-potatoes.htm
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/not-lovin-it-mcdonalds-says-no-simplots-gmo-potato-n249391
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_fries

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. FRENCH FRIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about French fries. 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 / OK to eat / French fries / hash browns / confident / statement / source / commonly eaten foods / fast food restaurants / cookery / Belgium / worldwide image

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

3. FOOD: How many different things can you do with these? How healthy are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What can you do with these?	How healthy are they?
Potatoes
Pasta
Rice
Bread
Bananas
Chick peas

4. GM: Students A strongly believe GM food is OK; Students B strongly believe it isn't. 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. FAST FOOD: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• French fries

• Pizza

• Hot dogs

• Fried chicken

• Falafel sandwich

• Fish and chips

• Tortilla

• Burger

6. POTATO: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "potato". 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.	The U.S. government has said no to a new genetically modified potato.	T / F
b.	McDonald's said it would not use the potato for its hash browns.	T / F
c.	A company said the new potato reduces people's risk of getting cancer.	T / F
d.	McDonald's said it had no plans to use the new potato in the future.	T / F
e.	The term "French Fried Potatoes" was first used in 1856.	T / F
f.	The term 'French-fried' was used to mean 'shallow-fried'.	T / F
g.	France agreed that Belgium first made French fries.	T / F
h.	British soldiers in World War I took the term 'French Fries' to the USA.	T / F

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

1.	OK	a.	term
2.	changed	b.	get
3.	confident	c.	methods
4.	source	d.	altered
5.	practices	e.	rather than
6.	popular	f.	fine
7.	expression	g.	global
8.	instead of	h.	troops
9.	worldwide	i.	positive
10.	soldiers	j.	well-liked

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

1.	a new, genetically	a.	of 'Belgian fries'
2.	it changed the DNA	b.	buy the new potato
3.	fewer things inside it that	c.	what it thought
4.	It was confident that people would	d.	eaten foods in the world
5.	The company did not say	e.	to mean 'deep-fried'
6.	one of the most commonly	f.	of normal potatoes
7.	the term 'French fried' was being used	g.	arrived in Europe
8.	Both countries say they were	h.	can give people cancer
9.	'French fries' is used instead	i.	modified potato
10.	used when U.S. soldiers	j.	the first country

GAP FILL

The U.S. government has said a new, (1) ____________ modified potato is OK to eat, but McDonald's said it will not use it in its French fries and hash browns. The potato company said it changed the (2) ____________ of normal potatoes to make the vegetables better. It said the new potato has (3) ____________ sugar and fewer things inside it that can give people cancer. It also said the potatoes are (4) ____________. It was (5) ____________ that people would buy the new potato in supermarkets. McDonald's made a statement about the new potato. It said: "McDonald's USA does not (6) ____________ GMO potatoes, nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing (7) ____________." The company did not say what it thought of McDonald's not (8) ____________ its new potato.

source
stronger
DNA
using
genetically
confident
practices
less

French fries are one of the most (9) ____________ eaten foods in the world. They are very (10) ____________ with fast food restaurants. The expression 'French Fried Potatoes' was first used in English in an 1856 book called 'Cookery for Maids of All Work'. In the early 20th century, the (11) ____________ 'French fried' was being used to mean 'deep-fried'. Food historians say French fries (12) ____________ come from Belgium and not France. Both countries say they were the (13) ____________ country to cook French fries. Belgians say the word 'French fries' is used (14) ____________ of 'Belgian fries' because France has a worldwide (15) ____________ for good food. Some people think the term 'French' was used when U.S. soldiers arrived in Europe (16) ____________ World War I.

actually
during
popular
instead
commonly
image
term
first

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The U.S. government has said a new, genetically modified potato ______
	a. is OK for eat b. is OK to eat c. is OK too eat d. is OK by eat
2)	McDonald's said it will not use it in its French fries ______
	a. and harsh browns b. and hash browns c. and cash browns d. and mash browns
3)	The potato company said it changed the DNA ______
	a. of normally potatoes b. of norm all potatoes c. of no meal potatoes d. of normal potatoes
4)	the new potato has less sugar and fewer things inside it that can ______
	a. take people cancer b. give people cancer c. hurt people cancer d. pain people cancer
5)	nor do we have current plans to change our ______
	a. saucing practices b. sourcing practices c. saucy practices d. sorcery practices
6)	French fries are one of the most commonly eaten ______
	a. foods on the world b. foods in the world c. foods at the world d. foods by the world
7)	first used in English in an 1856 book called 'Cookery ______'
	a. for Maids of Tall Work b. for Maids of Fall Work c. for Maids of All Work d. for Maids of Mall Work
8)	Both countries say they were the first country to ______
	a. cooked French fries b. cooking French fries c. cooks French fries d. cook French fries
9)	Belgians say the word 'French fries' is used instead ______
	a. of 'Belgian flies' b. of 'Belgian frieze' c. of 'Belgian freeze d. of 'Belgian fries'
10)	Some people think the term 'French' was used when U.S. soldiers ______
	a. arrival in Europe b. arrived in Europe c. arrives in Europe d. arrive in Europe

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The U.S. government has said (1) ___________________ modified potato is OK to eat, but McDonald's (2) ___________________ it in its French fries and hash browns. The potato company said it changed the DNA of normal potatoes to make (3) ___________________. It said the new potato has less sugar and fewer things inside it that can give people cancer. It also said the potatoes are stronger. It (4) ___________________ people would buy the new potato in supermarkets. McDonald's made a statement about the new potato. It said: "McDonald's USA (5) ___________________ GMO potatoes, nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing practices." The company did not (6) ___________________ McDonald's not using its new potato.

French fries are one of the most (7) ___________________ in the world. They are very popular with fast food restaurants. The expression 'French Fried Potatoes' (8) ___________________ English in an 1856 book called 'Cookery for Maids of All Work'. In (9) ___________________, the term 'French fried' was being used to mean 'deep-fried'. Food historians say French fries (10) ___________________ Belgium and not France. Both countries say they were the first country to cook French fries. Belgians say the word 'French fries' (11) ___________________ 'Belgian fries' because France has a worldwide image for good food. Some people think the term 'French' was used when U.S. (12) ___________________ Europe during World War I.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What did the U.S. government say it was OK to do with the potato?
2.	What part of the potato did a potato company change?
3.	What is there less of in the new potato?
4.	Where did a potato company say people would buy the new potato?
5.	What did the potato company think of McDonald's?
6.	In what kind of restaurants are French fries very popular?
7.	When was the term "French Fried Potatoes" first used?
8.	Where do food historians say French fries come from?
9.	How many countries say they were the first to make French fries?
10.	Who arrived in Europe during WWI and used the term "French fries"?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What did the U.S. government say it was OK to do with the potato?	6.	In what kind of restaurants are French fries very popular?
	a) sell it b) invest in it c) eat it d) plant it		a) haute cuisine restaurants b) fast food restaurants c) French restaurants d) street food stalls
2.	What part of the potato did a potato company change?	7.	When was the term "French Fried Potatoes" first used?
	a) the DNA b) the eyes c) the skin d) the seeds		a) 1658 b) 1865 c) 1685 d) 1856
3.	What is there less of in the new potato?	8.	Where do food historians say French fries come from?
	a) fat b) sugar c) carbohydrate d) calories		a) McDonald's b) Belgium c) Paris d) New York
4.	Where did a potato company say people would buy the new potato?	9.	How many countries say they were the first to make French fries?
	a) on farms b) at a vegetable market c) Potatoland d) supermarkets		a) one b) two c) three d) four
5.	What did the potato company think of McDonald's?	10.	Who arrived in Europe during WWI and used the term "French fries"?
	a) very little b) nothing c) it didn't say d) a lot		a) American soldiers b) chefs c) potato farmers d) cookery book writers

ROLE PLAY

Role A – French fries

You think French fries are the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their fast food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): pizza, burgers or hot dogs.

Role B – Pizza

You think pizza is the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their fast food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): French fries, burgers or hot dogs.

Role C – Burgers

You think burgers are the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their fast food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): pizza, French fries or hot dogs.

Role D – Hot dogs

You think hot dogs are the best fast food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their fast food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): pizza, burgers or French fries.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

hash

brown

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:

new
changed
less
buy
nor
thought

popular
fast
mean
first
instead
soldiers

FRENCH FRIES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about French fries 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.

FRENCH FRIES DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'potato'?
3)	How important are potatoes in your life?
4)	What do you think of genetically modified (GM) food?
5)	What do you think of McDonald's not using the new potato?
6)	What do you think of McDonald's?
7)	Would you buy GM potatoes?
8)	What are the good and bad things about GM food?
9)	What are the good and bad things about potatoes?
10)	Which is best, rice or pasta?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	How important are French fries in your culture?
13)	How would your life change if French fries did not exist?
14)	Why are French fries so popular?
15)	How healthy are French fries?
16)	What is the best way to eat French fries?
17)	Why are French fries called 'French fries'?
18)	What do you think of French food?
19)	What other things can you do with potatoes?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the boss of McDonald's?

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 U.S. government has said a new, (1) ____ modified potato is OK to eat, but McDonald's said it will not use it in its French fries and hash browns. The potato company said it changed the (2) ____ of normal potatoes to make the vegetables better. It said the new potato has (3) ____ sugar and fewer things inside it that can give people cancer. It also said the potatoes are stronger. It was (4) ____ that people would buy the new potato in supermarkets. McDonald's made a statement about the new potato. It said: "McDonald's USA does not (5) ____ GMO potatoes, nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing (6) ____." The company did not say what it thought of McDonald's not using its new potato.

French fries are one of the most commonly (7) ____ foods in the world. They are very popular with fast food restaurants. The (8) ____ 'French Fried Potatoes' was first used in English in an 1856 book (9) ____ 'Cookery for Maids of All Work'. In the early 20th century, the term 'French fried' was being used to mean 'deep-fried'. Food historians say French fries actually (10) ____ from Belgium and not France. Both countries say they were the first country to cook French fries. Belgians say the word 'French fries' is used instead (11) ____ 'Belgian fries' because France has a worldwide image for good food. Some people think the term 'French' was used when U.S. soldiers arrived in Europe (12) ____ World War I.

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

1.	(a)	genes	(b)	genetics	(c)	genetically	(d)	generally
2.	(a)	DNA	(b)	AND	(c)	ADN	(d)	DAN
3.	(a)	less	(b)	smaller	(c)	fewer	(d)	many
4.	(a)	confident	(b)	confidence	(c)	confidante	(d)	confidently
5.	(a)	sours	(b)	source	(c)	sauce	(d)	saws
6.	(a)	stylish	(b)	matter	(c)	stuff	(d)	practices
7.	(a)	ate	(b)	eating	(c)	eaten	(d)	eats
8.	(a)	creation	(b)	action	(c)	direction	(d)	expression
9.	(a)	called	(b)	shouted	(c)	whispered	(d)	spoken
10.	(a)	go	(b)	come	(c)	arrive	(d)	land
11.	(a)	for	(b)	of	(c)	from	(d)	at
12.	(a)	daring	(b)	boring	(c)	during	(d)	baring

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	a new, genetically idemifod potato
2.	make the etsaeblevg better
3.	It was fnoncited
4.	made a nseeamttt about the new potato
5.	McDonald's USA does not cerous GMO potatoes
6.	change our ucgsorin practices
Paragraph 2
7.	very apluorp with fast food restaurants
8.	In the early 20th nectryu
9.	Food ssoitranih
10.	used itansde of 'Belgian fries'
11.	France has a worldwide mgaei
12.	lisoserd arrived in Europe during World War I

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	"McDonald's USA does not source GMO potatoes, nor do we have current plans to
( )	used to mean 'deep-fried'. Food historians say French fries actually come from Belgium and
( )	change our sourcing practices." The company did not say what it thought of McDonald's not using its new potato.
( )	popular with fast food restaurants. The expression 'French Fried Potatoes' was first used in English
( )	not France. Both countries say they were the first country to cook French fries. Belgians say the word 'French fries' is
( )	use it in its French fries and hash browns. The potato company said it changed the DNA of normal
( )	inside it that can give people cancer. It also said the potatoes are stronger. It was confident that people would
( )	French fries are one of the most commonly eaten foods in the world. They are very
( 1 )	The U.S. government has said a new, genetically modified potato is OK to eat, but McDonald's said it will not
( )	food. Some people think the term 'French' was used when U.S. soldiers arrived in Europe during World War I.
( )	potatoes to make the vegetables better. It said the new potato has less sugar and fewer things
( )	buy the new potato in supermarkets. McDonald's made a statement about the new potato. It said:
( )	used instead of 'Belgian fries' because France has a worldwide image for good
( )	in an 1856 book called 'Cookery for Maids of All Work'. In the early 20th century, the term 'French fried' was being

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	is eat , potato to new modified OK A genetically.
2.	it use not will it said McDonald's fries French its in.
3.	potatoes normal of DNA the changed It.
4.	give inside can cancer things that people Fewer it.
5.	company say thought The not it McDonald's did what of.
6.	the most commonly eaten foods French fries are one of.
7.	very food are fast They with popular restaurants.
8.	actually Historians come say from French Belgium fries.
9.	worldwide image France for has good a food.
10.	I in War arrived World soldiers When during Europe U.S.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The U.S. government has said a new / newly, genetically modified potato is OK to eat, but McDonald's said it will not using / use it in its French fries and hash browns. The potato company said it changed the AND / DNA of normal potatoes to make the vegetables good / better. It said the new potato has less sugar and fewer / fewest things inside it that can give / take people cancer. It also said the potatoes are stronger / strengthen. It was confident that people would buy the new potato in supermarkets. McDonald's made a statement / stated about the new potato. It said: "McDonald's USA does not sauce / source GMO potatoes, nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing practices." The company did not say what it thought / thinking of McDonald's not using its new potato.

French fries are one of the most common / commonly eaten foods in the world. They are very popular / popularity with fast food restaurants. The expression 'French Fried Potatoes' was first useful / used in English in an 1856 book called 'Cookery for Maids of All Work'. In the early / first 20th century, the term 'French fried' was being / been used to mean 'deep-fried'. Food historians say French fries actual / actually come from Belgium and not France. Both countries / country's say they were the first country to cook French fries. Belgians say the word 'French fries' is used rather / instead of 'Belgian fries' because France has a worldwide image / imagine for good food. Some people think the term 'French' was used when U.S. soldiers arrived in Europe during / daring World War I.

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_ _.S. g_v_rnm_nt h_s s__d _ n_w, g_n_t_c_lly m_d_f__d p_t_t_ _s _K t_ __t, b_t McD_n_ld's s__d _t w_ll n_t _s_ _t _n _ts Fr_nch fr__s _nd h_sh br_wns. Th_ p_t_t_ c_mp_ny s__d _t ch_ng_d th_ DN_ _f n_rm_l p_t_t__s t_ m_k_ th_ v_g_t_bl_s b_tt_r. _t s__d th_ n_w p_t_t_ h_s l_ss s_g_r _nd f_w_r th_ngs _ns_d_ _t th_t c_n g_v_ p__pl_ c_nc_r. _t _ls_ s__d th_ p_t_t__s _r_ str_ng_r. _t w_s c_nf_d_nt th_t p__pl_ w__ld b_y th_ n_w p_t_t_ _n s_p_rm_rk_ts. McD_n_ld's m_d_ _ st_t_m_nt _b__t th_ n_w p_t_t_. _t s__d: "McD_n_ld's _S_ d__s n_t s__rc_ GM_ p_t_t__s, n_r d_ w_ h_v_ c_rr_nt pl_ns t_ ch_ng_ __r s__rc_ng pr_ct_c_s." Th_ c_mp_ny d_d n_t s_y wh_t _t th__ght _f McD_n_ld's n_t _s_ng _ts n_w p_t_t_.

Fr_nch fr__s _r_ _n_ _f th_ m_st c_mm_nly __t_n f__ds _n th_ w_rld. Th_y _r_ v_ry p_p_l_r w_th f_st f__d r_st__r_nts. Th_ _xpr_ss__n 'Fr_nch Fr__d P_t_t__s' w_s f_rst _s_d _n _ngl_sh _n _n 1856 b__k c_ll_d 'C__k_ry f_r M__ds _f _ll W_rk'. _n th_ __rly 20th c_nt_ry, th_ t_rm 'Fr_nch fr__d' w_s b__ng _s_d t_ m__n 'd__p-fr__d'. F__d h_st_r__ns s_y Fr_nch fr__s _ct__lly c_m_ fr_m B_lg__m _nd n_t Fr_nc_. B_th c__ntr__s s_y th_y w_r_ th_ f_rst c__ntry t_ c__k Fr_nch fr__s. B_lg__ns s_y th_ w_rd 'Fr_nch fr__s' _s _s_d _nst__d _f 'B_lg__n fr__s' b_c__s_ Fr_nc_ h_s _ w_rldw_d_ _m_g_ f_r g__d f__d. S_m_ p__pl_ th_nk th_ t_rm 'Fr_nch' w_s _s_d wh_n _.S. s_ld__rs _rr_v_d _n __r_p_ d_r_ng W_rld W_r _.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the us government has said a new genetically modified potato is ok to eat but mcdonald's said it will not use it in its french fries and hash browns the potato company said it changed the dna of normal potatoes to make the vegetables better it said the new potato has less sugar and fewer things inside it that can give people cancer it also said the potatoes are stronger it was confident that people would buy the new potato in supermarkets mcdonald's made a statement about the new potato it said "mcdonald's usa does not source gmo potatoes nor do we have current plans to change our sourcing practices" the company did not say what it thought of mcdonald's not using its new potato

french fries are one of the most commonly eaten foods in the world they are very popular with fast food restaurants the expression 'french fried potatoes' was first used in english in an 1856 book called 'cookery for maids of all work' in the early 20th century the term 'french fried' was being used to mean 'deep-fried' food historians say french fries actually come from belgium and not france both countries say they were the first country to cook french fries belgians say the word 'french fries' is used instead of 'belgian fries' because france has a worldwide image for good food some people think the term 'french' was used when us soldiers arrived in europe during world war i

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheU.S.governmenthassaidanew,geneticallymodifiedpotatoisOKto
eat,butMcDonald'ssaiditwillnotuseitinitsFrenchfriesandhashbrowns
.ThepotatocompanysaiditchangedtheDNAofnormalpotatoestomake
thevegetablesbetter.Itsaidthenewpotatohaslesssugarandfewerthin
gsinsideitthatcangivepeoplecancer.Italsosaidthepotatoesarestrong
er.Itwasconfidentthatpeoplewouldbuythenewpotatoinsupermarket
s.McDonald'smadeastatementaboutthenewpotato.Itsaid:"McDonal
d'sUSAdoesnotsourceGMOpotatoes,nordowehavecurrentplanstoch
angeoursourcingpractices."Thecompanydidnotsaywhatitthoughtof
McDonald'snotusingitsnewpotato.Frenchfriesareoneofthemostcom
monlyeatenfoodsintheworld.Theyareverypopularwithfastfoodresta
urants.Theexpression'FrenchFriedPotatoes'wasfirstusedinEnglishin
an1856bookcalled'CookeryforMaidsofAllWork'.Intheearly20thcentu
ry,theterm'Frenchfried'wasbeingusedtomean'deep-fried'.Foo
dhistorianssayFrenchfriesactuallycomefromBelgiumandnotFrance.
BothcountriessaytheywerethefirstcountrytocookFrenchfries.Belgia
nssaytheword'Frenchfries'isusedinsteadof'Belgianfries'becauseFra
ncehasaworldwideimageforgoodfood.Somepeoplethinktheterm'Fre
nch'wasusedwhenU.S.soldiersarrivedinEuropeduringWorldWarI.

FREE WRITING

Write about French fries for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

GM food is better than non-GM food. 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 French fries. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. FRENCH FRIES: Make a poster about French fries. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. GM FOOD: Write a magazine article about genetically modified food. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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 French fries. Ask him/her three questions about French fries. Give him/her three of your ideas 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

T

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	OK	a.	fine
2.	changed	b.	altered
3.	confident	c.	positive
4.	source	d.	get
5.	practices	e.	methods
6.	popular	f.	well-liked
7.	expression	g.	term
8.	instead of	h.	rather than
9.	worldwide	i.	global
10.	soldiers	j.	troops

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Eat it
2.	The DNA
3.	Sugar
4.	Supermarkets
5.	It didn't say
6.	Fast food restaurants
7.	1856
8.	Belgium
9.	Two
10.	U.S. soldiers

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

b

4.

d

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

b

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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McDonald's says no GM French fries (17th November, 2014)

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