The Reading / Listening - United Airlines - Level 3

An American airline is in trouble for the way it treated one of its passengers. A passenger on a United Airlines flight was dragged out of his seat and pulled out of the aircraft along the floor of the airplane. The passenger, David Dao, was a 69-year-old doctor. Dr Dao became unconscious after security guards pulled him out of his seat. His face was covered in blood. He lost two front teeth and the security guards also broke his nose. The doctor paid for his seat but United Airlines ordered him to get off the plane because they wanted his seat for a flight attendant to sit down. The doctor explained he had to work the next day because he had many patients to see at his hospital. United staff didn't listen to him.

Dr Dao is going to sue United Airlines for damages. Dao was born in Vietnam and escaped from the Vietnam War in 1975. His lawyer said being dragged off the United Airlines flight was a "more horrifying" experience than living through that war. Dr Dao's daughter said: "What happened to my dad should have never happened to any human being….We were horrified and shocked and sickened to…see what happened to him." A video of Dr Dao being dragged off the flight went viral on social media. Over 150,000 people have signed an online petition asking the United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz to resign. He said he would not resign. He also initially did not apologize and said Dr Dao was at fault for his injuries.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    United Airlines - Level 0,  United Airlines - Level 1   or  United Airlines - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39586391
  • http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-united-dragged-passenger-dao-0414-biz-20170413-story.html
  • http://www.newsweek.com/david-dao-united-passenger-press-conference-lawsuit-583791


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. AIRLINES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about airlines. 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?

       in trouble / passengers / aircraft / unconscious / blood / flight attendant / patients /
       sue / lawyer / horrifying / human being / shocked / social media / online / petition

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

3. PASSENGERS: Students A strongly believe airlines care about passengers; Students B strongly believe they don't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. FLYING: What are the good and bad things about flying? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good things

Bad things

Food

 

 

Seats

 

 

In-flight entertainment

 

 

Flight attendants

 

 

Airplanes

 

 

Other passengers

 

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

6. FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about being a flight attendant at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • hotel stays
  • free flights
  • working hours
  • good image
  • money
  • nice uniform
  • get to meet people
  • world travel

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. An American airline gave a treat to one of its passengers.     T / F
  2. The passenger dragged along the floor was a male doctor, aged 69.     T / F
  3. The passenger lost two of his bottom teeth.     T / F
  4. The passenger said the United Airlines staff listened carefully to him.     T / F
  5. The passenger was born in Vietnam and escaped from the war there.     T / F
  6. The passenger said the Vietnam War was worse than the United flight.    T / F
  7. Over 150,000 people signed a petition asking the United boss to resign.  T / F
  8. The United CEO first said the passenger was at fault for his injuries.     T / F

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

  1. in trouble
  2. dragged
  3. unconscious
  4. get off
  5. ordered
  6. escaped
  7. horrifying
  8. went viral
  9. at fault
  10. injuries
  1. spread quickly
  2. knocked out
  3. instructed
  4. to blame
  5. frightening
  6. having difficulties
  7. leave
  8. wounds
  9. pulled
  10. fled

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

  1. An American airline is in
  2. the way it treated one
  3. His face was covered
  4. flight
  5. he had many patients
  6. Dr Dao is going to sue United Airlines
  7. human
  8. went viral
  9. Over 150,000 people have signed
  10. Dr Dao was at
  1. for damages
  2. attendant
  3. on social media
  4. of its passengers
  5. fault
  6. trouble
  7. an online petition
  8. in blood
  9. to see at his hospital
  10. being

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
covered
seat
way
patients
unconscious
attendant
floor
nose

An American airline is in trouble for the (1) ____________ it treated one of its passengers. A passenger on a United Airlines flight was dragged out of his (2) ____________ and pulled out of the aircraft along the (3) ____________ of the airplane. The passenger, David Dao, was a 69-year-old doctor. Dr Dao became (4) ____________ after security guards pulled him out of his seat. His face was (5) ____________ in blood. He lost two front teeth and the security guards also broke his (6) ____________. The doctor paid for his seat but United Airlines ordered him to get off the plane because they wanted his seat for a flight (7) ____________ to sit down. The doctor explained he had to work the next day because he had many (8) ____________ to see at his hospital. United staff didn't listen to him.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
human
fault
online
sue
injuries
horrifying
viral
initially

Dr Dao is going to (9) ____________ United Airlines for damages. Dao was born in Vietnam and escaped from the Vietnam War in 1975. His lawyer said being dragged off the United Airlines flight was a "more (10) ____________" experience than living through that war. Dr Dao's daughter said: "What happened to my dad should have never happened to any (11) ____________ being….We were horrified and shocked and sickened to…see what happened to him." A video of Dr Dao being dragged off the flight went (12) ____________ on social media. Over 150,000 people have signed an (13) ____________ petition asking the United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz to resign. He said he would not resign. He also (14) ____________ did not apologize and said Dr Dao was at (15) ____________ for his (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  An American airline is in trouble for the way it treated ______ passengers
     a.  once for its
     b.  on of its
     c.  one for its
     d.  one of its

2)  dragged out of his seat and pulled out of the aircraft along ______ airplane
     a.  the floors of the
     b.  the floored of the
     c.  the floor of the
     d.  the flooring of the

3)  Dao became unconscious after security guards pulled ______ seat
     a.  his out of him
     b.  him out of his
     c.  his out of his
     d.  him out of him

4)  He lost two front teeth and the security guards ______ nose
     a.  also broken his
     b.  also breaking his
     c.  also break his
     d.  also broke his

5)  he had to work the next day because he had many ______
     a.  patients to see
     b.  patience to see
     c.  patient to see
     d.  patiently to see

6)  Dr Dao is going to sue United Airlines ______
     a.  from damages
     b.  for damages
     c.  for damage
     d.  from damaged

7)  a "more horrifying" experience than living ______
     a.  thorough that war
     b.  through that war
     c.  though that war
     d.  trough that war

8)  What happened to my dad should have never happened to ______
     a.  any humans being
     b.  any humans beings
     c.  any human being
     d.  any humane been

9)  A video of Dr Dao being dragged off the flight went ______ media
     a.  viral on social
     b.  rival on social
     c.  virile on social
     d.  vile on social

10)  He also initially did not apologize and said Dr Dao was at fault ______
     a.  for his injurious
     b.  for his injured
     c.  for his injury
     d.  for his injuries

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

An American airline (1) ___________________ the way it treated one of its passengers. A passenger on a United Airlines flight was dragged out of his seat and (2) ___________________ the aircraft along the floor of the airplane. The passenger, David Dao, was a 69-year-old doctor. Dr Dao became (3) ___________________ security guards pulled him out of his seat. His face was covered in blood. He lost two front teeth and the security guards also (4) ___________________. The doctor paid for his seat but United Airlines ordered him to get off the plane because they wanted his seat for (5) ___________________ to sit down. The doctor explained he had to work the next day because he had many patients to see at his hospital. United staff (6) ___________________ him.

Dr Dao (7) ___________________ United Airlines for damages. Dao was born in Vietnam and escaped from the Vietnam War in 1975. His lawyer said being dragged off the United Airlines flight (8) ___________________ horrifying" experience than living through that war. Dr Dao's daughter said: "What happened to my dad (9) ___________________ happened to any human being….We were horrified and shocked and sickened to…see what happened to him." A video of Dr Dao being (10) ___________________ flight went viral on social media. Over 150,000 people have signed an online (11) ___________________ United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz to resign. He said he would not resign. He also initially did not apologize and said Dr Dao was (12) ___________________ injuries.

Comprehension questions

  1. What was the passenger pulled along?
  2. How old was the passenger?
  3. What did the passenger lose?
  4. Who did the airline say it needed the passenger's seat for?
  5. Who did the passenger have to see the next day?
  6. In what year did the passenger escape from Vietnam?
  7. Who said the passenger's family was shocked and sickened?
  8. How many people signed an online petition?
  9. What position within United Airlines does Oscar Munoz hold?
  10. Who did Mr Munoz initially say was at fault for the passenger's injuries?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What was the passenger pulled along?
a) the departure lounge
b) the floor
c) the runway
d) baggage claim

2) How old was the passenger?
a) 39
b) 49
c) 59
d) 69

3) What did the passenger lose?
a) two teeth
b) his passport
c) his luggage
d) his temper

4) Who did the airline say it needed the passenger's seat for?
a) a sick passenger
b) a baby
c) a flight attendant
d) an emergency

5) Who did the passenger have to see the next day?
a) his family
b) his patients
c) his lawyers
d) his doctor

6) In what year did the passenger escape from Vietnam?
a) 1975
b) 1974
c) 1976
d) 1973

7) Who said the passenger's family was shocked and sickened?
a) the pilot
b) a reporter
c) his daughter
d) a lawyer

8) How many people signed an online petition?
a) over 150,000
b) exactly 150,000
c) just under 150,000
d) around 150,000

9) What position within United Airlines does Oscar Munoz hold?
a) CEO
b) chief of security
c) pilot
d) chief flight attendant

10) Who did Mr Munoz initially say was at fault for the passenger's injuries?
a) a flight attendant
b) the security guards
c) United Airlines
d) the passenger

Role play

Role  A – Money

You think money is the best thing about being a flight attendant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): world travel, meeting people or good image.

Role  B – World Travel

You think world travel is the best thing about being a flight attendant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): money, meeting people or good image.

Role  C – Meeting People

You think meeting people is the best thing about being a flight attendant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why): world travel, money or good image.

Role  D – Good Image

You think having a good image is the best thing about being a flight attendant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least attractive of these (and why):  world travel, meeting people or money.

After reading / listening

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

'united'

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

    • and 'airline'.

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

    • • 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:

    • damages
    • 1975
    • daughter
    • social
    • online
    • fault
    • trouble
    • floor
    • became
    • nose
    • attendant
    • hospital

    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 - Man dragged off plane will sue United Airlines

    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 'airplane'?
    3. What do you think of United Airlines after reading this story?
    4. What is your favourite airline and why?
    5. What do you like about flying?
    6. How bad is what United did to the doctor?
    7. How can United treat a 69-year-old person the way it did?
    8. What should United Airlines do for the man to apologize?
    9. Why did a flight attendant need a seat that a passenger paid for?
    10. What advice do you have for United Airlines?

    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 'airline'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How can airlines give a better service to passengers?
    5. What do you think United will say in court?
    6. How shocking is this news?
    7. Should United's CEO resign?
    8. How can the CEO say it was the man's fault he was injured?
    9. Would you fly with United Airlines?
    10. What questions would you like to ask United's CEO?

    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)

    An American airline is (1) ____ trouble for the way it treated one of its passengers. A passenger on a United Airlines flight was dragged out of his seat and pulled out of the aircraft (2) ____ the floor of the airplane. The passenger, David Dao, was a 69-year-old doctor. Dr Dao became (3) ____ after security guards pulled him out of his seat. His face was covered in blood. He lost two front teeth and the security guards also (4) ____ his nose. The doctor paid for his seat but United Airlines (5) ____ him to get off the plane because they wanted his seat for a flight attendant to sit down. The doctor explained he had to work the next day because he had many (6) ____ to see at his hospital. United staff didn't listen to him.

    Dr Dao is going to sue United Airlines for (7) ____. Dao was born in Vietnam and escaped from the Vietnam War in 1975. His lawyer said being dragged off the United Airlines flight was a "more horrifying" experience than (8) ____ through that war. Dr Dao's daughter said: "What happened to my dad should have never happened to any human (9) ____ ….We were horrified and shocked and sickened to…see what happened to him." A video of Dr Dao being dragged off the flight went (10) ____ on social media. Over 150,000 people have signed an online (11) ____ asking the United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz to resign. He said he would not resign. He also initially did not apologize and said Dr Dao was (12) ____ fault for his injuries.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    2. (a)     longing     (b)     longer     (c)     along     (d)     longs    
    3. (a)     unconsciously     (b)     conscious     (c)     consciously     (d)     unconscious    
    4. (a)     breaking     (b)     broke     (c)     broken     (d)     breaks    
    5. (a)     order     (b)     ordering     (c)     orders     (d)     ordered    
    6. (a)     patience     (b)     patents     (c)     patients     (d)     patently    
    7. (a)     damaging     (b)     damages     (c)     damaged     (d)     damage    
    8. (a)     living     (b)     lived     (c)     livelihood     (d)     lives    
    9. (a)     being     (b)     been     (c)     bean     (d)     begin    
    10. (a)     vile     (b)     wireless     (c)     viral     (d)     rival    
    11. (a)     repetition     (b)     partition     (c)     competition     (d)     petition    
    12. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     as

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. An American airline is in rbtuoel
    2. A seneparsg on a United Airlines flight
    3. isreutcy guards
    4. His face was covered in ldboo
    5. flight ntanatdte
    6. he had many stetnipa to see at his hospital

    Paragraph 2

    1. sue United Airlines for egsdmaa
    2. cpedsea from the Vietnam War
    3. auhnm being
    4. signed an online ionttiep
    5. He said he would not gsrine
    6. Dao was at uflat for his injuries

    Put the text back together

    (    )     sickened to…see what happened to him." A video of Dr Dao being dragged off the flight went viral on social

    (    )     floor of the airplane. The passenger, David Dao, was a 69-year-old doctor. Dr Dao became unconscious after security

    (    )     patients to see at his hospital. United staff didn't listen to him.

    (  1  )     An American airline is in trouble for the way it treated one of its passengers. A passenger on

    (    )     horrifying" experience than living through that war. Dr Dao's daughter said: "What happened

    (    )     media. Over 150,000 people have signed an online petition asking the United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz to resign. He said

    (    )     from the Vietnam War in 1975. His lawyer said being dragged off the United Airlines flight was a "more

    (    )     his nose. The doctor paid for his seat but United Airlines ordered him to get off the plane because they wanted his

    (    )     to my dad should have never happened to any human being….We were horrified and shocked and

    (    )     he would not resign. He also initially did not apologize and said Dr Dao was at fault for his injuries.

    (    )     a United Airlines flight was dragged out of his seat and pulled out of the aircraft along the

    (    )     guards pulled him out of his seat. His face was covered in blood. He lost two front teeth and the security guards also broke

    (    )     seat for a flight attendant to sit down. The doctor explained he had to work the next day because he had many

    (    )     Dr Dao is going to sue United Airlines for damages. Dao was born in Vietnam and escaped

    Put the words in the right order

    1. treated   one   of   its   passengers   In   trouble   for   the   way   it   .
    2. guards   broke   nose   security   also   his   The   .
    3. attendant   to   sit   down   They   wanted   his   seat   for   a   flight   .
    4. work   day   explained   to   next   doctor   had   the   The   he   .
    5. had   at   many   his   patients   hospital   to   He   see   .
    6. United   damages   is   sue   for   Dao   to   Airlines   Dr   going   .
    7. war   than   A   living   more   through   horrifying   that   experience   .
    8. should   happened   have   to   never   my   happened   dad   What   .
    9. off   dragged   being   Dao   Dr   of  video   A   viral   went   flight  the  .
    10. 000   signed   petition   have   online   150,   people   an   Over   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    An American airline is in / on trouble for the way it treated one of its passengers. A passenger on a United Airlines flight was drugged / dragged out of his seat and pulled out of the aircraft along the floor / floored of the airplane. The passenger, David Dao, was a 69-year-old doctor. Dr Dao became unconsciously / unconscious after security guards pulled / pull him out of his seat. His face was covered in / on blood. He lost two front teeth and the security guards also broken / broke his nose. The doctor paid for his seat but United Airlines ordered / ordering him to get off the plane because they wanted his seat for a flight attendant / attendance to sit down. The doctor explained he had to work the next day because he had many patients to see at his hospital. United staff didn't listening / listen to him.

    Dr Dao is going to sue / due United Airlines for damaging / damages. Dao was born in Vietnam and escaped from the Vietnam War in 1975. His lawyer said being dragged on / off the United Airlines flight was a "more horrifying" experienced / experience than living through that war. Dr Dao's daughter said: "What happened / happening to my dad should have never happened to any human being….We were horrified and shocked and sickening / sickened to…see what happened to him." A video of Dr Dao being dragged off the flight went viral / rival on social media. Over 150,000 people have signed on / an online petition asking the United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz to resign. He said he would not resign / resignation. He also initially did not apologize and said Dr Dao was at / that fault for his injuries.

    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)

    _n _m_r_c_n __rl_n_ _s _n tr__bl_ f_r th_ w_y _t tr__t_d _n_ _f _ts p_ss_ng_rs. _ p_ss_ng_r _n _ _n_t_d __rl_n_s fl_ght w_s dr_gg_d __t _f h_s s__t _nd p_ll_d __t _f th_ __rcr_ft _l_ng th_ fl__r _f th_ __rpl_n_. Th_ p_ss_ng_r, D_v_d D__, w_s _ 69-y__r-_ld d_ct_r. Dr D__ b_c_m_ _nc_nsc___s _ft_r s_c_r_ty g__rds p_ll_d h_m __t _f h_s s__t. H_s f_c_ w_s c_v_r_d _n bl__d. H_ l_st tw_ fr_nt t__th _nd th_ s_c_r_ty g__rds _ls_ br_k_ h_s n_s_. Th_ d_ct_r p__d f_r h_s s__t b_t _n_t_d __rl_n_s _rd_r_d h_m t_ g_t _ff th_ pl_n_ b_c__s_ th_y w_nt_d h_s s__t f_r _ fl_ght _tt_nd_nt t_ s_t d_wn. Th_ d_ct_r _xpl__n_d h_ h_d t_ w_rk th_ n_xt d_y b_c__s_ h_ h_d m_ny p_t__nts t_ s__ _t h_s h_sp_t_l. _n_t_d st_ff d_dn't l_st_n t_ h_m.

    Dr D__ _s g__ng t_ s__ _n_t_d __rl_n_s f_r d_m_g_s. D__ w_s b_rn _n V__tn_m _nd _sc_p_d fr_m th_ V__tn_m W_r _n 1975. H_s l_wy_r s__d b__ng dr_gg_d _ff th_ _n_t_d __rl_n_s fl_ght w_s _ "m_r_ h_rr_fy_ng" _xp_r__nc_ th_n l_v_ng thr__gh th_t w_r. Dr D__'s d__ght_r s__d: "Wh_t h_pp_n_d t_ my d_d sh__ld h_v_ n_v_r h_pp_n_d t_ _ny h_m_n b__ng….W_ w_r_ h_rr_f__d _nd sh_ck_d _nd s_ck_n_d t_…s__ wh_t h_pp_n_d t_ h_m." _ v_d__ _f Dr D__ b__ng dr_gg_d _ff th_ fl_ght w_nt v_r_l _n s_c__l m_d__. _v_r 150,000 p__pl_ h_v_ s_gn_d _n _nl_n_ p_t_t__n _sk_ng th_ _n_t_d __rl_n_s C__ _sc_r M_n_z t_ r_s_gn. H_ s__d h_ w__ld n_t r_s_gn. H_ _ls_ _n_t__lly d_d n_t _p_l_g_z_ _nd s__d Dr D__ w_s _t f__lt f_r h_s _nj_r__s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    an american airline is in trouble for the way it treated one of its passengers a passenger on a united airlines flight was dragged out of his seat and pulled out of the aircraft along the floor of the airplane the passenger david dao was a 69-year-old doctor dr dao became unconscious after security guards pulled him out of his seat his face was covered in blood he lost two front teeth and the security guards also broke his nose the doctor paid for his seat but united airlines ordered him to get off the plane because they wanted his seat for a flight attendant to sit down the doctor explained he had to work the next day because he had many patients to see at his hospital united staff didn't listen to him

    dr dao is going to sue united airlines for damages dao was born in vietnam and escaped from the vietnam war in 1975 his lawyer said being dragged off the united airlines flight was a "more horrifying" experience than living through that war dr dao's daughter said "what happened to my dad should have never happened to any human being…we were horrified and shocked and sickened to…see what happened to him" a video of dr dao being dragged off the flight went viral on social media over 150000 people have signed an online petition asking the united airlines ceo oscar munoz to resign he said he would not resign he also initially did not apologize and said dr dao was at fault for his injuries

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnAmericanairlineisintroubleforthewayittreatedoneofitspassengers
    .ApassengeronaUnitedAirlinesflightwasdraggedoutofhisseatandpull
    edoutoftheaircraftalongtheflooroftheairplane.Thepassenger,David
    Dao,wasa69-year-olddoctor.DrDaobecameunconsciousaftersecurit
    yguardspulledhimoutofhisseat.Hisfacewascoveredinblood.Helosttw
    ofrontteethandthesecurityguardsalsobrokehisnose.Thedoctorpaidf
    orhisseatbutUnitedAirlinesorderedhimtogetofftheplanebecausethe
    ywantedhisseatforaflightattendanttositdown.Thedoctorexplainedh
    ehadtoworkthenextdaybecausehehadmanypatientstoseeathishospi
    tal.Unitedstaffdidn'tlistentohim.DrDaoisgoingtosueUnitedAirlinesfo
    rdamages.DaowasborninVietnamandescapedfromtheVietnamWari
    n1975.HislawyersaidbeingdraggedofftheUnitedAirlinesflightwasa"
    morehorrifying"experiencethanlivingthroughthatwar.DrDao'sdaug
    htersaid:"Whathappenedtomydadshouldhaveneverhappenedtoany
    humanbeing….Wewerehorrifiedandshockedandsickenedto…seewha
    thappenedtohim."AvideoofDrDaobeingdraggedofftheflightwentvira
    lonsocialmedia.Over150,000peoplehavesignedanonlinepetitionaski
    ngtheUnitedAirlinesCEOOscarMunoztoresign.Hesaidhewouldnotres
    ign.HealsoinitiallydidnotapologizeandsaidDrDaowasatfaultforhisinj
    uries.

    Free writing

    Write about United Airlines for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Airlines care more about money than people. Their service should be better. 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 airlines. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. AIRLINES: Make a poster about the national airline of your country. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. UNITED AIRLINES: Write a magazine article about Dr David Dao suing United Airlines. 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 airlines. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how airlines can give a better service. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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