The Reading / Listening - Google Maps - Level 6

Google Maps already boasts a wealth of useful features for users. Besides showing people where they are, it plans routes, provides real-time spoken directions, street views, traffic and footfall information, restaurant reviews and a whole lot more. Google has just unveiled its latest tool. Users can now click on its Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading out for a bike ride, picnic, camping trip or hike. Google's products blog stated: "When you're visiting a new place or planning outdoor activities, it can be helpful to know the air quality conditions – like whether it's unusually smoggy." It added that its new AQI is, "a measure of how healthy (or unhealthy) the air is, along with guidance for outdoor activities."

The new feature is a "layer" on Google Maps. To view it, users tap on the "Layers" icon in the top right corner of the screen. This is the same button for selecting the satellite or street view modes. Users will see the new option to see air quality information on their map. Google said: "We collaborate closely with partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and authoritative information when you need it most.…We hope these tools help you feel safe and informed so you can enjoy the summer." The AQI will also provide updated information on the health impact of the air quality. In addition, there is a "wildfires near me" feature to alert, update and advise people on the status of fires.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Google Maps - Level 4  or  Google Maps - Level 5

Sources
  • https://blog.google/products/search/get-some-fresh-air-outdoors-with-google/
  • https://9to5google.com/2022/06/08/google-maps-air-quality/
  • https://www.popsci.com/technology/google-maps-air-quality/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. MAPS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about maps. 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?
       Google Maps / wealth / features / routes / directions / traffic / camping / smoggy /
       layer / satellite / air quality / collaborate / partners / weather / tools / wildfires
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. ONLINE MAPS: Students A strongly believe online maps are better than paper maps; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. GOOGLE MAPS: What do you know about these Google Maps features? How useful are they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

Usefulness

Satellite view

 

 

Street view

 

 

Directions

 

 

Location

 

 

Restaurant reviews

 

 

Traffic information

 

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

  • Search
  • Maps
  • Mail
  • Android
  • Chrome
  • Cloud
  • YouTube
  • Play

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. boast a. Advice or information to help people or make them aware of something.
      2. wealth b. Of a person, place, or thing that has many good features.
      3. traffic c. Showed to the public for the first time.
      4. footfall d. A lot of something useful.
      5. unveiled e. The number of people entering a shop or area at a given time.
      6. smoggy f. Vehicles moving on the roads.
      7. guidance g. Smokey and foggy.

    Paragraph 2

      8. tap h. Write or enter something using a keyboard or keypad.
      9. collaborate i. The situation at a particular time during a process or brush.
      10. authoritative j. Work jointly on an activity or project.
      11. informed k. A large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over forests.
      12. impact l. Able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable.
      13. wildfire m. Having or showing knowledge of a subject or situation.
      14. status n. The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says Google Maps makes people wealthy.     T / F
  2. Google Maps contains restaurant reviews.     T / F
  3. The new Air Quality Index (AQI) will tell us if it is smoggy outside.     T / F
  4. The AQI will give us information on outdoor activities.     T / F
  5. The AQI has its own icon on smartphones.     T / F
  6. Google developed the AQI without any help from third parties.     T / F
  7. Google hopes the AQI will help people to enjoy summer.     T / F
  8. The AQI app also has information about bushfires.     T / F

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

  1. boasts
  2. reviews
  3. helpful
  4. hike
  5. guidance
  6. tap
  7. selecting
  8. collaborate
  9. authoritative
  10. advise
  1. work together
  2. beneficial
  3. advice
  4. picking
  5. inform
  6. possesses
  7. reliable
  8. critiques
  9. touch
  10. trek

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

  1. Google Maps already boasts a wealth
  2. restaurant reviews and a whole
  3. Google has just unveiled
  4. whether it's unusually
  5. guidance for
  6. users tap
  7. the satellite or street view
  8. We collaborate
  9. helpful and authoritative
  10. advise people on the
  1. on the "Layers" icon
  2. closely with partners
  3. outdoor activities
  4. status of fires
  5. its latest tool
  6. of useful features
  7. information
  8. modes
  9. lot more
  10. smoggy

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
footfall
heading
wealth
guidance
whole
smoggy
spoken
stated

Google Maps already boasts a (1) _____________________ of useful features for users. Besides showing people where they are, it plans routes, provides real-time (2) _____________________ directions, street views, traffic and (3) _____________________ information, restaurant reviews and a (4) _____________________ lot more. Google has just unveiled its latest tool. Users can now click on its Air Quality Index (AQI) before (5) _____________________ out for a bike ride, picnic, camping trip or hike. Google's products blog (6) _____________________: "When you're visiting a new place or planning outdoor activities, it can be helpful to know the air quality conditions - like whether it's unusually (7) _____________________." It added that its new AQI is, "a measure of how healthy (or unhealthy) the air is, along with (8) _____________________ for outdoor activities."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
top
status
collaborate
informed
tap
impact
modes
authoritative

The new feature is a "layer" on Google Maps. To view it, users (9) _____________________ on the "Layers" icon in the (10) _____________________ right corner of the screen. This is the same button for selecting the satellite or street view (11) _____________________. Users will see the new option to see air quality information on their map. Google said: "We (12) _____________________ closely with partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and (13) _____________________ information when you need it most....We hope these tools help you feel safe and (14) _____________________ so you can enjoy the summer." The AQI will also provide updated information on the health (15) _____________________ of the air quality. In addition, there is a "wildfires near me" feature to alert, update and advise people on the (16) _____________________ of fires.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Google Maps already boasts a wealth of useful ______
     a.  features four abusers
     b.  features for uses
     c.  features four users
     d.  features for users
2)  Besides showing people where they are, ______
     a.  it plants routes
     b.  it plans routes
     c.  it planes routes
     d.  it pans routes
3)  street views, traffic and footfall information, restaurant reviews and a ______
     a.  hole lot more
     b.  whole lot more
     c.  whole lots more
     d.  whole allot more
4)  it can be helpful to know the air quality conditions - like whether ______
     a.  it's unusual smoggy
     b.  it's usually smoggy
     c.  it's usually snogging
     d.  it's unusually smoggy
5)  its new AQI is a measure of how healthy (or unhealthy) the air is, ______
     a.  a long with guide dance
     b.  along with guidance
     c.  along with guy dance
     d.  along with guide ants

6)  To view it, users tap on the "Layers" icon in the ______
     a.  top right corner
     b.  top light corner
     c.  top rite corner
     d.  top alight corner
7)  This is the same button for selecting the satellite or ______
     a.  street view nodes
     b.  street view moats
     c.  street view mods
     d.  street view modes
8)  We hope these tools help you feel ______
     a.  safe and in formed
     b.  safe and uniformed
     c.  safe and informed
     d.  safe and inform
9)  The AQI will also provide updated information on the health ______ air quality
     a.  compact of the
     b.  impact of the
     c.  in pact of the
     d.  imp pact of the
10)  a "wildfires near me" feature to alert, update and advise people ______
     a.  on the statues
     b.  on the status
     c.  on the states
     d.  on the state as

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Google Maps already (1) ____________________ of useful features for users. Besides showing people where they are, it plans routes, provides real-time spoken directions, street views, (2) ____________________ information, restaurant reviews and a whole lot more. Google has (3) ____________________ latest tool. Users can now click on its Air Quality Index (AQI) before (4) ____________________ a bike ride, picnic, camping trip or hike. Google's products blog stated: "When you're visiting a new place or planning outdoor activities, it can be helpful to know the air quality conditions - like whether (5) ____________________." It added that its new AQI is, "a measure of how healthy (or unhealthy) the air is, (6) ____________________ for outdoor activities."

The new feature is a "layer" on Google Maps. (7) ____________________, users tap on the "Layers" icon in the top right corner of the screen. This is the same button for (8) ____________________ or street view modes. Users will see the new option to see air quality information on their map. Google said: "We (9) ____________________ partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and authoritative information when you need it most....We hope these tools help you feel (10) ____________________ so you can enjoy the summer." The AQI will (11) ____________________ information on the health impact of the air quality. In addition, there is a "wildfires near me" (12) ____________________, update and advise people on the status of fires.

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the article say Google Maps boasts a wealth of?
  2. What kinds of reviews does Google Maps provide?
  3. What does the article say Google has unveiled?
  4. What unusual thing might the Air Quality Index tell us about?
  5. What guidance will the Air Quality Index tell us about?
  6. What do we tap to access the Air Quality Index?
  7. Where on the screen is the icon to access the Air Quality Index?
  8. Who does Google work closely with?
  9. How does Google hope people will feel after using the Air Quality Index?
  10. What additional feature does the Air Quality Index have?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What does the article say Google Maps boasts a wealth of?
a) products
b) useful features
c) maps
d) quality
2) What kinds of reviews does Google Maps provide?
a) map reviews
b) satellite reviews
c) street reviews
d) restaurant reviews
3) What does the article say Google has unveiled?
a) a new HQ
b) a statue
c) its latest tools
d) a new OS
4) What unusual thing might the Air Quality Index tell us about?
a) smog
b) fog
c) smoke
d) sleet

5) What guidance will the Air Quality Index tell us about?
a) health
b) outdoor activities
c) how to drive
d) map reading

6) What do we tap to access the Air Quality Index?
a) the Layers icon
b) shake our phone
c) swipe left
d) swipe right
7) Where on the screen is the icon to access the Air Quality Index?
a) the middle
b) the bottom left corner
c) the top right corner
d) second from the left
8) Who does Google work closely with?
a) its partners
b) Apple
c) the meteorological office
d) doctors
9) How does Google hope people will feel after using the Air Quality Index?
a) happy and healthy
b) safe and sound
c) knowledgeable
d) safe and informed
10) What additional feature does the Air Quality Index have?
a) a pollen counter
b) a UV detector
c) a wildfire alert
d) a humidity counter

Role play

Role  A – Maps
You think Google Maps is Google's best product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Gmail, Search or YouTube.

Role  B – Gmail
You think Gmail is Google's best product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Google Maps, Search or YouTube.

Role  C – Search
You think Search is Google's best product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Gmail, Google Maps or YouTube.

Role  D – YouTube
You think YouTube is Google's best product. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their products aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Gmail, Search or Google Maps.

After reading / listening

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

'Google'

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

    • and 'map'.

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

    • • 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:

    • boasts
    • spoken
    • whole
    • trip
    • unusually
    • measure
    • view
    • button
    • closely
    • hope
    • provide
    • status

    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 - Google Maps

    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 'Google'?
    3. What do you think of Google Maps?
    4. Are you good at reading maps?
    5. What features of Google Maps do you like?
    6. Are you good with directions?
    7. How important is knowing about air quality at your location?
    8. How do you plan a route?
    9. How much do you worry about air quality?
    10. What outdoor activities do you like?

    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 'map'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of maps?
    5. Do you prefer online maps or paper maps?
    6. How does Google Maps work?
    7. What other Google products do you like?
    8. How often do you look at your town on Google Maps?
    9. How useful is a wildfires feature?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Google?

    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)

    Google Maps already (1) ____ a wealth of useful features for users. Besides showing people where they are, it plans routes, provides (2) ____-time spoken directions, street views, traffic and footfall information, restaurant reviews and a whole (3) ____ more. Google has just unveiled its latest tool. Users can now click on its Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading (4) ____ for a bike ride, picnic, camping trip or hike. Google's products blog stated: "When you're visiting a new place or planning outdoor activities, it can be helpful to know (5) ____ air quality conditions - like whether it's unusually smoggy." It added that its new AQI is, "a measure of how healthy (or unhealthy) the air is, (6) ____ with guidance for outdoor activities."

    The new feature is a "layer" on Google Maps. To view it, users (7) ____ on the "Layers" icon in the top right corner of the screen. This is the same button for (8) ____ the satellite or street view modes. Users will see the new option to see air quality information on their map. Google said: "We collaborate (9) ____ with partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and authoritative information when you need (10) ____ most....We hope these tools help you feel safe and informed so you can enjoy the summer." The AQI will also provide updated information (11) ____ the health impact of the air quality. In addition, there is a "wildfires near me" feature to alert, update and advise people on the (12) ____ of fires.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     boasts     (b)     bastes     (c)     boosts     (d)     boots    
    (a)     really     (b)     reality     (c)     real     (d)     surreal    
    (a)     lots     (b)     allot     (c)     lot     (d)     loads    
    (a)     down     (b)     up     (c)     in     (d)     out    
    (a)     the     (b)     such     (c)     what     (d)     one    
    (a)     gone     (b)     along     (c)     going     (d)     longing    
    (a)     tape     (b)     tip     (c)     top     (d)     tap    
    (a)     plumping     (b)     selecting     (c)     settling     (d)     opting    
    (a)     adjacently     (b)     nearly     (c)     closely     (d)     densely    
    (a)     much     (b)     it     (c)     these     (d)     them    
    (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     in     (d)     on    
    (a)     stash     (b)     status     (c)     statutes     (d)     statues

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. otsabs a wealth of useful features
    2. traffic and lfalofto information
    3. just nedvelui its latest tool
    4. know the air quality ntncidsooi
    5. whether it's unusually ggsoym
    6. along with eucginda for outdoor activities

    Paragraph 2

    1. itlstleae or street view modes
    2. We crooabatlle closely with partners
    3. ietaotvairuht information
    4. help you feel safe and niomrefd
    5. a "sildfeirw near me" feature
    6. advise people on the usttsa

    Put the text back together

    (...)  enjoy the summer." The AQI will also provide updated information on the health
    (...)  The new feature is a "layer" on Google Maps. To view it, users tap on the "Layers" icon in the top
    (...)  impact of the air quality. In addition, there is a "wildfires near me" feature to alert, update and advise people on the status of fires.
    (...)  right corner of the screen. This is the same button for selecting the satellite or street view
    (...)  conditions - like whether it's unusually smoggy." It added that its new AQI is, "a measure of how
    (...)  information when you need it most....We hope these tools help you feel safe and informed so you can
    (  1  ) Google Maps already boasts a wealth of useful features for users. Besides showing people where they are, it plans
    (...)  visiting a new place or planning outdoor activities, it can be helpful to know the air quality
    (...)  reviews and a whole lot more. Google has just unveiled its latest tool. Users can now click on its Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading
    (...)  out for a bike ride, picnic, camping trip or hike. Google's products blog stated: "When you're
    (...)  closely with partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and authoritative
    (...)  modes. Users will see the new option to see air quality information on their map. Google said: "We collaborate
    (...)  routes, provides real-time spoken directions, street views, traffic and footfall information, restaurant
    (...)  healthy (or unhealthy) the air is, along with guidance for outdoor activities."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Maps wealth of useful boasts already features. a
    2. just unveiled its has Google useful latest tool.
    3. its air index. quality on can click Users
    4. the helpful conditions. to It can be know
    5. healthy air how is. A of the measure
    6. on icon. view users the tap it, To
    7. option new see The quality to air information.
    8. weather. collaborate We the closely partners with on
    9. it. and authoritative you Helpful information need when
    10. help hope you these We tools feel safe.

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Google Maps already boasts / boosts a wealth of useful features for users. Besides showing people where they are, it plants / plans routes, provides real-time spoken directions, street / streets views, traffic and footfall information, restaurant reviews and a hole / whole lot more. Google has just unveiled / veiled its latest tool. Users can now click on its Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading out / in for a bike ride, picnic, camping trip or hike. Google's products blog started / stated: "When you're visiting a new place or planning outdoor activities, it can be helping / helpful to know the air quality conditions - like whether it's unusually smoggy / moggy." It added that its new AQI is, "a measure of how healthy (or unhealthy) the air is, along / longing with guidance for outdoor activities."

    The new feature is a "layer" on Google Maps. To view / vision it, users tap on the "Layers" icon in / up the top right corner of a / the screen. This is the same button for selecting the satellite or street view modes / nodes. Users will see the new option / caption to see air quality information on their map. Google said: "We collaborate / elaborate closely with partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and authoritative information when you need it must / most....We hope these tools help you feel safe and informed so / that you can enjoy the summer." The AQI will also provide updated information on the health impact of the air quality. In / On addition, there is a "wildfires near me" feature to alert, update and advice / advise people on the status of fires.

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

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    G__gl_  M_ps  _lr__dy  b__sts  _  w__lth  _f  _s_f_l  f__t_r_s  f_r  _s_rs.  B_s_d_s  sh_w_ng  p__pl_  wh_r_  th_y  _r_,  _t  pl_ns  r__t_s,  pr_v_d_s  r__l-t_m_  sp_k_n  d_r_ct__ns,  str__t  v__ws,  tr_ff_c  _nd  f__tf_ll  _nf_rm_t__n,  r_st__r_nt  r_v__ws  _nd  _  wh_l_  l_t  m_r_.  G__gl_  h_s  j_st  _nv__l_d  _ts  l_t_st  t__l.  _s_rs  c_n  n_w  cl_ck  _n  _ts  __r  Q__l_ty  _nd_x  (_Q_)  b_f_r_  h__d_ng  __t  f_r  _  b_k_  r_d_,  p_cn_c,  c_mp_ng  tr_p  _r  h_k_.  G__gl_'s  pr_d_cts  bl_g  st_t_d:  "Wh_n  y__'r_  v_s_t_ng  _  n_w  pl_c_  _r  pl_nn_ng  __td__r  _ct_v_t__s,  _t  c_n  b_  h_lpf_l  t_  kn_w  th_  __r  q__l_ty  c_nd_t__ns  -  l_k_  wh_th_r  _t's  _n_s__lly  sm_ggy."  _t  _dd_d  th_t  _ts  n_w  _Q_  _s,  "_  m__s_r_  _f  h_w  h__lthy  (_r  _nh__lthy)  th_  __r  _s,  _l_ng  w_th  g__d_nc_  f_r  __td__r  _ct_v_t__s."

    Th_  n_w  f__t_r_  _s  _  "l_y_r"  _n  G__gl_  M_ps.  T_  v__w  _t,  _s_rs  t_p  _n  th_  "L_y_rs"  _c_n  _n  th_  t_p  r_ght  c_rn_r  _f  th_  scr__n.  Th_s  _s  th_  s_m_  b_tt_n  f_r  s_l_ct_ng  th_  s_t_ll_t_  _r  str__t  v__w  m_d_s.  _s_rs  w_ll  s__  th_  n_w  _pt__n  t_  s__  __r  q__l_ty  _nf_rm_t__n  _n  th__r  m_p.  G__gl_  s__d:  "W_  c_ll_b_r_t_  cl_s_ly  w_th  p_rtn_rs  _n  th_  w__th_r  _nd  __r  q__l_ty  sp_c_  t_  s_rf_c_  h_lpf_l  _nd  __th_r_t_t_v_  _nf_rm_t__n  wh_n  y__  n__d  _t  m_st....W_  h_p_  th_s_  t__ls  h_lp  y__  f__l  s_f_  _nd  _nf_rm_d  s_  y__  c_n  _nj_y  th_  s_mm_r."  Th_  _Q_  w_ll  _ls_  pr_v_d_  _pd_t_d  _nf_rm_t__n  _n  th_  h__lth  _mp_ct  _f  th_  __r  q__l_ty.  _n  _dd_t__n,  th_r_  _s  _  "w_ldf_r_s  n__r  m_"  f__t_r_  t_  _l_rt,  _pd_t_  _nd  _dv_s_  p__pl_  _n  th_  st_t_s  _f  f_r_s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    google maps already boasts a wealth of useful features for users besides showing people where they are it plans routes provides realtime spoken directions street views traffic and footfall information restaurant reviews and a whole lot more google has just unveiled its latest tool users can now click on its air quality index aqi before heading out for a bike ride picnic camping trip or hike googles products blog stated when youre visiting a new place or planning outdoor activities it can be helpful to know the air quality conditions like whether its unusually smoggy it added that its new aqi is a measure of how healthy or unhealthy the air is along with guidance for outdoor activities

    the new feature is a layer on google maps to view it users tap on the layers icon in the top right corner of the screen this is the same button for selecting the satellite or street view modes users will see the new option to see air quality information on their map google said we collaborate closely with partners in the weather and air quality space to surface helpful and authoritative information when you need it mostwe hope these tools help you feel safe and informed so you can enjoy the summer the aqi will also provide updated information on the health impact of the air quality in addition there is a wildfires near me feature to alert update and advise people on the status of fires

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    GoogleMapsalreadyboastsawealthofusefulfeaturesforusers.Beside
    sshowingpeoplewheretheyare,itplansroutes,providesreal-timespo
    kendirections,streetviews,trafficandfootfallinformation,restaurantr
    eviewsandawholelotmore.Googlehasjustunveileditslatesttool.Users
    cannowclickonitsAirQualityIndex(AQI)beforeheadingoutforabikerid
    e,picnic,campingtriporhike.Google'sproductsblogstated:"Whenyou'
    revisitinganewplaceorplanningoutdooractivities,itcanbehelpfultokn
    owtheairqualityconditions-likewhetherit'sunusuallysmoggy."Itadde
    dthatitsnewAQIis,"ameasureofhowhealthy(orunhealthy)theairis,al
    ongwithguidanceforoutdooractivities."Thenewfeatureisa"layer"onG
    oogleMaps.Toviewit,userstaponthe"Layers"iconinthetoprightcorner
    ofthescreen.Thisisthesamebuttonforselectingthesatelliteorstreetvi
    ewmodes.Userswillseethenewoptiontoseeairqualityinformationont
    heirmap.Googlesaid:"Wecollaboratecloselywithpartnersintheweath
    erandairqualityspacetosurfacehelpfulandauthoritativeinformationw
    henyouneeditmost....Wehopethesetoolshelpyoufeelsafeandinform
    edsoyoucanenjoythesummer."TheAQIwillalsoprovideupdatedinfor
    mationonthehealthimpactoftheairquality.Inaddition,thereisa"wildfi
    resnearme"featuretoalert,updateandadvisepeopleonthestatusoffir
    es.

    Free writing

    Write about Google Maps for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    It is essential we know about air quality wherever we go. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. GOOGLE MAPS: Make a poster about Google Maps. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. AIR QUALITY: Write a magazine article about fining people for damaging air quality. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Google Maps. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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