Breaking News English Lesson: Batteries

Home | Help This Site

Incorrect battery disposal causes needless fires (5th December, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Batteries - Level 6

Our lifestyles are increasingly dependent on batteries. These ubiquitous sources of energy power everything from our cars and smartphones, to watches, remote controls and many other devices. However, these essential sources of power can be hazardous. A report from the Environmental Services Association (ESA) in the U.K. discovered that the incorrect disposal of batteries causes around 700 fires in Britain each year. This costs fire services $195 million. The financial loss is considerably higher for those whose property has burnt down. A leading fire expert said: "These fires can be challenging for fire services to deal with.…Everyone can do their bit…by ensuring they dispose of batteries correctly."

The biggest culprits for fires starting are lithium-ion batteries. These can explode and start fires if they are crushed or they get wet. An ESA spokesperson told the BBC that, "more and more people are putting devices containing these batteries in with household waste". He said: "That causes a real problem because they have a tendency – when damaged – to explode or ignite.…They're likely to be crushed, compacted, smashed or they might get wet.". He added: "That can cause them to short-circuit. And of course, they're then in the presence of other flammable material like plastic, paper and card and that can lead to quite big fires." The ESA encouraged people to be mindful of the potential hazards of batteries.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Batteries - Level 4 or Batteries - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-63809620
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-11489909/Batteries-left-discarded-electricals-start-700-fires-year-report-warns.html
https://www.ecowatch.com/lithium-ion-batteries-fires.html

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. BATTERIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about batteries. 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?
lifestyles / energy / power / smartphones / batteries / fire / property / expert / bit /
culprits / get wet / devices / ignite / smashed / flammable / paper / plastic / hazards
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. REFUND FEE: Students A strongly believe people should get a refund for recycling batteries; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. LIFE: How dependent are you on these things? What could we use instead of them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How Dependent	Alternatives
Batteries
Smartphones
TV
Cars
A knife and fork
Jeans

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. POWER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "power". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BATTERY OPERATED: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important battery-operated things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Smartphones
Remote controls
Watches
Cars
Clocks
Toys
Cordless tools
Notebook computers

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	dependent	a.	Requiring someone or something for financial or other support.
2.	ubiquitous	b.	By a notably large amount or to a notably large extent; greatly.
3.	device	c.	Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
4.	hazardous	d.	The action or process of getting rid of something.
5.	disposal	e.	A thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment.
6.	considerably	f.	Risky; dangerous.
7.	property	g.	A building or buildings and the land belonging to it or them.

Paragraph 2

8.	culprit	h.	Catch fire or cause to catch fire.
9.	explode	i.	A trend towards a particular characteristic or type of behaviour.
10.	waste	j.	The cause of a problem or defect.
11.	tendency	k.	An electrical flow in device that accidentally touches something inside the device and closes it down or causes a fire.
12.	ignite	l.	Burst or shatter violently and noisily as a result of rapid combustion, excessive internal pressure, or other process.
13.	short-circuit	m.	Easily set on fire.
14.	flammable	n.	Unwanted or unusable material, substances, or by-products.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says batteries depend on our lives. T / F
The article says batteries power remote controls and cars. T / F
Batteries are the cause of over 7,000 fires each year in the U.K. T / F
The article says not everyone can dispose of batteries correctly. T / F
Lithium-ion batteries can explode and start fires. T / F
Increasing numbers of people throw batteries in the garbage at home. T / F
Batteries can short-circuit and start fires. T / F
An environmental agency said we should understand battery hazards. T / F

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

dependent
ubiquitous
hazardous
disposal
expert
culprits
explode
crushed
flammable
potential

offenders
getting rid of
squashed
ever-present
blow up
reliant
possible
combustible
dangerous
specialist

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

Our lifestyles are increasingly dependent
These ubiquitous
the incorrect disposal
for those whose property
Everyone can do their
household
explode
That can cause them to short-
flammable
The ESA encouraged people to

bit
be mindful
circuit
sources of energy
or ignite
material
on batteries
waste
has burnt
of batteries

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

power
sources
down
dependent
bit
loss
disposal
for

Our lifestyles are increasingly (1) _____________________ on batteries. These ubiquitous sources of energy (2) _____________________ everything from our cars and smartphones, to watches, remote controls and many other devices. However, these essential (3) _____________________ of power can be hazardous. A report from the Environmental Services Association (ESA) in the U.K. discovered that the incorrect (4) _____________________ of batteries causes around 700 fires in Britain each year. This costs fire services $195 million. The financial (5) _____________________ is considerably higher for those whose property has burnt (6) _____________________. A leading fire expert said: "These fires can be challenging (7) _____________________ fire services to deal with....Everyone can do their (8) _____________________...by ensuring they dispose of batteries correctly."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

wet
crushed
lead
tendency
potential
culprits
waste
flammable

The biggest (9) _____________________ for fires starting are lithium-ion batteries. These can explode and start fires if they are (10) _____________________ or they get wet. An ESA spokesperson told the BBC that, "more and more people are putting devices containing these batteries in with household (11) _____________________". He said: "That causes a real problem because they have a (12) _____________________ - when damaged - to explode or ignite....They're likely to be crushed, compacted, smashed or they might get (13) _____________________. He added: "That can cause them to short-circuit. And of course, they're then in the presence of other (14) _____________________ material like plastic, paper and card and that can (15) _____________________ to quite big fires." The ESA encouraged people to be mindful of the (16) _____________________ hazards of batteries.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Our lifestyles are increasingly ______
     a. depend dent on batteries
     b. deep end dent on batteries
     c. deepen dent on batteries
     d. dependent on batteries
2) the incorrect disposal of batteries causes around 700 fires in ______
     a. Britain each year
     b. Britain all year
     c. Britain whole year
     d. Britain for year
3) considerably higher for those whose property ______
     a. has burnt drown
     b. has burnt up
     c. has burnt down
     d. has burnt in
4) These fires can be challenging for fire services ______
     a. towed eel with
     b. toad eel with
     c. to deal with
     d. towed deal with
5) Everyone can do their bit...by ensuring they ______ correctly
     a. displays of batteries
     b. this pose of batteries
     c. this posse of batteries
     d. dispose of batteries

6) The biggest culprits for fires starting are ______
     a. lithium-iron batteries
     b. lithium-in batteries
     c. lithium-ion batteries
     d. lithium-on batteries
7) These can explode and start fires if they are crushed or ______
     a. they get what
     b. they get wet
     c. they get whet
     d. they get welt
8) people are putting devices containing these batteries in ______
     a. with household waste
     b. with household waist
     c. with household vast
     d. with household wattle
9) That causes a real problem because they ______
     a. have a tend dents sea
     b. have attendant see
     c. have a tend antsy
     d. have a tendency
10) And of course, they're then in the presence of ______
     a. other flappable material
     b. other farmable material
     c. other flan marble material
     d. other flammable material

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Our lifestyles are increasingly (1) ____________________. These ubiquitous sources of energy power everything from our cars and smartphones, to watches, remote controls and (2) ____________________. However, these essential sources of power can be hazardous. A report from the Environmental Services Association (ESA) in the U.K. discovered that the (3) ____________________ batteries causes around 700 fires in Britain each year. This costs fire services $195 million. The (4) ____________________ considerably higher for those whose property (5) ____________________. A leading fire expert said: "These fires can be challenging for fire services to deal with....Everyone can do (6) ____________________ ensuring they dispose of batteries correctly."

The (7) ____________________ fires starting are lithium-ion batteries. These can explode and start fires if they are crushed or they get wet. An ESA spokesperson told the BBC that, "more and more people are putting devices containing these batteries in (8) ____________________". He said: "That causes a real problem because they (9) ____________________ - when damaged - to explode or ignite....They're likely to be crushed, compacted, smashed or they might get wet." He added: "That can cause (10) ____________________. And of course, they're then in the presence of other (11) ____________________ plastic, paper and card and that can lead to quite big fires." The ESA encouraged people to be mindful of the (12) ____________________ batteries.

Comprehension questions

What are our lives increasingly dependent on?
How many fires do batteries start each year in the UK?
How much do the fires cost fire services?
Who can fires be challenging for?
Who does an environmental agency say can do their bit?
What are the biggest fire-starting culprits?
Where are more and more people throwing away batteries?
What might crushed batteries do besides explode?
Why might batteries short-circuit?
What did the ESA encourage people to be mindful of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What are our lives increasingly dependent on?
a) money
b) batteries
c) remote control
d) smartphones
2) How many fires do batteries start each year in the UK?
a) exactly 700
b) just fewer than 700
c) over 700
d) around 700
3) How much do the fires cost fire services?
a) $195 million
b) $185 million
c) $175 million
d) $165 million
4) Who can fires be challenging for?
a) neighbours
b) hospital staff
c) fire services
d) insects
5) Who does an environmental agency say can do their bit?
a) drill makers
b) everyone
c) battery makers
d) fire fighters

6) What are the biggest fire-starting culprits?
a) broken glass
b) arsonists
c) lithium-ion batteries
d) children
7) Where are more and more people throwing away batteries?
a) out of car windows
b) in rivers
c) on roads
d) into the household waste
8) What might crushed batteries do besides explode?
a) ignite
b) leak
c) burn surfaces
d) poison people
9) Why might batteries short-circuit?
a) if they get wet
b) if they heat up
c) if the device is overused
d) if the wifi drops
10) What did the ESA encourage people to be mindful of?
a) their oneness
b) potential hazards of batteries
c) Earth
d) the environment

Role play

Role A – Watches
You think watches are the most important battery-operated things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): toys, remote controls or cordless tools.

Role B – Toys
You think toys are the most important battery-operated things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): watches, remote controls or cordless tools.

Role C – Remote Controls
You think remote controls are the most important battery-operated things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): toys, watches or cordless tools.

Role D – Cordless Tools
You think cordless tools are the most important battery-operated things. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): toys, remote controls or watches.

After reading / listening

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

'battery'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'fire'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

lifestyles

controls

report

700

burnt

bit

biggest

BBC

real

course

like

mindful

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 - Batteries

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'battery'?
What do you think of batteries?
What do you like and dislike about batteries?
What things that you use have batteries in them?
What are the dangers of batteries?
How do batteries work?
What do you think of rechargeable batteries?
How do you dispose of batteries?
Should we get a refund for recycling batteries?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'fire'?
What do you think about what you read?
Will you start disposing of batteries properly from now?
Have you ever put a battery in the household waste?
What environmental damage do batteries do?
What are the issues surrounding batteries for electric cars?
Do you ever get stressed about your smartphone battery?
How can we be more mindful of batteries?
What questions would you like to ask battery makers?

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)

Our lifestyles are increasingly dependent (1) ____ batteries. These ubiquitous sources of energy power everything from our cars and smartphones, (2) ____ watches, remote controls and many other devices. However, these essential (3) ____ of power can be hazardous. A report from the Environmental Services Association (ESA) in the U.K. discovered that the incorrect disposal of batteries causes around 700 fires in Britain (4) ____ year. This costs fire services $195 million. The financial loss is considerably higher for those whose property has burnt (5) ____. A leading fire expert said: "These fires can be challenging for fire services to deal with....Everyone can do their (6) ____...by ensuring they dispose of batteries correctly."

The biggest culprits for fires starting are lithium-ion batteries. These can (7) ____ and start fires if they are crushed or they get wet. An ESA spokesperson told the BBC that, "more and more people are putting devices (8) ____ these batteries in with household waste". He said: "That causes a real problem, because they have a (9) ____ - when damaged - to explode or ignite....they're likely to be crushed, compacted, smashed or they might get wet.". He added: "That can cause them to (10) ____ -circuit. And of course, they're then in the (11) ____ of other flammable material like plastic, paper and card and that can lead to quite big fires." The ESA encouraged people to be mindful (12) ____ the potential hazards of batteries.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) on (b) at (c) in (d) of
(a) add (b) via (c) to (d) as
(a) sauces (b) sorcery (c) scourges (d) sources
(a) all (b) each (c) whole (d) any
(a) in (b) up (c) all (d) down
(a) bite (b) biting (c) bit (d) byte
(a) implode (b) explode (c) exploit (d) impose
(a) containing (b) contents (c) container (d) contrary
(a) tendency (b) trending (c) urgency (d) emergency
(a) shirt (b) long (c) short (d) burn
(a) impertinence (b) presence (c) pretense (d) presence
(a) at (b) of (c) on (d) by

Spelling

Paragraph 1

Our lifestyles are increasingly etdenepdn on batteries
These ibiusuqtuo sources of energy
sources of power can be hdauosrza
The financial loss is sadocerbilyn higher
A leading fire teperx
ensuring they sdopies of batteries correctly

Paragraph 2

The biggest ctsirlup for fires
These can xledeop and start fires
they have a yctdnene
cause them to shrot-tiriucc
other efbmmalla material
The ESA udgeraocen people to be mindful

Put the text back together

(...) power everything from our cars and smartphones, to watches, remote controls and many other
(...) smashed or they might get wet." He added: "That can cause them to short-circuit. And of
(...) devices. However, these essential sources of power can be hazardous. A report from the Environmental Services Association
(...) (ESA) in the U.K. discovered that the incorrect disposal of batteries causes around 700 fires
(...) to quite big fires." The ESA encouraged people to be mindful of the potential hazards of batteries.
(...) challenging for fire services to deal with....Everyone can do their bit...by ensuring they dispose of batteries correctly."
( 1 ) Our lifestyles are increasingly dependent on batteries. These ubiquitous sources of energy
(...) The biggest culprits for fires starting are lithium-ion batteries. These can explode and start
(...) higher for those whose property has burnt down. A leading fire expert said: "These fires can be
(...) in Britain each year. This costs fire services $195 million. The financial loss is considerably
(...) fires if they are crushed or they get wet. An ESA spokesperson told the BBC that, "more and more people are putting devices
(...) tendency - when damaged - to explode or ignite....They're likely to be crushed, compacted,
(...) course, they're then in the presence of other flammable material like plastic, paper and card and that can lead
(...) containing these batteries in with household waste". He said: "That causes a real problem because they have a

Put the words in the right order

dependent batteries . lifestyles Our increasingly are on
everything . ubiquitous energy power sources of These
essential These can of sources be hazardous . power
those whose for burnt property has down . Higher
fires These can fire challenging for be services .
culprits lithium-ion for batteries . are biggest The fires
with Putting waste . batteries household devices in containing
cause the can That short-circuit . to batteries
other of They're presence in the material . flammable
to The encouraged be mindful . ESA people more

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Our lifestyles are increased / increasingly dependent on batteries. These ubiquitous sources / sauces of energy power everything from our cars and smartphones, to watches, remote control / controls and many other devices. However, these essence / essential sources of power can be / have hazardous. A report from the Environmental Services Association (ESA) in the U.K. discovered that the incorrect dispersal / disposal of batteries causes around 700 fires in Britain each / all year. This costs fire services $195 million. The financial loss is considerably heighten / higher for those whose property has burnt down / up. A leading fire expert said: "These fires can be challenging for fire services to deal with....Everyone can do their hit / bit...by ensuring they dispose of batteries correctly."

The biggest spirits / culprits for fires starting are lithium-ion batteries. These can explode and start fires if they are crushed / crashed or they get wet. An ESA spokesperson told the BBC that, "more and more people are putting devices contents / containing these batteries in with household wasting / waste". He said: "That causes a real problem because they have a trending / tendency - when damaged - to explode or ignite / ignoble....they're likely to be crushed, compacted, smashed or they might have / get wet. He added: "That can cause them to short-circuit. And of course, they're then in the presence / presents of other flammable material like plastic, paper and card and that can lead to quite / quote big fires." The ESA encouraged people to be handful / mindful of the potential hazards of batteries.

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)

__r l_f_styl_s _r_ _ncr__s_ngly d_p_nd_nt _n b_tt_r__s. Th_s_ _b_q__t__s s__rc_s _f _n_rgy p_w_r _v_ryth_ng fr_m __r c_rs _nd sm_rtph_n_s, t_ w_tch_s, r_m_t_ c_ntr_ls _nd m_ny _th_r d_v_c_s. H_w_v_r, th_s_ _ss_nt__l s__rc_s _f p_w_r c_n b_ h_z_rd__s. _ r_p_rt fr_m th_ _nv_r_nm_nt_l S_rv_c_s _ss_c__t__n (_S_) _n th_ _.K. d_sc_v_r_d th_t th_ _nc_rr_ct d_sp_s_l _f b_tt_r__s c__s_s _r__nd 700 f_r_s _n Br_t__n __ch y__r. Th_s c_sts f_r_ s_rv_c_s $195 m_ll__n. Th_ f_n_nc__l l_ss _s c_ns_d_r_bly h_gh_r f_r th_s_ wh_s_ pr_p_rty h_s b_rnt d_wn. _ l__d_ng f_r_ _xp_rt s__d: "Th_s_ f_r_s c_n b_ ch_ll_ng_ng f_r f_r_ s_rv_c_s t_ d__l w_th...._v_ry_n_ c_n d_ th__r b_t...by _ns_r_ng th_y d_sp_s_ _f b_tt_r__s c_rr_ctly."

Th_ b_gg_st c_lpr_ts f_r f_r_s st_rt_ng _r_ l_th__m-__n b_tt_r__s. Th_s_ c_n _xpl_d_ _nd st_rt f_r_s _f th_y _r_ cr_sh_d _r th_y g_t w_t. _n _S_ sp_k_sp_rs_n t_ld th_ BBC th_t, "m_r_ _nd m_r_ p__pl_ _r_ p_tt_ng d_v_c_s c_nt__n_ng th_s_ b_tt_r__s _n w_th h__s_h_ld w_st_". H_ s__d: "Th_t c__s_s _ r__l pr_bl_m, b_c__s_ th_y h_v_ _ t_nd_ncy - wh_n d_m_g_d - t_ _xpl_d_ _r _gn_t_....th_y'r_ l_k_ly t_ b_ cr_sh_d, c_mp_ct_d, sm_sh_d _r th_y m_ght g_t w_t. H_ _dd_d: "Th_t c_n c__s_ th_m t_ sh_rt-c_rc__t. _nd _f c__rs_, th_y'r_ th_n _n th_ pr_s_nc_ _f _th_r fl_mm_bl_ m_t_r__l l_k_ pl_st_c, p_p_r _nd c_rd _nd th_t c_n l__d t_ q__t_ b_g f_r_s." Th_ _S_ _nc__r_g_d p__pl_ t_ b_ m_ndf_l _f th_ p_t_nt__l h_z_rds _f b_tt_r__s.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

our lifestyles are increasingly dependent on batteries these ubiquitous sources of energy power everything from our cars and smartphones to watches remote controls and many other devices however these essential sources of power can be hazardous a report from the environmental services association esa in the uk discovered that the incorrect disposal of batteries causes around 700 fires in britain each year this costs fire services 195 million the financial loss is considerably higher for those whose property has burnt down a leading fire expert said these fires can be challenging for fire services to deal witheveryone can do their bitby ensuring they dispose of batteries correctly

the biggest culprits for fires starting are lithiumion batteries these can explode and start fires if they are crushed or they get wet an esa spokesperson told the bbc that more and more people are putting devices containing these batteries in with household waste he said that causes a real problem because they have a tendency when damaged to explode or ignitetheyre likely to be crushed compacted smashed or they might get wet he added that can cause them to shortcircuit and of course theyre then in the presence of other flammable material like plastic paper and card and that can lead to quite big fires the esa encouraged people to be mindful of the potential hazards of batteries

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Ourlifestylesareincreasinglydependentonbatteries.Theseubiquitous
sourcesofenergypowereverythingfromourcarsandsmartphones,tow
atches,remotecontrolsandmanyotherdevices.However,theseessent
ialsourcesofpowercanbehazardous.AreportfromtheEnvironmentalS
ervicesAssociation(ESA)intheU.K.discoveredthattheincorrectdispos
alofbatteriescausesaround700firesinBritaineachyear.Thiscostsfires
ervices$195million.Thefinanciallossisconsiderablyhigherforthosew
hosepropertyhasburntdown.Aleadingfireexpertsaid:"Thesefirescan
bechallengingforfireservicestodealwith....Everyonecandotheirbit...
byensuringtheydisposeofbatteriescorrectly."Thebiggestculpritsforfi
resstartingarelithium-ionbatteries.Thesecanexplodeandstartfire
siftheyarecrushedortheygetwet.AnESAspokespersontoldtheBBCtha
t,"moreandmorepeopleareputtingdevicescontainingthesebatteriesi
nwithhouseholdwaste".Hesaid:"Thatcausesarealproblembecauseth
eyhaveatendency-whendamaged-toexplodeorignite....They'relike
lytobecrushed,compacted,smashedortheymightgetwet.Headded:"
Thatcancausethemtoshort-circuit.Andofcourse,they'retheninthepr
esenceofotherflammablemateriallikeplastic,paperandcardandthatc
anleadtoquitebigfires."TheESAencouragedpeopletobemindfulofthe
potentialhazardsofbatteries.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Fire authorities should pay people to dispose of batteries correctly. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. BATTERIES: Make a poster about batteries. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. REFUND FEE: Write a magazine article about refunding people a small fee to recycle batteries. 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 batteries. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on disposing of batteries. 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.)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English Lesson: Batteries

Home | Help This Site

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS