Breaking News English Lesson: Weighing Passengers

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Airline starts to weigh luggage AND passengers (4th March 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Weighing Passengers - Level 6

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights from the capital city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done on a voluntary basis and are completely anonymous. A company spokesperson said the new initiative is to ensure safety standards on flights are adhered to. He said any airplane should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and cargo, onboard catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the exact weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to rely on average estimates provided by aviation authorities.

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing scales at the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially concerned about a customer backlash because weight is such a personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both business and leisure travellers, so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have taken it really positively so far." An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "peace of mind" that their weight would not be linked to their personal data.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Weighing Passengers - Level 4 or Weighing Passengers - Level 5

Sources

https://news.sky.com/story/finnair-airline-starts-weighing-passengers-with-luggage-to-ensure-a-safe-take-off-13066646
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/feb/07/finnair-to-ask-passengers-to-step-on-scales-with-luggage-before-departure
https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/02/08/excess-baggage-finnair-shares-gain-as-investors-weigh-new-passenger-policy

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. 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?
Finland / passengers / flights / capital city / anonymous / initiative / aircraft / cargo /
volunteer / weighing scales / backlash / business / leisure / balance / peace of mind
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. KGs: Students A strongly believe airplane passengers should pay for flights based on their weight; Students B strongly believe this is totally ridiculous. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. AIRPORTS: What is good and bad things about these airport-related things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good Things	Bad Things
Check-in
Location
Transport
Shopping
Restaurants
Chairs

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

Flying
Food
In-flight entertainment
Seat comfort
Flight crew
Legroom
Other passengers
Reading material

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	carrier	a.	When an aircraft moves through the air from one place to another.
2.	flight	b.	Recommended or ordered to be done by a person in authority.
3.	anonymous	c.	An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation.
4.	initiative	d.	When a person's name is not known or not given.
5.	prescribed	e.	The national airline of a country.
6.	cargo	f.	Flying in aircraft or the science and practice of flight.
7.	aviation	g.	Goods or items carried by a vehicle, ship, or aircraft.

Paragraph 2

8.	scales	h.	A phrase used to reassure someone that something will happen as promised or expected.
9.	initially	i.	Devices used to measure weight or balance.
10.	backlash	j.	Mathematical processes or methods used to find out a result.
11.	accurate	k.	A feeling of calmness and confidence, knowing that things are okay or will be okay.
12.	calculation	l.	A strong negative reaction against something.
13.	rest assured	m.	Correct or exact.
14.	peace of mind	n.	At first; at the beginning of a particular period or process.

Before reading / listening

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

All passengers flying with Finnair must now be weighed. T / F
Weight is important in ensuring safe take-offs and landings. T / F
The weight of an aircraft includes water tanks. T / F
Airlines know exactly how much their passengers weigh. T / F
Finnair said it had no concerns about a possible customer backlash. T / F
More than 1,000 passengers were weighed in a week. T / F
Finnair was not interested in weighing business class passengers. T / F
The weight of passengers is kept entirely confidential. T / F

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

carrier
anonymous
initiative
made up of
exact
initially
backlash
sample
official
data

comprised
retaliation
precise
unnamed
representative
airline
cross section
details
scheme
at first

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

Finland's national
being done on a voluntary
ensure safety standards on flights
the prescribed maximum weight
rely on average estimates provided
departure
initially concerned about a
Our customers have taken it really
travellers could rest
have peace

customer backlash
are adhered to
by aviation authorities
assured
of mind
carrier Finnair
gates
for safe take-offs
positively so far
basis

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

initiative
exact
basis
rely
fuel
prescribed
flights
catering

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its (1) _____________________ from the capital city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done on a voluntary (2) _____________________ and are completely anonymous. A company spokesperson said the new (3) _____________________ is to ensure safety standards on flights are adhered to. He said any airplane should not exceed the (4) _____________________ maximum weight for safe take-offs and landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the (5) _____________________, checked baggage and cargo, onboard (6) _____________________, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the (7) _____________________ weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to (8) _____________________ on average estimates provided by aviation authorities.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

initially
sample
linked
positively
issue
mind
scales
accurate

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing (9) _____________________ at the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were (10) _____________________ concerned about a customer backlash because weight is such a personal (11) _____________________. However, in the first week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good (12) _____________________ of volunteers, both business and leisure travellers, so that we can get the most (13) _____________________ information possible for important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have taken it really (14) _____________________ so far." An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "peace of (15) _____________________" that their weight would not be (16) _____________________ to their personal data.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights from ______
     a. the cap it all city
     b. the capital city
     c. the capacity
     d. the cap total city
2) The weigh-ins are being done on a voluntary basis and ______
     a. are completed anonymous
     b. are complete be anonymous
     c. are complete anonymous
     d. are completely anonymous
3) the new initiative is to ensure safety standards on flights ______
     a. are adhered to
     b. are adhered for
     c. are adhered at
     d. are adhered on
4) exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-______
     a. offs and laud dings
     b. offs and land dings
     c. offs and land ins
     d. offs and landings
5) they have to rely on average estimates provided ______
     a. by avian authorities
     b. by navigation authorities
     c. by aviation authorities
     d. by aviate on authorities

6) volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing scales at ______
     a. the departure rates
     b. the departure lates
     c. the departure grates
     d. the departure gates
7) Finnair officials were initially concerned about ______
     a. a custom mar backlash
     b. a customer backlash
     c. a custom aback lash
     d. a customer back rash
8) get the most accurate information possible for ______
     a. important balance calculation
     b. important balance calculators
     c. important balance computations
     d. important balance calculations
9) It added: "Our customers have taken it really ______."
     a. positively so fare
     b. positively so fair
     c. positively so fear
     d. positively so far
10) An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "______"
     a. peace of mind
     b. piece of mind
     c. peas of mind
     d. appease of mind

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights (1) ____________________ city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done (2) ____________________ basis and are completely anonymous. A company spokesperson said the (3) ____________________ to ensure safety standards on flights are adhered to. He said any airplane should not exceed the prescribed (4) ____________________ safe take-offs and landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and cargo, onboard catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the (5) ____________________ passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to rely on average estimates (6) ____________________ authorities.

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on (7) ____________________ the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially concerned about (8) ____________________ because weight is such a personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good (9) ____________________, both business and leisure travellers, so that we can get (10) ____________________ information possible for important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have taken it really (11) ____________________." An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "(12) ____________________" that their weight would not be linked to their personal data.

Comprehension questions

Where is Finnair weighing passengers?
Who will know about the weight if individual passengers?
What are the weigh-ins designed to ensure?
What kind of tanks does an airplane's weight include?
Who usually gives airlines estimates on the weight of passengers?
Where in the airport are the weighing scales?
What was Finnair worried might happen?
How many passengers agreed to be weighed in the first week?
What does the airline want to calculate?
What did an official say travellers could have regarding their data?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where is Finnair weighing passengers?
a) in a private room
b) in a hospital
c) Helsinki Airport
d) at the check-in desk
2) Who will know about the weight if individual passengers?
a) no one
b) doctors
c) everyone
d) the check-in staff
3) What are the weigh-ins designed to ensure?
a) health
b) safety standards
c) faster flights
d) more comfortable seats
4) What kind of tanks does an airplane's weight include?
a) heating tanks
b) armoured tanks
c) ink tanks
d) water tanks
5) Who usually gives airlines estimates on the weight of passengers?
a) doctors
b) passenger groups
c) aviation authorities
d) flight booking websites

6) Where in the airport are the weighing scales?
a) in the corner
b) the departure gates
c) at check-in
d) passport control
7) What was Finnair worried might happen?
a) flight cancellations
b) lower profits
c) customers would eat more
d) a customer backlash
8) How many passengers agreed to be weighed in the first week?
a) exactly 1,000
b) more than 1,000
c) fewer than 1,000
d) around 1,000
9) What does the airline want to calculate?
a) flight distances
b) balance
c) aerodynamics
d) future profits
10) What did an official say travellers could have regarding their data?
a) peace of mind
b) a printout
c) regular updates
d) health checks

Role play

Role A – Food
You think the food is the best thing about airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): seat comfort, in-flight entertainment or other passengers.

Role B – Seat Comfort
You think seat comfort is the best thing about airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food, in-flight entertainment or other passengers.

Role C – In-flight Entertainment
You think the in-flight entertainment is the best thing about airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): seat comfort, food or other passengers.

Role D – Other Passengers
You think other passengers are the best thing about airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): seat comfort, in-flight entertainment or food.

After reading / listening

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

'passenger'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'weight'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

national

basis

ensure

safe

cargo

rely

gates

concerned

1,000

possible

far

linked

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 - Weighing Passengers

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 'passengers'?
What do you think of your national carrier?
What do you think of being weighed before you fly?
Should passengers pay for their ticket according to their weight?
Do you ever worry that airplanes are too heavy?
What do you think of flying?
How safe is flying?
Should there be more limits on the weight of baggage?
What do you think of taking off and landing?

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 'weight'?
What do you think about what you read?
Would you volunteer to be weighed?
Are you worried about your weight?
What might Finnair change after it finishes its tests?
How much do you worry about the security of your personal data?
What advice do you have for Finnair?
What do you think of airports?
What questions would you like to ask Finnair?

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)

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started (1) ____ passengers on its flights from the capital city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done (2) ____ a voluntary basis and are completely anonymous. A company spokesperson said the new (3) ____ is to ensure safety standards on flights are adhered (4) ____. He said any airplane should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and cargo, (5) ____ catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the exact weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to (6) ____ on average estimates provided by aviation authorities.

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing (7) ____ at the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially concerned about a customer (8) ____ because weight is such a personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both business and (9) ____ travellers, so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have (10) ____ it really positively so far." An official said travellers could "(11) ____ assured" and have "peace of mind" that their weight would not be linked to their personal (12) ____.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) weight (b) weighs (c) weighing (d) weighed 2.
(a) on (b) at (c) of (d) to 3.
(a) initiative (b) intuition (c) initiation (d) invitation 4.
(a) to (b) at (c) on (d) as 5.
(a) full board (b) onboard (c) outboard (d) boarding 6.
(a) rally (b) relay (c) really (d) rely 7.
(a) gauges (b) pressures (c) scales (d) balances 8.
(a) whiplash (b) lash (c) slash (d) backlash 9.
(a) leisure (b) leisurely (c) leisured (d) lesion 10.
(a) given (b) taken (c) passed (d) weighed 11.
(a) pause (b) rest (c) breathe (d) nap 12.
(a) datum (b) dated (c) data (d) dative

Spelling

Paragraph 1

Finland's national iacerrr Finnair
completely mnsaynuoo
the new ntvetiiiia
exceed the bdircrpees maximum weight
carry-on begagag
iiavatno authorities

Paragraph 2

at the aeprreudt gates
officials were inltaiiyl concerned
a customer bhcklsaa
get the most aucretac information
important balance claoitnsaulc
rest aesrdus

Put the text back together

(...)   Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing scales at the departure
(...)   gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially concerned about a customer backlash because weight
(...)   catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the exact weight of passengers and their carry-
(...)   city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done on a voluntary basis and are completely
( 1 ) Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights from the capital
(...)   "rest assured" and have "peace of mind" that their weight would not be linked to their personal data.
(...)   is such a personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed to
(...)   adhered to. He said any airplane should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and
(...)   calculations." It added: "Our customers have taken it really positively so far." An official said travellers could
(...)   anonymous. A company spokesperson said the new initiative is to ensure safety standards on flights are
(...)   on baggage, so they have to rely on average estimates provided by aviation authorities.
(...)   be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both business and
(...)   landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and cargo, onboard
(...)   leisure travellers, so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important balance

Put the words in the right order

from capital . flights its passengers the on Weighing
to new The ensure standards . is safety initiative
made aircraft . is weight This the of up
know the of passengers . exact never Airlines weight
by on Rely provided aviation average estimates authorities .
concerned initially a were customer backlash . Officials about
most the information We accurate possible . get can
have far . really taken it so Customers positively
could An travellers said official rest assured .
linked wouldn't their to be Weight data . personal

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights from the capital city on / of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done / doing on a voluntary bases / basis and are completely anonymous. A company spokesperson said the new initiative is to insure / ensure safety standards on flights are adhered at / to. He said any airplane should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and touchdowns / landings. This weight is made in / up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and cargo, onboard / outboard catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the exact / exactly weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to relay / rely on average estimates provided by aviation authorities.

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping up / on weighing scales at the departure gates / doors at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially concerned / cornered about a customer backlash because weight is such a personality / personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed / agreement to be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both business and leisurely / leisure travellers, so that we can get the most accuracy / accurate information possible for important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have given / taken it really positively so far." An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "piece / peace of mind" that their weight would not be linked to their personal datum / data.

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)

F_nl_nd's n_t__n_l c_rr__r F_nn__r h_s st_rt_d w__gh_ng p_ss_ng_rs _n _ts fl_ghts fr_m th_ c_p_t_l c_ty _f H_ls_nk_. Th_ w__gh-_ns _r_ b__ng d_n_ _n _ v_l_nt_ry b_s_s _nd _r_ c_mpl_t_ly _n_nym__s. _ c_mp_ny sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d th_ n_w _n_t__t_v_ _s t_ _ns_r_ s_f_ty st_nd_rds _n fl_ghts _r_ _dh_r_d t_. H_ s__d _ny __rpl_n_ sh__ld n_t _xc__d th_ pr_scr_b_d m_x_m_m w__ght f_r s_f_ t_k_-_ffs _nd l_nd_ngs. Th_s w__ght _s m_d_ _p _f th_ __rcr_ft _ts_lf, th_ f__l, ch_ck_d b_gg_g_ _nd c_rg_, _nb__rd c_t_r_ng, w_t_r t_nks, _nd p_ss_ng_rs. F_nn__r s__d __rl_n_s n_v_r kn_w th_ _x_ct w__ght _f p_ss_ng_rs _nd th__r c_rry-_n b_gg_g_, s_ th_y h_v_ t_ r_ly _n _v_r_g_ _st_m_t_s pr_v_d_d by _v__t__n __th_r_t__s.

P_ss_ng_rs wh_ v_l_nt__r t_ b_ w__gh_d _r_ st_pp_ng _n w__gh_ng sc_l_s _t th_ d_p_rt_r_ g_t_s _t H_ls_nk_ __rp_rt. F_nn__r _ff_c__ls w_r_ _n_t__lly c_nc_rn_d _b__t _ c_st_m_r b_ckl_sh b_c__s_ w__ght _s s_ch _ p_rs_n_l _ss__. H_w_v_r, _n th_ f_rst w__k _f th_ t_sts, _v_r 1,000 p_ss_ng_rs h_d _gr__d t_ b_ w__gh_d. Th_ c_mp_ny s__d: "W_ h_p_ t_ h_v_ _ g__d s_mpl_ _f v_l_nt__rs, b_th b_s_n_ss _nd l__s_r_ tr_v_ll_rs, s_ th_t w_ c_n g_t th_ m_st _cc_r_t_ _nf_rm_t__n p_ss_bl_ f_r _mp_rt_nt b_l_nc_ c_lc_l_t__ns." _t _dd_d: "__r c_st_m_rs h_v_ t_k_n _t r__lly p_s_t_v_ly s_ f_r." _n _ff_c__l s__d tr_v_ll_rs c__ld "r_st _ss_r_d" _nd h_v_ "p__c_ _f m_nd" th_t th__r w__ght w__ld n_t b_ l_nk_d t_ th__r p_rs_n_l d_t_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

finlands national carrier finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights from the capital city of helsinki the weighins are being done on a voluntary basis and are completely anonymous a company spokesperson said the new initiative is to ensure safety standards on flights are adhered to he said any airplane should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe takeoffs and landings this weight is made up of the aircraft itself the fuel checked baggage and cargo onboard catering water tanks and passengers finnair said airlines never know the exact weight of passengers and their carryon baggage so they have to rely on average estimates provided by aviation authorities

passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing scales at the departure gates at helsinki airport finnair officials were initially concerned about a customer backlash because weight is such a personal issue however in the first week of the tests over 1000 passengers had agreed to be weighed the company said we hope to have a good sample of volunteers both business and leisure travellers so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important balance calculations it added our customers have taken it really positively so far an official said travellers could rest assured and have peace of mind that their weight would not be linked to their personal data

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Finland'snationalcarrierFinnairhasstartedweighingpassengersonitsf
lightsfromthecapitalcityofHelsinki.Theweigh-insarebeingdoneonav
oluntarybasisandarecompletelyanonymous.Acompanyspokesperso
nsaidthenewinitiativeistoensuresafetystandardsonflightsareadhere
dto.Hesaidanyairplaneshouldnotexceedtheprescribedmaximumwei
ghtforsafetake-offsandlandings.Thisweightismadeupoftheaircrafti
tself,thefuel,checkedbaggageandcargo,onboardcatering,watertank
s,andpassengers.Finnairsaidairlinesneverknowtheexactweightofpa
ssengersandtheircarry-onbaggage,sotheyhavetorelyonaverageest
imatesprovidedbyaviationauthorities.Passengerswhovolunteertobe
weighedaresteppingonweighingscalesatthedeparturegatesatHelsin
kiAirport.Finnairofficialswereinitiallyconcernedaboutacustomerbac
klashbecauseweightissuchapersonalissue.However,inthefirstweeko
fthetests,over1,000passengershadagreedtobeweighed.Thecompan
ysaid:"Wehopetohaveagoodsampleofvolunteers,bothbusinessandl
eisuretravellers,sothatwecangetthemostaccurateinformationpossib
leforimportantbalancecalculations."Itadded:"Ourcustomershaveta
kenitreallypositivelysofar."Anofficialsaidtravellerscould"restassure
d"andhave"peaceofmind"thattheirweightwouldnotbelinkedtotheirp
ersonaldata.

Free writing

Write about weighing airline passengers for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

It is wrong to weigh people before they board an airplane. 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. AIRLINES: Make a poster about airlines. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. PAY PER KILO: Write a magazine article about airlines charging for flights according to their weight. 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 airlines. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make flying better. 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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