The Reading / Listening - Electricity - Level 3

People in the UK could get discounted or even free electricity this summer. This is because energy companies may have too much energy. They do not want to waste it. In summer, people use less electricity because they turn on lights less. There is also more energy coming from solar panels. Power companies say that on sunny days, "weather conditions result in excess supply". This means electricity companies could allow houses and businesses to use electricity for free on sunny weekends. Energy suppliers say households could use appliances like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles at no cost during periods of excess supply.

The idea for discounted or free power came from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Its website says it is "responsible for planning and delivering the energy of today and the future". The operator also says it will "deliver what is needed to reach a zero-carbon future". A NESO spokeswoman explained the benefits of the new idea. She said it would "not only reward consumers and businesses for flexible electricity use," but also make Great Britain's electricity network stronger and more efficient. A spokesman from National Gas believes there could be free summer power even with the war in the Middle East. He said: "The market has the capacity to deliver sufficient supply."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Electricity - Level 0,  Electricity - Level 1   or  Electricity - Level 2

Sources
  • https://atmos.earth/climate-solutions/blowin-in-the-wind-how-nordic-countries-made-electricity-free/
  • https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/neso-scheme-electricity-energy-laundry-b2957267.html
  • https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/households-could-free-electricity-doing-103056281.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. ELECTRICITY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about electricity. 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?
       the UK / electricity / summer / energy companies / lights / weather / sunny weekends
       discounted / free power / planning / the future / zero-carbon / the Middle East
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SOLAR PANELS: Students A strongly believe we should all have solar panels; Students B strongly believe that's not necessary. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ENERGY: What are the good and bad things about these sources of energy? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good Things

Bad Things

Oil

 

 

Solar

 

 

Wind

 

 

Coal

 

 

Nuclear

 

 

Geothermal

 

 
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. SUMMER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "summer". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. APPLIANCES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most useful appliances at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Kettle
  • Hair dryer
  • Air conditioner
  • Microwave oven
  • Rice cooker

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. discounted a. The amount of something that is available.
      2. waste (verb) b. To cause something to happen.
      3. result in c. To use something badly or throw it away when it can still be used.
      4. excess (adjective) d. Things used to drive people to places, like cars, taxis, trucks, buses, motorbikes, etc.
      5. supply (noun) e. Cheaper than the usual price.
      6. appliances f. More than what is needed.
      7. vehicles g. Machines in the home, like a fridge or washing machine.

    Paragraph 2

      8. responsible h. Good things that help you.
      9. delivering i. Using time or energy well without waste.
      10. zero-carbon j. To give something good to someone because they did something well.
      11. benefits k. Taking something to a place.
      12. reward (verb) l. Enough for what is needed.
      13. efficient m. Doing what you should do and taking care of things.
      14. sufficient n. Not producing harmful gases.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Electricity in the UK will be free all summer.     T / F
  2. People in the UK use electricity more in the summer.     T / F
  3. The article says all the UK's power is from solar panels in the summer.    T / F
  4. People in the UK could use their dishwasher for free in the summer.     T / F
  5. The group NESO wants a zero-carbon future.     T / F
  6. NESO said people will be rewarded for flexible electricity use.     T / F
  7. A spokesman said war in the Middle East would stop free electricity.     T / F
  8. The spokesman said the UK's energy market has enough capacity.     T / F

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

  1. discounted
  2. energy
  3. result in
  4. excess
  5. appliances
  6. responsible for
  7. deliver
  8. efficient
  9. war
  10. sufficient
  1. lead to
  2. conflict
  3. in charge of
  4. provide
  5. too much
  6. reduced
  7. well organized
  8. power
  9. enough
  10. machines

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

  1. People in the UK could get discounted or even
  2. They do not want to
  3. weather conditions result
  4. use appliances like
  5. charge electric vehicles at
  6. cut-price or
  7. deliver what is needed to reach a
  8. stronger and more
  9. free summer power even with the war
  10. The market has the
  1. washing machines
  2. efficient
  3. no cost
  4. in excess supply
  5. zero-carbon future
  6. free electricity
  7. capacity
  8. in the Middle East
  9. waste it
  10. free power

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
result
waste
use
discounted
panels
no
businesses
less

People in the UK could get (1) ______________________________________________ or even free electricity this summer. This is because energy companies may have too much energy. They do not want to (2) ______________________________________________ it. In summer, people use less electricity because they turn on lights (3) ______________________________________________. There is also more energy coming from solar (4) ______________________________________________. Power companies say that on sunny days, "weather conditions (5) ______________________________________________ in excess supply". This means electricity companies could allow houses and (6) ______________________________________________ to use electricity for free on sunny weekends. Energy suppliers say households could (7) ______________________________________________ appliances like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles at (8) ______________________________________________ cost during periods of excess supply.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
planning
network
deliver
reach
use
idea
war
only

The (9) ______________________________________________ for cut-price or free power came from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Its website says it is "responsible for (10) ______________________________________________ and delivering the energy of today and the future". The operator also says it will "deliver what is needed to (11) ______________________________________________ a zero-carbon future". A NESO spokeswoman explained the benefits of the new idea. She said it would "not (12) ______________________________________________ reward consumers and businesses for flexible electricity (13) ______________________________________________," but also make Great Britain's electricity (14) ______________________________________________ stronger and more efficient. A spokesman from National Gas believes there could be free summer power even with the (15) ______________________________________________ in the Middle East. He said: "The market has the capacity to (16) ______________________________________________ sufficient supply."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) People in the UK could get discounted or even free ______
     a.  electricity that summer
     b.  electricity this summer
     c.  electricity these summers
     d.  electricity this summery
2)  This is because energy companies may have ______
     a.  too much energies
     b.  too many energy
     c.  to match energy
     d.  too much energy
3)  They do not want ______
     a.  to waits it
     b.  to waste its
     c.  to waste it
     d.  to weighs it
4)  on sunny days weather conditions result ______
     a.  in excess supply
     b.  in access supply
     c.  on excess supply
     d.  on access supply
5)  use appliances like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles _____
     a.  at not cost
     b.  at new cost
     c.  at no cost
     d.  at non cost

6)  responsible for planning and delivering the energy of today ______
     a.  and the future
     b.  and a future
     c.  end the future
     d.  inner future
7)  A NESO spokeswoman explained the benefits of ______
     a.  anew idea
     b.  the newt idea
     c.  the news idea
     d.  the new idea
8)  make Great Britain's electricity network stronger ______
     a.  and more efficiently
     b.  and more efficient
     c.  and more efficiency
     d.  and more efficiencies
9)  National Gas believes there could be free summer power even ______
     a.  wither war
     b.  within war
     c.  with war
     d.  with the war
10)  The market has the capacity to ______
     a.  delivers sufficient supply
     b.  deliver sufficient supply
     c.  delivery sufficient supply
     d.  delivered sufficient supply

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

People in the UK could get (1) __________________________________________________ free electricity this summer. This is because energy companies may have too much energy. They do not want (2) __________________________________________________. In summer, people use less electricity because they turn on lights less. There is also more energy coming (3) __________________________________________________. Power companies say that on sunny days, "weather conditions result in excess supply". This means electricity companies (4) __________________________________________________ and businesses to use electricity (5) __________________________________________________ sunny weekends. Energy suppliers say households could use appliances like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric (6) __________________________________________________ cost during periods of excess supply.

The idea for (7) __________________________________________________ free power came from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Its website says it is "responsible for planning (8) __________________________________________________ energy of today and the future". The operator also says it will "deliver what is (9) __________________________________________________ a zero-carbon future". A NESO spokeswoman explained the benefits of the new idea. She said it would "(10) __________________________________________________ consumers and businesses for flexible electricity use," but also make Great Britain's electricity network stronger (11) __________________________________________________. A spokesman from National Gas believes there could be free summer power even with the war in the Middle East. He said: "The market has (12) __________________________________________________ deliver sufficient supply."

Comprehension questions

  1. Why might people in the UK get discounted or free electricity?
  2. What do people in the UK not turn on so often in summer?
  3. What does the UK get more energy from in the summer?
  4. What did power companies say sunny days result in?
  5. What appliance was mentioned besides washing machines?
  6. What idea did the National Energy System Operator (NESO) have?
  7. What does NESO want to deliver the necessary things for?
  8. Who did NESO say the free electricity plan would reward?
  9. What will flexible electricity use make Great Britain's electricity network?
  10. What did a National Gas spokesman say would not affect free electricity?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Why might people in the UK get discounted or free electricity?
a) They have eco-friendly appliances.
b) climate change
c) They have UK passports.
d) energy companies have too much energy
2) What do people in the UK not turn on so often in summer?
a) air conditioners
b) lights
c) cold-water taps
d) the charm
3) What does the UK get more energy from in the summer?
a) nuclear energy
b) the European Union
c) biofuels
d) solar panels
4) What did power companies say sunny days result in?
a) more flowers
b) more days in the park
c) excess supply
d) an increase in picnics
5) What appliance was mentioned besides washing machines?
a) rice cookers
b) air conditioners
c) kettles
d) dishwashers

6) What idea did the National Energy System Operator (NESO) have?
a) using air conditioners less
b) more eco-friendly appliances
c) cut-price or free power
d)
7) What does NESO want to deliver the necessary things for?
a) a zero-carbon future
b) pizza delivery drivers
c) eco-friendly appliances
d) Amazon
8) Who did NESO say the free electricity plan would reward?
a) gardeners and farmers
b) nuclear power companies
c) consumers and businesses
d) appliance makers
9) What will flexible electricity use make Great Britain's electricity network?
a) faster and more powerful
b) stronger and more efficient
c) cheaper and better value
d) more convenient
10) What did a National Gas spokesman say would not affect free electricity?
a) war in the Middle East
b) climate change
c) rainy weather
d) more spending on appliances

Role play

Role  A – A Washing Machine
You think a washing machine is the most useful appliance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their appliances. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): microwave oven, hair dryer or vacuum cleaner.

Role  B – A Microwave Oven
You think a microwave oven is the most useful appliance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their appliances. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): washing machine, hair dryer or vacuum cleaner.

Role  C – A Hair Dryer
You think a hair dryer is the most useful appliance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their appliances. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): microwave oven, washing machine or vacuum cleaner.

Role  D – A Vacuum Cleaner
You think a vacuum cleaner is the most useful appliance. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their appliances. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): microwave oven, hair dryer or washing machine.

After reading / listening

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

'sunny'

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

    • and 'weekend'.

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

    • • 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:

    • discounted
    • waste
    • lights
    • solar
    • allow
    • machines
    • cut
    • delivering
    • zero
    • flexible
    • spokesman
    • capacity

    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 - Electricity

    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 'sunny'?
    3. What do you do on sunny weekends?
    4. What do you do on rainy weekends?
    5. What can we do to use less electricity?
    6. What do you think of the UK giving people electricity for free?
    7. What do you think of solar panels?
    8. How much do we need dishwashers and other appliances?
    9. What do you think of electric vehicles?
    10. Should we stop using fossil fuels?

    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 'electricity'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What kinds of energy will we use in the future?
    5. What is your country doing to reach carbon-zero?
    6. How is the war in the Middle East affecting you?
    7. What do you think of gas prices rising?
    8. How much of your country's energy comes from renewables?
    9. What will happen in the Middle East in the next 10 years?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the electricity companies?

    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)

    People in the UK could get (1) ____ or even free electricity this summer. This is because energy companies may have too (2) ____ energy. They do not want to waste it. In summer, people use less electricity because they turn on lights less. There is also more energy (3) ____ from solar panels. Power companies say that on sunny days, "weather conditions result in excess supply". This means electricity companies could (4) ____ houses and businesses to use electricity for free on sunny weekends. Energy suppliers say households could use (5) ____ like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles at no cost during periods (6) ____ excess supply.

    The idea for (7) ____-price or free power came from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Its website says it is "responsible (8) ____ planning and delivering the energy of today and the future". The operator also says it will "deliver what is needed to (9) ____ a zero-carbon future". A NESO spokeswoman explained the benefits of the new idea. She said it would "not (10) ____ reward consumers and businesses for flexible electricity use," but also make Great Britain's electricity network stronger and more (11) ____. A spokesman from National Gas believes there could be free summer power even with the war in the Middle East. He said: "The market has the capacity to (12) ____ sufficient supply."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     discount     (b)     discounts     (c)     discounted     (d)     discounter    
    (a)     much     (b)     most     (c)     more     (d)     many    
    (a)     coming     (b)     came     (c)     come     (d)     comes    
    (a)     allow     (b)     allowing     (c)     allowance     (d)     allowable    
    (a)     applies     (b)     appliances     (c)     apples     (d)     apps    
    (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     at     (d)     of    
    (a)     down     (b)     cost     (c)     cut     (d)     big    
    (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     to     (d)     for    
    (a)     reach     (b)     come     (c)     do     (d)     arrive    
    (a)     only     (b)     such     (c)     that     (d)     for    
    (a)     efficiency     (b)     efficient     (c)     efficiently     (d)     efficiencies    
    (a)     delivery     (b)     delivers     (c)     deliver     (d)     deliveries

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. get ucdisdtnoe or even free electricity
    2. They do not want to twesa it
    3. energy coming from olras panels
    4. result in excess pslypu
    5. houses and nusesbsies
    6. electric civlhees

    Paragraph 2

    1. slbesipeorn for planning
    2. lrvgeiedin the energy
    3. reach a zero- nborca future
    4. beileflx electricity use
    5. stronger and more icetfenfi
    6. The market has the picaatcy

    Put the text back together

    (    )   and businesses for flexible electricity use," but also make Great Britain's electricity network stronger and more
    (    )   companies may have too much energy. They do not want to waste it. In summer, people use less
    (    )   efficient. A spokesman from National Gas believes there could be free summer power even with the war
    (    )   electricity because they turn on lights less. There is also more energy coming from solar
    (    )   explained the benefits of the new idea. She said it would "not only reward consumers
    (    )   free on sunny weekends. Energy suppliers say households could use appliances like washing
    (    )   future". The operator also says it will "deliver what is needed to reach a zero-carbon future". A NESO spokeswoman
    (    )   in excess supply". This means electricity companies could allow houses and businesses to use electricity for
    (    )   in the Middle East. He said: "The market has the capacity to deliver sufficient supply."
    (    )   machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles at no cost during periods of excess supply.
    (    )   panels. Power companies say that on sunny days, "weather conditions result
    (  1  )   People in the UK could get discounted or even free electricity this summer. This is because energy
    (    )   says it is "responsible for planning and delivering the energy of today and the
    (    )   The idea for cut-price or free power came from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Its website

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Discounted   electricity   even   free   or   summer   this   .
    2. because   companies   energy   have   is   much   This   too   .
    3. coming   energy   from   is   more   panels   solar   There   .
    4. electricity   for   free   on   sunny   They   use   weekends   .
    5. at   can   charge   cost   electric   no   They   vehicles   .
    6. for   is   it   Its   planning   responsible   says   website   .
    7. a   Deliver   future   needed   reach   to   what's   zero-carbon   .
    8. Britain's   could   electricity   Great   It   make   network   stronger   .
    9. even   Free   in   Middle East   power   the   war   with   .
    10. capacity   deliver   has   market   The   the   to   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    People in the UK could get discounted / discount or even free electricity this summer. This is because energy companies may have too many / much energy. They do not want to waste them / it. In summer, people use less electricity because they turn on / off lights less. There is also more energy coming from solar / lunar panels. Power companies say that on sunny days, "weather conditions result in / on excess supply". This means electricity companies could allow / let houses and businesses to use electricity for free on sunny weekends. Energy suppliers / supplies say households could use appliances / appliance like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles at no cost during periods of excess / access supply.

    The idea for cut-price or free power went / came from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Its website says it is "responsibility / responsible for planning and delivering the energy / energetic of today and the future". The operator also says it will "deliver / delivering what is needed to reach a zero-carbon future". A NESO spokeswoman explained the / a benefits of the new idea. She said it would "not only prize / reward consumers and businesses for flexible electricity use / abuse," but also make Great Britain's electricity network strength / stronger and more efficient. A spokesman from National Gas believes there could be free summer power ever / even with the war in the Middle East. He said: "The market has the capacity for / to deliver sufficient supply."

    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)

    P__pl_ _n th_ _K c__ld g_t d_sc__nt_d _r _v_n fr__ _l_ctr_c_ty th_s s_mm_r. Th_s _s b_c__s_ _n_rgy c_mp_n__s m_y h_v_ t__ m_ch _n_rgy. Th_y d_ n_t w_nt t_ w_st_ _t. _n s_mm_r, p__pl_ _s_ l_ss _l_ctr_c_ty b_c__s_ th_y t_rn _n l_ghts l_ss. Th_r_ _s _ls_ m_r_ _n_rgy c_m_ng fr_m s_l_r p_n_ls. P_w_r c_mp_n__s s_y th_t _n s_nny d_ys, "w__th_r c_nd_t__ns r_s_lt _n _xc_ss s_pply". Th_s m__ns _l_ctr_c_ty c_mp_n__s c__ld _ll_w h__s_s _nd b_s_n_ss_s t_ _s_ _l_ctr_c_ty f_r fr__ _n s_nny w__k_nds. _n_rgy s_ppl__rs s_y h__s_h_lds c__ld _s_ _ppl__nc_s l_k_ w_sh_ng m_ch_n_s _r d_shw_sh_rs _nd ch_rg_ _l_ctr_c v_h_cl_s _t n_ c_st d_r_ng p_r__ds _f _xc_ss s_pply.

    Th_ _d__ f_r c_t pr_c_ _r fr__ p_w_r c_m_ fr_m th_ N_t__n_l _n_rgy Syst_m _p_r_t_r (N_S_). _ts w_bs_t_ s_ys _t _s "r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r pl_nn_ng _nd d_l_v_r_ng th_ _n_rgy _f t_d_y _nd th_ f_t_r_". Th_ _p_r_t_r _ls_ s_ys _t w_ll "d_l_v_r wh_t _s n__d_d t_ r__ch _ z_r_-c_rb_n f_t_r_". _ N_S_ sp_k_sw_m_n _xpl__n_d th_ b_n_f_ts _f th_ n_w _d__. Sh_ s__d _t w__ld "n_t _nly r_w_rd c_ns_m_rs _nd b_s_n_ss_s f_r fl_x_bl_ _l_ctr_c_ty _s_," b_t _ls_ m_k_ Gr__t Br_t__n's _l_ctr_c_ty n_tw_rk str_ng_r _nd m_r_ _ff_c__nt. _ sp_k_sm_n fr_m N_t__n_l G_s b_l__v_s th_r_ c__ld b_ fr__ s_mm_r p_w_r _v_n w_th th_ w_r _n th_ M_ddl_ __st. H_ s__d: "Th_ m_rk_t h_s th_ c_p_c_ty t_ d_l_v_r s_ff_c__nt s_pply."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    people in the uk could get discounted or even free electricity this summer this is because energy companies may have too much energy they do not want to waste it in summer people use less electricity because they turn on lights less there is also more energy coming from solar panels power companies say that on sunny days weather conditions result in excess supply this means electricity companies could allow houses and businesses to use electricity for free on sunny weekends energy suppliers say households could use appliances like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles at no cost during periods of excess supply

    The idea for cut-price or free power came from the national energy system operator neso its website says it is responsible for planning and delivering the energy of today and the future the operator also says it will deliver what is needed to reach a zerocarbon future a neso spokeswoman explained the benefits of the new idea she said it would not only reward consumers and businesses for flexible electricity use but also make great britains electricity network stronger and more efficient a spokesman from national gas believes there could be free summer power even with the war in the middle east he said the market has the capacity to deliver sufficient supply

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    PeopleintheUKcouldgetdiscountedorevenfreeelectricitythissummer
    .Thisisbecauseenergycompaniesmayhavetoomuchenergy.Theydon
    otwanttowasteit.Insummer,peopleuselesselectricitybecausetheytu
    rnonlightsless.Thereisalsomoreenergycomingfromsolarpanels.Pow
    ercompaniessaythatonsunnydays,"weatherconditionsresultinexces
    ssupply".Thismeanselectricitycompaniescouldallowhousesandbusi
    nessestouseelectricityforfreeonsunnyweekends.Energysupplierssa
    yhouseholdscoulduseapplianceslikewashingmachinesordishwasher
    sandchargeelectricvehiclesatnocostduringperiodsofexcesssupply.T
    heideaforcut-priceorfreepowercamefromtheNationalEnergySyste
    mOperator(NESO).Itswebsitesaysitis"responsibleforplanningandde
    liveringtheenergyoftodayandthefuture".Theoperatoralsosaysitwill"
    deliverwhatisneededtoreachazero-carbonfuture".ANESOspokeswo
    manexplainedthebenefitsofthenewidea.Shesaiditwould"notonlyrew
    ardconsumersandbusinessesforflexibleelectricityuse,"butalsomake
    GreatBritain'selectricitynetworkstrongerandmoreefficient.Aspokes
    manfromNationalGasbelievestherecouldbefreesummerpowereven
    withthewarintheMiddleEast.Hesaid:"Themarkethasthecapacitytode
    liversufficientsupply."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We should stop using fossil fuels (oil, coal, and gas). 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. WEEKENDS: Make a poster about weekends. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ELECTRICITY: Write a magazine article about making electricity from renewables free. 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 electricity. Ask him/her three questions about electricity. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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