The Reading / Listening - Hybrid Cars - Level 6

China has agreed to halve its exports of hybrid cars to the European Union over the next four years. The landmark deal followed intense negotiations, as both sides sought to avoid a harmful trade war. The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the agreement could prevent millions of vehicles from entering the European market. He said: "This package proves that negotiations bring results." European carmakers have struggled to compete with cheaper Chinese imports. China's rise has raised fears of factory closures and job losses in Europe. Despite these concerns, Mr Sefcovic was pleased with the talks. He said the deal was "only a first step" towards more equitable trade relations.

China has rapidly become a major player in the global car industry. Chinese manufacturers have established a foothold in many markets worldwide. China's auto companies have become world leaders in electric and hybrid technology. Chinese cars are now very popular with motorists across the globe. Makers such as BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely offer competitively priced vehicles that are reliable and have good build quality. Consumers see these cars as more affordable alternatives to European and Japanese brands. Sales of Chinese cars in the EU now make up around 10 per cent of the new car market. In the UK, this figure has steadily risen to nearly 20 per cent.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Hybrid Cars - Level 4  or  Hybrid Cars - Level 5

Sources
  • https://amp.dw.com/en/china-eu-reach-deal-to-moderate-chinas-car-exports-to-eu/a-79621394
  • https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/oct/09/china-agrees-to-curb-hybrid-car-exports-to-eu-in-landmark-deal
  • https://www.ft.com/content/2823ef6f-b3d7-494b-b131-414c02d6a59f


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. HYBRID CARS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about hybrid cars. 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?
       China / exports / hybrid cars / European Union / negotiations / trade war / job losses /
       car industry / hybrid technology / motorists / consumers / Japanese brands / new car
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PETROL CARS: Students A strongly believe petrol cars should be banned withing the next decade; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PROS AND CONS: What are the pris and cons about these types of cars? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Pros

Cons

Electric cars

 

 

Hybrid cars

 

 

Driverless cars

 

 

Classic cars

 

 

Petrol cars

 

 

Ultra-compact cars

 

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

  • Sedans
  • Hatchbacks
  • SUVs
  • Sports cars
  • Muscle cars
  • Supercars
  • Minivans
  • Convertibles

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. halve a. Very strong or great.
      2. landmark b. To make something half its original size or amount.
      3. intense c. Formal talks between people or groups to agree on something.
      4. negotiations d. Looked for something or tried to get something.
      5. sought e. An event marking an important stage or turning point in something.
      6. vehicles f. Fair for everyone.
      7. equitable g. Things used for travel, such as cars, buses, and trucks.

    Paragraph 2

      8. major player h. Started something and made it work or last for a long time.
      9. established i. Working well and able to be trusted.
      10. foothold j. An important person or company in a particular area of business.
      11. motorists k. A strong position in a new place or market.
      12. reliable l. Not costing too much money.
      13. affordable m. People who drive cars or other vehicles.
      14. alternatives n. Other choices that you can use instead.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. China will halve exports of hybrid cars to the EU within the next year.     T / F
  2. Both China and the EU signed a deal to avert a possible trade war.     T / F
  3. The EU said millions of Chinese cars would not be arriving in the EU.     T / F
  4. Europe's carmakers are having problems because of cheap Chinese cars. T / F
  5. The article says China is losing its foothold in the global auto industry.     T / F
  6. Consumers think Chinese cars are better value for money.     T / F
  7. Nearly 20% of new cars purchased in the EU are Chinese.     T / F
  8. Nearly 20% of new cars purchased in the UK are Chinese.     T / F

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

  1. landmark
  2. sought
  3. prevent
  4. closure
  5. equitable
  6. player
  7. motorists
  8. reliable
  9. alternatives
  10. figure
  1. participant
  2. winding up
  3. number
  4. milestone
  5. dependable
  6. fair
  7. tried to
  8. substitutes
  9. stop
  10. drivers

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

  1. both sides sought to avoid a
  2. prevent millions of vehicles from entering
  3. carmakers have struggled to compete with
  4. raised fears of factory closures
  5. a first step towards more equitable
  6. China has rapidly become a major player
  7. manufacturers have established a foothold
  8. Chinese cars are now very popular
  9. competitively priced vehicles that
  10. this figure has steadily
  1. cheaper Chinese imports
  2. are reliable
  3. and job losses
  4. in many markets
  5. the European market
  6. risen
  7. in the global car industry
  8. trade relations
  9. with motorists
  10. harmful trade war

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
deal
vehicles
closures
avoid
rise
agreed
trade
results

China has (1) _________________________________ to halve its exports of hybrid cars to the European Union over the next four years. The landmark (2) _________________________________ followed intense negotiations, as both sides sought to (3) _________________________________ a harmful trade war. The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the agreement could prevent millions of (4) _________________________________ from entering the European market. He said: "This package proves that negotiations bring (5) _________________________________." European carmakers have struggled to compete with cheaper Chinese imports. China's (6) _________________________________ has raised fears of factory (7) _________________________________ and job losses in Europe. Despite these concerns, Mr Sefcovic was pleased with the talks. He said the deal was "only a first step" towards more equitable (8) _________________________________ relations.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
steadily
electric
alternatives
foothold
market
motorists
rapidly
build

China has (9) _________________________________ become a major player in the global car industry. Chinese manufacturers have established a (10) _________________________________ in many markets worldwide. China's auto companies have become world leaders in (11) _________________________________ and hybrid technology. Chinese cars are now very popular with (12) _________________________________ across the globe. Makers such as BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely offer competitively priced vehicles that are reliable and have good (13) _________________________________ quality. Consumers see these cars as more affordable (14) _________________________________ to European and Japanese brands. Sales of Chinese cars in the EU now make up around 10 per cent of the new car (15) _________________________________. In the UK, this figure has (16) _________________________________ risen to nearly 20 per cent.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The landmark deal ______
     a.  followed in tense negotiations
     b.  followed intense negotiations
     c.  followed in tents negotiations
     d.  followed in terse negotiations
2)  The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the agreement could prevent ______
     a.  millions off vehicles
     b.  million soft vehicles
     c.  millions of vehicle
     d.  millions of vehicles
3)  He said this package proves that ______
     a.  negotiations bring results
     b.  negotiation bring results
     c.  negotiations bring result
     d.  negotiation bring result
4)  China's rise has raised fears of factory closures and job ______
     a.  loses in Europe
     b.  loss is in Europe
     c.  losses in Europe
     d.  losses in European
5)  He said the deal was only a first step towards more ______
     a.  equitable trade relation
     b.  equitable trade rations
     c.  equity trade relations
     d.  equitable trade relations

6)  China has rapidly become a major player in the ______
     a.  global car industry
     b.  global car industrial
     c.  globe all car industry
     d.  globe all care industry
7)  Chinese cars are now very popular with motorists ______
     a.  across the glove
     b.  across the globe
     c.  across a globe
     d.  a cross the globe
8)  BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely offer competitively priced vehicles ______
     a.  that are reliable
     b.  that are rely able
     c.  that are really able
     d.  that are reliability
9)  Consumers see these cars as more affordable alternatives to European ______
     a.  and Japanese blends
     b.  and Japanese bland
     c.  and Japanese brands
     d.  and Japanese bands
10)  Chinese cars in the EU now make up around 10 per cent of the ______
     a.  new car mark it
     b.  new car market
     c.  new car marquee
     d.  new car marque

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

China has agreed to (1) _______________________________________________ of hybrid cars to the European Union over the next four years. The (2) _______________________________________________ intense negotiations, as both sides sought to avoid a harmful trade war. The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the agreement could (3) _______________________________________________ vehicles from entering the European market. He said: "This package proves that negotiations bring results." European carmakers (4) _______________________________________________ compete with cheaper Chinese imports. China's rise has raised fears (5) _______________________________________________ and job losses in Europe. Despite these concerns, Mr Sefcovic was pleased with the talks. He said the deal was "only a first step" towards more (6) _______________________________________________.

China has rapidly become a (7) _______________________________________________ the global car industry. Chinese manufacturers have (8) _______________________________________________ in many markets worldwide. China's auto companies have become world leaders in electric (9) _______________________________________________. Chinese cars are now very popular with motorists across the globe. Makers such as BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely offer competitively priced (10) _______________________________________________ reliable and have good build quality. Consumers see these cars as more (11) _______________________________________________ European and Japanese brands. Sales of Chinese cars in the EU now make up around 10 per cent of the new car market. In the UK, this figure has (12) _______________________________________________ nearly 20 per cent.

Comprehension questions

  1. Over how long will China halve its exports of hybrid cars to the EU?
  2. What were China and the EU seeking to avoid?
  3. What did the EU commissioner say negotiations bring?
  4. What are European carmakers worried about besides job losses?
  5. What did the EU commissioner say the deal was a first step towards?
  6. What has China become a major player in?
  7. Where have Chinese manufacturers established a foothold?
  8. Who are Chinese cars popular with?
  9. What do consumers see Chinese cars as being?
  10. What percentage of new cars sold in the UK are Chinese?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Over how long will China halve its exports of hybrid cars to the EU?
a) 2 years
b) 4 years
c) 8 years
d) 10 years
2) What were China and the EU seeking to avoid?
a) retaliation
b) tariffs
c) an embargo
d) a trade war
3) What did the EU commissioner say negotiations bring?
a) profits
b) ideas
c) results
d) fairness
4) What are European carmakers worried about besides job losses?
a) factory closures
b) climate change
c) supply chain shortages
d) rare-earth materials
 
5) What did the EU commissioner say the deal was a first step towards?
a) better competition
b) more equitable trade relations
c) free trade
d) better cars

6) What has China become a major player in?
a) the global car industry
b) motor sports
c) driverless cars
d) factory building
7) Where have Chinese manufacturers established a foothold?
a) Africa
b) Eastern Europe
c) in many markets worldwide
d) the Americas
8) Who are Chinese cars popular with?
a) motorists across the globe
b) older car drivers
c) environmentally-conscious people
d) young people
9) What do consumers see Chinese cars as being?
a) rebellious
b) the future
c) stylish
d) affordable
10) What percentage of new cars sold in the UK are Chinese?
a) around 20%
b) exactly 20%
c) nearly 20%
d) just over 20%

Role play

Role  A – Sedans
You think sedans are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): SUVs, sports cars or minivans.

Role  B – SUVs
You think SUVs are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): sedans, sports cars or minivans.

Role  C – Sports Cars
You think sports cars are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): SUVs, sedans or minivans.

Role  D – Minivans
You think minivans are the best cars. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their cars. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): SUVs, sports cars or sedans.

After reading / listening

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

'hybrid'

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

    • and 'export'.

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

    • • 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:

    • next
    • followed
    • prevent
    • results
    • fears
    • step
    • major
    • foothold
    • leaders
    • offer
    • alternatives
    • figure

    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 - Hybrid Cars

    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 'hybrid car'?
    3. What do you think of hybrid cars?
    4. What do you think of Chinese cars?
    5. How difficult do you think trade negotiations are?
    6. How important is China to the world economy?
    7. How harmful are trade wars?
    8. What is wrong with countries importing cheaper goods?
    9. Can there ever be balanced trading between countries?
    10. When will petrol-driven cars disappear?

    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 'exports'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What has made China rise as an economic power?
    5. What do you know about Chinese cars?
    6. Which country makes the best cars?
    7. Do you think Chinese cars will overtake Japanese and European ones?
    8. What other Chinese goods are changing the world?
    9. What will cars of the future be like?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the leader of the EU?

    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)

    China has agreed to halve its exports of hybrid cars to the European Union over the next four years. The landmark (1) ____ followed intense negotiations, as both sides (2) ____ to avoid a harmful trade war. The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the agreement could prevent millions of vehicles (3) ____ entering the European market. He said: "This (4) ____ proves that negotiations bring results." European carmakers have struggled to compete with cheaper Chinese imports. China's rise has raised (5) ____ of factory closures and job losses in Europe. Despite these concerns, Mr Sefcovic was pleased (6) ____ the talks. He said the deal was "only a first step" towards more equitable trade relations.

    China has rapidly become a major (7) ____ in the global car industry. Chinese manufacturers have established a (8) ____ in many markets worldwide. China's auto companies have become world leaders in electric and hybrid technology. Chinese cars are now very popular with motorists (9) ____ the globe. Makers such as BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely offer competitively priced vehicles that are reliable and have good (10) ____ quality. Consumers see these cars as more affordable alternatives (11) ____ European and Japanese brands. Sales of Chinese cars in the EU now make up around 10 per cent of the new car market. In the UK, this (12) ____ has steadily risen to nearly 20 per cent.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     dealing     (b)     dealt     (c)     dealer     (d)     deal    
    2. (a)     thought     (b)     taught     (c)     sighted     (d)     sought    
    3. (a)     for     (b)     from     (c)     at     (d)     of    
    4. (a)     parcel     (b)     carton     (c)     package     (d)     collection    
    5. (a)     fears     (b)     frightens     (c)     scares     (d)     petrifies    
    6. (a)     with     (b)     for     (c)     to     (d)     up    
    7. (a)     artiste     (b)     thespian     (c)     soloist     (d)     player    
    8. (a)     foothold     (b)     household     (c)     withhold     (d)     behold    
    9. (a)     via     (b)     across     (c)     next     (d)     under    
    10. (a)     construct     (b)     raise     (c)     build     (d)     erect    
    11. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     to     (d)     by    
    12. (a)     figurine     (b)     figure     (c)     figurative     (d)     figurehead

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the drnmlaka deal
    2. millions of vleseihc
    3. ensitiotnaog bring results
    4. carmakers have glgdruset to compete
    5. raised fears of factory ussorcel
    6. towards more teeqluiba trade relations

    Paragraph 2

    1. Chinese ftasnreucumar
    2. a fodthool in many markets worldwide
    3. very popular with tsrtomosi
    4. ttiyeolivpcem priced
    5. more affordable eaalnerivstt
    6. this figure has ilatydes risen

    Put the text back together

    (    )   as BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely offer competitively priced vehicles that are reliable and have good build
    (    )   brands. Sales of Chinese cars in the EU now make up around 10 per cent of the new car
    (  1  )   China has agreed to halve its exports of hybrid cars to the European Union over the
    (    )   China has rapidly become a major player in the global car industry. Chinese manufacturers have established a
    (    )   fears of factory closures and job losses in Europe. Despite these concerns, Mr Sefcovic was pleased
    (    )   foothold in many markets worldwide. China's auto companies have become world leaders in electric and hybrid
    (    )   market. In the UK, this figure has steadily risen to nearly 20 per cent.
    (    )   next four years. The landmark deal followed intense negotiations, as both sides sought to avoid a harmful
    (    )   of vehicles from entering the European market. He said: "This package proves that negotiations bring
    (    )   quality. Consumers see these cars as more affordable alternatives to European and Japanese
    (    )   results." European carmakers have struggled to compete with cheaper Chinese imports. China's rise has raised
    (    )   technology. Chinese cars are now very popular with motorists across the globe. Makers such
    (    )   trade war. The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the agreement could prevent millions
    (    )   with the talks. He said the deal was "only a first step" towards more equitable trade relations.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. agreed   China   exports   halve   has   its   to   .
    2. a   Both   sides   sought   to   trade   avoid   war   .
    3. European   entering   from   markets   millions   Prevent   of  vehicles   .
    4. closures   China's   factory   fears   has   of   raised   rise   .
    5. A   equitable   first   more   relations   step   trade   towards   .
    6. a   become   China   has   major   player   rapidly   .
    7. a   established   foothold   have   in   Manufacturers   many   markets   .
    8. cars   Chinese   motorists   now   popular   are   very   with   .
    9. affordable   alternatives   as   Consumers   these   more   cars   see   .
    10. figure   has   per cent   risen   steadily   20   to   This   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    China has agreed to halve / half its exports of hybrid cars to the European Union over the next four years. The landmark dealt / deal followed intense negotiations, as both sides sought / sighted to avoid a harmful trade war. The EU's trade commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, said the agreement could prevent millions of vehicles from / for entering the European market. He said: "This package proofs / proves that negotiations bring results." European carmakers have strangled / struggled to compete with cheaper Chinese imports. China's arise / rise has raised fears of factory closures / closes and job losses in Europe. Despite these concerns, Mr Sefcovic was pleased with the speech / talks. He said the deal was "only a first step" towards more equity / equitable trade relations.

    China has rapidly become a major player on / in the global car industry. Chinese manufacturers have established a household / foothold in many markets worldwide. China's auto companies have become world leaders on / in electric and hybrid technology. Chinese cars are now very popular with motors / motorists across the globe. Makers such as / has BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely offer competitively priced vehicles that are reliable and have good build / built quality. Consumers see these cars as more affords / affordable alternatives to European and Japanese bland / brands. Sales of Chinese cars in the EU now make down / up around 10 per cent of the new car market. In the UK, this figure has steadily arisen / risen to nearly 20 per cent.

    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)

    Ch_n_  h_s  _gr__d  t_  h_lv_  _ts  _xp_rts  _f  hybr_d  c_rs  t_  th_  __r_p__n  _n__n  _v_r  th_  n_xt  f__r  y__rs.  Th_  l_ndm_rk  d__l  f_ll_w_d  _nt_ns_  n_g_t__t__ns,  _s  b_th  s_d_s  s__ght  t_  _v__d  _  h_rmf_l  tr_d_  w_r.  Th_  __'s  tr_d_  c_mm_ss__n_r,  M_r_s  S_fc_v_c,  s__d  th_  _gr__m_nt  c__ld  pr_v_nt  m_ll__ns  _f  v_h_cl_s  fr_m  _nt_r_ng  th_  __r_p__n  m_rk_t.  H_  s__d:  "Th_s  p_ck_g_  pr_v_s  th_t  n_g_t__t__ns  br_ng  r_s_lts."  __r_p__n  c_rm_k_rs  h_v_  str_ggl_d  t_  c_mp_t_  w_th  ch__p_r  Ch_n_s_  _mp_rts.  Ch_n_'s  r_s_  h_s  r__s_d  f__rs  _f  f_ct_ry  cl_s_r_s  _nd  j_b  l_ss_s  _n  __r_p_.  D_sp_t_  th_s_  c_nc_rns,  Mr  S_fc_v_c  w_s  pl__s_d  w_th  th_  t_lks.  H_  s__d  th_  d__l  w_s  "_nly  _  f_rst  st_p"  t_w_rds  m_r_  _q__t_bl_  tr_d_  r_l_t__ns.

    Ch_n_  h_s  r_p_dly  b_c_m_  _  m_j_r  pl_y_r  _n  th_  gl_b_l  c_r  _nd_stry.  Ch_n_s_  m_n_f_ct_r_rs  h_v_  _st_bl_sh_d  _  f__th_ld  _n  m_ny  m_rk_ts  w_rldw_d_.  Ch_n_'s  __t_  c_mp_n__s  h_v_  b_c_m_  w_rld  l__d_rs  _n  _l_ctr_c  _nd  hybr_d  t_chn_l_gy.  Ch_n_s_  c_rs  _r_  n_w  v_ry  p_p_l_r  w_th  m_t_r_sts  _cr_ss  th_  gl_b_.  M_k_rs  s_ch  _s  BYD,  X___m_,  _nd  G__ly  _ff_r  c_mp_t_t_v_ly  pr_c_d  v_h_cl_s  th_t  _r_  r_l__bl_  _nd  h_v_  g__d  b__ld  q__l_ty.  C_ns_m_rs  s__  th_s_  c_rs  _s  m_r_  _ff_rd_bl_  _lt_rn_t_v_s  t_  __r_p__n  _nd  J_p_n_s_  br_nds.  S_l_s  _f  Ch_n_s_  c_rs  _n  th_  __  n_w  m_k_  _p  _r__nd  10  p_r  c_nt  _f  th_  n_w  c_r  m_rk_t.  _n  th_  _K,  th_s  f_g_r_  h_s  st__d_ly  r_s_n  t_  n__rly  20  p_r  c_nt.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    china has agreed to halve its exports of hybrid cars to the european union over the next four years the landmark deal followed intense negotiations as both sides sought to avoid a harmful trade war the eus trade commissioner maros sefcovic said the agreement could prevent millions of vehicles from entering the european market he said this package proves that negotiations bring results european carmakers have struggled to compete with cheaper chinese imports chinas rise has raised fears of factory closures and job losses in europe despite these concerns mr sefcovic was pleased with the talks he said the deal was only a first step towards more equitable trade relations

    china has rapidly become a major player in the global car industry chinese manufacturers have established a foothold in many markets worldwide chinas auto companies have become world leaders in electric and hybrid technology chinese cars are now very popular with motorists across the globe makers such as byd xiaomi and geely offer competitively priced vehicles that are reliable and have good build quality consumers see these cars as more affordable alternatives to european and japanese brands sales of chinese cars in the eu now make up around 10 per cent of the new car market in the uk this figure has steadily risen to nearly 20 per cent

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ChinahasagreedtohalveitsexportsofhybridcarstotheEuropeanUnion
    overthenextfouryears.Thelandmarkdealfollowedintensenegotiation
    s,asbothsidessoughttoavoidaharmfultradewar.TheEU'stradecommi
    ssioner,MarosSefcovic,saidtheagreementcouldpreventmillionsofve
    hiclesfromenteringtheEuropeanmarket.Hesaid:"Thispackageprove
    sthatnegotiationsbringresults."Europeancarmakershavestruggledt
    ocompetewithcheaperChineseimports.China'srisehasraisedfearsoff
    actoryclosuresandjoblossesinEurope.Despitetheseconcerns,MrSefc
    ovicwaspleasedwiththetalks.Hesaidthedealwas"onlyafirststep"towa
    rdsmoreequitabletraderelations.Chinahasrapidlybecomeamajorpla
    yerintheglobalcarindustry.Chinesemanufacturershaveestablisheda
    footholdinmanymarketsworldwide.China'sautocompanieshavebeco
    meworldleadersinelectricandhybridtechnology.Chinesecarsarenow
    verypopularwithmotoristsacrosstheglobe.MakerssuchasBYD,Xiaom
    i,andGeelyoffercompetitivelypricedvehiclesthatarereliableandhave
    goodbuildquality.Consumersseethesecarsasmoreaffordablealterna
    tivestoEuropeanandJapanesebrands.SalesofChinesecarsintheEUno
    wmakeuparound10percentofthenewcarmarket.IntheUK,thisfigureh
    assteadilyrisentonearly20percent.

    Free writing

    Write about hybrid car exports for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Chinese cars are the best value. 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. HYBRID CARS: Make a poster about hybrid cars. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. NO MORE PETROL CARS: Write a magazine article about ending all petrol-driven cars. 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 hybrid cars. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on hybrid cars. 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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