Tesla’s cybertruck, which made headlines when its windows were smashed during a promotional event, is now being delivered to buyers. However, there are concerns about whether the truck’s unconventional design will help or hinder its success. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has described the truck as the company’s “best product ever,” but he has also acknowledged the challenges of manufacturing it at an affordable price. The truck’s high price and complicated manufacturing process have raised doubts about its market potential.
Trucks are popular vehicles in the US, but Tesla’s entry into the market comes at a difficult time. Interest rates are high, making it harder for buyers to make new purchases, and rival companies have also announced plans to produce electric vehicles more slowly than initially expected. Additionally, since the cybertruck’s launch in 2019, other companies have introduced their own electric truck offerings, and Musk’s controversial social media presence has raised concerns about the Tesla brand.
There are questions about the truck’s functionality compared to other pickups on the market. While some buyers may be drawn to the futuristic design, functionality is likely to be the deciding factor for most pickup truck buyers. Tesla has received over one million reservations for the cybertruck, but it remains to be seen how many of these will translate into actual sales.
Despite the challenges, Tesla is confident in the truck’s potential. At a recent event celebrating the first deliveries, the company showcased the truck’s hauling power and speed. However, interested buyers will have to wait, as production is expected to reach 250,000 trucks per year by 2025. This gives Tesla time to address other issues, such as expanding charging infrastructure, and to win over customers who may be skeptical of the truck’s unconventional appearance.
For Tesla, the launch of the cybertruck is not just about sales, but also about maintaining the brand’s buzz and dominance in the electric vehicle market. The truck’s unique design has attracted attention, with people queuing to take photos with it. While some view it as a hype exercise, others see it as an opportunity for Tesla to stand out in a crowded market.
Original news source: Will Tesla’s truck recover from its shattering start? (BBC)
Listen
Slow
Normal
Fast
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to summarize the main points of the article in a short news summary. They should focus on the key information and try to condense it into a few sentences. Afterward, have each group share their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs or small groups. Give each group a list of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think the cybertruck’s design will help or hinder its success?” or “Are you interested in buying an electric truck?” Have the groups discuss the questions and record their opinions. Then, have each group share their opinions with the class and facilitate a class discussion based on the different viewpoints.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to choose a scene or aspect of the article and create a sketch or drawing to represent it. They can use stick figures or simple drawings. Afterward, have each group present their sketch to the class and explain the scene or aspect they chose.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down a list of key vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into teams. One person from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word from the list. They must then draw a picture on the board to represent the word, while their team tries to guess the word. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Continue the game with different players and words.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to make predictions about the future of the cybertruck and Tesla’s success in the truck market. They should base their predictions on the information in the article and their own opinions. Afterward, have each group share their predictions with the class and facilitate a class discussion about the different possibilities.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What concerns are there about the success of Tesla’s cybertruck?
2. How have high interest rates and rival companies impacted Tesla’s entry into the truck market?
3. What factors are likely to be important to most pickup truck buyers?
4. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck?
5. What did Tesla showcase at the recent event celebrating the first deliveries?
6. What issues does Tesla need to address before the truck’s production reaches its target?
7. What is the purpose of the cybertruck’s launch for Tesla?
8. How do some people view the cybertruck’s unique design?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
(1)______’s cybertruck, which made headlines when its windows were smashed during a promotional event, is now being (2)______ to buyers. However, there are concerns about whether the truck’s unconventional design will help or hinder its success. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has described the truck as the company’s “best product ever,” but he has also acknowledged the challenges of manufacturing it at an affordable price. The truck’s high price and complicated manufacturing (3)______ have raised doubts about its market potential.
(4)______ are popular vehicles in the US, but Tesla’s entry into the market comes at a difficult time. Interest rates are high, making it harder for buyers to make new purchases, and rival (5)______ have also announced (6)______ to produce electric (7)______ more slowly than initially expected. Additionally, since the cybertruck’s launch in 2019, other companies have introduced their own electric truck offerings, and Musk’s controversial social (8)______ presence has raised concerns about the Tesla brand.
There are questions about the truck’s functionality compared to other pickups on the market. While some buyers may be drawn to the futuristic design, functionality is likely to be the deciding factor for most pickup (9)______ buyers. Tesla has received over one million reservations for the cybertruck, but it remains to be seen how many of these will translate into actual sales.
Despite the challenges, Tesla is confident in the truck’s potential. At a recent event celebrating the first deliveries, the (10)______ showcased the truck’s hauling (11)______ and speed. However, interested buyers will have to wait, as production is expected to (12)______ 250,000 trucks per year by 2025. This gives Tesla time to address other issues, such as expanding charging infrastructure, and to win over customers who may be (13)______ of the truck’s unconventional appearance.
For Tesla, the launch of the (14)______ is not just about sales, but also about maintaining the brand’s buzz and dominance in the electric vehicle (15)______. The truck’s unique design has attracted (16)______, with people queuing to take photos with it. While some view it as a hype exercise, others see it as an opportunity for Tesla to stand out in a crowded market.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What do you think about the design of Tesla’s cybertruck? Why or why not?
2. How do you think the unconventional appearance of the cybertruck will affect its market potential?
3. Do you think the high price of the cybertruck will deter potential buyers? Why or why not?
4. How do you feel about Elon Musk’s description of the cybertruck as Tesla’s “best product ever”? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
5. What are some challenges that Tesla may face in manufacturing the cybertruck at an affordable price?
6. How do you think the current high interest rates in the US will impact the sales of the cybertruck?
7. What are some concerns that may arise from Tesla’s entry into the truck market at this time?
8. Do you think functionality or design is more important to most pickup truck buyers? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the cybertruck’s functionality compares to other pickups on the market?
10. Why do you think Tesla has received over one million reservations for the cybertruck? Do you think these reservations will translate into actual sales?
11. How do you feel about Tesla’s confidence in the truck’s potential despite the challenges it faces?
12. What are some other issues that Tesla needs to address in order to successfully launch the cybertruck?
13. How important do you think the cybertruck’s unique design is for maintaining Tesla’s brand image and dominance in the electric vehicle market?
14. Do you think the cybertruck’s unique design is just a hype exercise or an opportunity for Tesla to stand out? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the cybertruck’s unconventional appearance will be received by potential customers who may be skeptical?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. cybertruck
2. design
3. manufacturing
4. market
5. functionality
6. potential
7. deliveries
8. brand
Meanings:
(a) The unique identity and reputation of a company or product
(b) The appearance or look of something
(c) The process of making something on a large scale
(d) The features and capabilities of a product or system
(e) The act of bringing goods or products to customers
(f) The possibility or likelihood of future success
(g) A futuristic electric pickup truck made by Tesla
(h) The overall demand and conditions for buying and selling goods
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What happened to the windows of Tesla’s cybertruck during a promotional event?
(a) They were tinted
(b) They were replaced
(c) They were cleaned
(d) They were smashed
2. How does Tesla CEO Elon Musk describe the cybertruck?
(a) The company’s “worst product ever”
(b) The company’s “most expensive product ever”
(c) The company’s “best product ever”
(d) The company’s “most affordable product ever”
3. What challenges does Elon Musk acknowledge in manufacturing the cybertruck?
(a) Manufacturing it at an affordable price
(b) Manufacturing it quickly
(c) Manufacturing it with advanced features
(d) Manufacturing it with a conventional design
4. What is a concern about the cybertruck’s market potential?
(a) Its low price and simple manufacturing process
(b) Its popularity among buyers
(c) Its functionality compared to other pickups
(d) Its high price and complicated manufacturing process
5. Why is Tesla’s entry into the truck market challenging?
(a) High interest rates and slower production plans by rival companies
(b) Low interest rates and faster production plans by rival companies
(c) High interest rates and faster production plans by rival companies
(d) Low interest rates and slower production plans by rival companies
6. What is likely to be the deciding factor for most pickup truck buyers?
(a) Design
(b) Price
(c) Functionality
(d) Brand
7. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck?
(a) Over ten thousand
(b) Over one million
(c) Over one hundred thousand
(d) Over one billion
8. When is Tesla expected to reach a production rate of 250,000 trucks per year?
(a) By 2020
(b) By 2025
(c) By 2030
(d) By 2040
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. Tesla aims to maintain its brand’s buzz and dominance in the electric vehicle market with the launch of the cybertruck.
2. Tesla has received few reservations for the cybertruck, and it remains to be seen how many of these will translate into actual sales.
3. No other companies have introduced their own electric truck offerings since the cybertruck’s launch in 2019.
4. Functionality is unlikely to be the deciding factor for most pickup truck buyers, raising questions about the cybertruck’s functionality compared to other pickups on the market.
5. Tesla’s cybertruck has faced concerns about its unconventional design and manufacturing challenges.
6. Tesla is uncertain in the cybertruck’s potential and has not showcased its hauling power and speed at a recent event.
7. The high price and complicated manufacturing process of the cybertruck have raised doubts about its market potential.
8. Tesla’s entry into the truck market comes at a difficult time due to high interest rates and slower production plans from rival companies.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. What are the concerns about the success of Tesla’s cybertruck?
2. How have high interest rates and rival companies’ plans affected the market potential for the cybertruck?
3. What are the questions about the functionality of the cybertruck compared to other pickups?
4. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck and how many are expected to translate into actual sales?
5. Besides sales, what is the significance of the cybertruck’s launch for Tesla?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. Concerns about the success of Tesla’s cybertruck include its unconventional design, high price, and complicated manufacturing process.
2. High interest rates make it harder for buyers to make new purchases, and rival companies announcing slower production plans have impacted Tesla’s entry into the truck market.
3. Functionality is likely to be the deciding factor for most pickup truck buyers.
4. Tesla has received over one million reservations for the cybertruck.
5. Tesla showcased the truck’s hauling power and speed at the recent event celebrating the first deliveries.
6. Tesla needs to address issues such as expanding charging infrastructure and winning over customers who may be skeptical of the truck’s unconventional appearance.
7. The purpose of the cybertruck’s launch for Tesla is not just about sales, but also about maintaining the brand’s buzz and dominance in the electric vehicle market.
8. Some people view the cybertruck’s unique design as an opportunity for Tesla to stand out in a crowded market.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) Tesla
(2) delivered
(3) process
(4) Trucks
(5) companies
(6) plans
(7) vehicles
(8) media
(9) truck
(10) company
(11) power
(12) reach
(13) skeptical
(14) cybertruck
(15) market
(16) attention
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. cybertruck
Answer: (c) The process of making something on a large scale
2. design
Answer: (b) The appearance or look of something
3. manufacturing
Answer: (e) The act of bringing goods or products to customers
4. market
Answer: (f) The possibility or likelihood of future success
5. functionality
Answer: (h) The overall demand and conditions for buying and selling goods
6. potential
Answer: (d) The features and capabilities of a product or system
7. deliveries
Answer: (a) The unique identity and reputation of a company or product
8. brand
Answer: (g) A futuristic electric pickup truck made by Tesla
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What happened to the windows of Tesla’s cybertruck during a promotional event?
Answer: (d) They were smashed
2. How does Tesla CEO Elon Musk describe the cybertruck?
Answer: (c) The company’s “best product ever”
3. What challenges does Elon Musk acknowledge in manufacturing the cybertruck?
Answer: (a) Manufacturing it at an affordable price
4. What is a concern about the cybertruck’s market potential?
Answer: (d) Its high price and complicated manufacturing process
5. Why is Tesla’s entry into the truck market challenging?
Answer: (a) High interest rates and slower production plans by rival companies
6. What is likely to be the deciding factor for most pickup truck buyers?
Answer: (c) Functionality
7. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck?
Answer: (b) Over one million
8. When is Tesla expected to reach a production rate of 250,000 trucks per year?
Answer: (b) By 2025
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. Tesla aims to maintain its brand’s buzz and dominance in the electric vehicle market with the launch of the cybertruck. (Answer: True)
2. Tesla has received few reservations for the cybertruck, and it remains to be seen how many of these will translate into actual sales. (Answer: False)
3. No other companies have introduced their own electric truck offerings since the cybertruck’s launch in 2019. (Answer: False)
4. Functionality is unlikely to be the deciding factor for most pickup truck buyers, raising questions about the cybertruck’s functionality compared to other pickups on the market. (Answer: False)
5. Tesla’s cybertruck has faced concerns about its unconventional design and manufacturing challenges. (Answer: True)
6. Tesla is uncertain in the cybertruck’s potential and has not showcased its hauling power and speed at a recent event. (Answer: False)
7. The high price and complicated manufacturing process of the cybertruck have raised doubts about its market potential. (Answer: True)
8. Tesla’s entry into the truck market comes at a difficult time due to high interest rates and slower production plans from rival companies. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
