Tesla CEO Elon Musk is currently in Beijing, China, where he is reportedly discussing the possibility of enabling Full Self Driving (FSD) on Tesla cars in the country. FSD is already available in countries like the US, but not in China. Musk is interested in transferring data collected in China to train Tesla’s algorithms. This visit comes after a US report linked Tesla’s autonomous driving modes to several crashes, including one fatality. During a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Musk expressed Tesla’s willingness to cooperate with China for mutual benefits. Li assured Musk that the Chinese market will always be open to foreign-funded firms.
China is Tesla’s second-largest market, and other car manufacturers, such as Xpeng, have been trying to compete with Tesla by introducing similar self-driving features in their cars. Musk himself has praised Chinese car companies, calling them the most competitive in the world. To address concerns about FSD in China, Tesla has taken steps to reassure Chinese authorities, including establishing a data center in Shanghai to process Chinese consumer data in compliance with local laws.
This visit comes shortly after the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation into whether a recall effectively addressed safety concerns related to Tesla’s driver assistance system. The NHTSA found that drivers involved in the crashes were not sufficiently engaged, despite requirements to remain focused on the road and be prepared to take control when autonomous driving is enabled. Tesla’s software is designed to ensure that drivers are paying attention and that the feature is only used in appropriate conditions, such as on highways.
Elon Musk has long promised that Teslas will eventually be capable of acting as autonomous “robotaxis.” However, critics accuse him of exaggerating the prospects of full autonomous driving to boost Tesla’s stock price. Tesla has faced challenges such as falling demand for electric vehicles globally and competition from cheaper Chinese manufacturers. Musk denies these accusations. In response to these challenges, Tesla has been reducing car prices in China and other markets to stimulate demand. The company recently reported a 13% decline in automotive sales for the first quarter of this year, along with a 9% drop in overall sales and a significant decrease in profits compared to the same period last year. Tesla’s share price has also fallen by 32% in 2024.
Original news source: Musk in China to discuss enabling Full Self Driving (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | autonomous | Capable of operating independently without human intervention |
| 2 | algorithms | A set of rules or processes followed by a computer in problem-solving operations |
| 3 | compliance | The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law |
| 4 | investigation | A systematic examination or inquiry |
| 5 | engaged | Actively involved or occupied |
| 6 | exaggerating | Representing something as greater than it actually is |
| 7 | prospects | The possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring |
| 8 | stimulate | To encourage or arouse interest or activity |
| 9 | decline | A decrease or reduction in number, quality, or value |
| 10 | significant | Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention |
| 11 | mutual | Experienced or done by each of two or more parties toward the other or others |
| 12 | competitive | Having a strong desire to be more successful than others |
| 13 | reassure | To make someone feel less worried or fearful |
| 14 | fatality | An occurrence of death by accident, in war, or from disease |
| 15 | demand | The desire or need for goods or services by consumers |
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 write a summary of the article, highlighting the main points and key details. Afterward, have each group share their summary with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the class to form pairs or small groups. Assign each group a statement related to the article, such as “Autonomous driving technology is the future of transportation” or “Tesla should prioritize safety over self-driving features.” Give the groups a few minutes to discuss and form their opinions on the statement. Then, conduct a class poll by asking each group to share their opinion and reasoning. Encourage respectful discussion and debate.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Prepare a list of key vocabulary words from the article, such as “autonomous,” “algorithm,” or “recall.” Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a vocabulary word and ask them to draw a quick sketch that represents the word. The other groups must guess the word based on the drawing. Afterward, discuss the meanings and usage of the vocabulary words as a class.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Ask the class to form pairs or small groups. Assign each group a topic related to the article, such as “Pros and Cons of Tesla’s Full Self Driving technology” or “Advantages and Disadvantages of Tesla’s presence in China.” Give the groups a few minutes to discuss and list the pros and cons of their assigned topic. Then, have each group share their lists and facilitate a class discussion on the different perspectives.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask the class to form pairs or small groups. Instruct each group to discuss and make predictions about the future of autonomous driving and Tesla’s role in it. Encourage them to consider factors such as technology advancements, regulations, and market trends. Afterward, have each group share their predictions with the class and facilitate a discussion on the various possibilities.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is Elon Musk discussing during his visit to Beijing, China?
2. Why is Full Self Driving (FSD) not currently available in China?
3. How has Tesla addressed concerns about FSD in China?
4. What investigation has the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced?
5. What requirements does Tesla’s software have for drivers using autonomous driving?
6. What has Elon Musk promised about Teslas in the future?
7. What challenges has Tesla faced recently?
8. How has Tesla responded to these challenges?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is currently in Beijing, China, where he is reportedly discussing the possibility of enabling Full Self (1)______ (FSD) on Tesla cars in the country. FSD is already available in countries like the US, but not in China. Musk is interested in transferring data collected in China to train Tesla’s algorithms. This visit comes after a US report linked Tesla’s autonomous (2)______ modes to several crashes, including one fatality. During a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Musk expressed Tesla’s willingness to cooperate with China for mutual (3)______. Li assured Musk that the Chinese (4)______ will always be open to foreign-funded firms.
China is Tesla’s second-largest market, and other car manufacturers, such as Xpeng, have been trying to compete with Tesla by introducing (5)______ self-driving features in their cars. Musk himself has (6)______ Chinese car companies, calling them the most competitive in the world. To address concerns about FSD in China, Tesla has (7)______ steps to reassure Chinese authorities, including (8)______ a data center in Shanghai to process Chinese consumer data in compliance with local laws.
This visit comes shortly after the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation into whether a recall effectively addressed safety concerns related to Tesla’s driver assistance system. The NHTSA found that drivers involved in the crashes were not sufficiently engaged, despite requirements to remain focused on the road and be prepared to take control when autonomous driving is enabled. Tesla’s software is designed to ensure that drivers are paying attention and that the (9)______ is only used in appropriate conditions, such as on highways.
Elon Musk has long (10)______ that (11)______ will eventually be (12)______ of acting as autonomous “robotaxis.” However, critics accuse him of exaggerating the prospects of full autonomous driving to boost Tesla’s stock price. Tesla has faced challenges such as (13)______ demand for electric vehicles globally and competition from cheaper Chinese manufacturers. Musk denies these accusations. In response to these challenges, Tesla has been reducing car prices in China and other (14)______ to stimulate demand. The company recently reported a 13% decline in (15)______ sales for the (16)______ quarter of this year, along with a 9% drop in overall sales and a significant decrease in profits compared to the same period last year. Tesla’s share price has also fallen by 32% in 2024.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What are your thoughts on Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) feature?
2. How would you feel if Tesla’s FSD was available in your country?
3. Do you think it is important for Tesla to cooperate with China for mutual benefits? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the competition between Tesla and other car manufacturers in China?
5. How do you think the establishment of a data center in Shanghai will address concerns about FSD in China?
6. What is your opinion on the investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into Tesla’s driver assistance system?
7. How do you think Tesla can ensure that drivers remain engaged and focused on the road when using autonomous driving features?
8. What are your thoughts on Elon Musk’s promise of Tesla cars acting as autonomous “robotaxis”?
9. Do you believe Elon Musk is exaggerating the prospects of full autonomous driving to boost Tesla’s stock price? Why or why not?
10. How do you think falling demand for electric vehicles globally and competition from Chinese manufacturers have affected Tesla?
11. What do you think about Tesla’s strategy of reducing car prices to stimulate demand?
12. How would you feel if you were a Tesla shareholder and saw a significant decrease in profits and share price?
13. What are your thoughts on the decline in automotive sales for Tesla in the first quarter of this year?
14. Do you think Tesla will be able to overcome the challenges it is currently facing? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the availability of FSD in China will impact Tesla’s position in the market?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. autonomous
2. algorithms
3. compliance
4. investigation
5. engaged
6. exaggerating
7. prospects
8. stimulate
9. decline
10. significant
11. mutual
12. competitive
13. reassure
14. fatality
15. demand
Meanings:
(A) Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention
(B) To make someone feel less worried or fearful
(C) An occurrence of death by accident, in war, or from disease
(D) Capable of operating independently without human intervention
(E) The desire or need for goods or services by consumers
(F) A decrease or reduction in number, quality, or value
(G) A systematic examination or inquiry
(H) The possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
(I) The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law
(J) Representing something as greater than it actually is
(K) A set of rules or processes followed by a computer in problem-solving operations
(L) To encourage or arouse interest or activity
(M) Actively involved or occupied
(N) Experienced or done by each of two or more parties toward the other or others
(O) Having a strong desire to be more successful than others
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Where is Elon Musk currently discussing the possibility of enabling Full Self Driving (FSD) on Tesla cars?
(a) Beijing, China
(b) Paris, France
(c) London, England
(d) Berlin, Germany
2. Is Full Self Driving (FSD) already available in China?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Only in certain cities
(d) Only for certain Tesla models
3. Why is Elon Musk interested in transferring data collected in China?
(a) To sell the data to Chinese car manufacturers
(b) To share the data with the US government
(c) To train Tesla’s algorithms
(d) To use the data for marketing purposes
4. Which country is Tesla’s second-largest market?
(a) United States
(b) Germany
(c) France
(d) China
5. What steps has Tesla taken to reassure Chinese authorities about Full Self Driving (FSD)?
(a) Establishing a data center in Shanghai
(b) Reducing car prices in China
(c) Opening a factory in Beijing
(d) Collaborating with Chinese car manufacturers
6. What investigation did the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announce?
(a) Whether Tesla’s software is designed to ensure driver engagement
(b) Whether Tesla’s stock price has been artificially boosted
(c) Whether a recall effectively addressed safety concerns related to Tesla’s driver assistance system
(d) Whether Tesla’s autonomous driving modes are safe
7. What requirements are drivers supposed to meet when using Tesla’s autonomous driving feature?
(a) Use the feature only on highways
(b) Remain focused on the road and be prepared to take control
(c) Be engaged in other activities while driving
(d) Use the feature only in appropriate weather conditions
8. What challenges has Tesla faced recently?
(a) Increased demand for electric vehicles globally and competition from European manufacturers
(b) Rising production costs and a decrease in government incentives for electric vehicles
(c) A shortage of lithium-ion batteries and a decrease in consumer interest in self-driving cars
(d) Falling demand for electric vehicles globally and competition from cheaper Chinese manufacturers
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. China is Tesla’s second-largest market, and other car manufacturers, such as Xpeng, have been trying to compete with Tesla by introducing similar self-driving features in their cars.
2. Musk expressed Tesla’s unwillingness to cooperate with China for mutual benefits during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
3. Tesla has taken steps to reassure Chinese authorities, including establishing a data center in Shanghai to process Chinese consumer data in compliance with local laws.
4. Musk is interested in transferring data collected in China to train Tesla’s algorithms.
5. Elon Musk is currently in Beijing, China discussing the possibility of enabling Full Self Driving (FSD) on Tesla cars in the country.
6. FSD is not yet available in countries like the US, but not in China.
7. Li assured Musk that the Chinese market will always be closed to foreign-funded firms.
8. A US report linked Tesla’s autonomous driving modes to several crashes, including zero fatalities.
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. Why is Elon Musk in Beijing, China?
2. What is Full Self Driving (FSD) and why is it not currently available in China?
3. How has Tesla addressed concerns about FSD in China?
4. What investigation has the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced?
5. What challenges has Tesla been facing and how have they responded to them?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. Elon Musk is discussing the possibility of enabling Full Self Driving (FSD) on Tesla cars in China.
2. FSD is not currently available in China because it requires data collected in the country to train Tesla’s algorithms.
3. Tesla has addressed concerns about FSD in China by establishing a data center in Shanghai to process Chinese consumer data in compliance with local laws.
4. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced an investigation into whether a recall effectively addressed safety concerns related to Tesla’s driver assistance system.
5. Tesla’s software requires drivers to remain sufficiently engaged, focused on the road, and prepared to take control when autonomous driving is enabled.
6. Elon Musk has promised that Teslas will eventually be capable of acting as autonomous “robotaxis.”
7. Tesla has faced challenges such as falling demand for electric vehicles globally and competition from cheaper Chinese manufacturers.
8. Tesla has responded to these challenges by reducing car prices in China and other markets to stimulate demand.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) Driving
(2) driving
(3) benefits
(4) market
(5) similar
(6) praised
(7) taken
(8) establishing
(9) feature
(10) promised
(11) Teslas
(12) capable
(13) falling
(14) markets
(15) automotive
(16) first
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. autonomous
Answer: (D) Capable of operating independently without human intervention
2. algorithms
Answer: (K) A set of rules or processes followed by a computer in problem-solving operations
3. compliance
Answer: (I) The act of conforming to a rule, standard, or law
4. investigation
Answer: (G) A systematic examination or inquiry
5. engaged
Answer: (M) Actively involved or occupied
6. exaggerating
Answer: (J) Representing something as greater than it actually is
7. prospects
Answer: (H) The possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring
8. stimulate
Answer: (L) To encourage or arouse interest or activity
9. decline
Answer: (F) A decrease or reduction in number, quality, or value
10. significant
Answer: (A) Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention
11. mutual
Answer: (N) Experienced or done by each of two or more parties toward the other or others
12. competitive
Answer: (O) Having a strong desire to be more successful than others
13. reassure
Answer: (B) To make someone feel less worried or fearful
14. fatality
Answer: (C) An occurrence of death by accident, in war, or from disease
15. demand
Answer: (E) The desire or need for goods or services by consumers
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. Where is Elon Musk currently discussing the possibility of enabling Full Self Driving (FSD) on Tesla cars?
Answer: (a) Beijing, China
2. Is Full Self Driving (FSD) already available in China?
Answer: (b) No
3. Why is Elon Musk interested in transferring data collected in China?
Answer: (c) To train Tesla’s algorithms
4. Which country is Tesla’s second-largest market?
Answer: (d) China
5. What steps has Tesla taken to reassure Chinese authorities about Full Self Driving (FSD)?
Answer: (a) Establishing a data center in Shanghai
6. What investigation did the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announce?
Answer: (c) Whether a recall effectively addressed safety concerns related to Tesla’s driver assistance system
7. What requirements are drivers supposed to meet when using Tesla’s autonomous driving feature?
Answer: (b) Remain focused on the road and be prepared to take control
8. What challenges has Tesla faced recently?
Answer: (d) Falling demand for electric vehicles globally and competition from cheaper Chinese manufacturers
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. China is Tesla’s second-largest market, and other car manufacturers, such as Xpeng, have been trying to compete with Tesla by introducing similar self-driving features in their cars. (Answer: True)
2. Musk expressed Tesla’s unwillingness to cooperate with China for mutual benefits during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. (Answer: False)
3. Tesla has taken steps to reassure Chinese authorities, including establishing a data center in Shanghai to process Chinese consumer data in compliance with local laws. (Answer: True)
4. Musk is interested in transferring data collected in China to train Tesla’s algorithms. (Answer: True)
5. Elon Musk is currently in Beijing, China discussing the possibility of enabling Full Self Driving (FSD) on Tesla cars in the country. (Answer: True)
6. FSD is not yet available in countries like the US, but not in China. (Answer: False)
7. Li assured Musk that the Chinese market will always be closed to foreign-funded firms. (Answer: False)
8. A US report linked Tesla’s autonomous driving modes to several crashes, including zero fatalities. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
