There is a company in America that changes little things called yeast so they can make beer taste different. They can make beer taste like fruits without using real fruits. Some beers now taste like passion fruit or guava because of this. But in some places, people can’t use these changed yeasts to make food or drinks. Some beer makers in America are using these special yeasts, though.

Another big beer company, Carlsberg, doesn’t want to change yeast or other things they use to make beer. They mix different plants to make new ones that are strong and keep the beer tasting good for a long time. They do this in a special place in Denmark. They want to make beer the old way, without changing the little things inside plants or yeasts. Some people like the new way with changed yeasts, and some like the old way without changes.

Original news source: Would you drink genetically modified beer? (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Split the class into two teams. Use vocabulary from the article, such as “yeast,” “beer,” “fruits,” “passion fruit,” “guava,” “food,” “drinks,” “plants,” and “Denmark.” One student from a team comes to the front and picks a word. They must draw it on the board without speaking or writing words or letters. Their team has to guess the word within a set time limit to earn a point. Then it’s the other team’s turn.

– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Create pairs or small groups and assign them the role of news reporters. Provide them with the key points from the article, including the use of changed yeast in beer making, the flavors like passion fruit or guava, and Carlsberg’s traditional brewing methods. Students must prepare a short news report using this information. They can then present their news report to the class.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “beer” on the board. Ask students to say or write down any words they associate with beer, which can include words from the article or any related terms they know. This can be done in pairs or small groups, and then share the associations with the whole class. It’s a great way to activate prior knowledge and connect it with the new vocabulary.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write statements on the board like “Beer should taste like fruits” and “Beer should be made the old way without changes.” Students walk around the room and survey their classmates, asking if they agree or disagree with these statements. They need to use simple English phrases such as “Do you agree that…” or “Do you prefer…” This will help them practice asking questions and giving opinions in English.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a question to the class, such as “Do you think changing yeast to make different beer flavors is a good idea?” or “Would you like to try a beer that tastes like passion fruit?” Students first think about their answer individually, then pair up with a classmate to discuss their thoughts. Finally, they share their opinions with the larger group. This activity encourages speaking practice and allows students to hear different viewpoints.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the company in America do to the yeast?
2. What new tastes can beer have because of the changed yeast?
3. Can all places use the changed yeast for food and drinks?
4. Are there beer makers in America who use the special yeasts?
5. What is the name of the big beer company that doesn’t change yeast?
6. Where does Carlsberg mix plants to make new ones?
7. Do some people like beer made the old way without changes?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

There is a company in America that changes little (1)______ called yeast so they can make beer taste different. They can make beer taste like fruits without (2)______ real fruits. Some beers now taste like passion fruit or guava because of this. But in some places, (3)______ can’t use these changed yeasts to make food or drinks. Some beer makers in (4)______ are using these special yeasts, though.

Another big beer company, Carlsberg, doesn’t want to change yeast or other things they use to make beer. They mix different plants to make new ones that are strong and keep the beer tasting (5)______ for a (6)______ time. They do this in a special place in Denmark. They want to (7)______ beer the old way, without changing the little things inside plants or yeasts. Some people like the new way with (8)______ yeasts, and some like the old way without changes.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your favorite fruit?
2. Do you like to drink things that taste like fruit?
3. How would you feel if your juice tasted like chocolate?
4. Do you think it’s good to change how food tastes? Why?
5. Would you like to drink beer that tastes like fruit? Why or why not?
6. Do you like to try new tastes or do you like old tastes better?
7. What is a plant that you think tastes good?
8. How do you feel when you eat something new?
9. Do you think it’s fun to mix things to make new tastes?
10. Do you like to eat the same food every day or different foods?
11. Have you ever eaten something that did not taste like it looks?
12. Would you like to make your own special drink? What would it taste like?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. company
2. yeast
3. beer
4. fruits
5. Carlsberg
6. plants
7. Denmark
8. taste

Meanings:
(a) The flavour of food or drink
(b) A place where people work together
(c) Things that grow in the ground
(d) A drink that adults like to have
(e) A country in Europe
(f) Something that helps make bread and beer
(g) A big beer company in Europe
(h) Sweet and juicy things that grow on trees
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What can the company in America change to make beer taste different?
(a) Water
(b) Yeast
(c) Hops
(d) Barley

2. What can the changed yeast make beer taste like?
(a) Fruits
(b) Vegetables
(c) Meat
(d) Candy

3. Which big beer company doesn’t want to change the yeast they use?
(a) Budweiser
(b) Heineken
(c) Corona
(d) Carlsberg

4. Where does Carlsberg mix different plants to make new ones for their beer?
(a) Germany
(b) Sweden
(c) Norway
(d) Denmark

5. What do some beer makers in America use to make their beer taste like fruits?
(a) Special water
(b) Special hops
(c) Special yeasts
(d) Special barley

6. What do some people like the new way of making beer with?
(a) Changed water
(b) Changed hops
(c) Changed yeasts
(d) Changed barley

7. What do some people like the old way of making beer without?
(a) Fruits
(b) Changes
(c) Vegetables
(d) Meat

8. What does Carlsberg want to keep the beer tasting good for?
(a) A long time
(b) A short time
(c) A medium time
(d) No time

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Some beer makers in America are using these special yeasts.
2. There is no company in America that changes yeast to make beer taste different.
3. Carlsberg mixes different plants to make new ones that are strong and keep the beer tasting good for a long time.
4. No people like the new way with changed yeasts, everyone prefers the old way without changes.
5. Some beers now taste like passion fruit or guava because of the changed yeast.
6. All places allow people to use these changed yeasts to make food or drinks.
7. Carlsberg, a big beer company, wants to change yeast or other things they use to make beer.
8. The company can make beer taste like fruits without using real fruits.
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 does the company in America do to the yeast?
2. What new tastes can beer have because of the changed yeast?
3. Can all beer makers use the changed yeast?
4. Does the big beer company Carlsberg change the yeast?
5. Where does Carlsberg mix plants to make beer?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does the company in America do to the yeast?
The company changes the yeast so beer can taste different.

2. What new tastes can beer have because of the changed yeast?
Beer can taste like fruits, like passion fruit or guava, without using real fruits.

3. Can all places use the changed yeast for food and drinks?
No, some places can’t use the changed yeasts for food or drinks.

4. Are there beer makers in America who use the special yeasts?
Yes, some beer makers in America use the special yeasts.

5. What is the name of the big beer company that doesn’t change yeast?
The big beer company is called Carlsberg.

6. Where does Carlsberg mix plants to make new ones?
Carlsberg mixes plants in a special place in Denmark.

7. Do some people like beer made the old way without changes?
Yes, some people like beer made the old way without changes.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) things
(2) using
(3) people
(4) America
(5) good
(6) long
(7) make
(8) changed
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. company
Answer: (b) A place where people work together

2. yeast
Answer: (f) Something that helps make bread and beer

3. beer
Answer: (d) A drink that adults like to have

4. fruits
Answer: (h) Sweet and juicy things that grow on trees

5. Carlsberg
Answer: (g) A big beer company in Europe

6. plants
Answer: (c) Things that grow in the ground

7. Denmark
Answer: (e) A country in Europe

8. taste
Answer: (a) The flavour of food or drink
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What can the company in America change to make beer taste different?
Answer: (b) Yeast

2. What can the changed yeast make beer taste like?
Answer: (a) Fruits

3. Which big beer company doesn’t want to change the yeast they use?
Answer: (d) Carlsberg

4. Where does Carlsberg mix different plants to make new ones for their beer?
Answer: (d) Denmark

5. What do some beer makers in America use to make their beer taste like fruits?
Answer: (c) Special yeasts

6. What do some people like the new way of making beer with?
Answer: (c) Changed yeasts

7. What do some people like the old way of making beer without?
Answer: (b) Changes

8. What does Carlsberg want to keep the beer tasting good for?
Answer: (a) A long time
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Some beer makers in America are using these special yeasts. (Answer: True)
2. There is no company in America that changes yeast to make beer taste different. (Answer: False)
3. Carlsberg mixes different plants to make new ones that are strong and keep the beer tasting good for a long time. (Answer: True)
4. No people like the new way with changed yeasts, everyone prefers the old way without changes. (Answer: False)
5. Some beers now taste like passion fruit or guava because of the changed yeast. (Answer: True)
6. All places allow people to use these changed yeasts to make food or drinks. (Answer: False)
7. Carlsberg, a big beer company, wants to change yeast or other things they use to make beer. (Answer: False)
8. The company can make beer taste like fruits without using real fruits. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧