A Chinese company called BYD is making more electric cars than Tesla. BYD’s shares went up because they said they will make more than double the money they made last year. BYD makes its own batteries, which helps it save money. This is different from Tesla, which buys batteries from other companies. China now makes and sells more cars than any other country in the world.

China is also the biggest market for electric cars. The Chinese government is giving people money to buy electric cars. BYD’s cheapest car costs $11,000, while Tesla’s cheapest car costs $36,000 in China. Tesla’s sales in China are going down, but BYD’s sales are going up. However, Tesla is still popular with young people in China.

Original news source: BYD: The top electric car maker that is not Tesla (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down key words from the article on separate pieces of paper and place them in a hat. One person from each team will draw a word from the hat and act it out without speaking. The team members must guess the word within a certain time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns summarizing the article to their partner. They should include the main points and key information. After each summary, the partner can ask questions for clarification. Then, the roles will switch and the other student will summarize the article.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In groups of 3-4, students will discuss and share their opinions on the following questions related to the article:
1. Do you think electric cars will become more popular in the future?
2. Would you consider buying an electric car? Why or why not?
3. What advantages and disadvantages do you see in owning an electric car?
After the discussion, each group will share their opinions with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper and place them in a hat. One student will draw a word from the hat and try to draw a picture that represents the word. The rest of the class must guess the word based on the drawing. The student who guesses correctly gets to draw the next word.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In pairs, students will make a list of the pros and cons of owning an electric car. They should consider factors such as cost, environmental impact, charging infrastructure, and convenience. After making their lists, each pair will share their pros and cons with another pair. They should try to reach a consensus on whether the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is making more electric cars than Tesla?
2. Why did BYD’s shares go up?
3. What does BYD do differently from Tesla?
4. Which country makes and sells the most cars in the world?
5. Why is China the biggest market for electric cars?
6. How much does BYD’s cheapest car cost in China?
7. Are Tesla’s sales going up or down in China?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A Chinese company called BYD is making more (1)______ cars than Tesla. BYD’s shares went up because they said they will make more than double the (2)______ they made last year. BYD makes its own batteries, which helps it save money. This is different from Tesla, which buys batteries from other (3)______. China now (4)______ and sells more cars than any other country in the world.

China is also the (5)______ market for electric cars. The Chinese government is giving people money to buy electric cars. BYD’s (6)______ car costs $11,000, while Tesla’s cheapest car costs $36,000 in China. Tesla’s sales in China are going down, but BYD’s sales are going up. However, Tesla is still popular with young people in China.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an electric car?
2. How would you feel if you had an electric car?
3. Do you like saving money? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s better to make your own batteries or buy them from other companies? Why?
5. What do you think about China making and selling the most cars in the world?
6. How would you feel if the government gave you money to buy an electric car?
7. Do you think $11,000 is a lot of money for a car? Why or why not?
8. How would you feel if Tesla’s sales were going down?
9. Do you think young people in China like Tesla? Why or why not?
10. How would you feel if BYD’s sales were going up?
11. Do you like electric cars? Why or why not?
12. How would you feel if you could buy an electric car for $11,000?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. company
2. electric cars
3. batteries
4. money
5. China
6. market
7. government
8. sales

Meanings:
(a) A place where people work together to make things
(b) The people who make rules and decisions for a country
(c) A place where people buy and sell things
(d) A big country in Asia
(e) Things that store energy to make things work
(f) Cars that run on electricity instead of gas
(g) The thing people use to buy things they want
(h) The number of things that are sold to people
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the Chinese company that is making more electric cars than Tesla?
(a) Ford
(b) BYD
(c) Toyota
(d) Honda

2. Why did BYD’s shares go up?
(a) They bought batteries from other companies
(b) They said they will make more money than last year
(c) They made their own batteries
(d) They sold more cars than Tesla

3. Which country makes and sells the most cars in the world?
(a) China
(b) United States
(c) Germany
(d) Japan

4. Why is China the biggest market for electric cars?
(a) Electric cars are cheaper in China
(b) China makes the best electric cars
(c) The government gives people money to buy electric cars
(d) People in China like electric cars the most

5. How much does BYD’s cheapest car cost in China?
(a) $11,000
(b) $36,000
(c) $50,000
(d) $100,000

6. Where does Tesla buy its batteries from?
(a) BYD
(b) China
(c) The government
(d) Other companies

7. Are Tesla’s sales going up or down in China?
(a) Up
(b) The same
(c) Down
(d) Not mentioned in the article

8. Who is still popular with young people in China?
(a) BYD
(b) Ford
(c) Toyota
(d) Tesla

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. A Chinese company called BYD makes more electric cars than Tesla.
2. China is not the biggest market for electric cars.
3. China makes and sells fewer cars than any other country in the world.
4. BYD makes its own batteries and saves money.
5. BYD’s most expensive car costs $11,000, while Tesla’s most expensive car costs $36,000 in China.
6. The Chinese government gives people money to buy electric cars.
7. BYD’s shares went up because they will make more money than last year.
8. Tesla’s sales in China are going up, but BYD’s sales are going down.
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 is the name of the Chinese company that makes more electric cars than Tesla?
2. Why did BYD’s shares go up?
3. How does BYD save money?
4. Which country makes and sells the most cars in the world?
5. Why is the Chinese government giving people money?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who is making more electric cars than Tesla?
BYD is making more electric cars than Tesla.

2. Why did BYD’s shares go up?
BYD’s shares went up because they said they will make more money than last year.

3. What does BYD do differently from Tesla?
BYD makes its own batteries, while Tesla buys batteries from other companies.

4. Which country makes and sells the most cars in the world?
China makes and sells the most cars in the world.

5. Why is China the biggest market for electric cars?
China is the biggest market for electric cars because the government gives people money to buy them.

6. How much does BYD’s cheapest car cost in China?
BYD’s cheapest car costs $11,000 in China.

7. Are Tesla’s sales going up or down in China?
Tesla’s sales are going down in China.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) electric
(2) money
(3) companies
(4) makes
(5) biggest
(6) cheapest
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. company
Answer: (a) A place where people work together to make things

2. electric cars
Answer: (f) Cars that run on electricity instead of gas

3. batteries
Answer: (e) Things that store energy to make things work

4. money
Answer: (g) The thing people use to buy things they want

5. China
Answer: (d) A big country in Asia

6. market
Answer: (c) A place where people buy and sell things

7. government
Answer: (b) The people who make rules and decisions for a country

8. sales
Answer: (h) The number of things that are sold to people
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the Chinese company that is making more electric cars than Tesla?
Answer: (b) BYD

2. Why did BYD’s shares go up?
Answer: (b) They said they will make more money than last year

3. Which country makes and sells the most cars in the world?
Answer: (a) China

4. Why is China the biggest market for electric cars?
Answer: (c) The government gives people money to buy electric cars

5. How much does BYD’s cheapest car cost in China?
Answer: (a) $11,000

6. Where does Tesla buy its batteries from?
Answer: (d) Other companies

7. Are Tesla’s sales going up or down in China?
Answer: (c) Down

8. Who is still popular with young people in China?
Answer: (d) Tesla
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. A Chinese company called BYD makes more electric cars than Tesla. (Answer: True)
2. China is not the biggest market for electric cars. (Answer: False)
3. China makes and sells fewer cars than any other country in the world. (Answer: False)
4. BYD makes its own batteries and saves money. (Answer: True)
5. BYD’s most expensive car costs $11,000, while Tesla’s most expensive car costs $36,000 in China. (Answer: False)
6. The Chinese government gives people money to buy electric cars. (Answer: True)
7. BYD’s shares went up because they will make more money than last year. (Answer: True)
8. Tesla’s sales in China are going up, but BYD’s sales are going down. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧