People who make things out of glass are trying to make less pollution. They want to use less stuff and make things lighter because it’s better for the Earth. Some people are worried because glass is heavier than plastic or metal, and they think it’s not fair. But glass can be used again and again without making trash. They are thinking about using electric power instead of gas to make glass because it’s cleaner for the air.

A company in a place called Knottingley wants to use electric power to make glass by the year 2026. Before, people thought it was too expensive, but now it might be okay because of how much electric power costs. But, using electric power might be too costly for making a lot of glass. They also need to make sure there is enough electric power for everyone. Even though it’s hard, they are trying to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth. They also want to use old glass to make new things and try to use less glass to help the planet.

Original news source: Why there’s a revolution on the way in glass making (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out a word or phrase related to the article using only gestures and body movements. The other groups must guess what they are acting out. Encourage the use of simple vocabulary related to the article, such as “glass,” “electric power,” or “Earth.”

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Provide each student with a piece of paper and a pencil. Choose a vocabulary word from the article and ask a student to come to the front of the class and draw a picture representing that word. The rest of the class must guess what the word is based on the drawing. Encourage the use of simple vocabulary related to the article, such as “pollution,” “trash,” or “power.”

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a large piece of paper and markers. Ask them to create a headline for a newspaper article about the topic of the article. Encourage them to use simple vocabulary and be creative with their headlines. After a few minutes, have each pair share their headline with the class.

– Synonym Challenge
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a set of index cards or small pieces of paper. Ask each group to write down as many synonyms as they can for each vocabulary word. After a few minutes, have each group share their synonyms with the class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask each student to imagine what the world will be like in the future, specifically related to the topic of the article. Have each student write down one prediction on a small piece of paper. Collect all the predictions and read them out loud to the class. Encourage students to use simple vocabulary related to the article, such as “cleaner,” “sustainable,” or “reusable.”

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are people who make things out of glass trying to do?
2. Why do they want to use less stuff and make things lighter?
3. Why are some people worried about using glass instead of plastic or metal?
4. How can glass be used again and again without making trash?
5. What are people thinking about using instead of gas to make glass?
6. What is the name of the place where a company wants to use electric power to make glass?
7. Why is it important to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

People who make things out of glass are (1)______ to make less pollution. They want to use less stuff and make things lighter because it’s better for the Earth. Some people are worried because glass is (2)______ than plastic or metal, and they think it’s not fair. But glass can be used again and again without making trash. They are thinking about using electric power instead of gas to make glass because it’s cleaner for the air.

A company in a place (3)______ (4)______ wants to use electric (5)______ to make glass by the year 2026. Before, people thought it was too expensive, but now it might be okay because of how much electric power costs. But, using electric power might be too (6)______ for making a lot of glass. They also need to make sure there is enough electric power for everyone. Even though it’s hard, they are trying to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth. They also (7)______ to use old glass to make new things and try to use less glass to help the (8)______.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is pollution?
2. How would you feel if you saw a lot of trash on the ground?
3. Do you like using things that are heavy or light? Why?
4. Do you think it’s fair to use glass instead of plastic or metal? Why or why not?
5. What is electric power?
6. How would you feel if you had to pay a lot of money for something?
7. Do you think it’s important to use electric power instead of gas? Why or why not?
8. What are some ways we can help the Earth?
9. Do you think it’s a good idea to use old glass to make new things? Why or why not?
10. How would you feel if there was not enough electric power for everyone?
11. Do you think it’s hard to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth? Why or why not?
12. What are some things you can do to use less glass?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. pollution
2. electric
3. expensive
4. recycle
5. planet
6. fair
7. trash
8. discover
9. lighter
10. cleaner

Meanings:
(A) When something costs a lot of money
(B) Dirty air and water that can make the Earth sick
(C) A kind of power that comes from lightning and can turn lights on
(D) Something that helps make things not dirty
(E) Things that people throw away because they don’t want them anymore
(F) When everyone is treated the same and it feels right
(G) Using something old to make something new again
(H) Finding something you didn’t know about before
(I) The big round home we all live on that floats in space
(J) Not heavy, easy to pick up
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why do people who make things out of glass want to use less stuff?
(a) It’s better for the Earth
(b) It’s cheaper
(c) It’s heavier
(d) It’s easier to make

2. Why are some people worried about using glass instead of plastic or metal?
(a) Glass is cheaper
(b) Glass is easier to make
(c) Glass is better for the Earth
(d) Glass is heavier

3. Why is using electric power to make glass a good idea?
(a) It’s cheaper
(b) It’s cleaner for the air
(c) It’s easier to use
(d) It’s better for the Earth

4. When does the company in Knottingley want to start using electric power to make glass?
(a) By the year 2020
(b) By the year 2030
(c) By the year 2026
(d) By the year 2050

5. Why might using electric power be too costly for making a lot of glass?
(a) It’s better for the Earth
(b) It’s cleaner for the air
(c) It costs a lot of money
(d) It’s easier to use

6. What do they need to make sure of before using electric power to make glass?
(a) Glass is cheaper
(b) There is enough electric power for everyone
(c) Glass is lighter
(d) Glass is better for the Earth

7. What do they want to do with old glass?
(a) Throw it away
(b) Sell it
(c) Keep it in a museum
(d) Use it to make new things

8. What do they want to do with glass to help the planet?
(a) Use less of it
(b) Use more of it
(c) Make it heavier
(d) Make it cheaper

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Some people believe glass is lighter than plastic or metal, but glass cannot be used more than once without creating waste.
2. Glass makers are not concerned about finding ways to make glass without harming the Earth.
3. Using electric power might be too expensive for making a lot of glass.
4. They want to use old glass to make new things and use less glass to help the planet.
5. Glass makers are considering sticking with gas instead of electric because it’s cleaner for the air.
6. People who make things out of glass want to use less stuff and make things lighter to help the Earth.
7. A company in Knottingley wants to use electric power to make glass by 2026.
8. They don’t need to ensure there is sufficient electric power for everyone to use.
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 people who make things out of glass trying to do?
2. Why are some people worried about glass being heavier than plastic or metal?
3. What are they thinking about using to make glass instead of gas?
4. When does the company in Knottingley want to use electric power to make glass?
5. Why do they want to use old glass to make new things?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are people who make things out of glass trying to do?
They are trying to make less pollution.

2. Why do they want to use less stuff and make things lighter?
Because it’s better for the Earth.

3. Why are some people worried about using glass instead of plastic or metal?
Because glass is heavier.

4. How can glass be used again and again without making trash?
By recycling it and making new things out of old glass.

5. What are people thinking about using instead of gas to make glass?
Electric power.

6. What is the name of the place where a company wants to use electric power to make glass?
Knottingley.

7. Why is it important to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth?
To protect the environment and keep the Earth clean.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) trying
(2) heavier
(3) called
(4) Knottingley
(5) power
(6) costly
(7) want
(8) planet
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. pollution
Answer: (B) Dirty air and water that can make the Earth sick

2. electric
Answer: (C) A kind of power that comes from lightning and can turn lights on

3. expensive
Answer: (A) When something costs a lot of money

4. recycle
Answer: (G) Using something old to make something new again

5. planet
Answer: (I) The big round home we all live on that floats in space

6. fair
Answer: (F) When everyone is treated the same and it feels right

7. trash
Answer: (E) Things that people throw away because they don’t want them anymore

8. discover
Answer: (H) Finding something you didn’t know about before

9. lighter
Answer: (J) Not heavy, easy to pick up

10. cleaner
Answer: (D) Something that helps make things not dirty
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why do people who make things out of glass want to use less stuff?
Answer: (a) It’s better for the Earth

2. Why are some people worried about using glass instead of plastic or metal?
Answer: (d) Glass is heavier

3. Why is using electric power to make glass a good idea?
Answer: (b) It’s cleaner for the air

4. When does the company in Knottingley want to start using electric power to make glass?
Answer: (c) By the year 2026

5. Why might using electric power be too costly for making a lot of glass?
Answer: (c) It costs a lot of money

6. What do they need to make sure of before using electric power to make glass?
Answer: (b) There is enough electric power for everyone

7. What do they want to do with old glass?
Answer: (d) Use it to make new things

8. What do they want to do with glass to help the planet?
Answer: (a) Use less of it
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Some people believe glass is lighter than plastic or metal, but glass cannot be used more than once without creating waste. (Answer: False)
2. Glass makers are not concerned about finding ways to make glass without harming the Earth. (Answer: False)
3. Using electric power might be too expensive for making a lot of glass. (Answer: True)
4. They want to use old glass to make new things and use less glass to help the planet. (Answer: True)
5. Glass makers are considering sticking with gas instead of electric because it’s cleaner for the air. (Answer: False)
6. People who make things out of glass want to use less stuff and make things lighter to help the Earth. (Answer: True)
7. A company in Knottingley wants to use electric power to make glass by 2026. (Answer: True)
8. They don’t need to ensure there is sufficient electric power for everyone to use. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧