A man who helps judges in Europe said that a big company, Apple, should give a lot of money, €13 billion, back to a place called Ireland. The man, named Giovanni, thinks the first time judges said Apple didn’t have to pay was not right. His words are not the final say, but often the big judges agree with him.

This all started in 2016 when some people said Apple didn’t pay enough money to Ireland, and that wasn’t fair to other companies. The people in Ireland said it’s okay because they like having big companies like Apple there. Apple says it did nothing wrong and doesn’t want to pay the money back. Now, this could all be looked at again, and it’s important for Apple and for rules about big companies and money.

Original news source: Apple should pay €13bn Irish tax, argues EU lawyer (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Split the class into two teams. On slips of paper, write down key vocabulary from the article such as “judges,” “company,” “money,” “pay,” and “rules.” One student from a team comes up and draws the word on the board without speaking or writing letters or numbers, while their team guesses the word. If they guess correctly within a time limit, they get a point. Then the other team takes a turn.

– Headline Creation
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs to create a catchy headline for the article that summarizes its main point in less than 10 words. Encourage creativity and the use of new vocabulary. Afterward, have each pair share their headline with the class and discuss which ones are the most effective and why.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Conduct a class opinion poll by asking students if they think big companies should pay more money to the places where they do business. Have students line up along a spectrum in the room from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Select a few students to explain their position to the class.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Pair up students and give them 2 minutes to discuss the article and summarize it to each other in their own words. After the time is up, ask a few pairs to share their summaries with the class. This will help students process the information and practice speaking concisely and clearly.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a question related to the article, such as, “Do you think Apple should pay the €13 billion to Ireland?” Give students some time to think about their answer individually, then have them pair up to discuss their thoughts. Finally, bring the class back together and have pairs share their discussions with the whole group. This activity encourages critical thinking, speaking, and listening skills.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the man named Giovanni want Apple to do?
2. How much money does Giovanni think Apple should give to Ireland?
3. Did the judges first say Apple had to pay or not?
4. When did people start talking about Apple and money?
5. Why do some people in Ireland think it’s okay for Apple not to pay?
6. What does Apple think about paying the money?
7. Why is this story important for Apple and rules about money?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A man who (1)______ judges in Europe said that a big company, Apple, should give a lot of money, €13 billion, back to a place (2)______ Ireland. The man, named Giovanni, thinks the first time judges said (3)______ didn’t have to pay was not right. His words are not the final say, but often the big judges agree with him.

This all started in 2016 when some (4)______ said Apple didn’t pay (5)______ money to Ireland, and that wasn’t fair to other companies. The people in Ireland said it’s okay because they (6)______ having big companies like Apple there. Apple says it did nothing wrong and doesn’t (7)______ to pay the money back. Now, this could all be (8)______ at again, and it’s important for Apple and for rules about big companies and money.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a company?
2. Do you like apples? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if you had to give back money?
4. What is fair?
5. Do you think big companies are important in a place? Why?
6. Have you ever shared something with a friend? How did it make you feel?
7. Do you like when people help you make decisions?
8. How do you feel when someone says you did something wrong?
9. Do you think it’s important to follow rules? Why or why not?
10. What is money used for?
11. How do you feel when you get money as a gift?
12. Do you think everyone should pay the same amount for things? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Europe
2. Apple
3. Ireland
4. judges
5. money
6. Giovanni
7. 2016
8. companies

Meanings:
(a) A big company that makes phones and computers
(b) Groups that sell things or provide services
(c) A country known for its green fields and leprechauns
(d) People who decide if someone broke a rule
(e) The year before last year
(f) A man who helps the judges make decisions
(g) A place with many different countries
(h) Coins and bills that we use to buy things
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who thinks Apple should give €13 billion back to Ireland?
(a) Giovanni
(b) Steve
(c) Maria
(d) Thomas

2. When did this issue with Apple and Ireland start?
(a) 2020
(b) 2018
(c) 2016
(d) 2014

3. Where is Apple being asked to give the money back to?
(a) France
(b) Ireland
(c) Germany
(d) Italy

4. Why do some people think Apple should pay more money to Ireland?
(a) Because they paid too much
(b) Because they don’t like Ireland
(c) Because they didn’t pay enough
(d) Because they want to help Apple

5. What does Apple say about the situation?
(a) They want to pay more
(b) They want to leave Ireland
(c) They want to close their company
(d) They did nothing wrong

6. Who is Giovanni?
(a) An Apple employee
(b) A man who helps judges in Europe
(c) A judge in Ireland
(d) A big company owner

7. What is the amount of money Apple is being asked to give back?
(a) €5 million
(b) €20 billion
(c) €10 million
(d) €13 billion

8. Why is this situation important?
(a) It’s important for Apple and for rules about big companies and money
(b) It’s not important
(c) It’s important for small companies
(d) It’s important for the government of Ireland

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Apple doesn’t want to give the money back.
2. Apple was told before that they didn’t have to pay the money, but now it might change.
3. The man named Giovanni hinders judges in Europe.
4. This all started in 2012.
5. A man named Giovanni thinks Apple should give back a lot of money to Ireland.
6. Some people think Apple didn’t pay enough money to Ireland.
7. People in Ireland dislike having big companies like Apple there.
8. The big judges rarely agree with Giovanni.
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. Who is the man that said Apple should give money back?
2. How much money does the man say Apple should give back?
3. Where does the man say Apple should give the money to?
4. Did the big judges already decide if Apple has to give the money back?
5. Why do some people think Apple should give the money back?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does the man named Giovanni want Apple to do?
Giovanni wants Apple to give a lot of money to Ireland.

2. How much money does Giovanni think Apple should give to Ireland?
Giovanni thinks Apple should give €13 billion to Ireland.

3. Did the judges first say Apple had to pay or not?
No, the first time the judges said Apple did not have to pay.

4. When did people start talking about Apple and money?
People started talking about Apple and money in 2016.

5. Why do some people in Ireland think it’s okay for Apple not to pay?
Some people in Ireland think it’s okay because they like having big companies like Apple there.

6. What does Apple think about paying the money?
Apple thinks it did nothing wrong and doesn’t want to pay the money back.

7. Why is this story important for Apple and rules about money?
This story is important because it can change how big companies and money rules work.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) helps
(2) called
(3) Apple
(4) people
(5) enough
(6) like
(7) want
(8) looked
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Europe
Answer: (g) A place with many different countries

2. Apple
Answer: (a) A big company that makes phones and computers

3. Ireland
Answer: (c) A country known for its green fields and leprechauns

4. judges
Answer: (d) People who decide if someone broke a rule

5. money
Answer: (h) Coins and bills that we use to buy things

6. Giovanni
Answer: (f) A man who helps the judges make decisions

7. 2016
Answer: (e) The year before last year

8. companies
Answer: (b) Groups that sell things or provide services
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who thinks Apple should give €13 billion back to Ireland?
Answer: (a) Giovanni

2. When did this issue with Apple and Ireland start?
Answer: (c) 2016

3. Where is Apple being asked to give the money back to?
Answer: (b) Ireland

4. Why do some people think Apple should pay more money to Ireland?
Answer: (c) Because they didn’t pay enough

5. What does Apple say about the situation?
Answer: (d) They did nothing wrong

6. Who is Giovanni?
Answer: (b) A man who helps judges in Europe

7. What is the amount of money Apple is being asked to give back?
Answer: (d) €13 billion

8. Why is this situation important?
Answer: (a) It’s important for Apple and for rules about big companies and money
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Apple doesn’t want to give the money back. (Answer: True)
2. Apple was told before that they didn’t have to pay the money, but now it might change. (Answer: True)
3. The man named Giovanni hinders judges in Europe. (Answer: False)
4. This all started in 2012. (Answer: False)
5. A man named Giovanni thinks Apple should give back a lot of money to Ireland. (Answer: True)
6. Some people think Apple didn’t pay enough money to Ireland. (Answer: True)
7. People in Ireland dislike having big companies like Apple there. (Answer: False)
8. The big judges rarely agree with Giovanni. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧