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Starbucks China New Seating Policy

Starbucks in China now requires buying something to use their seating.
Try this article at a different level?

Starbucks is making a change in China. If you want to sit in a Starbucks in China, you must buy something. This change will begin on Thursday. There are 8,000 Starbucks stores in China. They want people to enjoy their cafes.

Many think this is a good idea because it stops people from sitting without buying. Before, some people sat with drinks from other places. Now, you must buy something to use the seats. Starbucks wants everyone to be happy when they visit. This helps make sure of that.

Original news source: No order, no seat: Starbucks China rolls out new store policy – BBC News (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1. rule
2. change
3. comfortable
4. enjoy
5. stores
6. Thursday
7. people
8. idea
9. games
10. world

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

1. Name some things you see in a cafe.
2. Do you like to go to cafes? Why or why not?
3. What do people do in cafes?
4. Have you ever been to a Starbucks? What did you do there?
5. Why should people buy something before sitting in a cafe?

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What change is happening in Chinese Starbucks stores?

2. When will this change start?

3. How many Starbucks stores are in China?

4. Why do people like this new rule?

5. What did some people do before the rule?

6. What is Starbucks trying to ensure with this rule?

7. Will this rule help make visitors happy?

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

is a change in China. If you want to sit in a Starbucks in China, you must buy something. This change will on . There are 8,000 Starbucks stores in China. They want people to enjoy their cafes. Many think this is a good idea because it stops from without buying. Before, some people sat with drinks from other places. Now, you buy something to use the seats. Starbucks wants everyone to be when they visit. This helps make sure of that.

💬 Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think Starbucks made this rule?
2. Have you ever seen people sitting in cafes without buying anything?
3. How do you feel about this rule?
4. Do you think this rule will make cafes better?
5. Would you prefer to sit in a café that has this rule or not?
6. Do you think this rule should be in cafes in your country?
7. How would you feel if someone asked you to buy something before sitting?
8. What do you usually do when you visit a café?
9. Do you think it's fair to ask people to buy something at cafes?
10. Would you visit a café more often if it was less crowded?
11. How do you decide what to do when you visit a café?
12. What is your favorite drink or snack to get at a cafe?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.

Words

1. rule
2. change
3. comfortable
4. enjoy
5. stores
6. Thursday
7. people
8. idea
9. games
10. world

Meanings

(A) feeling nice and relaxed
(B) fun activities to play
(C) humans
(D) to become different
(E) have a good time
(F) a day of the week
(G) the earth we live on
(H) a thought or plan
(I) something you follow
(J) places to shop

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What do you need to do to sit in a Chinese Starbucks?
(a) Buy something
(b) Speak Chinese
(c) Bring a game
(d) Visit on Thursday
2. When does the new rule start?
(a) Friday
(b) Thursday
(c) Saturday
(d) Sunday
3. How many Starbucks stores are there in China?
(a) 2,000
(b) 5,000
(c) 10,000
(d) 8,000
4. Why do people like the new rule?
(a) It is more expensive
(b) It is more colorful
(c) It stops non-buyers from sitting
(d) It is very fast
5. What did people do before the new rule?
(a) Dance in the store
(b) Give free coffee
(c) Sit without buying
(d) Make new games
6. What do you need to do to be comfortable at Starbucks?
(a) Paint a picture
(b) Buy something first
(c) Sing a song
(d) Fly a kite
7. Who will this rule make happy?
(a) Pets
(b) Furniture
(c) Plants
(d) Everyone
8. What is Starbucks trying to do with this rule?
(a) Make everyone happy
(b) Cook food
(c) Sell cars
(d) Grow flowers

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Few people dislike the new rule.
2. The rule is for making visits enjoyable.
3. Starbucks has 6,000 stores in China.
4. The old rule starts on Thursday.
5. Now, you must buy to sit down.
6. Starbucks wants visitors to be comfortable.
7. Before, some people sat without buying anything.
8. You need to buy nothing to sit in a Chinese Starbucks.

Writing Questions:

1. Why do you think cafes have rules?
2. What is your favorite thing to do in a cafe?
3. Describe what you see when you visit a cafe.
4. How would you feel if you couldn't sit without buying something?
5. What do you like most about visiting cafes?

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