Apple is a big company that makes iPhones and other things like Apple TV+. They didn’t make as much money as before, with their sales going down a little bit. They sold more iPhones than ever, but they didn’t sell as many computers or iPads. They also made good money from services where people store their photos or listen to music.

The boss of Apple, Tim Cook, thinks they will sell a lot of things during Christmas. But they didn’t sell as many computers this time, and they didn’t do as well in China. Even though they made more money in China when you think about money from different countries, they still sold less than before.

Apple is trying to make sure they have enough new iPhones to sell because sometimes it’s hard to get all the parts they need. They want to make sure they have enough for everyone who wants to buy one. Even though it’s a tough time, especially in places like China, Apple is trying to do its best to keep selling their products.

Original news source: Apple sales dip again despite iPhone boost (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Students will be divided into small groups and given a few minutes to discuss the article and summarize it in their own words. Each group will then present their summary to the class, focusing on the main points: Apple’s sales, product performance, and challenges.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g., “Apple will recover from the sales dip,” “Services like music streaming are the future of Apple’s revenue”). Students will move around the room and mark whether they agree or disagree with each statement. Afterwards, discuss the results as a class and encourage students to explain their opinions.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary from the article (e.g., company, sales, services, boss, computers, parts). Students take turns drawing the words on the board without speaking or writing any letters, while the rest of the class guesses the words. This activity helps with word recognition and understanding of the article’s content.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Pose a question related to the article, such as “Why do you think Apple’s sales in China have decreased?” Students will first think about the question individually, then pair up to discuss their thoughts, and finally share their discussions with the larger class. This activity encourages critical thinking and speaking practice.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine they are business analysts. Based on the information from the article, they will make predictions about Apple’s future in the next year. Have them write down their predictions, share with a partner, and then discuss as a class. This activity engages students in critical thinking and use of the future tense.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does Apple make besides iPhones?
2. Did Apple make more or less money than before?
3. Which product did Apple sell the most of?
4. What kind of services does Apple make money from?
5. What does Tim Cook expect to happen during Christmas?
6. Why is it difficult for Apple to have enough new iPhones to sell?
7. Did Apple sell more or fewer things in China this time?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Apple is a big company that makes iPhones and other things like Apple TV+. They didn’t make as much money as before, with their sales (1)______ down a little bit. They sold (2)______ iPhones than ever, but they didn’t sell as many computers or (3)______. They also made good money from services where people store their photos or (4)______ to music.

The boss of (5)______, Tim Cook, thinks they will sell a lot of things during Christmas. But they didn’t sell as (6)______ computers this time, and they didn’t do as well in China. Even though they made more money in China when you think about money from different countries, they still (7)______ less than before.

Apple is trying to (8)______ sure they have (9)______ new iPhones to sell because sometimes it’s hard to get all the (10)______ they need. They want to make sure they have enough for everyone who wants to buy one. Even though it’s a tough (11)______, especially in places like China, Apple is trying to do its best to (12)______ selling their products.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite thing to do on a phone?
2. How would you feel if your favorite thing to do on your phone was not available anymore?
3. Do you like listening to music? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to have the newest phone? Why or why not?
5. What is a service that you use to store your photos?
6. How do you feel when you can’t buy something because it’s sold out?
7. Do you think it’s good to have a lot of different gadgets, like phones, tablets, and computers? Why or why not?
8. What do you like to do during Christmas time?
9. Have you ever had trouble getting something you really wanted? What was it?
10. Do you think companies should make sure they have enough things for everyone to buy? Why or why not?
11. What is something special that you save your money to buy?
12. Do you like Apple products? If yes, what do you like about them? If no, why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. company
2. iPhones
3. money
4. Christmas
5. China
6. parts
7. tough
8. products

Meanings:
(a) The things you use to build something
(b) Things that a company makes to sell
(c) The opposite of easy
(d) A time of year when people give gifts
(e) The things you use to pay for things
(f) The things you use to buy things
(g) A place where many things are made
(h) A group of people who work together
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the main product that Apple makes?
(a) Laptops
(b) TVs
(c) Washing machines
(d) iPhones

2. What did Apple sell more of than ever before?
(a) iPhones
(b) Computers
(c) iPads
(d) Apple TV+

3. Where did Apple not do as well this time?
(a) USA
(b) Japan
(c) China
(d) Germany

4. What does Tim Cook think Apple will sell a lot of during Christmas?
(a) iPhones
(b) Things
(c) Computers
(d) TVs

5. What is Apple trying to make sure they have enough of to sell?
(a) Computers
(b) iPads
(c) Apple TV+
(d) New iPhones

6. What is a service that Apple made good money from?
(a) Storing photos
(b) Selling clothes
(c) Fixing cars
(d) Making food

7. What is something that Apple didn’t sell as many of this time?
(a) iPhones
(b) iPads
(c) Computers
(d) Apple TV+

8. Where did Apple make more money even though they sold less?
(a) USA
(b) China
(c) Germany
(d) Japan

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The boss of Apple, Tim Cook, doesn’t think they will sell a lot of things during Christmas.
2. They sold a significant number of computers and iPads this time.
3. Apple is a big company that makes iPhones and other things like Apple TV+.
4. Apple is not putting much effort into selling their products, even though it’s a tough time.
5. They didn’t do as well in China, even though they made more money there.
6. Their sales went down a little bit, but they sold more iPhones than ever.
7. They made good money from services like storing photos and listening to music.
8. Apple is trying to make sure they have insufficient new iPhones to sell.
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 Apple make besides iPhones?
2. Did Apple sell more or fewer computers and iPads this time?
3. What does Tim Cook think about Apple’s sales for Christmas?
4. Did Apple make more money or less money in China this time?
5. Why is it hard for Apple to have enough new iPhones to sell?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does Apple make besides iPhones?
Apple makes other things like Apple TV+ and computers and iPads.

2. Did Apple make more or less money than before?
Apple made less money than before.

3. Which product did Apple sell the most of?
Apple sold the most iPhones.

4. What kind of services does Apple make money from?
Apple makes money from services where people can store their photos or listen to music.

5. What does Tim Cook expect to happen during Christmas?
Tim Cook thinks Apple will sell a lot of things during Christmas.

6. Why is it difficult for Apple to have enough new iPhones to sell?
It’s hard to get all the parts they need, which makes it difficult to have enough new iPhones to sell.

7. Did Apple sell more or fewer things in China this time?
Apple sold fewer things in China this time.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) going
(2) more
(3) iPads
(4) listen
(5) Apple
(6) many
(7) sold
(8) make
(9) enough
(10) parts
(11) time
(12) keep
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. company
Answer: (d) A time of year when people give gifts

2. iPhones
Answer: (b) Things that a company makes to sell

3. money
Answer: (g) A place where many things are made

4. Christmas
Answer: (c) The opposite of easy

5. China
Answer: (a) The things you use to build something

6. parts
Answer: (f) The things you use to buy things

7. tough
Answer: (h) A group of people who work together

8. products
Answer: (e) The things you use to pay for things
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the main product that Apple makes?
Answer: (d) iPhones

2. What did Apple sell more of than ever before?
Answer: (a) iPhones

3. Where did Apple not do as well this time?
Answer: (c) China

4. What does Tim Cook think Apple will sell a lot of during Christmas?
Answer: (b) Things

5. What is Apple trying to make sure they have enough of to sell?
Answer: (d) New iPhones

6. What is a service that Apple made good money from?
Answer: (a) Storing photos

7. What is something that Apple didn’t sell as many of this time?
Answer: (c) Computers

8. Where did Apple make more money even though they sold less?
Answer: (b) China
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The boss of Apple, Tim Cook, doesn’t think they will sell a lot of things during Christmas. (Answer: False)
2. They sold a significant number of computers and iPads this time. (Answer: False)
3. Apple is a big company that makes iPhones and other things like Apple TV+. (Answer: True)
4. Apple is not putting much effort into selling their products, even though it’s a tough time. (Answer: False)
5. They didn’t do as well in China, even though they made more money there. (Answer: True)
6. Their sales went down a little bit, but they sold more iPhones than ever. (Answer: True)
7. They made good money from services like storing photos and listening to music. (Answer: True)
8. Apple is trying to make sure they have insufficient new iPhones to sell. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧