A Chinese company named BYD sold more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023. BYD sold 526,000 cars that only use batteries, beating Tesla for the first time. But for the whole year, Tesla sold more cars, with 1.8 million electric cars sold. Tesla did better than people thought they would, selling 20% more cars than the year before.
BYD is doing well and making it harder for Tesla because more companies are making electric cars. In 2023, BYD sold more than 3 million cars that are good for the environment, including cars with batteries and cars that are half battery, half regular engine. BYD makes its own batteries, which saves them money. But Tesla's rivals usually buy batteries from other companies.
BYD has become very good at making batteries and electric cars. The company started in 1995 making batteries that you can charge again and again. Then they bought a car company that was not doing well. Because BYD makes its own batteries, they can sell cars for less money. In December, they sold 70% more cars than before.
Original news source: Chinaβs BYD overtakes Tesla's electric car sales in last quarter of 2023 (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They should focus on the key information, such as the companies involved, the number of cars sold, and the competition between BYD and Tesla.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and share their opinions on the following questions:
1. Do you think it's important for companies to make electric cars?
2. Would you prefer to buy an electric car or a car with a regular engine? Why?
3. Do you think Tesla will continue to be the leading electric car company, or will other companies like BYD surpass them in the future?
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will take turns choosing a vocabulary word from the article and drawing a picture to represent it. The other students in the group must guess the word based on the drawing. The student who drew the picture can give hints or describe the word using synonyms.
– Keyword Hangman
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will take turns choosing a keyword from the article and playing a game of hangman. They should provide hints or clues to help their partner guess the word. The group can discuss the meaning and context of the word after it has been guessed.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: In this activity, students will individually think about and answer the following question: "What factors do you think contribute to the success of BYD and Tesla in the electric car market?" After a few minutes, students will pair up and share their answers with a partner. Finally, pairs will join another pair to create a group of four and share their answers again. The whole group can then have a discussion about the different factors mentioned.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
BYD sold more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023.
No, Tesla sold more cars than BYD for the whole year.
Yes, Tesla sold 20% more cars in 2023 compared to the previous year.
BYD is making it harder for Tesla because more companies are making electric cars, and BYD is one of their competitors.
BYD sold more than 3 million cars in 2023 that are good for the environment.
BYD is able to sell cars for less money because they make their own batteries, which saves them money.
BYD sold 70% more cars in December compared to before.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
A Chinese company named BYD electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023. BYD sold 526,000 cars that only use , beating Tesla for the first time. But for the whole year, Tesla sold more cars, with 1.8 million electric cars sold. Tesla did better than thought they would, selling 20% more cars than the year before. BYD is well and it harder for Tesla because more companies are making electric cars. In 2023, BYD sold more than 3 million cars that are good for the environment, cars with batteries and cars that are half battery, half engine. BYD makes its own batteries, which saves them money. But Tesla's rivals usually buy batteries from companies. BYD has become very good at making batteries and electric . The company started in 1995 making batteries that you can again and again. Then they bought a car company that was not doing well. Because BYD makes its own batteries, they can sell cars for less . In December, they sold 70% more cars than before.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is an electric car?
2. How would you feel if you had an electric car?
3. Do you like the idea of using batteries to power a car? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it's important for cars to be good for the environment? Why or why not?
5. What do you think makes BYD's electric cars different from Tesla's?
6. How do you think BYD making its own batteries helps them sell cars for less money?
7. Do you think it's better for companies to make their own batteries or buy them from other companies? Why or why not?
8. What do you think has made BYD successful in making batteries and electric cars?
9. How would you feel if you were able to charge your car's battery again and again?
10. Do you think more companies should start making electric cars? Why or why not?
11. Why do you think Tesla sold more cars than people expected?
12. How do you think BYD selling more electric cars than Tesla will affect the future of electric cars?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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