The people who make glass containers are trying to make them in a way that is better for the Earth. They want to use less stuff and make less pollution. Some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter so they don’t use as much fuel. But, glass is heavy and the people who make it say it’s not fair because glass can be used again and again.

A company in England wants to use electricity instead of gas to make glass because it’s cleaner for the environment. But, using electricity can be more expensive and not all companies can do it right now. They also need to make some changes so they can use more electricity. Even though it’s hard, they are trying to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth.

They are also looking at other ideas to make less pollution. One idea is to use old glass to make new glass. But, it’s hard to get enough old glass. Another idea is to use less glass. A study says that even when we recycle glass, it can still be bad for the Earth. So, they are thinking about how to use less glass or find other ways to package things.

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:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the article. Instruct them to read the article together and write a brief summary of the main points. After a few minutes, ask some pairs to share their summaries with the rest of the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a list of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think using electricity instead of gas to make glass is a good idea?” or “Should companies use less glass packaging?” Instruct the groups to discuss the questions and come up with their opinions. After a few minutes, ask each group to present their opinions to the rest of the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board, such as “containers,” “pollution,” “recycle,” etc. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team comes to the front of the class. Show them a vocabulary word and they have to draw it on the board while their team tries to guess the word. The team that guesses correctly earns a point. Continue with different students and words until all the vocabulary words have been used.

– Synonym Challenge
Instructions: Write a list of words from the article on the board, such as “containers,” “environment,” “recycle,” etc. Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a few minutes to come up with as many synonyms as possible for each word. After the time is up, ask each pair to share their synonyms with the rest of the class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct the class to work individually. Ask them to read the article and think about the future of glass production and packaging. What changes do they think will happen? What improvements can be made? After a few minutes, ask some students to share their predictions with the rest of the class. Encourage them to explain their reasoning behind their predictions.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are the people who make glass containers trying to do?
2. Why do some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter?
3. Why do the people who make glass think it’s not fair?
4. What does a company in England want to use instead of gas to make glass?
5. Why is using electricity more expensive for some companies?
6. What are they trying to do to make glass without hurting the Earth?
7. What are some ideas they are looking at to make less pollution?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The people who (1)______ (2)______ containers are trying to make them in a way that is better for the Earth. They want to use less stuff and make less (3)______. Some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter so they don’t use as much fuel. But, glass is heavy and the people who make it say it’s not (4)______ because glass can be used again and again.

A company in England wants to use (5)______ instead of gas to make glass because it’s (6)______ for the environment. But, using electricity can be more expensive and not all companies can do it right now. They also need to make some changes so they can use (7)______ electricity. Even though it’s hard, they are trying to find (8)______ to make glass without hurting the Earth.

They are also looking at other (9)______ to make less pollution. One idea is to use old glass to make new glass. But, it’s hard to get enough old glass. Another (10)______ is to use less glass. A (11)______ says that even when we recycle glass, it can still be bad for the Earth. So, they are thinking about how to use less glass or (12)______ other ways to package things.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a glass container?
2. How would you feel if you had to carry something heavy made of glass?
3. Do you like the idea of using electricity instead of gas to make glass? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth? Why or why not?
5. What is one idea for making less pollution with glass?
6. How do you think they can get enough old glass to make new glass?
7. Do you think it’s a good idea to use less glass? Why or why not?
8. What do you think about the study that says recycling glass can still be bad for the Earth?
9. How would you feel if you had to package something without using glass?
10. Do you think it’s important for companies to make changes to help the environment? Why or why not?
11. What are some other ways we can help the Earth besides using less glass?
12. How do you think we can encourage more companies to use electricity instead of gas to make glass?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. containers
2. pollution
3. electricity
4. environment
5. recycle
6. packages
7. fuel
8. fair
9. changes
10. expensive
11. study
12. package

Meanings:
(A) Something burned to produce power or heat
(B) The natural world around us, including the air, water, and land
(C) Looking closely at something to learn more about it
(D) When something is right and equal for everyone
(E) A way to wrap or protect something
(F) Boxes, bags, or other things used to wrap or protect things
(G) Things used to hold or carry other things
(H) Making things different from how they were before
(I) Using something again instead of throwing it away
(J) Costs a lot of money
(K) Dirtying the air, water, or land
(L) A kind of energy that we use to power things in our homes
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why do the people who make glass containers want to use less stuff and make less pollution?
(a) To save money
(b) To make the glass lighter
(c) To use more fuel
(d) To be better for the Earth

2. What do some rules in Europe want packages to be?
(a) Heavier
(b) Lighter
(c) Bigger
(d) Smaller

3. Why do the people who make glass think it’s not fair that they have to make lighter packages?
(a) Glass can be used again and again
(b) Glass is heavy
(c) Glass is expensive
(d) Glass is bad for the Earth

4. What does a company in England want to use instead of gas to make glass?
(a) Water
(b) Electricity
(c) Oil
(d) Coal

5. Why is using electricity to make glass more difficult for some companies?
(a) It can be cheaper
(b) It can be lighter
(c) It can be more expensive
(d) It can be bad for the Earth

6. What are they trying to find ways to do?
(a) Make glass without hurting the Earth
(b) Use more gas to make glass
(c) Use more glass to package things
(d) Use more fuel to make glass

7. What is one idea they are looking at to make less pollution?
(a) Using more glass
(b) Using more fuel
(c) Using old glass to make new glass
(d) Using more gas

8. What does a study say about recycling glass?
(a) It is always good for the Earth
(b) It is always bad for the Earth
(c) It is always expensive
(d) It can still be bad for the Earth

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. A company in England wants to use gas instead of electricity to make glass because it’s cleaner for the environment.
2. Glass can be used again and again, which is why the people who make it think it’s not fair that they have to make it lighter.
3. They are considering using old glass to make new glass, but it’s hard to get enough old glass.
4. Some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter so they don’t use as much fuel.
5. They are trying to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth, even though it’s difficult.
6. The company does not need to make any changes in order to use more electricity.
7. Using electricity can be more affordable, so all companies can easily switch to it.
8. Glass container manufacturers are not making an effort to create environmentally friendly products.
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 the people who make glass containers trying to do to help the Earth?
2. Why do some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter?
3. Why do the people who make glass think it’s not fair that they have to make lighter packages?
4. What does a company in England want to use instead of gas to make glass?
5. Why is it hard to use old glass to make new glass?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are the people who make glass containers trying to do?
They are trying to make glass containers in a way that is better for the Earth.

2. Why do some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter?
Some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter so they don’t use as much fuel.

3. Why do the people who make glass think it’s not fair?
The people who make glass think it’s not fair because glass can be used again and again, so it’s not as bad for the Earth as other materials.

4. What does a company in England want to use instead of gas to make glass?
A company in England wants to use electricity instead of gas to make glass.

5. Why is using electricity more expensive for some companies?
Using electricity is more expensive for some companies because they need to make changes to their equipment and it costs more to use electricity than gas.

6. What are they trying to do to make glass without hurting the Earth?
They are trying to find ways to use less stuff and make less pollution when making glass containers.

7. What are some ideas they are looking at to make less pollution?
They are looking at ideas such as using old glass to make new glass and finding ways to use less glass or other materials to package things.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) make
(2) glass
(3) pollution
(4) fair
(5) electricity
(6) cleaner
(7) more
(8) ways
(9) ideas
(10) idea
(11) study
(12) find
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. containers
Answer: (G) Things used to hold or carry other things

2. pollution
Answer: (K) Dirtying the air, water, or land

3. electricity
Answer: (L) A kind of energy that we use to power things in our homes

4. environment
Answer: (B) The natural world around us, including the air, water, and land

5. recycle
Answer: (I) Using something again instead of throwing it away

6. packages
Answer: (F) Boxes, bags, or other things used to wrap or protect things

7. fuel
Answer: (A) Something burned to produce power or heat

8. fair
Answer: (D) When something is right and equal for everyone

9. changes
Answer: (H) Making things different from how they were before

10. expensive
Answer: (J) Costs a lot of money

11. study
Answer: (C) Looking closely at something to learn more about it

12. package
Answer: (E) A way to wrap or protect something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why do the people who make glass containers want to use less stuff and make less pollution?
Answer: (d) To be better for the Earth

2. What do some rules in Europe want packages to be?
Answer: (b) Lighter

3. Why do the people who make glass think it’s not fair that they have to make lighter packages?
Answer: (a) Glass can be used again and again

4. What does a company in England want to use instead of gas to make glass?
Answer: (b) Electricity

5. Why is using electricity to make glass more difficult for some companies?
Answer: (c) It can be more expensive

6. What are they trying to find ways to do?
Answer: (a) Make glass without hurting the Earth

7. What is one idea they are looking at to make less pollution?
Answer: (c) Using old glass to make new glass

8. What does a study say about recycling glass?
Answer: (d) It can still be bad for the Earth
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. A company in England wants to use gas instead of electricity to make glass because it’s cleaner for the environment. (Answer: False)
2. Glass can be used again and again, which is why the people who make it think it’s not fair that they have to make it lighter. (Answer: True)
3. They are considering using old glass to make new glass, but it’s hard to get enough old glass. (Answer: True)
4. Some rules in Europe want packages to be lighter so they don’t use as much fuel. (Answer: True)
5. They are trying to find ways to make glass without hurting the Earth, even though it’s difficult. (Answer: True)
6. The company does not need to make any changes in order to use more electricity. (Answer: False)
7. Using electricity can be more affordable, so all companies can easily switch to it. (Answer: False)
8. Glass container manufacturers are not making an effort to create environmentally friendly products. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧