McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s that sells retro-themed drinks. The first CosMc’s branch has been really popular, with lots of people lining up to try the new drinks. The brand wants to compete with Starbucks in the specialty coffee and drink market. The menu has breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and snacks, but the main focus is on the drinks, which come in lots of different flavors and look really cool. Customers can even add things like syrups and boba to their drinks.

The CosMc’s brand is named after a funny orange alien that McDonald’s used to advertise with in the 1980s. The brand’s colors are yellow and purple, which are meant to remind people of the past. But the best thing about CosMc’s is the drinks. They’re made to look good and are perfect for sharing on social media. Right now, you can only get CosMc’s through the drive-through, and when it first opened, people had to wait over an hour to order.

McDonald’s knows that drinks are really popular, so they want to make their drinks even better. In the past, McDonald’s focused more on burgers and fries, and their McCafe brand didn’t do so well in the US. But with CosMc’s, they hope to attract customers who want special and customizable drinks. The brand’s retro theme has also been a hit with people who like the 1980s.

Some experts think it’s strange that McDonald’s made a whole new brand just for drinks. But McDonald’s thinks they can make more money this way. The drinks at CosMc’s cost more than the usual McDonald’s drinks. The brand has its own drive-through locations, which means they can serve people faster. Even though there were long lines at first, we don’t know yet if CosMc’s will last in the competitive drink market.

Overall, McDonald’s new brand CosMc’s has been really popular. Lots of people lined up outside the first branch to try the drinks. The brand’s focus on retro-themed drinks and customizable options has attracted customers who want something different and cool to drink. McDonald’s wants to do better in the drink market and compete with Starbucks. We don’t know if CosMc’s will be successful, but so far, McDonald’s fans seem to like it.

Original news source: CosMc’s: Customers flock to McDonald’s new retro drinks brand (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Give each group a copy of the article or read it aloud to the class.
3. Ask the groups to summarize the article in their own words, focusing on the main points.
4. After a set amount of time, have each group share their summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Ask each group to come up with three questions related to the article that they can ask their classmates.
3. Give the groups time to discuss and answer the questions.
4. Have each group share their questions and the responses they received from their classmates.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper or index cards.
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Give each group a set of the vocabulary words.
4. Have the groups take turns choosing a word and drawing a picture to represent it.
5. The other groups must guess the word based on the drawing.
6. The group that guesses correctly gets a point, and the group with the most points at the end wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Assign one group to list the pros of McDonald’s creating a new brand for drinks, and another group to list the cons.
3. Give the groups time to discuss and come up with their lists.
4. Have each group share their pros and cons with the class, and facilitate a class discussion on the topic.

– Future Predictions
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Ask each group to discuss and make predictions about what they think will happen with CosMc’s in the future.
3. Encourage the groups to consider factors such as market competition, customer preferences, and McDonald’s strategy.
4. After a set amount of time, have each group share their predictions with the class, and facilitate a class discussion on the topic.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of McDonald’s new brand that sells retro-themed drinks?
2. Why did people have to wait over an hour to order at the first CosMc’s branch?
3. What is the main focus of the CosMc’s menu?
4. What can customers add to their drinks at CosMc’s?
5. Why did McDonald’s create the CosMc’s brand?
6. What is the retro theme of the CosMc’s brand?
7. Why do some experts think it’s strange that McDonald’s made a whole new brand just for drinks?
8. What has attracted customers to the CosMc’s brand?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s that sells retro-themed drinks. The first CosMc’s branch has been really popular, with lots of people lining up to try the new drinks. The brand wants to compete with Starbucks in the specialty coffee and drink (1)______. The menu has breakfast (2)______, desserts, and snacks, but the main focus is on the drinks, which come in lots of different (3)______ and look really cool. (4)______ can even add things like syrups and boba to their drinks.

The CosMc’s brand is named after a funny orange alien that McDonald’s used to advertise with in the 1980s. The brand’s colors are yellow and (5)______, which are meant to (6)______ people of the past. But the best thing about CosMc’s is the (7)______. They’re made to look good and are perfect for sharing on social (8)______. Right now, you can only get CosMc’s through the drive-through, and when it first opened, people had to wait over an hour to order.

McDonald’s knows that drinks are really popular, so they want to make their drinks even better. In the past, McDonald’s focused more on burgers and (9)______, and their McCafe brand didn’t do so well in the US. But with CosMc’s, they hope to attract customers who want special and customizable drinks. The brand’s retro theme has also been a hit with people who like the 1980s.

Some experts (10)______ it’s strange that McDonald’s made a whole new brand just for drinks. But McDonald’s thinks they can make more (11)______ this way. The drinks at CosMc’s cost more than the usual McDonald’s drinks. The brand has its own drive-through (12)______, which means they can serve people faster. Even though there were long lines at first, we don’t know yet if CosMc’s will last in the (13)______ drink market.

Overall, McDonald’s new (14)______ CosMc’s has been really popular. Lots of people lined up outside the first (15)______ to try the drinks. The brand’s focus on retro-themed drinks and customizable options has attracted customers who want something different and cool to drink. McDonald’s (16)______ to do better in the drink market and compete with Starbucks. We don’t know if CosMc’s will be successful, but so far, McDonald’s fans seem to like it.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a specialty coffee and drink market?
2. How would you feel if you had to wait over an hour to order a drink?
3. Do you like retro-themed drinks? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is the best thing about CosMc’s drinks?
5. How would you feel if you could only get CosMc’s through the drive-through?
6. Do you think McDonald’s made a good decision by focusing on drinks with CosMc’s? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think McDonald’s wants to attract customers who want special and customizable drinks?
8. What do you think about the retro theme of CosMc’s?
9. How would you feel if you had to pay more for a drink at CosMc’s compared to regular McDonald’s drinks?
10. Do you think CosMc’s will be successful in the competitive drink market? Why or why not?
11. What do you think makes a drink popular?
12. How would you feel if you saw long lines outside a new restaurant?
13. Do you like trying new and different drinks? Why or why not?
14. Why do you think McDonald’s fans seem to like CosMc’s?
15. How would you feel if you could customize your drink with things like syrups and boba?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. launched
2. retro-themed
3. specialty
4. customizable
5. syrups
6. advertise
7. drive-through
8. focus
9. attract
10. theme
11. customizable
12. experts
13. competitive
14. locations
15. successful

Meanings:
(A) Able to be changed or modified according to personal preferences
(B) Started or introduced something new
(C) To show or promote a product to people to encourage them to buy it
(D) Designed to look like styles from the past
(E) People who have a lot of knowledge about a particular subject
(F) Involving a lot of competition; where many are trying to be the best or win
(G) Sweet liquid flavors added to food or drinks
(H) A type of product or service that is known for being high quality or unique
(I) The central idea or concept around which something is developed
(J) To draw in or win over someone’s interest or attention
(K) Having achieved what was aimed for; having ended in victory or a positive outcome
(L) Able to be changed or modified according to personal preferences (do not repeat the same word)
(M) The main point or center of interest or activity
(N) Specific places or areas where something is situated or occurs
(O) A service where you can order and receive items without leaving your car
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the main focus of the CosMc’s brand?
(a) Drinks
(b) Burgers
(c) Fries
(d) Desserts

2. What colors are associated with the CosMc’s brand?
(a) Yellow and purple
(b) Red and blue
(c) Green and orange
(d) Pink and black

3. How can customers customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
(a) By choosing different sizes
(b) By adding syrups and boba
(c) By selecting toppings
(d) By changing the flavors

4. How can customers currently get CosMc’s drinks?
(a) By ordering online
(b) By dining in at a restaurant
(c) Through the drive-through
(d) By delivery only

5. What did McDonald’s focus on in the past?
(a) Drinks and desserts
(b) Breakfast sandwiches and snacks
(c) McCafe brand and desserts
(d) Burgers and fries

6. Why did McDonald’s create the CosMc’s brand?
(a) To attract more burger lovers
(b) To introduce a new mascot
(c) To expand their dessert menu
(d) To compete with Starbucks

7. How have customers reacted to the retro theme of CosMc’s?
(a) They didn’t like it
(b) They were confused by it
(c) They liked it
(d) They didn’t notice it

8. How does the price of drinks at CosMc’s compare to regular McDonald’s drinks?
(a) They cost less
(b) They cost more
(c) They cost the same
(d) The price varies

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The menu at CosMc’s includes breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and snacks, but the main focus is on the drinks.
2. The first CosMc’s branch has not been really popular, with few people lining up to try the new drinks.
3. The drinks at CosMc’s are not made to look good and are not perfect for sharing on social media.
4. The brand wants to compete with Starbucks in the specialty coffee and drink market.
5. McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s that sells retro-themed drinks.
6. The CosMc’s brand is named after a funny orange alien that McDonald’s used to advertise with in the 1980s.
7. Customers cannot add things like syrups and boba to their drinks at CosMc’s.
8. Right now, you cannot get CosMc’s through the drive-through, and when it first opened, people did not have to wait over an hour to order.
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 is the name of McDonald’s new brand that sells retro-themed drinks?
2. What is the main focus of CosMc’s menu?
3. Why did McDonald’s choose the colors yellow and purple for the CosMc’s brand?
4. How can customers customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
5. Why did McDonald’s create a whole new brand just for drinks?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the name of McDonald’s new brand that sells retro-themed drinks?
The name of McDonald’s new brand is CosMc’s.

2. Why did people have to wait over an hour to order at the first CosMc’s branch?
People had to wait over an hour to order at the first CosMc’s branch because it was really popular and lots of people wanted to try the new drinks.

3. What is the main focus of the CosMc’s menu?
The main focus of the CosMc’s menu is on the drinks.

4. What can customers add to their drinks at CosMc’s?
Customers can add things like syrups and boba to their drinks at CosMc’s.

5. Why did McDonald’s create the CosMc’s brand?
McDonald’s created the CosMc’s brand to compete with Starbucks in the specialty coffee and drink market.

6. What is the retro theme of the CosMc’s brand?
The retro theme of the CosMc’s brand is meant to remind people of the past, specifically the 1980s.

7. Why do some experts think it’s strange that McDonald’s made a whole new brand just for drinks?
Some experts think it’s strange that McDonald’s made a whole new brand just for drinks because McDonald’s has traditionally focused more on burgers and fries, and their McCafe brand didn’t do well in the past.

8. What has attracted customers to the CosMc’s brand?
The focus on retro-themed drinks and customizable options has attracted customers to the CosMc’s brand. People who want something different and cool to drink have been drawn to it.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) market
(2) sandwiches
(3) flavors
(4) Customers
(5) purple
(6) remind
(7) drinks
(8) media
(9) fries
(10) think
(11) money
(12) locations
(13) competitive
(14) brand
(15) branch
(16) wants
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. launched
Answer: (B) Started or introduced something new

2. retro-themed
Answer: (D) Designed to look like styles from the past

3. specialty
Answer: (H) A type of product or service that is known for being high quality or unique

4. customizable
Answer: (A) Able to be changed or modified according to personal preferences

5. syrups
Answer: (G) Sweet liquid flavors added to food or drinks

6. advertise
Answer: (C) To show or promote a product to people to encourage them to buy it

7. drive-through
Answer: (O) A service where you can order and receive items without leaving your car

8. focus
Answer: (M) The main point or center of interest or activity

9. attract
Answer: (J) To draw in or win over someone’s interest or attention

10. theme
Answer: (I) The central idea or concept around which something is developed

11. customizable
Answer: (L) Able to be changed or modified according to personal preferences (do not repeat the same word)

12. experts
Answer: (E) People who have a lot of knowledge about a particular subject

13. competitive
Answer: (F) Involving a lot of competition; where many are trying to be the best or win

14. locations
Answer: (N) Specific places or areas where something is situated or occurs

15. successful
Answer: (K) Having achieved what was aimed for; having ended in victory or a positive outcome
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the main focus of the CosMc’s brand?
Answer: (a) Drinks

2. What colors are associated with the CosMc’s brand?
Answer: (a) Yellow and purple

3. How can customers customize their drinks at CosMc’s?
Answer: (b) By adding syrups and boba

4. How can customers currently get CosMc’s drinks?
Answer: (c) Through the drive-through

5. What did McDonald’s focus on in the past?
Answer: (d) Burgers and fries

6. Why did McDonald’s create the CosMc’s brand?
Answer: (d) To compete with Starbucks

7. How have customers reacted to the retro theme of CosMc’s?
Answer: (c) They liked it

8. How does the price of drinks at CosMc’s compare to regular McDonald’s drinks?
Answer: (b) They cost more
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The menu at CosMc’s includes breakfast sandwiches, desserts, and snacks, but the main focus is on the drinks. (Answer: True)
2. The first CosMc’s branch has not been really popular, with few people lining up to try the new drinks. (Answer: False)
3. The drinks at CosMc’s are not made to look good and are not perfect for sharing on social media. (Answer: False)
4. The brand wants to compete with Starbucks in the specialty coffee and drink market. (Answer: True)
5. McDonald’s has launched a new brand called CosMc’s that sells retro-themed drinks. (Answer: True)
6. The CosMc’s brand is named after a funny orange alien that McDonald’s used to advertise with in the 1980s. (Answer: True)
7. Customers cannot add things like syrups and boba to their drinks at CosMc’s. (Answer: False)
8. Right now, you cannot get CosMc’s through the drive-through, and when it first opened, people did not have to wait over an hour to order. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧