The issue of concert ticket prices has become a big problem, especially for fans like Jacki Thrapp. She lives in Nashville and found it cheaper to fly to Europe to see a Taylor Swift concert than to buy tickets for shows in the US. In the US, resale prices for tickets can skyrocket to $2,500, while the original price is only $49. This situation shows that many American fans, especially those in their 20s and 30s, are struggling to afford concert tickets, leading some to look for cheaper options in other countries.

In Europe, the rules about reselling tickets are very different from those in the US and UK. For example, in Sweden, the price of resale tickets is usually capped, meaning they can only be sold for about double the original price. Other countries like Germany, Italy, and Portugal have laws to stop prices from going too high. On the other hand, in the US and UK, ticket prices can rise a lot based on demand, which has led to complaints about “predatory resellers.” Many people, including some artists, think the current system is unfair and are calling for changes, like capping resale prices.

Even with possible changes in the law, problems like ticket scalping and fake tickets are still common. Many fans trying to buy tickets for Taylor Swift’s concerts in the UK have been scammed. Asher Weiss, the CEO of a ticketing startup called Tixologi, believes that technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), could help solve these issues. Tixologi uses AI to spot strange buying patterns, like when one person buys many tickets from the same computer, which could help stop scalpers from getting too many tickets.

Tixologi also uses blockchain technology to make sure each ticket is unique and can’t be copied. Their electronic tickets have a rotating QR code, making it hard for fake tickets to get through. This system also lets artists and venues stop ticket transfers, making it tougher to resell tickets. Similarly, a UK company called Seat Unique is using dynamic pricing, which means ticket prices can change based on demand, ensuring that artists and venues get more money when interest is high. As technology continues to improve, fans like Jacki Thrapp hope for a fairer ticketing system, even though it’s not clear yet how effective these new ideas will be.

Original news source: Can technology fix the ‘broken’ concert ticketing system? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will act out key terms and phrases from the article (e.g., “ticket scalping,” “AI,” “resale prices”) without speaking while others guess what they are. This helps with vocabulary retention and encourages non-verbal communication skills.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and ask them to discuss their opinions on concert ticket prices and the fairness of resale practices. Each group can then share their findings with the class, fostering discussion and critical thinking.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In pairs, students will create catchy headlines based on the article’s content. They should focus on summarizing the main issues related to concert ticket prices and technology’s role in solving these problems. Afterward, they can share their headlines with the class.

– SYNONYM CHALLENGE
Instructions: Provide students with a list of key vocabulary from the article, and have them come up with synonyms for each word. This will help enhance their vocabulary and understanding of context. Students can work in pairs to encourage collaboration.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: On a large sheet of paper or a whiteboard, create a mind map as a class that visually represents the main ideas from the article. Students can contribute different branches based on topics such as ticket prices, technology, consumer protection, and international differences. This will aid in comprehension and retention.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why did Jacki Thrapp decide to fly to Europe for a concert instead of attending one in the US?

2. What is the difference between the original price of a ticket and the resale price in the US mentioned in the article?

3. How do the rules about reselling tickets in Europe differ from those in the US and UK?

4. What are some countries mentioned that have laws to keep resale ticket prices from rising too high?

5. What problems do fans face when trying to buy tickets for concerts, according to the article?

6. How does Tixologi plan to use technology to help prevent ticket scalping and scams?

7. What is the purpose of the rotating QR code used by Tixologi for electronic tickets?

8. How does dynamic pricing work, and why might it benefit artists and venues?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The issue of (1)______ ticket prices has become a big (2)______, especially for fans like Jacki Thrapp. She lives in Nashville and found it (3)______ to fly to Europe to see a (4)______ Swift concert than to buy tickets for shows in the US. In the US, resale prices for tickets can skyrocket to $2,500, while the original price is only $49. This situation shows that many American fans, especially those in their 20s and 30s, are struggling to afford concert tickets, leading some to look for cheaper options in other countries.

In Europe, the rules about reselling tickets are very different from those in the US and UK. For example, in Sweden, the (5)______ of resale tickets is usually capped, meaning they can only be sold for about double the original price. Other (6)______ like Germany, Italy, and Portugal have laws to stop prices from going too high. On the other hand, in the US and UK, ticket prices can rise a lot based on demand, which has led to complaints about “predatory resellers.” Many people, including some artists, think the current system is unfair and are calling for (7)______, like (8)______ resale prices.

Even with possible changes in the law, problems like ticket (9)______ and fake tickets are still common. Many fans trying to buy tickets for Taylor Swift’s concerts in the UK have been (10)______. (11)______ Weiss, the CEO of a ticketing startup called Tixologi, believes that technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), could help solve these issues. Tixologi uses AI to spot strange buying (12)______, like when one person buys many tickets from the same computer, which could help stop scalpers from getting too many tickets.

Tixologi also uses blockchain technology to make sure each ticket is unique and can’t be copied. Their electronic tickets have a rotating QR code, (13)______ it hard for fake tickets to get through. This system also lets artists and venues stop ticket transfers, making it tougher to resell tickets. Similarly, a UK company called Seat (14)______ is using dynamic pricing, which means ticket prices can change based on demand, (15)______ that artists and venues get more money when interest is high. As technology continues to improve, fans like Jacki Thrapp hope for a fairer ticketing system, even though it’s not clear yet how (16)______ these new ideas will be.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on the high prices of concert tickets?

2. How would you feel if you had to travel to another country to see your favorite artist because tickets were cheaper there?

3. Do you think it’s fair for ticket prices to rise so much based on demand? Why or why not?

4. Have you ever had a bad experience trying to buy concert tickets? What happened?

5. What is a “predatory reseller,” and why do you think people dislike them?

6. Do you think laws should be put in place to limit ticket resale prices? Why or why not?

7. How would you feel if you bought a ticket only to find out it was fake?

8. Do you like the idea of using technology, like AI and blockchain, to solve ticketing problems? Why or why not?

9. What is your experience with buying tickets online? Do you find it easy or difficult?

10. How do you think artists feel about the high prices of their concert tickets?

11. Do you think dynamic pricing is a good idea for concert tickets? Why or why not?

12. What is a concert you would pay a lot of money to see? Why would you pay that much?

13. How would you feel if your favorite artist decided to cap ticket prices to make them more affordable?

14. Do you think attending concerts is worth the money? Why or why not?

15. What changes would you like to see in the ticketing system for concerts?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. skyrocket
2. resale
3. capped
4. demand
5. predatory
6. scalping
7. scammed
8. startup
9. artificial intelligence
10. blockchain
11. unique
12. rotating
13. dynamic
14. venues
15. effective

Meanings:
(A) Producing the desired result or outcome
(B) Computer systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence
(C) Turning around a central point
(D) A new business, often in technology
(E) The desire or need for something by people
(F) A digital system that records transactions securely
(G) Taking advantage of others in a harmful way
(H) Places where events or performances happen
(I) Being the only one of its kind
(J) Limited to a certain amount or level
(K) Able to change or adapt easily
(L) The act of buying and selling something at a higher price for profit
(M) Tricked or deceived, usually to lose money
(N) The act of selling something again
(O) To increase very quickly and suddenly
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What city does Jacki Thrapp live in?
(a) New York
(b) Los Angeles
(c) Chicago
(d) Nashville

2. How much can resale ticket prices reach in the US for some concerts?
(a) $1,000
(b) $2,500
(c) $500
(d) $100

3. What is the original price of the concert tickets mentioned in the article?
(a) $99
(b) $150
(c) $49
(d) $200

4. Which country has a cap on resale ticket prices?
(a) France
(b) Spain
(c) Sweden
(d) Netherlands

5. What technology does Tixologi use to help prevent ticket scalping?
(a) Artificial intelligence (AI)
(b) Virtual reality
(c) Augmented reality
(d) 3D printing

6. What feature do Tixologi’s electronic tickets have to prevent counterfeiting?
(a) Magnetic strip
(b) Hologram
(c) Watermark
(d) Rotating QR code

7. What is dynamic pricing used by Seat Unique meant to do?
(a) Change ticket prices based on demand
(b) Keep ticket prices the same
(c) Increase ticket prices for all concerts
(d) Lower ticket prices for fans

8. What do fans like Jacki Thrapp hope for regarding the ticketing system?
(a) Higher ticket prices
(b) A fairer ticketing system
(c) More concerts in the US
(d) Less use of technology

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. In the US and UK, ticket prices remain stable irrespective of demand, reducing concerns about unethical behaviors by resellers.
2. Jacki Thrapp, a fan from Nashville, found it cheaper to fly to Europe for a Taylor Swift concert than to buy tickets in the US.
3. Tixologi also employs blockchain technology to ensure that each ticket is unique and difficult to counterfeit.
4. Tixologi, a ticketing startup, uses artificial intelligence to identify unusual buying patterns to help prevent scalpers from buying too many tickets.
5. Many American fans, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, find it easy to purchase concert tickets.
6. In the US, resale ticket prices can go up to $2,500, while the initial ticket price is just $49.
7. Ticket scalping and counterfeit tickets are rare issues, with many fans being cautious when buying tickets for Taylor Swift’s performances in the UK.
8. European countries like Sweden have laws that cap the resale price of tickets, usually allowing them to be sold for about double the original price.
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. Why did Jacki Thrapp choose to fly to Europe instead of buying concert tickets in the US?
2. What are some of the differences in ticket resale rules between Europe and the US?
3. What problems do fans face when trying to buy tickets for popular concerts?
4. How does Tixologi use technology to help prevent ticket scalping and fake tickets?
5. What is dynamic pricing, and how does it benefit artists and venues?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why did Jacki Thrapp decide to fly to Europe for a concert instead of attending one in the US?
Jacki Thrapp found it cheaper to fly to Europe to see a Taylor Swift concert than to buy tickets for shows in the US.

2. What is the difference between the original price of a ticket and the resale price in the US mentioned in the article?
The original price of a ticket is $49, while the resale price can skyrocket to $2,500.

3. How do the rules about reselling tickets in Europe differ from those in the US and UK?
In Europe, resale prices are usually capped, meaning they can only be sold for about double the original price, while in the US and UK, ticket prices can rise significantly based on demand.

4. What are some countries mentioned that have laws to keep resale ticket prices from rising too high?
Countries mentioned include Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Portugal.

5. What problems do fans face when trying to buy tickets for concerts, according to the article?
Fans face issues like ticket scalping and scams, with many being scammed while trying to buy tickets for Taylor Swift’s concerts in the UK.

6. How does Tixologi plan to use technology to help prevent ticket scalping and scams?
Tixologi uses artificial intelligence to spot unusual buying patterns and blockchain technology to ensure each ticket is unique and can’t be copied.

7. What is the purpose of the rotating QR code used by Tixologi for electronic tickets?
The rotating QR code makes it difficult for fake tickets to be used, ensuring that each ticket is valid and unique.

8. How does dynamic pricing work, and why might it benefit artists and venues?
Dynamic pricing means that ticket prices can change based on demand, which can help artists and venues make more money when interest in a concert is high.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) concert
(2) problem
(3) cheaper
(4) Taylor
(5) price
(6) countries
(7) changes
(8) capping
(9) scalping
(10) scammed
(11) Asher
(12) patterns
(13) making
(14) Unique
(15) ensuring
(16) effective
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. skyrocket
Answer: (O) To increase very quickly and suddenly

2. resale
Answer: (N) The act of selling something again

3. capped
Answer: (J) Limited to a certain amount or level

4. demand
Answer: (E) The desire or need for something by people

5. predatory
Answer: (G) Taking advantage of others in a harmful way

6. scalping
Answer: (L) The act of buying and selling something at a higher price for profit

7. scammed
Answer: (M) Tricked or deceived, usually to lose money

8. startup
Answer: (D) A new business, often in technology

9. artificial intelligence
Answer: (B) Computer systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence

10. blockchain
Answer: (F) A digital system that records transactions securely

11. unique
Answer: (I) Being the only one of its kind

12. rotating
Answer: (C) Turning around a central point

13. dynamic
Answer: (K) Able to change or adapt easily

14. venues
Answer: (H) Places where events or performances happen

15. effective
Answer: (A) Producing the desired result or outcome
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What city does Jacki Thrapp live in?
Answer: (d) Nashville

2. How much can resale ticket prices reach in the US for some concerts?
Answer: (b) $2,500

3. What is the original price of the concert tickets mentioned in the article?
Answer: (c) $49

4. Which country has a cap on resale ticket prices?
Answer: (c) Sweden

5. What technology does Tixologi use to help prevent ticket scalping?
Answer: (a) Artificial intelligence (AI)

6. What feature do Tixologi’s electronic tickets have to prevent counterfeiting?
Answer: (d) Rotating QR code

7. What is dynamic pricing used by Seat Unique meant to do?
Answer: (a) Change ticket prices based on demand

8. What do fans like Jacki Thrapp hope for regarding the ticketing system?
Answer: (b) A fairer ticketing system
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. In the US and UK, ticket prices remain stable irrespective of demand, reducing concerns about unethical behaviors by resellers. (Answer: False)
2. Jacki Thrapp, a fan from Nashville, found it cheaper to fly to Europe for a Taylor Swift concert than to buy tickets in the US. (Answer: True)
3. Tixologi also employs blockchain technology to ensure that each ticket is unique and difficult to counterfeit. (Answer: True)
4. Tixologi, a ticketing startup, uses artificial intelligence to identify unusual buying patterns to help prevent scalpers from buying too many tickets. (Answer: True)
5. Many American fans, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, find it easy to purchase concert tickets. (Answer: False)
6. In the US, resale ticket prices can go up to $2,500, while the initial ticket price is just $49. (Answer: False)
7. Ticket scalping and counterfeit tickets are rare issues, with many fans being cautious when buying tickets for Taylor Swift’s performances in the UK. (Answer: False)
8. European countries like Sweden have laws that cap the resale price of tickets, usually allowing them to be sold for about double the original price. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧