Amazon has announced that they will start using drones to deliver packages in the UK within an hour. This will begin in one place at the end of 2024. Right now, Amazon already does drone deliveries in two states in the US for things that weigh up to 5lbs. They are working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to follow the rules, and the government thinks this will help them figure out how to use this new technology safely. David Carbon, who works at Amazon, said that the technology is safe and lots of people want it. People will be able to choose from thousands of things that weigh 5lbs or less to be delivered by drone.

They will announce the first place in the UK for drone deliveries in the next few months. Amazon already does drone deliveries in California and Texas, and they plan to start doing “ultra-fast” deliveries in another US state and Italy. They will start in a place with not a lot of people and slowly do more as they get permission. The government’s aviation minister, Baroness Vere, thinks that Amazon’s plans will help the economy and give people more choices. It will also help the environment because the drones don’t make any pollution. The government wants commercial drones to be normal by 2030.

To get a delivery by drone, you have to be approved and have enough space for the drone to drop the package 12 feet to the ground. In the UK, Amazon will use special technology to help the drones know where to drop the package using GPS. The drones have sensors to avoid things in their way and can fly up to 12km. Amazon wants to do 500 million drone deliveries every year by the end of the 2020s. Frederic Laugere, who works at the CAA, thinks that projects like this are important for making sure that other people can use the sky safely too.

Original news source: Amazon pledges parcels in an hour using drone deliveries (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the students to read the article and summarize the main points in 3-4 sentences.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their summaries with the class.
5. Discuss any differences or similarities in the summaries and clarify any misunderstandings.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct the students to read the article and form an opinion on whether they think drone deliveries are a good idea.
3. Provide each group with a list of discussion questions related to the topic, such as “Do you think drone deliveries will become common in the future?” or “What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of using drones for deliveries?”
4. Have the groups discuss their opinions and answer the questions together.
5. After the discussion, select a few groups to share their opinions with the class and facilitate a class-wide discussion on the topic.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board, such as “drones,” “deliveries,” “technology,” “permission,” etc.
2. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
3. Instruct each group to choose one word from the list and create a simple drawing that represents that word.
4. Have each group take turns presenting their drawings to the class while the rest of the class guesses the word.
5. Encourage the students to use the words in sentences or provide definitions as clues if necessary.

– Keyword Taboo
Instructions:
1. Choose 5-10 important keywords from the article and write each word on a separate index card.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. Select one student from Team A to come to the front of the class.
4. Show the student one of the index cards with a keyword and explain that they need to describe the word to their team without using the keyword itself.
5. The student has one minute to try to get their team to guess the word. If the team guesses correctly, they earn a point. If they are unable to guess, the other team has a chance to steal the point.
6. Repeat the process with a student from Team B and continue until all of the keywords have been used.
7. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

– Future Predictions
Instructions:
1. Instruct the students to imagine what the future of drone deliveries could look like in 10 years.
2. Provide each student with a sheet of paper and have them write a short paragraph or create a visual representation of their predictions.
3. After a designated amount of time, have the students share their predictions with a partner or in small groups.
4. Encourage the students to explain their reasoning behind their predictions and discuss any similarities or differences in their ideas.
5. As a class, discuss the different predictions and speculate on the potential impact of drone deliveries in the future.

Comprehension Questions:

1. When will Amazon start using drones to deliver packages in the UK?
2. What is the weight limit for packages that can be delivered by drone?
3. Who is Amazon working with to ensure they follow the rules for drone deliveries?
4. Why does the government think using drones for deliveries will be helpful?
5. Where are Amazon’s current drone delivery locations in the US?
6. How does Amazon plan to expand their drone delivery service in the future?
7. How will the drones know where to drop the packages in the UK?
8. What is the goal for the number of drone deliveries Amazon wants to achieve by the end of the 2020s?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Amazon has announced that they will start using (1)______ to (2)______ packages in the UK within an hour. This will begin in one place at the end of 2024. Right now, Amazon already does drone deliveries in two states in the US for things that weigh up to 5lbs. They are working with the (3)______ Aviation Authority (CAA) to follow the rules, and the government thinks this will help them figure out how to use this new (4)______ safely. David Carbon, who works at Amazon, said that the technology is safe and lots of people want it. People will be able to choose from thousands of things that weigh 5lbs or less to be delivered by drone.

They will (5)______ the first place in the UK for drone deliveries in the next few (6)______. Amazon already does drone deliveries in California and (7)______, and they plan to (8)______ doing “ultra-fast” deliveries in another US state and Italy. They will start in a place with not a lot of people and slowly do more as they get permission. The (9)______’s (10)______ minister, Baroness Vere, (11)______ that Amazon’s plans will help the economy and give people more choices. It will also help the environment because the (12)______s don’t make any pollution. The government wants commercial drones to be normal by 2030.

To get a delivery by drone, you have to be approved and have enough space for the drone to drop the package 12 feet to the ground. In the UK, Amazon will use special technology to help the drones know where to drop the package using GPS. The drones have sensors to avoid (13)______ in their way and can fly up to 12km. Amazon wants to do 500 million drone deliveries every year by the end of the 2020s. Frederic Laugere, who works at the CAA, thinks that projects like this are (14)______ for (15)______ sure that other (16)______ can use the sky safely too.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think about the idea of using drones to deliver packages?
2. How would you feel if you received a package delivered by a drone?
3. Do you think drone deliveries will become popular in your country? Why or why not?
4. What are some advantages and disadvantages of using drones for deliveries?
5. Have you ever seen a drone in your city or town? How did it make you feel?
6. Do you like the idea of “ultra-fast” deliveries? Why or why not?
7. How do you think drone deliveries will affect traditional delivery methods, like trucks and bicycles?
8. What are some potential safety concerns with using drones for deliveries?
9. Do you think drone deliveries will have a positive or negative impact on the environment? Why?
10. Would you be interested in working as a drone delivery operator? Why or why not?
11. How do you think drone deliveries will affect the job market for delivery drivers?
12. What other ways do you think drones could be used in the future?
13. How do you think the government can ensure the safe use of drones in the sky?
14. What are some challenges that Amazon might face when implementing drone deliveries?
15. Do you think drone deliveries will become a normal part of everyday life? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. drones
2. deliver
3. packages
4. technology
5. permission
6. environment
7. approved
8. sensors

Meanings:
(a) Given the OK to do something
(b) The natural world and the things in it
(c) The use of machines and tools to solve problems or do tasks
(d) Boxes or parcels that are sent in the mail
(e) Official agreement to do something
(f) Flying robots that can carry things through the air
(g) Devices that can detect and respond to things around them
(h) Take something to a person or place
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. When will Amazon start using drones to deliver packages in the UK?
(a) Next year
(b) At the end of 2024
(c) In a few months
(d) They have already started

2. Where does Amazon currently do drone deliveries in the US?
(a) New York and Florida
(b) Washington and Oregon
(c) Arizona and Nevada
(d) California and Texas

3. What is the weight limit for packages that can be delivered by drone?
(a) 5lbs or less
(b) 10lbs or less
(c) 15lbs or less
(d) 20lbs or less

4. How many states in the US does Amazon plan to do “ultra-fast” drone deliveries in?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four

5. According to the article, what is one benefit of using drones for deliveries?
(a) They are faster than traditional delivery methods
(b) They can carry heavier packages than trucks
(c) They don’t make any pollution
(d) They are cheaper than other delivery options

6. What does the government want to be normal by 2030?
(a) Flying cars
(b) Robot delivery drivers
(c) Commercial drones
(d) Virtual reality shopping

7. How much space is required for a drone to drop a package?
(a) 6 feet
(b) 20 feet
(c) 30 feet
(d) 12 feet

8. What technology will Amazon use in the UK to help the drones know where to drop packages?
(a) Radar
(b) GPS
(c) Sonar
(d) Infrared

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. They are not working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure they follow the rules and use the technology safely.
2. Customers will not have the option to choose from thousands of items weighing 5lbs or less to be delivered by drone.
3. The government believes that this initiative will help them understand how to utilize this new technology securely.
4. The first location in the UK for drone deliveries will not be announced in the coming months.
5. Currently, Amazon already uses drones for deliveries in two US states for items weighing up to 5lbs.
6. Amazon does not plan to use drones to deliver packages in the UK within an hour, starting in 2024.
7. The government sees Amazon’s plans as beneficial for the economy, providing more choices for consumers, and reducing environmental pollution.
8. Amazon plans to expand their drone deliveries to other US states and Italy, focusing on areas with fewer people initially.
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 new technology is Amazon planning to use for delivering packages in the UK?
2. Where are Amazon’s current drone deliveries taking place in the US?
3. How does the government think Amazon’s drone deliveries will benefit the economy and the environment?
4. What requirements do customers need to meet in order to receive a delivery by drone?
5. How many drone deliveries does Amazon hope to achieve by the end of the 2020s?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Amazon will start using drones to deliver packages in the UK at the end of 2024.
2. The weight limit for packages that can be delivered by drone is 5lbs.
3. Amazon is working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure they follow the rules for drone deliveries.
4. The government thinks using drones for deliveries will be helpful because it will boost the economy, give people more choices, and help the environment by reducing pollution.
5. Amazon’s current drone delivery locations in the US are California and Texas.
6. Amazon plans to expand their drone delivery service by starting in a place with fewer people and slowly doing more deliveries as they get permission. They also plan to start doing “ultra-fast” deliveries in another US state and Italy.
7. In the UK, Amazon will use special technology and GPS to help the drones know where to drop the packages.
8. The goal for the number of drone deliveries Amazon wants to achieve by the end of the 2020s is 500 million deliveries per year.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) drones
(2) deliver
(3) Civil
(4) technology
(5) announce
(6) months
(7) Texas
(8) start
(9) government
(10) aviation
(11) thinks
(12) drone
(13) things
(14) important
(15) making
(16) people
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. drones
Answer: (f) Flying robots that can carry things through the air

2. deliver
Answer: (h) Take something to a person or place

3. packages
Answer: (d) Boxes or parcels that are sent in the mail

4. technology
Answer: (c) The use of machines and tools to solve problems or do tasks

5. permission
Answer: (e) Official agreement to do something

6. environment
Answer: (b) The natural world and the things in it

7. approved
Answer: (a) Given the OK to do something

8. sensors
Answer: (g) Devices that can detect and respond to things around them
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. When will Amazon start using drones to deliver packages in the UK?
Answer: (b) At the end of 2024

2. Where does Amazon currently do drone deliveries in the US?
Answer: (d) California and Texas

3. What is the weight limit for packages that can be delivered by drone?
Answer: (a) 5lbs or less

4. How many states in the US does Amazon plan to do “ultra-fast” drone deliveries in?
Answer: (a) One

5. According to the article, what is one benefit of using drones for deliveries?
Answer: (c) They don’t make any pollution

6. What does the government want to be normal by 2030?
Answer: (c) Commercial drones

7. How much space is required for a drone to drop a package?
Answer: (d) 12 feet

8. What technology will Amazon use in the UK to help the drones know where to drop packages?
Answer: (b) GPS
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. They are not working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure they follow the rules and use the technology safely. (Answer: False)
2. Customers will not have the option to choose from thousands of items weighing 5lbs or less to be delivered by drone. (Answer: False)
3. The government believes that this initiative will help them understand how to utilize this new technology securely. (Answer: True)
4. The first location in the UK for drone deliveries will not be announced in the coming months. (Answer: False)
5. Currently, Amazon already uses drones for deliveries in two US states for items weighing up to 5lbs. (Answer: True)
6. Amazon does not plan to use drones to deliver packages in the UK within an hour, starting in 2024. (Answer: False)
7. The government sees Amazon’s plans as beneficial for the economy, providing more choices for consumers, and reducing environmental pollution. (Answer: True)
8. Amazon plans to expand their drone deliveries to other US states and Italy, focusing on areas with fewer people initially. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧