Nestlé recently announced that they are stopping the production of the popular Caramac bar, which has left many fans feeling really sad. The decision was made because the sales of Caramac have been going down in the past few years. Caramac has been a favorite treat for over 60 years, known for its red and yellow wrapper and caramel flavor. But other similar “blonde” chocolate products from rival brands, like Cadbury’s Caramilk range, have affected Caramac’s sales.
The news about Caramac being discontinued caused a lot of upset among fans on social media. Many people expressed their disappointment, with some saying they hadn’t seen the bar in years. Nestlé understands that fans are upset, but they say this change will help them focus on their best-selling brands and come up with new ideas.
A bakery in Scotland, known for using Caramac in its pastries, was really sad about the discontinuation and stocked up on the bars. This got a lot of support from followers, with one fan even suggesting starting a petition to ask Nestlé to change their mind. Caramac was first made by Mackintosh’s and has been a popular candy in the UK since it came out in 1959. Even though it has a unique taste and texture, the bar has struggled to compete in the candy market, which is why Nestlé decided to stop making it.
Original news source: Fans lament as Nestlé axes Caramac bar after 64 years (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Students are asked to write a brief summary of the article in their own words, aiming for no more than 50 words. They should focus on identifying the main points: Nestlé’s discontinuation of Caramac, the reason behind the decision, the public reaction, and any notable responses. After writing, students pair up to share and compare their summaries.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements about the discontinuation of Caramac and the effects of product withdrawal on consumers. Students must walk around the classroom and poll their classmates to find out their opinions on each statement. They should use phrases like “Do you agree that…”, “How do you feel about…” and “Would you support…”. After polling, discuss the results as a class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Prepare a list of key vocabulary from the article (e.g., “discontinued,” “affect,” “rival,” “petition,” “unique,” “compete”). Divide the class into two teams. Students take turns drawing a word on the board without speaking or writing any letters or numbers. Their team must guess the word within a time limit to earn a point.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine the future of the chocolate and candy market without Caramac. In pairs or small groups, students discuss and make predictions about potential market changes, new product trends, and consumer behavior. They can consider questions like “What new products might fill the gap left by Caramac?” or “How could other brands capitalize on this change?” Each group can share their predictions with the class.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Present the question, “What factors do you think influence a company’s decision to discontinue a product?” Students spend a few minutes thinking about their answers individually, then pair up to discuss their thoughts. After sharing with a partner, pairs join another pair to form a group of four and share their ideas once again. Finally, open the floor for a few groups to share their conclusions with the entire class.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the name of the candy bar that Nestlé has stopped producing?
2. Why did Nestlé decide to discontinue the Caramac bar?
3. For how long had Caramac been a favorite treat before it was discontinued?
4. What are some characteristics of the Caramac bar that made it recognizable?
5. Which rival brand’s product has been affecting Caramac’s sales?
6. How did fans react to the news of Caramac being discontinued on social media?
7. What did a bakery in Scotland do in response to the discontinuation of Caramac?
8. When was Caramac first made and by which company?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Nestlé recently announced that they are (1)______ the (2)______ of the popular Caramac bar, which has left many fans (3)______ really sad. The decision was made because the sales of Caramac have been going down in the past few years. Caramac has been a favorite (4)______ for over 60 years, known for its red and yellow wrapper and caramel flavor. But (5)______ similar “blonde” chocolate (6)______ from (7)______ brands, like Cadbury’s Caramilk range, have affected Caramac’s sales.
The news about Caramac being discontinued caused a lot of upset among fans on (8)______ media. Many people expressed their disappointment, with some saying they hadn’t seen the bar in years. (9)______ understands that fans are upset, but they say this change will help them focus on their best-selling brands and come up with new ideas.
A bakery in Scotland, known for using (10)______ in its pastries, was really sad about the (11)______ and (12)______ up on the bars. This got a lot of support from followers, with one fan even suggesting (13)______ a petition to ask Nestlé to change their mind. Caramac was first made by Mackintosh’s and has been a (14)______ candy in the UK since it came out in 1959. Even though it has a unique (15)______ and texture, the bar has struggled to compete in the candy market, which is why Nestlé decided to stop (16)______ it.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your favorite candy bar and how would you feel if it was discontinued?
2. Do you think a company should stop selling a product if it’s not very popular anymore? Why or why not?
3. Have you ever tried Caramac or any other “blonde” chocolate? Did you like it?
4. Why do you think some candies become less popular over time?
5. If you were in charge of Nestlé, what new candy ideas would you come up with?
6. How do you think social media can help save a product from being discontinued?
7. Do you think starting a petition is a good way to show a company that people still love their product? Why or why not?
8. What is a unique candy from your country, and what makes it special?
9. Have you ever seen a product come back after being discontinued? How did that happen?
10. Do you prefer trying new candies or sticking with your old favorites? Why?
11. How do you think a bakery or other business should adapt when an ingredient they use is no longer available?
12. What’s your opinion on companies having many products versus just a few best-sellers?
13. If you could bring back any discontinued product, what would it be and why?
14. Why do you think people get attached to certain brands or products?
15. Do you think the flavor of a candy is the most important aspect, or are there other factors that make you like it?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. Caramac
2. Nestlé
3. Discontinued
4. Rival
5. Upset
6. Unique
7. Texture
8. Struggled
Meanings:
(a) A type of chocolate bar
(b) The company that made Caramac
(c) No longer being made or sold
(d) A feeling of being unhappy or disappointed
(e) Had a hard time competing
(f) The way something feels when you touch it
(g) A special quality that makes something different
(h) Another company that makes similar products
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Why did Nestlé decide to stop the production of Caramac?
(a) The sales of Caramac have been going down
(b) They wanted to focus on other products
(c) They ran out of ingredients
(d) They wanted to make a new chocolate bar
2. What has affected Caramac’s sales?
(a) A change in the recipe
(b) The price of Caramac
(c) Rival brands’ similar “blonde” chocolate products
(d) A decrease in chocolate consumption
3. How did fans react to the news about Caramac being discontinued?
(a) They started a petition
(b) They expressed disappointment on social media
(c) They organized a protest
(d) They didn’t care
4. Which country is known for using Caramac in its pastries?
(a) Scotland
(b) France
(c) Italy
(d) Germany
5. When was Caramac first made?
(a) 1969
(b) 1979
(c) 1959
(d) 1989
6. What did one fan suggest doing in response to the discontinuation of Caramac?
(a) Boycotting all Nestlé products
(b) Creating a new chocolate bar
(c) Ignoring the news
(d) Starting a petition to ask Nestlé to change their mind
7. Who first made Caramac?
(a) Cadbury’s
(b) Mackintosh’s
(c) Nestlé
(d) Hershey’s
8. What did Nestlé say this change will help them do?
(a) Save money on production
(b) Discontinue all their chocolate bars
(c) Sell more Caramilk range
(d) Focus on their best-selling brands and come up with new ideas
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. Some critics have suggested starting a petition to ask Nestlé to change their mind about discontinuing Caramac.
2. Caramac was first made by Mackintosh’s and has been a popular candy in the UK since it came out in 1959.
3. Other similar “blonde” chocolate products from rival brands have affected Caramac’s sales.
4. Haters of the Caramac bar expressed their disappointment on social media after hearing the news of its discontinuation.
5. A bakery in Scotland, known for using Caramac in its pastries, sold out of the bars after the announcement.
6. Nestlé has decided to stop making the Caramac bar due to increasing sales.
7. Nestlé believes that discontinuing Caramac will allow them to focus on their best-selling brands and come up with new ideas.
8. The Caramac bar has been a favorite treat for over 60 years, known for its red and yellow wrapper and caramel flavor.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!
1. Why has Nestlé decided to stop making the Caramac bar?
2. How long has Caramac been a popular treat in the UK?
3. What impact did the news of Caramac’s discontinuation have on its fans?
4. What did a Scottish bakery do in response to the discontinuation of Caramac?
5. What reason did Nestlé give for discontinuing Caramac, despite its unique taste and texture?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is the name of the candy bar that Nestlé has stopped producing?
Nestlé has stopped producing the Caramac bar.
2. Why did Nestlé decide to discontinue the Caramac bar?
Nestlé decided to discontinue the Caramac bar because its sales had been declining over the past few years.
3. For how long had Caramac been a favorite treat before it was discontinued?
Caramac had been a favorite treat for over 60 years before it was discontinued.
4. What are some characteristics of the Caramac bar that made it recognizable?
The Caramac bar was known for its red and yellow wrapper and caramel flavor.
5. Which rival brand’s product has been affecting Caramac’s sales?
Cadbury’s Caramilk range has been affecting Caramac’s sales.
6. How did fans react to the news of Caramac being discontinued on social media?
Fans reacted with disappointment on social media, expressing their sadness and surprise.
7. What did a bakery in Scotland do in response to the discontinuation of Caramac?
A bakery in Scotland stocked up on Caramac bars and received a lot of support from followers, with one suggesting a petition to keep the candy in production.
8. When was Caramac first made and by which company?
Caramac was first made in 1959 by Mackintosh’s.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) stopping
(2) production
(3) feeling
(4) treat
(5) other
(6) products
(7) rival
(8) social
(9) Nestlé
(10) Caramac
(11) discontinuation
(12) stocked
(13) starting
(14) popular
(15) taste
(16) making
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. Caramac
Answer: (c) No longer being made or sold
2. Nestlé
Answer: (h) Another company that makes similar products
3. Discontinued
Answer: (d) A feeling of being unhappy or disappointed
4. Rival
Answer: (g) A special quality that makes something different
5. Upset
Answer: (f) The way something feels when you touch it
6. Unique
Answer: (b) The company that made Caramac
7. Texture
Answer: (e) Had a hard time competing
8. Struggled
Answer: (a) A type of chocolate bar
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. Why did Nestlé decide to stop the production of Caramac?
Answer: (a) The sales of Caramac have been going down
2. What has affected Caramac’s sales?
Answer: (c) Rival brands’ similar “blonde” chocolate products
3. How did fans react to the news about Caramac being discontinued?
Answer: (b) They expressed disappointment on social media
4. Which country is known for using Caramac in its pastries?
Answer: (a) Scotland
5. When was Caramac first made?
Answer: (c) 1959
6. What did one fan suggest doing in response to the discontinuation of Caramac?
Answer: (d) Starting a petition to ask Nestlé to change their mind
7. Who first made Caramac?
Answer: (b) Mackintosh’s
8. What did Nestlé say this change will help them do?
Answer: (d) Focus on their best-selling brands and come up with new ideas
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. Some critics have suggested starting a petition to ask Nestlé to change their mind about discontinuing Caramac. (Answer: False)
2. Caramac was first made by Mackintosh’s and has been a popular candy in the UK since it came out in 1959. (Answer: True)
3. Other similar “blonde” chocolate products from rival brands have affected Caramac’s sales. (Answer: True)
4. Haters of the Caramac bar expressed their disappointment on social media after hearing the news of its discontinuation. (Answer: False)
5. A bakery in Scotland, known for using Caramac in its pastries, sold out of the bars after the announcement. (Answer: False)
6. Nestlé has decided to stop making the Caramac bar due to increasing sales. (Answer: False)
7. Nestlé believes that discontinuing Caramac will allow them to focus on their best-selling brands and come up with new ideas. (Answer: True)
8. The Caramac bar has been a favorite treat for over 60 years, known for its red and yellow wrapper and caramel flavor. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
