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Tesla’s Cybertruck: Challenges and Potential for Success

   

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Tesla’s cybertruck, which got a lot of attention when its windows broke during a show, is now being delivered to customers. But people are unsure if the truck’s weird design will help or hurt its success. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, thinks the truck is their best product ever, but he also knows it’s hard to make it affordable. The truck’s high price and complicated manufacturing process make some people doubt if it will do well in the market.

Trucks are popular in the US, but Tesla is entering the market at a tough time. Interest rates are high, so it’s harder for people to buy new things. Other companies are also making electric vehicles slower than expected. Since the cybertruck was announced in 2019, other companies have made their own electric trucks. Some people are also worried about Elon Musk’s behavior on social media and how it affects the Tesla brand.

People are wondering if the cybertruck is as good as other trucks on the market. Some people might like the cool design, but most truck buyers care more about how well it works. Tesla has gotten over one million reservations for the cybertruck, but we don’t know how many of those will turn into actual sales.

Even though there are challenges, Tesla believes in the truck’s potential. At a recent event, they showed off the truck’s power and speed. But production is expected to reach 250,000 trucks a year by 2025, so interested buyers will have to wait. Tesla also needs to work on things like more places to charge the truck and convincing people who don’t like the way it looks.

For Tesla, the cybertruck is not just about making money, but also about staying popular and being the best in the electric vehicle market. The truck’s unique design has gotten a lot of attention, with people lining up to take pictures with it. Some people think it’s just a way to get people excited, but others see it as a chance for Tesla to stand out in a crowded market.

Original news source: Will Tesla’s truck recover from its shattering start? (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Have each group read the article and then summarize the main points in a news report format. Each group can then present their news summary to the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Write down key words from the article on separate pieces of paper and put them in a hat or container. Divide the class into teams. One person from each team will pick a word and draw it on the board, while their team tries to guess what word it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Have each group discuss the pros and cons of Tesla’s cybertruck, based on the information in the article. They can then present their arguments to the class and have a debate on whether they think the cybertruck will be successful or not.

– Opinion Spectrum

Instructions: Create a line in the classroom with one end representing “strongly agree” and the other end representing “strongly disagree.” Read out statements related to the cybertruck, such as “The cybertruck’s design is innovative” or “The cybertruck’s high price will hinder its success.” Have students stand at the point on the line that represents their opinion on each statement, and then discuss their reasons with their classmates.

– Future Predictions

Instructions: Have students imagine themselves as automotive experts in the year 2025. In pairs or small groups, have them discuss and make predictions about the future of the cybertruck and the electric vehicle market. They can consider factors such as advancements in technology, changes in consumer preferences, and competition from other companies. Each group can then present their predictions to the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What happened during a show that brought a lot of attention to Tesla’s cybertruck?
2. Why are people unsure if the truck’s design will help or hurt its success?
3. What does Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, think about the cybertruck?
4. Why do some people doubt if the cybertruck will do well in the market?
5. What are some challenges that Tesla is facing in entering the truck market?
6. What do most truck buyers care more about when choosing a truck?
7. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck?
8. Why does Tesla believe in the cybertruck’s potential?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Tesla’s (1)______, which got a lot of attention when its windows broke during a show, is now being delivered to customers. But people are unsure if the truck’s weird (2)______ will help or hurt its success. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, thinks the truck is their best product ever, but he also knows it’s hard to make it affordable. The truck’s high (3)______ and (4)______ manufacturing process make some people doubt if it will do well in the market.

Trucks are popular in the US, but Tesla is entering the market at a tough time. Interest rates are high, so it’s (5)______ for people to buy new things. Other companies are also (6)______ electric vehicles slower than expected. Since the cybertruck was announced in 2019, other companies have made their own electric (7)______. Some people are also worried about Elon Musk’s behavior on social (8)______ and how it affects the Tesla brand.

People are wondering if the cybertruck is as good as other trucks on the market. Some people might like the cool design, but most (9)______ buyers care more about how well it (10)______. Tesla has gotten over one million (11)______ for the cybertruck, but we don’t know how many of those will turn into actual (12)______.

Even though there are challenges, Tesla believes in the truck’s potential. At a recent event, they showed off the truck’s power and speed. But production is expected to reach 250,000 trucks a year by 2025, so interested buyers will have to wait. Tesla also needs to work on things like more places to charge the truck and convincing people who don’t like the way it looks.

For (13)______, the cybertruck is not just about making money, but also about staying popular and being the best in the electric vehicle (14)______. The truck’s unique design has gotten a lot of (15)______, with people lining up to take pictures with it. Some people think it’s just a way to get people excited, but (16)______ see it as a chance for Tesla to stand out in a crowded market.
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 design of the Tesla cybertruck? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you saw the windows of the cybertruck break during a show? Why?
3. Do you think the cybertruck will be successful in the market? Why or why not?
4. What are some challenges that Tesla might face in selling the cybertruck?
5. What do you think about Elon Musk’s behavior on social media? How do you think it affects the Tesla brand?
6. Why do you think some people might prefer the cool design of the cybertruck over its functionality?
7. How important is the design of a truck to you when considering buying one? Why or why not?
8. Do you think Tesla will be able to reach their production goal of 250,000 trucks a year by 2025? Why or why not?
9. What do you think are some things Tesla should work on to improve the cybertruck’s success?
10. How important is it for Tesla to stay popular in the electric vehicle market? Why or why not?
11. Would you be interested in buying a cybertruck? Why or why not?
12. What do you think about the idea of more places to charge the truck? How would it affect your decision to buy one?
13. Do you think the cybertruck’s unique design is just a way to get people excited? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the cybertruck compares to other trucks on the market in terms of quality and performance?
15. Why do you think people are lining up to take pictures with the cybertruck?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. cybertruck
2. design
3. success
4. affordable
5. doubt
6. market
7. potential
8. popular

Meanings:
(a) The place where goods are bought and sold
(b) Liked or enjoyed by many people, well-liked
(c) A type of truck made by Tesla
(d) Achieving what you want or intended
(e) Feeling uncertain or unsure about something
(f) Not too expensive, within your budget
(g) The possibility of achieving something in the future
(h) The way something looks or is planned
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What happened to the windows of the cybertruck during a show?
(a) They became dirty
(b) They were painted
(c) They were replaced
(d) They broke

2. How does Elon Musk feel about the cybertruck?
(a) He thinks it’s too expensive
(b) He thinks it’s not well-designed
(c) He thinks it’s their best product ever
(d) He thinks it won’t sell well

3. Why are some people doubtful about the cybertruck’s success?
(a) It is too affordable and simple to manufacture
(b) It is not popular in the US market
(c) It is not a truck but a car
(d) It is expensive and complicated to manufacture

4. What is a challenge for Tesla in entering the truck market?
(a) Low interest rates
(b) High interest rates
(c) Lack of competition
(d) High demand for electric vehicles

5. What are some concerns people have about the cybertruck?
(a) The truck’s design
(b) Elon Musk’s behavior on social media
(c) Lack of charging stations
(d) All of the above

6. What do most truck buyers care about?
(a) How well it works
(b) How it looks
(c) How fast it is
(d) How expensive it is

7. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck?
(a) None
(b) A few hundred
(c) Over one million
(d) Ten thousand

8. What is Tesla’s goal with the cybertruck?
(a) To stay popular and be the best in the electric vehicle market
(b) To make a lot of money
(c) To have the most reservations
(d) To have the cheapest truck on the market

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, believes the cybertruck is their worst product ever, but acknowledges the challenge of making it affordable.
2. Tesla has received over one million reservations for the cybertruck, but it is uncertain how many will translate into actual sales.
3. Tesla’s cybertruck, known for its broken windows during a show, is now being delivered to customers.
4. While some may be repelled by the cybertruck’s cool design, most truck buyers prioritize functionality.
5. People are confident if the truck’s usual design will help or hurt its success.
6. The truck’s high price and complicated manufacturing process make some people skeptical about its market performance.
7. Some people are concerned about Elon Musk’s behavior on social media and its impact on the Tesla brand.
8. Tesla is entering the truck market at an easy time due to low interest rates and faster-than-expected production of electric vehicles by other companies.
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 are people unsure if the design of Tesla’s cybertruck will help or hurt its success?
2. What are some of the challenges Tesla is facing in the truck market?
3. Why are some people worried about Elon Musk’s behavior on social media?
4. What do most truck buyers care about when choosing a truck?
5. Why does Tesla believe in the potential of the cybertruck, despite the challenges they face?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What happened during a show that brought a lot of attention to Tesla’s cybertruck?
During a show, the windows of the cybertruck broke, which caught a lot of attention.

2. Why are people unsure if the truck’s design will help or hurt its success?
People are unsure if the truck’s design will help or hurt its success because it looks different from traditional trucks and some people might not like the unique design.

3. What does Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, think about the cybertruck?
Elon Musk thinks the cybertruck is their best product ever.

4. Why do some people doubt if the cybertruck will do well in the market?
Some people doubt if the cybertruck will do well in the market because it has a high price and a complicated manufacturing process, which might make it less affordable and less appealing to buyers.

5. What are some challenges that Tesla is facing in entering the truck market?
Some challenges that Tesla is facing in entering the truck market include high interest rates, competition from other companies making electric trucks, concerns about Elon Musk’s behavior on social media, and the need for more charging infrastructure.

6. What do most truck buyers care more about when choosing a truck?
Most truck buyers care more about how well the truck works rather than its design.

7. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck?
Tesla has received over one million reservations for the cybertruck.

8. Why does Tesla believe in the cybertruck’s potential?
Tesla believes in the cybertruck’s potential because it has received a lot of attention and interest, and they have showcased its power and speed. They also see it as an opportunity to stand out in the crowded electric vehicle market.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) cybertruck
(2) design
(3) price
(4) complicated
(5) harder
(6) making
(7) trucks
(8) media
(9) truck
(10) works
(11) reservations
(12) sales
(13) Tesla
(14) market
(15) attention
(16) others
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. cybertruck
Answer: (c) A type of truck made by Tesla

2. design
Answer: (h) The way something looks or is planned

3. success
Answer: (d) Achieving what you want or intended

4. affordable
Answer: (f) Not too expensive, within your budget

5. doubt
Answer: (e) Feeling uncertain or unsure about something

6. market
Answer: (a) The place where goods are bought and sold

7. potential
Answer: (g) The possibility of achieving something in the future

8. popular
Answer: (b) Liked or enjoyed by many people, well-liked
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What happened to the windows of the cybertruck during a show?
Answer: (d) They broke

2. How does Elon Musk feel about the cybertruck?
Answer: (c) He thinks it’s their best product ever

3. Why are some people doubtful about the cybertruck’s success?
Answer: (d) It is expensive and complicated to manufacture

4. What is a challenge for Tesla in entering the truck market?
Answer: (b) High interest rates

5. What are some concerns people have about the cybertruck?
Answer: (b) Elon Musk’s behavior on social media

6. What do most truck buyers care about?
Answer: (a) How well it works

7. How many reservations has Tesla received for the cybertruck?
Answer: (c) Over one million

8. What is Tesla’s goal with the cybertruck?
Answer: (a) To stay popular and be the best in the electric vehicle market
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, believes the cybertruck is their worst product ever, but acknowledges the challenge of making it affordable. (Answer: False)
2. Tesla has received over one million reservations for the cybertruck, but it is uncertain how many will translate into actual sales. (Answer: True)
3. Tesla’s cybertruck, known for its broken windows during a show, is now being delivered to customers. (Answer: True)
4. While some may be repelled by the cybertruck’s cool design, most truck buyers prioritize functionality. (Answer: False)
5. People are confident if the truck’s usual design will help or hurt its success. (Answer: False)
6. The truck’s high price and complicated manufacturing process make some people skeptical about its market performance. (Answer: True)
7. Some people are concerned about Elon Musk’s behavior on social media and its impact on the Tesla brand. (Answer: True)
8. Tesla is entering the truck market at an easy time due to low interest rates and faster-than-expected production of electric vehicles by other companies. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

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