McItaly: the burger that betrayed a nation?

Topical lesson: 20 February 2010
McItaly: the burger that betrayed a nation?
1. Speaking Discuss the questions in pairs or groups. 1. Which of the following statements applies to you: a) I eat to live b) I live to eat? 2. Do you ever eat fast food? If so, how often and what type do you like? 3. What would your ‘ideal’ three‐course dinner be? 4. Are you or have you ever been a vegetarian? Why / why not? 5. Do you prefer going out for dinner or eating at home? 6. Which do you think is more important for a) being healthy and b) staying slim? a) a balanced diet b) fitness training 7. Which types of dish do you associate with the following countries: a) the UK b) the USA c) Japan d) France e) Saudi Arabia f) Australia g) Italy? 8. What are your country’s national dishes? How important are a nation’s culinary traditions for its national identity? 9. Which foreign food do you prefer? 10. When you shop, do you consciously look for home‐grown (locally‐sourced) food? Why / why not? © www.teachitworld.com 2010
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Topical lesson: 20 February 2010
McItaly: the burger that betrayed a nation?
2. Vocabulary 1: guessing the meaning from the context Match the words/expressions in bold with their meanings on the right. 1. The company boasts its own gym and restaurant. a) hung loosely 2. The details of the murder were profoundly shocking. b) strong and supportive 3. She draped the towel around her neck. c) had a very low opinion of 4. The footballer was seen cavorting with half‐naked women. d) something to make it improve 5. His girlfriend felt betrayed when he cheated on her. e) accept too easily 6. I won’t take that criticism lying down. f) has achieved / possesses 7. The economy needs a boost. g) criticising unpleasantly (informal) 8. I don’t think Joe’s sister likes me very much – she’s always slagging me off. h) hurt and disappointed 9. Nelson Mandela is a staunch defender of racial equality. 10. He despised people who tell lies. i) behaving in a playfully sexual manner j) deeply 3. Vocabulary 2: collocations Match the first part of the phrase on the left with the second on the right. 1. a sense of a) well do it properly. 2. allegations of b) crops 3. divorced from c) up about/on something 4. GM d) national identity 5. buying up e) for 10% of sales. 6. The product accounts f) teacup 7. put money in g) bribery and corruption 8. a storm in a h) the real world / reality 9. If you are going to do it, you might as i) stocks of a product 10. get hung j) somebody’s pocket © www.teachitworld.com 2010
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Topical lesson: 20 February 2010
McItaly: the burger that betrayed a nation?
4. Reading 1: who said what Use the information in the article to match the people (A‐E) with the statements (1‐7) below. A Matthew Ford B Luca Zaia C Matteo Lucatello D Piercamillo Falasca
E Cecilia Moretti 1. Italy’s agriculture minister was not willing to accept the criticism of the British restaurant critic. 2. People abroad think mainly of pasta and pizza when they think of Italy. 3. The agricultural minister is supporting the ‘McItaly’ to help Italian farmers. 4. Supporting the ‘McItaly’ is a betrayal of Italian national identity. 5. The arguments over the ‘McItaly’ are pointless and unnecessary. 6. The food critic doesn’t understand economic realities. 7. We should accept that McDonalds is now part of Italian life. 5. Reading 2: complete the summary Complete the summary of the article. Choose one or two words from the article for each answer and write them next to the numbers below the summary. Summary For many Italians, their food is synonymous with feelings of …(1)… . Matthew Fort, a British journalist and food critic is shocked that Italy’s agriculture minister would support a McDonalds burger and cites it as an example of what he calls the …(2)… of the Italian government. The minister himself does not agree with Fort’s views and has described him as being out of touch with the …(3)… . Piercamillo Falasca, however, claims that the minister’s support is designed to …(4)… Italian farmers, as in the past Zaia has …(5)… the price of Parmesan by distributing the cheese to the poor. The ‘McItaly’ may also help Italian farmers since…(6)… of the new burger are likely to account for 15% of McDonalds’ income in Italy. Cecilia Moretti feels that the debate has blown out of proportion: the …(7)… in the McItaly will be healthier than in other McDonalds products and Italy’s …(8)… reputation will not be damaged. © www.teachitworld.com 2010
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Topical lesson: 20 February 2010
McItaly: the burger that betrayed a nation?
1. ________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ 4. ________________________________________________________ 5. ________________________________________________________ 6. ________________________________________________________ 7. ________________________________________________________ 8. ________________________________________________________ 6. Writing Compose a letter to Luca Zaia (the Italian agriculture minister) expressing either your support of his stance on the ‘McItaly’ or your disgust. Your letter should be formal and include your own ideas and knowledge, as well as incorporating some of the vocabulary from the lesson. Write at least 150 words. © www.teachitworld.com 2010
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Topical lesson: 20 February 2010
McItaly: the burger that betrayed a nation?
Teacher’s notes and key Level: intermediate – upper‐intermediate Time: 90 minutes + homework NB: The reading tasks are designed to reflect the type that may be used in an IELTS General Training exam but they can also be used with a non‐exam class, as they are intended to teach as well as test. 1. Speaking This section is designed to develop interest in the topic and covertly pre‐teach some of the vocabulary. Go through the questions with the students explaining any vocabulary as it arises. Students then discuss their answers; the teacher monitors and takes notes. (20 – 30 minutes with content and language feedback) 2. Vocabulary 1 Students work in different pairs or small groups to work out the meaning of the words or phrases from their contexts. The teacher assists with clues where necessary. (10‐15 minutes with feedback, and drilling where necessary) The definitions are adapted from the Collins Cobuild Learner’s Dictionary Concise Edition, third edition (HarperCollins Publishers: 1996, 2003) Answers: 1‐f 2‐j 3‐a 4‐i 5‐h 6‐e 7‐d 8‐g 9‐b 10‐c 3. Vocabulary 2 Students work in pairs or groups to match the two parts of the collocation or phrase. Suggest eliminating the options by doing the easier ones first. (10‐15 minutes with feedback and drilling) Answers: 1‐d 2‐g 3‐h 4‐b 5‐i 6‐e 7‐j 8‐f 9‐a 10‐c 4. Reading 1 Students work individually to match the people with the comments. Suggest highlighting the five names and reading closely. Students check in pairs afterwards. (10‐15 minutes) Answers: 1‐C 2‐A 3‐D 4‐A 5‐E 6‐B 7‐E © www.teachitworld.com 2010
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Topical lesson: 20 February 2010
McItaly: the burger that betrayed a nation?
5. Reading 2 Students work individually to complete the summary. NB: All the words required are taken from the text and will be found by reading chronologically. Students check in pairs afterwards. (5‐15 minutes) Answers: 1 (national) identity 2 moral bankruptcy 3 real world 4 boost 5 maintained 6 sales
7 ingredients 8 gastronomic 6. Writing If there is time, this could be planned in class. Set a word‐limit of 150‐200 words. Encourage the students to use some of the vocabulary they have learnt, but not all of it (maybe 8‐12 words or phrases.) You may need to explain ‘stance’. © www.teachitworld.com 2010
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