Weighing Airline Passengers

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Level 6 - 4th March 2024

Airline starts to weigh luggage AND passengers
FREE online quizzes, mp3 listening and more for this lesson here:
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2403/240304-weighing-airline-passengers.html
Contents
The Article 2 Discussion (Student-Created Qs) 15
Warm-Ups 3 Language Work (Cloze) 16
Vocabulary 4 Spelling 17
Before Reading / Listening 5 Put The Text Back Together 18
Gap Fill 6 Put The Words In The Right Order 19
Match The Sentences And Listen 7 Circle The Correct Word 20
Listening Gap Fill 8 Insert The Vowels (a, e, i, o, u) 21
Comprehension Questions 9 Punctuate The Text And Add Capitals 22
Multiple Choice - Quiz 10 Put A Slash ( / ) Where The Spaces Are 23
Role Play 11 Free Writing 24
After Reading / Listening 12 Academic Writing 25
Student Survey 13 Homework 26
Discussion (20 Questions) 14 Answers 27
Please try Levels 4 and 5 (they are easier).
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THE ARTICLE
From https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2403/240304-weighing-airline-passengers.html
Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on

its flights from the capital city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done
on a voluntary basis and are completely anonymous. A company
spokesperson said the new initiative is to ensure safety standards on
flights are adhered to. He said any airplane should not exceed the
prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and landings. This weight
is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and cargo,
onboard catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines
never know the exact weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage,
so they have to rely on average estimates provided by aviation
authorities.
Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing

scales at the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were
initially concerned about a customer backlash because weight is such a
personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests, over 1,000
passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope to
have a good sample of volunteers, both business and leisure travellers,
so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important
balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have taken it really
positively so far." An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have
"peace of mind" that their weight would not be linked to their personal
data.
Sources: https://news.sky.com/story/finnair-airline-starts-weighing-passengers-with-luggage-to-ensure-a-
safe-take-off-13066646
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/feb/07/finnair-to-ask-passengers-to-step-on-scales-
with-luggage-before-departure
https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/02/08/excess-baggage-finnair-shares-gain-as-
investors-weigh-new-passenger-policy
Level 6 Airline starts to weigh luggage AND passengers – 4th March 2024
More free lessons at breakingnewsenglish.com - Copyright Sean Banville 2024 2
WARM-UPS
1. AIRLINES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about
airlines. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will
the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
Finland / passengers / flights / capital city / anonymous / initiative / aircraft / cargo /

volunteer / weighing scales / backlash / business / leisure / balance / peace of mind
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. KGs: Students A strongly believe airplane passengers should pay for flights based on
their weight; Students B strongly believe this is totally ridiculous. Change partners again
and talk about your conversations.
4. AIRPORTS: What is good and bad things about these airport-related things?
Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.
Good Things Bad Things
Check-in
Location
Transport
Shopping
Restaurants
Chairs
5. PASSENGER: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you
associate with the word "passenger". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about
them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. AIRPLANES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about airplanes at
the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
• Flying • Flight crew

• Food • Legroom
• In-flight entertainment • Other passengers
• Seat comfort • Reading material
VOCABULARY MATCHING
Paragraph 1
1. carrier a. When an aircraft moves through the air

from one place to another.
2. flight b. Recommended or ordered to be done by a

person in authority.
3. anonymous c. An act or strategy intended to resolve a

difficulty or improve a situation.
4. initiative d. When a person's name is not known or not

given.
5. prescribed e. The national airline of a country.
6. cargo f. Flying in aircraft or the science and practice

of flight.
7. aviation g. Goods or items carried by a vehicle, ship, or

aircraft.
Paragraph 2
8. scales h. A phrase used to reassure someone that

something will happen as promised or
expected.
9. initially i. Devices used to measure weight or balance.
10. backlash j. Mathematical processes or methods used to

find out a result.
11. accurate k. A feeling of calmness and confidence,

knowing that things are okay or will be
okay.
12. calculation l. A strong negative reaction against

something.
13. rest assured m. Correct or exact.
14. peace of mind n. At first; at the beginning of a particular

period or process.
BEFORE READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
1. All passengers flying with Finnair must now be weighed. T/F

2. Weight is important in ensuring safe take-offs and landings. T/F
3. The weight of an aircraft includes water tanks. T/F
4. Airlines know exactly how much their passengers weigh. T/F
5. Finnair said it had no concerns about a possible customer backlash. T/F
6. More than 1,000 passengers were weighed in a week. T/F
7. Finnair was not interested in weighing business class passengers. T/F
8. The weight of passengers is kept entirely confidential. T/F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: (The words in bold are from the news article.)
1. carrier a. comprised
2. anonymous b. retaliation
3. initiative c. precise
4. made up of d. unnamed
5. exact e. representative
6. initially f. airline
7. backlash g. cross section
8. sample h. details
9. official i. scheme
10. data j. at first
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1. Finland's national a. customer backlash

2. being done on a voluntary b. are adhered to
3. ensure safety standards on flights c. by aviation authorities
4. the prescribed maximum weight d. assured
5. rely on average estimates provided e. of mind
6. departure f. carrier Finnair
7. initially concerned about a g. gates
8. Our customers have taken it really h. for safe take-offs
9. travellers could rest i. positively so far
10. have peace j. basis
GAP FILL
Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers initiative

on its (1) _____________________ from the capital city of Helsinki. The
exact
weigh-ins are being done on a voluntary (2) _____________________
basis
and are completely anonymous. A company spokesperson said the
new (3) _____________________ is to ensure safety standards on flights rely
are adhered to. He said any airplane should not exceed the fuel
(4) _____________________ maximum weight for safe take-offs and
prescribed
landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the
flights
(5) _____________________, checked baggage and cargo, onboard
(6) _____________________, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said catering
airlines never know the (7) _____________________ weight of

passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to
(8) _____________________ on average estimates provided by aviation
authorities.
Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing initially

(9) _____________________ at the departure gates at Helsinki Airport.
sample
Finnair officials were (10) _____________________ concerned about a
linked
customer backlash because weight is such a personal
(11) _____________________. However, in the first week of the tests, positively
over 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company issue

said: "We hope to have a good (12) _____________________ of
mind
volunteers, both business and leisure travellers, so that we can
scales
get the most (13) _____________________ information possible for
important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have accurate
taken it really (14) _____________________ so far." An official said

travellers could "rest assured" and have "peace of
(15) _____________________" that their weight would not be
(16) _____________________ to their personal data.
LISTENING – Guess the answers. Listen to check.
1) Finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights from ______

a. the cap it all city
b. the capital city
c. the capacity
d. the cap total city
2) The weigh-ins are being done on a voluntary basis and ______
a. are completed anonymous
b. are complete be anonymous
c. are complete anonymous
d. are completely anonymous
3) the new initiative is to ensure safety standards on flights ______
a. are adhered to
b. are adhered for
c. are adhered at
d. are adhered on
4) exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-______
a. offs and laud dings
b. offs and land dings
c. offs and land ins
d. offs and landings
5) they have to rely on average estimates provided ______
a. by avian authorities
b. by navigation authorities
c. by aviation authorities
d. by aviate on authorities
6) volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing scales at ______
a. the departure rates
b. the departure lates
c. the departure grates
d. the departure gates
7) Finnair officials were initially concerned about ______
a. a custom mar backlash
b. a customer backlash
c. a custom aback lash
d. a customer back rash
8) get the most accurate information possible for ______
a. important balance calculation
b. important balance calculators
c. important balance computations
d. important balance calculations
9) It added: "Our customers have taken it really ______."
a. positively so fare
b. positively so fair
c. positively so fear
d. positively so far
10) An official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "______"
a. peace of mind
b. piece of mind
c. peas of mind
d. appease of mind
LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its
flights (1) ____________________ city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being
done (2) ____________________ basis and are completely anonymous. A
company spokesperson said the (3) ____________________ to ensure
safety standards on flights are adhered to. He said any airplane should not
exceed the prescribed (4) ____________________ safe take-offs and
landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked
baggage and cargo, onboard catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair
said airlines never know the (5) ____________________ passengers and
their carry-on baggage, so they have to rely on average estimates
(6) ____________________ authorities.
Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on
(7) ____________________ the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair
officials were initially concerned about (8) ____________________ because
weight is such a personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests, over
1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company said: "We hope
to have a good (9) ____________________, both business and leisure
travellers, so that we can get (10) ____________________ information
possible for important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have
taken it really (11) ____________________." An official said travellers could
"rest assured" and have "(12) ____________________" that their weight
would not be linked to their personal data.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Where is Finnair weighing passengers?
2. Who will know about the weight if individual passengers?
3. What are the weigh-ins designed to ensure?
4. What kind of tanks does an airplane's weight include?
5. Who usually gives airlines estimates on the weight of passengers?
6. Where in the airport are the weighing scales?
7. What was Finnair worried might happen?
8. How many passengers agreed to be weighed in the first week?
9. What does the airline want to calculate?
10. What did an official say travellers could have regarding their data?
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1) Where is Finnair weighing 6) Where in the airport are the

passengers? weighing scales?
a) in a private room a) in the corner
b) in a hospital b) the departure gates
c) Helsinki Airport c) at check-in
d) at the check-in desk d) passport control
2) Who will know about the weight if 7) What was Finnair worried might
individual passengers? happen?
a) no one a) flight cancellations
b) doctors b) lower profits
c) everyone c) customers would eat more
d) the check-in staff d) a customer backlash
3) What are the weigh-ins designed 8) How many passengers agreed to

to ensure? be weighed in the first week?
a) health a) exactly 1,000
b) safety standards b) more than 1,000
c) faster flights c) fewer than 1,000
d) more comfortable seats d) around 1,000
4) What kind of tanks does an 9) What does the airline want to

airplane's weight include? calculate?
a) heating tanks a) flight distances
b) armoured tanks b) balance
c) ink tanks c) aerodynamics
d) water tanks d) future profits
5) Who usually gives airlines 10) What did an official say travellers
estimates on the weight of could have regarding their data?
passengers? a) peace of mind
a) doctors b) a printout
b) passenger groups c) regular updates
c) aviation authorities d) health checks
d) flight booking websites
ROLE PLAY
Role A – Food
You think the food is the best thing about airplanes. Tell the
others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their
things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and
why): seat comfort, in-flight entertainment or other
passengers.
Role B – Seat Comfort

You think seat comfort is the best thing about airplanes. Tell
the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with
their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these
(and why): food, in-flight entertainment or other passengers.
Role C – In-flight Entertainment

You think the in-flight entertainment is the best thing about
airplanes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is
wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst
of these (and why): seat comfort, food or other passengers.
Role D – Other Passengers

You think other passengers are the best thing about airplanes.
Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong
with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of
these (and why): seat comfort, in-flight entertainment or food.
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates,

other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'passenger' and
'weight'.
passenger weight
• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.
2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down

some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.
• Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.
3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise.

Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new,
interesting, worth learning…?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups,

pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try
to recall how they were used in the text:
• national • gates
• basis • concerned
• ensure • 1,000
• safe • possible
• cargo • far
• rely • linked
AIRLINES SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about airlines in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student
must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.
STUDENT 1 STUDENT 2 STUDENT 3
_____________ _____________ _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.
• Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found
out. Change partners often.
• Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.
AIRLINES DISCUSSION
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. What did you think when you read the headline?

2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'passengers'?
3. What do you think of your national carrier?
4. What do you think of being weighed before you fly?
5. Should passengers pay for their ticket according to their weight?
6. Do you ever worry that airplanes are too heavy?
7. What do you think of flying?
8. How safe is flying?
9. Should there be more limits on the weight of baggage?
10. What do you think of taking off and landing?
Airline starts to weigh luggage AND passengers – 4th March 2024

Thousands more free lessons at breakingnewsenglish.com
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AIRLINES DISCUSSION
STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
11. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12. What do you think of when you hear the word 'weight'?
13. What do you think about what you read?
14. Would you volunteer to be weighed?
15. Are you worried about your weight?
16. What might Finnair change after it finishes its tests?
17. How much do you worry about the security of your personal data?
18. What advice do you have for Finnair?
19. What do you think of airports?
20. What questions would you like to ask Finnair?
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
Copyright © breakingnewsenglish.com 2024
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DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
LANGUAGE - CLOZE
Finland's national carrier Finnair has started (1) ____ passengers on its flights from
the capital city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done (2) ____ a voluntary basis
and are completely anonymous. A company spokesperson said the new (3) ____ is
to ensure safety standards on flights are adhered (4) ____. He said any airplane
should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and landings.
This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked baggage and cargo,
(5)____ catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the
exact weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to (6) ____ on
average estimates provided by aviation authorities.
Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing (7) ____ at the
departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially concerned about a
customer (8) ____ because weight is such a personal issue. However, in the first
week of the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company
said: "We hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both business and (9) ____
travellers, so that we can get the most accurate information possible for important
balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have (10) ____ it really positively so
far." An official said travellers could "(11) ____ assured" and have "peace of mind"
that their weight would not be linked to their personal (12) ____.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. (a) weight (b) weighs (c) weighing (d) weighed
2. (a) on (b) at (c) of (d) to

3. (a) initiative (b) intuition (c) initiation (d) invitation
4. (a) to (b) at (c) on (d) as
5. (a) full board (b) onboard (c) outboard (d) boarding

6. (a) rally (b) relay (c) really (d) rely
7. (a) gauges (b) pressures (c) scales (d) balances
8. (a) whiplash (b) lash (c) slash (d) backlash

9. (a) leisure (b) leisurely (c) leisured (d) lesion
10. (a) given (b) taken (c) passed (d) weighed
11. (a) pause (b) rest (c) breathe (d) nap

12. (a) datum (b) dated (c) data (d) dative
SPELLING
Paragraph 1
1. Finland's national iacerrr Finnair
2. completely mnsaynuoo
3. the new ntvetiiiia
4. exceed the bdircrpees maximum weight
5. carry-on begagag
6. iiavatno authorities
Paragraph 2
7. at the aeprreudt gates
8. officials were inltaiiyl concerned
9. a customer bhcklsaa
10. get the most aucretac information
11. important balance claoitnsaulc
12. rest aesrdus
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( ) Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing

scales at the departure
( ) gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials were initially concerned

about a customer backlash because weight
( ) catering, water tanks, and passengers. Finnair said airlines never

know the exact weight of passengers and their carry-
( ) city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done on a voluntary basis

and are completely
( 1 ) Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers

on its flights from the capital
( ) "rest assured" and have "peace of mind" that their weight would
not be linked to their personal data.
( ) is such a personal issue. However, in the first week of the tests,

over 1,000 passengers had agreed to
( ) adhered to. He said any airplane should not exceed the prescribed
maximum weight for safe take-offs and
( ) calculations." It added: "Our customers have taken it really

positively so far." An official said travellers could
( ) anonymous. A company spokesperson said the new initiative is to

ensure safety standards on flights are
( ) on baggage, so they have to rely on average estimates provided by

aviation authorities.
( ) be weighed. The company said: "We hope to have a good sample of

volunteers, both business and
( ) landings. This weight is made up of the aircraft itself, the fuel,

checked baggage and cargo, onboard
( ) leisure travellers, so that we can get the most accurate information

possible for important balance
PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
1. from capital . flights its passengers the on Weighing
2. to new The ensure standards . is safety initiative
3. made aircraft . is weight This the of up
4. know the of passengers . exact never Airlines weight
5. by on Rely provided aviation average estimates authorities .
6. concerned initially a were customer backlash . Officials about
7. most the information We accurate possible . get can
8. have far . really taken it so Customers positively
9. could An travellers said official rest assured .
10. linked wouldn't their to be Weight data . personal
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its
flights from the capital city on / of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being done /
doing on a voluntary bases / basis and are completely anonymous. A
company spokesperson said the new initiative is to insure / ensure safety
standards on flights are adhered at / to. He said any airplane should not
exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe take-offs and touchdowns /
landings. This weight is made in / up of the aircraft itself, the fuel, checked
baggage and cargo, onboard / outboard catering, water tanks, and
passengers. Finnair said airlines never know the exact / exactly weight of
passengers and their carry-on baggage, so they have to relay / rely on
average estimates provided by aviation authorities.
Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping up / on weighing
scales at the departure gates / doors at Helsinki Airport. Finnair officials
were initially concerned / cornered about a customer backlash because
weight is such a personality / personal issue. However, in the first week of
the tests, over 1,000 passengers had agreed / agreement to be weighed.
The company said: "We hope to have a good sample of volunteers, both
business and leisurely / leisure travellers, so that we can get the most
accuracy / accurate information possible for important balance calculations."
It added: "Our customers have given / taken it really positively so far." An
official said travellers could "rest assured" and have "piece / peace of mind"
that their weight would not be linked to their personal datum / data.
Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and
why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.
INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)
F_nl_nd's n_t__n_l c_rr__r F_nn__r h_s st_rt_d

w__gh_ng p_ss_ng_rs _n _ts fl_ghts fr_m th_ c_p_t_l
c_ty _f H_ls_nk_. Th_ w__gh-_ns _r_ b__ng d_n_ _n _
v_l_nt_ry b_s_s _nd _r_ c_mpl_t_ly _n_nym__s. _
c_mp_ny sp_k_sp_rs_n s__d th_ n_w _n_t__t_v_ _s t_
_ns_r_ s_f_ty st_nd_rds _n fl_ghts _r_ _dh_r_d t_. H_
s__d _ny __rpl_n_ sh__ld n_t _xc__d th_ pr_scr_b_d
m_x_m_m w__ght f_r s_f_ t_k_-_ffs _nd l_nd_ngs. Th_s
w__ght _s m_d_ _p _f th_ __rcr_ft _ts_lf, th_ f__l,
ch_ck_d b_gg_g_ _nd c_rg_, _nb__rd c_t_r_ng, w_t_r
t_nks, _nd p_ss_ng_rs. F_nn__r s__d __rl_n_s n_v_r
kn_w th_ _x_ct w__ght _f p_ss_ng_rs _nd th__r c_rry-
_n b_gg_g_, s_ th_y h_v_ t_ r_ly _n _v_r_g_
_st_m_t_s pr_v_d_d by _v__t__n __th_r_t__s.
P_ss_ng_rs wh_ v_l_nt__r t_ b_ w__gh_d _r_ st_pp_ng

_n w__gh_ng sc_l_s _t th_ d_p_rt_r_ g_t_s _t
H_ls_nk_ __rp_rt. F_nn__r _ff_c__ls w_r_ _n_t__lly
c_nc_rn_d _b__t _ c_st_m_r b_ckl_sh b_c__s_ w__ght
_s s_ch _ p_rs_n_l _ss__. H_w_v_r, _n th_ f_rst w__k
_f th_ t_sts, _v_r 1,000 p_ss_ng_rs h_d _gr__d t_ b_
w__gh_d. Th_ c_mp_ny s__d: "W_ h_p_ t_ h_v_ _
g__d s_mpl_ _f v_l_nt__rs, b_th b_s_n_ss _nd l__s_r_
tr_v_ll_rs, s_ th_t w_ c_n g_t th_ m_st _cc_r_t_
_nf_rm_t__n p_ss_bl_ f_r _mp_rt_nt b_l_nc_
c_lc_l_t__ns." _t _dd_d: "__r c_st_m_rs h_v_ t_k_n _t
r__lly p_s_t_v_ly s_ f_r." _n _ff_c__l s__d tr_v_ll_rs
c__ld "r_st _ss_r_d" _nd h_v_ "p__c_ _f m_nd" th_t
th__r w__ght w__ld n_t b_ l_nk_d t_ th__r p_rs_n_l
d_t_.
PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
finlands national carrier finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights
from the capital city of helsinki the weighins are being done on a voluntary
basis and are completely anonymous a company spokesperson said the new
initiative is to ensure safety standards on flights are adhered to he said any
airplane should not exceed the prescribed maximum weight for safe takeoffs
and landings this weight is made up of the aircraft itself the fuel checked
baggage and cargo onboard catering water tanks and passengers finnair said
airlines never know the exact weight of passengers and their carryon
baggage so they have to rely on average estimates provided by aviation
authorities
passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing scales at
the departure gates at helsinki airport finnair officials were initially
concerned about a customer backlash because weight is such a personal
issue however in the first week of the tests over 1000 passengers had
agreed to be weighed the company said we hope to have a good sample of
volunteers both business and leisure travellers so that we can get the most
accurate information possible for important balance calculations it added our
customers have taken it really positively so far an official said travellers
could rest assured and have peace of mind that their weight would not be
linked to their personal data
PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE
Finland'snationalcarrierFinnairhasstartedweighingpassengersonitsf
lightsfromthecapitalcityofHelsinki.Theweigh-insarebeingdoneonav
oluntarybasisandarecompletelyanonymous.Acompanyspokesperso
nsaidthenewinitiativeistoensuresafetystandardsonflightsareadhere
dto.Hesaidanyairplaneshouldnotexceedtheprescribedmaximumwei
ghtforsafetake-offsandlandings.Thisweightismadeupoftheaircrafti
tself,thefuel,checkedbaggageandcargo,onboardcatering,watertank
s,andpassengers.Finnairsaidairlinesneverknowtheexactweightofpa
ssengersandtheircarry-onbaggage,sotheyhavetorelyonaverageest
imatesprovidedbyaviationauthorities.Passengerswhovolunteertobe
weighedaresteppingonweighingscalesatthedeparturegatesatHelsin
kiAirport.Finnairofficialswereinitiallyconcernedaboutacustomerbac
klashbecauseweightissuchapersonalissue.However,inthefirstweeko
fthetests,over1,000passengershadagreedtobeweighed.Thecompan
ysaid:"Wehopetohaveagoodsampleofvolunteers,bothbusinessandl
eisuretravellers,sothatwecangetthemostaccurateinformationpossib
leforimportantbalancecalculations."Itadded:"Ourcustomershaveta
kenitreallypositivelysofar."Anofficialsaidtravellerscould"restassure
d"andhave"peaceofmind"thattheirweightwouldnotbelinkedtotheirp
ersonaldata.
FREE WRITING
Write about airlines for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.
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ACADEMIC WRITING
It is wrong to weigh people before they board an airplane. Discuss.
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HOMEWORK
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the

text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to
build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news
story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. AIRLINES: Make a poster about airlines. Show your work to your

classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. PAY PER KILO: Write a magazine article about airlines charging for
flights according to their weight. Include imaginary interviews with people
who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any
new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next

stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the
next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on airlines. Ask him/her three

questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make
flying better. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your
partner(s) will answer your questions.
ANSWERS
VOCABULARY (p.4)
1. e 2. a 3. d 4. c 5. b 6. g 7. f
8. i 9. n 10. l 11. m 12. j 13. h 14. k
TRUE / FALSE (p.5)

1 F 2 T 3 T 4 F 5 F 6 T 7 F 8 T
SYNONYM MATCH (p.5)
1. f 2. d 3. i 4. a 5. c
6. j 7. b 8. g 9. e 10. h
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.9) WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER (p.19)
1. Helsinki Airport 1. Weighing passengers on its flights from the

capital.
2. No one 2. The new initiative is to ensure safety standards.
3. Safety standards 3. This weight is made up of the aircraft.
4. Water tanks 4. Airlines never know the exact weight of
passengers.
5. Aviation authorities 5. Rely on average estimates provided by aviation
authorities.
6. The departure gates 6. Officials were initially concerned about a
customer backlash.
7. A customer backlash 7. We can get the most accurate information
possible.
8. More than 1,000 8. Customers have taken it really positively so far.
9. Balance 9. An official said travellers could rest assured.
10. Peace of mind 10. Weight wouldn't be linked to their personal data.
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.10)

1. c 2. a 3. b 4. d 5. c 6. b 7. d 8. b 9. b 10. a
ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English.

“1,000 IDEAS & ACTIVITIES Thousands more free lessons

Level 6 - 4th March 2024

Please try Levels 4 and 5 (they are easier).

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing

Finland / passengers / flights / capital city / anonymous / initiative / aircraft / cargo /

Good Things Bad Things

• Flying • Flight crew

1. carrier a. When an aircraft moves through the air

2. flight b. Recommended or ordered to be done by a

3. anonymous c. An act or strategy intended to resolve a

4. initiative d. When a person's name is not known or not

5. prescribed e. The national airline of a country.

6. cargo f. Flying in aircraft or the science and practice

7. aviation g. Goods or items carried by a vehicle, ship, or

8. scales h. A phrase used to reassure someone that

9. initially i. Devices used to measure weight or balance.

10. backlash j. Mathematical processes or methods used to

11. accurate k. A feeling of calmness and confidence,

12. calculation l. A strong negative reaction against

13. rest assured m. Correct or exact.

14. peace of mind n. At first; at the beginning of a particular

1. All passengers flying with Finnair must now be weighed. T/F

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1. Finland's national a. customer backlash

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers initiative

airlines never know the (7) _____________________ weight of

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on weighing initially

over 1,000 passengers had agreed to be weighed. The company issue

taken it really (14) _____________________ so far." An official said

1) Finnair has started weighing passengers on its flights from ______

Finland's national carrier Finnair has started weighing passengers on its

flights (1) ____________________ city of Helsinki. The weigh-ins are being

done (2) ____________________ basis and are completely anonymous. A

company spokesperson said the (3) ____________________ to ensure

exceed the prescribed (4) ____________________ safe take-offs and

said airlines never know the (5) ____________________ passengers and

their carry-on baggage, so they have to rely on average estimates

(6) ____________________ authorities.

Passengers who volunteer to be weighed are stepping on

(7) ____________________ the departure gates at Helsinki Airport. Finnair

officials were initially concerned about (8) ____________________ because

to have a good (9) ____________________, both business and leisure

travellers, so that we can get (10) ____________________ information

possible for important balance calculations." It added: "Our customers have

taken it really (11) ____________________." An official said travellers could

"rest assured" and have "(12) ____________________" that their weight

would not be linked to their personal data.

1. Where is Finnair weighing passengers?

2. Who will know about the weight if individual passengers?

3. What are the weigh-ins designed to ensure?

4. What kind of tanks does an airplane's weight include?

5. Who usually gives airlines estimates on the weight of passengers?

6. Where in the airport are the weighing scales?

7. What was Finnair worried might happen?

8. How many passengers agreed to be weighed in the first week?

9. What does the airline want to calculate?

1) Where is Finnair weighing 6) Where in the airport are the

_______ _ _______