. Being a Trillionaire - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Being a Trillionaire - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson
Being a Trillionaire - ESL Lesson Plan - Breaking News English Lesson

Breaking News English Lesson: Being a Trillionaire

Elon Musk, already the world's wealthiest person, is set to become even wealthier. He is on course to become the planet's first dollar trillionaire. This is because of a new remuneration package approved by Tesla shareholders at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday. Seventy-five per cent of shareholder votes endorsed a stratospheric pay deal of around $1 trillion. A trillion is a thousand billion. The compensation consists of up to 423.7 million shares of Tesla stock over the next 10 years. This would mean that Mr Musk's stake in Tesla increases from about 13 per cent to almost 29 per cent. This depends on Musk boosting Tesla's market value to $8.5 trillion.

Tesla shareholders were encouraged to back the deal to stop Mr Musk from potentially walking away from Tesla. The Tesla board warned of a "possibility that he may pursue other interests should [the deal] be denied". It added that Musk was needed "to achieve goals that others will perceive as impossible, but that we know are possible for Tesla". Industry analyst Dan Ives concurred. He wrote: "Tesla needs Musk to take it into the autonomous driving, robotic future." Mr Musk hopes to propel the company forward by shifting focus from electric vehicles. He plans to shift to selling self-driving cars, a fleet of "Cybercab" robotaxis, and a legion of "Optimus" humanoid bi-pedal autonomous robots.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

  • https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/05/business/elon-musk-trillionaire-or-leave-tesla
  • https://fortune.com/2025/11/06/elon-musk-trillionaire-path-tesla-approves-massive-pay-package/
  • https://gizmodo.com/telsa-shareholders-decide-elon-musk-should-be-the-worlds-first-trillionaire-2000682469

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

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News

"Much has been said and written on the utility of newspapers; but one principal advantage which might be derived from these publications has been neglected; we mean that of reading them in schools."

The Portland Eastern Herald (June 8, 1795)

"News is history in its first and best form, its vivid and fascinating form, and. history is the pale and tranquil reflection of it."

Mark Twain, in his autobiography (1906)

"Current events provide authentic learning experiences for students at all grade levels. In studying current events, students are required to use a range of cognitive, affective, critical thinking and research skills."

Haas, M. and Laughlin, M. (2000) Teaching Current Events: It's Status in Social Studies Today.

Warm-ups

1. BEING A TRILLIONAIRE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about being a trillionaire. 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? wealthiest person / dollar / trillionaire / remuneration / deal / compensation / value / shareholders / goals / impossible / industry / analyst / driving / robotaxis / robots Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently. 3. SHARING WEALTH: Students A strongly believe all wealth should be equally shared with everyone; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations. 4. ELON MUSK COMPANIES: What do you know about these companies Elon Musk has played a major part in (as founder and/or CEO of)? How will they change the world? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

What I Know

Changing the World

Tesla

SpaceX

X

OpenAI

Starlink

PayPal

MY e-BOOK See a sample
  • Financial security
  • Eternal happiness
  • Limitless free time
  • Private jets
  • Ability to help others
  • Influential friends
  • Fame
  • VIP seats at events
Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1. set a. Money and other things you get for work. 2. remuneration b. Very, very, very, very, very, very high. 3. endorsed c. Ready to do or be something (soon). 4. stratospheric d. A part of a business someone owns. 5. deal (noun) e. An agreement between people. 6. stake (noun) f. Making something go much, much higher or better. 7. boosting g. Said something is good or right.

Paragraph 2

8. board h. A very large number of people as a group. 9. pursue i. Able to work alone without help. 10. perceive j. Push something (or an idea) forward. 11. autonomous k. A group of people who control a company. 12. propel l. Try to get or do something. 13. fleet m. Many vehicles, ships, or planes in a group. 14. legion n. See or understand something. Before reading / listening 1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).
  1. Elon Musk is currently the second-richest person in the world. T / F
  2. Tesla shareholders voted to give Mr Musk a huge remuneration package. T / F
  3. A trillion is a billion billion. T / F
  4. The pay deal will see Mr Musk take control of over a third of Tesla. T / F
  5. Tesla shareholders were encouraged to reject the pay deal. T / F
  6. The Tesla board believes that Musk can make the impossible possible. T / F
  7. An industry analyst said Tesla needs Mr Musk. T / F
  8. Tesla's new robotaxis will be called "Optimus". T / F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.
  1. sky-high
  2. see
  3. independent
  4. salary
  5. take part in
  6. move forward
  7. include
  8. on track
  9. agreed
  10. backed
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
  1. He is on course
  2. a new remuneration
  3. stratospheric
  4. Mr Musk's stake
  5. This depends on Musk boosting
  6. shareholders were encouraged to
  7. he may pursue other interests
  8. achieve goals that others will
  9. propel the company
  10. a fleet
  1. perceive as impossible
  2. Tesla's market value
  3. of "Cybercab" robotaxis
  4. back the deal
  5. forward
  6. to become the planet's first
  7. pay deal of around $1 trillion
  8. package
  9. should the deal be denied
  10. in Tesla increases
Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below. package billion value course votes stake annual consists

Elon Musk, already the world's wealthiest person, is set to become even wealthier. He is on (1) _________________________________ to become the planet's first dollar trillionaire. This is because of a new remuneration (2) _________________________________ approved by Tesla shareholders at the company's (3) _________________________________ general meeting (AGM) on Thursday. Seventy-five per cent of shareholder (4) _________________________________ endorsed a stratospheric pay deal of around $1 trillion. A trillion is a thousand (5) _________________________________. The compensation (6) _________________________________ of up to 423.7 million shares of Tesla stock over the next 10 years. This would mean that Mr Musk's (7) _________________________________ in Tesla increases from about 13 per cent to almost 29 per cent. This depends on Musk boosting Tesla's market (8) _________________________________ to $8.5 trillion.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

analyst pursue humanoid back propel perceive board shift

Tesla shareholders were encouraged to (9) _________________________________ the deal to stop Mr Musk from potentially walking away from Tesla. The Tesla (10) _________________________________ warned of a "possibility that he may (11) _________________________________ other interests should [the deal] be denied". It added that Musk was needed "to achieve goals that others will (12) _________________________________ as impossible, but that we know are possible for Tesla". Industry (13) _________________________________ Dan Ives concurred. He wrote: "Tesla needs Musk to take it into the autonomous driving, robotic future." Mr Musk hopes to (14) _________________________________ the company forward by shifting focus from electric vehicles. He plans to (15) _________________________________ to selling self-driving cars, a fleet of "Cybercab" robotaxis, and a legion of "Optimus" (16) _________________________________ bi-pedal autonomous robots.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Elon Musk, already the world's wealthiest person, is set to ______ a. become event wealthier b. become even wealth tier c. become even wealthier d. became even wealthier 2) He is on course to become the planet's ______ a. first collar trillionaire b. fast dollar trillionaire c. fast dollars trillionaire d. first dollar trillionaire 3) approved by Tesla shareholders at the company's ______ a. annual generals meeting b. annul general meeting c. annual general meeting d. annual general meet in 4) Seventy-five per cent of shareholder votes endorsed a ______ a. stratospheric pay deal b. stratospheric paid eel c. stratospheric paid deal d. stratospheric pay dill 5) This depends on Musk boosting ______ a. Tesla's markets value b. Tesla's market value c. Tesla's marketing value d. Tesla's market valve

6) encouraged to back the deal to stop Mr Musk from ______ a. potentially walk in away b. potentially walk king away c. potentially walking away d. potentially wall king away 7) a possibility that he may pursue other interests should the ______ a. deal be decried b. Dolby denied c. deal bead in eyed d. deal be denied 8) needed to achieve goals that others will ______ a. perceive was impossible b. perceive as impossible c. perceive has impossible d. perceive as impossibly 9) Tesla needs Musk to take it into the autonomous ______ a. drive-in, robotic future b. diving, robotic future c. driving, robotic future d. driving, robo-tick future 10) He plans to shift to selling self-driving cars, a ______ a. fleet of "Cybercab" b. bleat of "Cybercab" c. cleat of "Cybercab" d. beet of "Cybercab"

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Elon Musk, already the world's wealthiest person, is set to become even wealthier. He (1) _______________________________________________ to become the planet's first dollar trillionaire. This is because of (2) _______________________________________________ package approved by Tesla shareholders at the company's (3) _______________________________________________ (AGM) on Thursday. Seventy-five per cent of shareholder votes endorsed a (4) _______________________________________________ of around $1 trillion. A trillion is a thousand billion. The compensation consists of up to 423.7 million shares of Tesla (5) _______________________________________________ next 10 years. This would mean that Mr Musk's (6) _______________________________________________ increases from about 13 per cent to almost 29 per cent. This depends on Musk boosting Tesla's market value to $8.5 trillion.

Tesla (7) _______________________________________________ to back the deal to stop Mr Musk from potentially walking away from Tesla. The Tesla board warned of a "possibility that he may (8) _______________________________________________ should [the deal] be denied". It added that Musk was needed "(9) _______________________________________________ that others will (10) _______________________________________________, but that we know are possible for Tesla". Industry analyst Dan Ives concurred. He wrote: "Tesla needs Musk to take it (11) _______________________________________________ driving, robotic future." Mr Musk hopes to propel the company forward by shifting focus from electric vehicles. He plans to shift to selling self-driving cars, a fleet of "Cybercab" robotaxis, (12) _______________________________________________ of "Optimus" humanoid bi-pedal autonomous robots.

Comprehension questions
  1. Who endorsed Elon Musk's remuneration package?
  2. How many shares could Mr Musk be given?
  3. Over what time frame must Musk achieve the Tesla's objectives?
  4. How much control of Tesla does Musk currently have of Tesla?
  5. How much must Musk get Tesla to a market value of?
  6. What might Mr Musk have potentially walked away from?
  7. What might Musk have pursued?
  8. Who is Dan Ives?
  9. What does Tesla hope to build a fleet of?
  10. What is the name of Tesla's humanoid bi-pedal autonomous robots?
Multiple choice quiz

1) Who endorsed Elon Musk's remuneration package? a) Tesla car owners b) the auto industry press c) Tesla shareholders d) visitors to Tesla's website 2) How many shares could Mr Musk be given? a) 423.7 million b) 432.7 million c) 427.2 million d) 427.3 million 3) Over what time frame must Musk achieve the Tesla's objectives? a) 5 years b) 10 years c) 15 years d) 20 years 4) How much control of Tesla does Musk currently have of Tesla? a) just less than 13% b) more than 13% c) exactly 13% d) about 13% 5) How much must Musk get Tesla to a market value of? a) 5.8 trillion b) $85 trillion c) $8.5 trillion d) $58 trillion

6) What might Mr Musk have potentially walked away from? a) a huge business deal b) Tesla c) designing cars d) the USA 7) What might Musk have pursued? a) more companies b) the guitar c) a simpler life d) other interests 8) Who is Dan Ives? a) a Tesla designer b) an industry analyst c) a Tesla shareholder d) a coder for AI 9) What does Tesla hope to build a fleet of? a) navy ships b) robotaxis c) racing yachts d) planes 10) What is the name of Tesla's humanoid bi-pedal autonomous robots? a) Optimus b) Bob c) Cyber d) Wheelie

Role play

Role A – Financial Security You think financial security is the best thing about being a trillionaire. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least satisfying of these (and why): the ability to help others, having private jets or having influential friends.

Role B – The Ability to Help Others You think the ability to help others is the best thing about being a trillionaire. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least satisfying of these (and why): financial security, having private jets or having influential friends.

Role C – Private Jets You think having private jets is the best thing about being a trillionaire. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least satisfying of these (and why): the ability to help others, financial security or having influential friends.

Role D – Having Influential Friends You think having influential friends is the best thing about being a trillionaire. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least satisfying of these (and why): the ability to help others, having private jets or financial security.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words.

• 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:

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Being a Trillionaire

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 'trillionaire'?
  3. How important is wealth to you?
  4. How would your life change is you had one trillion dollars?
  5. Is it possible to spend $1 trillion?
  6. What do you know about Elon Musk?
  7. What do you think of Elon Musk?
  8. What do you think of paying someone $1 trillion?
  9. What do you think of Tesla?
  10. What advice do you have for Elon Musk?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

  1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
  2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'robot'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. How good an entrepreneur is Elon Musk?
  5. What do you think of self-driving cars?
  6. What do you think of robotaxis?
  7. What do you think of humanoid robots?
  8. What can we learn from Elon Musk?
  9. Should all billionaires give 90 per cent of their wealth to the poor?
  10. What questions would you like to ask Elon Musk?
Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Elon Musk, already the world's wealthiest person, is set to become even wealthier. He is on (1) ____ to become the planet's first dollar trillionaire. This is because of a new remuneration package approved (2) ____ Tesla shareholders at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday. Seventy-five per cent of shareholder votes (3) ____ a stratospheric pay deal of around $1 trillion. A trillion is a thousand (4) ____. The compensation consists of up to 423.7 million shares of Tesla stock over the next 10 years. This would mean that Mr Musk's (5) ____ in Tesla increases from about 13 per cent to almost 29 per cent. This depends on Musk (6) ____ Tesla's market value to $8.5 trillion.

Tesla shareholders were encouraged to back the deal to stop Mr Musk from (7) ____ walking away from Tesla. The Tesla board warned of a "possibility that he may pursue other interests should [the deal] be (8) ____". It added that Musk was needed "to achieve goals that others will perceive (9) ____ impossible, but that we know are possible for Tesla". Industry analyst Dan Ives (10) ____. He wrote: "Tesla needs Musk to take it into the autonomous driving, robotic future." Mr Musk hopes to propel the company forward (11) ____ shifting focus from electric vehicles. He plans to shift to selling self-driving cars, a fleet of "Cybercab" robotaxis, and a legion of "Optimus" humanoid bi-(12) ____ autonomous robots.

Which of these words go in the above text?

  1. (a) cause (b) course (c) curse (d) concurs
  2. (a) of (b) by (c) at (d) in
  3. (a) ostracized (b) distilled (c) induced (d) endorsed
  4. (a) gazillion (b) billion (c) bazillion (d) million
  5. (a) stoke (b) steak (c) streak (d) stake
  6. (a) basting (b) boasting (c) boosting (d) besting
  7. (a) potentially (b) potently (c) portending (d) potent
  8. (a) decried (b) deride (c) denied (d) defiled
  9. (a) which (b) that (c) such (d) as
  10. (a) concurred (b) conquered (c) concurring (d) concurrent
  11. (a) by (b) of (c) as (d) at
  12. (a) pedal (b) lingual (c) manual (d) nasal
Spelling Paragraph 1
  1. a new ruinnoaeetrm package
  2. vppoedra by Tesla shareholders
  3. the company's nanaul general meeting
  4. shareholder votes ddeoesrn a stratospheric pay
  5. The ooestminnpac
  6. noiogtsb Tesla's market value to $8.5 trillion
Paragraph 2
  1. shareholders were duercognae to back the deal
  2. stop Mr Musk from tanloeplyit walking away
  3. pureus other interests
  4. goals that others will cvirpeee as impossible
  5. Industry analyst Dan Ives ccdourenr
  6. "Optimus" humanoid bi-pedal muouoaonts robots
Put the text back together

( ) (AGM) on Thursday. Seventy-five per cent of shareholder votes endorsed a stratospheric pay deal ( ) are possible for Tesla". Industry analyst Dan Ives concurred. He wrote: "Tesla needs Musk to take it into ( ) course to become the planet's first dollar trillionaire. This is because of a new remuneration ( ) denied". It added that Musk was needed "to achieve goals that others will perceive as impossible, but that we know ( 1 ) Elon Musk, already the world's wealthiest person, is set to become even wealthier. He is on ( ) from electric vehicles. He plans to shift to selling self-driving cars, a fleet ( ) of "Cybercab" robotaxis, and a legion of "Optimus" humanoid bi-pedal autonomous robots. ( ) of around $1 trillion. A trillion is a thousand billion. The compensation consists of up to 423.7 million shares ( ) of Tesla stock over the next 10 years. This would mean that Mr Musk's stake in Tesla increases from about 13 per cent ( ) package approved by Tesla shareholders at the company's annual general meeting ( ) Tesla shareholders were encouraged to back the deal to stop Mr Musk from potentially ( ) the autonomous driving, robotic future." Mr Musk hopes to propel the company forward by shifting focus ( ) to almost 29 per cent. This depends on Musk boosting Tesla's market value to $8.5 trillion. ( ) walking away from Tesla. The Tesla board warned of a "possibility that he may pursue other interests should [the deal] be

Put the words in the right order
  1. course On become to planet's the trillionaire first .
  2. A remuneration new approved package Tesla by shareholders .
  3. a Endorsed pay stratospheric of deal around 1$ trillion .
  4. means This that stake Mr Musk's Tesla in increases .
  5. depends This Musk on Tesla's boosting value market .
  6. Tesla were shareholders to encouraged the back deal .
  7. other Pursue should interests deal the denied be .
  8. Achieve that goals will others as perceive impossible .
  9. the Propel forward company shifting by focus .
  10. plans He shift to selling to cars self-driving .
Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Elon Musk, already the world's wealthiest person, is set to become even wealthier. He is on coarse / course to become the planet's first dollar trillionaire. This is because of a new renumbered / remuneration package approved to / by Tesla shareholders at the company's annually / annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday. Seventy-five per cent of shareholder votes concurred / endorsed a stratospheric pay deal / dealing of around $1 trillion. A trillion is a thousand billion. The compensation consists of up from / to 423.7 million shares of Tesla stock / share over the next 10 years. This would mean that Mr Musk's steak / stake in Tesla increases from about 13 per cent to almost 29 per cent. This depends on Musk boosting / boasting Tesla's market value to $8.5 trillion.

Tesla shareholders were encouraged to aback / back the deal to stop Mr Musk from potentially walking / strolling away from Tesla. The Tesla plank / board warned of a "possibility that he may pursue / pursuit other interests should the deal be decried / denied". It added that Musk was needed "to achieve goals that others will impervious / perceive as impossible, but that we know are possible for Tesla". Industry analysis / analyst Dan Ives concurred. He wrote: "Tesla needs Musk to take it into the autonomous driving, robotic future." Mr Musk hopes to repel / propel the company forward by shifting focus from electric vehicles. He plans to shift to selling self-driving cars, a fleet of / on "Cybercab" robotaxis, and a legend / legion of "Optimus" humanoid bi-pedal autonomous robots.

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)

_l_n M_sk, _lr__dy th_ w_rld's w__lth__st p_rs_n, _s s_t t_ b_c_m_ _v_n w__lth__r. H_ _s _n c__rs_ t_ b_c_m_ th_ pl_n_t's f_rst d_ll_r tr_ll__n__r_. Th_s _s b_c__s_ _f _ n_w r_m_n_r_t__n p_ck_g_ _ppr_v_d by T_sl_ sh_r_h_ld_rs _t th_ c_mp_ny's _nn__l g_n_r_l m__t_ng (_GM) _n Th_rsd_y. S_v_nty-f_v_ p_r c_nt _f sh_r_h_ld_r v_t_s _nd_rs_d _ str_t_sph_r_c p_y d__l _f _r__nd $1 tr_ll__n. _ tr_ll__n _s _ th__s_nd b_ll__n. Th_ c_mp_ns_t__n c_ns_sts _f _p t_ 423.7 m_ll__n sh_r_s _f T_sl_ st_ck _v_r th_ n_xt 10 y__rs. Th_s w__ld m__n th_t Mr M_sk's st_k_ _n T_sl_ _ncr__s_s fr_m _b__t 13 p_r c_nt t_ _lm_st 29 p_r c_nt. Th_s d_p_nds _n M_sk b__st_ng T_sl_'s m_rk_t v_l__ t_ $8.5 tr_ll__n.

T_sl_ sh_r_h_ld_rs w_r_ _nc__r_g_d t_ b_ck th_ d__l t_ st_p Mr M_sk fr_m p_t_nt__lly w_lk_ng _w_y fr_m T_sl_. Th_ T_sl_ b__rd w_rn_d _f _ "p_ss_b_l_ty th_t h_ m_y p_rs__ _th_r _nt_r_sts sh__ld [th_ d__l] b_ d_n__d". _t _dd_d th_t M_sk w_s n__d_d "t_ _ch__v_ g__ls th_t _th_rs w_ll p_rc__v_ _s _mp_ss_bl_, b_t th_t w_ kn_w _r_ p_ss_bl_ f_r T_sl_". _nd_stry _n_lyst D_n _v_s c_nc_rr_d. H_ wr_t_: "T_sl_ n__ds M_sk t_ t_k_ _t _nt_ th_ __t_n_m__s dr_v_ng, r_b_t_c f_t_r_." Mr M_sk h_p_s t_ pr_p_l th_ c_mp_ny f_rw_rd by sh_ft_ng f_c_s fr_m _l_ctr_c v_h_cl_s. H_ pl_ns t_ sh_ft t_ s_ll_ng s_lf-dr_v_ng c_rs, _ fl__t _f "Cyb_rc_b" r_b_t_x_s, _nd _ l_g__n _f "_pt_m_s" h_m_n__d b_-p_d_l __t_n_m__s r_b_ts.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

elon musk already the worlds wealthiest person is set to become even wealthier he is on course to become the planets first dollar trillionaire this is because of a new remuneration package approved by tesla shareholders at the companys annual general meeting agm on thursday seventy five per cent of shareholder votes endorsed a stratospheric pay deal of around 1 trillion a trillion is a thousand billion the compensation consists of up to 4237 million shares of tesla stock over the next 10 years this would mean that mr musks stake in tesla increases from about 13 per cent to almost 29 per cent this depends on musk boosting teslas market value to 85 trillion

tesla shareholders were encouraged to back the deal to stop mr musk from potentially walking away from tesla the tesla board warned of a possibility that he may pursue other interests should the deal be denied it added that musk was needed to achieve goals that others will perceive as impossible but that we know are possible for tesla industry analyst dan ives concurred he wrote tesla needs musk to take it into the autonomous driving robotic future mr musk hopes to propel the company forward by shifting focus from electric vehicles he plans to shift to selling self driving cars a fleet of cybercab robotaxis and a legion of optima's humanoid bipedal autonomous robots

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

ElonMusk,alreadytheworld'swealthiestperson,issettobecomeevenw ealthier.Heisoncoursetobecometheplanet'sfirstdollartrillionaire.Thi sisbecauseofanewremunerationpackageapprovedbyTeslasharehold ersatthecompany'sannualgeneralmeeting(AGM)onThursday.Seven ty-fivepercentofshareholdervotesendorsedastratosphericpaydealo faround$1trillion.Atrillionisathousandbillion.Thecompensationconsi stsofupto423.7millionsharesofTeslastockoverthenext10years.This wouldmeanthatMrMusk'sstakeinTeslaincreasesfromabout13percen ttoalmost29per cent.ThisdependsonMuskboostingTesla'smarketval ueto$8.5trillion.Teslashareholderswereencouragedtobackthedealt ostopMrMuskfrompotentiallywalkingawayfromTesla.TheTeslaboard warnedofa"possibilitythathemaypursueotherinterestsshould[thede al]bedenied".ItaddedthatMuskwasneeded"toachievegoalsthatother swillperceiveasimpossible,butthatweknowarepossibleforTesla".Ind ustryanalystDanIvesconcurred.Hewrote:"TeslaneedsMusktotakeiti ntotheautonomousdriving,roboticfuture."MrMuskhopestopropelthe companyforwardbyshiftingfocusfromelectricvehicles.Heplanstoshif ttosellingself-drivingcars,afleetof"Cybercab"robotaxis,andalegio nof"Optimus"humanoidbi-pedalautonomousrobots.

Free writing

Write about trillionaire Elon Musk for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

Academic writing

Billionaires should give 90 per cent of their money to the poor. Discuss.

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. BEING A TRILLIONAIRE: Make a poster about being a trillionaire. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things? 4. SHARD WEALTH: Write a magazine article about sharing all of the world's wealth equally. 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 being a trillionaire. Ask him/her three questions about being a trillionaire. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also.

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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