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Level 6 - 30th December 2024

Coughing and sneezing most annoying behaviour on trains
FREE online quizzes, mp3 listening and more for this lesson here:
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2412/241230-annoying-behaviour-on-trains.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/2412/241230-annoying-behaviour-on-trains.html
A recent study from the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA)
reveals that coughing and sneezing were the biggest annoyances on
trains. A total of 5,314 train passengers responded to a JPRA survey on
behaviour and manners on trains and at stations. "Coughing and
sneezing without consideration for others" topped the list of passenger
gripes. An association spokesperson attributed this to remaining effects
of Covid-19. He said: "The coronavirus pandemic may have ingrained the
importance of consideration for others as a norm." He added: "More
people likely feel greater anxiety than before the pandemic when
someone nearby coughs or sneezes without wearing a mask."
The JPRA has been conducting its polls since 1999 to gauge how
people feel about their fellow passengers. It hopes to promote better
behaviour in the future. It said 50.5 per cent of survey respondents cited
coughing and sneezing as their top annoyance. Other sources of irritation
on trains included people stretching their legs, people not moving over to
make space for others wanting to sit down, and noisy conversations. The
JPRA added that "strong scents from perfume or fabric softeners" and
"poor manners during boarding and alighting such as blocking doors"
were fourth and fifth on the list. The number of riders has increased on
Japan's trains due to a rise in tourists visiting Japan.
Sources: https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/coughing-sneezing-chosen-as-most-annoying-behavior-
on-trains-for-1st-time-japan-survey/ar-AA1woeTD
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20241223/p2a/00m/0na/018000c
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/survey-these-are-japans-most-annoying-train-behaviours-
011624
Level 6 Coughing and sneezing most annoying behaviour on trains – 30th December 2024
More free lessons at breakingnewsenglish.com - Copyright Sean Banville 2024 2
WARM-UPS
1. ANNOYING PEOPLE: Students walk around the class and talk to other
students about annoying people. 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?
study / railway / coughing / sneezing / behaviour / manners / passenger / masks /

polls / the future / annoyance / space / scents / perfume / list / tourists / Japan
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BEHAVIOUR TRAINING: Students A strongly believe we all need training

on how to behave on public transport; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change
partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MANNERS: What manners are important in these places? How are your manners
in these places? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share
what you wrote.
Manners That Are Important Your Manners in These Places
Trains
Malls
Libraries
Concerts
Beaches
Driving
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. ANNOYANCES: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest annoyances on
public transport at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.
• Coughing • Smells
• Loud music • Luggage
• Late trains • Staring people
• Ticket prices • Overcrowding
VOCABULARY MATCHING
Paragraph 1
1. reveal a. To say that something is because of

something else.
2. responded b. Thinking about other people and their

feelings.
3. consideration c. To answer or reply to something.
4. gripes d. A usual way of doing things.
5. attributed e. To show something that was hidden or not

known before.
6. ingrained f. Complaints or things that people are

unhappy about.
7. norm g. Something that has become a strong habit

or is very difficult to change.
Paragraph 2
8. poll h. To measure or find out something, like how

people feel or think.
9. gauge i. A smell, usually one that is nice.
10. cited j. Getting off a bus, train, plane, or ship.
11. irritation k. To mention or talk about something as an

example.
12. scent l. Getting on a bus, train, plane, or ship.
13. boarding m. A feeling of being annoyed or bothered by

something.
14. alighting n. A survey or set of questions to find out what

people think about something.
BEFORE READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).
1. The survey in the article is from a passengers' group. T/F

2. More than 5,000 participated in a survey on manners on trains. T/F
3. People on Japan's trains are still concerned about Covid-19. T/F
4. A rail association said everyone on trains should wear a mask. T/F
5. Over half of the survey's respondents disliked coughing and sneezing. T/F
6. Rail passengers were annoyed by people wearing strong perfume. T/F
7. Rail passengers were happy that people got on and off trains politely. T/F
8. The article said most bad behaviour on trains was from tourists. T/F
2. SYNONYM MATCH: (The words in bold are from the news article.)
1. annoyances a. assess
2. responded b. care
3. consideration c. getting off
4. ingrained d. worry
5. anxiety e. replied
6. gauge f. mentioned
7. cited g. roots
8. sources h. nuisances
9. alighting i. hike
10. rise j. fixed
3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)
1. coughing and sneezing were a. on the list

2. train passengers responded b. for others as a norm
3. topped the list of passenger c. anxiety
4. ingrained the importance of consideration d. to a JPRA survey
5. feel greater e. how people feel
6. to gauge f. of irritation on trains
7. Other sources g. gripes
8. strong scents from perfume h. rise in tourists
9. fourth and fifth i. or fabric softeners
10. due to a j. the biggest annoyances
GAP FILL
A (1) _________________________________ study from the Japan Private Railway gripes
Association (JPRA) reveals that coughing and sneezing were the norm
biggest annoyances on trains. A total of 5,314 train passengers
recent
(2) _________________________________ to a JPRA survey on behaviour and manners
nearby
on trains and at stations. "Coughing and sneezing without
(3) _________________________________ for others" topped the list of passenger ingrained
(4) _________________________________ . An association spokesperson attributed this consideration

to remaining effects of Covid-19. He said: "The coronavirus
greater
pandemic may have (5) _________________________________ the importance of
responded
consideration for others as a (6) _________________________________ ." He added:
"More people likely feel (7) _________________________________ anxiety than before

the pandemic when someone (8) _________________________________ coughs or
sneezes without wearing a mask."
The JPRA has been conducting its (9) _________________________________ since 1999 irritation
to gauge how people feel about their (10) _________________________________
polls
passengers. It hopes to promote better behaviour in the future. It
rise
said 50.5 per cent of survey respondents (11) _________________________________
alighting
coughing and sneezing as their top annoyance. Other sources of
(12) _________________________________ on trains included people stretching their cited
legs, people not moving over to make space for others wanting to list
sit down, and noisy conversations. The JPRA added that "strong
scents
(13) _________________________________ from perfume or fabric softeners" and "poor
fellow
manners during boarding and (14) _________________________________ such as
blocking doors" were fourth and fifth on the (15) .

_________________________________
The number of riders has increased on Japan's trains due to a

(16) _________________________________ in tourists visiting Japan.
LISTENING – Guess the answers. Listen to check.
1) coughing and sneezing were the biggest ______

a. annoyances on train
b. annoyance on trains
c. annoyance is on trains
d. annoyances on trains
2) A total of 5,314 ______
a. train passenger responded
b. train passengers responded
c. trains passengers responded
d. train passengers responds
3) Coughing and sneezing without consideration for others topped the list ______
a. of passenger gropes
b. of passenger grapes
c. of passenger gripes
d. of passenger grips
4) ingrained the importance of consideration for others ______
a. as a norm
b. as a morn
c. as a name
d. as a normal
5) He added: "More people likely feel greater ______."
a. anxiety that before
b. anxiety than afore
c. anxiety than before
d. anxiety them afore
6) conducting its polls since 1999 to gauge how people feel about ______
a. their fellows passenger
b. their fellow passengers
c. their bellow passengers
d. their fallow passengers
7) It said 50.5 per cent of survey ______
a. respondents sighted coughing
b. respondents sated coughing
c. respondents sight it coughing
d. respondents cited coughing
8) people not moving over to make space for others wanting to sit down, ______
a. and noisy conversations
b. and noisy conversation
c. and nosey conversations
d. and nasal conversations
9) strong scents from perfume or fabric softeners and poor manners during ______
a. boarding end alighting
b. boarding and alighting
c. boarding and a lighting
d. boarding and a light in
10) The number of riders has increased on Japan's trains due to a ______
a. rise on tourists
b. rise in tourist
c. rise in tourists
d. raise in tourists
LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps
A recent study from the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA)
(1) _______________________________________________ and sneezing were the biggest annoyances
on trains. A total of 5,314 train (2) _______________________________________________ a JPRA
survey on behaviour and manners on trains and at stations. "Coughing and
sneezing without consideration for (3) _______________________________________________ list of
passenger gripes. An association spokesperson
(4) _______________________________________________ remaining effects of Covid-19. He said:
"The coronavirus pandemic may have (5) _______________________________________________ of
consideration for others as a norm." He added: "More people likely
(6) _______________________________________________ than before the pandemic when someone
nearby coughs or sneezes without wearing a mask."
The JPRA has been (7) ______________________________________________ since 1999 to gauge how
people feel about their fellow passengers. It (8) _______________________________________________
better behaviour in the future. It said 50.5 per cent of
(9) _______________________________________________ coughing and sneezing as their top
annoyance. Other sources of irritation on trains included people stretching
their legs, people not moving over to (10) _______________________________________________
others wanting to sit down, and noisy conversations. The JPRA added that
"strong scents from perfume or fabric softeners" and "poor manners during
(11) _______________________________________________ such as blocking doors" were fourth and
fifth on the list. The number of riders has increased on Japan's trains due to
a (12) _______________________________________________ visiting Japan.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Who conducted the survey on annoying train behaviour?
2. How many passengers responded to a survey?
3. Who did survey respondents say passengers did not consider?
4. What affected people's concerns about coughing and sneezing?
5. What thing might make people feel less anxious about coughing?
6. When was the first survey conducted?
7. How many survey respondents hated people coughing and sneezing?
8. What did people stretch that caused people to be annoyed?
9. What was blocked as passengers alighted?
10. What has there been a rise in?
MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ
1) Who conducted the survey on 6) When was the first survey

annoying train behaviour? conducted?
a) the Japan Public Railway a) 2000
Association b) 1999
b) the Japan Passenger Railway c) 1998
Association d) 1997
c) the Japan Private Railway
Association 7) How many survey respondents
d) the Japan Panoramic Railway hated people coughing and sneezing?
Association a) 50.05%
b) 51%
2) How many passengers responded c) 50%
to a survey? d) 50.5%
a) 5,314
b) 5,134 8) What did people stretch that
c) 5,341 caused people to be annoyed?
d) 5,413 a) their imaginations
3) Who did survey respondents say b) their legs
passengers did not consider? c) their budgets
a) another d) their arms
b) others
9) What was blocked as passengers
c) everyone
alighted?
d) most people
a) fire exits
4) What affected people's concerns b) doors
about coughing and sneezing? c) wi-fi
a) a possible new virus d) noses
b) germs
c) influenza 10) What has there been a rise in?
d) Covid-19 a) tourists
b) bad language
5) What thing might make people
c) fare dodgers
feel less anxious about coughing?
d) trains per hour
a) vaccines
b) information
c) masks
d) medicine
ROLE PLAY
Role A – Coughing
You think coughing is the most annoying thing on trains. Tell
the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't
as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of
these (and why): late trains, smells or overcrowding.
Role B – Late Trains

You think late trains is the most annoying things about trains.
Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things
aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying
of these (and why): coughing, smells or overcrowding.
Role C – Smells
You think smells are the most annoying things on trains. Tell
the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't
as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of
these (and why): late trains, coughing or overcrowding.
Role D – Overcrowding
You think overcrowding is the most annoying thing on trains.
Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things
aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying
of these (and why): late trains, smells or coughing.
AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. WORD SEARCH: Look online / in your dictionary to find collocates,

information on, synonyms for… the words 'train' and 'behaviour'.
train behaviour
• 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:
• recent • gauge
• responded • hopes
• topped • sources
• attributed • strong
• ingrained • blocking
• mask • riders
ANNOYING PEOPLE SURVEY
Write five GOOD questions about annoying people 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.
ANNOYING PEOPLE 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 'train'?
3. How do you behave on trains?
4. What do you think of people's behaviour on trains?
5. What do you think of people who cough and sneeze on trains?
6. What are your biggest annoyances on public transport?
7. How much do you like train travel?
8. How considerate are you to others?
9. What makes you feel anxious?
10. Do you think we should all be still wearing a mask?
Coughing and sneezing most annoying behaviour on trains – 30th December 2024
Thousands more free lessons at breakingnewsenglish.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNOYING PEOPLE 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 'behaviour'?
13. What do you think about what you read?
14. What do you know about Japan's trains?
15. Do you ever want to tell people about their bad behaviour?
16. What do you think of noisy conversations on trains?
17. What do you think of strong scents from perfume on trains?
18. What annoys you about people in shopping malls?
19. Do you think people's behaviour is getting better or worse?
20. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________
6. ________________________________________________________
LANGUAGE - CLOZE
A recent study from the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA) (1) ____ that
coughing and sneezing were the biggest annoyances on trains. A total of 5,314
train passengers responded (2) ____ a JPRA survey on behaviour and manners on
trains and at stations. "Coughing and sneezing without consideration (3) ____
others" topped the list of passenger (4) ____. An association spokesperson
attributed this to remaining effects of Covid-19. He said: "The coronavirus
pandemic may have (5) ____ the importance of consideration for others as a norm."
He added: "More people likely feel greater anxiety than before the pandemic when
someone (6) ____ coughs or sneezes without wearing a mask."
The JPRA has been conducting its (7) ____ since 1999 to gauge how people feel
about their fellow passengers. It hopes to promote better behaviour in the future. It
said 50.5 per cent of survey respondents (8) ____ coughing and sneezing as their
top annoyance. Other sources of irritation on trains included people stretching their
legs, people not moving over to make space for others (9) ____ to sit down, and
noisy conversations. The JPRA added that "strong scents from perfume or fabric
softeners" and "(10) ____ manners during boarding and (11) ____ such as blocking
doors" were fourth and fifth on the list. The number of riders has increased on
Japan's trains due to a (12) ____ in tourists visiting Japan.
Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.
1. (a) reveals (b) revels (c) reviles (d) unravels
2. (a) of (b) at (c) to (d) on

3. (a) at (b) on (c) for (d) in
4. (a) grapes (b) gropes (c) grips (d) gripes
5. (a) graduated (b) granulated (c) ingrained (d) migraine

6. (a) nearing (b) nearby (c) near (d) nearly
7. (a) tolls (b) polls (c) dolls (d) molls
8. (a) sighted (b) cited (c) sated (d) salted

9. (a) wants (b) wanted (c) wanting (d) want
10. (a) pour (b) more (c) bore (d) poor
11. (a) entering (b) lighting (c) offing (d) alighting

12. (a) risen (b) raise (c) arise (d) rise
SPELLING
Paragraph 1
1. the biggest cynnsenaao on trains
2. A total of 5,314 train pegnrsessa
3. sneezing without sniaioecdrotn for others
4. An aaioscsitno spokesperson
5. ttrduibeta this to remaining effects
6. may have eingndria the importance
Paragraph 2
7. uageg how people feel
8. 50.5 per cent of survey tonnepersds
9. Other sources of onttrriiai
10. strong cstesn from perfume
11. fabric rtesonesf
12. poor manners during boarding and gangiilth
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( ) norm." He added: "More people likely feel greater anxiety than

before the pandemic
( ) of Covid-19. He said: "The coronavirus pandemic may have

ingrained the importance of consideration for others as a
( ) softeners" and "poor manners during boarding and alighting such

as blocking doors" were fourth and fifth on
( ) The JPRA has been conducting its polls since 1999 to gauge how
people feel about their fellow
( 1 ) A recent study from the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA)

reveals that coughing and sneezing
( ) of survey respondents cited coughing and sneezing as their top

annoyance. Other sources of
( ) were the biggest annoyances on trains. A total of 5,314 train

passengers responded to a JPRA
( ) survey on behaviour and manners on trains and at stations.

"Coughing and sneezing without consideration
( ) sit down, and noisy conversations. The JPRA added that "strong
scents from perfume or fabric
( ) for others" topped the list of passenger gripes. An association

spokesperson attributed this to remaining effects
( ) passengers. It hopes to promote better behaviour in the future. It

said 50.5 per cent
( ) when someone nearby coughs or sneezes without wearing a mask."
( ) the list. The number of riders has increased on Japan's trains due to
a rise in tourists visiting Japan.
( ) irritation on trains included people stretching their legs, people not

moving over to make space for others wanting to
PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
1. were on Coughing big and trains . annoyances sneezing
2. passengers total train 5,314 A of responded .
3. Sneezing consideration others list . for topped without the
4. of importance as a consideration norm . for others The
5. before . greater anxiety feel than More likely people
6. The 1999 . conducting been has since polls JPRA
7. their how about Gauge feel people passengers . fellow
8. in better behaviour hopes promote future . It to
9. of included trains on irritation stretching . Sources people
10. increased trains . Japan's The number of on riders
CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)
A recent study from the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA) revels /
reveals that coughing and sneezing were the biggest annoyances / annoys
on trains. A total of 5,314 train passengers responded to a JPRA survey on /
in behaviour and manners on trains and at stations. "Coughing and sneezing
without consideration / considering for others" topped the list of passenger
gropes / gripes. An association spokesperson attributed this of / to
remaining effects of Covid-19. He said: "The coronavirus pandemic may
have ingrained the importance of consideration for others was / as a norm."
He added: "More people likely feel greater anxious / anxiety than before the
pandemic when someone nearly / nearby coughs or sneezes without wearing
a / the mask."
The JPRA has been conducive / conducting its polls since 1999 to gorge /
gauge how people feel about their fellow passengers. It hopes to promote
better behaviour in / at the future. It said 50.5 per cent of survey
respondents sighted / cited coughing and sneezing as their top annoyance.
Other sources / sauces of irritation on trains included people stretching their
legs, people not moving over / in to make space for others wanting to sit
down, and noisy / nosey conversations. The JPRA added that "strong scents
from perfume or fabric softeners" and "poor manners among / during
boarding and alighting such as blocking doors" were fourth and fifth on the
list. The number of rides / riders has increased on Japan's trains due to a
rise / raise in tourists visiting Japan.
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)
_ r_c_nt st_dy fr_m th_ J_p_n Pr_v_t_ R__lw_y

_ss_c__t__n (JPR_) r_v__ls th_t c__gh_ng _nd sn__z_ng
w_r_ th_ b_gg_st _nn_y_nc_s _n tr__ns. _ t_t_l _f
5,314 tr__n p_ss_ng_rs r_sp_nd_d t_ _ JPR_ s_rv_y _n
b_h_v___r _nd m_nn_rs _n tr__ns _nd _t st_t__ns.
"C__gh_ng _nd sn__z_ng w_th__t c_ns_d_r_t__n f_r
_th_rs" t_pp_d th_ l_st _f p_ss_ng_r gr_p_s. _n
_ss_c__t__n sp_k_sp_rs_n _ttr_b_t_d th_s t_ r_m__n_ng
_ff_cts _f C_v_d-19. H_ s__d: "Th_ c_r_n_v_r_s
p_nd_m_c m_y h_v_ _ngr__n_d th_ _mp_rt_nc_ _f
c_ns_d_r_t__n f_r _th_rs _s _ n_rm." H_ _dd_d: "M_r_
p__pl_ l_k_ly f__l gr__t_r _nx__ty th_n b_f_r_ th_
p_nd_m_c wh_n s_m__n_ n__rby c__ghs _r sn__z_s
w_th__t w__r_ng _ m_sk."
Th_ JPR_ h_s b__n c_nd_ct_ng _ts p_lls s_nc_ 1999 t_

g__g_ h_w p__pl_ f__l _b__t th__r f_ll_w p_ss_ng_rs.
_t h_p_s t_ pr_m_t_ b_tt_r b_h_v___r _n th_ f_t_r_.
_t s__d 50.5 p_r c_nt _f s_rv_y r_sp_nd_nts c_t_d
c__gh_ng _nd sn__z_ng _s th__r t_p _nn_y_nc_. _th_r
s__rc_s _f _rr_t_t__n _n tr__ns _ncl_d_d p__pl_
str_tch_ng th__r l_gs, p__pl_ n_t m_v_ng _v_r t_
m_k_ sp_c_ f_r _th_rs w_nt_ng t_ s_t d_wn, _nd
n__sy c_nv_rs_t__ns. Th_ JPR_ _dd_d th_t "str_ng
sc_nts fr_m p_rf_m_ _r f_br_c s_ft_n_rs" _nd "p__r
m_nn_rs d_r_ng b__rd_ng _nd _l_ght_ng s_ch _s
bl_ck_ng d__rs" w_r_ f__rth _nd f_fth _n th_ l_st. Th_
n_mb_r _f r_d_rs h_s _ncr__s_d _n J_p_n's tr__ns d__
t_ _ r_s_ _n t__r_sts v_s_t_ng J_p_n.
PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS
a recent study from the japan private railway association jpra reveals that
coughing and sneezing were the biggest annoyances on trains a total of
5314 train passengers responded to a jpra survey on behaviour and
manners on trains and at stations coughing and sneezing without
consideration for others topped the list of passenger gripes an association
spokesperson attributed this to remaining effects of covid19 he said the
coronavirus pandemic may have ingrained the importance of consideration
for others as a norm he added more people likely feel greater anxiety than
before the pandemic when someone nearby coughs or sneezes without
wearing a mask
the jpra has been conducting its polls since 1999 to gauge how people feel
about their fellow passengers it hopes to promote better behaviour in the
future it said 505 per cent of survey respondents cited coughing and
sneezing as their top annoyance other sources of irritation on trains included
people stretching their legs people not moving over to make space for others
wanting to sit down and noisy conversations the jpra added that strong
scents from perfume or fabric softeners and poor manners during boarding
and alighting such as blocking doors were fourth and fifth on the list the
number of riders has increased on japans trains due to a rise in tourists
visiting japan
PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE
ArecentstudyfromtheJapanPrivateRailwayAssociation(JPRA)reveal
sthatcoughingandsneezingwerethebiggestannoyancesontrains.Ato
talof5,314trainpassengersrespondedtoaJPRAsurveyonbehaviouran
dmannersontrainsandatstations."Coughingandsneezingwithoutcon
siderationforothers"toppedthelistofpassengergripes.Anassociation
spokespersonattributedthistoremainingeffectsofCovid-19.Hesaid:
"Thecoronaviruspandemicmayhaveingrainedtheimportanceofconsi
derationforothersasanorm."Headded:"Morepeoplelikelyfeelgreater
anxietythanbeforethepandemicwhensomeonenearbycoughsorsnee
zeswithoutwearingamask."TheJPRAhasbeenconductingitspollssinc
e1999togaugehowpeoplefeelabouttheirfellowpassengers.Ithopesto
promotebetterbehaviourinthefuture.Itsaid50.5percentofsurveyres
pondentscitedcoughingandsneezingastheirtopannoyance.Othersou
rcesofirritationontrainsincludedpeoplestretchingtheirlegs,peopleno
tmovingovertomakespaceforotherswantingtositdown,andnoisycon
versations.TheJPRAaddedthat"strongscentsfromperfumeorfabricso
fteners"and"poormannersduringboardingandalightingsuchasblocki
ngdoors"werefourthandfifthonthelist.Thenumberofridershasincreas
edonJapan'strainsduetoariseintouristsvisitingJapan.
FREE WRITING
Write about annoying people for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.
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ACADEMIC WRITING
We all need to change our behaviour to be more considerate to others. 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. ANNOYING PEOPLE: Make a poster about annoying people. Show

your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar
things?
4. FINES: Write a magazine article about creating a system to fine

annoying train passengers. 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 annoying people. Ask him/her

three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions of annoying
people. 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. c 3. b 4. f 5. a 6. g 7. d
8. n 9. h 10. k 11. m 12. i 13. l 14. j
TRUE / FALSE (p.5)

1 F 2 T 3 T 4 F 5 T 6 T 7 F 8 F
SYNONYM MATCH (p.5)
1. h 2. e 3. b 4. j 5. d
6. a 7. f 8. g 9. c 10. i
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.9) WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER (p.19)
1. The Japan Private Railway 1. Coughing and sneezing were big annoyances on
Association (JPRA) trains.
2. 5,314 2. A total of 5,314 train passengers responded.
3. Others 3. Sneezing without consideration for others topped
the list.
4. Covid-19 4. The importance of consideration for others as a
norm.
5. Masks 5. More people likely feel greater anxiety than
before.
6. 1999 6. The JPRA has been conducting polls since 1999.
7. 50.5% 7. Gauge how people feel about their fellow
passengers.
8. Their legs 8. It hopes to promote better behaviour in future.
9. Doors 9. Sources of irritation on trains included people
stretching.
10. Tourists 10. The number of riders increased on Japan's trains.
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 - 30th December 2024

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

A recent study from the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA)

reveals that coughing and sneezing were the biggest annoyances on

trains. A total of 5,314 train passengers responded to a JPRA survey on

behaviour and manners on trains and at stations. "Coughing and

sneezing without consideration for others" topped the list of passenger

gripes. An association spokesperson attributed this to remaining effects

of Covid-19. He said: "The coronavirus pandemic may have ingrained the

importance of consideration for others as a norm." He added: "More

someone nearby coughs or sneezes without wearing a mask."

people feel about their fellow passengers. It hopes to promote better

coughing and sneezing as their top annoyance. Other sources of irritation

"poor manners during boarding and alighting such as blocking doors"

Japan's trains due to a rise in tourists visiting Japan.

study / railway / coughing / sneezing / behaviour / manners / passenger / masks /

3. BEHAVIOUR TRAINING: Students A strongly believe we all need training

Manners That Are Important Your Manners in These Places

1. reveal a. To say that something is because of

2. responded b. Thinking about other people and their

3. consideration c. To answer or reply to something.

4. gripes d. A usual way of doing things.

5. attributed e. To show something that was hidden or not

6. ingrained f. Complaints or things that people are

7. norm g. Something that has become a strong habit

8. poll h. To measure or find out something, like how

9. gauge i. A smell, usually one that is nice.

10. cited j. Getting off a bus, train, plane, or ship.

11. irritation k. To mention or talk about something as an

12. scent l. Getting on a bus, train, plane, or ship.

13. boarding m. A feeling of being annoyed or bothered by

14. alighting n. A survey or set of questions to find out what

1. The survey in the article is from a passengers' group. T/F

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

1. coughing and sneezing were a. on the list

A (1) _________________________________ study from the Japan Private Railway gripes

(4) _________________________________ . An association spokesperson attributed this consideration

"More people likely feel (7) _________________________________ anxiety than before

blocking doors" were fourth and fifth on the (15) .

The number of riders has increased on Japan's trains due to a

1) coughing and sneezing were the biggest ______

A recent study from the Japan Private Railway Association (JPRA)

(1) _______________________________________________ and sneezing were the biggest annoyances

on trains. A total of 5,314 train (2) _______________________________________________ a JPRA

survey on behaviour and manners on trains and at stations. "Coughing and

sneezing without consideration for (3) _______________________________________________ list of

passenger gripes. An association spokesperson

(4) _______________________________________________ remaining effects of Covid-19. He said:

"The coronavirus pandemic may have (5) _______________________________________________ of

consideration for others as a norm." He added: "More people likely

(6) _______________________________________________ than before the pandemic when someone

nearby coughs or sneezes without wearing a mask."

people feel about their fellow passengers. It (8) _______________________________________________

better behaviour in the future. It said 50.5 per cent of

(9) _______________________________________________ coughing and sneezing as their top

annoyance. Other sources of irritation on trains included people stretching

their legs, people not moving over to (10) _______________________________________________

(11) _______________________________________________ such as blocking doors" were fourth and

_______ _ _______