Woman's fake pregnancy stunt falls flat March 1st 2013
Pre Questions
What do you think this story is about (from the title)?
What do you think this story is about (from the title)?
The Original Article
A woman in China who pretended to be pregnant so she could get a seat on train was found out when the fake stomach she was wearing slipped out of her shirt and fell to the floor.
The woman, named as Zhang, had constructed the ruse in a bid to encourage train passengers to give up their seats.
The fraud was discovered when the fake silicon stomach she paid about $50 for failed, according to The Beijing News.
Unfazed, Zhang then complained to her local fair trading bureau about the poor quality of the stomach.
Zhang claimed the belt tying it to her waist came loose, leaving her “found out and mocked” by other passengers, The South China Morning Post said.
Her complaint was rejected.
Zhang has been criticized for a “shameless” and “disgraceful” stunt.
China’s People’s Daily asked “who exactly shows the poor quality?”
A report in Want China Times says fake pregnancy bellies have become a hot online shopping item in the country.
"Shoppers use the items — among other reasons — for faking a pregnancy before adopting a child, to avoid being laid off at work, and to enjoy the privileges to which pregnant women are accustomed."
A woman in China who pretended to be pregnant so she could get a seat on train was found out when the fake stomach she was wearing slipped out of her shirt and fell to the floor.
The woman, named as Zhang, had constructed the ruse in a bid to encourage train passengers to give up their seats.
The fraud was discovered when the fake silicon stomach she paid about $50 for failed, according to The Beijing News.
Unfazed, Zhang then complained to her local fair trading bureau about the poor quality of the stomach.
Zhang claimed the belt tying it to her waist came loose, leaving her “found out and mocked” by other passengers, The South China Morning Post said.
Her complaint was rejected.
Zhang has been criticized for a “shameless” and “disgraceful” stunt.
China’s People’s Daily asked “who exactly shows the poor quality?”
A report in Want China Times says fake pregnancy bellies have become a hot online shopping item in the country.
"Shoppers use the items — among other reasons — for faking a pregnancy before adopting a child, to avoid being laid off at work, and to enjoy the privileges to which pregnant women are accustomed."
Easy Version
A lady in China brought a fake stomach. She used the stomach to pretend she was pregnant. She did this so that people would give her a seat on the train. The fake stomach fell out. Train passengers saw it. They mocked her. She then complained to the fair trade bureau. She said the fake stomach was poor quality. Her complaint was rejected. Fake pregnancy stomachs are a popular item in China. They are selling well.
A lady in China brought a fake stomach. She used the stomach to pretend she was pregnant. She did this so that people would give her a seat on the train. The fake stomach fell out. Train passengers saw it. They mocked her. She then complained to the fair trade bureau. She said the fake stomach was poor quality. Her complaint was rejected. Fake pregnancy stomachs are a popular item in China. They are selling well.
Conversation Starter Questions
- What do you think about this story?
- Do you give your seat to people on public transportation? (vice versa)
- What are some common frauds now-a-days?
- Have you ever been deceived?
- Would you pay $50 and wear something heavy just to get a seat?
- What have you bought that was poor quality?
- What are hot (shopping) items at the moment?
- Do you shop on-line much? What do you buy?
- Have you used the bar code reader app that gives the cheapest price on Amazon for that product?
- What kind of things do you or the people you know pretend to do?
- Do you have a rejected story?
- What kind of things do you drop on the floor (by mistake)?
- When do you need encouraging?
- Who do you encourage and how?
- Tell me a 'failed' story.
- Is their an organization like a 'fair trade bureau' in your country?
- What (can / would) you do if the product you buy is defective or not the same as that advertised?
- Have you ever returned a product?
- What's it like being pregnant? / What do you imagine it's like being pregnant?
- What problems are associated with adopting a child?
- What things do you avoid?
- What privileges do you enjoy (have)? eg. work car, company cell phone, etc
- If you went to another country, what do you think it would be difficult to become accustomed to?
- What do you think it is difficult for foreigners to become accustomed to in your country?
Practice making sentences using 'according to' Examples
|
According to the news, _____
According to the weather report, _____ According to this travel book, _____ According to experts, ______ According to the fortune teller, ______ According to the sign, _____ According to history, _____ According to him, _____ According to _____,_____ |
According to the news, the big bang last night was from a meteorite.
According to the weather report, their will be lots of yellow sand from China tomorrow. According to this travel book, Amanohashidate, Miyazu City is a beautiful place to visit. According to experts, it will take many years to clean up the nuclear disaster. According to the fortune teller, I will marry and live happily ever after. According to the sign, Imabuki Waterfall is this way. According to history, there is an earthquake there once every 80 years. According to him, 20 people will come. |
Further Practice
unfazed
shameless
disgraceful
fall flat
pretend to
be found out
slip out of
give up (sth)
come loose
avoid being
be found out / caught out
be accustomed to
complain to _____ about _____
pay ____ for _____
_____ when _____
_____ before _____
(did) _____ so (I) could _____
_____ in a bid to _____
a report in _____ says _____
_____ have become _____
among other reasons
unfazed
shameless
disgraceful
fall flat
pretend to
be found out
slip out of
give up (sth)
come loose
avoid being
be found out / caught out
be accustomed to
complain to _____ about _____
pay ____ for _____
_____ when _____
_____ before _____
(did) _____ so (I) could _____
_____ in a bid to _____
a report in _____ says _____
_____ have become _____
among other reasons