News by Levels · Level 3 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
Tesla Lowers Planned Capital Expenditure
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 2 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
Which figure describes an expectation rather than completed spending?
Correct answer: A — The annual capital spending forecast
Why: A forecast remains a projection even after it is revised.
Clue in the story: The figures should not be compared as interchangeable totals: one is projected annual investment, the other realised quarterly cash generation. Approximate figures and an earlier lower bound also prevent a precise calculation of the forecast reduction.
Why should the figures not be treated as matching totals?
Correct answer: B — They cover different periods and measures
Why: Annual investment plans and quarterly cash generation describe different things.
Clue in the story: The figures should not be compared as interchangeable totals: one is projected annual investment, the other realised quarterly cash generation. Approximate figures and an earlier lower bound also prevent a precise calculation of the forecast reduction.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Explain one mistake a reader could make when comparing the two figures.
One possible answer: A reader might treat the annual spending forecast as actual quarterly spending. It is a projection for a different period and measure.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.