5. What does the design of the coins like?

T: OK, time is up. Is there anyone who wants to have a try?

Sample answers:

1. It's on 1st January 2002 that twelve European countries started using the new Euro as their official currency.

2. The notes were designed by Robert Kalina of Austria.

3. The fronts of the notes show windows or gates while the backs show bridges.

4. They are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

5. Each country was allowed to design their own Euro coins which could be used in any of the participating countries.

Step III Careful Reading

T: After reading the passage, I think all of you know the history of the Euro. Now, you are required to read the passage again. Read carefully and try to finish the crossword puzzle on the bottom of page 18. It's very interesting, and do it quickly.

Give the students several minutes to work on it. Meanwhile, draw the panes on the blackboard. Later ask one or two students to write their answers on the blackboard. And then check the answers together.

T: Good. Next, let's deal with the language points and understand the passage better.

Then deal with the following language points in the passage.

1) currency: the system of money that a country uses

e.g. You'll need some cash in local currency but you can also use your credit card.

2) associated: if one thing is associated with another, the two things are connected because they happen together or one thing causes the other

e.g. the risks associated with taking drugs

3) symbol: a person, an object, an event, etc. that represents a more general quality or situation

e.g. White has always been a symbol of purity in Western cultures.

involved: taking part in sth; being part of sth or connected with sth.

e.g. to be / become / get involved in politics