Pringles and the potato chip tax

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Elementary A2

PDF: Pringles and the potato chip tax

Warm-up

Do you like Pringles? What's your favorite flavor? (Yes, I like...)

Vocabulary Match

indeed •• method
system •• specific
traditional •• one-of-a-kind
unique •• common
court •• place of law
certain •• really

Vocabulary Answers

indeedreally
systemmethod
traditionalcommon
uniqueone-of-a-kind
courtplace of law
certainspecific

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In the UK, there's a tax ________ called VAT. When people buy ________ things, such as electronics, clothing, or luxury items, they pay this tax. Many foods aren't taxed under VAT, but some, like potato chips, soft drinks, and chocolates, are. Companies that sell these items need to pay this tax.

Procter & Gamble is a large company that makes a popular snack called Pringles. They believed that Pringles weren't real potato chips. Their main point? Pringles have only 42% potato. They also have a ________ shape and taste, different from ________ chips.

In 2008, a UK ________ agreed with them. They said Pringles weren't like normal potato chips. But in 2009, a different, higher court looked at the case again. This court had a different view. They said that Pringles are ________ potato chips. This change meant trouble for Procter & Gamble. They had to pay $160 million in VAT tax they hadn't given before.

In the UK, there's a tax system called VAT. When people buy certain things, such as electronics, clothing, or luxury items, they pay this tax. Many foods aren't taxed under VAT, but some, like potato chips, soft drinks, and chocolates, are. Companies that sell these items need to pay this tax.

Procter & Gamble is a large company that makes a popular snack called Pringles. They believed that Pringles weren't real potato chips. Their main point? Pringles have only 42% potato. They also have a unique shape and taste, different from traditional chips.

In 2008, a UK court agreed with them. They said Pringles weren't like normal potato chips. But in 2009, a different, higher court looked at the case again. This court had a different view. They said that Pringles are indeed potato chips. This change meant trouble for Procter & Gamble. They had to pay $160 million in VAT tax they hadn't given before.

Quiz

  1. Which food items in the UK are taxed under the VAT system?
  2. Why did Procter & Gamble believe Pringles weren't real potato chips?
  3. What did Procter & Gamble have to do after the court's decision in 2009?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Foods like potato chips, soft drinks, and chocolates.
  2. Because Pringles have only 42% potato.
  3. They had to pay $160 million in VAT tax they hadn't given before.

True or False

  1. In the UK, all foods are taxed under the VAT system. T F
  2. In 2008, a UK court stated that Pringles weren't like normal potato chips. T F
  3. Procter & Gamble were required to pay £160 million in unpaid VAT taxes. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. True
  3. False

Conversation

A:Did you hear about Pringles in the UK court?
B:Yeah, something about them being crisps, right?
A:They argued they weren't real crisps.
B:In the US, we'd call them chips anyway!
A:True, but in the UK, chips means fries!
B:Wow, that's confusing! Either way, I still love Pringles!

Discussion

  1. Do you like potato chips? What are your favorites?
  2. Do you have a tax like VAT in your country?
  3. Do you think tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable?
  4. Have you ever had a misunderstanding that cost you money?

Further Reading

https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/pringles.htm

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