B2 – Upper Intermediate
Have you ever seen or bought products that looked genuine but they really aren’t? There’s an a mobile app that helps you spot fraudulent Italian products.
Read more about this app and how it works and what it can do.
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-38743912
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think about this app? What other features would you add to it?
- Why might be reasons people purchase knockoffs?
- How prevalent is counterfeiting in your country? Talk about this problem in respect to the situation in your country.
- How does fraudulent labels affect the businesses/companies that manufacture the original ones?
- What are ways to possibly lessen the spread and sale of counterfeit products?
4 replies on “App Targets Fake ‘Made in Italy’ Labels”
What do you think about this app? What other features would you add to it?
It’s pretty good, I wanted to try it but I couldn’t find it on the store, maybe it’s only available in Italy.
How prevalent is counterfeiting in your country?
It’s pretty common, there are even places for that. You know the place sells counterfeiting products but people still buy them.
Is it really possible to lessen the spread and sale of counterfeit items?
In my opinion it’s very difficult, almost impossible.
Are you guilty of buying counterfeit items such as shoes, bags or clothes?
It depends on the company. If the company is a monopoly I don’t feel guilty, if the company is a small company I do and I believe the best way to support those small companies is buying their products.
Nice answers to your discussion questions. Thank you for your interest in practicing your writing through this exercise.
Here is a bit of a better way to write this sentence:
Happy writing!
1. What do you think about this app? What other features would you add to it?
I cannot answer this question properly, as I´ve tried to install the app and have not found it in app store. It seems the app is not available anymore. From what the article says, my impression is that is was an initiative from a governmental organization in Italy, and while the idea was nice, it was not brought to life correctly.
2. How prevalent is counterfeiting in your country?
I also don´t now the statistics for this. I often see street vendors with obviously fake “luxury” bags, sneakers, and eyeglasses.
3. Is it really possible to lessen the spread and sale of counterfeit items?
I think it should have decreased in the last 20 years, because there are lost of cheap brands now who are “inspired” by luxury brands, so it is easier to buy a cheap and a very trendy piece instead.
4. Are you guilty of buying counterfeit items such as shoes, bags or clothes?
I do not buy counterfeit items. I cannot see any sense in it. I love fashion, and I love searching for an item, saving money for it, and then buying it maybe a year later in a boutique.
You were able to write very good and correct sentences here.
See some minor revisions you can make in this sentence:
Cheers to your next entries!