Unopened First-Generation iPhone Sells for Over $63,000 at Auction
Iphone Sells for $63,000
Script:
An unopened, first-generation iPhone from 2007 was sold for $63,356.40 (£51,900) at an auction in the United States. The phone belonged to Karen Green, who had received it as a gift from her friends when she got a new job.She had never opened the phone and kept it in its original packaging all these years. The auction was handled by LCG Auctions, and it opened at $2,500 on 2 February, finally closing on Sunday after 27 bids.
The price fetched by the iPhone has surprised many, as it is more than 100 times its original cost of $599. The auction had originally been expected to reach $50,000. High-end collectors have shown a keen interest in such products, and this unopened iPhone met all the criteria of being "relevant, rare, and replaceable" according to Mark Montero, of LCG Auctions.
Ms. Green's story is unique, as the phone was still in its original packaging with its factory seal intact. According to Montero, "Only brand-new, unopened, and first-generation, [iPhones] in mint condition are valuable." Green's story is "just icing on the cake," he said.Many loyal Apple enthusiasts are known to pay a lot of money for original products. In 2020, an early Apple computer prototype from the 1970s was sold for over $677,000.
"she needed the money "
Karen Green revealed that she would have held onto the iPhone even longer to cash in an even larger sum, but she needed the money to fund her business in New Jersey.
Questions:
Part 1: Comprehension
Read and summarize the article thinking of who, what, when, where & why.
Part 2: True or False Questions
a) True or False - Karen Green received the first-generation iPhone as a gift from her colleagues. T/F
b) True or False - The iPhone was sold at an auction in the United States for more than $100,000. T/F
c) True or False - The phone's high value is due to its relevance, rarity, and replaceability. T/F
d) True or False - Karen Green sold the iPhone to fund her business in New York.. T/F
Part 3a: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary/phrases.
a) "Unopened"
b) "Mint condition"
c) "Relevant"
d) "Prototype"
Part 3b: Vocabulary in Use: Write an example sentence using the words from 3a.
a) Unopened:
b) Mint condition:
c) Relevant:
d) Prototype:
Part 5: Talking Points
Part 6: Role play Scenarios
1: Auction
Work in groups of buyers and sellers, conduct an auction for the first-generation iPhone. The seller group should present information about the phone's condition, history, and rarity, while the buyer group should bid on the phone, using the information presented by the sellers.
2: Interview with Karen Green
Student 1 plays the role of Karen Green, and other students ask her questions about the iPhone, such as why she never opened it, how she felt when she heard it was sold for such a high price, and what she plans to do with the money.
3: Collector's Meeting
In pairs role-play as high-end collectors who are meeting to discuss the iPhone's sale. Talk about why the phone is valuable, what other rare products they own, and how they plan to display the iPhone in their collections.
4: Marketing Pitch
Work in groups and prepare a marketing pitch for the iPhone, highlighting its rarity, condition, and historical significance. Each group should present their pitch to the class, and the class can vote on the most convincing pitch.
Part 7: Writing Activity
Past Tense - Describe the first ever smartphone you owned, what functions did it have?, what did you use it for?, and when/where did you buy it.
Part 8: Critical Thinking - Phone Ban
Your company/college have put forward a proposal to ban the use of smartphones on campus or in the office building. Upon entering the building employees/students must place their phones in a designated locker until they go for lunch or leave for the day.
Your group has been asked to make the final decision on the proposal.
In groups think about the pros and cons of this proposal, one group should agree with the proposal and another should be against it.
As a class come together and discuss the pros and cons and reach a consensus on whether you think the proposal should be accepted or not.
Answers:
Part 1: Comprehension
The main idea of the article is that an unopened, first-generation iPhone from 2007, belonging to Karen Green, was sold for an unexpected sum of $63,356.40 at an auction in the United States. The article discusses the history and condition of the phone, as well as the reasons for its high value, including its relevance, rarity, and replaceability. It also notes that loyal Apple enthusiasts are willing to pay large sums for original products. The article was likely written to inform readers about the surprising value of certain vintage electronic items and the potential for collectors to profit from holding onto them.
Part 2: True or False
A: False B: False C: True D: True
Part 3a: Guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary or phrases.
a) "Unopened" Answer: This means something that has never been opened. In the context of the article, unopened refers to an iPhone that is still in its original packaging and has never been used or opened before.
b) "Mint condition" Answer: In the context of the article, "mint condition" refers to the state of the unopened, first-generation iPhone that was sold at the auction. "Mint condition" is a term often used to describe a product that is in perfect, unused condition and has no flaws, defects, or damage.
c) "Relevant" Answer: In this article, relevant means that the iPhone is significant in the history of the development of the iPhone and is important to collectors.
d) "Prototype" Answer: A prototype is a preliminary model of something that is used to test and evaluate the design and function of the final product. In this article, it refers to an early version of an Apple computer from the 1970s.
Part 3b: Vocabulary in Use: Write an example sentence using the words from 3a.
a) Unopened: I found a box of unopened books in the attic that had been stored there for many years.
b) Mint condition: He was excited to find a rare comic book from the 1960s in mint condition at the flea market.
c) Relevant: Studying history helps us understand how past events are relevant to our present-day society and decisions.
d) Prototype:The engineers created a prototype of the new electric car to test its performance and gather feedback before finalizing the design.
Part 7: Writing (example)
The first smartphone I owned was the iPhone 5, a sleek device with a 4-inch touchscreen display. It came packed with various features, including calling, texting, and a remarkable 8-megapixel camera. I acquired it in 2012 from an Apple store nearby. Back then, the iPhone 5 felt revolutionary. I used it extensively for making calls, sending texts, capturing photos and videos, and even exploring apps. The mobile internet speed was notably better, allowing me to enjoy smoother web browsing, social media, and email checking. Upgrading to the iPhone 5 was a substantial leap, introducing me to the world of advanced smartphone capabilities and enhancing my overall digital experience.
