The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Scientists have come up with a smart but simple way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions, by turning them back into stone. Researchers in Iceland pumped 220 tons of CO2 deep underground into volcanic rock. It reacted with minerals in the rock and over a relatively short space of time, transformed into a chalk-like solid substance similar to limestone. The team expressed their surprise at both the success and the speed of the CO2 conversion. Lead scientist Juerg Matter said: "Of our 220 tons of injected CO2, 95 per cent was converted to limestone in less than two years." He added: "It was a huge surprise to all the scientists involved in the project, and we thought, 'Wow! This is really fast'."

The scientists hope their experiment will be adapted on a larger, more industrial scale. It could help to alleviate the problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere and warming the planet. It could also become a key technique in carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions. Many other CCS techniques have involved injecting and trapping CO2 underground. However, there was always the problem of the emissions leaking their way back above ground and into the atmosphere. Dr Matter was enthusiastic about his team's experiments. He said: "We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the ultimate permanent storage – turn them back to stone."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36494501
  • http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/09/co2-turned-into-stone-in-iceland-in-climate-change-breakthrough
  • http://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-figured-out-how-to-turn-co2-into-solid-rock-within-months


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. CO2: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about CO2. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       scientists / simple / emissions / underground / volcanic / success / surprise / project /
       experiment / industrial / atmosphere / planet / carbon / storage / enthusiastic

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. EMISSIONS: Students A strongly believe countries that do not stick to strict emissions limits should be heavily punished; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. CARBON FOOTPRINT: How can we offset our carbon footprint? Talk about these things with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • Driving
  • Home energy
  • Food
  • Water
  • Air travel
  • Recycling
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. CARBON: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "carbon". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. CLEAN ENERGY: Rank these with your partner. Put the best clean energy at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • geothermal energy
  • bio energy
  • human power
  • heat pump
  • solar power
  • wind power
  • wave power
  • hydropower

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The method to turn CO2 into stone is very complex and difficult.     T / F
  2. Researchers in Iceland pumped 220kg of CO2 deep underground.     T / F
  3. The substance the CO2 changes into is similar to coal.     T / F
  4. Scientists were surprised at how fast the CO2 changed to stone.     T / F
  5. Scientists hope people will now follow up their work on a larger scale.     T / F
  6. Turning carbon into stone could be a new method of carbon storage.     T / F
  7. This is the first technique to pump CO2 underground.     T / F
  8. A scientist said this method was the ultimate in permanent storage.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. come up with
  2. deal with
  3. relatively
  4. conversion
  5. huge
  6. alleviate
  7. key
  8. leaking
  9. enthusiastic
  10. ultimate
  1. enormous
  2. comparatively
  3. greatest
  4. reduce
  5. passionate
  6. handle
  7. seeping (out)
  8. created
  9. crucial
  10. change

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. Scientists have come up with a smart
  2. carbon dioxide
  3. volcanic
  4. over a relatively short
  5. all the scientists
  6. larger, more
  7. warming
  8. a key technique in carbon
  9. emissions leaking their way
  10. the ultimate permanent
  1. rock
  2. back above ground
  3. involved in the project
  4. industrial scale
  5. emissions
  6. capture and storage
  7. but simple way
  8. the planet
  9. storage
  10. space of time

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
pumped
converted
smart
huge
substance
involved
relatively
expressed

Scientists have come up with a (1) ____________ but simple way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions, by turning them back into stone. Researchers in Iceland (2) ____________ 220 tons of CO2 deep underground into volcanic rock. It reacted with minerals in the rock and over a (3) ____________ short space of time, transformed into a chalk-like solid (4) ____________ similar to limestone. The team (5) ____________ their surprise at both the success and the speed of the CO2 conversion. Lead scientist Juerg Matter said: "Of our 220 tons of injected CO2, 95 per cent was (6) ____________ to limestone in less than two years." He added: "It was a (7) ____________ surprise to all the scientists (8) ____________ in the project, and we thought, 'Wow! This is really fast'."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
solutions
atmosphere
adapted
enthusiastic
technique
permanent
alleviate
leaking

The scientists hope their experiment will be (9) ____________ on a larger, more industrial scale. It could help to (10) ____________ the problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the (11) ____________ and warming the planet. It could also become a key (12) ____________ in carbon capture and storage (CCS) (13) ____________. Many other CCS techniques have involved injecting and trapping CO2 underground. However, there was always the problem of the emissions (14) ____________ their way back above ground and into the atmosphere. Dr Matter was (15) ____________ about his team's experiments. He said: "We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the ultimate (16) ____________ storage – turn them back to stone."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Scientists have come up with a smart but simple way ______carbon dioxide
     a.  to deal within
     b.  to deal without
     c.  to deal wither
     d.  to deal with

2)  Researchers in Iceland pumped 220 tons of CO2 deep underground ______ rock
     a.  into volcano
     b.  into Vulcan
     c.  into volcanic
     d.  into volcanically

3)  It reacted with minerals in the rock and over a relatively short ______
     a.  space for time
     b.  space of time
     c.  space of times
     d.  spaces of time

4)  expressed their surprise at both the success and the speed of ______
     a.  the CO2 conversions
     b.  a CO2 conversion
     c.  the CO2 conversion
     d.  a CO2 converted

5)  He added: "It was a huge surprise to all the ______"
     a.  scientists involved
     b.  scientists involves
     c.  scientists revolved
     d.  scientists revolves

6)  their experiment will be adapted on a larger, more ______
     a.  industrial scale
     b.  industrial shale
     c.  industrial skill
     d.  industrial school

7) the problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere and ______
     a.  warming the planets
     b.  warming the plant
     c.  warming the plants
     d.  warming the planet

8)  It could also become a key technique in carbon capture and ______
     a.  storage (CCS) solution
     b.  storage (CSC) solutions
     c.  store age (CCS) solutions
     d.  storage (CCS) solutions

9)  However, there was always the problem of the ______
     a.  emission leaking
     b.  emissions leaking
     c.  emissions leak in
     d.  emissions leaking in

10) We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the ultimate ______
     a.  permanence storage
     b.  permanently storage
     c.  permanent storage
     d.  permanents storage

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists have come up with a (1) ___________________ way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions, by turning them back into stone. Researchers in Iceland pumped 220 tons of CO2 deep underground (2) _______________. It reacted with minerals in the rock and over a relatively short space of time, (3) ___________________ chalk-like solid substance similar to limestone. The team expressed their (4) ___________________ success and the speed of the CO2 conversion. Lead scientist Juerg Matter said: "Of our 220 (5) ___________________ CO2, 95 per cent was converted to limestone in less than two years." He added: "It was a huge surprise to all the scientists (6) ___________________, and we thought, 'Wow! This is really fast'."

The scientists hope their experiment will (7) ___________________ larger, more industrial scale. It could help (8) ___________________ problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere and warming the planet. It could also become a key technique (9) ___________________ and storage (CCS) solutions. Many other CCS techniques have involved injecting and trapping CO2 underground. However, there was always the problem of the emissions leaking their (10) ___________________ ground and into the atmosphere. Dr Matter was (11) ___________________ his team's experiments. He said: "We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is (12) ___________________ storage – turn them back to stone."

Comprehension questions

  1. How much carbon dioxide did scientists pump into the ground?
  2. What is the stone that the CO2 changed into similar to?
  3. What surprised the team about the conversion of CO2 to stone?
  4. How long did it take 95% of the CO2 to turn to stone?
  5. What word did the lead scientist use to express his surprise?
  6. What kind of scale do the scientists hope the experiment will go to?
  7. What does the abbreviation CCS mean?
  8. What happened to CO2 in previous attempts at pump it underground?
  9. How did Dr Matter feel about his team's experiments?
  10. What kind of storage did Dr Matter call his procedure?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How much carbon dioxide did scientists pump into the ground?
a) 2,000 tons
b) 220 tons
c) 200 tons
d) 212 tons

2) What is the stone that the CO2 changed into similar to?
a) coal
b) quartz
c) diamond
d) limestone

3) What surprised the team about the conversion of CO2 to stone?
a) the speed
b) the smell
c) the cost
d) the birds

4) How long did it take 95% of the CO2 to turn to stone?
a) over two years
b) around two years
c) less than two years
d) two years and a day

5) What word did the lead scientist use to express his surprise?
a) yes
b) wow
c) gosh
d) awesome

6) What kind of scale do the scientists hope the experiment will go to?
a) a larger, industrial scale
b) lime scale
c) a digital scale
d) a volcanic scale

7) What does the abbreviation CCS mean?
a) captive carbon steam
b) CO2 carbon site
c) carbon capture storage
d) coal-carbon system

8) What happened to CO2 in previous attempts at pump it underground?
a) it leaked
b) it exploded
c) it became toxic
d) nothing

9) How did Dr Matter feel about his team's experiments?
a) enthusiastic
b) disappointed
c) hopeful
d) positive

10) What kind of storage did Dr Matter call his procedure?
a) ulterior preeminent storage
b) timely pre-emptive storage
c) ultra-prominent storage
d) ultimate permanent storage

Role play

Role A — Solar power

You think solar power is the greatest form of clean energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as good with their power. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): wind power, wave power or geothermal power.

Role B — Wind power

You think wind power is the greatest form of clean energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as good with their power. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): solar power, wave power or geothermal power.

Role C — Wave power

You think wave power is the greatest form of clean energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as good with their power. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): wind power, solar power or geothermal power.

Role D — Geothermal power

You think geothermal power is the greatest form of clean energy. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't as good with their power. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): wind power, wave power or solar power.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'smart'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'simple'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • larger
    • growing
    • key
    • always
    • enthusiastic
    • ultimate
    • come
    • deep
    • space
    • both
    • 95
    • huge

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Scientists turn CO2 emissions into stone

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'environment'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How worried are you about CO2 emissions?
    5. How good an idea is turning CO2 back into stone?
    6. How harmful are carbon dioxide emissions?
    7. What would it be like to work on this experiment?
    8. What do you do to reduce carbon dioxide emissions?
    9. Why didn't scientists think of this before?
    10. When was the last time you thought, 'Wow!'?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What will happen if scientists do not stop global warming?
    3. Why do some politicians say global warming is not man made?
    4. What other carbon storage solutions do you know of?
    5. How good is your country at dealing with carbon emissions?
    6. How would you deal with the problem of growing CO2 emissions?
    7. Why do so many countries not stick to CO2 emissions limits?
    8. Do the scientists deserve a Nobel Prize for this procedure?
    9. Do you think this is the "ultimate permanent storage"?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Scientists have come (1) ____ with a smart but simple way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions, by turning them back into stone. Researchers in Iceland (2) ____ 220 tons of CO2 deep underground into volcanic rock. It reacted with minerals in the rock and over a (3) ____ short space of time, transformed into a chalk-like solid substance similar to limestone. The team expressed their surprise at (4) ____ the success and the speed of the CO2 conversion. Lead scientist Juerg Matter said: "Of our 220 tons of (5) ____ CO2, 95 per cent was converted to limestone in less than two years." He added: "It was a huge surprise to all the scientists (6) ____ in the project, and we thought, 'Wow! This is really fast'."

    The scientists hope their experiment will be adapted on a larger, more (7) ____ scale. It could help to alleviate the problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere and warming the planet. It could also become a (8) ____ technique in carbon (9) ____ and storage (CCS) solutions. Many other CCS techniques have involved injecting and trapping CO2 underground. However, there was always the problem of the emissions (10) ____ their way back above ground and into the atmosphere. Dr Matter was (11) ____ about his team's experiments. He said: "We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the (12) ____ permanent storage – turn them back to stone."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     up     (b)     in     (c)     over     (d)     down    
    2. (a)     primped     (b)     plumped     (c)     pumped     (d)     primed    
    3. (a)     relative     (b)     relations     (c)     relatively     (d)     relatives    
    4. (a)     between     (b)     twice     (c)     among     (d)     both    
    5. (a)     injected     (b)     injecting     (c)     injector     (d)     injection    
    6. (a)     convoluted     (b)     involved     (c)     revolved     (d)     solved    
    7. (a)     farcical     (b)     remedial     (c)     plural     (d)     industrial    
    8. (a)     quay     (b)     key     (c)     queue     (d)     keyed    
    9. (a)     captured     (b)     captive     (c)     capture     (d)     captivity    
    10. (a)     leading     (b)     leaky     (c)     reeking     (d)     leaking    
    11. (a)     enthuse     (b)     enthuses     (c)     enthusiasm     (d)     enthusiastic    
    12. (a)     intimate     (b)     ultimate     (c)     consummate     (d)     primate

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. deal with carbon iiodexd emissions
    2. into valnoicc rock
    3. It reacted with linrseam in the rock
    4. a chalk-like solid scnutseab
    5. the speed of the CO2 enovsorinc
    6. all the scientists ionvvdel in the project

    Paragraph 2

    1. a larger, more lditnsairu scale
    2. help to laavielet the problem
    3. become a key eqhneictu
    4. carbon ceuprat and storage (CCS) solutions
    5. Dr Matter was unastethisic
    6. the ettumlai permanent storage

    Put the text back together

    (    )     to alleviate the problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the atmosphere and warming the

    (    )     Scientists have come up with a smart but simple way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions, by turning them back

    (    )     the speed of the CO2 conversion. Lead scientist Juerg Matter said: "Of our 220 tons of injected CO2, 95

    (    )     per cent was converted to limestone in less than two years." He added: "It was a huge

    (    )     into stone. Researchers in Iceland pumped 220 tons of CO2 deep underground into volcanic rock. It reacted with

    (    )     substance similar to limestone. The team expressed their surprise at both the success and

    (    )     planet. It could also become a key technique in carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions. Many other CCS

    (    )     emissions and this is the ultimate permanent storage – turn them back to stone."

    (    )     minerals in the rock and over a relatively short space of time, transformed into a chalk-like solid

    (    )     enthusiastic about his team's experiments. He said: "We need to deal with rising carbon

    (    )     of the emissions leaking their way back above ground and into the atmosphere. Dr Matter was

    (    )     surprise to all the scientists involved in the project, and we thought, 'Wow! This is really fast'."

    (    )     The scientists hope their experiment will be adapted on a larger, more industrial scale. It could help

    (    )     techniques have involved injecting and trapping CO2 underground. However, there was always the problem

    Put the words in the right order

    1. with  way smart  up carbon to  but with  dioxide  deal simple  a  Come .
    2. with   in   rock   reacted   minerals   the   It   .
    3. to  limestone Transformed  into a  chalk-  like  solid  substance  similar .
    4. in   limestone   to   Converted   years   two   than   less   .
    5. surprise   the   It   huge   all   involved   a   to   scientists   was   .
    6. hope   scientists   The   adapted   be   will   experiment   their   .
    7. problem   emissions   of   Alleviate   growing   the   CO2   .
    8. also   could   It   capture   carbon   in   technique   key   a   become   .
    9. their  above  problem  leaking  back  The  emissions  way  ground   of  .
    10. need   to   deal   with   rising   carbon   emissions   We   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Scientists have come down / up with a smart but simple way to deal of / with carbon dioxide emissions, by turning them back into stone. Researchers in Iceland pumped / plumped 220 tons of CO2 deep underground into volcanic rock. It reacted / reaction with minerals in the rock and over a relatively short spatial / space of time, transformed into a chalk-like solid substance similar to limestone. The team expressed their surprising / surprise at both the success and the speed of the CO2 conversion / convert. Lead scientist Juerg Matter said: "Of our 220 tons of injection / injected CO2, 95 per cent was converted to limestone in less than two years." He added: "It was a huge / enormous surprise to all the scientists involving / involved in the project, and we thought, 'Wow! This is really fast'."

    The scientists hope their experiment will be adapted on / in a larger, more industrial scale. It could help to alleviate / elucidate the problem of growing CO2 emissions entering the / an atmosphere and warming the / a planet. It could also become a key / lock technique in carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions. Many other CCS techniques have involving / involved injecting and trapping CO2 underground. However, there was always the problem of the emissions leaked / leaking their way back above / higher ground and into the atmosphere. Dr Matter was enthusiastic / enthusiasm about his team's experiments. He said: "We need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the ultimate permanently / permanent storage – turn them back to stone."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Sc__nt_sts h_v_ c_m_ _p w_th _ sm_rt b_t s_mpl_ w_y t_ d__l w_th c_rb_n d__x_d_ _m_ss__ns, by t_rn_ng th_m b_ck _nt_ st_n_. R_s__rch_rs _n _c_l_nd p_mp_d 220 t_ns _f C_2 d__p _nd_rgr__nd _nt_ v_lc_n_c r_ck. _t r__ct_d w_th m_n_r_ls _n th_ r_ck _nd _v_r _ r_l_t_v_ly sh_rt sp_c_ _f t_m_, tr_nsf_rm_d _nt_ _ ch_lk-l_k_ s_l_d s_bst_nc_ s_m_l_r t_ l_m_st_n_. Th_ t__m _xpr_ss_d th__r s_rpr_s_ _t b_th th_ s_cc_ss _nd th_ sp__d _f th_ C_2 c_nv_rs__n. L__d sc__nt_st J__rg M_tt_r s__d: "_f __r 220 t_ns _f _nj_ct_d C_2, 95 p_r c_nt w_s c_nv_rt_d t_ l_m_st_n_ _n l_ss th_n tw_ y__rs." H_ _dd_d: "_t w_s _ h_g_ s_rpr_s_ t_ _ll th_ sc__nt_sts _nv_lv_d _n th_ pr_j_ct, _nd w_ th__ght, 'W_w! Th_s _s r__lly f_st'."

    Th_ sc__nt_sts h_p_ th__r _xp_r_m_nt w_ll b_ _d_pt_d _n _ l_rg_r, m_r_ _nd_str__l sc_l_. _t c__ld h_lp t_ _ll_v__t_ th_ pr_bl_m _f gr_w_ng C_2 _m_ss__ns _nt_r_ng th_ _tm_sph_r_ _nd w_rm_ng th_ pl_n_t. _t c__ld _ls_ b_c_m_ _ k_y t_chn_q__ _n c_rb_n c_pt_r_ _nd st_r_g_ (CCS) s_l_t__ns. M_ny _th_r CCS t_chn_q__s h_v_ _nv_lv_d _nj_ct_ng _nd tr_pp_ng C_2 _nd_rgr__nd. H_w_v_r, th_r_ w_s _lw_ys th_ pr_bl_m _f th_ _m_ss__ns l__k_ng th__r w_y b_ck _b_v_ gr__nd _nd _nt_ th_ _tm_sph_r_. Dr M_tt_r w_s _nth_s__st_c _b__t h_s t__m's _xp_r_m_nts. H_ s__d: "W_ n__d t_ d__l w_th r_s_ng c_rb_n _m_ss__ns _nd th_s _s th_ _lt_m_t_ p_rm_n_nt st_r_g_ – t_rn th_m b_ck t_ st_n_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    scientists have come up with a smart but simple way to deal with carbon dioxide emissions by turning them back into stone researchers in iceland pumped 220 tons of co2 deep underground into volcanic rock it reacted with minerals in the rock and over a relatively short space of time transformed into a chalk-like solid substance similar to limestone the team expressed their surprise at both the success and the speed of the co2 conversion lead scientist juerg matter said "of our 220 tons of injected co2 95 per cent was converted to limestone in less than two years" he added "it was a huge surprise to all the scientists involved in the project and we thought 'wow this is really fast'"

    the scientists hope their experiment will be adapted on a larger more industrial scale it could help to alleviate the problem of growing co2 emissions entering the atmosphere and warming the planet it could also become a key technique in carbon capture and storage (ccs) solutions many other ccs techniques have involved injecting and trapping co2 underground however there was always the problem of the emissions leaking their way back above ground and into the atmosphere dr matter was enthusiastic about his team's experiments he said "we need to deal with rising carbon emissions and this is the ultimate permanent storage – turn them back to stone"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Scientistshavecomeupwithasmartbutsimplewaytodealwithcarbondi
    oxideemissions,byturningthembackintostone.ResearchersinIcelan
    dpumped220tonsofCO2deepundergroundintovolcanicrock.Itreacte
    dwithmineralsintherockandoverarelativelyshortspaceoftime,transf
    ormedintoachalk-likesolidsubstancesimilartolimestone.Theteame
    xpressedtheirsurpriseatboththesuccessandthespeedoftheCO2conv
    ersion.LeadscientistJuergMattersaid:"Ofour220tonsofinjectedCO2,
    95percentwasconvertedtolimestoneinlessthantwoyears."Headded:
    "Itwasahugesurprisetoallthescientistsinvolvedintheproject,andwet
    hought,'Wow!Thisisreallyfast'."Thescientistshopetheirexperimentw
    illbeadaptedonalarger,moreindustrialscale.Itcouldhelptoalleviateth
    eproblemofgrowingCO2emissionsenteringtheatmosphereandwarm
    ingtheplanet.Itcouldalsobecomeakeytechniqueincarboncaptureand
    storage(CCS)solutions.ManyotherCCStechniqueshaveinvolvedinjec
    tingandtrappingCO2underground.However,therewasalwaysthepro
    blemoftheemissionsleakingtheirwaybackabovegroundandintotheat
    mosphere.DrMatterwasenthusiasticabouthisteam'sexperiments.He
    said:"Weneedtodealwithrisingcarbonemissionsandthisistheultimat
    epermanentstorage–turnthembacktostone."

    Free writing

    Write about CO2 emissions for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    Academic writing

    Countries should be heavily fined for not meeting CO2 reduction targets. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about CO2. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. GLOBAL WARMING: Make a poster about global warming and how we can reduce it. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. TURN TO STONE: Write a magazine article about turning CO2 into stone. Include imaginary interviews with people who think this is the answer to global warming, and with people who think it isn't.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on CO2. Ask him/her three questions about CO2. Give him/her three of your ideas on what we can do every day to reduce our carbon footprint. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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