Breaking News English ESL Lesson Plan on Carbon Dioxide

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* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)

* Gap-fill

Carbon dioxide at record high level (12th May, 2013)

Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that create global warming. Just one CO2 molecule can stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Pieter Tans, one of the scientists measuring CO2 levels, said human activity is making the Earth warmer. He said that, "the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas is driving the acceleration". He pointed out that 300 years ago, CO2 levels were around 280ppm. He added that 800,000 years ago, they were at 180ppm. Another scientist, Dr Ralph Keeling, warned that CO2 is warming the Earth to dangerous levels. He is worried about arctic ice melting, causing sea levels to rise. This will put billions of people in danger. He said: "It takes a long time to melt ice, but we're doing it. It's scary."

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22486153
http://www.climatecentral.org/news/carbon-dioxide-passes-400ppm-milestone-for-first-time-in-modern-human-history-noaa-says-15975

WARM-UPS

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

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

CO2 / atmosphere / five million years ago / warning sign / scientist / South Pole / global warming / human activity / natural gas / arctic ice / sea levels / melt ice

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

3. WARMER EARTH: How will a warmer Earth change lives? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Changes for…	Change	How will they live?
people on small islands
people in the desert
penguins
people in the Himalayas
fishermen in Maldives
people in New York

4. NO PROBLEM: Students A strongly believe scientists can stop global warming becoming a problem; Students B strongly believe they can't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. DANGERS TO EARTH: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the most dangerous at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

global warming
pollution
chemical weapons
overpopulation

water wars
cybercrime
extinction of species
killer viruses

6. CO2: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'CO2. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	A weather station in Peru found high levels of CO2 in the atmosphere.	T / F
b.	The level of CO2 was at 400 parts per million.	T / F
c.	The last time the Earth saw this level was 5 million years ago.	T / F
d.	The level of CO2 at the South Pole will always be under 280.	T / F
e.	One molecule of CO2 stays in the atmosphere for around 7 years.	T / F
f.	A scientist said humans are not making the Earth warmer.	T / F
g.	Levels of CO2 were under 300, 300 years ago.	T / F
h.	A scientist said it was scary that the arctic ice was melting.	T / F

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

1.	level	a.	increasing
2.	high	b.	over
3.	humans	c.	at risk
4.	rising	d.	amount
5.	above	e.	speeding up
6.	create	f.	frightening
7.	driving	g.	produce
8.	acceleration	h.	record
9.	in danger	i.	pushing
10.	scary	j.	people

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

1.	weather	a.	sign
2.	when there were no	b.	would keep rising
3.	a warning	c.	of people in danger
4.	he thought CO2 levels	d.	create global warming
5.	even at the South Pole,	e.	humans on the Earth
6.	one of the gases that	f.	to melt ice
7.	natural gas is driving	g.	station
8.	CO2 is warming the Earth	h.	CO2 would be above 400ppm
9.	This will put billions	i.	the acceleration
10.	It takes a long time	j.	to dangerous levels

GAP FILL

The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the (1) ____________ is now at a record high. An American weather (2) ____________ in Hawaii recorded the new high on the 9th of May. It found CO2 levels were at 400 parts per million (ppm). The (3) ____________ time CO2 was at this level was five million years ago. This was when there were no (4) ____________ on the Earth. Scientists say the 400ppm level is a warning (5) ____________. They say we must do more to stop this number (6) ____________ bigger. However, scientist James Butler said he thought CO2 levels would keep (7) ____________. He warned: "In eight to nine years, we will probably have seen the last CO2 reading (8) ____________ 400ppm." He told reporters that even at the South Pole, CO2 would be above 400ppm.

rising
sign
last
under
atmosphere
getting
station
humans

Carbon dioxide is one of the (9) ____________ that create global warming. Just one CO2 molecule can (10) ____________ in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Pieter Tans, one of the scientists measuring CO2 levels, said human (11) ____________ is making the Earth warmer. He said that, "the (12) ____________ of coal, oil, and natural gas is driving the acceleration". He (13) ____________ out that 300 years ago, CO2 levels were around 280ppm. He added that 800,000 years ago, they were at 180ppm. Another scientist, Dr Ralph Keeling, (14) ____________ that CO2 is warming the Earth to dangerous levels. He is worried about arctic ice melting, causing (15) ____________ levels to rise. This will put billions of people in danger. He said: "It takes a long time to (16) ____________ ice, but we're doing it. It's scary."

warned
burning
stay
sea
melt
gases
activity
pointed

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is now ______
	a. at a record highs b. at a record higher c. at a record height d. at a record high
2)	The last time CO2 was at this level was five ______
	a. million years ago b. million years before c. million years past d. million years earlier
3)	Scientists say the 400ppm level ______.
	a. is a warning sign b. is a warning signal c. is a warning signage d. is a warning signs
4)	scientist James Butler said he thought CO2 levels ______
	a. would kept rising b. would keep raising c. would keep rising d. would keep arising
5)	He told reporters that even at the South Pole, CO2 would ______
	a. get above 400ppm b. be over 400ppm c. get more 400ppm d. be above 400ppm
6)	Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that ______
	a. create globally warming b. create global warmer c. create global warm-in d. create global warming
7)	human activity is making ______
	a. the Earth warmer b. the Earth warm c. the Earth warmest d. the Earth warms
8)	Dr Ralph Keeling warned that CO2 is warming the Earth ______.
	a. to dangerous levels b. to dangerous levelers c. to dangerous level d. to dangerous leveled
9)	He is worried about arctic ice melting, causing ______
	a. sea levels to raise b. sea levels to rise c. sea levels to risen d. sea levels to arise
10)	He said: "It takes a long time to melt ice, but we're doing it. ______.
	a. It's scary b. He's scared c. I'm scary d. It's scared

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere (1) _______________. An American weather station in Hawaii recorded the new high on the 9th of May. It found CO2 levels (2) _____________________ million (ppm). The last time CO2 was at this level was five million years ago. This was when (3) _____________________ the Earth. Scientists say the 400ppm level is a warning sign. They say we must (4) _____________________ number getting bigger. However, scientist James Butler said he thought CO2 levels would keep rising. He warned: "In eight to nine years, we will probably have (5) _____________________ under 400ppm." He told reporters that even at the South Pole, (6) _____________________ 400ppm.

Carbon dioxide (7) _____________________ create global warming. Just one CO2 molecule can stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Pieter Tans, one of the scientists (8) _____________________, said human activity is making the Earth warmer. He said that, "the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas (9) _____________________ ". He pointed out that 300 years ago, CO2 (10) _____________________. He added that 800,000 years ago, they were at 180ppm. Another scientist, Dr Ralph Keeling, warned that CO2 is warming the Earth to dangerous levels. He is worried about arctic ice melting, (11) _____________________. This will put billions of people in danger. He said: "It takes (12) _____________________, but we're doing it. It's scary."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What is at a record high?
2.	Where did scientists measure CO2?
3.	How many parts per million was the new record?
4.	What do scientists want to stop?
5.	What will happen in eight to nine years from now?
6.	What can stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years?
7.	Who is Pieter Tans?
8.	When were CO2 levels at 280ppm?
9.	When were CO2 levels at 180ppm?
10.	What takes a long time?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What is at a record high?	6.	What can stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years?
	a) the atmosphere b) levels of CO2 c) a weather station d) the temperature		a) a molecule of CO2 b) humans c) global warming d) space
2.	Where did scientists measure CO2?	7.	Who is Pieter Tans?
	a) China b) Tahiti c) New York d) Hawaii		a) an inventor b) a weather forecaster c) a scientist measuring CO2 d) someone who said global warming isn't real
3.	How many parts per million was the new record?	8.	When were CO2 levels at 280ppm?
	a) 280 b) 300 c) 400 d) 4,000		a) 300 years ago b) 3,000 years ago c) 300,000 years ago d) 3 million years ago
4.	What do scientists want to stop?	9.	When was CO2 at 180ppm?
	a) the number getting bigger b) the atmosphere c) CO2 d) CO2 readings		a) in 1800 b) 80 billion years ago c) 8 million years ago d) 800,000 years ago
5.	What will happen in eight to nine years from now?	10.	What takes a long time?
	a) levels of CO2 will be at 500ppm b) we'll see the last reading under 400ppm c) ppm will always be under 400 d) The South Pole will be hotter than the North Pole		a) to make CO2 b) to record CO2 levels c) for ice to melt d) to burn natural gas

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Human warming scientist

You think human activity causes global warming. Everyone on Earth must change how we live so we do not produce CO2. Tell the others three things we must do. You totally disagree with the other scientist and the oil company CEO. Tell them why they are wrong. You agree with the penguin.

Role B – Natural warming scientist

You think human activity is not the reason for global warming. Tell the others three reasons why. You believe it is natural the Earth is getting warmer. You don't think anyone is in danger. You think it is OK to keep using gas, oil, coal, etc. You know scientists can protect the Earth.

Role C – Oil company CEO

You are tired of scientists warning about global warming. You are angry because people get scared. They also start using less oil and gasoline. Your company is very green. Tell the others 3 reasons why. Disagree with everything the human warming scientist says. Also, if the ice melts, penguins can easily find a new home.

Role D – Penguin

You are very, very, very angry with humans. Tell the others three reasons why. They only care about money. Oil companies want profits and do not care about the environment. Scientists who say human activity does not warm the earth are crazy. You want all oil production to stop immediately.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

record

high

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:

now
found
million
bigger
nine
above

create
oil
300
180
sea
scary

GLOBAL WARMING SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about global warming 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

GLOBAL WARMING DISCUSSION

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

a)	What did you think when you read the headline?
b)	What springs to mind when you hear the phrase 'global warming'?
c)	Are you worried about global warming?
d)	What do you do every day to reduce CO2?
e)	What more could you do?
f)	Do you think people worry or care about the CO2 level being 400ppm?
g)	When will people really start to worry about global warming?
h)	What causes global warming?
i)	What do you think of scientists who say human activity does not create global warming?
j)	Can we do anything to keep CO2 levels under 400ppm?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	What do you know about carbon dioxide?
c)	How much pollution is there in your town?
d)	What do you think of giant oil companies?
e)	Can an oil company be green?
f)	What will happen if the Earth gets warmer and warmer?
g)	Which countries are most responsible for global warming?
h)	What kind of danger will billions of people be in if sea levels rise?
i)	Is global warming the biggest problem on Earth?
j)	What questions would you like to ask a global warming expert?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is (1) ____ at a record high. An American weather station in Hawaii recorded the new high on the 9th of May. It found CO2 levels were at 400 parts (2) ____ million (ppm). The last time CO2 was at this level was five million years ago. This was when there were no humans on the Earth. Scientists say the 400ppm level is a (3) ____ sign. They say we must do (4) ____ to stop this number getting bigger. However, scientist James Butler said he thought CO2 levels would keep (5) ____. He warned: "In eight to nine years, we will probably have seen the last CO2 reading under 400ppm." He told reporters that (6) ____ at the South Pole, CO2 would be above 400ppm.

Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that create global (7) ____. Just one CO2 molecule can stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Pieter Tans, one of the scientists (8) ____ CO2 levels, said human activity is making the Earth warmer. He said that, "the (9) ____ of coal, oil, and natural gas is driving the acceleration". He pointed (10) ____ that 300 years ago, CO2 levels were around 280ppm. He added that 800,000 years ago, they were at 180ppm. Another scientist, Dr Ralph Keeling, warned that CO2 is warming the Earth (11) ____ dangerous levels. He is worried about arctic ice melting, causing sea levels to rise. This will put billions of people in danger. He said: "It takes a long time to melt ice, but we're doing it. It's (12) ____."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	now	(b)	then	(c)	now and then	(d)	immediately
2.	(a)	par	(b)	pre	(c)	per	(d)	post
3.	(a)	warned	(b)	warns	(c)	warn	(d)	warning
4.	(a)	maximum	(b)	more	(c)	most	(d)	many
5.	(a)	rearing	(b)	raising	(c)	arising	(d)	rising
6.	(a)	event	(b)	never	(c)	ever	(d)	even
7.	(a)	warmth	(b)	warming	(c)	warms	(d)	warmed
8.	(a)	measuring	(b)	measured	(c)	measure	(d)	measures
9.	(a)	burning	(b)	roasting	(c)	igniting	(d)	firing
10.	(a)	up	(b)	in	(c)	out	(d)	to
11.	(a)	of	(b)	for	(c)	up	(d)	to
12.	(a)	scarred	(b)	scary	(c)	scared	(d)	scars

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	CO2 in the mepaotehrs
2.	teerwah station
3.	ntstecisis say…
4.	a rwinnag sign
5.	CO2 levels would keep sinirg
6.	He told sretrepro…
Paragraph 2
7.	gases that create global aiwrnmg
8.	one CO2 uelmloce
9.	enusmagir CO2 levels
10.	lnutaar gas
11.	ouergasnd levels
12.	It's cyras

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	activity is making the Earth warmer. He said that, "the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas is driving
( )	warming the Earth to dangerous levels. He is worried about arctic ice melting, causing sea levels to rise. This will put
( 1 )	The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is now at a record high. An American weather
( )	bigger. However, scientist James Butler said he thought CO2 levels would keep
( )	billions of people in danger. He said: "It takes a long time to melt ice, but we're doing it. It's scary."
( )	that 800,000 years ago, they were at 180ppm. Another scientist, Dr Ralph Keeling, warned that CO2 is
( )	station in Hawaii recorded the new high on the 9th of May. It found CO2 levels were at 400 parts per million (ppm). The last
( )	stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Pieter Tans, one of the scientists measuring CO2 levels, said human
( )	Earth. Scientists say the 400ppm level is a warning sign. They say we must do more to stop this number getting
( )	rising. He warned: "In eight to nine years, we will probably have seen the last CO2 reading under 400ppm." He told
( )	Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that create global warming. Just one CO2 molecule can
( )	the acceleration". He pointed out that 300 years ago, CO2 levels were around 280ppm. He added
( )	reporters that even at the South Pole, CO2 would be above 400ppm.
( )	time CO2 was at this level was five million years ago. This was when there were no humans on the

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	the in (CO2) dioxide carbon of level The atmosphere.
2.	million at 400 CO2 parts levels per were.
3.	on the Earth This was when there were no humans.
4.	warning Scientists 400ppm a the is sign say level.
5.	above be would CO2, Pole South the at Even 400ppm.
6.	gases that create global warming CO2 is one of the.
7.	the One CO2 scientists of levels measuring.
8.	ago levels 280ppm years CO2 around 300, were.
9.	dangerous warming levels the Earth CO2 to is.
10.	billions of This people will in put danger.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is know / now at a record high. An American weather / weathered station in Hawaii recorded the new high on the 9th of May. It found CO2 levels were at 400 parts par / per million (ppm). The last / past time CO2 was at this level was five million years ago. This was when there were no / non humans on the Earth. Scientists say the 400ppm level is a warning / warned sign. They say we must do more to stop this numeral / number getting bigger. However, scientist James Butler said he thought CO2 levels would keep raising / rising. He warned: "In eight to nine years, we will probably have saw / seen the last CO2 reading under 400ppm." He told reporters that even / ever at the South Pole, CO2 would be above 400ppm.

Carbon dioxide is one of the gases that creation / create global warming. Just one CO2 molecule can stay in / on the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Pieter Tans, one of the sciences / scientists measuring CO2 levels, said human activity is making the Earth warmer / warming. He said that, "the burning / burnt of coal, oil, and natural gas is driving the acceleration / engine". He pointed out that 300 years ago, CO2 levels were around 280ppm. He added / attached that 800,000 years ago, they were at 180ppm. Another scientist, Dr Ralph Keeling, warned that CO2 is warming the Earth to / of dangerous levels. He is worried about arctic ice melting, causing sea levels to rise / raise. This will put billions of people in danger. He said: "It takes a long time to melt ice, but we're doing it. It's scary / scared."

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)

Th_ l_v_l _f c_rb_n d__x_d_ (C_2) _n th_ _tm_sph_r_ _s n_w _t _ r_c_rd h_gh. _n _m_r_c_n w__th_r st_t__n _n H_w___ r_c_rd_d th_ n_w h_gh _n th_ 9th _f M_y. _t f__nd C_2 l_v_ls w_r_ _t 400 p_rts p_r m_ll__n (ppm). Th_ l_st t_m_ C_2 w_s _t th_s l_v_l w_s f_v_ m_ll__n y__rs _g_. Th_s w_s wh_n th_r_ w_r_ n_ h_m_ns _n th_ __rth. Sc__nt_sts s_y th_ 400ppm l_v_l _s _ w_rn_ng s_gn. Th_y s_y w_ m_st d_ m_r_ t_ st_p th_s n_mb_r g_tt_ng b_gg_r. H_w_v_r, sc__nt_st J_m_s B_tl_r s__d h_ th__ght C_2 l_v_ls w__ld k__p r_s_ng. H_ w_rn_d: "_n __ght t_ n_n_ y__rs, w_ w_ll pr_b_bly h_v_ s__n th_ l_st C_2 r__d_ng _nd_r 400ppm." H_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs th_t _v_n _t th_ S__th P_l_, C_2 w__ld b_ _b_v_ 400ppm.

C_rb_n d__x_d_ _s _n_ _f th_ g_s_s th_t cr__t_ gl_b_l w_rm_ng. J_st _n_ C_2 m_l_c_l_ c_n st_y _n th_ _tm_sph_r_ f_r h_ndr_ds _f y__rs. P__t_r T_ns, _n_ _f th_ sc__nt_sts m__s_r_ng C_2 l_v_ls, s__d h_m_n _ct_v_ty _s m_k_ng th_ __rth w_rm_r. H_ s__d th_t, "th_ b_rn_ng _f c__l, __l, _nd n_t_r_l g_s _s dr_v_ng th_ _cc_l_r_t__n". H_ p__nt_d __t th_t 300 y__rs _g_, C_2 l_v_ls w_r_ _r__nd 280ppm. H_ _dd_d th_t 800,000 y__rs _g_, th_y w_r_ _t 180ppm. _n_th_r sc__nt_st, Dr R_lph K__l_ng, w_rn_d th_t C_2 _s w_rm_ng th_ __rth t_ d_ng_r__s l_v_ls. H_ _s w_rr__d _b__t _rct_c _c_ m_lt_ng, c__s_ng s__ l_v_ls t_ r_s_. Th_s w_ll p_t b_ll__ns _f p__pl_ _n d_ng_r. H_ s__d: "_t t_k_s _ l_ng t_m_ t_ m_lt _c_, b_t w_'r_ d__ng _t. _t's sc_ry."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the level of carbon dioxide (co2) in the atmosphere is now at a record high an american weather station in hawaii recorded the new high on the 9th of may it found co2 levels were at 400 parts per million (ppm) the last time co2 was at this level was five million years ago this was when there were no humans on the earth scientists say the 400ppm level is a warning sign they say we must do more to stop this number getting bigger however scientist james butler said he thought co2 levels would keep rising he warned "in eight to nine years we will probably have seen the last co2 reading under 400ppm" he told reporters that even at the south pole co2 would be above 400ppm

carbon dioxide is one of the gases that create global warming just one co2 molecule can stay in the atmosphere for hundreds of years pieter tans one of the scientists measuring co2 levels said human activity is making the earth warmer he said that "the burning of coal oil and natural gas is driving the acceleration" he pointed out that 300 years ago co2 levels were around 280ppm he added that 800000 years ago they were at 180ppm another scientist dr ralph keeling warned that co2 is warming the earth to dangerous levels he is worried about arctic ice melting causing sea levels to rise this will put billions of people in danger he said "it takes a long time to melt ice but we're doing it it's scary"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Thelevelofcarbondioxide(CO2)intheatmosphereisnowatarecordhigh.An
AmericanweatherstationinHawaiirecordedthenewhighonthe9thofMay.Itfound
CO2levelswereat400partspermillion(ppm).ThelasttimeCO2wasatthislevelwas
fivemillionyearsago.ThiswaswhentherewerenohumansontheEarth.Scientists
saythe400ppmlevelisawarningsign.Theysaywemustdomoretostopthisnumber
gettingbigger.However,scientistJamesButlersaidhethoughtCO2levelswould
keeprising.Hewarned:"Ineighttonineyears,wewillprobablyhaveseenthelastCO2
readingunder400ppm."HetoldreportersthatevenattheSouthPole,CO2wouldbe
above400ppm.Carbondioxideisoneofthegasesthatcreateglobalwarming.Justone
CO2moleculecanstayintheatmosphereforhundredsofyears.PieterTans,one of
thescientistsmeasuringCO2levels,saidhumanactivityismakingtheEarth
warmer.Hesaidthat,"theburningofcoal,oil,andnaturalgasisdrivingthe
acceleration".Hepointedoutthat300yearsago,CO2levelswerearound280ppm.He
addedthat800,000yearsago,theywereat180ppm.Anotherscientist,DrRalph
Keeling,warnedthatCO2iswarmingtheEarthtodangerouslevels.Heisworried
aboutarcticicemelting,causingsealevelstorise.Thiswillputbillionsofpeoplein
danger.Hesaid:"Ittakesalongtimetomeltice,butwe'redoingit.It'sscary."

FREE WRITING

Write about global warming for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Global warming is the biggest problem in the world. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 carbon dioxide (CO2). Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. HOTTER EARTH: Write a magazine article about a hotter Earth in the future. Include imaginary interviews with people who lost their homes because of rising sea levels.

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 a global warming expert. Ask him/her three questions about global warming. Give him/her three ideas on how to stop global warming. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	level	a.	amount
2.	high	b.	record
3.	humans	c.	people
4.	rising	d.	increasing
5.	above	e.	over
6.	create	f.	produce
7.	driving	g.	pushing
8.	acceleration	h.	speeding up
9.	in danger	i.	at risk
10.	scary	j.	frightening

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The level of CO2 in the atmosphere
2.	At a weather station in Hawaii
3.	400
4.	The number getting bigger
5.	We will see the last reading under 400ppm
6.	A molecule of CO2
7.	One of the scientists measuring CO2
8.	300 years ago
9.	800,000 years ago
10.	To melt ice

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

10.

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English

* 26-page lesson (40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI lesson (PDF)

* MP3 (UK male)

* MP3 (USA female)

* MP3 (20 questions)

* Listen & spell

* Dictation - (10 sentences)

* Speed Reading (100 - 300 wpm)

* Text jumble 15

* Text jumble 24

* No spaces

* Text Jumble

* Grammar gap-fill

* Articles gap-fill

* Prepositions

* Word order

* Consonants

* Vowels

* Missing letters

* Initials only

* No letters

* Word pairs

* Missing words

* Gap-fill

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

* 26-page lesson
(40 exercises)

* 2-page MINI
lesson (PDF)

* Dictation -
(10 sentences)

* Speed Reading
(100 - 300 wpm)