Breaking News English Lesson: Arctic Circle

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Arctic Circle sees highest-ever temperatures (26th June, 2020)

The Reading / Listening - Arctic Circle - Level 6

Meteorologists have observed another indication of global warming being in full swing. Temperatures in the Arctic Circle hit an all-time record on Saturday, with the mercury topping 38º Celsius in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk. The town currently holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest temperature range on Earth. It fluctuates from a low of minus 68ºC to a high of 37.3ºC. The record heat is 18 degrees higher than the daily average for June. The Arctic Circle has been experiencing a heatwave for much of this year. Temperatures have averaged 10 degrees above normal. This is ringing alarm bells with climatologists, who say the Arctic Circle is warming at twice the rate of the global average.

Atmosphere scientist Professor Dann Mitchell expressed his concern on rising temperatures. He told the BBC: "Year-on-year temperature records are being broken around the world, but the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth, so it is unsurprising to see records being broken in this region. We will see more of this in the near future." Professor Chris Rapley of University College London said: "This is a warning message from the Earth itself. We ignore it at our peril." Scientists say higher temperatures in Siberia could accelerate global warming. Melting Siberian permafrost is releasing alarming levels of the greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Arctic Circle - Level 4 or Arctic Circle - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53140069
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11922891/arctic-highest-temperature-verkhoyansk-siberia-cancun/
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/arctic-hottest-temperature-100-degrees-fahrenheit-siberia-climate-change

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. 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, 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?
meteorologist / global warming / temperatures / record / Earth / heat / normal /
scientist / the Arctic / region / message / peril / alarming / levels / greenhouse
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NORMAL: Students A strongly believe scientists can make global temperatures return to normal; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. EXTREME WEATHER: How bad are these extreme weather events? What can people do to stay safe? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How Bad	How to Stay Safe
Boiling heat
Freezing cold
Snow blizzards
Torrential rain
Hurricanes
Dust storm

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. GLOBAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "global". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CLIMATE CHANGE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to curb climate change at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

LED lights
Electric cars
Vegetarian diet
Cycle more
Recycle more
Buy used clothes
Vote for green parties
Fly less

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	meteorologist	a.	At the height of activity.
2.	observed	b.	An expert in or student of weather patterns and the atmosphere.
3.	indication	c.	A sign or piece of information that shows something.
4.	in full swing	d.	The area of variation between upper and lower limits on a particular scale.
5.	mercury	e.	Things that warn of danger.
6.	range	f.	Noticed or seen something and accept it as being significant.
7.	alarm bells	g.	A heavy silvery-white metal which is liquid at ordinary temperatures and is used in thermometres. Its symbol is Hg.

Paragraph 2

8.	concern	h.	Refuse to take notice of or acknowledge.
9.	unsurprising	i.	A colourless, odorless flammable gas which is the main part of natural gas and a big contributor to global warming. Its symbol is CH4.
10.	region	j.	Move faster.
11.	ignore	k.	An area of a country or the world that has definable characteristics but not always fixed borders.
12.	peril	l.	Risk or danger.
13.	accelerate	m.	Anxiety or worry.
14.	methane	n.	Not unexpected and so not causing surprise.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

Meteorologists said there has been a swing towards Arctic temperatures. T / F
Temperatures in an Arctic town hit a record 38 degrees Fahrenheit. T / F
A town in Siberia holds the world record for temperature fluctuations. T / F
A town in Siberia rang alarm bells in the streets because it was so hot. T / F
A professor said records are being broken around the world day by day. T / F
The article said Antarctica is warming faster than anywhere in the world. T / F
A professor wasn't surprised that records were being broken. T / F
The article said alarming levels of methane are entering the atmosphere. T / F

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

observed
topping
range
fluctuates
experiencing
expressed
region
ignore
peril
alarming

span
risk
exceeding
undergoing
area
noticed
disregard
worrying
varies
conveyed

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

global warming being in full
Temperatures in the Arctic Circle hit
It fluctuates from a
experiencing a heatwave for
This is ringing alarm
Year-on-year temperature records
warming faster than
We will see more of this
We ignore it
releasing alarming levels of

at our peril
much of this year
in the near future
are being broken
low of minus 68ºC
anywhere else on Earth
swing
bells with climatologists
the greenhouse gasses
an all-time record

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

topping
much
range
average
observed
ringing
record
fluctuates

Meteorologists have (1) ____________ another indication of global warming being in full swing. Temperatures in the Arctic Circle hit an all-time (2) ____________ on Saturday, with the mercury (3) ____________ 38º Celsius in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk. The town currently holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest temperature (4) ____________ on Earth. It (5) ____________ from a low of minus 68ºC to a high of 37.3ºC. The record heat is 18 degrees higher than the daily average for June. The Arctic Circle has been experiencing a heatwave for (6) ____________ of this year. Temperatures have averaged 10 degrees above normal. This is (7) ____________ alarm bells with climatologists, who say the Arctic Circle is warming at twice the rate of the global (8) ____________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

peril
expressed
broken
methane
region
alarming
near
else

Atmosphere scientist Professor Dann Mitchell (9) ____________ his concern on rising temperatures. He told the BBC: "Year-on-year temperature records are being (10) ____________ around the world, but the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere (11) ____________ on Earth, so it is unsurprising to see records being broken in this (12) ____________. We will see more of this in the (13) ____________ future." Professor Chris Rapley of University College London said: "This is a warning message from the Earth itself. We ignore it at our (14) ____________." Scientists say higher temperatures in Siberia could accelerate global warming. Melting Siberian permafrost is releasing (15) ____________ levels of the greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide and (16) ____________ into the atmosphere.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Meteorologists have observed another indication of global warming being ______
     a. in full swings
     b. in full swinger
     c. in full swinging
     d. in full swing
2) Temperatures in the Arctic Circle hit an ______
     a. all-time record
     b. all-time records
     c. all-time recorder
     d. all-time recorded
3) The town currently holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest ______
     a. temperature range
     b. temperature grange
     c. temperature strange
     d. temperature derange
4) Temperatures have averaged 10 degrees above normal. This is ringing ______
     a. alarms bells
     b. alarm bells
     c. alarm bell
     d. alarming bells
5) the Arctic Circle is warming at twice the rate of the ______
     a. global average
     b. global averages
     c. global averaged
     d. global averaging

6) Professor Dann Mitchell expressed his concern on ______
     a. raising temperatures
     b. arising temperatures
     c. rising temperatures
     d. risen temperatures
7) We will see more of this in ______
     a. the nearly future
     b. the nears future
     c. the neared future
     d. the near future
8) This is a warning message from the Earth itself. We ignore it ______
     a. at our peril
     b. at our peel
     c. at our peal
     d. at our peer all
9) Scientists say higher temperatures in Siberia could ______
     a. accelerant global warming
     b. axel irate global warming
     c. accelerate global warming
     d. axe irate global warming
10) releasing alarming levels of the greenhouse gasses carbon ______
     a. die ox hide and me then
     b. dioxide and methane
     c. trioxide and ethane
     d. dioxin and ethanol

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Meteorologists have observed (1) ___________________ global warming being in full swing. Temperatures in the Arctic Circle (2) ___________________ record on Saturday, with the mercury topping 38º Celsius in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk. The (3) ___________________ the Guinness World Record for the greatest temperature range on Earth. It fluctuates from a (4) ___________________ 68ºC to a high of 37.3ºC. The record heat is 18 degrees higher than the (5) ___________________ June. The Arctic Circle has been experiencing a heatwave for much of this year. Temperatures have averaged 10 degrees above normal. This is ringing alarm bells with climatologists, who say the Arctic Circle is (6) ___________________ the rate of the global average.

Atmosphere scientist Professor Dann Mitchell (7) ___________________ on rising temperatures. He told the BBC: "Year-on-year temperature records are (8) ___________________ the world, but the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth, so (9) ___________________ to see records being broken (10) ___________________. We will see more of this in the near future." Professor Chris Rapley of University College London said: "This is a warning message from the Earth itself. We ignore it (11) ___________________." Scientists say higher temperatures in Siberia could accelerate global warming. Melting Siberian permafrost is releasing alarming levels of the greenhouse gasses carbon (12) ___________________ into the atmosphere.

Comprehension questions

What did meteorologists saw was in full swing?
What was the record temperature in a town in Siberia last week?
What was the lowest temperature the article said the town recorded?
How much hotter than average are temperatures in Siberia?
What is ringing with climatologists?
What kind of scientist is Professor Dann Mitchell?
Where did the professor say was warming faster than anywhere else?
What was the professor not surprised to see being broken?
What did a professor say we do at out peril?
What is causing the production of alarming levels of greenhouse gasses?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did meteorologists saw was in full swing?
a) a climate dance
b) global warming
c) a playground
d) a climate conference
2) What was the record temperature in a town in Siberia last week?
a) 36º Celsius
b) 83º Celsius
c) 63º Celsius
d) 38º Celsius
3) What was the lowest temperature the article said the town recorded?
a) minus 68ºC
b) minus 86ºC
c) minus 88ºC
d) minus 66ºC
4) How much hotter than average are temperatures in Siberia?
a) 17 degrees
b) 16 degrees
c) 18 degrees
d) 19 degrees

5) What is ringing with climatologists?
a) wind chimes
b) alarm bells
c) alarm clocks
d) the ages

6) What kind of scientist is Professor Dann Mitchell?
a) an atmosphere scientist
b) a great one
c) a prize-winning one
d) a climatologist
7) Where did the professor say was warming faster than anywhere else?
a) Antarctica
b) Greenland
c) the Arctic
d) Patagonia
8) What was the professor not surprised to see being broken?
a) temperature records
b) windows
c) ice sheets
d) icebergs
9) What did a professor say we do at out peril?
a) ignore rising temperatures
b) drive cars
c) eat met
d) forget about the future
10) What is causing the production of alarming levels of greenhouse gasses?
a) air travel
b) meat consumption
c) solar flares
d) melting permafrost

Role play

Role A – Use LED Lights
You think using LED lights is the best way to curb climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): a vegetarian diet, buying used clothes or voting for green parties.

Role B – Vegetarian Diet
You think a vegetarian diet is the best way to curb climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): using LED lights, buying used clothes or voting for green parties.

Role C – Buy Used Clothes
You think buying used clothes is the best way to curb climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): a vegetarian diet, using LED lights or voting for green parties.

Role D – Vote for Green Parties
You think voting for green parties is the best way to curb climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): a vegetarian diet, buying used clothes or using LED lights.

After reading / listening

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

'Arctic'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'circle'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

another

topping

currently

low

much

twice

concern

broken

region

message

peril

alarming

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 - Arctic Circle

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Arctic'?
What do meteorologists do every day?
How do you feel about global warming?
What do you think of 38-degree temperatures?
Do you prefer freezing cold or boiling hot temperatures?
Has the weather in your country changed?
What do you do in heatwaves?
How worried are you about global warming?
How does your lifestyle add to global warming?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'circle'?
What do you think about what you read?
What can you do to reduce your carbon footprint?
What is the danger of a warming Arctic Circle?
Do you think we will ignore the warning about global warming?
What is the danger of permafrost melting?
What warning message is the Earth telling us?
What do you know about methane?
What questions would you like to ask the meteorologists?

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)

Meteorologists have observed another (1) ____ of global warming being in full swing. Temperatures in the Arctic Circle hit an all-time record on Saturday, with the mercury (2) ____ 38º Celsius in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk. The town currently holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest temperature (3) ____ on Earth. It (4) ____ from a low of minus 68ºC to a high of 37.3ºC. The record heat is 18 degrees higher than the daily average for June. The Arctic Circle has been experiencing a heatwave for (5) ____ of this year. Temperatures have averaged 10 degrees above normal. This is (6) ____ alarm bells with climatologists, who say the Arctic Circle is warming at twice the rate of the global average.

Atmosphere scientist Professor Dann Mitchell (7) ____ his concern on rising temperatures. He told the BBC: "Year-(8) ____-year temperature records are being broken around the world, but the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on Earth, so it is unsurprising to see records (9) ____ broken in this region. We will see more of this in the near future." Professor Chris Rapley of University College London said: "This is a warning message from the Earth (10) ____. We ignore it (11) ____ our peril." Scientists say higher temperatures in Siberia could accelerate global warming. Melting Siberian permafrost is releasing alarming levels of the greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide and (12) ____ into the atmosphere.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) indication (b) inclination (c) injection (d) indigestion
(a) tapping (b) taping (c) topping (d) tapering
(a) derange (b) grange (c) range (d) arrange
(a) falters (b) filters (c) flitters (d) fluctuates
(a) many (b) more (c) much (d) mere
(a) beeping (b) ringing (c) chiming (d) tinkling
(a) impressed (b) expressed (c) repressed (d) suppressed
(a) at (b) on (c) as (d) of
(a) been (b) be (c) being (d) was
(a) being (b) planet (c) soil (d) itself
(a) on (b) to (c) of (d) at
(a) methamphetamine (b) methods (c) meths (d) methane

Spelling

Paragraph 1

another ocniadniit of global warming
with the rcremyu topping 38º Celcius
It altsfetcuu from a low of minus 68ºC
higher than the daily aaervge for June
experiencing a vawtheea
ringing alarm bells with maiscogtosllit

Paragraph 2

rising eepesmttuarr
niuspsnrurig to see records being broken
We ignore it at our eripl
aelccerate global warming
Melting Siberian mrpfreoats
carbon dioxide and aeetmhn

Put the text back together

(...) range on Earth. It fluctuates from a low of minus 68ºC to a high of 37.3ºC. The record heat is 18 degrees higher
(...) than the daily average for June. The Arctic Circle has been experiencing a heatwave for much
(...) year temperature records are being broken around the world, but the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere
(...) accelerate global warming. Melting Siberian permafrost is releasing alarming levels of the greenhouse
(...) town of Verkhoyansk. The town currently holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest temperature
( 1 ) Meteorologists have observed another indication of global warming being in full swing. Temperatures in
(...) future." Professor Chris Rapley of University College London said: "This is a warning message from the Earth i
(...) gasses carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.
(...) the Arctic Circle hit an all-time record on Saturday, with the mercury topping 38º Celsius in the Siberian
(...) else on Earth, so it is unsurprising to see records being broken in this region. We will see more of this in the near
(...) Atmosphere scientist Professor Dann Mitchell expressed his concern on rising temperatures. He told the BBC: "Year-on-
(...) bells with climatologists, who say the Arctic Circle is warming at twice the rate of the global average.
(...) of this year. Temperatures have averaged 10 degrees above normal. This is ringing alarm
(...) itself. We ignore it at our peril." Scientists say higher temperatures in Siberia could

Put the words in the right order

global swing . warming full in Another of indication
in Temperatures Arctic the an all-time record . hit
for June . than Much higher daily average the
with ringing is This climatologists . bells alarm
average . of the rate global twice At the
records are being around Temperature broken world . the
to It being is unsurprising broken . see records
a the from warning Earth itself . This is
global Siberia in accelerate could temperatures Higher warming .
greenhouse the Releasing of gasses . levels alarming

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Meteorologists have observed / reserved another indication of global warming being in full swing. Temperatures in the Arctic Circle impacted / hit an all-time / every-time record on Saturday, with / for the mercury topping 38º Celsius in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk. The town currently holds the Guinness World Record for the greatest temperature level / range on Earth. It fluctuates from a low / shallow of minus 68ºC to a high of 37.3ºC. The record heat is 18 degrees higher than the daily / days average for June. The Arctic Circle has been / being experiencing a heatwave for much of this year. Temperatures have averaged 10 degrees higher / above normal. This is ringing alarm bells with climatologists, who say the Arctic Circle is warming to / at twice the rate of the global average.

Atmosphere scientist Professor Dann Mitchell expressed his concert / concern on rising temperatures. He told the BBC: "Year-on-year temperature records are being broke / broken around the world, but the Arctic is warming faster than anywhere / somewhere else on Earth, so it is unsurprising / uninspiring to see records being broken in this legion / region. We will see more of this in the near / nearly future." Professor Chris Rapley of University College London said: "This is a warning message from the Earth oneself / itself. We ignore it at our peril / imperil." Scientists say higher temperatures in Siberia could accelerate global warming. Melting Siberian permafrost is releasing ringing / alarming levels of the greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide and methane into / onto the atmosphere.

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)

M_t__ r_l_g_s t s h_v_ _b s_r v_d _n_t h_r _n d_c_t__ n _f g l_b_l w_r m_n g b__ n g _n f_l l s w_n g . T_m p_r_t_r_s _n t h_ A r c t_c C_r c l_ h_t _n _l l - t_m_ r_c_r d _n S_t_r d_y , w_t h t h_ m_r c_r y t_p p_n g 3 8 º C_l c__ s _n t h_ S_b_r__ n t_w n _f V_r k h_y_n s k . T h_ t_w n c_r r_n t l y h_l d s t h_ G__ n n_s s W_r l d R_c_r d f_r t h_ g r__ t_s t t_m p_r_t_r_ r_n g_ _n E_r t h . I t f l_c t__ t_s f r_m _ l_w _f m_n_s 6 8 º C t_ _ h_g h _f 3 7 . 3 º C . T h_ r_c_r d h__ t _s 1 8 d_g r__ s h_g h_r t h_n t h_ d__ l y _v_r_g_ f_r J_n_. T h_ A r c t_c C_r c l_ h_s b__ n _x p_r__ n c_n g _ h__ t w_v_ f_r m_c h _f t h_s y__ r . T_m p_r_t_r_s h_v_ _v_r_g_d 1 0 d_g r__ s _b_v_ n_r m_l . T h_s _s r_n g_n g _l_r m b_l l s w_t h c l_m_t_l_g_s t s , w h_ s_y t h_ A r c t_c C_r c l_ _s w_r m_n g _t t w_c_ t h_ r_t_ _f t h_ g l_b_l _v_r_g_.

A t m_s p h_r_ s c__ n t_s t P r_f_s s_r D_n n M_t c h_l l _x p r_s s_d h_s c_n c_r n _n r_s_n g t_m p_r_t_r_s . H_ t_l d t h_ B B C : " Y__ r -_n - y__ r t_m p_r_t_r_ r_c_r d s _r_ b__ n g b r_k_n _r__ n d t h_ w_r l d , b_t t h_ A r c t_c _s w_r m_n g f_s t_r t h_n _n y w h_r_ _l s_ _n E_r t h , s_ _t _s _n s_r p r_s_n g t_ s__ r_c_r d s b__ n g b r_k_n _n t h_s r_g__ n . W_ w_l l s__ m_r_ _f t h_s _n t h_ n__ r f_t_r_. " P r_f_s s_r C h r_s R_p l_y _f U n_v_r s_t y C_l l_g_ L_n d_n s__ d : " T h_s _s _ w_r n_n g m_s s_g_ f r_m t h_ E_r t h _t s_l f . W_ _g n_r_ _t _t __ r p_r_l . " S c__ n t_s t s s_y h_g h_r t_m p_r_t_r_s _n S_b_r__ c__ l d _c c_l_r_t_ g l_b_l w_r m_n g . M_l t_n g S_b_r__ n p_r m_f r_s t _s r_l__ s_n g _l_r m_n g l_v_l s _f t h_ g r__ n h__ s_ g_s s_s c_r b_n d__ x_d_ _n d m_t h_n_ _n t_ t h_ _t m_s p h_r_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

meteorologists have observed another indication of global warming being in full swing temperatures in the arctic circle hit an alltime record on saturday with the mercury topping 38 Celsius in the siberian town of verkhoyansk the town currently holds the guinness world record for the greatest temperature range on earth it fluctuates from a low of minus 68c to a high of 373c the record heat is 18 degrees higher than the daily average for june the arctic circle has been experiencing a heatwave for much of this year temperatures have averaged 10 degrees above normal this is ringing alarm bells with climatologists who say the arctic circle is warming at twice the rate of the global average

atmosphere scientist professor dann mitchell expressed his concern on rising temperatures he told the bbc yearonyear temperature records are being broken around the world but the arctic is warming faster than anywhere else on earth so it is unsurprising to see records being broken in this region we will see more of this in the near future professor chris rapley of university college london said this is a warning message from the earth itself we ignore it at our peril scientists say higher temperatures in siberia could accelerate global warming melting siberian permafrost is releasing alarming levels of the greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Meteorologistshaveobservedanotherindicationofglobalwarmingbei
nginfullswing.TemperaturesintheArcticCirclehitanall-timerecordon
Saturday,withthemercurytopping38ºCelsiusintheSiberiantownofVe
rkhoyansk.ThetowncurrentlyholdstheGuinnessWorldRecordfortheg
reatesttemperaturerangeonEarth.Itfluctuatesfromalowofminus68º
Ctoahighof37.3ºC.Therecordheatis18degreeshigherthanthedailyav
erageforJune.TheArcticCirclehasbeenexperiencingaheatwaveformu
chofthisyear.Temperatureshaveaveraged10degreesabovenormal.T
hisisringingalarmbellswithclimatologists,whosaytheArcticCircleisw
armingattwicetherateoftheglobalaverage.AtmospherescientistProf
essorDannMitchellexpressedhisconcernonrisingtemperatures.Hetol
dtheBBC:"Year-on-yeartemperaturerecordsarebeingbrokenaroun
dtheworld,buttheArcticiswarmingfasterthananywhereelseonEarth,
soitisunsurprisingtoseerecordsbeingbrokeninthisregion.Wewillsee
moreofthisinthenearfuture."ProfessorChrisRapleyofUniversityColle
geLondonsaid:"ThisisawarningmessagefromtheEarthitself.Weignor
eitatourperil."ScientistssayhighertemperaturesinSiberiacouldaccel
erateglobalwarming.MeltingSiberianpermafrostisreleasingalarming
levelsofthegreenhousegassescarbondioxideandmethaneintotheat
mosphere.

Free writing

Write about Arctic Circle for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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Academic writing

We will help the Earth and bring global warming under control. 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 this news story. 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. LIFESTYLE CHANGE: Write a magazine article about governments getting us all to change our lifestyle to combat global warming. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
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 global warming. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to fight global warming. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Arctic Circle

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