Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.
This is the text (if you need help).
A dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia is escalating tensions in the region. African Union-led talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam broke down on Monday. There are fears that the filling of the dam could lead to armed conflict. Ethiopia is constructing the dam to supply electricity to its rural areas. It is the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa and is two-thirds finished. Ethiopia has started filling the dam, which has raised alarm in Cairo. Egypt views the dam as an "existential threat" and is concerned the dam will reduce its water supplies. Most of Egypt's water comes entirely from the Nile, particularly during times of drought.
The Blue Nile originates in natural springs above Lake Tana in Ethiopia. It supplies the majority of the water for the Nile River. The Blue Nile merges with the White Nile near Khartoum in Sudan. The waterway becomes the River Nile from the point of confluence of the two rivers. Ethiopia calls the dam an "existential necessity". Taxes from Ethiopian citizens have largely paid for the dam. Ethiopia's government says the dam is essential as nearly half the country's population lacks access to electricity. Egypt has said it could share electricity with Ethiopia instead of the dam being used. An Egyptian politician said: "One nation's need for electricity is pinned to another nation's need for water."
Comprehension questions- On what river is the hydroelectric dam being built?
- What is the name of the dam?
- What are people worried the filling of the dam could result in?
- What does Cairo view the dam as being?
- In what times is the Nile particularly important for Egypt?
- Where are the natural springs that are the source of the Blue Nile?
- Where does the Blue Nile merge with the White Nile?
- What does Ethiopia call the dam?
- How much of Ethiopia is without electricity?
- What did a politician say one nation's need for electricity is pinned to?
Back to the River Nile dam lesson.
