The Reading / Listening - Extreme Heat - Level 6

Climate scientists have warned that many parts of the world will experience more extreme heat. The experts are from Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. Its meteorologists analysed world temperatures from satellites, aircraft, weather stations and other databases from around the world. The scientists reported that their figures indicated a high likelihood of an escalation in extreme temperatures. They said: "It was the second warmest June on record for Europe....Heatwave conditions persisted over western North America, where many temperature records were broken. Arctic Siberia also experienced high temperatures."

Professor Peter Stott of the UK's Meteorological Office said: "We are getting used to record high temperatures being recorded somewhere around the world every year now." He added that his primary concern was not the fact that regions are experiencing more heatwaves, but that record high temperatures are increasingly being broken by such large margins. Talking about Canada's recent "heat dome" weather event, professor Stott said: "It is telling us that changes in average climate are leading to rapid escalation not just of extreme temperatures, but of extraordinarily extreme temperatures." The scientists warned that a warming world would mean more droughts and heat-related deaths.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Extreme Heat - Level 4  or  Extreme Heat - Level 5

Sources
  • https://news.yahoo.com/record-june-temperatures-point-more-070713023.html
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/07/06/california-west-heat-wave/
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/05/weather/weather-outlook-elsa-heat-drought-wxn/index.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. EXTREME HEAT: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about extreme heat. 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?
       climate / scientists / world / meteorologists / satellites / temperatures / records /
       record / somewhere / primary / concern / regions / weather / heatwaves / droughts
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. IRREVERSIBLE: Students A strongly believe climate change is irreversible; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. DANGERS: How serious are these climate change dangers? What can we do about them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Seriousness

What We Can Do

Rising sea levels

 

 

Droughts

 

 

Heatwaves

 

 

Wildlife loss

 

 

Melting permafrost

 

 

Wildfires

 

 

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. EXTREME: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "heat". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. WEATHER EVENTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Heatwaves
  • Blizzards
  • Hurricanes
  • Torrential rain
  • Hail
  • Sand storms
  • Tornadoes
  • Flash floods

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. extreme a. A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.
      2. expert b. Pointed out; showed.
      3. meteorologist c. reaching a high or the highest degree; very great.
      4. indicated d. A rapid increase; a rise.
      5. likelihood e. The state or fact of something being probable.
      6. escalation f. Continued firmly in an opinion or a course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure.
      7. persisted g. An expert in or student of meteorology; a weather forecaster.

    Paragraph 2

      8. primary h. A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
      9. concern i. A natural vault or canopy, such as that of the sky or trees.
      10. margin j. Happening in a short time or at a fast pace.
      11. dome k. Most important; main; principal.
      12. rapid l. Worry.
      13. extraordinarily m. In a very unusual or remarkable way.
      14. drought n. Gap.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Scientists said the whole world will experience extreme heat.     T / F
  2. The data in the article comes from the European Union.     T / F
  3. Scientists say last June was the warmest on record.     T / F
  4. Arctic Siberia also experienced record high temperatures.     T / F
  5. A meteorologist said we would never get used to high temperatures.     T / F
  6. Temperature records are being broken by tiny margins.     T / F
  7. A professor warned of extraordinarily extreme temperatures.     T / F
  8. Scientists are warning of more droughts.     T / F

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

  1. experience
  2. extreme
  3. meteorologist
  4. figures
  5. persisted
  6. recorded
  7. primary
  8. margins
  9. rapid
  10. drought
  1. data
  2. gaps
  3. continued
  4. severe
  5. main
  6. quick
  7. undergo
  8. lack of rain
  9. documented
  10. weather forecast

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

  1. their figures indicated a
  2. an escalation
  3. It was the second warmest June
  4. Heatwave conditions persisted over
  5. Arctic Siberia also experienced
  6. being recorded somewhere
  7. his primary
  8. being broken by such large
  9. leading to rapid
  10. more droughts and heat-
  1. in extreme temperatures
  2. concern
  3. high temperatures
  4. high likelihood
  5. escalation
  6. related deaths
  7. margins
  8. western North America
  9. around the world
  10. on record

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
record
stations
parts
escalation
experienced
experts
persisted
figures

Climate scientists have warned that many (1) _____________________ of the world will experience more extreme heat. The (2) _____________________ are from Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. Its meteorologists analysed world temperatures from satellites, aircraft, weather (3) _____________________ and other databases from around the world. The scientists reported that their (4) _____________________ indicated a high likelihood of an (5) _____________________ in extreme temperatures. They said: "It was the second warmest June on (6) _____________________ for Europe....Heatwave conditions (7) _____________________ over western North America, where many temperature records were broken. Arctic Siberia also (8) _____________________ high temperatures."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
extraordinarily
increasingly
related
used
escalation
warming
primary
margins

Professor Peter Stott of the UK's Meteorological Office said: "We are getting (9) _____________________ to record high temperatures being recorded somewhere around the world every year now." He added that his (10) _____________________ concern was not the fact that regions are experiencing more heatwaves, but that record high temperatures are (11) _____________________ being broken by such large (12) _____________________. Talking about Canada's recent "heat dome" weather event, professor Stott said: "It is telling us that changes in average climate are leading to rapid (13) _____________________ not just of extreme temperatures, but of (14) _____________________ extreme temperatures." The scientists warned that a (15) _____________________ world would mean more droughts and heat-(16) _____________________ deaths.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  the world will experience more extreme heat. The ______ Copernicus
     a.  expats are from
     b.  expertise are from
     c.  ex-parts are from
     d.  experts are from
2) world temperatures from satellites, aircraft, weather stations ______
     a.  and other datum bases
     b.  and other data basis
     c.  and other date abases
     d.  and other databases
3)  The scientists reported that their figures indicated a high likelihood ______
     a.  of end escalation
     b.  of end escalating
     c.  of an escalation
     d.  often escalation
4)  It was the second warmest June on record for Europe. Heatwave ______
     a.  condition purse cyst
     b.  conned diction persisted
     c.  condition spur cyst it
     d.  conditions persisted
5)  where many temperature records were broken. ______
     a.  arc tick Siberia also
     b.  A tick Siberia also
     c.  Arctic Siberia also
     d.  a trick Siberia also

6)  ...somewhere around the world every year now. He added that ______
     a.  his primarily concern
     b.  his primary concern
     c.  his prime marry concern
     d.  his prime airy concern
7)  but that record high temperatures are increasingly being broken by ______
     a.  such large mar gins
     b.  such large merging
     c.  such large marge ins
     d.  such large margins
8)  It is telling us that changes in average climate are leading ______
     a.  to rapidly escalation
     b.  to rapid escalation
     c.  to rapids escalation
     d.  to rabid escalation
9)  not just of extreme temperatures, but of extraordinarily ______
     a.  extreme temperatures
     b.  extremity temperatures
     c.  exempt temperatures
     d.  extremely temperatures
10)  The scientists warned that a warming world would ______
     a.  mean more draughts
     b.  mean more drafts
     c.  mean more droughts
     d.  mean more doubts

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Climate scientists have warned that (1) ____________________ the world will experience more extreme heat. (2) ____________________ from Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. Its meteorologists analysed world temperatures (3) ____________________, weather stations and other databases from around the world. The scientists reported that their figures indicated (4) ____________________ of an escalation in extreme temperatures. They said: "It was the second warmest June on record for Europe....Heatwave (5) ____________________ western North America, where many temperature records were broken. (6) ____________________ experienced high temperatures."

Professor Peter Stott of the UK's Meteorological Office said: "We are getting used (7) ____________________ temperatures being recorded somewhere around the world every year now." He added that (8) ____________________ was not the fact that regions are experiencing more heatwaves, but that record high temperatures are increasingly being broken by (9) ____________________. Talking about Canada's recent heat (10) ____________________, professor Stott said: "It is telling us that changes in average climate are (11) ____________________ escalation not just of extreme temperatures, but of extraordinarily extreme temperatures." The scientists warned that a warming world would (12) ____________________ and heat-related deaths.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who warned that many parts of the world will experience extreme heat?
  2. Where is the Earth Observation Programme from?
  3. What did scientists say there was a high likelihood of?
  4. What does the article say about temperatures in Europe in June?
  5. What part of Siberia experienced high temperatures?
  6. Where does Professor Peter Stott work?
  7. What did Professor Stott say we are getting used to?
  8. How did Professor Stott say temperature records are being broken?
  9. What country does the article say experienced a heat dome event?
  10. What did scientists warn there would be more of besides droughts?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Who warned that many parts of the world will experience extreme heat?
a) the WHO
b) climate scientists
c) doctors
d) farmers
2) Where is the Earth Observation Programme from?
a) China
b) NASA
c) Brazil
d) the European Union
3) What did scientists say there was a high likelihood of?
a) overheating
b) extreme cold
c) an escalation in extreme temperatures
d) a decrease in farming land
4) What does the article say about temperatures in Europe in June?
a) they are the second highest ever
b) they are the highest on record
c) they are the third highest ever
d) they are the highest this century
5) What part of Siberia experienced high temperatures?
a) southern Siberia
b) Arctic Siberia
c) Russian Siberia
d) central Siberia

6) Where does Professor Peter Stott work?
a) the UK's Meteorological Office
b) Oxford University
c) NASA
d) the US Weather Agency
7) What did Professor Stott say we are getting used to?
a) protection factor 50 sun screen
b) wearing sunglasses
c) record high temperatures
d) fewer rainy days
8) How did Professor Stott say temperature records are being broken?
a) by large margins
b) by nano-degrees
c) disastrously
d) day by day
9) What country does the article say experienced a heat dome event?
a) Finland
b) Argentina
c) Russia
d) Canada
10) What did scientists warn there would be more of besides droughts?
a) locust plagues
b) sand storms
c) heat-related deaths
d) water wars

Role play

Role  A – Heatwaves
You think heatwaves are the most dangerous weather events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their weather events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): hurricanes, blizzards or flash floods.

Role  B – Hurricanes
You think hurricanes is are the most dangerous weather events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their weather events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): heatwaves, blizzards or flash floods.

Role  C – Blizzards
You think blizzards is are the most dangerous weather events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their weather events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): hurricanes, heatwaves or flash floods.

Role  D – Flash Floods
You think flash floods is are the most dangerous weather events. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their weather events aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): hurricanes, blizzards or heatwaves.

After reading / listening

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

'hot'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'weather'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • parts
    • experts
    • aircraft
    • figures
    • second
    • western
    • used
    • every
    • regions
    • event
    • rapid
    • mean

    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 - Extreme Heat

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'hot'?
    3. Would you like to be a climate scientist?
    4. What extreme weather have you experienced?
    5. Has the weather in your country changed in any way?
    6. What is your favourite weather?
    7. What is causing the extremes in weather?
    8. Would you rather experience extreme heat or cold?
    9. What are the dangers of extreme heat?
    10. What will happen if the Arctic warms up?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'weather'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Which countries will be hit most by extreme temperatures?
    5. What do you know about Canada's heat dome?
    6. How high can temperatures go?
    7. What is the best way to survive extreme heat?
    8. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    9. How can we curb the extreme temperatures?
    10. 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)

    Climate scientists have warned that many (1) ____ of the world will experience more extreme heat. The experts are from Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. Its meteorologists (2) ____ world temperatures from satellites, aircraft, weather stations and (3) ____ databases from around the world. The scientists reported that their figures (4) ____ a high likelihood of an escalation in extreme temperatures. They said: "It was the second warmest June (5) ____ record for Europe....Heatwave conditions (6) ____ over western North America, where many temperature records were broken. Arctic Siberia also experienced high temperatures."

    Professor Peter Stott of the UK's Meteorological Office said: "We are getting used to record high temperatures (7) ____ recorded somewhere around the world every year now." He added that his primary concern was not the (8) ____ that regions are experiencing more heatwaves, but that record high temperatures are increasingly being broken by such large (9) ____. Talking about Canada's recent "heat dome" weather event, professor Stott said: "It is telling us that changes in average climate are leading to (10) ____ escalation not just of extreme temperatures, but of (11) ____ extreme temperatures." The scientists warned that a warming world would mean more (12) ____ and heat-related deaths.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     parts     (b)     area     (c)     region     (d)     hemispheres    
    (a)     analysis     (b)     analytic     (c)     analysed     (d)     analyse    
    (a)     another     (b)     others     (c)     other     (d)     the others    
    (a)     inculcated     (b)     indulged     (c)     indicted     (d)     indicated    
    (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    (a)     persistence     (b)     persisted     (c)     persistent     (d)     persist    
    (a)     be     (b)     were     (c)     been     (d)     being    
    (a)     farce     (b)     fact     (c)     facial     (d)     facade    
    (a)     merges     (b)     migraines     (c)     margins     (d)     mangroves    
    (a)     rabid     (b)     insipid     (c)     vapid     (d)     rapid    
    (a)     extragalactic     (b)     extraordinary     (c)     extraordinaire     (d)     extraordinarily    
    (a)     draughts     (b)     droughts     (c)     doubts     (d)     drafts

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Its iomrteotesgslo analysed...
    2. temperatures from tatlelesis
    3. figures dndiaitec a high likelihood
    4. an aliseoctna in extreme temperatures
    5. Heatwave conditions epssredti
    6. xneeedpierc high temperatures

    Paragraph 2

    1. his marpiry concern
    2. more ahwteaves
    3. broken by such large inrsgam
    4. changes in vraaeeg climate
    5. aeratdlorxrynii extreme
    6. more trogshud and heat-related deaths

    Put the text back together

    (...)  fact that regions are experiencing more heatwaves, but that record high temperatures are increasingly being broken by such large
    1  ) Climate scientists have warned that many parts of the world will experience more extreme heat. The experts
    (...)  the world. The scientists reported that their figures indicated a high likelihood of an escalation
    (...)  in extreme temperatures. They said: "It was the second warmest June on record
    (...)  us that changes in average climate are leading to rapid escalation not just of extreme temperatures, but
    (...)  are from Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. Its meteorologists analysed world
    (...)  recorded somewhere around the world every year now." He added that his primary concern was not the
    (...)  Professor Peter Stott of the UK's Meteorological Office said: "We are getting used to record high temperatures being
    (...)  for Europe....Heatwave conditions persisted over western North America, where many temperature records were
    (...)  temperatures from satellites, aircraft, weather stations and other databases from around
    (...)  margins. Talking about Canada's recent "heat dome" weather event, professor Stott said: "It is telling
    (...)  broken. Arctic Siberia also experienced high temperatures."
    (...)  of extraordinarily extreme temperatures." The scientists warned that a warming
    (...)  world would mean more droughts and heat-related deaths.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. world   Parts   heat   .   extreme   the   experience   of   will
    2. aircraft  .  from  They   temperatures   world   satellites   and   analysed
    3. indicated   an   a   escalation   .   likelihood   of   high   Figures
    4. was   on   second   the   It   June   warmest   record   .
    5. North   America   .   persisted   over   western   conditions   Heatwave
    6. are   to   temperatures   .   used   We   record   high   getting
    7. the   every   around   somewhere   world   year   .   Recorded
    8. experiencing   are   fact   more   heatwaves   .   that   The   regions
    9. about   event   .   Talking   dome   heat   weather   Canada's   recent
    10. world   Scientists   would   warned   a   mean   warming   droughts   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Climate scientists have warned what / that many parts of the world will experience more extreme heat. The expats / experts are from Copernicus, the European Union's Earth Observation Programme. Its meteorologists analysed world / worldly temperatures from satellites, aircraft, weather stations and another / other databases from around the world. The scientists reported that their figurines / figures indicated a high likelihood of an escalation on / in extreme temperatures. They said: "It was the second warmest June in / on record for Europe....Heatwave conditions persisted / resisted over western North America, where many / much temperature records were broken. Arctic Siberia also experienced increase / high temperatures."

    Professor Peter Stott of the UK's Meteorological Office said: "We are getting used to record high / height temperatures being recorded somewhere around the world every year now." He added / minuses that his primary concern was not the fact / farce that regions are experiencing more heatwaves, but that record high temperatures are increased / increasingly being broken by such large merges / margins. Talking about Canada's recent "heat dame / dome" weather event, professor Stott said: "It is telling us that changes in / on average climate are leading to rapid / rabid escalation not just of extreme temperatures, but of extraordinaire / extraordinarily extreme temperatures." The scientists warned / warmed that a warming world would mean more droughts and heat-related deaths.

    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)

    Cl_m_t_  sc__nt_sts  h_v_  w_rn_d  th_t  m_ny  p_rts  _f  th_  w_rld  w_ll  _xp_r__nc_  m_r_  _xtr_m_  h__t.  Th_  _xp_rts  _r_  fr_m  C_p_rn_c_s,  th_  __r_p__n  _n__n's  __rth  _bs_rv_t__n  Pr_gr_mm_.  _ts  m_t__r_l_g_sts  _n_lys_d  w_rld  t_mp_r_t_r_s  fr_m  s_t_ll_t_s,  __rcr_ft,  w__th_r  st_t__ns  _nd  _th_r  d_t_b_s_s  fr_m  _r__nd  th_  w_rld.  Th_  sc__nt_sts  r_p_rt_d  th_t  th__r  f_g_r_s  _nd_c_t_d  _  h_gh  l_k_l_h__d  _f  _n  _sc_l_t__n  _n  _xtr_m_  t_mp_r_t_r_s.  Th_y  s__d:  "_t  w_s  th_  s_c_nd  w_rm_st  J_n_  _n  r_c_rd  f_r  __r_p_....H__tw_v_  c_nd_t__ns  p_rs_st_d  _v_r  w_st_rn  N_rth  _m_r_c_,  wh_r_  m_ny  t_mp_r_t_r_  r_c_rds  w_r_  br_k_n.  _rct_c  S_b_r__  _ls_  _xp_r__nc_d  h_gh  t_mp_r_t_r_s."

    Pr_f_ss_r  P_t_r  St_tt  _f  th_  _K's  M_t__r_l_g_c_l  _ff_c_  s__d:  "W_  _r_  g_tt_ng  _s_d  t_  r_c_rd  h_gh  t_mp_r_t_r_s  b__ng  r_c_rd_d  s_m_wh_r_  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  _v_ry  y__r  n_w."  H_  _dd_d  th_t  h_s  pr_m_ry  c_nc_rn  w_s  n_t  th_  f_ct  th_t  r_g__ns  _r_  _xp_r__nc_ng  m_r_  h__tw_v_s,  b_t  th_t  r_c_rd  h_gh  t_mp_r_t_r_s  _r_  _ncr__s_ngly  b__ng  br_k_n  by  s_ch  l_rg_  m_rg_ns.  T_lk_ng  _b__t  C_n_d_'s  r_c_nt  "h__t  d_m_"  w__th_r  _v_nt,  pr_f_ss_r  St_tt  s__d:  "_t  _s  t_ll_ng  _s  th_t  ch_ng_s  _n  _v_r_g_  cl_m_t_  _r_  l__d_ng  t_  r_p_d  _sc_l_t__n  n_t  j_st  _f  _xtr_m_  t_mp_r_t_r_s,  b_t  _f  _xtr__rd_n_r_ly  _xtr_m_  t_mp_r_t_r_s."  Th_  sc__nt_sts  w_rn_d  th_t  _  w_rm_ng  w_rld  w__ld  m__n  m_r_  dr__ghts  _nd  h__t-r_l_t_d  d__ths.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    climate scientists have warned that many parts of the world will experience more extreme heat the experts are from copernicus the european unions earth observation programme its meteorologists analysed world temperatures from satellites aircraft weather stations and other databases from around the world the scientists reported that their figures indicated a high likelihood of an escalation in extreme temperatures they said it was the second warmest june on record for europeheatwave conditions persisted over western north america where many temperature records were broken arctic siberia also experienced high temperatures

    professor peter stott of the uks meteorological office said we are getting used to record high temperatures being recorded somewhere around the world every year now he added that his primary concern was not the fact that regions are experiencing more heatwaves but that record high temperatures are increasingly being broken by such large margins talking about canadas recent heat dome weather event professor stott said it is telling us that changes in average climate are leading to rapid escalation not just of extreme temperatures but of extraordinarily extreme temperatures the scientists warned that a warming world would mean more droughts and heatrelated deaths

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Climatescientistshavewarnedthatmanypartsoftheworldwillexperien
    cemoreextremeheat.TheexpertsarefromCopernicus,theEuropeanU
    nion'sEarthObservationProgramme.Itsmeteorologistsanalysedworl
    dtemperaturesfromsatellites,aircraft,weatherstationsandotherdata
    basesfromaroundtheworld.Thescientistsreportedthattheirfiguresin
    dicatedahighlikelihoodofanescalationinextremetemperatures.They
    said:"ItwasthesecondwarmestJuneonrecordforEurope....Heatwave
    conditionspersistedoverwesternNorthAmerica,wheremanytempera
    turerecordswerebroken.ArcticSiberiaalsoexperiencedhightemperat
    ures."ProfessorPeterStottoftheUK'sMeteorologicalOfficesaid:"Wear
    egettingusedtorecordhightemperaturesbeingrecordedsomewherea
    roundtheworldeveryyearnow."Headdedthathisprimaryconcernwas
    notthefactthatregionsareexperiencingmoreheatwaves,butthatrecor
    dhightemperaturesareincreasinglybeingbrokenbysuchlargemargin
    s.TalkingaboutCanada'srecent"heatdome"weatherevent,professor
    Stottsaid:"Itistellingusthatchangesinaverageclimateareleadingtora
    pidescalationnotjustofextremetemperatures,butofextraordinarilye
    xtremetemperatures."Thescientistswarnedthatawarmingworldwoul
    dmeanmoredroughtsandheat-relateddeaths.

    Free writing

    Write about extreme heat for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    All world governments should declare a climate emergency. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. EXTREME HEAT: Make a poster about extreme heat. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. EMERGENCY: Write a magazine article about all world governments declaring a climate emergency. 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 extreme heat. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to help the planet. 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.)

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You