Breaking News English Lesson: Rain

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It once rained for two million years, say scientists (11th March 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Rain - Level 6

Farmers pray for rain in times of drought. Most of us have experience of wanting the heavens to open for our garden to be watered during an excessively dry spell. However, none of us can imagine a prolonged period of rain lasting two million years. U.K. geologist and forensic scientist Alastair Ruffell has discovered that 200-300 million years ago, before the single landmass of Pangea separated into continents, Earth did see an era during which it rained non-stop for up to two million years. Dr Ruffell said this helped forge the development of flora and fauna all over the globe. He believes the precipitation may have been sparked by a huge rise in humidity following a series of massive volcanic eruptions.

Dr Ruffell and his team based their findings on research conducted on strata of rock in the Eastern Alps in Europe in the 1970s and 80s. The data showed unusual layers deposited in ancient rock that dated back over 200 million years. Ruffell said this led to growing evidence that the wet period may have been, "the trigger that enabled dinosaurs, and possibly the other members of our modern land-based fauna, to diversify and dominate the land". He added: "It may have been one of the most important events in the history of life, in terms of its role in allowing not only the age of dinosaurs, but also the origins of most key classes that form the modern fauna of…turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Rain - Level 4 or Rain - Level 5

Sources

https://www.unilad.com/news/proof-rained-million-years-earth-carnian-pluvial-event-840634-20240305
https://www.earth.com/news/earth-endured-a-million-years-of-rain-in-the-carnian-pluvial-event/
https://www.iflscience.com/the-carnian-pluvial-event-when-it-rained-for-2-million-years-on-earth-73205

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. RAIN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about rain. 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?
farmers / pray / rain / dry spells / geologist / forensic / scientist / flora / fauna / globe
rock / data / evidence / dinosaurs / diversify / important events / history / crocodiles
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CLOUD SEEDING: Students A strongly believe governments should invest in cloud seeding to ensure there is rain; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. IMPORTANT EVENTS IN HISTORY: What do you know about these events? How important were they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	Its Importance
The Big Bang
The death of the dinosaurs
The invention of the wheel
The Industrial Revolution
World War II
The start of the Internet

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. GLOBE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "globe". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to do on a rainy day at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Study English
Sleep
Housework
Watch a movie
Go for a walk
Splash in puddles
Do the gardening
Visit a museum

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	drought	a.	A period of time.
2.	the heavens	b.	A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
3.	spell	c.	Somebody who studies and is an expert on rocks and the earth's physical structure.
4.	geologist	d.	Relating to or denoting the application of scientific methods and techniques of an investigation.
5.	forensic	e.	The sky (and space).
6.	forge	f.	Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.
7.	precipitation	g.	Make or shape something.

Paragraph 2

8.	strata	h.	Having been in existence for a very long time.
9.	ancient	i.	The animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
10.	evidence	j.	The layers or series of layers of rock in the ground.
11.	trigger	k.	The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
12.	fauna	l.	Have a commanding influence on; exercise control over.
13.	dominate	m.	Cause an event or situation to happen or exist.
14.	mammal	n.	A warm-blooded animal with a backbone and hair or fur, that provides milk to its young.

Before reading / listening

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

Farmers pray for drought in times of heavy rain. T / F
The article says rain turns our gardens into heaven. T / F
There was a single landmass on Earth 300 million years ago. T / F
The rain may have been caused by volcanic eruptions. T / F
The geologists studied research data from the 1990s. T / F
The research data showed unusual rock from the early 10th century. T / F
Geologists say the rain may have facilitated the emergence of dinosaurs. T / F
Geologists say the rain may have facilitated the death of ancient lizards. T / F

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

drought
spell
prolonged
forge
sparked
conducted
deposited
diversify
role
key

left behind
set up
set off
part
period
branch out
carried out
lack of rain
basic
elongated

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

Farmers pray for rain in
for our garden to be watered during an
forge the development of flora
precipitation may have been sparked by
following a series of massive volcanic
research conducted on strata
unusual layers deposited
evidence that the wet period may
diversify and
turtles, crocodiles, lizards and

and fauna
eruptions
dominate the land
of rock
have been the trigger
times of drought
mammals
a huge rise in humidity
in ancient rock
excessively dry spell

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

era
excessively
massive
drought
precipitation
single
prolonged
fauna

Farmers pray for rain in times of (1) _____________________. Most of us have experience of wanting the heavens to open for our garden to be watered during an (2) _____________________ dry spell. However, none of us can imagine a (3) _____________________ period of rain lasting two million years. U.K. geologist and forensic scientist Alastair Ruffell has discovered that 200-300 million years ago, before the (4) _____________________ landmass of Pangea separated into continents, Earth did see an (5) _____________________ during which it rained non-stop for up to two million years. Dr Ruffell said this helped forge the development of flora and (6) _____________________ all over the globe. He believes the (7) _____________________ may have been sparked by a huge rise in humidity following a series of (8) _____________________ volcanic eruptions.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

dated
terms
findings
mammals
evidence
deposited
origins
diversify

Dr Ruffell and his team based their (9) _____________________ on research conducted on strata of rock in the Eastern Alps in Europe in the 1970s and 80s. The data showed unusual layers (10) _____________________ in ancient rock that (11) _____________________ back over 200 million years. Ruffell said this led to growing (12) _____________________ that the wet period may have been, "the trigger that enabled dinosaurs, and possibly the other members of our modern land-based fauna, to (13) _____________________ and dominate the land". He added: "It may have been one of the most important events in the history of life, in (14) _____________________ of its role in allowing not only the age of dinosaurs, but also the (15) _____________________ of most key classes that form the modern fauna of…turtles, crocodiles, lizards and (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Farmers pray for rain in ______
     a. times of drought
     b. times of draught
     c. times of draft
     d. times of drift
2) have experience of wanting the heavens to open for our garden ______
     a. to being watered
     b. to been watered
     c. to be watered
     d. to be water
3) years ago, before the single landmass of Pangea ______
     a. separate it into continents
     b. separated incontinence
     c. separated into continents
     d. separated in two continents
4) Dr Ruffell said this helped forge the development of ______
     a. floral and fauna
     b. flower and fauna
     c. flora and fauna
     d. floorer and fauna
5) a huge rise in humidity following a series of ______
     a. massive volcano eruptions
     b. massive volcanic eruptions
     c. massively volcanic eruptions
     d. massive volcanic eruption

6) Dr Ruffell and his team based their findings on research conducted on _______
     a. starter of rock
     b. smarter of rock
     c. slater of rock
     d. strata of rock
7) The data showed unusual layers deposited ______
     a. inane sent rock
     b. inane shun rock
     c. in ancients rock
     d. in ancient rock
8) members of our modern land-based fauna, to diversify and ______
     a. domino the land
     b. dominate a land
     c. dominate the land
     d. terminate the land
9) in terms of its role in allowing not only the age of dinosaurs, but ______
     a. also the originals
     b. also the origins
     c. also an origins
     d. also the oranges
10) key classes that form the modern fauna of…turtles, crocodiles, ______
     a. lizards and mammals
     b. lizards and mammal
     c. lizard and mammals
     d. lizard and mammal

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Farmers pray for rain in (1) ____________________. Most of us have experience of wanting the heavens to open for our garden to be watered during an (2) ____________________. However, none of us can imagine a prolonged period of rain lasting two million years. U.K. (3) ____________________ scientist Alastair Ruffell has discovered that 200-300 million years ago, before the single landmass of Pangea separated into continents, Earth did see an (4) ____________________ it rained non-stop for up to two million years. Dr Ruffell said this helped forge the development of (5) ____________________ all over the globe. He believes the precipitation may have been sparked by a huge rise in humidity following a (6) ____________________ volcanic eruptions.

Dr Ruffell and his team (7) ____________________ on research conducted on strata of rock in the Eastern Alps in Europe in the 1970s and 80s. The data showed (8) ____________________ in ancient rock that dated back over 200 million years. Ruffell said this led to (9) ____________________ the wet period may have been, "the trigger that enabled dinosaurs, and possibly the other members of our modern land-based fauna, to (10) ____________________ the land". He added: "It may have been one of the most important events in the history of life, in terms of (11) ____________________ allowing not only the age of dinosaurs, but also the origins of most key classes that form the modern fauna of…turtles, crocodiles, (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

When do farmers pray for rain?
Why have most of us wanted the heavens to open?
What was the name of the single land mass that was once on Earth?
What did a geologist say the rain helped to forge?
What may have sparked a huge rise in humidity?
Where was the rock that the geologists studied?
What did a geologist say the rain may have triggered?
What did dinosaurs dominate?
What was the rain one of the most important events in the history of?
What did the rain lead to, besides turtles, crocodiles and lizards?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When do farmers pray for rain?
a) when they go to church
b) in times of drought
c) all the time
d) in the winter
2) Why have most of us wanted the heavens to open?
a) the sky
b) the pearly gates
c) a better future
d) to water the garden
3) What was the name of the single land mass that was once on Earth?
a) Pangolin
b) Pangram
c) Pangea
d) Pang
4) What did a geologist say the rain helped to forge?
a) the development of flora and fauna
b) the metal industry
c) fake rain
d) ahead
5) What may have sparked a huge rise in humidity?
a) magma
b) massive volcanic eruptions
c) ancient global warming
d) fossil fuels

6) Where was the rock that the geologists studied?
a) the Eastern Alps in Europe
b) the Eastern Alps in Europe
c) Eastern Europe in the Alps
d) the Himalayas
7) What did a geologist say the rain may have triggered?
a) giant plants
b) huge tsunami
c) the dinosaurs
d) waterfalls
8) What did dinosaurs dominate?
a) the land
b) early humans
c) the rainforests
d) mammals
9) What was the rain one of the most important events in the history of?
a) flooding
b) weather
c) water
d) life
10) What did the rain lead to, besides turtles, crocodiles and lizards?
a) alligators
b) tortoises
c) mammals
d) geckos

Role play

Role A – Study English
You think studying English is the best rainy-day activity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): going for a walk, visiting a museum or sleeping.

Role B – Go for a Walk
You think going for a walk is the best rainy-day activity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): studying English, visiting a museum or sleeping.

Role C – Visit a Museum
You think visiting a museum is the best rainy-day activity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): going for a walk, studying English or sleeping.

Role D – Sleep
You think sleeping is the best rainy-day activity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): going for a walk, visiting a museum or studying English.

After reading / listening

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

'rain'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'million'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

pray

none

single

during

globe

series

based

unusual

growing

most

age

form

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 - Rain

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 'million'?
Have you ever prayed for rain?
What do you think of rain?
How important is rain?
How do you feel when it rains all day long?
How would you feel if it rained every day for a year?
How does heavy rain make you feel?
Would you like to live somewhere where it never rains?
What do you know about the Earth of 200 million years ago?

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 'rain'?
What do you think about what you read?
What can we learn from studying rocks?
What do you know about the dinosaurs?
Would you like to go back to the time of the dinosaurs?
What do you know about the earth 200 million years ago?
What are the most important events in the history of your life?
What will Earth be like in 200 million years from now?
What questions would you like to ask the geologists?

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)

Farmers pray for rain in times of (1) ____. Most of us have experience of wanting the heavens to open for our garden to be (2) ____ during an excessively dry spell. However, none of us can imagine a prolonged period of rain lasting two million years. U.K. geologist and (3) ____ scientist Alastair Ruffell has discovered that 200-300 million years ago, before the single landmass of Pangea separated into continents, Earth did see an (4) ____ during which it rained non-stop for up to two million years. Dr Ruffell said this helped forge the development of flora and fauna all over the globe. He believes the precipitation may have been sparked (5) ____ a huge rise in humidity following a series of massive volcanic (6) ____.

Dr Ruffell and his team based their findings (7) ____ research conducted on strata of rock in the Eastern Alps in Europe in the 1970s and 80s. The data showed unusual layers deposited in ancient rock that (8) ____ back over 200 million years. Ruffell said this led to growing evidence that the wet period may have been, "the (9) ____ that enabled dinosaurs, and possibly the other members of our modern land-based fauna, to (10) ____ and dominate the land". He added: "It may have been one of the most important events in the history of life, in (11) ____ of its role in allowing not only the age of dinosaurs, but also the origins of most key (12) ____ that form the modern fauna of…turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) drought (b) draft (c) draught (d) doubt
(a) water (b) waters (c) watered (d) watering
(a) plastic (b) arsenic (c) forensic (d) endemic
(a) aura (b) arura (c) aerial (d) era
(a) by (b) at (c) on (d) as
(a) evolutions (b) eruptions (c) exertions (d) emotions
(a) to (b) of (c) at (d) on
(a) debated (b) dated (c) bated (d) rated
(a) lock (b) stock (c) trigger (d) barrel
(a) amplify (b) indemnify (c) revivify (d) diversify
(a) times (b) teams (c) terns (d) terms
(a) lessons (b) classes (c) tutorials (d) seminars

Spelling

Paragraph 1

pray for rain in times of turdogh
during an vsesylxicee dry spell
a goprldoen period of rain
geologist and cnseifro scientist
sparked by a huge rise in tyihiumd
a series of massive volcanic uronpstie

Paragraph 2

research conducted on saartt of rock
deposited in cnnieat rock
growing ndivceee
esvfridiy and dominate the land
the age of isnsdauor
crocodiles, idarzsl and mammals

Put the text back together

(...)   members of our modern land-based fauna, to diversify and dominate the land". He added: "It may have been one of the
(...)   period of rain lasting two million years. U.K. geologist and forensic scientist Alastair Ruffell has discovered
(...)   Dr Ruffell and his team based their findings on research conducted on strata of rock
(...)   evidence that the wet period may have been, "the trigger that enabled dinosaurs, and possibly the other
(...)   most important events in the history of life, in terms of its role in allowing not only the age of dinosaurs, but also the
(...)   rock that dated back over 200 million years. Ruffell said this led to growing
(...)   by a huge rise in humidity following a series of massive volcanic eruptions.
(...)   during which it rained non-stop for up to two million years. Dr Ruffell said this helped forge the development
(...)   that 200-300 million years ago, before the single landmass of Pangea separated into continents, Earth did see an era
(...)   open for our garden to be watered during an excessively dry spell. However, none of us can imagine a prolonged
(...)   origins of most key classes that form the modern fauna of…turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals."
(...)   of flora and fauna all over the globe. He believes the precipitation may have been sparked
(..1..) Farmers pray for rain in times of drought. Most of us have experience of wanting the heavens to
(...)   in the Eastern Alps in Europe in the 1970s and 80s. The data showed unusual layers deposited in ancient

Put the words in the right order

in of rain for pray Farmers drought . times
to open . heavens wanting experience Have of the
into landmass continents . Pangea separated single The of
helped development forge the flora . of This
huge rise in humidity . a Sparked by
was of conducted on research strata rock . The
years . over that back million dated Rock 200
have may period The wet been the trigger .
the in important events of The history life .
that form classes key fauna . modern Most the

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Farmers pray for / to rain in times of drought. Most of us have experience of wanting the hell / heavens to open for our garden to be watered during an excessively dry spell. However, none of us can imagine a prolonged / elongated period of rain lasting two million years. U.K. geologist and frenetic / forensic scientist Alastair Ruffell has discovered that 200-300 million years ago, before the single landmass of Pangea separated onto / into continents, Earth did see an era during which / when it rained non-stop for up to two million years. Dr Ruffell said this helped forge / forage the development of flora and fauna all over the globe. He believes the participation / precipitation may have been sparked by a huge rise in humid / humidity following a series of massive volcanic ablutions / eruptions.

Dr Ruffell and his team biased / based their findings on research conducted on strata of / to rock in the Eastern Alps in Europe in the 1970s and 80s. The data showed unusual layers withdrawn / deposited in ancient rock that dated forward / back over 200 million years. Ruffell said this led to growing / grown evidence that the wet period may have been, "the trigger that enabled dinosaurs, and possibly the other members of our modern land-based fawns / fauna, to diversify and dominate the land". He added: "It may have been once / one of the most important events in the history of life, in terms of its roll / role in allowing not only the age of dinosaurs, but also the origins on / of most key classes / lessons that form the modern fauna of…turtles, crocodiles, lizards and mammals."

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

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

F_rm_rs pr_y f_r r__n _n t_m_s _f dr__ght. M_st _f _s h_v_ _xp_r__nc_ _f w_nt_ng th_ h__v_ns t_ _p_n f_r __r g_rd_n t_ b_ w_t_r_d d_r_ng _n _xc_ss_v_ly dry sp_ll. H_w_v_r, n_n_ _f _s c_n _m_g_n_ _ pr_l_ng_d p_r__d _f r__n l_st_ng tw_ m_ll__n y__rs. _.K. g__l_g_st _nd f_r_ns_c sc__nt_st _l_st__r R_ff_ll h_s d_sc_v_r_d th_t 200-300 m_ll__n y__rs _g_, b_f_r_ th_ s_ngl_ l_ndm_ss _f P_ng__ s_p_r_t_d _nt_ c_nt_n_nts, __rth d_d s__ _n _r_ d_r_ng wh_ch _t r__n_d n_n-st_p f_r _p t_ tw_ m_ll__n y__rs. Dr R_ff_ll s__d th_s h_lp_d f_rg_ th_ d_v_l_pm_nt _f fl_r_ _nd f__n_ _ll _v_r th_ gl_b_. H_ b_l__v_s th_ pr_c_p_t_t__n m_y h_v_ b__n sp_rk_d by _ h_g_ r_s_ _n h_m_d_ty f_ll_w_ng _ s_r__s _f m_ss_v_ v_lc_n_c _r_pt__ns.

Dr R_ff_ll _nd h_s t__m b_s_d th__r f_nd_ngs _n r_s__rch c_nd_ct_d _n str_t_ _f r_ck _n th_ __st_rn _lps _n __r_p_ _n th_ 1970s _nd 80s. Th_ d_t_ sh_w_d _n_s__l l_y_rs d_p_s_t_d _n _nc__nt r_ck th_t d_t_d b_ck _v_r 200 m_ll__n y__rs. R_ff_ll s__d th_s l_d t_ gr_w_ng _v_d_nc_ th_t th_ w_t p_r__d m_y h_v_ b__n, "th_ tr_gg_r th_t _n_bl_d d_n_s__rs, _nd p_ss_bly th_ _th_r m_mb_rs _f __r m_d_rn l_nd-b_s_d f__n_, t_ d_v_rs_fy _nd d_m_n_t_ th_ l_nd". H_ _dd_d: "_t m_y h_v_ b__n _n_ _f th_ m_st _mp_rt_nt _v_nts _n th_ h_st_ry _f l_f_, _n t_rms _f _ts r_l_ _n _ll_w_ng n_t _nly th_ _g_ _f d_n_s__rs, b_t _ls_ th_ _r_g_ns _f m_st k_y cl_ss_s th_t f_rm th_ m_d_rn f__n_ _f…t_rtl_s, cr_c_d_l_s, l_z_rds _nd m_mm_ls."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

farmers pray for rain in times of drought most of us have experience of wanting the heavens to open for our garden to be watered during an excessively dry spell however none of us can imagine a prolonged period of rain lasting two million years uk geologist and forensic scientist alastair ruffell has discovered that 200300 million years ago before the single landmass of pangea separated into continents earth did see an era during which it rained nonstop for up to two million years dr ruffell said this helped forge the development of flora and fauna all over the globe he believes the precipitation may have been sparked by a huge rise in humidity following a series of massive volcanic eruptions

dr ruffell and his team based their findings on research conducted on strata of rock in the eastern alps in europe in the 1970s and 80s the data showed unusual layers deposited in ancient rock that dated back over 200 million years ruffell said this led to growing evidence that the wet period may have been the trigger that enabled dinosaurs and possibly the other members of our modern landbased fauna to diversify and dominate the land he added it may have been one of the most important events in the history of life in terms of its role in allowing not only the age of dinosaurs but also the origins of most key classes that form the modern fauna of turtles crocodiles lizards and mammals

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Farmersprayforrainintimesofdrought.Mostofushaveexperienceofwa
ntingtheheavenstoopenforourgardentobewateredduringanexcessiv
elydryspell.However,noneofuscanimagineaprolongedperiodofrainla
stingtwomillionyears.U.K.geologistandforensicscientistAlastairRuff
ellhasdiscoveredthat200-300millionyearsago,beforethesinglelan
dmassofPangeaseparatedintocontinents,Earthdidseeaneraduringw
hichitrainednon-stopforuptotwomillionyears.DrRuffellsaidthishelp
edforgethedevelopmentoffloraandfaunaallovertheglobe.Hebelieve
stheprecipitationmayhavebeensparkedbyahugeriseinhumidityfollo
wingaseriesofmassivevolcaniceruptions.DrRuffellandhisteambased
theirfindingsonresearchconductedonstrataofrockintheEasternAlpsinE
uropeinthe1970sand80s.Thedatashowedunusuallayersdeposited
inancientrockthatdatedbackover200millionyears.Ruffellsaidthisledt
ogrowingevidencethatthewetperiodmayhavebeen,"thetriggerthate
nableddinosaurs,andpossiblytheothermembersofourmodernland-
basedfauna,todiversifyanddominatetheland".Headded:"Itmayhave
beenoneofthemostimportanteventsinthehistoryoflife,intermsofitsro
leinallowingnotonlytheageofdinosaurs,butalsotheoriginsofmostkey
classesthatformthemodernfaunaof…turtles,crocodiles,lizardsandm
ammals."

Free writing

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

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Academic writing

The most important events in history happened millions of years ago. 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. RAIN: Make a poster about rain. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. RAIN MAKER: Write a magazine article about governments spending money on rainmaking machines. 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 rain. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on rain. 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: Rain

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