The Reading / Listening - Ice Age - Level 3

Researchers say they know when the next ice age will come. Wikipedia says: "An ice age is a long period of reduction in the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice sheets, and alpine glaciers." The researchers are from Cardiff University in the UK. They predicted that the next ice age should arrive in 10,000 years from now. However, the scientists believe it could be delayed because of human activity. A member of the research team said climate change could delay the next ice age. She said global warming could make it "very unlikely" that the next freeze will arrive on time.

The scientists said melting glaciers in the North and South Poles will push back the next ice age. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Barker studied what caused past ice ages to happen. His team looked at nearly one million years of climate data. They found that there was a relationship between changes in the Earth's axis, global temperatures, and the size of Antarctica and the Arctic. When the amount of ice on the continental ice sheets was stable, ice ages happened at regular intervals. However, Professor Barker said less ice means a longer gap between ice ages. He added: "Earth's climate is an interconnected system of complex processes, all acting together to produce the changes we observe."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Ice Age - Level 0,  Ice Age - Level 1   or  Ice Age - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.newser.com/story/365087/researchers-predict-next-ice-age-with-a-catch.html
  • https://www.sciencealert.com/study-reveals-how-earths-orbit-triggers-ice-ages-and-theres-one-in-the-next-11000-years
  • https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/next-ice-age-would-hit-earth-in-11-000-years-if-it-weren-t-for-climate-change-scientists-say/ar-AA1zW7QG
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_age


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. ICE AGES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about ice ages. 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?
       researchers / ice age / temperature / atmosphere / glaciers / human activity / freeze /
       North Pole / climate / Earth's axis / Antarctica / Earth / system / complex processes
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. FREEZING: Students A strongly believe freezing cold weather is better than boiling hot weather; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. EFFECTS OF ICE AGE: What are the effects of an ice age on these things? What would you do? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Effects

What I Would Do

Climate

 

 

Geography

 

 

Human life

 

 

Animals

 

 

Food

 

 

Daily life

 

 
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. COLD: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "cold". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. GLOBAL WARMING: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that most affect global warming at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Burning fossil fuels
  • Tourism
  • Shipping
  • Deforestation
  • Farming
  • Factories
  • Cars
  • Overconsumption

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. period a. A length of time.
      2. reduction b. Said (guessed) what will happen in the future.
      3. temperature c. When something becomes smaller or less.
      4. surface d. Large areas of ice that move slowly, usually down a mountain.
      5. glaciers e. How hot or cold something is.
      6. predicted f. The top part of something.
      7. freeze g. A period (time) of very, very cold (icy) weather.

    Paragraph 2

      8. melting h. Not changing; staying the same.
      9. delay i. About one of the large pieces of land on Earth.
      10. axis j. When ice changes to water because it is warm.
      11. continental k. The time between two things happening.
      12. stable l. To make something happen later.
      13. interval m. To watch or notice something.
      14.

observe

 n.

An invisible line that something, like the Earth, turns around.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Researchers are unsure when the next ice age will be.     T / F
  2. In an ice age, polar ice sheets decrease in size.     T / F
  3. Human activity could mean the next ice age is delayed.     T / F
  4. A researcher said an ice age could delay global warming.     T / F
  5. Melting glaciers in the North Pole will delay the next ice age.     T / F
  6. Scientists looked at a billion years of climate data.     T / F
  7. The amount of ice in the world affects the Earth's axis.     T / F
  8. More ice on Earth means longer gaps between ice ages.     T / F

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

  1. come
  2. reduction
  3. expansion
  4. delay
  5. unlikely
  6. caused
  7. data
  8. global
  9. regular
  10. observe
  1. increase
  2. frequent
  3. doubtful
  4. facts
  5. slow down
  6. arrive
  7. see
  8. cut
  9. worldwide
  10. brought about

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

  1. a long period of reduction
  2. polar ice sheets, and alpine
  3. delayed because of human
  4. climate change could delay
  5. very unlikely that the next freeze
  6. melting
  7. in the North and South
  8. nearly one million years
  9. ice ages happened at regular
  10. a longer gap
  1. glaciers
  2. the next ice age
  3. of climate data
  4. activity
  5. between ice ages
  6. in the temperature
  7. intervals
  8. will arrive on time
  9. Poles
  10. glaciers

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
predicted
come
unlikely
sheets
member
delay
period
now

Researchers say they know when the next ice age will (1) ______________________________________________. Wikipedia says: "An ice age is a long (2) ______________________________________________ of reduction in the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice (3) ______________________________________________, and alpine glaciers." The researchers are from Cardiff University in the UK. They (4) ______________________________________________ that the next ice age should arrive in 10,000 years from (5) ______________________________________________. However, the scientists believe it could be delayed because of human activity. A (6) ______________________________________________ of the research team said climate change could (7) ______________________________________________ the next ice age. She said global warming could make it "very (8) ______________________________________________" that the next freeze will arrive on time.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
data
sheets
melting
acting
axis
system
caused
intervals

The scientists said (9) ______________________________________________ glaciers in the North and South Poles will push back the next ice age. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Barker studied what (10) ______________________________________________ past ice ages to happen. His team looked at nearly one million years of climate (11) ______________________________________________. They found that there was a relationship between changes in the Earth's (12) ______________________________________________, global temperatures, and the size of Antarctica and the Arctic. When the amount of ice on the continental ice (13) ______________________________________________ was stable, ice ages happened at regular (14) ______________________________________________. However, Professor Barker said less ice means a longer gap between ice ages. He added: "Earth's climate is an interconnected (15) ______________________________________________ of complex processes, all (16) ______________________________________________ together to produce the changes we observe."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Researchers say they know when the next ice ______
     a.  age will go
     b.  age will come
     c.  age welcome
     d.  aged will come
2)  An ice age is a long period of reduction in the temperature ______
     a.  of Earth's surf faces
     b.  of Earth's surface
     c.  of Earth's surfaced
     d.  off Earth's surface
3)  resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and ______
     a.  pole are ice sheets
     b.  polar icy sheets
     c.  polar ice sheets
     d.  polar ice sleets
4)  They predicted that the next ice age should arrive in 10,000 ______
     a.  years off now
     b.  years by now
     c.  years from now
     d.  years then now
5)  She said global warming could make ______
     a.  is "very unlikely"
     b.  it "very unlikely"
     c.  it "very unlikelihood"
     d.  it "very unliked

6)  Lead researcher Professor Stephen Barker studied what caused past ice ______
     a.  age is to happen
     b.  ages too happen
     c.  ages to happen
     d.  ages to happens
7)  His team looked at nearly one million years ______
     a.  of crime at data
     b.  of climb at data
     c.  off climate data
     d.  of climate data
8)  the amount of ice on the continental ice sheets was stable, ice ages happened ______
     a.  at regularly intervals
     b.  at regular intervals
     c.  that regular intervals
     d.  what regular intervals
9)  Earth's climate is an interconnected system ______
     a.  off complex processes
     b.  of complex processes
     c.  of complexes processes
     d.  of complexed processes
10)  all acting together to produce the ______
     a.  changes we reserve
     b.  changes he observe
     c.  changes we observe
     d.  changes us observe

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Researchers say (1) __________________________________________________ the next ice age will come. Wikipedia says: "An ice age is a long period of reduction in the temperature (2) __________________________________________________ and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and (3) __________________________________________________, and alpine glaciers." The researchers are from Cardiff University in the UK. They predicted that the next ice age should arrive in 10,000 years from now. However, the scientists believe it (4) __________________________________________________ because of human activity. A member of the research team said climate change (5) __________________________________________________ next ice age. She said global warming could make it "very unlikely" that the next freeze will (6) __________________________________________________.

The scientists said (7) __________________________________________________ the North and South Poles will push back the next ice age. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Barker studied (8) __________________________________________________ ice ages to happen. His team looked at nearly one million years (9) __________________________________________________. They found that there was a relationship between changes in the Earth's axis, global temperatures, and (10) __________________________________________________ Antarctica and the Arctic. When the amount of ice on the continental ice sheets was stable, ice ages happened (11) __________________________________________________. However, Professor Barker said less ice means a longer gap between ice ages. He added: "Earth's climate is an interconnected system of complex processes, (12) __________________________________________________ to produce the changes we observe."

Comprehension questions

  1. Which website did the writer get a definition of an ice age from?
  2. What expands in an ice age besides continental and polar ice sheets?
  3. Which university are the researchers from?
  4. What could delay the next ice age?
  5. What might make it "very unlikely" that the next ice age will be on time?
  6. What might push back the next ice age?
  7. How much data did the researchers look at?
  8. How often do ice ages happen when continental ice sheets are stable?
  9. What does less ice on Earth cause between ice ages?
  10. What is Earth's climate an interconnected system of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Which website did the writer get a definition of an ice age from?
a) BreakingNewsEnglish
b) the BBC
c) YouTube
d) Wikipedia
2) What expands in an ice age besides continental and polar ice sheets?
a) oceans
b) alpine glaciers
c) mountains
d) continents
3) Which university are the researchers from?
a) Cairo University
b) Tokyo University
c) MIT
d) Cardiff University
4) What could delay the next ice age?
a) the freezing point of ice
b) space travel
c) human activity
d) the dinosaurs
5) What might make it "very unlikely" that the next ice age will be on time?
a) magnets
b) poorly made watches
c) forest fires
d) global warming

6) What might push back the next ice age?
a) forest fires
b) agriculture
c) melting glaciers
d) electric cars
7) How much data did the researchers look at?
a) a million years' worth
b) a billion years' worth
c) thousands of years' worth
d) hundreds of thousands of years' worth
8) How often do ice ages happen when continental ice sheets are stable?
a) not often
b) every 5,000 years
c) at regular intervals
d) once in a blue moon
9) What does less ice on Earth cause between ice ages?
a) more earthquakes
b) a longer gap
c) hotter nights
d) fewer penguins
10) What is Earth's climate an interconnected system of?
a) complex processes
b) mountains
c) oceans
d) clouds

Role play

Role  A – Burning Fossil Fuels
You think burning fossil fuels is the worst thing for climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as damaging Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why): deforestation, farming or overconsumption.

Role  B – Deforestation
You think deforestation is the worst thing for climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as damaging Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why): burning fossil fuels, farming or overconsumption.

Role  C – Farming
You think farming is the worst thing for climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as damaging Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why): deforestation, burning fossil fuels or overconsumption.

Role  D – Overconsumption
You think overconsumption is the worst thing for climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as damaging Also, tell the others which is the least damaging of these (and why): deforestation, farming or burning fossil fuels.

After reading / listening

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

'ice age'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'global warming'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • next
    • polar
    • predicted
    • believe
    • member
    • unlikely
    • melting
    • happen
    • data
    • size
    • stable
    • complex

    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 - Ice Age

    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 'ice'?
    3. What do you know about ice ages?
    4. How would an ice age change Earth?
    5. Do you prefer freezing cold or boiling hot weather?
    6. What's the best temperature for your town to be?
    7. What do you think of temperatures today?
    8. What will the world be like in 10,000 years from now?
    9. What do you think of climate change?
    10. What can you do to help climate change?

    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 'age'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about the North and South Poles?
    5. How has Earth's climate changed over the past million years?
    6. What do you think of ice on the streets?
    7. How will humans survive an ice age?
    8. Could global warming prevent ice ages?
    9. Have you seen the movie 'Ice Age'?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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)

    Researchers say they (1) ____ when the next ice age will come. Wikipedia says: "An ice age is a long period of reduction (2) ____ the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the (3) ____ or expansion of continental and polar ice sheets, and alpine glaciers." The researchers are from Cardiff University in the UK. They predicted that the next ice age should (4) ____ in 10,000 years from now. However, the scientists believe it could (5) ____ delayed because of human activity. A member of the research team said climate change could delay the next ice age. She said global warming could make it "very (6) ____" that the next freeze will arrive on time.

    The scientists said (7) ____ glaciers in the North and South Poles will push back the next ice age. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Barker studied what (8) ____ past ice ages to happen. His team looked at nearly one million years of climate data. They found that there was a relationship (9) ____ changes in the Earth's axis, global temperatures, and the size of Antarctica and the Arctic. When the amount of ice on the continental ice (10) ____ was stable, ice ages happened at regular intervals. However, Professor Barker said less ice means a longer (11) ____ between ice ages. He added: "Earth's climate is an interconnected system of complex processes, all acting together to produce the changes we (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     known     (b)     knew     (c)     know     (d)     knowing    
    2. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    3. (a)     presence     (b)     present     (c)     presents     (d)     pheasants    
    4. (a)     arrive     (b)     depart     (c)     alight     (d)     board    
    5. (a)     have     (b)     be     (c)     do     (d)     should    
    6. (a)     likes     (b)     liking     (c)     likelihood     (d)     unlikely    
    7. (a)     molten     (b)     melt     (c)     melting     (d)     molt    
    8. (a)     froze     (b)     stated     (c)     happened     (d)     caused    
    9. (a)     between     (b)     over     (c)     as     (d)     that    
    10. (a)     sheets     (b)     blankets     (c)     quilts     (d)     layers    
    11. (a)     tap     (b)     gap     (c)     sap     (d)     lap    
    12. (a)     serve     (b)     look     (c)     observe     (d)     object

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. reduction in the mtretereuap
    2. Earth's surface and esrpmtahoe
    3. paolr ice sheets
    4. They epcteridd that
    5. edaly the next ice age
    6. make it very lnyleiuk

    Paragraph 2

    1. melting licgsare
    2. one million years of tmielca data
    3. Earth's ixsa
    4. the nmuota of ice
    5. at regular tealrvisn
    6. an interconnected system of complex pssreosec

    Put the text back together

    (...)  sheets was stable, ice ages happened at regular intervals. However, Professor Barker said less ice means a longer
    (...)  of the research team said climate change could delay the next ice age. She said global
    (...)  period of reduction in the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting
    (...)  in the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice sheets, and alpine glaciers." The researchers are from Cardiff University
    (  1  )  Researchers say they know when the next ice age will come. Wikipedia says: "An ice age is a long
    (...)  The scientists said melting glaciers in the North and South Poles will push back the next ice age. Lead
    (...)  of complex processes, all acting together to produce the changes we observe."
    (...)  million years of climate data. They found that there was a relationship between changes in the Earth's
    (...)  axis, global temperatures, and the size of Antarctica and the Arctic. When the amount of ice on the continental ice
    (...)  gap between ice ages. He added: "Earth's climate is an interconnected system
    (...)  warming could make it "very unlikely" that the next freeze will arrive on time.
    (...)  now. However, the scientists believe it could be delayed because of human activity. A member
    (...)  in the UK. They predicted that the next ice age should arrive in 10,000 years from
    (...)  researcher Professor Stephen Barker studied what caused past ice ages to happen. His team looked at nearly one

    Put the words in the right order

    1. will   age   ice   when   know   the   They   come   .
    2. in   reduction   the   temperature   .   period   A   long   of
    3. ice   years   .   should   age   The   in   arrive   10,000
    4. next   the   could   change   Climate   age   .   ice   delay
    5. warming   very   unlikely   .   Global   could   make   it
    6. what   happen   .   ice   to   ages   studied   He   caused
    7. climate   years   one   at   Looked   data   .   of   million
    8. of   ice   the   on   amount   sheets   .   ice   The
    9. intervals   .   happened   Ice   ages   at   regular   that
    10. the   together   to   All   changes   .   acting   produce

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Researchers say they know when the next ice age will go / come. Wikipedia says: "An ice age is a long period of reduction in / on the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in / at the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice blankets / sheets, and alpine glaciers." The researchers are from Cardiff University in the UK. They prediction / predicted that the next ice age should arrive in 10,000 years from then / now. However, the scientists believe it / they could be delayed because of human / humane activity. A member of the research team said climate change could delay / relay the next ice age. She said global warming could make it "very unlikely" that the next freeze / frozen will arrive on time.

    The scientists said melting / molten glaciers in the North and South Poles will push / rush back the next ice age. Lead researcher Professor Stephen Barker studied what caused past / passed ice ages to happen. His team looked at nearby / nearly one million years of climate data. They found that there was a relationship between chances / changes in the Earth's axis, global temperatures, and the / a size of Antarctica and the Arctic. When the amount of ice on the continental ice sheets was / were stable, ice ages happened at regular intervals / interval. However, Professor Barker said less ice means a longer gap between ice ages. He added: "Earth's climate is an interconnected system of complex process / processes, all acting together to produce the changes we / that observe."

    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)

    R_s__rch_rs s_y th_y kn_w wh_n th_ n_xt _c_ _g_ w_ll c_m_. W_k_p_d__ s_ys: "_n _c_ _g_ _s _ l_ng p_r__d _f r_d_ct__n _n th_ t_mp_r_t_r_ _f __rth's s_rf_c_ _nd _tm_sph_r_, r_s_lt_ng _n th_ pr_s_nc_ _r _xp_ns__n _f c_nt_n_nt_l _nd p_l_r _c_ sh__ts, _nd _lp_n_ gl_c__rs." Th_ r_s__rch_rs _r_ fr_m C_rd_ff _n_v_rs_ty _n th_ _K. Th_y pr_d_ct_d th_t th_ n_xt _c_ _g_ sh__ld _rr_v_ _n 10,000 y__rs fr_m n_w. H_w_v_r, th_ sc__nt_sts b_l__v_ _t c__ld b_ d_l_y_d b_c__s_ _f h_m_n _ct_v_ty. _ m_mb_r _f th_ r_s__rch t__m s__d cl_m_t_ ch_ng_ c__ld d_l_y th_ n_xt _c_ _g_. Sh_ s__d gl_b_l w_rm_ng c__ld m_k_ _t "v_ry _nl_k_ly" th_t th_ n_xt fr__z_ w_ll _rr_v_ _n t_m_.

    Th_ sc__nt_sts s__d m_lt_ng gl_c__rs _n th_ N_rth _nd S__th P_l_s w_ll p_sh b_ck th_ n_xt _c_ _g_. L__d r_s__rch_r Pr_f_ss_r St_ph_n B_rk_r st_d__d wh_t c__s_d p_st _c_ _g_s t_ h_pp_n. H_s t__m l__k_d _t n__rly _n_ m_ll__n y__rs _f cl_m_t_ d_t_. Th_y f__nd th_t th_r_ w_s _ r_l_t__nsh_p b_tw__n ch_ng_s _n th_ __rth's _x_s, gl_b_l t_mp_r_t_r_s, _nd th_ s_z_ _f _nt_rct_c_ _nd th_ _rct_c. Wh_n th_ _m__nt _f _c_ _n th_ c_nt_n_nt_l _c_ sh__ts w_s st_bl_, _c_ _g_s h_pp_n_d _t r_g_l_r _nt_rv_ls. H_w_v_r, Pr_f_ss_r B_rk_r s__d l_ss _c_ m__ns _ l_ng_r g_p b_tw__n _c_ _g_s. H_ _dd_d: "__rth's cl_m_t_ _s _n _nt_rc_nn_ct_d syst_m _f c_mpl_x pr_c_ss_s, _ll _ct_ng t_g_th_r t_ pr_d_c_ th_ ch_ng_s w_ _bs_rv_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    researchers say they know when the next ice age will come wikipedia says an ice age is a long period of reduction in the temperature of earths surface and atmosphere resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers the researchers are from cardiff university in the uk they predicted that the next ice age should arrive in 10000 years from now however the scientists believe it could be delayed because of human activity a member of the research team said climate change could delay the next ice age she said global warming could make it very unlikely that the next freeze will arrive on time

    the scientists said melting glaciers in the north and south poles will push back the next ice age lead researcher professor stephen barker studied what caused past ice ages to happen his team looked at nearly one million years of climate data they found that there was a relationship between changes in the earths axis global temperatures and the size of antarctica and the arctic when the amount of ice on the continental ice sheets was stable ice ages happened at regular intervals however professor barker said less ice means a longer gap between ice ages he added earths climate is an interconnected system of complex processes all acting together to produce the changes we observe

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Researcherssaytheyknowwhenthenexticeagewillcome.Wikipediasa
    ys:"AniceageisalongperiodofreductioninthetemperatureofEarth'ssu
    rfaceandatmosphere,resultinginthepresenceorexpansionofcontine
    ntalandpolaricesheets,andalpineglaciers."TheresearchersarefromC
    ardiffUniversityintheUK.Theypredictedthatthenexticeageshouldarri
    vein10,000yearsfromnow.However,thescientistsbelieveitcouldbed
    elayedbecauseofhumanactivity.Amemberoftheresearchteamsaidcli
    matechangecoulddelaythenexticeage.Shesaidglobalwarmingcould
    makeit"veryunlikely"thatthenextfreezewillarriveontime.Thescientis
    tssaidmeltingglaciersintheNorthandSouthPoleswillpushbackthenex
    ticeage.LeadresearcherProfessorStephenBarkerstudiedwhatcause
    dpasticeagestohappen.Histeamlookedatnearlyonemillionyearsofcli
    matedata.Theyfoundthattherewasarelationshipbetweenchangesint
    heEarth'saxis,globaltemperatures,andthesizeofAntarcticaandtheAr
    ctic.Whentheamountoficeonthecontinentalicesheetswasstable,icea
    geshappenedatregularintervals.However,ProfessorBarkersaidlessic
    emeansalongergapbetweeniceages.Headded:"Earth'sclimateisanin
    terconnectedsystemofcomplexprocesses,allactingtogethertoprodu
    cethechangesweobserve."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We need to start preparing for the next age now. 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. ICE AGES: Make a poster about ice ages. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. PREPARATION: Write a magazine article about preparing for the next ice age now. 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 ice ages. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on what to do about the next ice age. 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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