Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Record number of flowers bloom (12th January, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Botanists in the U.K. are amazed at how many flowers are in bloom this winter. They said that in normal years, between 20 and 30 species of flowers and plants are open. However, on New Year's Day, scientists found 368 different species in bloom. Scientists believe the record number of flowers in bloom is because of climate change. Last year was the warmest year Britain has ever had. Botanist Dr Tim Rich told the BBC about his surprise at the number of flowers he saw at the start of this year. He said: "Fifty years ago, people looking for plants in flower at the start of the year found 20 species. This year the total has amazed us. We are stunned." He said some flowers were in bloom five months early.

Doctor Rich explained how the changing weather was affecting flowers that are usually killed by the cold in December. He said: "We are now in our fourth mild winter. Normally flowers get frosted off by Christmas but this year it hasn’t happened." He added: "We thought that the snow and hard frosts before Christmas would have finished most flowering…but it seems not to be the case." The most common plants in flower were daisies and dandelions. Britain's weather agency, the Meteorological Office, described the climate for last year. It said: "All months except August were warmer than average, and this was the warmest year on record for the UK. It was also wetter than average for many locations."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30754443
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/summaries/2014/annual
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2904215/Wild-plants-defy-cold-numbers-flower-time-year-soaring-hundreds.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. FLOWERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about flowers. 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?

botanists / this winter / plants / in bloom / climate change / surprise / amazed / changing weather / the cold / mild winter / weather agency / warmer than average

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. PLANTS: What do you know about these plants? Find out more on the Internet and complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I know	What I found on the Internet
Trees
Shrubs
Grasses
Herbs
Ferns
Mosses

4. ROSES: Students A strongly believe roses are the best flowers; Students B strongly believe they are not. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. BEAUTIFUL: Rank these with your partner. Put the most beautiful flowers at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• rose

• orchid

• daisy

• dandelion

• tulip

• carnation

• poppy

• sunflower

6. CLIMATE CHANGE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the term "climate change". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	Botanists are surprised at how many flowers are in bloom this winter.	T / F
b.	More than 300 flowers are in bloom in the UK than is usual for winter.	T / F
c.	Scientists say climate change is not the reason for the flowers opening.	T / F
d.	A botanist said 50 years ago, people could find 200 species open.	T / F
e.	The botanist said there have now been 14 mild winters in a row.	T / F
f.	The botanist said the frost usually finished most flowering before Xmas.	T / F
g.	The most common flowers in bloom were daisies and dandelions.	T / F
h.	August was warmer than average last year in the U.K.	T / F

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

1.	amazed	a.	due to
2.	normal	b.	influencing
3.	because of	c.	beginning
4.	start	d.	usually
5.	early	e.	weather patterns
6.	affecting	f.	shocked
7.	normally	g.	places
8.	climate	h.	too soon
9.	except	i.	usual
10.	locations	j.	excluding

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

1.	amazed at how many flowers are in	a.	winter
2.	between 20 and 30	b.	five months early
3.	the record	c.	in flower
4.	the warmest year Britain	d.	by the cold in December
5.	some flowers were in bloom	e.	bloom this winter
6.	flowers that are usually killed	f.	for many locations
7.	We are now in our fourth mild	g.	species of flowers
8.	The most common plants	h.	than average
9.	All months except August were warmer	i.	number of flowers
10.	It was also wetter than average	j.	has ever had

GAP FILL

Botanists in the U.K. are (1) ___________ at how many flowers are in bloom this winter. They said that in (2) ___________ years, between 20 and 30 species of flowers and plants are open. However, on New Year's Day, scientists found 368 different (3) ___________ in bloom. Scientists believe the record number of flowers in bloom is because of (4) ___________ change. Last year was the warmest year Britain has ever had. Botanist Dr Tim Rich told the BBC about his surprise at the (5) ___________ of flowers he saw at the start of this year. He said: "Fifty years ago, people looking for plants in (6) ___________ at the start of the year found 20 species. This year the (7) ___________ has amazed us. We are stunned." He said some flowers were in bloom five months (8) ___________.

normal
number
amazed
total
climate
early
species
flower

Doctor Rich explained how the changing weather was (9) ___________ flowers that are usually killed by the cold in December. He said: "We are now in our fourth (10) ___________ winter. Normally flowers get frosted off by Christmas but this year it hasn't (11) ___________." He added: "We thought that the snow and (12) ___________ frosts before Christmas would have finished most flowering…but it seems not to be the case." The most (13) ___________ plants in flower were daisies and dandelions. Britain's weather (14) ___________, the Meteorological Office, described the climate for last year. It said: "All months (15) ___________ August were warmer than average, and this was the warmest year on record for the UK. It was also wetter than (16) ___________ for many locations."

happened
agency
mild
average
except
affecting
hard
common

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Botanists in the U.K. are amazed at how many flowers ______
	a. are on bloom b. are in bloom c. are of bloom d. are blooming
2)	They said that in normal years, between 20 and 30 species of flowers and ______
	a. plants are open b. plants are opened c. plants are opens d. plants are opener
3)	Scientists believe the record number of flowers in bloom is because ______
	a. for climate change b. off climate change c. on climate change d. of climate change
4)	Fifty years ago, people looking for plants in flower at the start of the year ______
	a. found 12 species b. found 22 species c. found 20 species d. found 200 species
5)	He said some flowers were in bloom ______
	a. five months earlier b. five months early c. five months earliest d. five months earlies
6)	the changing weather was affecting flowers that are usually killed ______ December.
	a. by the cold in b. by a cold in c. buy the cold in d. by the colds in
7)	He said: "We are now in our ______."
	a. fouth mild winter b. fourth milder winter c. fourth mild winters d. fourth mild winter
8)	frosts before Christmas would have finished most flowering…but it seems not ______
	a. to be the case b. too be the case c. to be a case d. to be the cased
9)	All months except August were warmer ______
	a. than averages b. than averaging c. than averaged d. than average
10)	It was also wetter than average ______
	a. too many locations b. two many locations c. for many locations d. four many locations

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Botanists in the U.K. (1) ___________________ many flowers are in bloom this winter. They said that (2) ___________________, between 20 and 30 species of flowers and plants are open. However, on New Year's Day, scientists found 368 different (3) ___________________. Scientists believe the record number of flowers in bloom is because of climate change. Last year was (4) ___________________ Britain has ever had. Botanist Dr Tim Rich told the BBC (5) ___________________ the number of flowers he saw at the start of this year. He said: "Fifty years ago, people looking for plants in flower at the start of the year (6) ___________________. This year the total has amazed us. We are stunned." He said some flowers were in bloom five months early.

Doctor Rich explained how the changing weather (7) ___________________ that are usually killed by the cold in December. He said: "We are now in our (8) ___________________. Normally flowers get frosted off by Christmas but this year it hasn't happened." He added: "We thought that the snow and hard frosts before Christmas (9) ___________________ most flowering…but it seems not to be the case." The most common plants in flower were daisies and dandelions. (10) ___________________, the Meteorological Office, described the climate for last year. It said: "(11) ___________________ August were warmer than average, and this was the warmest year on record for the UK. It was also wetter than average (12) ___________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of scientists are surprised at the number of flowers open?
2.	How many different species did scientists find open?
3.	What did scientists say was the reason for the flowers opening?
4.	How many different plants would people have found 50 years ago?
5.	How early were some flowers blooming?
6.	What usually kills flowers by December?
7.	How many mild winters did Dr Rich say Britain has had?
8.	What were the most common flowers in bloom this winter?
9.	Which month was not warmer than average?
10.	Where was it wetter than average in the UK?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of scientists are surprised at the number of flowers open?	6.	What usually kills flowers by December?
	a) physicists b) botanists c) geologists d) archaeologists		a) a lack of sunshine b) people c) the cold d) insects
2.	How many different species did scientists find open?	7.	How many mild winters did Dr Rich say Britain has had?
	a) 365 b) 366 c) 367 d) 368		a) 7 b) 6 c) 5 d) 4
3.	What did scientists say was the reason for the flowers opening?	8.	What were the most common flowers in bloom this winter?
	a) climate change b) more seeds c) wind d) more rain		a) daisies and dandelions b) roses and tulips c) sunflowers and orchids d) poppies and daffodils
4.	How many different plants would people have found 50 years ago?	9.	Which month was not warmer than average?
	a) 22 b) 12 c) 20 d) 10		a) August b) September c) October d) November
5.	How early were some flowers blooming?	10.	Where was it wetter than average in the UK?
	a) 5 weeks b) 5 months c) 5 days d) 5 years		a) central England b) in many locations c) the south-west d) the north-east

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Roses

You think roses are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their flowers aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): sunflowers, orchids or daisies.

Role B – Sunflowers

You think sunflowers are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their flowers aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): roses, orchids or daisies.

Role C – Orchids

You think orchids are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their flowers aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): sunflowers, roses or daisies.

Role D – Daisies

You think daisies are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their flowers aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): sunflowers, orchids or roses.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

flower

plant

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:

botanists
normal
368
ever
start
early

affecting
mild
snow
case
agency
locations

FLOWERS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about flowers 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

FLOWERS DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'flower'?
3)	What's your favourite flower and why?
4)	How important are flowers?
5)	Why do people like flowers so much?
6)	What flowers are important in your country?
7)	What do you think of gardening?
8)	When have you given or received flowers as a present?
9)	What flowers do you dislike?
10)	What's the most useful flower in the world?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What changes in the weather have you noticed?
13)	Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
14)	What problems do flowers have?
15)	Do you prefer wild flowers or garden flowers?
16)	What would it be like to work as a gardener?
17)	What do you know about botany?
18)	What advice would you have for a gardener?
19)	Why are red roses so popular in some countries?
20)	What questions would you like to ask a botanist?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Botanists in the U.K. are (1) ____ at how many flowers are in bloom this winter. They said that in normal years, between 20 and 30 (2) ____ of flowers and plants are open. However, on New Year's Day, scientists found 368 different species in bloom. Scientists believe the (3) ____ number of flowers in bloom is because of climate change. Last year was the warmest year Britain has ever (4) ____. Botanist Dr Tim Rich told the BBC about his surprise at the number of flowers he saw at the start of this year. He said: "Fifty years ago, people (5) ____ for plants in flower at the start of the year found 20 species. This year the total has amazed us. We are stunned." He said some flowers were in bloom five months (6) ____.

Doctor Rich explained how the changing weather was (7) ____ flowers that are usually killed by the cold in December. He said: "We are now in our fourth (8) ____ winter. Normally flowers get frosted off by Christmas but this year it hasn't happened." He added: "We thought that the snow and hard frosts before Christmas would have finished most flowering…but it seems not to be the (9) ____." The most (10) ____ plants in flower were daisies and dandelions. Britain's weather agency, the Meteorological Office, described the climate for last year. It said: "All months (11) ____ August were warmer than average, and this was the warmest year on record for the UK. It was also wetter than average for many (12) ____."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	amazing	(b)	amazed	(c)	amazement	(d)	amazes
2.	(a)	specials	(b)	species	(c)	specifies	(d)	specifics
3.	(a)	records	(b)	recorded	(c)	recording	(d)	record
4.	(a)	have	(b)	had	(c)	having	(d)	has
5.	(a)	look	(b)	lookalike	(c)	looked	(d)	looking
6.	(a)	fast	(b)	soon	(c)	early	(d)	before
7.	(a)	affecting	(b)	reflecting	(c)	effecting	(d)	infecting
8.	(a)	soft	(b)	gentle	(c)	mild	(d)	tender
9.	(a)	container	(b)	bag	(c)	box	(d)	case
10.	(a)	common	(b)	commons	(c)	commonly	(d)	commoner
11.	(a)	except	(b)	exact	(c)	excerpt	(d)	expat
12.	(a)	locations	(b)	locale	(c)	location	(d)	locates

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	zaamde at how many flowers are in bloom
2.	on New Year's Day, sisttecins found 368
3.	between 20 and 30 sipseec of flowers
4.	because of celmtia change
5.	Rich told the BBC about his erirpuss
6.	We are dsnnetu
Paragraph 2
7.	changing weather was egcatfinf flowers
8.	this year it hasn't nhpdaeep
9.	The most ommocn plants
10.	Britain's weather cyenga
11.	All months epetxc August
12.	wetter than geravae

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	warmest year Britain has ever had. Botanist Dr Tim Rich told the BBC about his surprise at the number
( )	Office, described the climate for last year. It said: "All months except
( )	species. This year the total has amazed us. We are stunned." He said some flowers were in bloom five months early.
( )	Christmas but this year it hasn't happened." He added: "We thought that the
( )	Doctor Rich explained how the changing weather was affecting flowers that are usually killed by the
( )	30 species of flowers and plants are open. However, on New Year's Day, scientists found 368 different species in
( )	August were warmer than average, and this was the warmest year on
( )	bloom. Scientists believe the record number of flowers in bloom is because of climate change. Last year was the
( )	record for the UK. It was also wetter than average for many locations."
( 1 )	Botanists in the U.K. are amazed at how many flowers are in bloom this winter. They said that in normal years, between 20 and
( )	snow and hard frosts before Christmas would have finished most flowering…but it seems not to be the
( )	cold in December. He said: "We are now in our fourth mild winter. Normally flowers get frosted off by
( )	of flowers he saw at the start of this year. He said: "Fifty years ago, people looking for plants in flower at the start of the year found 20
( )	case." The most common plants in flower were daisies and dandelions. Britain's weather agency, the Meteorological

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	bloom this winter Amazed at how many flowers are in .
2.	30 flowers and of open 20 species are Between .
3.	found Scientists bloom in species different 368 .
4.	Britain has ever had Last year was the warmest year .
5.	five He flowers bloom early some in months said were .
6.	the cold in December Flowers that are usually killed by .
7.	"We said winter" our are : . fourth now He mild in
8.	common were most flower The in plants daisies .
9.	except average August were All warmer months than .
10.	for also average locations was than many It wetter .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Botanists in the U.K. are amazing / amazed at how many flowers are in bloom this winter. They said that in normal / normally years, between 20 and 30 species of flowers and plants are open. However, on New Year's Day, scientists found 368 different specifics / species in bloom. Scientists believe the record / recording number of flowers in bloom is because for / of climate change. Last year was the warmest year Britain has ever / never had. Botanist Dr Tim Rich told the BBC about his surprised / surprise at the number of flowers he seen / saw at the start of this year. He said: "Fifty years ago, people looking for plant / plants in flower at the start of the year found 20 species. This year the total has amazed us. We are stunned." He said some flowers were in bloom five months early / fast.

Doctor Rich explained how the changing / changes weather was affecting flowers that are usually killed by / for the cold in December. He said: "We are now in our forth / fourth mild winter. Normally flowers get frosted off by Christmas but this year it hasn't / didn't happened." He added: "We thought that the snow and hard frosts before Christmas would of / have finished most flowering…but it seems not to be the case." The most commonest / common plants in flower were daisies and dandelions. Britain's weather agency, the Meteorological Office, described / description the climate for last year. It said: "All months except / accept August were warmer than average, and this was the warmest year on / in record for the UK. It was also wetter than average for many locates / locations."

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)

B_t_n_sts _n th_ _.K. _r_ _m_z_d _t h_w m_ny fl_w_rs _r_ _n bl__m th_s w_nt_r. Th_y s__d th_t _n n_rm_l y__rs, b_tw__n 20 _nd 30 sp_c__s _f fl_w_rs _nd pl_nts _r_ _p_n. H_w_v_r, _n N_w Y__r's D_y, sc__nt_sts f__nd 368 d_ff_r_nt sp_c__s _n bl__m. Sc__nt_sts b_l__v_ th_ r_c_rd n_mb_r _f fl_w_rs _n bl__m _s b_c__s_ _f cl_m_t_ ch_ng_. L_st y__r w_s th_ w_rm_st y__r Br_t__n h_s _v_r h_d. B_t_n_st Dr T_m R_ch t_ld th_ BBC _b__t h_s s_rpr_s_ _t th_ n_mb_r _f fl_w_rs h_ s_w _t th_ st_rt _f th_s y__r. H_ s__d: "F_fty y__rs _g_, p__pl_ l__k_ng f_r pl_nts _n fl_w_r _t th_ st_rt _f th_ y__r f__nd 20 sp_c__s. Th_s y__r th_ t_t_l h_s _m_z_d _s. W_ _r_ st_nn_d." H_ s__d s_m_ fl_w_rs w_r_ _n bl__m f_v_ m_nths __rly.

D_ct_r R_ch _xpl__n_d h_w th_ ch_ng_ng w__th_r w_s _ff_ct_ng fl_w_rs th_t _r_ _s__lly k_ll_d by th_ c_ld _n D_c_mb_r. H_ s__d: "W_ _r_ n_w _n __r f__rth m_ld w_nt_r. N_rm_lly fl_w_rs g_t fr_st_d _ff by Chr_stm_s b_t th_s y__r _t h_sn't h_pp_n_d." H_ _dd_d: "W_ th__ght th_t th_ sn_w _nd h_rd fr_sts b_f_r_ Chr_stm_s w__ld h_v_ f_n_sh_d m_st fl_w_r_ng…b_t _t s__ms n_t t_ b_ th_ c_s_." Th_ m_st c_mm_n pl_nts _n fl_w_r w_r_ d__s__s _nd d_nd_l__ns. Br_t__n's w__th_r _g_ncy, th_ M_t__r_l_g_c_l _ff_c_, d_scr_b_d th_ cl_m_t_ f_r l_st y__r. _t s__d: "_ll m_nths _xc_pt __g_st w_r_ w_rm_r th_n _v_r_g_, _nd th_s w_s th_ w_rm_st y__r _n r_c_rd f_r th_ _K. _t w_s _ls_ w_tt_r th_n _v_r_g_ f_r m_ny l_c_t__ns."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

botanists in the uk are amazed at how many flowers are in bloom this winter they said that in normal years between 20 and 30 species of flowers and plants are open however on new year's day scientists found 368 different species in bloom scientists believe the record number of flowers in bloom is because of climate change last year was the warmest year britain has ever had botanist dr tim rich told the bbc about his surprise at the number of flowers he saw at the start of this year he said "fifty years ago people looking for plants in flower at the start of the year found 20 species this year the total has amazed us we are stunned" he said some flowers were in bloom five months early

doctor rich explained how the changing weather was affecting flowers that are usually killed by the cold in december he said "we are now in our fourth mild winter normally flowers get frosted off by christmas but this year it hasn't happened" he added "we thought that the snow and hard frosts before christmas would have finished most flowering…but it seems not to be the case" the most common plants in flower were daisies and dandelions britain's weather agency the meteorological office described the climate for last year it said "all months except august were warmer than average and this was the warmest year on record for the uk it was also wetter than average for many locations"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

BotanistsintheU.K.areamazedathowmanyflowersareinbloomthiswi
nter.Theysaidthatinnormalyears,between20and30speciesofflowers
andplantsareopen.However,onNewYear'sDay,scientistsfound368di
fferentspeciesinbloom.Scientistsbelievetherecordnumberofflowersi
nbloomisbecauseofclimatechange.LastyearwasthewarmestyearBrit
ainhaseverhad.BotanistDrTimRichtoldtheBBCabouthissurpriseatth
enumberofflowershesawatthestartofthisyear.Hesaid:"Fiftyyearsag
o,peoplelookingforplantsinfloweratthestartoftheyearfound20specie
s.Thisyearthetotalhasamazedus.Wearestunned."Hesaidsomeflower
swereinbloomfivemonthsearly.DoctorRichexplainedhowthechangin
gweatherwasaffectingflowersthatareusuallykilledbythecoldinDece
mber.Hesaid:"Wearenowinourfourthmildwinter.Normallyflowersge
tfrostedoffbyChristmasbutthisyearithasn'thappened."Headded:"W
ethoughtthatthesnowandhardfrostsbeforeChristmaswouldhavefinis
hedmostflowering…butitseemsnottobethecase."Themostcommonpl
antsinflowerweredaisiesanddandelions.Britain'sweatheragency,the
MeteorologicalOffice,describedtheclimateforlastyear.Itsaid:"Allmo
nthsexceptAugustwerewarmerthanaverage,andthiswasthewarmes
tyearonrecordfortheUK.Itwasalsowetterthanaverageformanylocati
ons."

FREE WRITING

Write about flowers for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

People should not cut and sell flowers. They should stay in the ground. 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 flowers. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. FLOWERS: Make a poster about flowers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. CLIMATE CHANGE: Write a magazine article about climate change. Include imaginary interviews with people who think we should grow more flowers to stop climate change, and with people who think this is a silly idea.

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 climate change. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to stop the climate changing. 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	amazed	a.	shocked
2	normal	b.	usual
3.	because of	c.	due to
4.	start	d.	beginning
5.	early	e.	too soon
6.	affecting	f.	influencing
7.	normally	g.	usually
8.	climate	h.	weather patterns
9.	except	i.	excluding
10.	locations	j.	places

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Botanists
2.	368
3.	Climate change
4.	20
5.	Five months
6.	The cold
7.	4
8.	Daisies and dandelions
9.	August
10.	Many locations

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Record number of flowers bloom (12th January, 2015)

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS