Breaking News English Lesson: Colombia Avalanche

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Sisters reunited 30 years after Colombia avalanche (28th February, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Two sisters in Colombia who were separated as children by an avalanche 30 years ago have been reunited. Jaqueline and Lorena Sanchez thought they had lost each other forever in 1985 when the Tolima volcano erupted near their town of Armero. The hot, molten lava from the volcano melted nearby glaciers and caused four massive mudslides. These killed more than 20,000 of Armero's 29,000 inhabitants. Jaqueline, 33, and Lorena, 39, never found each other in the chaos that followed the disaster. They each assumed the other was among the deceased. Armero was the second most deadly volcanic disaster of the 20th century. Only the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelee in the Caribbean was deadlier.

The two sisters were adopted by different families and never knew each other's fate. They have both spent much of the past few decades looking for each other. They were reunited when DNA tests they gave to an organization that helped victims of the avalanches matched. Lorena told reporters: "It was beautiful and sad because it has been 30 years since the tragedy happened that I've come to find out what happened to my sister. I have to catch up with 30 years of her life and she has to do the same with me." Jaqueline said: "I'm excited, nervous, everything because suddenly, you don't know if you are going to be rejected….I wonder if she will love me. It's difficult. It's difficult to explain this moment."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35666066
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/dna-testing-reunites-colombian-sisters-after-30-years/2016/02/25/ba35577e-dc12-11e5-8210-f0bd8de915f6_story.html
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/02/25/dna-testing-reunites-colombian-sisters-seperated-after-avalanche-destroyed-their-hometown-30-years-ago.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. NATURAL DISASTERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about natural disasters. 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?

sisters / children / avalanche / volcano / glaciers / inhabitants / disaster / Caribbean / adopted / fate / decades / reunited / beautiful / tragedy / excited . nervous / difficult

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

3. 30 YEARS: How are people's lives different after 30 years? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Good changes	Bad changes
Family
Looks
Interests
Jobs
Health
Friends

4. VOLCANO: Students A strongly believe people should not live near volcanoes; Students B strongly disagree. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

5. CATCH UP: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to catch up with at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• family news

• movies

• neighbours

• jobs

• your own health

• love life

• friends

• your town

6. SISTERS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "sisters". 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.	The sisters were separated when they were in their 30s.	T / F
b.	The avalanche happened because a volcano erupted.	T / F
c.	Around two-thirds of the town's people died in the tragedy.	T / F
d.	The 20th century's most deadly volcanic disaster happened in 1902.	T / F
e.	The two sisters were adopted by the same family.	T / F
f.	The use of DNA tests helped reunite the two sisters.	T / F
g.	One sister said she has 20 years of her sister's life to catch up with.	T / F
h.	Another sister is not worried her other sister might reject her.	T / F

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

1.	separated	a.	residents
2.	molten	b.	huge
3.	massive	c.	get up-to-date
4.	inhabitants	d.	casualties
5.	deceased	e.	parted
6.	fate	f.	think about
7.	victims	g.	apprehensive
8.	catch up	h.	liquefied
9.	nervous	i.	destiny
10.	wonder	j.	dead

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

1.	Two sisters in Colombia who were	a.	of the 20th century
2.	they had lost each	b.	from the volcano
3.	The hot, molten lava	c.	30 years of her life
4.	20,000 of Armero's 29,000	d.	few decades
5.	the second most deadly volcanic disaster	e.	separated as children
6.	The two sisters were adopted	f.	going to be rejected
7.	the past	g.	tests
8.	DNA	h.	other forever
9.	I have to catch up with	i.	by different families
10.	you don't know if you are	j.	inhabitants

GAP FILL

Two sisters in Colombia who were (1) ____________ as children by an avalanche 30 years ago have been reunited. Jaqueline and Lorena Sanchez thought they had lost each other (2) ____________ in 1985 when the Tolima volcano (3) ____________ near their town of Armero. The hot, molten lava from the volcano melted nearby (4) ____________ and caused four massive mudslides. These killed more than 20,000 of Armero's 29,000 (5) ____________. Jaqueline, 33, and Lorena, 39, never found each other in the (6) ____________ that followed the disaster. They each assumed the other was among the (7) ____________. Armero was the second most (8) ____________ volcanic disaster of the 20th century. Only the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelee in the Caribbean was deadlier.

erupted
inhabitants
forever
deceased
separated
deadly
glaciers
chaos

The two sisters were (9) ____________ by different families and never knew each other's fate. They have both spent much of the past few (10) ____________ looking for each other. They were reunited when DNA tests they gave to an organization that helped (11) ____________ of the avalanches (12) ____________. Lorena told reporters: "It was beautiful and sad because it has been 30 years since the (13) ____________ happened that I've come to find out what happened to my sister. I have to (14) ____________ up with 30 years of her life and she has to do the same with me." Jaqueline said: "I'm excited, nervous, everything because (15) ____________, you don't know if you are going to be rejected….I wonder if she will love me. It's difficult. It's difficult to explain this (16) ____________."

matched
decades
tragedy
suddenly
adopted
moment
victims
catch

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	sisters in Colombia who were separated as children by an avalanche 30 years ago ______
	a. have been really united b. have been reunited c. has been reuniting d. has been reunited
2)	molten lava from the volcano melted nearby glaciers and caused ______
	a. four missive mudslides b. four massive mudslide c. four massive mudslides d. four missive mudslide
3)	Jaqueline, 33, and Lorena, 39, never found each other ______
	a. in the chase b. in the chaos c. in the chaotic d. in the chases
4)	Armero was the second most deadly volcanic disaster ______
	a. of the 20th century b. of the 20th centuries c. of a 20th century d. of a 20th centurion
5)	Only the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelee in the Caribbean ______
	a. was deadlier b. was deadliest c. was deadly are d. was dead leer
6)	The two sisters were adopted by different families and never knew ______
	a. each other's fete b. each other's fight c. each other's freight d. each other's fate
7)	They have both spent much of the past few decades looking ______
	a. for each another b. for each other c. for each others d. for each other's
8)	It was beautiful and sad because it has been 30 years since ______
	a. the tragic happened b. the tragedies happened c. the tragedy happened d. the tragically happened
9)	I have to catch up with 30 years of her life and she has to do the ______
	a. same within me b. same with me c. same wither me d. same without me
10)	I wonder if she will love me. It's difficult. It's difficult to ______
	a. explain this momentous b. explain this momentum c. explain this momentary d. explain this moment

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Two sisters in Colombia who were separated (1) ___________________ avalanche 30 years ago have been reunited. Jaqueline and Lorena Sanchez thought they had (2) ___________________ forever in 1985 when the Tolima volcano erupted near (3) ___________________ Armero. The hot, molten lava from the volcano melted nearby glaciers and caused four massive mudslides. These (4) ___________________ 20,000 of Armero's 29,000 inhabitants. Jaqueline, 33, and Lorena, 39, never found each other in (5) ___________________ followed the disaster. They each assumed the other was among the deceased. Armero was the second most deadly volcanic disaster of (6) ___________________. Only the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelee in the Caribbean was deadlier.

The two sisters (7) ___________________ different families and never knew each other's fate. They have both spent much (8) ________________ decades looking for each other. They were reunited when DNA tests they gave to an organization that (9) ___________________ the avalanches matched. Lorena told reporters: "It was beautiful and sad because it has been 30 years (10) ___________________ happened that I've come to find out what happened to my sister. I have to catch up with 30 years of her life and (11) ___________________ same with me." Jaqueline said: "I'm excited, nervous, everything because suddenly, you don't know if you are going to be rejected….I (12) ___________________ will love me. It's difficult. It's difficult to explain this moment."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	In what year were the two sisters separated?
2.	What is the name of the volcano that erupted?
3.	How many people originally lived in the town?
4.	How old is Lorena now?
5.	When was the deadliest volcanic disaster of the 20th century?
6.	Who were the sisters adopted by?
7.	What kind of tests helped to reunite them?
8.	What do the sisters have to catch up with?
9.	What is Jacqueline worried about?
10.	What did Jacqueline say was difficult to explain?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	In what year were the two sisters separated?	6.	Who were the sisters adopted by?
	a) 1993 b) 2000 c) 1930 d) 1985		a) their aunt b) different families c) an organization d) the town
2.	What is the name of the volcano that erupted?	7.	What kind of tests helped to reunite them?
	a) Sanchez b) Tolima c) Glacier d) Armero		a) fitness tests b) IQ tests c) personality tests d) DNA tests
3.	How many people originally lived in the town?	8.	What do the sisters have to catch up with?
	a) 200,000 b) 290,000 c) 29,000 d) 20,000		a) each other's lives b) technology c) the 21st century d) the town
4.	How old is Lorena now?	9.	What is Jacqueline worried about?
	a) 39 b) 36 c) 33 d) 30		a) money b) the future c) being rejected d) another volcano
5.	When was the deadliest volcanic disaster of the 20th century?	10.	What did Jacqueline say was difficult to explain?
	a) 1922 b) 1920 c) 1902 d) 1929		a) the past 30 years b) this moment c) the avalanche d) her sister

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Family news

You think family news is the best news to catch up with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their news isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): movies, your town or neighbours.

Role B – Movie news

You think news of movies is the best news to catch up with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their news isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): family news, your town or neighbours.

Role C – News of your town

You think news of your town is the best news to catch up with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their news isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): movies, family news or neighbours.

Role D – News of neighbours

You think news of neighbours is the best news to catch up with. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their news isn't so interesting. Also, tell the others which is the most boring of these (and why): movies, your town or family news.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

lost

forever

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:

children
1985
melted
29,000
chaos
1902

knew
spent
tests
catch
everything
moment

NATURAL DISASTERS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about natural disasters 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.

NATURAL DISASTERS 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 'avalanche'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	Have you ever experienced a natural disaster?
5)	How would it feel to be separated for so long?
6)	Do you think they ever gave up hope?
7)	What do you know about volcanoes?
8)	How do you think the sisters felt when they knew they would be reunited?
9)	What should you do if you are near an erupting volcano?
10)	What advice do you have for the sisters?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What do you think of adopting children?
13)	What do you know about DNA?
14)	What part did technology play in the sisters being reunited?
15)	How long would it take to catch up with 30 years of someone's life?
16)	What do you think the sisters will talk about?
17)	What should the sisters do together in the next few weeks?
18)	Should people who live near volcanoes move?
19)	Would you like to read more good news stories?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the sisters?

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

Two sisters in Colombia who were (1) ____ as children by an avalanche 30 years ago have been reunited. Jaqueline and Lorena Sanchez thought they had lost each other (2) ____ in 1985 when the Tolima volcano erupted near their town of Armero. The hot, molten lava from the volcano melted (3) ____ glaciers and caused four massive mudslides. These killed more than 20,000 of Armero's 29,000 (4) ____. Jaqueline, 33, and Lorena, 39, never found each other in the (5) ____ that followed the disaster. They each assumed the other was among the deceased. Armero was the second most deadly volcanic disaster of the 20th century. Only the 1902 (6) ____ of Mount Pelee in the Caribbean was deadlier.

The two sisters were adopted (7) ____ different families and never knew each other's fate. They have both spent much of the past few decades looking for each other. They were reunited (8) ____ DNA tests they gave to an organization that helped (9) ____ of the avalanches matched. Lorena told reporters: "It was beautiful and sad because it has been 30 years since the tragedy happened that I've (10) ____ to find out what happened to my sister. I have to catch up (11) ____ 30 years of her life and she has to do the same with me." Jaqueline said: "I'm excited, nervous, everything because suddenly, you don't know if you are going to be rejected….I wonder if she will love me. It's difficult. It's difficult to explain this (12) ____."

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

1.	(a)	separation	(b)	separately	(c)	separate	(d)	separated
2.	(a)	foremost	(b)	destiny	(c)	eternally	(d)	forever
3.	(a)	closely	(b)	nearby	(c)	nearly	(d)	nears
4.	(a)	inhabit	(b)	habitation	(c)	inhabitants	(d)	habitual
5.	(a)	chaste	(b)	chasm	(c)	chaos	(d)	chase
6.	(a)	eruption	(b)	eviction	(c)	evolution	(d)	erudition
7.	(a)	of	(b)	by	(c)	for	(d)	at
8.	(a)	when	(b)	since	(c)	then	(d)	that
9.	(a)	targets	(b)	victims	(c)	sacrifices	(d)	subjects
10.	(a)	taken	(b)	done	(c)	come	(d)	made
11.	(a)	for	(b)	at	(c)	with	(d)	them
12.	(a)	moments	(b)	momentarily	(c)	momentum	(d)	moment

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	Two sisters in Colombia who were teradpesa
2.	melted nearby acgeirsl
3.	four msavsie mudslides
4.	among the sdeaedec
5.	the second most deadly volcanic rdseasti
6.	the 1902 ruopenit of Mount Pelee
Paragraph 2
7.	dtoadpe by different families
8.	the past few desaedc
9.	helped scvitmi of the avalanches
10.	since the rgdatye happened
11.	I'm excited, vrunoes, everything
12.	you are going to be ceretejd

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	assumed the other was among the deceased. Armero was the second most deadly
( )	fate. They have both spent much of the past few decades looking for each other. They were reunited when DNA
( )	be rejected….I wonder if she will love me. It's difficult. It's difficult to explain this moment."
( )	me." Jaqueline said: "I'm excited, nervous, everything because suddenly, you don't know if you are going to
( )	erupted near their town of Armero. The hot, molten lava from the volcano melted nearby
( )	beautiful and sad because it has been 30 years since the tragedy happened that I've come to find
( )	volcanic disaster of the 20th century. Only the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelee in the Caribbean was deadlier.
( )	glaciers and caused four massive mudslides. These killed more than 20,000 of Armero's 29,000
( )	inhabitants. Jaqueline, 33, and Lorena, 39, never found each other in the chaos that followed the disaster. They each
( 1 )	Two sisters in Colombia who were separated as children by an avalanche 30 years ago have been
( )	tests they gave to an organization that helped victims of the avalanches matched. Lorena told reporters: "It was
( )	reunited. Jaqueline and Lorena Sanchez thought they had lost each other forever in 1985 when the Tolima volcano
( )	The two sisters were adopted by different families and never knew each other's
( )	out what happened to my sister. I have to catch up with 30 years of her life and she has to do the same with

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	glaciers from nearby lava melted Molten volcano the .
2.	each other in the chaos that followed the disaster Found .
3.	each other the They the among assumed was deceased .
4.	deadly volcanic disaster of the 20th century The second most .
5.	of The was in Mt. 1902 deadlier the eruption Caribbean Pelee .
6.	sisters families were adopted The by two different .
7.	they gave to an organization that helped victims DNA tests .
8.	been since happened has years tragedy It 30 the .
9.	years 30 with up catch to have I life her of .
10.	if you are going to be rejected You don't know .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Two sisters in Colombia who were separated as / has children by an avalanche 30 years ago have been reunited. Jaqueline and Lorena Sanchez thought they had lost each / one other forever in 1985 when the Tolima volcano erupted near their town at / of Armero. The hot, molten lava from the volcano melted near / nearby glaciers and caused four massive mudslides. These killed / killing more than 20,000 of Armero's 29,000 inhabitants. Jaqueline, 33, and Lorena, 39, never found each other in the chase / chaos that followed the disaster. They each assured / assumed the other was among the deceased / decreased. Armero was the second most deadly / deathly volcanic disaster of the 20th century. Only / Once the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelee in the Caribbean was deadlier.

The two sisters were adoptive / adopted by different families and never knew each other's fete / fate. They have both spent many / much of the past few decades / decade looking for each other. They were reunited when DNA tests they gave to an organization that helped victims of the avalanches matched. Lorena told reporters: "It was beautiful and sadly / sad because it has been 30 years since the tragedy / tragic happened that I've come to find out what happened to my sister. I have to catch down / up with 30 years of her life and she has to do the same / similar with me." Jaqueline said: "I'm excited, nervous, everything because suddenly / sudden, you don't know if you are going to be rejected….I wonder if she will love me. It's difficult. It's difficult to explain this momentum / moment."

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)

Tw_ s_st_rs _n C_l_mb__ wh_ w_r_ s_p_r_t_d _s ch_ldr_n by _n _v_l_nch_ 30 y__rs _g_ h_v_ b__n r__n_t_d. J_q__l_n_ _nd L_r_n_ S_nch_z th__ght th_y h_d l_st __ch _th_r f_r_v_r _n 1985 wh_n th_ T_l_m_ v_lc_n_ _r_pt_d n__r th__r t_wn _f _rm_r_. Th_ h_t, m_lt_n l_v_ fr_m th_ v_lc_n_ m_lt_d n__rby gl_c__rs _nd c__s_d f__r m_ss_v_ m_dsl_d_s. Th_s_ k_ll_d m_r_ th_n 20,000 _f _rm_r_'s 29,000 _nh_b_t_nts. J_q__l_n_, 33, _nd L_r_n_, 39, n_v_r f__nd __ch _th_r _n th_ ch__s th_t f_ll_w_d th_ d_s_st_r. Th_y __ch _ss_m_d th_ _th_r w_s _m_ng th_ d_c__s_d. _rm_r_ w_s th_ s_c_nd m_st d__dly v_lc_n_c d_s_st_r _f th_ 20th c_nt_ry. _nly th_ 1902 _r_pt__n _f M__nt P_l__ _n th_ C_r_bb__n w_s d__dl__r.

Th_ tw_ s_st_rs w_r_ _d_pt_d by d_ff_r_nt f_m_l__s _nd n_v_r kn_w __ch _th_r's f_t_. Th_y h_v_ b_th sp_nt m_ch _f th_ p_st f_w d_c_d_s l__k_ng f_r __ch _th_r. Th_y w_r_ r__n_t_d wh_n DN_ t_sts th_y g_v_ t_ _n _rg_n_z_t__n th_t h_lp_d v_ct_ms _f th_ _v_l_nch_s m_tch_d. L_r_n_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "_t w_s b___t_f_l _nd s_d b_c__s_ _t h_s b__n 30 y__rs s_nc_ th_ tr_g_dy h_pp_n_d th_t _'v_ c_m_ t_ f_nd __t wh_t h_pp_n_d t_ my s_st_r. _ h_v_ t_ c_tch _p w_th 30 y__rs _f h_r l_f_ _nd sh_ h_s t_ d_ th_ s_m_ w_th m_." J_q__l_n_ s__d: "_'m _xc_t_d, n_rv__s, _v_ryth_ng b_c__s_ s_dd_nly, y__ d_n't kn_w _f y__ _r_ g__ng t_ b_ r_j_ct_d…._ w_nd_r _f sh_ w_ll l_v_ m_. _t's d_ff_c_lt. _t's d_ff_c_lt t_ _xpl__n th_s m_m_nt."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

two sisters in colombia who were separated as children by an avalanche 30 years ago have been reunited jaqueline and lorena sanchez thought they had lost each other forever in 1985 when the tolima volcano erupted near their town of armero the hot molten lava from the volcano melted nearby glaciers and caused four massive mudslides these killed more than 20000 of armero's 29000 inhabitants jaqueline 33 and lorena 39 never found each other in the chaos that followed the disaster they each assumed the other was among the deceased armero was the second most deadly volcanic disaster of the 20th century only the 1902 eruption of mount pelee in the caribbean was deadlier

the two sisters were adopted by different families and never knew each other's fate they have both spent much of the past few decades looking for each other they were reunited when dna tests they gave to an organization that helped victims of the avalanches matched lorena told reporters "it was beautiful and sad because it has been 30 years since the tragedy happened that i've come to find out what happened to my sister i have to catch up with 30 years of her life and she has to do the same with me" jaqueline said "i'm excited nervous everything because suddenly you don't know if you are going to be rejected…i wonder if she will love me it's difficult it's difficult to explain this moment"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TwosistersinColombiawhowereseparatedaschildrenbyanavalanche
30yearsagohavebeenreunited.JaquelineandLorenaSanchezthought
theyhadlosteachotherforeverin1985whentheTolimavolcanoerupted
neartheirtownofArmero.Thehot,moltenlavafromthevolcanomeltedn
earbyglaciersandcausedfourmassivemudslides.Thesekilledmoretha
n20,000ofArmero's29,000inhabitants.Jaqueline,33,andLorena,39,
neverfoundeachotherinthechaosthatfollowedthedisaster.Theyeach
assumedtheotherwasamongthedeceased.Armerowasthesecondmo
stdeadlyvolcanicdisasterofthe20thcentury.Onlythe1902eruptionof
MountPeleeintheCaribbeanwasdeadlier.Thetwosisterswereadopted
bydifferentfamiliesandneverkneweachother'sfate.Theyhavebothsp
entmuchofthepastfewdecadeslookingforeachother.Theywerereunit
edwhenDNAteststheygavetoanorganizationthathelpedvictimsofthe
avalanchesmatched.Lorenatoldreporters:"Itwasbeautifulandsadbe
causeithasbeen30yearssincethetragedyhappenedthatI'vecometofi
ndoutwhathappenedtomysister.Ihavetocatchupwith30yearsofherlif
eandshehastodothesamewithme."Jaquelinesaid:"I'mexcited,nervo
us,everythingbecausesuddenly,youdon'tknowifyouaregoingtoberej
ected….Iwonderifshewillloveme.It'sdifficult.It'sdifficulttoexplainthi
smoment."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

No one should live near a volcano. 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 natural disasters. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. NATURAL DISASTERS: Make a poster about natural disasters. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. VOLCANOES: Write a magazine article about living near volcanoes. Include imaginary interviews with people who think it's OK to live near volcanoes and with people who think no one should live near volcanoes.

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 reunions. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three ideas on what people should do in the first few days of a reunion. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	separated	a.	parted
2.	molten	b.	liquefied
3.	massive	c.	huge
4.	inhabitants	d.	residents
5.	deceased	e.	dead
6.	fate	f.	destiny
7.	victims	g.	casualties
8.	catch up	h.	get up-to-date
9.	nervous	i.	apprehensive
10.	wonder	j.	think about

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	1985
2.	Tolima
3.	29,000
4.	39
5.	1902
6.	Different families
7.	DNA tests
8.	30 years of their lives
9.	Being rejected
10.	This moment

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: Colombia Avalanche

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Sisters reunited 30 years after Colombia avalanche (28th February, 2016)

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