Breaking News English Lesson: Tokyo Energy

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People in Tokyo asked to turn off lights in heat wave (30th June, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Tokyo Energy - Level 3

Japan is experiencing record heat. Last week, the temperature in eastern Japan reached 40ºC for the first time in June. Isesaki City in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, recorded a temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The hotter than usual weather means people are using their air conditioners more. This is making it difficult for power companies to keep up with demand. To help these companies, Japan's government has asked people to use less electricity. Spokesman Yoshihiko Isozaki said: "We ask the public to reduce energy consumption during the early evening hours." He wants people to turn off unnecessary lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less.

Japan's heat wave is set to continue. The weather agency said that the country's rainy season finished at its earliest since records began in 1851. This means a longer and hotter summer. The government said: "We are struck by unusual heat for the season. Please cooperate and save as much power as possible." The Tokyo Electric Power Company warned there was a risk of power shortages and blackouts if people did not use less energy. There is also a risk of people getting heatstroke. More than 250 people were taken to hospital in Tokyo over the weekend after suffering from heatstroke. The government is advising people to drink more water and not to exercise outside in the heat.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Tokyo Energy - Level 0, Tokyo Energy - Level 1 or Tokyo Energy - Level 2

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/27/japanese-told-to-turn-off-lights-to-save-energy-amid-tokyo-heatwave
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220628/p2g/00m/0na/039000c
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/06/d57d2da4e5d5-tokyo-again-called-on-to-save-energy-as-heat-shortfalls-persist.html

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

Warm-ups

1. ENERGY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about energy. 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?
Japan / heat / temperature / weather / air conditioners / power / the public / energy /
heat wave / rainy season / summer / shortages / blackouts / risk / heatstroke / water
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CONSERVE: Students A strongly believe the whole world should conserve energy for six hours a day; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CONSERVATION: How can we conserve more energy regarding the things in the table? Can you do this? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Conservation Efforts	Can I Do This?
Air conditioners
Fridges
Cars
Public transport
Water
Lights

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. RECORD: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "record". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. USE LESS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things you could not use less of at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

air conditioner
smartphone
car
lights
fridge
TV
electric kettle
water cooler

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	experiencing	a.	How much or many of something people are asking for or want to buy.
2.	record	b.	The quality of being hot.
3.	heat	c.	The event that is bigger, better, worse, etc. than similar events.
4.	temperature	d.	Not needed.
5.	demand	e.	Having or feeling.
6.	reduce	f.	How hot or cold something is.
7.	unnecessary	g.	Make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

Paragraph 2

8.	set	h.	Hit by a disaster or something bad.
9.	struck	i.	A situation where there is not enough of something.
10.	season	j.	A health problem where you have fever because your body is too hot from the sun.
11.	cooperate	k.	One of the four times a year that has different weather (spring, summer, etc.).
12.	shortage	l.	A time when there is no power and so no lights.
13.	blackout	m.	Work together to get to the same target or aim.
14.	heatstroke	n.	Ready to happen.

Before reading / listening

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

The whole of Japan is experiencing record temperatures. T / F
The temperature in Tokyo reached 40.2º Celsius. T / F
Power companies are finding it difficult to produce enough electricity. T / F
The government asked people to not use lights between 3 am and 6 am. T / F
Japan's rainy season is set to finish in two weeks from now. T / F
Japan's government said the heat was unusual. T / F
A power company warned of power shortages. T / F
Over 250 people in Tokyo were hospitalized because of heatstroke. T / F

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

experiencing
reached
help
reduce
unnecessary
continue
struck
warned
risk
advising

cautioned
cut
hit
facing
go on
chance
unneeded
instructing
assist
got up to

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

the temperature in eastern Japan
for the
The hotter than
difficult for power companies to keep
use air conditioners
Japan's heat
the country's rainy
This means a longer
save as much
suffering

usual weather
power as possible
less
wave is set to continue
season finished
reached 40ºC
from heatstroke
first time
and hotter summer
up with demand

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

north
difficult
record
turn
reduce
usual
time
less

Japan is experiencing (1) _____________________ heat. Last week, the temperature in eastern Japan reached 40ºC for the first (2) _____________________ in June. Isesaki City in Gunma prefecture, (3) _____________________ of Tokyo, recorded a temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The hotter than (4) _____________________ weather means people are using their air conditioners more. This is making it (5) _____________________ for power companies to keep up with demand. To help these companies, Japan's government has asked people to use (6) _____________________ electricity. Spokesman Yoshihiko Isozaki said: "We ask the public to (7) _____________________ energy consumption during the early evening hours." He wants people to (8) _____________________ off unnecessary lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

earliest
heatstroke
much
exercise
season
hospital
set
risk

Japan's heat wave is (9) _____________________ to continue. The weather agency said that the country's rainy season finished at its (10) _____________________ since records began in 1851. This means a longer and hotter summer. The government said: "We are struck by unusual heat for the (11) _____________________. Please cooperate and save as (12) _____________________ power as possible." The Tokyo Electric Power Company warned there was a (13) _____________________ of power shortages and blackouts if people did not use less energy. There is also a risk of people getting (14) _____________________. More than 250 people were taken to (15) _____________________ in Tokyo over the weekend after suffering from heatstroke. The government is advising people to drink more water and not to (16) _____________________ outside in the heat.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, recorded a temperature of ______
     a. 40.2 degree Celsius
     b. 40.2 degrees see these
     c. 40.2 degree sell see us
     d. 40.2 degrees Celsius
2) The hotter than usual weather means people are using their ______
     a. air conditioners amore
     b. hair conditioners more
     c. third conditionals more
     d. air conditioners more
3) This is making it difficult for power companies to keep ______
     a. up within demand
     b. up with demand
     c. ups with demand
     d. upped with demand
4) We ask the public to reduce energy consumption during the ______
     a. early evening ours
     b. early even in ours
     c. early eve anon hours
     d. early evening hours
5) turn off unnecessary lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use ______
     a. air conditioners stress
     b. air conditioners alas
     c. air conditioners lest
     d. air conditioners less

6) the country's rainy season finished at its earliest ______
     a. since records began
     b. since records begin
     c. since records begun
     d. since records biggun
7) The government said: "We are struck by unusual heat ______
     a. for the seas on
     b. for the sea son
     c. for the ceasing
     d. for the season
8) warned there was a risk of power ______
     a. shortage is and black outs
     b. short ages end black clouts
     c. shore aegis and blackouts
     d. shortages and blackouts
9) taken to hospital in Tokyo over the weekend after ______
     a. suffering from heatstroke
     b. suffer ring from heatstroke
     c. suffer in from heart stroke
     d. suffering from heats stroke
10) drink more water and not to exercise outside ______
     a. in the heat
     b. inner heat
     c. in a heat
     d. in the hearth

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Japan (1) ____________________ heat. Last week, the temperature in eastern Japan reached 40ºC for the first time in June. Isesaki City in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, recorded (2) ____________________ 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The hotter than usual weather means people are using their (3) ____________________. This is making it difficult for power companies to keep (4) ____________________. To help these companies, Japan's government has asked people to use less electricity. Spokesman Yoshihiko Isozaki said: "We ask the public (5) ____________________ consumption during the early evening hours." He wants people to (6) ____________________ lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less.

Japan's heat wave is (7) ____________________. The weather agency said that the country's rainy season (8) ____________________ earliest since records began in 1851. This means a longer and hotter summer. The government said: "We are (9) ____________________ heat for the season. Please cooperate and save as much power as possible." The Tokyo Electric Power Company warned there was a risk (10) ____________________ and blackouts if people did not use less energy. There is also a risk of people getting heatstroke. More than 250 people were (11) ____________________ in Tokyo over the weekend after suffering from heatstroke. The government is advising people to drink more water and not (12) ____________________ in the heat.

Comprehension questions

What does the article say Japan is experiencing?
What was the record temperature that was set north of Tokyo?
What are power companies having difficulty keeping up with?
What did Japan's government ask people to use less of?
Between which times should people use air conditioners less?
What finished at its earliest since records began?
When did Japan's weather records begin?
What is there a risk of besides power shortages and heatstroke?
How many people in Tokyo were hospitalized with heatstroke?
Where did the government advise people not to exercise?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say Japan is experiencing?
a) adverse weather conditions
b) sticky weather
c) extreme humidity
d) record heat
2) What was the record temperature that was set north of Tokyo?
a) 40.3ºC
b) 40.2ºC
c) 40.8ºC
d) 40.6ºC
3) What are power companies having difficulty keeping up with?
a) the heat
b) its rivals
c) profits
d) demand
4) What did Japan's government ask people to use less of?
a) water
b) ice
c) electricity
d) gyms
5) Between which times should people use air conditioners less?
a) 3 am and 6 pm
b) 3 pm and 6 am
c) 6 pm and 3 pm
d) 3 pm and 6 pm

6) What finished at its earliest since records began?
a) spring
b) June
c) the rainy season
d) heatstroke
7) When did Japan's weather records begin?
a) 1851
b) 1852
c) 1853
d) 1854
8) What is there a risk of besides power shortages and heatstroke?
a) melting
b) fires
c) blackouts
d) no ice cream
9) How many people in Tokyo were hospitalized with heatstroke?
a) exactly 250
b) more than 250
c) around 250
d) just fewer than 250
10) Where did the government advise people not to exercise?
a) outside
b) under the direct sun
c) in gyms
d) in public parks

Role play

Role A – Air Conditioner
You think an air conditioner is the thing we could use less to save electricity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these of these (and why): smartphone, car or fridge.

Role B – Smartphone
You think a smartphone is the thing we could use less to save electricity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these of these (and why): air conditioner, car or fridge.

Role C – Car
You think a car is the thing we could use less to save electricity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these of these (and why): smartphone, air conditioner or fridge.

Role D – Fridge
You think a fridge is the thing we could use less to save electricity. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these of these (and why): smartphone, car or air conditioner.

After reading / listening

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

'heat'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'energy'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

week

degrees

difficult

asked

evening

turn

set

since

struck

possible

250

water

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 - Tokyo Energy

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'heat'?
What do you think of hot weather?
What do you think of 40-degree temperatures?
What's the best way to survive in the heat?
What do you think of air conditioners?
How can people use less energy in the summer months?
Have you ever experienced a heat wave?
What is causing record temperatures?
What advice do you have for people in Tokyo?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'energy'?
What do you think about what you read?
What's your favourite kind of weather?
Do you prefer the heat or the cold?
What do you like to do in summer?
Have you ever experienced power shortages?
What do you know about heatstroke?
What other dangers are there of very hot weather?
What questions would you like to ask a weather expert?

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)

Japan is experiencing record (1) ____. Last week, the temperature in eastern Japan reached 40ºC for the first time in June. Isesaki City in Gunma prefecture, north (2) ____ Tokyo, recorded a temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The hotter than (3) ____ weather means people are using their air conditioners more. This is making it difficult (4) ____ power companies to keep up with demand. To help these companies, Japan's government has asked people to use (5) ____ electricity. Spokesman Yoshihiko Isozaki said: "We ask the public to reduce energy consumption (6) ____ the early evening hours." He wants people to turn off unnecessary lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less.

Japan's heat wave is (7) ____ to continue. The weather agency said that the country's rainy season finished at its earliest (8) ____ records began in 1851. This means a longer and hotter summer. The government said: We are struck by unusual heat for the season. Please (9) ____ and save as much power as possible." The Tokyo Electric Power Company warned there was a (10) ____ of power shortages and blackouts if people did not use less energy. There is also a risk of people getting heatstroke. More than 250 people were (11) ____ to hospital in Tokyo over the weekend after suffering from heatstroke. The government is advising people to drink more water and not to exercise outside in the (12) ____.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) hot (b) heat (c) heats (d) hotter
(a) at (b) of (c) on (d) to
(a) often (b) usually (c) oft (d) usual
(a) of (b) for (c) at (d) to
(a) loads (b) fewer (c) smaller (d) less
(a) while (b) between (c) during (d) at
(a) set (b) let (c) met (d) wet
(a) that (b) for (c) since (d) from
(a) cooperates (b) cooperation (c) cooperative (d) cooperate
(a) risk (b) risky (c) risqué (d) risked
(a) taken (b) went (c) gone (d) given
(a) heat (b) hot (c) heats (d) hotter

Spelling

Paragraph 1

Japan is cienenxierpg record heat
the mrrautetpee in eastern Japan reached 40ºC
people are using their air trnoseiicdon
keep up with madend
reduce energy uiopcntnmos
turn off yseunsencar lights

Paragraph 2

the country's rainy esnaso finished
roptecaeo and save as much power as possible
a risk of power htaosesgr and blackouts
suffering from reetstkhao
ngsivadi people to drink more water
not to xericsee outside in the heat

Put the text back together

( 1 ) Japan is experiencing record heat. Last week, the temperature in eastern Japan reached 40ºC for the first
(...) advising people to drink more water and not to exercise outside in the heat.
(...) public to reduce energy consumption during the early evening hours." He wants people to turn
(...) companies, Japan's government has asked people to use less electricity. Spokesman Yoshihiko Isozaki said: "We ask the
(...) over the weekend after suffering from heatstroke. The government is
(...) heat for the season. Please cooperate and save as much power as possible." The Tokyo Electric Power Company
(...) warned there was a risk of power shortages and blackouts if people did not use less energy. There is also a risk
(...) 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The hotter than usual weather means people are using their air
(...) of people getting heatstroke. More than 250 people were taken to hospital in Tokyo
(...) off unnecessary lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less.
(...) Japan's heat wave is set to continue. The weather agency said that the country's rainy season finished
(...) at its earliest since records began in 1851. This means a longer and hotter summer. The government said: "We are struck by unusual
(...) conditioners more. This is making it difficult for power companies to keep up with demand. To help these
(...) time in June. Isesaki City in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, recorded a temperature of

Put the words in the right order

in The temperature eastern Japan reached 40ºC .
power companies . is for it This difficult making
asked use Japan's people has to less . government
to energy public consumption . We the reduce ask
off lights . wants to unnecessary turn people He
heat Japan's is set to continue . wave
blackouts less . Shortages and use if didn't people
There heatstroke . also a of is getting risk
people were 250 taken to More than hospital .
The to drink is government more . advising people

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Japan is experiencing / experienced record heat. Last week, the temperature in eastern Japan reached 40ºC for the firstly / first time in June. Isesaki City in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, recorded / record a temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The hotter than usual / usually weather means people are using their air conditioners many / more. This is making it difficult for power companies to keep up / down with demand. To help these companies, Japan's government has asked people to use few / less electricity. Spokesman Yoshihiko Isozaki said: "We ask the public to reduce / increase energy consumption while / during the early evening hours." He wants people to turn off unnecessary lights / light from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less.

Japan's heat wave is wet / set to continue. The weather agency said that the country's rainy season finished at their / its earliest since records began in 1851. This means / mean a longer and hotter summer. The government said: "We are struck / stuck by unusual heat for the season. Please cooperate and save as many / much power as possible." The Tokyo Electric Power Company warned there was a risky / risk of power shortages and blackouts if people did not use / using less energy. There is also a risk of people getting heatstroke. More than 250 people were taken / went to hospital in Tokyo over the weekend after suffering / suffer from heatstroke. The government is advising people to drink more water and not to exercise outside in the hot / heat.

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)

J_p_n _s _xp_r__nc_ng r_c_rd h__t. L_st w__k, th_ t_mp_r_t_r_ _n __st_rn J_p_n r__ch_d 40ºC f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _n J_n_. _s_s_k_ C_ty _n G_nm_ pr_f_ct_r_, n_rth _f T_ky_, r_c_rd_d _ t_mp_r_t_r_ _f 40.2 d_gr__s C_ls__s _n S_t_rd_y. Th_ h_tt_r th_n _s__l w__th_r m__ns p__pl_ _r_ _s_ng th__r __r c_nd_t__n_rs m_r_. Th_s _s m_k_ng _t d_ff_c_lt f_r p_w_r c_mp_n__s t_ k__p _p w_th d_m_nd. T_ h_lp th_s_ c_mp_n__s, J_p_n's g_v_rnm_nt h_s _sk_d p__pl_ t_ _s_ l_ss _l_ctr_c_ty. Sp_k_sm_n Y_sh_h_k_ _s_z_k_ s__d: "W_ _sk th_ p_bl_c t_ r_d_c_ _n_rgy c_ns_mpt__n d_r_ng th_ __rly _v_n_ng h__rs." H_ w_nts p__pl_ t_ t_rn _ff _nn_c_ss_ry l_ghts fr_m 3 pm t_ 6 pm _nd _s_ __r c_nd_t__n_rs l_ss.

J_p_n's h__t w_v_ _s s_t t_ c_nt_n__. Th_ w__th_r _g_ncy s__d th_t th_ c__ntry's r__ny s__s_n f_n_sh_d _t _ts __rl__st s_nc_ r_c_rds b_g_n _n 1851. Th_s m__ns _ l_ng_r _nd h_tt_r s_mm_r. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt s__d: W_ _r_ str_ck by _n_s__l h__t f_r th_ s__s_n. Pl__s_ c__p_r_t_ _nd s_v_ _s m_ch p_w_r _s p_ss_bl_." Th_ T_ky_ _l_ctr_c P_w_r C_mp_ny w_rn_d th_r_ w_s _ r_sk p_w_r sh_rt_g_s _nd bl_ck__ts _f p__pl_ d_d n_t _s_ l_ss _n_rgy. Th_r_ _s _ls_ _ r_sk _f p__pl_ g_tt_ng h__tstr_k_. M_r_ th_n 250 p__pl_ w_r_ t_k_n t_ h_sp_t_l _n T_ky_ _v_r th_ w__k_nd _ft_r s_ff_r_ng fr_m h__tstr_k_. Th_ g_v_rnm_nt _s _dv_s_ng p__pl_ t_ dr_nk m_r_ w_t_r _nd n_t t_ _x_rc_s_ __ts_d_ _n th_ h__t.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

japan is experiencing record heat last week the temperature in eastern japan reached 40c for the first time in june isesaki city in gunma prefecture north of tokyo recorded a temperature of 402 degrees celsius on saturday the hotter than usual weather means people are using their air conditioners more this is making it difficult for power companies to keep up with demand to help these companies japans government has asked people to use less electricity spokesman yoshihiko isozaki said we ask the public to reduce energy consumption during the early evening hours he wants people to turn off unnecessary lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less

japans heat wave is set to continue the weather agency said that the countrys rainy season finished at its earliest since records began in 1851 this means a longer and hotter summer the government said we are struck by unusual heat for the season please cooperate and save as much power as possible the tokyo electric power company warned there was a risk of power shortages and blackouts if people did not use less energy there is also a risk of people getting heatstroke more than 250 people were taken to hospital in tokyo over the weekend after suffering from heatstroke the government is advising people to drink more water and not to exercise outside in the heat

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Japanisexperiencingrecordheat.Lastweek,thetemperatureineaster
nJapanreached40ºCforthefirsttimeinJune.IsesakiCityinGunmapref
ecture,northofTokyo,recordedatemperatureof40.2degreesCelsiuso
nSaturday.Thehotterthanusualweathermeanspeopleareusingtheira
irconditionersmore.Thisismakingitdifficultforpowercompaniestokee
pupwithdemand.Tohelpthesecompanies,Japan'sgovernmenthasas
kedpeopletouselesselectricity.SpokesmanYoshihikoIsozakisaid:"W
easkthepublictoreduceenergyconsumptionduringtheearlyeveningh
ours."Hewantspeopletoturnoffunnecessarylightsfrom3pmto6pman
duseairconditionersless.Japan'sheatwaveissettocontinue.Theweat
heragencysaidthatthecountry'srainyseasonfinishedatitsearliestsinc
erecordsbeganin1851.Thismeansalongerandhottersummer.Thegov
ernmentsaid:"Wearestruckbyunusualheatfortheseason.Pleasecoop
erateandsaveasmuchpoweraspossible."TheTokyoElectricPowerCo
mpanywarnedtherewasariskofpowershortagesandblackoutsifpeopl
edidnotuselessenergy.Thereisalsoariskofpeoplegettingheatstroke.
Morethan250peopleweretakentohospitalinTokyoovertheweekendaf
tersufferingfromheatstroke.Thegovernmentisadvisingpeopletodrin
kmorewaterandnottoexerciseoutsideintheheat.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We all need to use much less electricity every day. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. ENERGY: Make a poster about energy. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. ELECTRICITY: Write a magazine article about cutting the amount of electricity available for use. 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 energy. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can save it. 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

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Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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