The Reading / Listening - Heatwaves - Level 3

The United Nations weather agency has warned that extreme temperatures are "the new normal". Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer, hotter and more frequent. Many countries have been experiencing record hot weather in the past week. In parts of the USA and China, the mercury went over 50ºC (122ºF). In Death Valley, California, it was 53.9ºC; and in Xinjiang, China, it got up to 52.2ºC. In Spain and Italy, the temperature rose to 46ºC. Many European countries and Japan have issued heat alerts. They advised people to stay in the shade and drink plenty of water. The U.N. weather agency has warned Europe's heatwave could continue for another month.

A spokesperson for the United Nations warned of the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions. He said: "Extreme weather is increasing in frequency in our warming climate. It is having a major impact on human health…and water supplies." He added: "We have to step up efforts to help society adapt to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal." The European Travel Commission said the extreme heat is making holidaymakers change their travel plans. People who used to holiday in Spain, Italy and Greece are choosing to go to cooler countries instead. A woman who wanted to "escape the heat" by going to Rome complained that the Italian capital was hotter than her hometown in Texas.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Heatwaves - Level 0,  Heatwaves - Level 1   or  Heatwaves - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66229057
  • https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heat-wave-europe-italy-expects-record-temperature-greece-wildfire/
  • https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12309835/Fewer-tourists-plan-visit-Europe-temperatures-soar-heatwave-abandoning-holidays.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. HEATWAVES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about heatwaves. 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?
       United Nations / extreme temperatures / heatwaves / mercury / heat / the shade /
       greenhouse gas / climate / health / society / normal / holidaymakers / travel plans
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CLIMATE CHANGE: Students A strongly believe it's too late to turn climate change around; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. EXTREME WEATHER: How serious are these examples of extreme weather? What should people do in these situations? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Example

What People Should Do

Heat

 

 

Rain / floods

 

 

Snow

 

 

Wind

 

 

Freezing temperatures

 

 

Dust storm

 

 
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. NORMAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "normal". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. CLIMATE CHANGE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to reduce climate change at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Turn off lights
  • Buy used clothes
  • Cycle everywhere
  • Drink tap water
  • Use buses and trains
  • Do not fly
  • Eat more vegetables
  • Plant trees

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. agency a. The silver metal in a thermometer that tells us how hot or cold it is.
      2. extreme b. How hot or cold something or someone is.
      3. frequent c. An organization that gives a service for another business, person, or group.
      4. mercury d. More than enough.
      5. temperature e. Very severe or serious.
      6. shade f. Occurring or done many times at short spaces of time.
      7. plenty g. The darker part of the ground that is outside direct sunlight.

    Paragraph 2

      8. emissions h. The city or town that is the heart of government and administration in a country or region.
      9. impact i. The production and release of something, especially gas or radiation.
      10. step up j. The effect of one thing on another.
      11. holidaymakers k. As a substitute or alternative to.
      12. instead l. People who go on vacation.
      13. escape m. Increase the amount, speed, or intensity of something
      14. capital n. Break free from someone or something.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The UN said extreme temperatures are because of climate change.     T / F
  2. Temperatures in parts of the USA and China were above 52ºC.     T / F
  3. Japan has issued a heart alert to old people.     T / F
  4. The UN said the heatwave in Europe could last for another month.     T / F
  5. The UN said people should stop growing vegetables in greenhouses.     T / F
  6. The UN said climate change is having a minor impact on health.     T / F
  7. Fewer tourists are going to Spain because of the heatwaves.     T / F
  8. A woman in Rome said the city was hotter than her hometown in Texas.  T / F

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

  1. warned
  2. parts
  3. rose
  4. plenty
  5. continue
  6. spokesperson
  7. major
  8. unfortunately
  9. extreme
  10. escape
  1. sadly
  2. get away from
  3. last
  4. increased
  5. serious
  6. regions
  7. representative
  8. cautioned
  9. important
  10. a lot of

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

  1. Scientists say climate change is making
  2. the mercury went
  3. European countries and Japan have
  4. They advised people to stay in
  5. Europe's heatwave could continue
  6. the need to cut greenhouse
  7. It is having a major impact
  8. step up efforts to
  9. People who used to
  10. wanted to escape
  1. on human health
  2. issued heat alerts
  3. for another month
  4. the heat
  5. over 50ºC
  6. help society adapt
  7. the shade
  8. holiday in Spain
  9. gas emissions
  10. heatwaves longer

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
alerts
frequent
parts
continue
agency
plenty
experiencing
temperature

The United Nations weather (1) _____________________ has warned that extreme temperatures are "the new normal". Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer, hotter and more (2) _____________________. Many countries have been (3) _____________________ record hot weather in the past week. In (4) _____________________ of the USA and China, the mercury went over 50ºC (122ºF). In Death Valley, California, it was 53.9ºC; and in Xinjiang, China, it got up to 52.2ºC. In Spain and Italy, the (5) _____________________ rose to 46ºC. Many European countries and Japan have issued heat (6) _____________________. They advised people to stay in the shade and drink (7) _____________________ of water. The U.N. weather agency has warned Europe's heatwave could (8) _____________________ for another month.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
plans
emissions
capital
supplies
escape
society
warming
cooler

A spokesperson for the United Nations warned of the need to cut greenhouse gas (9) _____________________. He said: "Extreme weather is increasing in frequency in our (10) _____________________ climate. It is having a major impact on human health…and water (11) _____________________." He added: "We have to step up efforts to help (12) _____________________ adapt to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal." The European Travel Commission said the extreme heat is making holidaymakers change their travel (13) _____________________. People who used to holiday in Spain, Italy and Greece are choosing to go to (14) _____________________ countries instead. A woman who wanted to "(15) _____________________ the heat" by going to Rome complained that the Italian (16) _____________________ was hotter than her hometown in Texas.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer, hotter ______
     a.  and more frequently
     b.  and more frequency
     c.  and more frequented
     d.  and more frequent
2)  In Spain and Italy, the temperature ______
     a.  raise to 46ºC
     b.  roses to 46ºC
     c.  roads to 46ºC
     d.  rolls to 46ºC
3)  Many European countries and Japan have ______
     a.  issued head alerts
     b.  issued heat alerts
     c.  issued heart alerts
     d.  issued heath alerts
4)  They advised people to stay in the shade and drink ______
     a.  plenty off water
     b.  plenty of watery
     c.  plenty of water
     d.  plenty of waters
5)  The U.N. weather agency has warned Europe's ______
     a.  heatwave could continual
     b.  heatwave could continue
     c.  heatwave could continues
     d.  heatwave could continued

6)  the United Nations warned of the need to cut ______
     a.  greenhouse gas emission
     b.  greenhouse gasses emissions
     c.  greenhouse gassy emissions
     d.  greenhouse gas emissions
7)  It is having a major impact on human health ______
     a.  and watery supplies
     b.  and waters supplies
     c.  and water supplies
     d.  and watered supplies
8)  We have to step up efforts to ______
     a.  help society adapt
     b.  help society adept
     c.  help society adopt
     d.  help society add up
9)  A woman who wanted to ______
     a.  escape a heat
     b.  escape the heat
     c.  escape their heat
     d.  escape there heat
10)  by going to Rome complained that the Italian ______
     a.  capital was heater
     b.  capital was hater
     c.  capital was hotter
     d.  capital was hotly

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Nations weather agency has (1) ____________________ temperatures are "the new normal". Scientists say climate change is (2) ____________________, hotter and more frequent. Many countries have been experiencing record hot weather in the past week. In parts of the USA and China, the (3) ____________________ 50ºC (122ºF). In Death Valley, California, it was 53.9ºC; and in Xinjiang, China, it got up to 52.2ºC. In Spain and Italy, the (4) ____________________ 46ºC. Many European countries and Japan have (5) ____________________. They advised people to stay in the shade and (6) ____________________ water. The U.N. weather agency has warned Europe's heatwave could continue for another month.

A spokesperson for the United Nations warned of the (7) ____________________ greenhouse gas emissions. He said: "Extreme weather is increasing in frequency in our warming climate. It is having a (8) ____________________ human health…and water supplies." He added: "We have to step up efforts to (9) ____________________ to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal." The European Travel Commission said the extreme heat is making holidaymakers change (10) ____________________. People who used to holiday in Spain, Italy and Greece are choosing to go to cooler countries instead. A woman who wanted to "(11) ____________________" by going to Rome complained that the Italian (12) ____________________ than her hometown in Texas.

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the UN say is causing the heatwaves?
  2. Where did temperatures reach 53.9ºC?
  3. What did the temperature reach in Spain and Italy?
  4. Where did a heat alert advise people to stay?
  5. For how long could Europe's heatwave last?
  6. What did the UN say we needed to cut?
  7. What is extreme weather impacting besides our health?
  8. Where are holidaymakers now traveling to?
  9. What did a woman want to escape from?
  10. Where did a woman say was hotter than her hometown in Texas?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did the UN say is causing the heatwaves?
a) pollution
b) climate change
c) fossil fuels
d) overpopulation
2) Where did temperatures reach 53.9ºC?
a) Xinjiang, China
b) Spain
c) Texas
d) Death Valley, California
3) What did the temperature reach in Spain and Italy?
a) 46ºC
b) 52.2ºC
c) 53.9ºC
d) 122ºF
4) Where did a heat alert advise people to stay?
a) on the beach
b) at home
c) in the shade
d) indoors
5) For how long could Europe's heatwave last?
a) a few months
b) another month
c) months
d) for the rest of the year

6) What did the UN say we needed to cut?
a) greenhouse gas emissions
b) links with oil companies
c) ties
d) oil pipes
7) What is extreme weather impacting besides our health?
a) farming
b) biodiversity
c) water supplies
d) diseases
8) Where are holidaymakers now traveling to?
a) cooler countries
b) Antarctica
c) areas in their own country
d) the mountains
9) What did a woman want to escape from?
a) the heat
b) prison
c) her house
d) her country
10) Where did a woman say was hotter than her hometown in Texas?
a) China
b) Dallas
c) Japan
d) Rome

Role play

Role  A – Turn Off Lights
You think turning off lights is the best way to ease climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): cycling everywhere, eating more vegetables or planting trees.

Role  B – Cycling Everywhere
You think cycling everywhere is the best way to ease climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): turning off lights, eating more vegetables or planting trees.

Role  C – Eat More Vegetables
You think eating more vegetables is the best way to ease climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): cycling everywhere, turning off lights or planting trees.

Role  D – Plant Trees
You think planting trees is the best way to ease climate change. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): cycling everywhere, eating more vegetables or turning off lights.

After reading / listening

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

'heat'

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

    • and 'temperature'.

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

    • • 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:

    • scientists
    • longer
    • parts
    • over
    • issued
    • plenty
    • cut
    • major
    • step
    • plans
    • cooler
    • escape

    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 - Heatwaves

    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 'heatwave'?
    3. What do you think of hot weather?
    4. What's the hottest temperature you can be in?
    5. What do you think of the heatwaves?
    6. What should people do in very hot weather?
    7. Why are countries experiencing hotter weather?
    8. What's the hottest weather you've experienced?
    9. Is boiling hot or freezing cold weather best?
    10. What would you do if it was over 50ºC outside?

    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 'weather'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of greenhouse gases?
    5. How does extreme weather affect people's health?
    6. Have you changed your plans because of hot weather?
    7. Do you prefer going to hot or cold countries?
    8. Where do you go to 'escape the heat'?
    9. Do you like the weather in your country?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the UN weather agency?

    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)

    The United Nations weather agency has (1) ____ that extreme temperatures are "the new normal". Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer, hotter and more (2) ____. Many countries have been experiencing record hot weather in the past week. In parts of the USA and China, the (3) ____ went over 50ºC (122ºF). In Death Valley, California, it was 53.9ºC; and in Xinjiang, China, it (4) ____ up to 52.2ºC. In Spain and Italy, the temperature rose to 46ºC. Many European countries and Japan have issued (5) ____ alerts. They advised people to stay in the shade and drink (6) ____ of water. The U.N. weather agency has warned Europe's heatwave could continue for another month.

    A spokesperson for the United Nations warned of the (7) ____ to cut greenhouse gas emissions. He said: "Extreme weather is increasing (8) ____ frequency in our warming climate. It is having a major impact on human health…and water supplies." He added: "We have to (9) ____ up efforts to help society adapt to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal." The European Travel Commission said the extreme heat is making holidaymakers change their travel (10) ____. People who used to holiday in Spain, Italy and Greece are (11) ____ to go to cooler countries instead. A woman who wanted to "escape the heat" (12) ____ going to Rome complained that the Italian capital was hotter than her hometown in Texas.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     waned     (b)     warmed     (c)     weaned     (d)     warned    
    2. (a)     frequently     (b)     frequency     (c)     frequented     (d)     frequent    
    3. (a)     silver     (b)     mercury     (c)     helium     (d)     gold    
    4. (a)     height     (b)     boil     (c)     got     (d)     steam    
    5. (a)     hearth     (b)     heart     (c)     heat     (d)     hate    
    6. (a)     plenty     (b)     enough     (c)     sufficient     (d)     lot    
    7. (a)     needing     (b)     need     (c)     necessary     (d)     needy    
    8. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    9. (a)     stand     (b)     step     (c)     stair     (d)     ladder    
    10. (a)     planes     (b)     plants     (c)     plans     (d)     plus    
    11. (a)     chosen     (b)     choice     (c)     choosing     (d)     choose    
    12. (a)     as     (b)     at     (c)     for     (d)     by

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The United Nations weather cgenya
    2. hotter and more freutenq
    3. iixcepnengre record hot weather
    4. the ptertmareeu rose to 46ºC
    5. stay in the saedh
    6. nncitoeu for another month

    Paragraph 2

    1. greenhouse gas smoeisisn
    2. having a major tiamcp on human health
    3. water upselpsi
    4. step up efforts to help syoicte adapt
    5. choosing to go to cooler countries eatdisn
    6. the Italian apcital

    Put the text back together

    (...)  society adapt to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal." The European Travel Commission said the extreme
    (...)  in Xinjiang, China, it got up to 52.2ºC. In Spain and Italy, the temperature rose to 46ºC. Many European countries
    (...)  by going to Rome complained that the Italian capital was hotter than her hometown in Texas.
    (...)  and Japan have issued heat alerts. They advised people to stay in the shade and drink plenty
    (...)  frequent. Many countries have been experiencing record hot weather in the past week. In parts
    (...)  normal". Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer, hotter and more
    (...)  A spokesperson for the United Nations warned of the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions. He said: "Extreme
    (...)  choosing to go to cooler countries instead. A woman who wanted to "escape the heat"
    (  1  ) The United Nations weather agency has warned that extreme temperatures are "the new
    (...)  of the USA and China, the mercury went over 50ºC (122ºF). In Death Valley, California, it was 53.9ºC; and
    (...)  impact on human health…and water supplies." He added: "We have to step up efforts to help
    (...)  weather is increasing in frequency in our warming climate. It is having a major
    (...)  heat is making holidaymakers change their travel plans. People who used to holiday in Spain, Italy and Greece are
    (...)  of water. The U.N. weather agency has warned Europe's heatwave could continue for another month.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. warned   It   temperatures   extreme   the   normal   .   new   are
    2. change   is   heatwaves   climate   say   longer   .   making   Scientists
    3. countries   hot   experiencing   record   Many   weather   .   have   been
    4. people   They   advised   stay   shade   .   to   the   in
    5. continue   for   heatwave   month   .   Europe's   could   another
    6. gas   .   need   of   greenhouse   Warned   the   cut   to
    7. health   .   a   human   on   impact   major   having   It's
    8. have   up   to   We   to   help   .   efforts   step
    9. travel   Extreme   holidaymakers   making   is   heat   plans   .   change
    10. the   to   woman   A   wanted   escape   heat   .   who

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The United Nations weather agency has warned / warmed that extreme temperatures are "the new normal". Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer, hotter and more frequency / frequent. Many countries have been experiencing record hot / heat weather in the past week. In parts of the USA and China, the mercury went higher / over 50ºC (122ºF). In Death Valley, California, it was 53.9ºC; and in Xinjiang, China, it got up / high to 52.2ºC. In Spain and Italy, the temperature rose / risen to 46ºC. Many European countries and Japan have issued heart / heat alerts. They advised people to stay in the shady / shade and drink plenty / enough of water. The U.N. weather agency has warned Europe's heatwave could continue for other / another month.

    A spokesperson for the United Nations warned of the need / necessary to cut greenhouse gas emission / emissions. He said: "Extreme weather is increasing in / at frequency in our warming climate. It is having a major / majorly impact on human health…and water supplies." He added: "We have to step down / up efforts to help society adapt / adopt to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal." The European Travel Commission said the extreme heat is making holidaymakers charge / change their travel plans. People who used to holiday in Spain, Italy and Greece are choosing to go to cooler countries rather / instead. A woman who wanted to "escape / run the heat" by going to Rome complained that the Italian capitalize / capital was hotter than her hometown in Texas.

    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)

    Th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  w__th_r  _g_ncy  h_s  w_rn_d  th_t  _xtr_m_  t_mp_r_t_r_s  _r_  "th_  n_w  n_rm_l".  Sc__nt_sts  s_y  cl_m_t_  ch_ng_  _s  m_k_ng  h__tw_v_s  l_ng_r,  h_tt_r  _nd  m_r_  fr_q__nt.  M_ny  c__ntr__s  h_v_  b__n  _xp_r__nc_ng  r_c_rd  h_t  w__th_r  _n  th_  p_st  w__k.  _n  p_rts  _f  th_  _S_  _nd  Ch_n_,  th_  m_rc_ry  w_nt  _v_r  50ºC  (122ºF).  _n  D__th  V_ll_y,  C_l_f_rn__,  _t  w_s  53.9ºC;  _nd  _n  X_nj__ng,  Ch_n_,  _t  g_t  _p  t_  52.2ºC.  _n  Sp__n  _nd  _t_ly,  th_  t_mp_r_t_r_  r_s_  t_  46ºC.  M_ny  __r_p__n  c__ntr__s  _nd  J_p_n  h_v_  _ss__d  h__t  _l_rts.  Th_y  _dv_s_d  p__pl_  t_  st_y  _n  th_  sh_d_  _nd  dr_nk  pl_nty  _f  w_t_r.  Th_  _.N.  w__th_r  _g_ncy  h_s  w_rn_d  __r_p_'s  h__tw_v_  c__ld  c_nt_n__  f_r  _n_th_r  m_nth.

    _  sp_k_sp_rs_n  f_r  th_  _n_t_d  N_t__ns  w_rn_d  _f  th_  n__d  t_  c_t  gr__nh__s_  g_s  _m_ss__ns.  H_  s__d:  "_xtr_m_  w__th_r  _s  _ncr__s_ng  _n  fr_q__ncy  _n  __r  w_rm_ng  cl_m_t_.  _t  _s  h_v_ng  _  m_j_r  _mp_ct  _n  h_m_n  h__lth…_nd  w_t_r  s_ppl__s."  H_  _dd_d:  "W_  h_v_  t_  st_p  _p  _ff_rts  t_  h_lp  s_c__ty  _d_pt  t_  wh_t  _s  _nf_rt_n_t_ly  b_c_m_ng  th_  n_w  n_rm_l."  Th_  __r_p__n  Tr_v_l  C_mm_ss__n  s__d  th_  _xtr_m_  h__t  _s  m_k_ng  h_l_d_ym_k_rs  ch_ng_  th__r  tr_v_l  pl_ns.  P__pl_  wh_  _s_d  t_  h_l_d_y  _n  Sp__n,  _t_ly  _nd  Gr__c_  _r_  ch__s_ng  t_  g_  t_  c__l_r  c__ntr__s  _nst__d.  _  w_m_n  wh_  w_nt_d  t_  "_sc_p_  th_  h__t"  by  g__ng  t_  R_m_  c_mpl__n_d  th_t  th_  _t_l__n  c_p_t_l  w_s  h_tt_r  th_n  h_r  h_m_t_wn  _n  T_x_s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the united nations weather agency has warned that extreme temperatures are the new normal scientists say climate change is making heatwaves longer hotter and more frequent many countries have been experiencing record hot weather in the past week in parts of the usa and china the mercury went over 50c 122f in death valley california it was 539c and in xinjiang china it got up to 522c in spain and italy the temperature rose to 46c many european countries and japan have issued heat alerts they advised people to stay in the shade and drink plenty of water the un weather agency has warned europes heatwave could continue for another month

    a spokesperson for the united nations warned of the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions he said extreme weather is increasing in frequency in our warming climate it is having a major impact on human healthand water supplies he added we have to step up efforts to help society adapt to what is unfortunately becoming the new normal the european travel commission said the extreme heat is making holidaymakers change their travel plans people who used to holiday in spain italy and greece are choosing to go to cooler countries instead a woman who wanted to escape the heat by going to rome complained that the italian capital was hotter than her hometown in texas

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheUnitedNationsweatheragencyhaswarnedthatextremetemperatu
    resare"thenewnormal".Scientistssayclimatechangeismakingheatw
    aveslonger,hotterandmorefrequent.Manycountrieshavebeenexperi
    encingrecordhotweatherinthepastweek.InpartsoftheUSAandChina,
    themercurywentover50ºC(122ºF).InDeathValley,California,itwas5
    3.9ºC;andinXinjiang,China,itgotupto52.2ºC.InSpainandItaly,thete
    mperatureroseto46ºC.ManyEuropeancountriesandJapanhaveissue
    dheatalerts.Theyadvisedpeopletostayintheshadeanddrinkplentyof
    water.TheU.N.weatheragencyhaswarnedEurope'sheatwavecouldco
    ntinueforanothermonth.AspokespersonfortheUnitedNationswarned
    oftheneedtocutgreenhousegasemissions.Hesaid:"Extremeweatheri
    sincreasinginfrequencyinourwarmingclimate.Itishavingamajorimpa
    ctonhumanhealth…andwatersupplies."Headded:"Wehavetostepup
    effortstohelpsocietyadapttowhatisunfortunatelybecomingthenewn
    ormal."TheEuropeanTravelCommissionsaidtheextremeheatismakin
    gholidaymakerschangetheirtravelplans.Peoplewhousedtoholidayin
    Spain,ItalyandGreecearechoosingtogotocoolercountriesinstead.Aw
    omanwhowantedto"escapetheheat"bygoingtoRomecomplainedthat
    theItaliancapitalwashotterthanherhometowninTexas.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    It is too late to change the warming climate. 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. HEATWAVES: Make a poster about heatwaves. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. FOSSIL FUELS: Write a magazine article about ending the use of all fossil fuels in the next ten years. 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 heatwaves. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to keep safe during a heatwave. 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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