The Reading / Listening - Antarctica - Level 6

The continent of Antarctica is rising. It is due to a geological phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. It will have huge consequences for the whole of Earth. An astronomical volume of ice has melted from Antarctica's glaciers. This has made the continent lighter. This consequently means it is slowly rising. The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the globe to rise. Geologist Terry Wilson from Ohio State University wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the base of the Antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening in decades, rather than over thousands of years."

Researchers used 3D modelling in an attempt to ascertain how rising sea levels could impact Earth. The team said levels could rise between 1.7 meters to 19.5 meters by 2500. McGill University glaciologist Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living in coastal areas, and the potential cost of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars by the end of the century, understanding the domino effect of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly affect countries differently. She said: "This finding highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose emissions are low, while their exposure and vulnerability to sea-level rise is high."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Antarctica - Level 4  or  Antarctica - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.sciencealert.com/one-of-earths-continents-is-rising-up-and-the-effects-could-be-huge
  • https://bgr.com/science/antarctica-is-rising-out-of-the-ocean-and-it-could-change-everything/
  • https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctica-is-rising-from-ocean-and-losing-weight-heres-how-it-will-impact-earth-751995


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. ANTARCTICA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Antarctica. 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?
       continent / Antarctica / geological phenomenon / melting ice / glaciers / land uplift /
       3D modelling / glaciologist / coastal areas / trillions of dollars / climate injustice
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SEA LEVELS: Students A strongly believe rising sea levels will not cause a big problem; Students B strongly believe they will. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CONTINENTS: What do you know about these continents? What environmental problems do they have? What are the solutions? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

Environmental Problems

Solutions

Antarctica

 

 

 

Asia

 

 

 

Africa

 

 

 

Europe

 

 

 

Australia

 

 

 

South America

 

 

 
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. GEOLOGY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "geology". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest problems at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Rising sea levels
  • Deforestation
  • Microplastics
  • Food waste
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Deforestation
  • Air pollution
  • Overfishing

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. continent a. What happens because of something else.
      2. geological b. One of the seven large areas of land, like Africa, Asia, or Europe.
      3. phenomenon c. Something that happens and can be seen or felt.
      4. consequence d. A large, slow-moving piece of ice on a mountain or near the North or South Pole.
      5. astronomical e. The bottom or lowest part of something.
      6. glacier f. About rocks, the Earth, and how the Earth changes over a long time.
      7. base g. Very, very big, or about space.

    Paragraph 2

      8. ascertain h. Very important, something that must be done or remembered.
      9. potential i. Being easily hurt or harmed by something.
      10. domino effect j. Gases or other things that are sent out into the air.
      11. crucial k. When one thing causes another thing to happen, and another thing, and another thing. and another…
      12. injustice l. When something is not fair or right.
      13. emissions m. Find out or learn something for sure.
      14. vulnerability n. Something that could happen or could be true in the future.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A phenomenon called glacial post-uplift is making Antarctica rise.     T / F
  2. The article says rising sea levels will only affect South Pacific islands.     T / F
  3. Antarctica is rising because it's getting lighter.     T / F
  4. The melting ice is happening over decades rather than millennia.     T / F
  5. Sea levels could rise by over 19 metres by 2500.     T / F
  6. Sea-level rises could cost quadrillions of dollars.     T / F
  7. A scientist said we need to understand the backgammon effect.     T / F
  8. There is climate injustice towards nations with low emissions.     T / F

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

  1. phenomenon
  2. consequences
  3. base
  4. measurements
  5. shape
  6. ascertain
  7. potential
  8. crucial
  9. injustice
  10. exposure
  1. foundation
  2. pivotal
  3. find out
  4. results
  5. unfairness
  6. form
  7. occurrence
  8. subjection
  9. calculations
  10. possible

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

  1. due to a geological phenomenon
  2. It will have huge
  3. An astronomical volume
  4. Our measurements
  5. The land uplift from reduced
  6. Researchers used 3D
  7. ascertain how rising sea levels
  8. the domino
  9. nations whose emissions
  10. their exposure and
  1. of ice has melted
  2. are low
  3. ice on the surface
  4. modelling
  5. vulnerability to sea-level rise
  6. called post-glacial uplift
  7. effect
  8. could impact Earth
  9. consequences
  10. show that

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
lighter
globe
decades
whole
base
due
rising
quickly

The continent of Antarctica is rising. It is (1) ________________________________________ to a geological phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. It will have huge consequences for the (2) ________________________________________ of Earth. An astronomical volume of ice has melted from Antarctica's glaciers. This has made the continent (3) ________________________________________. This consequently means it is slowly (4) ________________________________________. The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the (5) ________________________________________ to rise. Geologist Terry Wilson from Ohio State University wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the (6) ________________________________________ of the Antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly (7) ________________________________________. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening in (8) ________________________________________, rather than over thousands of years."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
potential
finding
modelling
vulnerability
glaciologist
emissions
impact
crucial

Researchers used 3D (9) ________________________________________ in an attempt to ascertain how rising sea levels could (10) ________________________________________ Earth. The team said levels could rise between 1.7 meters to 19.5 meters by 2500. McGill University (11) ________________________________________ Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living in coastal areas, and the (12) ________________________________________ cost of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars by the end of the century, understanding the domino effect of Antarctic ice melt is (13) ________________________________________." She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly affect countries differently. She said: "This (14) ________________________________________ highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose (15) ________________________________________ are low, while their exposure and (16) ________________________________________ to sea-level rise is high."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  It is due to a geological phenomenon called ______
     a.  paste-glacial uplift
     b.  past-glacial uplift
     c.  pest-glacial uplift
     d.  post-glacial uplift
2)  It will have huge consequences for the ______
     a.  hole of Earth
     b.  whole off Earth
     c.  whole of Earth
     d.  whale of Earth
3)  The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the ______
     a.  globe to raise
     b.  globe to arise
     c.  globe to rise
     d.  globe too rise
4)  measurements show that the solid earth that forms the base of the ______
     a.  Antarctic ice sleet
     b.  Antarctic ice skeet
     c.  Antarctic ice sweet
     d.  Antarctic ice sheet
5)  The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is ______
     a.  happening on decade
     b.  happen in decades
     c.  happening in decade
     d.  happening in decades

6)  Researchers used 3D modelling in an attempt to ascertain how rising sea levels ______
     a.  could compact Earth
     b.  could impact Earth
     c.  could impart Earth
     d.  could in pact Earth
7)  trillions of dollars by the end of the century, understanding ______
     a.  the dummy no effect
     b.  the dominant effect
     c.  the domino effect
     d.  the dome no effect
8)  She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly ______
     a.  affect countries differently
     b.  effect countries differently
     c.  infect countries differently
     d.  confect countries differently
9)  This finding highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose ______
     a.  emissions are allow
     b.  emissions are low
     c.  emissions are lowed
     d.  emissions are lowly
10)  their exposure and vulnerability to sea-level ______
     a.  rise is height
     b.  raise is high
     c.  riser is high
     d.  rise is high

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The continent of Antarctica is rising. It is (1) ____________________ geological phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. It will have huge consequences for the whole of Earth. (2) ____________________ of ice has melted from Antarctica's glaciers. This has made the continent lighter. This (3) ____________________ is slowly rising. The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the (4) ____________________. Geologist Terry Wilson from Ohio State University wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that (5) ____________________ of the Antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is (6) ____________________, rather than over thousands of years."

Researchers used 3D modelling in an (7) ____________________ how rising sea levels could impact Earth. The team said (8) ____________________ between 1.7 meters to 19.5 meters by 2500. McGill University glaciologist Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living (9) ____________________, and the potential cost of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars by the end of the century, understanding (10) ____________________ of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly affect countries differently. She said: "This finding highlights (11) ____________________ toward nations whose emissions are low, while their (12) ____________________ to sea-level rise is high."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the name of the phenomenon causing Antarctica to rise?
  2. How much ice has melted?
  3. What is Terry Wilson's job?
  4. What did a geologist say was changing shape quickly?
  5. How long does it normally take for land uplift to happen?
  6. What did researchers use to find out about sea-level rises?
  7. By how much could sea levels rise by 2500?
  8. How much could rising sea levels cost?
  9. What did a researcher say it was crucial to understand?
  10. What did a researcher say the research findings highlighted?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the phenomenon causing Antarctica to rise?
a) polar drift
b) climate change
c) post-glacial uplift
d) striped icebergs
2) How much ice has melted?
a) an astronomical volume
b) 10 billions tons
c) the weight of the nation of Wales
d) a trillion tons
3) What is Terry Wilson's job?
a) He's a glaciologist
b) He's a geologist.
c) He's a fisherman
d) He's a journalist
4) What did a geologist say was changing shape quickly?
a) the Antarctic mainland
b) the tips of icebergs
c) clouds above Antarctica
d) the base of the Antarctic ice sheet
5) How long does it normally take for land uplift to happen?
a) a few centuries
b) hundreds of millennia
c) thousands of years
d) dozens of years

6) What did researchers use to find out about sea-level rises?
a) a supercomputer
b) 3D modelling
c) ice cubes in a bathtub
d) quantum physics
7) By how much could sea levels rise by 2500?
a) 9.5 metres
b) 15.9 metres
c) 91.5 metres
d) 19.5 metres
8) How much could rising sea levels cost?
a) quadrillions of dollars
b) trillions of dollars
c) billions and billions
d) no one knows
9) What did a researcher say it was crucial to understand?
a) the Othello effect
b) the domino effect
c) the uno effect
d) the chess effect
10) What did a researcher say the research findings highlighted?
a) climate injustice
b) the need to use less coal
c) biodiversity loss in Antarctica
d) impending danger

Role play

Role  A – Rising Sea Levels
You think rising sea levels is the biggest environmental problem. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problem isn't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least pressing of these (and why): microplastics, biodiversity loss or deforestation.

Role  B – Microplastics
You think microplastics is the biggest environmental problem. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problem isn't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least pressing of these (and why): rising sea levels, biodiversity loss or deforestation.

Role  C – Biodiversity Loss
You think biodiversity loss is the biggest environmental problem. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problem isn't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least pressing of these (and why): microplastics, rising sea levels or deforestation.

Role  D – Deforestation
You think deforestation is the biggest environmental problem. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their problem isn't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least pressing of these (and why): microplastics, biodiversity loss or rising sea levels.

After reading / listening

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

'Antarctica'

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

    • and 'ocean'.

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

    • • 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:

    • due
    • huge
    • lighter
    • globe
    • solid
    • surface
    • 3D
    • team
    • 700
    • domino
    • unfairly
    • low

    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 - Antarctica

    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 'continent'?
    3. What do you know about Antarctica?
    4. How worried are you about rising sea levels?
    5. What would you like to know about post-glacial uplift?
    6. What will happen to our world if more ice melts?
    7. How vulnerable to climate change is your country?
    8. How worried are you about climate change?
    9. What will Antarctica look like in two decades from now?
    10. What can you do to help climate change?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'Antarctica'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What state would we be in if sea levels rose by 19.5 metres?
    5. What will happen during the domino effect?
    6. Why isn't the world doing more to protect our planet?
    7. What is climate injustice?
    8. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    9. Would you like to work as a glaciologist?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the glaciologists?

    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 (1) ____ of Antarctica is rising. It is due to a geological phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. It will have huge consequences for the (2) ____ of Earth. An astronomical volume of ice has melted from Antarctica's glaciers. This has made the continent (3) ____. This consequently means it is slowly rising. The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the globe to (4) ____. Geologist Terry Wilson from Ohio State University wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the (5) ____ of the Antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening (6) ____ decades, rather than over thousands of years."

    Researchers used 3D modelling in an attempt to (7) ____ how rising sea levels could impact Earth. The team said levels could rise between 1.7 meters to 19.5 meters by 2500. McGill University glaciologist Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living (8) ____ coastal areas, and the potential (9) ____ of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars by the end of the century, understanding the (10) ____ effect of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly affect countries differently. She said: "This (11) ____ highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose emissions are low, while their exposure and (12) ____ to sea-level rise is high."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     incontinence     (b)     continental     (c)     continent     (d)     incontinence    
    2. (a)     whole     (b)     whale     (c)     hole     (d)     while    
    3. (a)     lighter     (b)     lighten     (c)     enlighten     (d)     light up    
    4. (a)     rise     (b)     arise     (c)     rising     (d)     arouse    
    5. (a)     case     (b)     base     (c)     ace     (d)     face    
    6. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     by     (d)     in    
    7. (a)     concertina     (b)     contain     (c)     ascertain     (d)     acerbate    
    8. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     in    
    9. (a)     cost     (b)     coast     (c)     coastal     (d)     costly    
    10. (a)     chess     (b)     domino     (c)     uno     (d)     roulette    
    11. (a)     findings     (b)     finding     (c)     funding     (d)     founding    
    12. (a)     culpability     (b)     approachability     (c)     vulnerability     (d)     improbability

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The etoitncnn of Antarctica is rising
    2. due to a geological hemoeonnnp
    3. An scmrantooail volume of ice
    4. This euqsneotnlcy means it is slowly rising
    5. Our uesnrseemtma show that
    6. The land uplift from reduced ice on the casruef

    Paragraph 2

    1. in an attempt to rsciatena how
    2. McGill University iosaltgicogl
    3. understanding the doonim effect
    4. climate istcjnuie
    5. nations whose onissemsi are low
    6. their exposure and aylvuibterlni to sea-level rise

    Put the text back together

    (...)  sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening
    (...)  from Ohio State University wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the base of the Antarctic ice
    (...)  effect of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly affect countries
    (...)  cost of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars by the end of the century, understanding the domino
    (...)  glaciologist Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living in coastal areas, and the potential
    (...)  rising. The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the globe to rise. Geologist Terry Wilson
    (...)  in decades, rather than over thousands of years."
    (...)  uplift. It will have huge consequences for the whole of Earth. An astronomical volume of ice has
    (...)  low, while their exposure and vulnerability to sea-level rise is high."
    (...)  Researchers used 3D modelling in an attempt to ascertain how rising sea levels could impact
    (...)  differently. She said: "This finding highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose emissions are
    (...)  melted from Antarctica's glaciers. This has made the continent lighter. This consequently means it is slowly
    (..1..) The continent of Antarctica is rising. It is due to a geological phenomenon called post-glacial
    (...)  Earth. The team said levels could rise between 1.7 meters to 19.5 meters by 2500. McGill University

    Put the words in the right order

    1. geological   Due   post-glacial   phenomenon   a   uplift   .   to   called
    2. whole   huge   for   Have   the   consequences   of   Earth   .
    3. has   An   of   volume   ice   astronomical   melted   .
    4. earth   Antarctic   .   Solid   the   forms   that   base   of   the
    5. on   surface   .   uplift   reduced   ice   the   from   Land
    6. sea   rising   how   Ascertain   impact   could   Earth   .   levels
    7. of   The   is   domino   effect   melt   crucial   .   Antarctic
    8. uplift   affect   unfairly   will   countries   differently   .   Post-glacial
    9. the   injustice   This   highlights   nations   .   finding   toward   climate
    10. rise   sea-level   to   vulnerability   high   .   Their   is

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The incontinent / continent of Antarctica is rising. It is due to a geological phenomena / phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. It will have huge consequences for the whole / hole of Earth. An astronomical / astronomy volume of ice has melted from Antarctica's glaciers. This has made the continent lighter. This consequently means it is slowly risen / rising. The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around / abound the globe to rise. Geologist Terry Wilson from Ohio State University wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the basic / base of the Antarctic ice sheet / sleet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on / in the surface is happening in decades, rather than over thousands in / of years."

    Researchers used 3D modelling on / in an attempt to ascertain how rising sea levels could impact / compact Earth. The team said levels could rise between 1.7 meters or / to 19.5 meters by 2500. McGill University glaciologist Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly / near 700 million people living in coastal areas, and the potential cost / coast of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars in / by the end of the century, understanding the domino affect / effect of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly effect / affect countries differently. She said: "This finding highlights the climate justice / injustice toward nations whose emissions are low, while their exposure and vulnerability to sea-level rise is nigh / high."

    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_  c_nt_n_nt  _f  _nt_rct_c_  _s  r_s_ng.  _t  _s  d__  t_  _  g__l_g_c_l  ph_n_m_n_n  c_ll_d  p_st-gl_c__l  _pl_ft.  _t  w_ll  h_v_  h_g_  c_ns_q__nc_s  f_r  th_  wh_l_  _f  __rth.  _n  _str_n_m_c_l  v_l_m_  _f  _c_  h_s  m_lt_d  fr_m  _nt_rct_c_'s  gl_c__rs.  Th_s  h_s  m_d_  th_  c_nt_n_nt  l_ght_r.  Th_s  c_ns_q__ntly  m__ns  _t  _s  sl_wly  r_s_ng.  Th_  m_lt_ng  gl_c__l  w_t_r  _s  c__s_ng  s__  l_v_ls  _r__nd  th_  gl_b_  t_  r_s_.  G__l_g_st  T_rry  W_ls_n  fr_m  _h__  St_t_  _n_v_rs_ty  wr_t_:  "__r  m__s_r_m_nts  sh_w  th_t  th_  s_l_d  __rth  th_t  f_rms  th_  b_s_  _f  th_  _nt_rct_c  _c_  sh__t  _s  ch_ng_ng  sh_p_  s_rpr_s_ngly  q__ckly.  Th_  l_nd  _pl_ft  fr_m  r_d_c_d  _c_  _n  th_  s_rf_c_  _s  h_pp_n_ng  _n  d_c_d_s,  r_th_r  th_n  _v_r  th__s_nds  _f  y__rs."

    R_s__rch_rs  _s_d  3D  m_d_ll_ng  _n  _n  _tt_mpt  t_  _sc_rt__n  h_w  r_s_ng  s__  l_v_ls  c__ld  _mp_ct  __rth.  Th_  t__m  s__d  l_v_ls  c__ld  r_s_  b_tw__n  1.7  m_t_rs  t_  19.5  m_t_rs  by  2500.  McG_ll  _n_v_rs_ty  gl_c__l_g_st  N_t_ly_  G_m_z  wr_t_:  "W_th  n__rly  700  m_ll__n  p__pl_  l_v_ng  _n  c__st_l  _r__s,  _nd  th_  p_t_nt__l  c_st  _f  s__-l_v_l  r_s_  r__ch_ng  tr_ll__ns  _f  d_ll_rs  by  th_  _nd  _f  th_  c_nt_ry,  _nd_rst_nd_ng  th_  d_m_n_  _ff_ct  _f  _nt_rct_c  _c_  m_lt  _s  cr_c__l."  Sh_  _dd_d  th_t  p_st-gl_c__l  _pl_ft  w_ll  _nf__rly  _ff_ct  c__ntr__s  d_ff_r_ntly.  Sh_  s__d:  "Th_s  f_nd_ng  h_ghl_ghts  th_  cl_m_t_  _nj_st_c_  t_w_rd  n_t__ns  wh_s_  _m_ss__ns  _r_  l_w,  wh_l_  th__r  _xp_s_r_  _nd  v_ln_r_b_l_ty  t_  s__-l_v_l  r_s_  _s  h_gh."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the continent of antarctica is rising it is due to a geological phenomenon called postglacial uplift it will have huge consequences for the whole of earth an astronomical volume of ice has melted from antarcticas glaciers this has made the continent lighter this consequently means it is slowly rising the melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the globe to rise geologist terry wilson from ohio state university wrote our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the base of the antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly the land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening in decades rather than over thousands of years

    researchers used 3d modelling in an attempt to ascertain how rising sea levels could impact earth the team said levels could rise between 17 meters to 195 meters by 2500 mcgill university glaciologist natalya gomez wrote with nearly 700 million people living in coastal areas and the potential cost of sealevel rise reaching trillions of dollars by the end of the century understanding the domino effect of antarctic ice melt is crucial she added that postglacial uplift will unfairly affect countries differently she said this finding highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose emissions are low while their exposure and vulnerability to sealevel rise is high

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThecontinentofAntarcticaisrising.Itisduetoageologicalphenomenon
    calledpost-glacialuplift.Itwillhavehugeconsequencesforthewholeo
    fEarth.AnastronomicalvolumeoficehasmeltedfromAntarctica'sglaci
    ers.Thishasmadethecontinentlighter.Thisconsequentlymeansitisslo
    wlyrising.Themeltingglacialwateriscausingsealevelsaroundtheglob
    etorise.GeologistTerryWilsonfromOhioStateUniversitywrote:"Ourm
    easurementsshowthatthesolidearththatformsthebaseoftheAntarcti
    cicesheetischangingshapesurprisinglyquickly.Thelandupliftfromred
    ucediceonthesurfaceishappeningindecades,ratherthanoverthousan
    dsofyears."Researchersused3Dmodellinginanattempttoascertainho
    wrisingsealevelscouldimpactEarth.Theteamsaidlevelscouldrisebetw
    een1.7metersto19.5metersby2500.McGillUniversityglaciologistNat
    alyaGomezwrote:"Withnearly700millionpeoplelivingincoastalareas
    ,andthepotentialcostofsea-levelrisereachingtrillionsofdollarsbythee
    ndofthecentury,understandingthedominoeffectofAntarcticicemeltis
    crucial."Sheaddedthatpost-glacialupliftwillunfairlyaffectcountrie
    sdifferently.Shesaid:"Thisfindinghighlightstheclimateinjusticetowa
    rdnationswhoseemissionsarelow,whiletheirexposureandvulnerabili
    tytosea-levelriseishigh."

    Free writing

    Write about Antarctica post-glacial uplift for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We should all prepare for rising sea levels by relocating to higher ground. 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. ANTARCTICA: Make a poster about Antarctica. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. RELOCATING: Write a magazine article about moving capital cities to higher ground in preparation for higher sea levels. 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 Antarctica. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on rising sea levels. 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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