With Answers! | Download Free Intermediate Japan Nuclear Rating News Lesson plan here: Japan-Improving-Radiation-Intermediate-13042011.doc
News Lesson Plan : Warm-up
1) What is a natural disaster? What are some kinds of natural disasters?
2) What are some examples of non-natural disasters?
3) Have there been any disasters in your area? What do you know about the Chernobyl incident?
4) Do you worry about the safety of the food you eat? What won't you buy?
Japanese PM: Situation Improving Despite Nuclear Rating (April 13th, 2011)
The Japanese government has rated the nuclear accident at level seven — the highest rating on the nuclear scale. The nuclear crisis in Japan is now at the same level as the 1986 disaster at Chernobyl.
Despite this announcement, Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan said the situation isimproving. Workers at the Fukushima-Daiichi say that powerful aftershocks are delaying efforts to repair the systems. On a positive note, there is no indication of damage from the most recent quakes.
China has voiced concern over Japan's recent decision to dump nuclear wastewater from their plant into the Pacific Ocean. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao demanded the Japanese government take into consideration the impact the radioactive water might have on the ocean environment.
Japanese officials maintain that radiation levels in Japan are only one-tenth of those of Chernobyl. Furthermore, unlike the Chernobyl disaster that killed roughly two dozen people within days and thousands more over the following years, Japanese officials believe there is no direct health risk in Japan. Prime Minister Kan has assured his public that the situation is improving “one step at a time”. He has encouraged citizens to support the areas affected by the disaster by purchasing their products. Kan also stated that the crisis is an opportunity for the Japanese to rebuild the country in a new and improved way, much like how the nation was rebuilt after World War II. [Words: 231]
[Original: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/east-pacific/Japanese-PM-Says-Nuclear-Plant-Stabilizing-Despite-Higher-Crisis-Rating-119680334.html]
News Lesson Plan : Comprehension Questions
1) True or False: recent aftershocks have caused more damage to reactors.
2) According to Japanese officials, how is the situation in Japan different from Chernobyl?
3) What is the Chinese premier concerned about?
4) What has Prime Minister Kan asked people to do for the people affected by the disaster?
5) According to Kan, what opportunity do the Japanese have?
Answers
1 - False.
2 - They say there is no direct health risk in Japan. In Chernobyl, many people died immediately and following. Also, Japanese officials say radiation levels are 1/10th the Chernobyl levels.
3 - He is concerned about the effect the radioactive water will have on the ocean environment.
4 - He has asked them to support the people affected by the disaster by purchasing their goods.
5 - The Japanese have the opportunity to rebuild their country in a new and improved way.
News Lesson Plan : Vocabulary Matching
Match the words with their meaning as used in the news lesson.
| rate | |
| aftershock | |
| delay (verb) | |
| indication | |
| voice (verb) | |
| wastewater | |
| maintain | |
| risk | |
| assure | |
| encourage |
Answers
- rate - evaluate, judge, rank
- aftershock - small earthquake following a bigger one.
- delay - slow down, make something late
- indication - sign
- voice - express, state
- wastewater - used water that is no longer needed
- maintain - insist or swear that something is true
- risk - danger
- assure - guarantee, confirm
- encourage - pressure, push
News Lesson Plan: Master the Language
1) Connect the below idea(s) to make a sentence.
aftershock / building | |
rate / hotel | |
flight / delay | |
indication / storm | |
voice / opinion | |
wastewater / risk / health | |
assure / safe | |
encourage / quit |
Answers
Possible Answers:
- The Hilton in Paris is rated (as) a five-star hotel.
- My flight was delayed by 30 minutes because of bad weather.
- The dark clouds gave an indication that a storm was coming.
- Paul was scared to voice his opinion in front of his boss.
- The polluted wastewater poses a health risk if drunk.
- The government assured everyone that they were safe.
- Dr. Fletcher encouraged the man to quit smoking.
2) Idiom focus: take into consideration
Meaning: | to think about and include a particular thing or fact when you are forming an opinion or making a decision |
Example: | The candidates' experience was taken into consideration before the final decision was made. |
Read and complete the below sentences where necessary.
You need to take the weather into consideration before you .
When choosing a wife or husband, you should take his or her into consideration.
Answers
Possible Answers:
- ... before you plan an outdoor wedding or camping trip.
- ... character and attitude into consideration.
News Lesson Plan : Discussion Questions
(Write your answers in the Comments section below if you wish).
1) What do you think about how Japan is handling the situation?
2) What is your opinion of nuclear energy? What type of energy do you support?
3) What effects could the problems in Japan have on you, if any?
4) If you were Japanese, would you buy food grown in areas near reactors?
5) Could you feel comfortable living in an area that could have a natural disaster at any moment?
6) Would you consider giving money to help the Japanese?
7) If you could rebuild your country, what would you change?
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News lesson plan copyright Matthew Barton of Englishcurrent.com