A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
- Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
- Reading Read the main text.
- Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
- Main Idea Choose the overall message of the text.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Multiple Choice Check understanding.
- Words That Go Together Connect words and collocated phrases from the lesson.
- Discussion Builder Think about how ideas relate to each other to choose connecting expressions.
- Sentence Unscramble Reorder mixed phrases into correct sentences.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: Which issue do you think will be most important in this story?
a) Protecting vulnerable people during extreme heat
b) Helping tourists travel during the summer season
c) Explaining why people prefer warm weather
Ask: (1) How is the weather where you are? (2) In your hometown, what is the coldest it gets in winter? How hot does it get in summer?
VOCAB LIST
Reading
A severe heat wave in France may have caused about 1,000 more deaths than usual in just four days, according to Santé Publique France, the country’s national public health agency. The deaths were recorded between Wednesday and Saturday, when temperatures rose to some of the highest levels ever recorded in the country.
The impact was especially serious in western and central France. Most of those who died were older adults: about 85 percent were aged 65 or older. However, officials said deaths increased across all age groups. The final number may take months to confirm because each death must be investigated.
France was not alone. Much of Europe suffered through extreme heat, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in some places. The World Health Organization said more than 1,300 deaths linked to high temperatures had been recorded in Europe since June 21.
In France, schools were closed or had shorter hours, train services were disrupted, and many people rushed to buy air conditioners. Others covered windows to keep the sun out. The heat also brought another danger. As more people went swimming to escape the heat, officials reported a rise in drowning deaths.
Hospitals and nursing homes reported more deaths, but officials were especially worried about people at home. Health workers warned that people living alone, especially older adults, faced the greatest danger after several days without cooler air, rest, or enough water. In Paris, some funeral facilities reached full capacity, showing how serious the situation had become.
Health officials say the tragedy is a reminder that extreme heat is not just uncomfortable. It can be deadly, especially in cities and homes built for a cooler climate.
France Faces Extreme Heat
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: Which issue do you think will be most important in this story?
a) Protecting vulnerable people during extreme heat
b) Helping tourists travel during the summer season
c) Explaining why people prefer warm weather
Ask: (1) How is the weather where you are? (2) In your hometown, what is the coldest it gets in winter? How hot does it get in summer?
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severe (adj.)
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heat wave (n.)
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investigate (v.)
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disrupted (adj.)
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drowning (n.)
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nursing home (n.)
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tragedy (n.)
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funeral (n./adj.)
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reminder (n.)
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at full capacity (phr.)
A severe heat wave in France may have caused about 1,000 more deaths than usual in just four days, according to Santé Publique France, the country’s national public health agency. The deaths were recorded between Wednesday and Saturday, when temperatures rose to some of the highest levels ever recorded in the country.
The impact was especially serious in western and central France. Most of those who died were older adults: about 85 percent were aged 65 or older. However, officials said deaths increased across all age groups. The final number may take months to confirm because each death must be investigated.
France was not alone. Much of Europe suffered through extreme heat, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in some places. The World Health Organization said more than 1,300 deaths linked to high temperatures had been recorded in Europe since June 21.
In France, schools were closed or had shorter hours, train services were disrupted, and many people rushed to buy air conditioners. Others covered windows to keep the sun out. The heat also brought another danger. As more people went swimming to escape the heat, officials reported a rise in drowning deaths.
Hospitals and nursing homes reported more deaths, but officials were especially worried about people at home. Health workers warned that people living alone, especially older adults, faced the greatest danger after several days without cooler air, rest, or enough water. In Paris, some funeral facilities reached full capacity, showing how serious the situation had become.
Health officials say the tragedy is a reminder that extreme heat is not just uncomfortable. It can be deadly, especially in cities and homes built for a cooler climate.
Two ways to use this audio:
- Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
- Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
A severe heat wave in France may have (1) about 1,000 more deaths than usual in just four days, according to Santé Publique France, the country's national public health agency. The deaths were recorded between Wednesday and Saturday, when (2) rose to some of the highest levels ever recorded in the country.
The impact was especially serious in western and central France. Most of those who died were (3) adults: about 85 percent were aged 65 or older. However, officials said deaths increased across all age groups. The final number may take months to confirm because each death must be investigated.
France was not alone. Much of (4) suffered through extreme heat, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in some places. The World Health Organization said more than 1,300 deaths linked to high temperatures had been recorded in Europe since June 21.
In France, schools were closed or had shorter hours, train services were disrupted, and many people (5) to buy air conditioners. Others covered windows to keep the sun out. The heat also brought another danger. As more people went swimming to escape the heat, officials reported a rise in drowning deaths.
Hospitals and nursing homes reported more deaths, but officials were especially worried about people at home. Health workers warned that people living (6) , especially older adults, faced the greatest danger after several days without cooler air, rest, or enough water. In Paris, some funeral facilities reached full capacity, showing how serious the situation had become.
Health officials say the tragedy is a reminder that extreme heat is not just uncomfortable. It can be (7) , especially in cities and homes built for a cooler climate.
Main Idea
Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.
Main Idea
Choose one:
- Extreme heat can have serious effects on people and daily life. Correct answer
- Public services can become busy during dangerous weather.
- Older adults often need support during the summer months.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Most of the people who died were aged 65 or older. TRUEFALSE True
2. Officials have already confirmed the final death number. TRUEFALSE False
3. The heat wave also disrupted schools and train services in France. TRUEFALSE True
Multiple Choice
Answer each question by selecting A, B, C, or D, then click CHECK to see your results.
Multiple Choice
1. Why may the final number of deaths take months to confirm?
a) Because hospitals are still closed.
b) Because each death must be investigated.Correct
c) Because Europe has not shared its numbers yet.
d) Because officials are waiting for cooler weather.
2. What does the article say about the heat across Europe?
a) It was limited to France's capital.
b) It ended before June 21.
c) It caused only transport problems.
d) It pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in some places.Correct
3. What was one result of people trying to escape the heat?
a) Drowning deaths increased.Correct
b) Train stations became more crowded.
c) More people visited nursing homes.
d) Schools opened earlier in the day.
4. Who were officials especially worried about?
a) Tourists staying in hotels
b) Children traveling by train
c) People living alone at homeCorrect
d) Workers buying air conditioners
Words That Go Together
Drag each word to its match below:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Words That Go Together
Match each word with the words it goes with:
1. Causeh) more deaths than usual
2. Confirmg) the final number
3. Investigatef) each death
4. Suffer throughe) extreme heat
5. Disruptd) train services
6. Buyc) air conditioners
7. Coverb) windows
8. Reacha) full capacity
a) full capacity
b) windows
c) air conditioners
d) train services
e) extreme heat
f) each death
g) the final number
h) more deaths than usual
Discussion Builder
Hints: 1) Result 2) Example 3) Reason
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
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Older adults can get weak faster in extreme heat. they may need more support during a heat wave.
To me, / Because of that, / For example, / But,
Older adults can get weak faster in extreme heat. Because of that, they may need more support during a heat wave.
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People use different ways to cool down in summer. some people go swimming when it gets very hot.
Also, / To me, / That said, / For example,
People use different ways to cool down in summer. For example, some people go swimming when it gets very hot.
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People living alone may be at greater risk no one is there to check on them quickly.
because / but / so / and
People living alone may be at greater risk because no one is there to check on them quickly.
Sentence Unscramble
Sentence Unscramble
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A. I have experienced B. was trying C. very hot weather D. before, E. and the hardest part F. at night. G. to sleep
I have experienced very hot weather before, and the hardest part was trying to sleep at night.
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A. more people B. drowning deaths C. because D. I guess E. the water F. careful. G. went into H. increased I. without being
I guess drowning deaths increased because more people went into the water without being careful.
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A. in cold weather. B. To me, C. add more clothes D. is harder E. to handle F. I can always G. extreme heat H. because
To me, extreme heat is harder to handle because I can always add more clothes in cold weather.
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever experienced extremely hot weather? What was it like?
- Which places feel the hottest in a city during summer?
- Why do you think older adults faced the greatest danger in this heat wave?
- Why might people living alone be at greater risk?
- What do people in your country usually do to cool down when it's hot?
- Why do you think drowning deaths increased during this heat wave?
- What advice would you give people who want to swim safely in hot weather?
- Should cities do more to protect people during heat waves? What should they do?
- Which is harder to deal with: extreme heat or extreme cold? Why?
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever experienced extremely hot weather? What was it like?
- Which places feel the hottest in a city during summer?
- Why do you think older adults faced the greatest danger in this heat wave?
- Why might people living alone be at greater risk?
- What do people in your country usually do to cool down when it's hot?
- Why do you think drowning deaths increased during this heat wave?
- What advice would you give people who want to swim safely in hot weather?
- Should cities do more to protect people during heat waves? What should they do?
- Which is harder to deal with: extreme heat or extreme cold? Why?
Answers
Think Ahead: a
Listening: (1) caused, (2) temperatures, (3) older, (4) Europe, (5) rushed, (6) alone, (7) deadly
Main Idea: Extreme heat can have serious effects on people and daily life.
True or False:
- True. The story says about 85 percent of those who died were 65 or older.
- False. The story says the final number may take months to confirm because each death must be investigated.
- True. One paragraph says schools were closed or had shorter hours, and train services were disrupted.
Multiple Choice: b, d, a, c
Vocabulary:
- Cause: more deaths than usual
- Confirm: the final number
- Investigate: each death
- Suffer through: extreme heat
- Disrupt: train services
- Buy: air conditioners
- Cover: windows
- Reach: full capacity
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Result. 2) Example. 3) Reason.
- Because of that,
- For example,
- because
Sentence Unscramble:
- I have experienced very hot weather before, and the hardest part was trying to sleep at night.
- I guess drowning deaths increased because more people went into the water without being careful.
- To me, extreme heat is harder to handle because I can always add more clothes in cold weather.