The amount of trees being cut down in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has gone down by almost half in 2023 compared to last year. This is the lowest it’s been in the past five years. But even with this decrease, the area that has been deforested is still more than six times the size of New York City. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who became president a year ago, has promised to stop deforestation by 2030.

Data from Brazil’s national space agency, Inpe, shows that 5,153 square kilometers of the Amazon were cleared in 2023, down from 10,278 square kilometers in 2022. President Lula has been very clear about his determination to bring back the Amazon rainforest and take action against those who are harming the climate. Under the previous president, Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation in the Amazon was at its highest in 12 years.

The environment ministry of Brazil said that this decrease in deforestation is just the first step towards reaching the country’s goal of zero deforestation. The government also said that they are committed to stopping illegal activities in the Amazon. The environment ministry thinks that the increased inspections by the environmental watchdog Ibama have played a big role in the decrease.

The Amazon rainforest is really important in the fight against climate change. It’s often called “the lungs of the planet” because it plays a big part in the oxygen and carbon dioxide cycles. The rainforest is home to about three million different plants and animals, and one million indigenous people. Brazil is responsible for 60% of the whole Amazon rainforest.

In summary, deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has gone down a lot in 2023 compared to previous years. President Lula’s promise to stop deforestation by 2030 has been a big part of this. But even with the decrease, a lot of trees are still being cut down. The government is still working hard to stop illegal activities in the Amazon, and Ibama has helped with this. It’s really important to protect the Amazon rainforest because it plays a big role in the world’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

Original news source: Amazon rainforest: Deforestation rate halved in 2023 (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They should focus on the decrease in deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest in 2023 compared to previous years, President Lula’s promise to stop deforestation by 2030, the government’s efforts to stop illegal activities in the Amazon, and the importance of the rainforest in the world’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.

– Word Association
Instructions: Give the students a list of key words from the article (e.g. deforestation, Amazon, President Lula, climate change, illegal activities, Ibama) and have them take turns saying the first word that comes to their mind when they hear each word. Encourage them to explain their associations if possible.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the students into pairs. One student will be the speaker and the other will be the listener. Give the speaker one minute to summarize the article, focusing on the main points. The listener should actively listen and then provide feedback on the accuracy and clarity of the summary. Then, switch roles and repeat the activity.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the students into small groups. Assign each group a role: environmentalists, loggers, indigenous people, government officials. Have them discuss and write down the pros and cons of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest from their assigned perspective. After a few minutes, have each group share their points with the class and facilitate a class discussion.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have the students imagine they are environmentalists in the year 2030. Ask them to write a short paragraph predicting the state of deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest and the impact it has had on the world. Encourage them to use future tenses and support their predictions with evidence from the article. After they finish writing, have them share their predictions with a partner or the whole class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How much has deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest decreased in 2023 compared to last year?
2. How does the size of the deforested area in the Amazon compare to the size of New York City?
3. Who is the current president of Brazil?
4. What is President Lula’s goal regarding deforestation in the Amazon?
5. What is the role of Brazil’s national space agency, Inpe, in monitoring deforestation?
6. What was the deforestation rate during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro?
7. What is the first step towards Brazil’s goal of zero deforestation?
8. Why is it important to protect the Amazon rainforest?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The amount of trees being cut down in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has gone down by almost half in 2023 compared to last year. This is the (1)______ it’s been in the past five years. But even with this (2)______, the area that has been deforested is still more than six times the size of New York City. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who became president a year ago, has (3)______ to stop deforestation by 2030.

Data from Brazil’s (4)______ space agency, Inpe, shows that 5,153 square kilometers of the Amazon were cleared in 2023, down from 10,278 square (5)______ in 2022. (6)______ Lula has been very clear about his (7)______ to bring back the Amazon rainforest and take action against those who are (8)______ the climate. Under the previous president, Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation in the Amazon was at its highest in 12 years.

The environment ministry of Brazil said that this decrease in deforestation is just the first step towards reaching the country’s goal of zero deforestation. The government also said that they are committed to stopping illegal activities in the Amazon. The environment ministry (9)______ that the increased inspections by the environmental watchdog Ibama have played a big role in the decrease.

The Amazon rainforest is really important in the fight against climate change. It’s often called “the lungs of the planet” because it plays a big part in the (10)______ and (11)______ dioxide cycles. The rainforest is home to about three million (12)______ plants and animals, and one million indigenous people. Brazil is responsible for 60% of the whole Amazon rainforest.

In summary, deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has gone down a lot in 2023 (13)______ to (14)______ years. President Lula’s promise to stop deforestation by 2030 has been a big part of this. But even with the decrease, a lot of trees are still being cut down. The government is still working hard to stop (15)______ activities in the Amazon, and Ibama has helped with this. It’s really important to protect the Amazon rainforest because it plays a big role in the world’s oxygen and carbon dioxide (16)______.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is deforestation?
2. How would you feel if you lived in the Amazon rainforest and saw trees being cut down?
3. Do you like nature? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to protect the Amazon rainforest? Why or why not?
5. What do you think would happen if deforestation continued at the same rate?
6. How do you think President Lula’s promise to stop deforestation by 2030 will impact the Amazon rainforest?
7. What is the role of the Amazon rainforest in the fight against climate change?
8. How do you think the decrease in deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest will affect the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels?
9. Do you think inspections by the environmental watchdog Ibama are effective in stopping illegal activities in the Amazon? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the indigenous people living in the Amazon rainforest feel about deforestation?
11. What actions can individuals take to help protect the Amazon rainforest?
12. How do you think the decrease in deforestation will affect the millions of different plants and animals in the Amazon rainforest?
13. What do you think are some challenges the government may face in reaching the goal of zero deforestation?
14. How would you feel if you had the power to make decisions about protecting the Amazon rainforest?
15. What can other countries do to support Brazil’s efforts in stopping deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. deforestation
2. indigenous
3. determination
4. inspections
5. environmental
6. watchdog
7. oxygen
8. carbon dioxide
9. cycles
10. decrease
11. illegal
12. committed
13. summary
14. previous
15. levels

Meanings:
(A) The heights or amounts of something
(B) People who are native to a particular place, having been there for a very long time
(C) The process of cutting down or clearing away trees from a forest
(D) Not allowed by law
(E) A gas that animals need to breathe in to live
(F) Having a strong dedication or loyalty to a task or cause
(G) A brief statement that gives the most important information about something
(H) Happening or existing before the current time or event
(I) A gas that is produced when people and animals breathe out or when certain fuels are burned
(J) A reduction in amount or size
(K) Related to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition
(L) Careful examinations or reviews to check that everything is correct and legal
(M) Repeated sequences or processes in nature or society
(N) The quality of being firm in your decision to do something
(O) A person or organization that makes sure rules and laws are followed
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How much has deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest decreased in 2023 compared to last year?
(a) A quarter
(b) Two-thirds
(c) Almost half
(d) Double

2. What is the size of the area that has been deforested in 2023?
(a) Half the size of New York City
(b) The same size as New York City
(c) One-tenth the size of New York City
(d) More than six times the size of New York City

3. Who is the current president of Brazil?
(a) Jair Bolsonaro
(b) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
(c) Dilma Rousseff
(d) Michel Temer

4. When did President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva become president?
(a) Two years ago
(b) A year ago
(c) Five years ago
(d) Ten years ago

5. Who was the previous president of Brazil?
(a) Jair Bolsonaro
(b) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
(c) Dilma Rousseff
(d) Michel Temer

6. What is the goal of Brazil in terms of deforestation?
(a) Zero deforestation
(b) Double the deforestation rate
(c) Decrease deforestation by 50%
(d) Increase deforestation by 50%

7. What role has the environmental watchdog Ibama played in the decrease of deforestation?
(a) Encouraging deforestation
(b) Ignoring deforestation activities
(c) Decreasing inspections
(d) Increased inspections

8. Why is it important to protect the Amazon rainforest?
(a) It is a tourist attraction
(b) It is home to many endangered species
(c) It plays a big role in the world’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
(d) It is a source of valuable natural resources

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who became president a year ago, has promised to stop deforestation by 2030.
2. This increase is the highest it has been in the past five years.
3. The Amazon rainforest is often called “the brain of the planet” because it plays a small part in the oxygen and carbon dioxide cycles and is home to millions of plants, animals, and indigenous people.
4. The government of Brazil is committed to stopping illegal activities in the Amazon and sees the decrease in deforestation as the first step towards zero deforestation.
5. Under the previous president, Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation in the Amazon was at its lowest in 12 years.
6. Data from Brazil’s national space agency, Inpe, shows that 5,153 square kilometers of the Amazon were cleared in 2023, down from 10,278 square kilometers in 2022.
7. The area that has been reforested is still more than six times the size of New York City.
8. The amount of trees being cut down in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has decreased by almost half in 2023 compared to last year.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How much has deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest decreased in 2023 compared to the previous year?
2. What is President Lula’s goal for stopping deforestation in the Amazon?
3. What role does the Amazon rainforest play in the fight against climate change?
4. How many plants and animals are estimated to live in the Amazon rainforest?
5. Why is it important to protect the Amazon rainforest?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How much has deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest decreased in 2023 compared to last year?
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has decreased by almost half in 2023 compared to last year.

2. How does the size of the deforested area in the Amazon compare to the size of New York City?
The deforested area in the Amazon is still more than six times the size of New York City.

3. Who is the current president of Brazil?
The current president of Brazil is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

4. What is President Lula’s goal regarding deforestation in the Amazon?
President Lula’s goal is to stop deforestation in the Amazon by 2030.

5. What is the role of Brazil’s national space agency, Inpe, in monitoring deforestation?
Brazil’s national space agency, Inpe, provides data and information on deforestation in the Amazon through satellite monitoring.

6. What was the deforestation rate during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro?
During the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation in the Amazon was at its highest in 12 years.

7. What is the first step towards Brazil’s goal of zero deforestation?
The first step towards Brazil’s goal of zero deforestation is the decrease in deforestation that has already been achieved.

8. Why is it important to protect the Amazon rainforest?
It is important to protect the Amazon rainforest because it plays a crucial role in the world’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and it is home to millions of plants, animals, and indigenous people.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) lowest
(2) decrease
(3) promised
(4) national
(5) kilometers
(6) President
(7) determination
(8) harming
(9) thinks
(10) oxygen
(11) carbon
(12) different
(13) compared
(14) previous
(15) illegal
(16) levels
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. deforestation
Answer: (C) The process of cutting down or clearing away trees from a forest

2. indigenous
Answer: (B) People who are native to a particular place, having been there for a very long time

3. determination
Answer: (N) The quality of being firm in your decision to do something

4. inspections
Answer: (L) Careful examinations or reviews to check that everything is correct and legal

5. environmental
Answer: (K) Related to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition

6. watchdog
Answer: (O) A person or organization that makes sure rules and laws are followed

7. oxygen
Answer: (E) A gas that animals need to breathe in to live

8. carbon dioxide
Answer: (I) A gas that is produced when people and animals breathe out or when certain fuels are burned

9. cycles
Answer: (M) Repeated sequences or processes in nature or society

10. decrease
Answer: (J) A reduction in amount or size

11. illegal
Answer: (D) Not allowed by law

12. committed
Answer: (F) Having a strong dedication or loyalty to a task or cause

13. summary
Answer: (G) A brief statement that gives the most important information about something

14. previous
Answer: (H) Happening or existing before the current time or event

15. levels
Answer: (A) The heights or amounts of something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How much has deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest decreased in 2023 compared to last year?
Answer: (c) Almost half

2. What is the size of the area that has been deforested in 2023?
Answer: (d) More than six times the size of New York City

3. Who is the current president of Brazil?
Answer: (b) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

4. When did President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva become president?
Answer: (b) A year ago

5. Who was the previous president of Brazil?
Answer: (a) Jair Bolsonaro

6. What is the goal of Brazil in terms of deforestation?
Answer: (a) Zero deforestation

7. What role has the environmental watchdog Ibama played in the decrease of deforestation?
Answer: (d) Increased inspections

8. Why is it important to protect the Amazon rainforest?
Answer: (c) It plays a big role in the world’s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who became president a year ago, has promised to stop deforestation by 2030. (Answer: True)
2. This increase is the highest it has been in the past five years. (Answer: False)
3. The Amazon rainforest is often called “the brain of the planet” because it plays a small part in the oxygen and carbon dioxide cycles and is home to millions of plants, animals, and indigenous people. (Answer: False)
4. The government of Brazil is committed to stopping illegal activities in the Amazon and sees the decrease in deforestation as the first step towards zero deforestation. (Answer: True)
5. Under the previous president, Jair Bolsonaro, deforestation in the Amazon was at its lowest in 12 years. (Answer: False)
6. Data from Brazil’s national space agency, Inpe, shows that 5,153 square kilometers of the Amazon were cleared in 2023, down from 10,278 square kilometers in 2022. (Answer: True)
7. The area that has been reforested is still more than six times the size of New York City. (Answer: False)
8. The amount of trees being cut down in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest has decreased by almost half in 2023 compared to last year. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧