Japan has recently warned that there is a higher chance of a big earthquake happening soon. This warning was given on Thursday night, and while people are encouraged to stay alert, there is no need to evacuate right now. The warning suggests that while the risk is higher, it doesn’t mean a major earthquake will definitely happen soon. This announcement came after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the southern island of Kyushu, but thankfully, it didn’t cause any serious damage.

The warning from Japanese officials is mainly because the earthquake’s epicenter is close to the Nankai Trough, an area known for a lot of earthquake activity. This region runs along Japan’s Pacific coast and has a history of causing significant earthquakes. Records show that these earthquakes have led to a lot of destruction and many deaths in the past. Major earthquakes from this area have happened roughly every 90 to 200 years, with the last big one occurring in 1946.

Experts believe there is a 70% to 80% chance that a very strong earthquake (magnitude 8 or 9) could happen along the Nankai Trough in the next 30 years. If such an earthquake occurs, it could lead to a huge loss of life, especially if a tsunami follows. However, Shinya Tsukada from the Japanese Meteorological Agency reminded everyone that even though the chances are higher than usual, it doesn’t mean a big earthquake will happen at a specific time.

The current warning is at a lower level and will last for a week. It advises people to stay alert and think about evacuating if they might have trouble doing so quickly. The warning also encourages everyone to go about their daily lives but to be cautious and check their evacuation routes. Residents should also make sure they have enough supplies at home just in case. Overall, while there is an increased risk of a major earthquake, officials want people to stay prepared without panicking.

Original news source: Japan warns of heightened risk of megaquake (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out different phrases related to earthquakes or natural disasters without speaking, while the other groups guess the phrases. Encourage the use of body language and expressions to convey the meaning.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Prepare a list of statements related to earthquakes, like “Earthquake preparedness is essential” or “It’s better to evacuate at the first warning.” Students will move around the classroom, asking their classmates whether they agree or disagree with each statement. They should record the responses to discuss later.

– THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Instructions: Pose a thought-provoking question related to the article, such as “How do you think people can best prepare for a potential earthquake?” Students will think about their answers individually, then pair up to discuss their thoughts before sharing with the whole class.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Have students work in pairs to create a catchy headline summarizing the article’s key points about the earthquake warning in Japan. After they write their headlines, ask each pair to present their headline to the class and explain their choice.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Prepare a list of key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., epicenter, tsunami, evacuation). Students will take turns drawing the words on the board while their classmates try to guess what the word is. This activity will help reinforce vocabulary comprehension in a fun way.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What recent event prompted Japan to issue a warning about the possibility of a big earthquake?

2. How does the warning describe the likelihood of a major earthquake occurring soon?

3. Why is the Nankai Trough significant in relation to earthquakes?

4. What historical pattern do experts observe regarding major earthquakes in the Nankai Trough?

5. According to experts, what is the predicted chance of a very strong earthquake happening in the next 30 years?

6. What advice did Shinya Tsukada give regarding the current earthquake warning?

7. What should residents do in response to the current warning, according to the article?

8. How does the article suggest people should balance their daily lives with the need for preparedness?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Japan has recently warned that there is a higher chance of a big (1)______ (2)______ing soon. This warning was given on Thursday night, and while people are encouraged to stay (3)______, there is no need to evacuate right now. The warning suggests that while the risk is higher, it doesn’t mean a major earthquake will definitely happen soon. This announcement came after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the (4)______ island of Kyushu, but thankfully, it didn’t cause any serious damage.

The warning from (5)______ officials is mainly because the earthquake’s (6)______ is close to the Nankai Trough, an area (7)______ for a lot of earthquake activity. This region runs along Japan’s Pacific coast and has a history of causing significant earthquakes. Records show that these earthquakes have led to a lot of (8)______ and many deaths in the past. Major earthquakes from this area have happened roughly every 90 to 200 years, with the last big one occurring in 1946.

(9)______ believe there is a 70% to 80% chance that a very strong earthquake (magnitude 8 or 9) could happen along the (10)______ Trough in the next 30 years. If such an earthquake occurs, it could lead to a huge loss of life, especially if a tsunami follows. However, (11)______ Tsukada from the Japanese Meteorological Agency reminded everyone that even though the chances are higher than usual, it doesn’t mean a big earthquake will happen at a (12)______ time.

The current warning is at a lower level and will last for a week. It advises people to stay alert and (13)______ about (14)______ if they might have trouble doing so quickly. The warning also encourages everyone to go about their daily lives but to be cautious and (15)______ their evacuation routes. Residents should also make sure they have enough supplies at home just in case. Overall, while there is an increased risk of a major earthquake, officials want people to stay (16)______ without panicking.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. How would you feel if you received a warning about a possible earthquake in your area?
2. What is a natural disaster that you are most afraid of? Why?
3. Do you think people should always be prepared for earthquakes, even if they are rare? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever experienced an earthquake or another natural disaster? What was it like?
5. What is a good way to stay calm during a natural disaster?
6. How would you feel if you had to evacuate your home suddenly?
7. Do you like living in a place that is prone to natural disasters? Why or why not?
8. What is the most important thing to do before an earthquake happens?
9. Do you think schools should teach students about earthquake preparedness? Why?
10. How do you think social media can help people during a natural disaster?
11. What is a good way to help your community prepare for an earthquake?
12. How would you feel if you had to help someone during a natural disaster?
13. Do you think it’s important to have an emergency kit at home? Why or why not?
14. What is one thing you would want to have with you if you had to evacuate?
15. How do you think people in Japan feel about living near the Nankai Trough?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. evacuate
2. epicenter
3. magnitude
4. destruction
5. significant
6. roughly
7. tsunami
8. meteorological
9. alert
10. cautious
11. residents
12. supplies
13. officials
14. encouraged
15. prepared

Meanings:
(A) Ready and able to deal with something
(B) A large sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake
(C) Things you need to have, like food and water
(D) Important or large enough to have an effect
(E) People who live in a particular area or place
(F) To leave a place because it is not safe
(G) Great damage or ruin
(H) Being careful to avoid danger or problems
(I) Related to the study of weather
(J) Approximately or about
(K) Given support or confidence to do something
(L) People in charge or in a position of authority
(M) The point on the Earth’s surface directly above where an earthquake starts
(N) The size or strength of an earthquake
(O) A warning or notice to be careful
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Japan recently warn about?
(a) A higher chance of a big earthquake
(b) A tsunami warning
(c) A volcanic eruption
(d) A severe storm

2. When was the warning given to the public?
(a) Thursday night
(b) Monday morning
(c) Saturday afternoon
(d) Wednesday evening

3. What magnitude was the earthquake that hit near Kyushu?
(a) 6.5
(b) 7.1
(c) 8.0
(d) 5.4

4. What is the Nankai Trough known for?
(a) Tsunami occurrences
(b) Earthquake activity
(c) Volcanic eruptions
(d) Flooding

5. How often do major earthquakes occur in the Nankai Trough, according to records?
(a) Every 50 to 100 years
(b) Every 10 to 20 years
(c) Every 90 to 200 years
(d) Every 200 to 300 years

6. What is the estimated chance of a very strong earthquake happening in the next 30 years?
(a) 50% to 60%
(b) 30% to 40%
(c) 90% to 100%
(d) 70% to 80%

7. How long will the current warning last?
(a) One month
(b) One day
(c) One year
(d) One week

8. What should residents do according to the warning?
(a) Leave their homes immediately
(b) Ignore the warning
(c) Stay alert and check evacuation routes
(d) Move to another country

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Historically, major earthquakes in the Nankai Trough happen every 90 to 200 years, with the last major one in 1946.
2. A recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred near Kyushu, but it caused serious damage.
3. Japan has not issued a warning about an increased likelihood of a significant earthquake occurring soon.
4. Experts estimate there is a 30% to 40% chance of a very strong earthquake (magnitude 8 or 9) occurring in the next 30 years.
5. The current warning level is low and will remain in effect for a week, encouraging residents to stay prepared.
6. The warning is particularly focused on the Nankai Trench, a region known for infrequent earthquakes.
7. Officials are advising people to check their evacuation routes and ensure they have enough supplies at home without causing panic.
8. The warning was announced on Thursday night, advising people to stay alert but not to evacuate immediately.
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. What recent event led to Japan issuing a warning about the possibility of a big earthquake?
2. Why is the Nankai Trough considered a dangerous area for earthquakes?
3. What percentage chance do experts believe there is for a strong earthquake to occur in the next 30 years?
4. What should people do during the current warning according to Japanese officials?
5. How do officials want people to react to the increased risk of a major earthquake?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What recent event prompted Japan to issue a warning about the possibility of a big earthquake?
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the southern island of Kyushu.

2. How does the warning describe the likelihood of a major earthquake occurring soon?
The warning suggests that while the risk is higher, it doesn’t mean a major earthquake will definitely happen soon.

3. Why is the Nankai Trough significant in relation to earthquakes?
The Nankai Trough is known for a lot of earthquake activity and has a history of causing significant earthquakes.

4. What historical pattern do experts observe regarding major earthquakes in the Nankai Trough?
Major earthquakes from this area have happened roughly every 90 to 200 years, with the last big one occurring in 1946.

5. According to experts, what is the predicted chance of a very strong earthquake happening in the next 30 years?
Experts believe there is a 70% to 80% chance that a very strong earthquake (magnitude 8 or 9) could happen along the Nankai Trough in the next 30 years.

6. What advice did Shinya Tsukada give regarding the current earthquake warning?
Shinya Tsukada reminded everyone that even though the chances are higher than usual, it doesn’t mean a big earthquake will happen at a specific time.

7. What should residents do in response to the current warning, according to the article?
Residents should stay alert, think about evacuating if needed, check their evacuation routes, and make sure they have enough supplies at home.

8. How does the article suggest people should balance their daily lives with the need for preparedness?
The article encourages people to go about their daily lives but to be cautious and prepared without panicking.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) earthquake
(2) happen
(3) alert
(4) southern
(5) Japanese
(6) epicenter
(7) known
(8) destruction
(9) Experts
(10) Nankai
(11) Shinya
(12) specific
(13) think
(14) evacuating
(15) check
(16) prepared
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. evacuate
Answer: (F) To leave a place because it is not safe

2. epicenter
Answer: (M) The point on the Earth’s surface directly above where an earthquake starts

3. magnitude
Answer: (N) The size or strength of an earthquake

4. destruction
Answer: (G) Great damage or ruin

5. significant
Answer: (D) Important or large enough to have an effect

6. roughly
Answer: (J) Approximately or about

7. tsunami
Answer: (B) A large sea wave caused by an underwater earthquake

8. meteorological
Answer: (I) Related to the study of weather

9. alert
Answer: (O) A warning or notice to be careful

10. cautious
Answer: (H) Being careful to avoid danger or problems

11. residents
Answer: (E) People who live in a particular area or place

12. supplies
Answer: (C) Things you need to have, like food and water

13. officials
Answer: (L) People in charge or in a position of authority

14. encouraged
Answer: (K) Given support or confidence to do something

15. prepared
Answer: (A) Ready and able to deal with something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Japan recently warn about?
Answer: (a) A higher chance of a big earthquake

2. When was the warning given to the public?
Answer: (a) Thursday night

3. What magnitude was the earthquake that hit near Kyushu?
Answer: (b) 7.1

4. What is the Nankai Trough known for?
Answer: (b) Earthquake activity

5. How often do major earthquakes occur in the Nankai Trough, according to records?
Answer: (c) Every 90 to 200 years

6. What is the estimated chance of a very strong earthquake happening in the next 30 years?
Answer: (d) 70% to 80%

7. How long will the current warning last?
Answer: (d) One week

8. What should residents do according to the warning?
Answer: (c) Stay alert and check evacuation routes
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Historically, major earthquakes in the Nankai Trough happen every 90 to 200 years, with the last major one in 1946. (Answer: True)
2. A recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred near Kyushu, but it caused serious damage. (Answer: False)
3. Japan has not issued a warning about an increased likelihood of a significant earthquake occurring soon. (Answer: False)
4. Experts estimate there is a 30% to 40% chance of a very strong earthquake (magnitude 8 or 9) occurring in the next 30 years. (Answer: False)
5. The current warning level is low and will remain in effect for a week, encouraging residents to stay prepared. (Answer: True)
6. The warning is particularly focused on the Nankai Trench, a region known for infrequent earthquakes. (Answer: False)
7. Officials are advising people to check their evacuation routes and ensure they have enough supplies at home without causing panic. (Answer: True)
8. The warning was announced on Thursday night, advising people to stay alert but not to evacuate immediately. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧