The United Kingdom is set to make history by ending its 142-year reliance on coal power. The country’s last coal power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station near Nottingham, will cease operations on Monday. This significant milestone aligns with the UK’s commitment to reducing its contribution to climate change, as coal is known for being the dirtiest fossil fuel, emitting high levels of greenhouse gases when burned.

The UK has a long history with coal power, being the birthplace of this form of energy. From the first coal-fired power station in the world built in London in 1882 to coal’s predominant role in providing electricity throughout the twentieth century, coal has played a crucial part in powering the nation. However, as the understanding of climate change grew, the need to transition to cleaner energy sources became apparent.

In the early 1990s, coal began to be replaced by gas in the UK’s electricity mix, but it remained a significant component for the following decades. The UK took steps towards phasing out coal power by setting legally binding climate targets in 2008 and announcing the end of coal power usage by 2015. This decision not only demonstrated leadership in combating climate change but also paved the way for other countries to follow suit.

The growth of renewable energy sources in the UK has been remarkable, with renewables accounting for over 50% of the country’s power generation by the first half of 2024. This success in transitioning to green power allowed for coal-free days as early as 2017. The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station marks a significant shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape in the UK.

While challenges lie ahead in ensuring grid stability without coal power, innovations such as battery technology offer promising solutions. The UK aims to enhance its battery production capabilities and attract skilled workers to support the transition to cleaner energy sources. As the UK bids farewell to coal power, it sets an example for other nations to accelerate their efforts towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Original news source: UK to finish with coal power after 142 years (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the students into teams. Provide each team with a list of vocabulary words related to the article (e.g., coal power, renewable energy, greenhouse gases). One student from each team will choose a word from the list and have to draw it on the board while their team tries to guess the word. Set a time limit for each round and award points to teams for correct guesses.

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs and summarize the key points of the article. Encourage them to focus on the main ideas and important details. After they have discussed and written their summaries, have a few pairs share their summaries with the class. This activity helps students practice paraphrasing and summarizing skills.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to list the pros of the UK ending its reliance on coal power, and the other group to list the cons. Give the groups time to brainstorm and write down their points. Afterward, have each group present their lists to the class. Encourage discussions on the different perspectives and reasons behind each point.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the future of energy production in the UK and globally. They can consider factors such as advancements in technology, government policies, and public awareness of climate change. Each group should come up with at least three predictions. After the discussion, ask a few groups to share their predictions with the class.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Choose key points from the article (e.g., the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, the growth of renewable energy sources) and write them on separate pieces of paper. Distribute the papers randomly to students. Ask students to think about the point they received, then pair up with a classmate to discuss it in more detail. Finally, have pairs share their thoughts with the rest of the class. This activity encourages students to engage in critical thinking and collaborative discussion.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why is the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station considered a significant milestone for the United Kingdom?
2. How has coal historically played a crucial role in powering the UK?
3. What steps did the UK take towards phasing out coal power in the early 2000s?
4. What percentage of the UK’s power generation was accounted for by renewable energy sources in the first half of 2024?
5. How did the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station impact the UK’s energy landscape?
6. What challenges does the UK face in ensuring grid stability without coal power?
7. How does the UK plan to enhance its battery production capabilities in light of the transition to cleaner energy sources?
8. In what way does the UK’s move away from coal power set an example for other nations?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The United Kingdom is set to make (1)______ by ending its 142-year reliance on coal power. The country’s last coal power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station near Nottingham, will (2)______ operations on Monday. This significant milestone aligns with the UK’s commitment to reducing its contribution to climate change, as coal is known for being the dirtiest (3)______ fuel, emitting high levels of greenhouse (4)______ when burned.

The UK has a long history with coal power, being the birthplace of this form of energy. From the first coal-fired power station in the world built in (5)______ in 1882 to coal’s predominant role in providing electricity throughout the twentieth century, coal has (6)______ a crucial part in powering the nation. However, as the understanding of climate change grew, the need to transition to cleaner energy sources became apparent.

In the early (7)______, coal began to be replaced by gas in the UK’s electricity mix, but it (8)______ a significant component for the following decades. The UK took steps towards phasing out coal power by setting legally binding climate targets in 2008 and announcing the end of coal power usage by 2015. This decision not only demonstrated leadership in combating climate (9)______ but also paved the way for other countries to follow suit.

The growth of renewable energy sources in the UK has been remarkable, with renewables accounting for over 50% of the country’s power generation by the (10)______ half of 2024. This success in transitioning to (11)______ power (12)______ for coal-free days as early as 2017. The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station marks a significant shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape in the UK.

While challenges lie ahead in ensuring grid stability without coal power, innovations such as (13)______ technology offer promising solutions. The UK aims to enhance its battery production (14)______ and (15)______ skilled workers to support the transition to cleaner energy sources. As the UK bids (16)______ to coal power, it sets an example for other nations to accelerate their efforts towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of the UK ending its reliance on coal power after 142 years?
2. How would you feel if your country made a similar commitment to phase out coal power?
3. Do you think other countries should follow the UK’s example and end their reliance on coal power? Why or why not?
4. What challenges do you think countries might face in transitioning to cleaner energy sources like the UK?
5. How do you think the closure of coal power stations will impact the job market in the energy sector?
6. Do you believe that renewable energy sources are the future of energy production? Why or why not?
7. What role do you think government policies play in encouraging the transition to cleaner energy sources?
8. How important do you think it is for countries to take action against climate change by reducing their use of fossil fuels?
9. Do you think the closure of coal power stations will have a positive impact on the environment in the UK? Why or why not?
10. What do you think are the main benefits of using renewable energy sources over fossil fuels like coal?
11. How do you think advancements in battery technology can help countries transition to cleaner energy sources?
12. Do you believe that individuals have a role to play in reducing their carbon footprint to combat climate change?
13. What do you think are some of the key factors that have contributed to the UK’s success in transitioning away from coal power?
14. How do you think the closure of coal power stations will impact the UK’s energy independence and security?
15. What do you predict will be the next steps for the UK in its journey towards a more sustainable energy landscape?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. reliance
2. milestone
3. commitment
4. predominant
5. transition
6. apparent
7. phasing
8. binding
9. demonstrated
10. remarkable
11. sustainable
12. landscape
13. stability
14. innovations
15. accelerate

Meanings:
(A) A significant event or point in development
(B) Having a legal or formal obligation
(C) The overall appearance or structure of an area
(D) To increase in speed or rate of progress
(E) Dependence on something or someone
(F) Showed or proved something clearly
(G) Gradually reducing or eliminating something
(H) The process of changing from one state or condition to another
(I) Worthy of attention; extraordinary
(J) Clearly visible or understood; obvious
(K) A promise or firm decision to do something
(L) The state of being steady and not changing
(M) Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting resources
(N) New methods, ideas, or products
(O) Being the most common or having the most influence
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. When will the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in the UK cease operations?
(a) Tuesday
(b) Monday
(c) Wednesday
(d) Thursday

2. Which fossil fuel is known for emitting high levels of greenhouse gases when burned?
(a) Natural gas
(b) Oil
(c) Coal
(d) Peat

3. In which city was the first coal-fired power station in the world built?
(a) London
(b) Paris
(c) New York
(d) Beijing

4. What role did coal play in providing electricity in the UK throughout the twentieth century?
(a) Minor role
(b) No role
(c) Temporary role
(d) Predominant role

5. When did the UK set legally binding climate targets?
(a) 2010
(b) 2015
(c) 2020
(d) 2008

6. What percentage of the UK’s power generation did renewables account for by the first half of 2024?
(a) Less than 25%
(b) Exactly 40%
(c) Over 50%
(d) Around 75%

7. What technology offers promising solutions for ensuring grid stability without coal power?
(a) Wind turbines
(b) Battery technology
(c) Nuclear power
(d) Hydroelectric power

8. What does the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station mark in the UK?
(a) A significant shift towards a more sustainable energy landscape
(b) An increase in coal power usage
(c) A decrease in renewable energy sources
(d) A return to using gas as the primary energy source

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The UK began transitioning away from coal towards gas in the early 1990s.
2. The UK was the birthplace of the first coal-fired power station in the world in 1882.
3. The UK has no plans to enhance battery production capabilities to support the transition to cleaner energy sources.
4. Renewable energy sources accounted for less than 50% of the UK’s power generation by the first half of 2024.
5. Coal is considered the cleanest fossil fuel due to its low greenhouse gas emissions when burned.
6. The United Kingdom is continuing its 142-year reliance on coal power by closing Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station.
7. The UK set legally binding climate targets in 2008 and aimed to end coal power usage by 2015.
8. The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station signifies a significant shift towards a more sustainable energy landscape in the UK.
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 long has the United Kingdom relied on coal power, and what milestone is it set to achieve?
2. What role did coal play in the UK’s history of providing electricity, and why is there a need to transition to cleaner energy sources?
3. When did the UK begin taking steps to phase out coal power, and what impact did this decision have on other countries?
4. How successful has the UK been in transitioning to renewable energy sources, and when did the country achieve coal-free days?
5. What challenges does the UK face in ensuring grid stability without coal power, and what innovative solutions are being considered to address these challenges?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why is the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station considered a significant milestone for the United Kingdom?
The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station marks the end of the UK’s 142-year reliance on coal power, aligning with the country’s commitment to reducing its contribution to climate change.

2. How has coal historically played a crucial role in powering the UK?
Coal has been a significant component in the UK’s electricity mix, with the country being the birthplace of coal power and relying on it for providing electricity throughout the twentieth century.

3. What steps did the UK take towards phasing out coal power in the early 2000s?
The UK set legally binding climate targets in 2008 and announced the end of coal power usage by 2015, demonstrating leadership in combating climate change and paving the way for other countries to follow suit.

4. What percentage of the UK’s power generation was accounted for by renewable energy sources in the first half of 2024?
Renewables accounted for over 50% of the UK’s power generation by the first half of 2024.

5. How did the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station impact the UK’s energy landscape?
The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station marked a significant shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape in the UK.

6. What challenges does the UK face in ensuring grid stability without coal power?
The UK faces challenges in ensuring grid stability without coal power, but innovations such as battery technology offer promising solutions.

7. How does the UK plan to enhance its battery production capabilities in light of the transition to cleaner energy sources?
The UK aims to enhance its battery production capabilities and attract skilled workers to support the transition to cleaner energy sources.

8. In what way does the UK’s move away from coal power set an example for other nations?
The UK’s move away from coal power sets an example for other nations to accelerate their efforts towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) history
(2) cease
(3) fossil
(4) gases
(5) London
(6) played
(7) 1990s
(8) remained
(9) change
(10) first
(11) green
(12) allowed
(13) battery
(14) capabilities
(15) attract
(16) farewell
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. reliance
Answer: (E) Dependence on something or someone

2. milestone
Answer: (A) A significant event or point in development

3. commitment
Answer: (K) A promise or firm decision to do something

4. predominant
Answer: (O) Being the most common or having the most influence

5. transition
Answer: (H) The process of changing from one state or condition to another

6. apparent
Answer: (J) Clearly visible or understood; obvious

7. phasing
Answer: (G) Gradually reducing or eliminating something

8. binding
Answer: (B) Having a legal or formal obligation

9. demonstrated
Answer: (F) Showed or proved something clearly

10. remarkable
Answer: (I) Worthy of attention; extraordinary

11. sustainable
Answer: (M) Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting resources

12. landscape
Answer: (C) The overall appearance or structure of an area

13. stability
Answer: (L) The state of being steady and not changing

14. innovations
Answer: (N) New methods, ideas, or products

15. accelerate
Answer: (D) To increase in speed or rate of progress
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. When will the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in the UK cease operations?
Answer: (b) Monday

2. Which fossil fuel is known for emitting high levels of greenhouse gases when burned?
Answer: (c) Coal

3. In which city was the first coal-fired power station in the world built?
Answer: (a) London

4. What role did coal play in providing electricity in the UK throughout the twentieth century?
Answer: (d) Predominant role

5. When did the UK set legally binding climate targets?
Answer: (d) 2008

6. What percentage of the UK’s power generation did renewables account for by the first half of 2024?
Answer: (c) Over 50%

7. What technology offers promising solutions for ensuring grid stability without coal power?
Answer: (b) Battery technology

8. What does the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station mark in the UK?
Answer: (a) A significant shift towards a more sustainable energy landscape
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The UK began transitioning away from coal towards gas in the early 1990s. (Answer: True)
2. The UK was the birthplace of the first coal-fired power station in the world in 1882. (Answer: True)
3. The UK has no plans to enhance battery production capabilities to support the transition to cleaner energy sources. (Answer: False)
4. Renewable energy sources accounted for less than 50% of the UK’s power generation by the first half of 2024. (Answer: False)
5. Coal is considered the cleanest fossil fuel due to its low greenhouse gas emissions when burned. (Answer: False)
6. The United Kingdom is continuing its 142-year reliance on coal power by closing Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station. (Answer: False)
7. The UK set legally binding climate targets in 2008 and aimed to end coal power usage by 2015. (Answer: True)
8. The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station signifies a significant shift towards a more sustainable energy landscape in the UK. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧