The Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident in India has finally come to a positive conclusion as the 41 trapped workers have been freed after being stuck for over two weeks. The incident occurred on November 12th when a landslide caused part of the tunnel they were constructing to cave in, trapping them inside. Fortunately, contact was established with the trapped workers soon after the collapse, and they were provided with essential supplies such as oxygen, food, and water while they awaited rescue.
The video shows the heartwarming moment when the workers were able to leave the tunnel and be reunited with their loved ones. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the rescue teams who worked tirelessly to ensure the safe extraction of the workers. The workers’ safety and well-being were of utmost importance, and every effort was made to provide them with the necessary support during their time underground.
This incident highlights the importance of safety measures in construction projects and the need for proper risk assessment to prevent such accidents from occurring. It also serves as a reminder of the bravery and resilience of the workers who faced such a challenging situation and managed to stay strong throughout their ordeal.
The successful rescue of the workers is a cause for celebration and a reminder of the power of teamwork and determination. It is a relief to see that all the workers have been safely rescued and can now return to their families. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of valuing and prioritizing the safety and well-being of workers in all industries.
Original news source: Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Moment Indian workers freed after weeks (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students read the article and write a summary of the main points in their own words. Encourage them to focus on the key information and include any important details. Afterward, have each group share their summaries with the class and compare their findings.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a different role: construction worker, rescue team member, family member, or government official. Have each group discuss their opinions and perspectives on the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident. Then, have each group create a set of questions to conduct an opinion poll within the class. Afterward, have groups take turns asking their questions and recording the responses. Finally, have each group share their findings and discuss the different perspectives.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Provide students with a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g., tunnel collapse, landslide, rescue, risk assessment, well-being). Divide the class into two teams and have one member from each team come to the front of the class. Give them a vocabulary word and have them draw a picture to represent that word. The rest of their team must guess the word based on the drawing. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Continue until all the words have been used, and then tally up the points to determine the winning team.
– Sketch It
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students choose a specific scene or moment from the article (e.g., workers being reunited with their loved ones, rescue teams working tirelessly). Each group should then create a sketch or drawing to depict that scene. Afterward, have each group present their sketch to the class, explaining the significance and emotions captured in their artwork.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will discuss the pros (benefits) of the successful rescue of the trapped workers, while the other group will discuss the cons (drawbacks) or potential negative consequences. Give students time to brainstorm and discuss their ideas within their groups. Then, have each group present their arguments to the class, providing evidence and examples to support their viewpoints. Encourage class discussion and debate on the topic.
Comprehension Questions:
1. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
2. What caused the tunnel to collapse?
3. What supplies were provided to the trapped workers while they awaited rescue?
4. What does the video show?
5. What does this incident highlight the importance of?
6. What does the successful rescue of the workers remind us of?
7. How do the workers’ families feel now that they have been rescued?
8. What does this incident serve as a reminder of?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident in (1)______ has finally come to a (2)______ conclusion as the 41 (3)______ workers have been freed after being stuck for over two weeks. The incident occurred on November 12th when a landslide caused part of the tunnel they were (4)______ to cave in, trapping them inside. Fortunately, contact was established with the trapped workers soon after the collapse, and they were provided with essential supplies such as oxygen, food, and (5)______ while they awaited (6)______.
The video shows the heartwarming (7)______ when the workers were able to leave the tunnel and be (8)______ with their loved ones. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the rescue teams who worked tirelessly to ensure the safe extraction of the workers. The workers’ safety and well-being were of utmost importance, and every effort was made to provide them with the necessary (9)______ during their time underground.
This (10)______ highlights the importance of safety measures in construction projects and the need for proper risk assessment to prevent such accidents from occurring. It also (11)______ as a reminder of the bravery and (12)______ of the workers who faced such a challenging situation and managed to stay strong throughout their (13)______.
The successful rescue of the (14)______ is a cause for celebration and a reminder of the power of teamwork and determination. It is a relief to see that all the workers have been safely (15)______ and can now (16)______ to their families. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of valuing and prioritizing the safety and well-being of workers in all industries.
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 were trapped underground for over two weeks?
2. Do you think the rescue teams should be praised for their hard work and dedication? Why or why not?
3. What is the importance of safety measures in construction projects?
4. How do you think the workers managed to stay strong throughout their ordeal?
5. Do you think the incident highlights the need for better risk assessment in construction projects? Why or why not?
6. How would you react if you were one of the workers’ loved ones waiting for their safe extraction?
7. What do you think is the power of teamwork and determination in situations like this?
8. Do you believe that the workers’ safety and well-being should always be the top priority in all industries? Why or why not?
9. How do you think this incident will impact future construction projects in India?
10. What measures do you think could be implemented to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future?
11. How would you celebrate if you were one of the workers who were safely rescued?
12. Do you think incidents like this can have a long-lasting impact on the mental health of the workers? Why or why not?
13. What do you think are some of the challenges that the rescue teams faced during the extraction process?
14. How would you feel if you were one of the workers and had to rely on essential supplies like oxygen, food, and water for over two weeks?
15. Do you believe that incidents like this can bring communities together? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. Uttarakhand
2. tunnel
3. collapse
4. workers
5. trapped
6. rescue
7. safety
8. incident
Meanings:
(a) An underground passage or channel
(b) The act of saving or being saved from danger or distress
(c) The act of falling down or giving way
(d) The condition of being protected from harm or danger
(e) The state in India where the incident occurred
(f) People who are employed to do physical or mental work
(g) An event or occurrence, typically involving danger or conflict
(h) Unable to escape or leave a place
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. When did the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident occur?
(a) November 1st
(b) October 31st
(c) November 12th
(d) December 5th
2. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
(a) One week
(b) Over two weeks
(c) Three days
(d) One month
3. What caused the tunnel collapse?
(a) Earthquake
(b) Heavy rain
(c) A landslide
(d) Explosion
4. What supplies were provided to the trapped workers?
(a) Tools and equipment
(b) Oxygen, food, and water
(c) Medication and first aid kits
(d) Blankets and clothing
5. What was the main focus of the rescue teams?
(a) Workers’ safety and well-being
(b) Speed of extraction
(c) Clearing the debris
(d) Investigating the cause of the collapse
6. What does this incident highlight the importance of?
(a) Proper risk assessment
(b) Teamwork and determination
(c) All of the above
(d) Safety measures in construction projects
7. What is the outcome of the incident?
(a) Some workers are still trapped
(b) The tunnel is still collapsed
(c) The cause of the collapse is unknown
(d) All the workers have been safely rescued
8. What is the main message of the article?
(a) The importance of valuing workers’ safety and well-being
(b) The power of teamwork and determination
(c) The need for safety measures in construction projects
(d) All of the above
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. The unsuccessful rescue of the workers is a cause for sadness and highlights the insignificance of valuing workers’ safety.
2. The workers displayed fear and weakness throughout their ordeal.
3. The rescue teams worked lazily to ensure the safe extraction of the workers.
4. The Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident in India lasted for over two weeks.
5. The workers were provided with essential supplies such as oxygen, food, and water while awaiting rescue.
6. Safety measures and proper risk assessment are important in construction projects to prevent accidents.
7. The workers were trapped inside the tunnel due to a volcanic eruption.
8. Contact was established with the trapped workers soon after the collapse.
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 caused the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident in India?
2. How long were the workers trapped inside the tunnel?
3. What supplies were provided to the trapped workers while they awaited rescue?
4. What does the article emphasize about the importance of safety measures in construction projects?
5. What is the significance of the successful rescue of the workers?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
The workers were trapped in the tunnel for over two weeks.
2. What caused the tunnel to collapse?
A landslide caused the tunnel to collapse.
3. What supplies were provided to the trapped workers while they awaited rescue?
The trapped workers were provided with essential supplies such as oxygen, food, and water.
4. What does the video show?
The video shows the moment when the workers were able to leave the tunnel and be reunited with their loved ones.
5. What does this incident highlight the importance of?
This incident highlights the importance of safety measures in construction projects and the need for proper risk assessment to prevent accidents.
6. What does the successful rescue of the workers remind us of?
The successful rescue of the workers reminds us of the power of teamwork and determination.
7. How do the workers’ families feel now that they have been rescued?
The article does not mention how the workers’ families feel now that they have been rescued.
8. What does this incident serve as a reminder of?
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of valuing and prioritizing the safety and well-being of workers in all industries.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) India
(2) positive
(3) trapped
(4) constructing
(5) water
(6) rescue
(7) moment
(8) reunited
(9) support
(10) incident
(11) serves
(12) resilience
(13) ordeal
(14) workers
(15) rescued
(16) return
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. Uttarakhand
Answer: (e) The state in India where the incident occurred
2. tunnel
Answer: (a) An underground passage or channel
3. collapse
Answer: (c) The act of falling down or giving way
4. workers
Answer: (f) People who are employed to do physical or mental work
5. trapped
Answer: (h) Unable to escape or leave a place
6. rescue
Answer: (b) The act of saving or being saved from danger or distress
7. safety
Answer: (d) The condition of being protected from harm or danger
8. incident
Answer: (g) An event or occurrence, typically involving danger or conflict
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. When did the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident occur?
Answer: (c) November 12th
2. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
Answer: (b) Over two weeks
3. What caused the tunnel collapse?
Answer: (c) A landslide
4. What supplies were provided to the trapped workers?
Answer: (b) Oxygen, food, and water
5. What was the main focus of the rescue teams?
Answer: (a) Workers’ safety and well-being
6. What does this incident highlight the importance of?
Answer: (d) Safety measures in construction projects
7. What is the outcome of the incident?
Answer: (d) All the workers have been safely rescued
8. What is the main message of the article?
Answer: (a) The importance of valuing workers’ safety and well-being
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The unsuccessful rescue of the workers is a cause for sadness and highlights the insignificance of valuing workers’ safety. (Answer: False)
2. The workers displayed fear and weakness throughout their ordeal. (Answer: False)
3. The rescue teams worked lazily to ensure the safe extraction of the workers. (Answer: False)
4. The Uttarakhand tunnel collapse incident in India lasted for over two weeks. (Answer: True)
5. The workers were provided with essential supplies such as oxygen, food, and water while awaiting rescue. (Answer: True)
6. Safety measures and proper risk assessment are important in construction projects to prevent accidents. (Answer: True)
7. The workers were trapped inside the tunnel due to a volcanic eruption. (Answer: False)
8. Contact was established with the trapped workers soon after the collapse. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
