In Bolivia, wildfires have caused significant damage to the land, with around 3 million hectares affected. This has had a devastating impact on the country’s animals, leaving them exposed and in need of help. President Luis Arce has called on the international community to provide aid to Bolivia, as a portion of the Amazon rainforest is located there.

One region that has been particularly affected is San Buenaventura, located in the mountainous northwest of the country. The wildfires have caused destruction to crops, animals, and forests, according to local farmer Rilvert Salinas Pariamo. The rising temperatures have exacerbated the situation, leading to a trail of devastation.

Despite the challenges, some locals in San Buenaventura have gone above and beyond to care for the affected creatures. Heartwarming images shared by Reuters show a mother and son caring for a coati (raccoon), two men preparing water and fruit for animals, and a coati enjoying the food left out by the locals. Additionally, park ranger Radamir Sevillanos of the Madidi National Park has been searching for injured or trapped animals.

The efforts of these individuals highlight the resilience and compassion of the community in the face of adversity. They serve as a reminder of the importance of coming together to protect and care for the environment and its inhabitants. The wildfires in Bolivia are a stark reminder of the impact of climate change and the urgent need for global action to address this issue.

In conclusion, wildfires in Bolivia have caused significant damage to the land and have left animals in need of assistance. Despite the challenges, locals in San Buenaventura have shown great compassion by caring for the affected creatures. These efforts highlight the importance of community and global action in addressing the impact of climate change.

Original news source: Bolivia wildfires: Locals care for animals affected by blazes (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They should focus on key details such as the extent of the damage, the impact on animals, and the efforts of the locals. Afterward, they can share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or similarities.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will come up with three questions related to the article, such as “Do you think the international community should provide aid to Bolivia?” or “What can individuals do to address climate change?” Each group will then take turns asking their questions to the other groups and recording their responses. Afterward, they can share their findings with the class and engage in a discussion about the different perspectives.

– Sketch It
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns describing a scene from the article while their partner tries to sketch it based on their description. They should focus on capturing the key elements and details of the scene, such as the wildfires, the animals, or the efforts of the locals. Afterward, they can compare their sketches and discuss the challenges and successes of their communication.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of key vocabulary words from the article, such as “wildfires,” “devastating,” “resilience,” or “global action.” Divide the class into two teams. Each team will take turns choosing a word from the list and drawing it on the board without using any letters or numbers. The other team will then try to guess the word based on the drawing. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss the pros and cons of providing aid to Bolivia in response to the wildfires. They should consider factors such as the impact on the environment, the potential effectiveness of the aid, and the ethical responsibility of the international community. Afterward, each group will share their thoughts with the class and engage in a debate on the topic.

Comprehension Questions:

1. How many hectares of land have been affected by wildfires in Bolivia?
2. What region in Bolivia has been particularly affected by the wildfires?
3. What types of damage have the wildfires caused in San Buenaventura?
4. What has President Luis Arce called on the international community to do?
5. What efforts have some locals in San Buenaventura made to care for the affected animals?
6. What does the article mention about the rising temperatures in Bolivia?
7. Who has been searching for injured or trapped animals in the Madidi National Park?
8. What does the article say about the wildfires in Bolivia and climate change?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In Bolivia, wildfires have caused (1)______ damage to the land, with around 3 million (2)______ affected. This has had a devastating impact on the country’s animals, leaving them exposed and in need of help. President Luis Arce has (3)______ on the international community to provide aid to Bolivia, as a portion of the Amazon rainforest is located there.

One region that has been particularly affected is San (4)______, located in the mountainous northwest of the country. The wildfires have caused destruction to crops, animals, and forests, (5)______ to local farmer Rilvert Salinas Pariamo. The rising (6)______ have exacerbated the situation, (7)______ to a trail of devastation.

Despite the challenges, some locals in San Buenaventura have gone above and beyond to care for the (8)______ creatures. Heartwarming images shared by Reuters show a mother and son caring for a coati (raccoon), two men preparing water and fruit for animals, and a coati enjoying the food left out by the locals. Additionally, park ranger (9)______ Sevillanos of the Madidi National Park has been searching for injured or trapped animals.

The (10)______ of these individuals highlight the resilience and (11)______ of the community in the face of adversity. They serve as a (12)______ of the importance of coming together to protect and care for the environment and its inhabitants. The wildfires in Bolivia are a stark reminder of the (13)______ of (14)______ (15)______ and the urgent need for global action to address this issue.

In conclusion, wildfires in Bolivia have caused significant damage to the land and have left animals in need of assistance. Despite the (16)______, locals in San Buenaventura have shown great compassion by caring for the affected creatures. These efforts highlight the importance of community and global action in addressing the impact of climate change.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on the international community providing aid to Bolivia in response to the wildfires?
2. How would you feel if you were a farmer in San Buenaventura and your crops were destroyed by the wildfires?
3. Do you think the efforts of the locals in San Buenaventura to care for the affected animals will make a significant difference? Why or why not?
4. How do you think climate change has contributed to the wildfires in Bolivia?
5. What actions do you believe should be taken to address the impact of climate change globally?
6. How would you feel if you were a park ranger like Radamir Sevillanos and had to search for injured or trapped animals in the aftermath of the wildfires?
7. Do you think the images of locals caring for animals in Bolivia will inspire others to take action to protect the environment? Why or why not?
8. What is your opinion on the resilience and compassion shown by the community in San Buenaventura in the face of adversity?
9. How do you think the wildfires in Bolivia will impact the local economy?
10. Do you think the international community has a responsibility to provide aid to countries affected by natural disasters? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if you were an animal living in the affected areas of Bolivia during the wildfires?
12. What steps do you believe should be taken to prevent future wildfires in Bolivia and other at-risk areas?
13. Do you think the wildfires in Bolivia will have long-lasting effects on the environment? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the wildfires in Bolivia will impact the country’s tourism industry?
15. What actions can individuals take in their own communities to address the impact of climate change?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. wildfires
2. Bolivia
3. animals
4. compassion
5. community
6. climate change
7. damage
8. assistance

Meanings:
(a) Harm or injury caused by an event or action
(b) Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns caused by human activity
(c) A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for others
(d) Living organisms that can move, eat, and reproduce
(e) A country in South America
(f) Help or support given to someone in need
(g) A group of people living in the same area and sharing common interests
(h) Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How many hectares of land have been affected by wildfires in Bolivia?
(a) Around 3 million
(b) Around 1 million
(c) Around 5 million
(d) Around 2 million

2. Who has called on the international community to provide aid to Bolivia?
(a) President Evo Morales
(b) President Luis Arce
(c) President Jeanine Áñez
(d) President Carlos Mesa

3. Which region in Bolivia has been particularly affected by wildfires?
(a) La Paz
(b) Santa Cruz
(c) San Buenaventura
(d) Cochabamba

4. What has been destroyed by the wildfires in San Buenaventura?
(a) Crops, animals, and forests
(b) Buildings and infrastructure
(c) Rivers and lakes
(d) Roads and highways

5. What kind of animal is shown in the heartwarming images shared by Reuters?
(a) Monkey
(b) Coati (raccoon)
(c) Jaguar
(d) Sloth

6. Who has been searching for injured or trapped animals in the Madidi National Park?
(a) Local farmer Rilvert Salinas Pariamo
(b) President Luis Arce
(c) President Evo Morales
(d) Park ranger Radamir Sevillanos

7. What do the efforts of the locals in San Buenaventura highlight?
(a) Fear and despair
(b) Ignorance and indifference
(c) Resilience and compassion
(d) Greed and selfishness

8. What do the wildfires in Bolivia serve as a reminder of?
(a) The importance of community
(b) The need for global action
(c) All of the above
(d) The impact of climate change

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. President Luis Arce has not called on the international community to provide aid to Bolivia.
2. Wildfires in Bolivia have not affected approximately 3 million hectares of land.
3. Locals in San Buenaventura have shown compassion by caring for the affected animals.
4. San Buenaventura, located in the southeast of Bolivia, has not been heavily affected by the wildfires.
5. The wildfires have had a devastating impact on the country’s animals.
6. The wildfires in San Buenaventura have not caused destruction to crops, animals, and forests.
7. Rising temperatures have worsened the situation in Bolivia, leading to more devastation.
8. The wildfires in Bolivia serve as a reminder of the urgent need for global action on climate change.
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 has the wildfires in Bolivia affected the land and animals?
2. What region in Bolivia has been particularly affected by the wildfires?
3. What efforts have locals in San Buenaventura made to care for the affected animals?
4. What does the author suggest these efforts highlight?
5. What is the overall message of the article?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How many hectares of land have been affected by wildfires in Bolivia?
Around 3 million hectares have been affected by wildfires in Bolivia.

2. What region in Bolivia has been particularly affected by the wildfires?
San Buenaventura, located in the mountainous northwest of the country, has been particularly affected by the wildfires.

3. What types of damage have the wildfires caused in San Buenaventura?
The wildfires have caused destruction to crops, animals, and forests in San Buenaventura.

4. What has President Luis Arce called on the international community to do?
President Luis Arce has called on the international community to provide aid to Bolivia.

5. What efforts have some locals in San Buenaventura made to care for the affected animals?
Some locals in San Buenaventura have cared for the affected animals by providing water, fruit, and food for them.

6. What does the article mention about the rising temperatures in Bolivia?
The rising temperatures have exacerbated the situation in Bolivia, leading to a trail of devastation.

7. Who has been searching for injured or trapped animals in the Madidi National Park?
Park ranger Radamir Sevillanos of the Madidi National Park has been searching for injured or trapped animals.

8. What does the article say about the wildfires in Bolivia and climate change?
The wildfires in Bolivia are a stark reminder of the impact of climate change and the urgent need for global action to address this issue.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) significant
(2) hectares
(3) called
(4) Buenaventura
(5) according
(6) temperatures
(7) leading
(8) affected
(9) Radamir
(10) efforts
(11) compassion
(12) reminder
(13) impact
(14) climate
(15) change
(16) challenges
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. wildfires
Answer: (h) Uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly through vegetation

2. Bolivia
Answer: (e) A country in South America

3. animals
Answer: (d) Living organisms that can move, eat, and reproduce

4. compassion
Answer: (c) A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for others

5. community
Answer: (g) A group of people living in the same area and sharing common interests

6. climate change
Answer: (b) Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns caused by human activity

7. damage
Answer: (a) Harm or injury caused by an event or action

8. assistance
Answer: (f) Help or support given to someone in need
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How many hectares of land have been affected by wildfires in Bolivia?
Answer: (a) Around 3 million

2. Who has called on the international community to provide aid to Bolivia?
Answer: (b) President Luis Arce

3. Which region in Bolivia has been particularly affected by wildfires?
Answer: (c) San Buenaventura

4. What has been destroyed by the wildfires in San Buenaventura?
Answer: (a) Crops, animals, and forests

5. What kind of animal is shown in the heartwarming images shared by Reuters?
Answer: (b) Coati (raccoon)

6. Who has been searching for injured or trapped animals in the Madidi National Park?
Answer: (d) Park ranger Radamir Sevillanos

7. What do the efforts of the locals in San Buenaventura highlight?
Answer: (c) Resilience and compassion

8. What do the wildfires in Bolivia serve as a reminder of?
Answer: (d) The impact of climate change
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. President Luis Arce has not called on the international community to provide aid to Bolivia. (Answer: False)
2. Wildfires in Bolivia have not affected approximately 3 million hectares of land. (Answer: False)
3. Locals in San Buenaventura have shown compassion by caring for the affected animals. (Answer: True)
4. San Buenaventura, located in the southeast of Bolivia, has not been heavily affected by the wildfires. (Answer: False)
5. The wildfires have had a devastating impact on the country’s animals. (Answer: True)
6. The wildfires in San Buenaventura have not caused destruction to crops, animals, and forests. (Answer: False)
7. Rising temperatures have worsened the situation in Bolivia, leading to more devastation. (Answer: True)
8. The wildfires in Bolivia serve as a reminder of the urgent need for global action on climate change. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧