A wind turbine in Adair County, Iowa, was destroyed by fire recently. The incident occurred when emergency workers were unable to reach the top of the turbine due to a lack of tall ladders. The fire caused smoke to billow from the turbine, and one of its giant blades crashed to the ground in flames. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
The video footage shows the devastating scene as emergency crews helplessly watched the fire consume the wind turbine. Unfortunately, their ladders were not tall enough to reach the top and extinguish the flames. The destruction of the turbine highlights the challenges faced by emergency workers when dealing with fires in such high structures.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, and authorities are actively investigating the incident. It is crucial to determine the cause to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The destruction of the wind turbine serves as a reminder of the importance of having appropriate equipment and resources available to emergency workers to effectively respond to such emergencies.
This incident also raises questions about the safety measures in place for wind turbines. It is essential to ensure that proper safety protocols are followed and that emergency responders have the necessary tools and equipment to handle emergencies effectively. By addressing these concerns, we can work towards preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety of both workers and the surrounding community.
In conclusion, the destruction of the wind turbine in Iowa serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by emergency workers when dealing with fires in high structures. The incident highlights the importance of having appropriate equipment and resources available to effectively respond to emergencies. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of workers and the community.
Original news source: Fire destroys Iowa wind turbine after emergency workers fail to reach top (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 can take turns sharing their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Students will form small groups and discuss their opinions on the safety measures in place for wind turbines. They will then conduct a poll within their group to determine the majority opinion. Each group will share their findings with the class.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a list of vocabulary words from the article. One student will choose a word and draw a picture to represent it, while the other student tries to guess the word. They will take turns until all the words have been guessed.
– Headline Creation
Instructions: In small groups, students will create attention-grabbing headlines for the article. They should aim to summarize the main points in a concise and engaging way. Each group will present their headline to the class.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Students will work individually to make predictions about the future of wind turbines and the safety measures in place. They should consider advancements in technology and potential solutions to prevent incidents like the one described in the article. After making their predictions, they can share them with a partner and discuss their reasoning.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What caused the wind turbine in Adair County, Iowa, to be destroyed by fire?
2. Why were emergency workers unable to reach the top of the turbine during the incident?
3. What were the challenges faced by emergency workers when dealing with the fire in the wind turbine?
4. Why is it crucial to determine the cause of the fire in order to prevent similar incidents in the future?
5. What does the destruction of the wind turbine highlight about the safety measures in place for such structures?
6. What steps can be taken to ensure that emergency responders have the necessary tools and equipment to handle emergencies effectively?
7. What are the potential consequences of not addressing the concerns raised by this incident?
8. How can the investigation into the cause of the fire contribute to the safety of both workers and the surrounding community?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
A wind turbine in Adair County, Iowa, was destroyed by fire recently. The incident occurred when emergency workers were (1)______ to reach the top of the turbine due to a lack of tall (2)______. The fire caused smoke to billow from the turbine, and one of its giant blades (3)______ to the ground in flames. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire.
The video footage shows the devastating (4)______ as emergency crews helplessly watched the fire consume the wind turbine. Unfortunately, their ladders were not tall enough to reach the top and extinguish the flames. The destruction of the turbine highlights the (5)______ faced by emergency workers when dealing with (6)______ in such high structures.
The cause of the fire is still (7)______, and authorities are actively investigating the (8)______. It is crucial to determine the cause to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The destruction of the wind turbine serves as a reminder of the importance of having appropriate equipment and (9)______ available to emergency workers to effectively respond to such emergencies.
This incident also raises questions about the (10)______ measures in place for wind turbines. It is essential to (11)______ that proper safety protocols are followed and that emergency responders have the necessary tools and equipment to (12)______ emergencies effectively. By addressing these concerns, we can work towards preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety of both workers and the surrounding (13)______.
In (14)______, the destruction of the wind turbine in Iowa serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by emergency workers when dealing with fires in high structures. The incident highlights the importance of having appropriate equipment and resources (15)______ to effectively respond to emergencies. Authorities are currently investigating the (16)______ of the fire to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of workers and the community.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is a wind turbine and how does it work?
2. How would you feel if you were an emergency worker unable to reach the top of the turbine to extinguish the fire?
3. Do you think wind turbines are a safe source of energy? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever witnessed a fire? How did it make you feel?
5. What safety measures do you think should be in place for wind turbines?
6. Do you think it is important for emergency responders to have the necessary tools and equipment for high structure emergencies? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever been involved in a fire drill or emergency response training? How was the experience?
8. What other challenges do you think emergency workers face when dealing with fires in high structures?
9. How do you think the destruction of the wind turbine could have been prevented?
10. Do you think the incident will have any impact on the use of wind turbines for energy production? Why or why not?
11. Have you ever seen a wind turbine in person? What was your impression?
12. Do you think wind turbines are a reliable source of energy? Why or why not?
13. How do you think the surrounding community might be affected by the destruction of the wind turbine?
14. What other types of alternative energy sources do you think should be explored?
15. How would you feel if you lived near a wind turbine? Why or why not?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. turbine
2. fire
3. ladders
4. smoke
5. blade
6. investigation
7. challenges
8. safety
Meanings:
(a) A large, flat, and usually sharp part of a machine
(b) The act of examining or researching something
(c) A device that converts wind into electricity
(d) A destructive event that produces flames and heat
(e) Measures taken to prevent harm or danger
(f) The result of combustion, often seen as a cloud
(g) Difficulties or obstacles that need to be overcome
(h) Equipment used to reach high places
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What caused the destruction of the wind turbine in Iowa?
(a) Lack of tall ladders
(b) Fire
(c) Smoke
(d) Giant blades crashing to the ground
2. Why were emergency workers unable to reach the top of the turbine?
(a) Lack of tall ladders
(b) Lack of training
(c) Lack of water
(d) Lack of electricity
3. What is currently being done to determine the cause of the fire?
(a) Authorities are actively investigating the incident
(b) Nothing is being done
(c) Emergency workers are trying to put out the fire
(d) The community is holding a meeting to discuss the incident
4. What is the purpose of investigating the cause of the fire?
(a) To determine the height of the turbine
(b) To billow smoke from the turbine
(c) To destroy the giant blades
(d) To prevent similar incidents in the future
5. What does the destruction of the wind turbine highlight?
(a) The importance of having tall ladders
(b) The need for more wind turbines
(c) The benefits of wind energy
(d) The challenges faced by emergency workers in high structures
6. What questions does this incident raise?
(a) Questions about the height of the turbine
(b) Questions about the location of the turbine
(c) Questions about safety measures for wind turbines
(d) Questions about the cost of wind energy
7. What is essential to ensure in wind turbine safety?
(a) Proper safety protocols and tall ladders for emergency responders
(b) Proper safety protocols and necessary tools and equipment for emergency responders
(c) Proper safety protocols and more wind turbines
(d) Proper safety protocols and more training for emergency responders
8. What is the main message of the article?
(a) The benefits of wind energy
(b) The destruction of the wind turbine in Iowa
(c) The challenges faced by emergency workers in dealing with fires in high structures
(d) The importance of having tall ladders for emergency workers
True or False Questions:
1. Authorities are not currently investigating the cause of the fire.
2. It is insignificant to have appropriate equipment and resources available for emergency workers to ineffectively respond to such emergencies.
3. A wind turbine in Adair County, Iowa, recently caught fire and was destroyed.
4. Smoke dissipated from the turbine and one of its blades gently landed on the ground without flames.
5. The cause of the fire is still known and passively being investigated.
6. Video footage captured the devastating scene as emergency crews were unable to extinguish the flames.
7. Emergency workers were unable to reach the top of the turbine due to a lack of tall ladders.
8. The incident raises questions about the safety measures in place for wind turbines.
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 challenges did emergency workers face when trying to extinguish the fire in the wind turbine?
2. Why is it important to determine the cause of the fire in order to prevent similar incidents in the future?
3. What questions does the incident raise about the safety measures in place for wind turbines?
4. How can addressing safety concerns and providing necessary tools and equipment help prevent similar incidents in the future?
5. What is the significance of the wind turbine incident in terms of the safety of both workers and the surrounding community?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. The cause of the fire in the wind turbine in Adair County, Iowa, is still unknown and is currently under investigation.
2. Emergency workers were unable to reach the top of the turbine during the incident due to a lack of tall ladders.
3. The challenges faced by emergency workers included the inability to reach the top of the turbine to extinguish the flames and the potential danger of the structure collapsing.
4. It is crucial to determine the cause of the fire in order to prevent similar incidents in the future by addressing any potential safety issues or equipment failures.
5. The destruction of the wind turbine highlights the need to ensure proper safety protocols are in place and that emergency responders have the necessary tools and equipment to handle emergencies effectively.
6. Steps that can be taken to ensure that emergency responders have the necessary tools and equipment include conducting regular safety inspections, providing adequate training, and having tall ladders or other means to reach high structures.
7. Not addressing the concerns raised by this incident could lead to more incidents of wind turbine fires or other emergencies, potentially endangering the safety of workers and the surrounding community.
8. The investigation into the cause of the fire can contribute to the safety of both workers and the surrounding community by identifying any safety issues or equipment failures that need to be addressed and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) unable
(2) ladders
(3) crashed
(4) scene
(5) challenges
(6) fires
(7) unknown
(8) incident
(9) resources
(10) safety
(11) ensure
(12) handle
(13) community
(14) conclusion
(15) available
(16) cause
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. turbine
Answer: (c) A device that converts wind into electricity
2. fire
Answer: (d) A destructive event that produces flames and heat
3. ladders
Answer: (h) Equipment used to reach high places
4. smoke
Answer: (f) The result of combustion, often seen as a cloud
5. blade
Answer: (a) A large, flat, and usually sharp part of a machine
6. investigation
Answer: (b) The act of examining or researching something
7. challenges
Answer: (g) Difficulties or obstacles that need to be overcome
8. safety
Answer: (e) Measures taken to prevent harm or danger
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What caused the destruction of the wind turbine in Iowa?
Answer: (b) Fire
2. Why were emergency workers unable to reach the top of the turbine?
Answer: (a) Lack of tall ladders
3. What is currently being done to determine the cause of the fire?
Answer: (a) Authorities are actively investigating the incident
4. What is the purpose of investigating the cause of the fire?
Answer: (d) To prevent similar incidents in the future
5. What does the destruction of the wind turbine highlight?
Answer: (d) The challenges faced by emergency workers in high structures
6. What questions does this incident raise?
Answer: (c) Questions about safety measures for wind turbines
7. What is essential to ensure in wind turbine safety?
Answer: (b) Proper safety protocols and necessary tools and equipment for emergency responders
8. What is the main message of the article?
Answer: (c) The challenges faced by emergency workers in dealing with fires in high structures
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. Authorities are not currently investigating the cause of the fire. (Answer: False)
2. It is insignificant to have appropriate equipment and resources available for emergency workers to ineffectively respond to such emergencies. (Answer: False)
3. A wind turbine in Adair County, Iowa, recently caught fire and was destroyed. (Answer: True)
4. Smoke dissipated from the turbine and one of its blades gently landed on the ground without flames. (Answer: False)
5. The cause of the fire is still known and passively being investigated. (Answer: False)
6. Video footage captured the devastating scene as emergency crews were unable to extinguish the flames. (Answer: True)
7. Emergency workers were unable to reach the top of the turbine due to a lack of tall ladders. (Answer: True)
8. The incident raises questions about the safety measures in place for wind turbines. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
