Firefighters in Smolensk, Russia, recently rescued an injured owl from a group of crows. The owl was found lying outside the gates of a fire station, being pecked by the crows. The firefighters quickly came to its aid, warming and feeding it. They then took the owl to a veterinarian for an x-ray and further care. The plan is to eventually send the owl to a wild bird rehabilitation and reintroduction center.
Natalia Arbuzova, a press officer for Smolensk’s emergency services, explained that the firefighters noticed the motionless owl with an injured wing and crows attacking it. They immediately drove off the crows, placed the owl on a shovel, and brought it inside the fire station. They kept it in a dark box to protect it from light, as it was sensitive to it. The firefighters also provided food for the owl.
The bird is expected to recover well, but it will remain at the veterinarian’s office until it is ready to be transferred to the rehabilitation center. This heartwarming story showcases the dedication and compassion of the firefighters in Smolensk, who go above and beyond their duties to rescue animals in need.
This is not the first time an owl has been rescued in Russia. In a similar incident, a fishing crew saved an owl from a seagull attack. Another owl was saved by a man after getting caught in a rat trap. These stories highlight the importance of human intervention in protecting and caring for injured wildlife.
In conclusion, the firefighters in Smolensk, Russia, rescued an injured owl from crows and provided it with warmth and food. The owl was then taken to a veterinarian for further care and will eventually be sent to a rehabilitation center. This act of kindness demonstrates the firefighters’ commitment to animal rescue. Similar incidents have occurred in Russia, emphasizing the significance of human intervention in safeguarding injured wildlife.
Original news source: Firefighters rescue injured owl from crows (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Give each group a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and then summarize it in 3-4 sentences.
4. After they have finished, have each group share their summary with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Ask the students to form pairs.
2. Give each pair a set of questions related to the article.
3. Instruct the pairs to discuss their opinions and answers to the questions.
4. After they have finished, have a class discussion where each pair shares their opinions and answers.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. One member from each team comes to the front of the class.
4. Show them a vocabulary word and they have to draw it on the board without using any letters or numbers.
5. The team members have to guess the word based on the drawing.
6. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Give each pair a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the pairs to take turns summarizing the article to each other in one minute or less.
4. After they have finished, have each pair switch partners and repeat the activity.
5. If time allows, have a few students share their summaries with the class.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions:
1. Ask the students to think about a time when they witnessed or were involved in an act of kindness towards animals.
2. Have the students pair up and share their stories with each other.
3. After they have finished sharing, ask a few students to share their stories with the whole class.
Comprehension Questions:
1. How did the firefighters in Smolensk notice the injured owl?
2. Why did the firefighters place the owl in a dark box?
3. What did the firefighters provide for the owl?
4. Where will the owl be transferred once it is ready?
5. What does this story demonstrate about the firefighters in Smolensk?
6. What are some other incidents in Russia where owls were rescued?
7. Why is human intervention important in protecting injured wildlife?
8. What does this act of kindness by the firefighters show about their commitment?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Firefighters in Smolensk, Russia, recently rescued an injured owl from a group of crows. The owl was (1)______ lying outside the gates of a fire (2)______, being pecked by the crows. The firefighters quickly came to its aid, warming and feeding it. They then took the owl to a veterinarian for an x-ray and further care. The plan is to eventually send the owl to a wild bird rehabilitation and (3)______ center.
Natalia Arbuzova, a (4)______ officer for Smolensk’s emergency services, (5)______ that the firefighters noticed the motionless owl with an injured wing and crows (6)______ it. They immediately drove off the crows, placed the owl on a shovel, and (7)______ it inside the fire station. They kept it in a dark box to protect it from light, as it was sensitive to it. The firefighters also provided food for the owl.
The bird is expected to recover well, but it will remain at the veterinarian’s office until it is ready to be (8)______ to the rehabilitation (9)______. This heartwarming story showcases the dedication and compassion of the firefighters in (10)______, who go above and beyond their duties to rescue animals in need.
This is not the first time an owl has been rescued in Russia. In a similar incident, a fishing crew (11)______ an owl from a seagull attack. Another owl was saved by a man after getting caught in a rat trap. These stories highlight the importance of human (12)______ in protecting and caring for injured wildlife.
In conclusion, the firefighters in Smolensk, (13)______, rescued an injured owl from crows and provided it with warmth and food. The owl was then (14)______ to a veterinarian for further care and will eventually be sent to a (15)______ center. This act of kindness demonstrates the firefighters’ commitment to animal rescue. Similar incidents have occurred in Russia, emphasizing the significance of human intervention in (16)______ injured wildlife.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What do you think about the firefighters’ actions in rescuing the injured owl?
2. Have you ever witnessed an act of kindness towards animals? Can you tell us about it?
3. How do you think the owl felt when it was being attacked by the crows?
4. Do you think it’s important for humans to intervene and help injured wildlife? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever had a pet bird? If so, how did you take care of it?
6. How do you think the owl will feel once it is transferred to the rehabilitation center? Why?
7. What would you do if you found an injured animal in need of help?
8. Have you ever encountered a wild animal in a dangerous situation? How did you react?
9. How do you think the owl’s life will be different after it is released back into the wild?
10. Do you think firefighters should be trained to rescue animals in addition to fighting fires? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if you were the firefighter who found the injured owl? Why?
12. What do you think motivates people to help injured animals?
13. Do you think it’s important for society to prioritize the well-being of animals? Why or why not?
14. Have you ever visited a wildlife rehabilitation center? If so, what was your experience like?
15. How do you think the owl’s story would have ended if the firefighters hadn’t intervened? Why?
Individual Activities
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Where was the injured owl found?
(a) Outside a fire station
(b) In a veterinarian’s office
(c) At a rehabilitation center
(d) In a dark box
2. How did the firefighters protect the owl from light?
(a) They placed it on a shovel
(b) They kept it in a dark box
(c) They drove off the crows
(d) They provided food for it
3. What did the firefighters do to help the owl?
(a) They took it to a rehabilitation center
(b) They rescued it from a seagull attack
(c) They warmed and fed it
(d) They caught it in a rat trap
4. Where will the owl eventually be sent?
(a) A veterinarian’s office
(b) A fire station
(c) A fishing crew
(d) A wild bird rehabilitation and reintroduction center
5. What does this article highlight about the firefighters in Smolensk?
(a) Their dedication and compassion for rescuing animals
(b) Their commitment to human intervention
(c) Their ability to catch owls in rat traps
(d) Their love for seagulls
6. What did a fishing crew save an owl from?
(a) A rat trap
(b) Crows pecking it
(c) A seagull attack
(d) Being caught in a dark box
7. What is the significance of human intervention in protecting injured wildlife?
(a) It is unnecessary and should be avoided
(b) It is important for the well-being of the animals
(c) It is only important in Russia
(d) It is the responsibility of the rehabilitation center
8. What is the main message of this article?
(a) Owls are often attacked by seagulls
(b) Human intervention is not necessary for injured wildlife
(c) Firefighters in Russia are not dedicated to animal rescue
(d) Firefighters in Smolensk rescued an injured owl from crows
True or False Questions:
1. The owl was found lying inside the gates of a fire station, being pecked by the crows.
2. This act of kindness demonstrates the firefighters’ commitment to animal rescue.
3. The owl was kept in a dark box to protect it from light, as it was sensitive to it.
4. The firefighters leisurely came to its aid, cooling and ignoring it.
5. The plan is to eventually send the owl to a domestic bird rehabilitation and reintroduction center.
6. The owl was taken to a veterinarian for an ultrasound and further care.
7. The firefighters noticed the motionless owl with an injured wing and crows attacking it.
8. Firefighters in Smolensk, Russia, recently rescued an injured owl from a group of crows.
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 did the firefighters in Smolensk, Russia, rescue the injured owl from the crows?
2. What measures did the firefighters take to protect and care for the owl after rescuing it?
3. Where will the owl be transferred to once it is ready?
4. What does this story demonstrate about the dedication and compassion of the firefighters in Smolensk?
5. What other incidents in Russia have highlighted the importance of human intervention in protecting injured wildlife?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. How did the firefighters in Smolensk notice the injured owl?
The firefighters noticed the injured owl outside the gates of their fire station.
2. Why did the firefighters place the owl in a dark box?
The firefighters placed the owl in a dark box to protect it from light, as it was sensitive to it.
3. What did the firefighters provide for the owl?
The firefighters provided warmth and food for the owl.
4. Where will the owl be transferred once it is ready?
The owl will be transferred to a wild bird rehabilitation and reintroduction center.
5. What does this story demonstrate about the firefighters in Smolensk?
This story demonstrates the dedication and compassion of the firefighters in Smolensk, who go above and beyond their duties to rescue animals in need.
6. What are some other incidents in Russia where owls were rescued?
Some other incidents in Russia include a fishing crew saving an owl from a seagull attack and a man rescuing an owl caught in a rat trap.
7. Why is human intervention important in protecting injured wildlife?
Human intervention is important in protecting injured wildlife because it can provide immediate care and support that the animals need to recover and survive.
8. What does this act of kindness by the firefighters show about their commitment?
This act of kindness by the firefighters shows their commitment to animal rescue and their willingness to go the extra mile to help animals in need.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) found
(2) station
(3) reintroduction
(4) press
(5) explained
(6) attacking
(7) brought
(8) transferred
(9) center
(10) Smolensk
(11) saved
(12) intervention
(13) Russia
(14) taken
(15) rehabilitation
(16) safeguarding
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. Where was the injured owl found?
Answer: (a) Outside a fire station
2. How did the firefighters protect the owl from light?
Answer: (b) They kept it in a dark box
3. What did the firefighters do to help the owl?
Answer: (c) They warmed and fed it
4. Where will the owl eventually be sent?
Answer: (d) A wild bird rehabilitation and reintroduction center
5. What does this article highlight about the firefighters in Smolensk?
Answer: (a) Their dedication and compassion for rescuing animals
6. What did a fishing crew save an owl from?
Answer: (c) A seagull attack
7. What is the significance of human intervention in protecting injured wildlife?
Answer: (b) It is important for the well-being of the animals
8. What is the main message of this article?
Answer: (d) Firefighters in Smolensk rescued an injured owl from crows
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The owl was found lying inside the gates of a fire station, being pecked by the crows. (Answer: False)
2. This act of kindness demonstrates the firefighters’ commitment to animal rescue. (Answer: True)
3. The owl was kept in a dark box to protect it from light, as it was sensitive to it. (Answer: True)
4. The firefighters leisurely came to its aid, cooling and ignoring it. (Answer: False)
5. The plan is to eventually send the owl to a domestic bird rehabilitation and reintroduction center. (Answer: False)
6. The owl was taken to a veterinarian for an ultrasound and further care. (Answer: False)
7. The firefighters noticed the motionless owl with an injured wing and crows attacking it. (Answer: True)
8. Firefighters in Smolensk, Russia, recently rescued an injured owl from a group of crows. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
