A man in Australia has been rescued after spending over 30 hours hiding in an underground drain network. The 38-year-old initially claimed that he had entered the drain in Brisbane to retrieve his phone. However, Queensland police stated that he had actually fled there after crashing his car into one of their vehicles. The man was eventually rescued when a passerby alerted the authorities. He was treated for injuries and hypothermia. Reports indicate that he had been standing in knee-deep water before firefighters helped him climb out by lifting a drain lid. The entire rescue operation took about five minutes.

A local resident named James Lingwood was the one who made the call to the authorities. He had encountered the man on Sunday after hearing someone yelling. Lingwood initially thought the man was fine and capable of getting out on his own, so he left him alone. However, when he returned to the same spot on Monday and heard heavy breathing indicating distress, he decided to take action.

On Tuesday, the police revealed that the man had been driving a suspicious car that had crashed into a police vehicle, causing damage to both cars. The suspect then fled the scene on foot after being involved in a second crash that resulted in minor injuries to the other driver. Acting police commissioner Steve Gollschewski commented on the case, stating that it is surprising what people are capable of doing.

The man is currently in stable condition and is cooperating with the police in their investigation. The incident has attracted media attention and has raised questions about the man’s motives for hiding in the drain network. The authorities are working to gather more information and determine the full extent of his involvement in the incidents leading up to his hiding.

Original news source: Australian freed after spending 30 hours in drain (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Headline Creation
Instructions: In groups, students will create catchy headlines for the news article. Encourage them to be creative and use their vocabulary and knowledge of grammar to make interesting headlines. Afterward, each group can present their headline to the class and explain their choice.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a set 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 can switch roles after a few minutes. This activity helps students review and reinforce their understanding of the vocabulary used in the article.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and list the pros and cons of hiding in an underground drain network. They should consider the potential risks, benefits, and ethical implications. Afterward, groups can share their thoughts with the class and engage in a class discussion.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have students individually read the article and think about the following question: “What do you think motivated the man to hide in the underground drain network?” After a few minutes, students can pair up and discuss their thoughts. Finally, have a class discussion where students share their ideas and theories about the man’s motives.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about what they think will happen next in the story. They should consider the potential consequences for the man, the police investigation, and any possible legal actions. Afterward, groups can share their predictions with the class and compare their ideas.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How long did the man spend hiding in the underground drain network?
2. Why did the man initially claim he had entered the drain?
3. What did Queensland police say the man had actually done?
4. How was the man eventually rescued?
5. Who alerted the authorities to the man’s presence in the drain?
6. Why did James Lingwood initially leave the man alone when he encountered him?
7. What did the man do after crashing into a police vehicle?
8. What is the man’s current condition and how is he cooperating with the police?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A man in Australia has been rescued after spending over 30 hours hiding in an underground drain network. The 38-year-old initially claimed that he had (1)______ the drain in (2)______ to (3)______ his phone. However, (4)______ police stated that he had actually fled there after crashing his car into one of their vehicles. The man was eventually rescued when a passerby alerted the authorities. He was treated for injuries and hypothermia. Reports indicate that he had been standing in knee-deep water before firefighters helped him climb out by lifting a drain lid. The entire rescue operation took about five (5)______.

A local resident (6)______ James Lingwood was the one who made the call to the authorities. He had (7)______ the man on Sunday after hearing someone yelling. Lingwood initially (8)______ the man was fine and capable of getting out on his own, so he left him alone. However, when he returned to the same spot on Monday and heard (9)______ breathing indicating distress, he decided to take action.

On Tuesday, the police revealed that the man had been driving a suspicious car that had crashed into a police vehicle, causing damage to both cars. The (10)______ then fled the (11)______ on foot after being involved in a second crash that resulted in minor (12)______ to the other driver. Acting police commissioner Steve Gollschewski commented on the case, stating that it is surprising what people are (13)______ of doing.

The man is currently in stable condition and is cooperating with the police in their investigation. The incident has attracted media attention and has raised questions about the man’s (14)______ for (15)______ in the drain network. The authorities are working to gather more information and determine the full extent of his involvement in the (16)______ leading up to his hiding.
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 man’s decision to hide in the underground drain network?
2. How would you feel if you encountered someone yelling for help like James Lingwood did?
3. Do you think the man’s decision to hide in the drain network was justified? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever encountered a suspicious car or witnessed a car crash? What was your experience like?
5. What would you do if you found yourself in a similar situation as the man in the article?
6. Do you think the media attention surrounding this incident is warranted? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the man’s decision to hide will impact the police investigation?
8. Have you ever been involved in a car accident? How did you handle the situation?
9. What precautions do you take to ensure your safety while driving?
10. How do you think the man’s actions reflect on his character?
11. Do you think the man should face any legal consequences for his actions? Why or why not?
12. How do you think this incident will affect the man’s reputation in the community?
13. Have you ever witnessed a rescue operation? What was it like?
14. How would you react if you saw a suspicious car crash into a police vehicle?
15. Do you think the man’s decision to hide in the drain network was a smart move? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. retrieved
2. network
3. hypothermia
4. passerby
5. injuries
6. distress
7. authorities
8. resident
9. suspicious
10. commissioner
11. cooperating
12. investigation
13. incident
14. media
15. motives

Meanings:
(A) A medical condition caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures, leading to a dangerous drop in body temperature
(B) Gained back or recovered something that was lost
(C) An official in charge of a particular area or activity
(D) The reasons or desires that explain why someone acts or behaves in a particular way
(E) A person who is walking by, especially near an event or in a specific location
(F) Working together willingly with someone, especially in a difficult situation
(G) Causing one to be under suspicion or doubt
(H) The organizations or individuals in charge of enforcing laws and maintaining public order
(I) Physical harm or damage to someone’s body
(J) A person living in a particular place or area
(K) The means of mass communication, especially television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, considered collectively
(L) A system or group of interconnected people or things
(M) The systematic examination or research to establish facts or principles
(N) A state of extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
(O) A distinct event or occurrence, especially one that is noteworthy
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How long did the man spend hiding in the underground drain network?
(a) Over 20 hours
(b) Over 10 hours
(c) Over 30 hours
(d) Over 40 hours

2. Why did the man initially claim he entered the drain?
(a) To hide from the police
(b) To find shelter
(c) To retrieve his phone
(d) To explore the drain network

3. How was the man eventually rescued?
(a) A passerby alerted the authorities
(b) He called for help on his phone
(c) He climbed out on his own
(d) Firefighters found him during a routine check

4. What injuries did the man suffer from?
(a) Broken bones
(b) Burns
(c) No injuries
(d) Injuries and hypothermia

5. Who alerted the authorities about the man hiding in the drain?
(a) The police
(b) The man himself
(c) Firefighters
(d) James Lingwood

6. What caused the man to flee and hide in the drain?
(a) Crashing his car into a police vehicle
(b) Losing his phone
(c) Being chased by someone
(d) Wanting to explore the drain network

7. What did the police reveal about the man’s car?
(a) It was stolen
(b) It crashed into a police vehicle
(c) It was found abandoned
(d) It was involved in a hit and run

8. How is the man currently doing?
(a) In critical condition
(b) In stable condition
(c) In hiding
(d) In custody

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Initially, the man claimed he had entered the drain to rescue a lost kitten, but it was later revealed that he had actually fled there after fleeing from a stray dog.
2. A man in Australia was rescued after spending over 30 hours hiding in an underground drain network.
3. The man was eventually rescued when a passerby alerted the authorities.
4. He was treated for injuries and hypothermia after being rescued.
5. The man is currently in critical condition and is not cooperating with the police in their investigation.
6. Firefighters helped him by lowering a ladder into the drain.
7. A tourist named James Lingwood made the call to the authorities after hearing a loud noise.
8. The entire rescue operation took about five minutes.
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 man end up in the underground drain network?
2. What injuries did the man sustain while hiding in the drain?
3. Who alerted the authorities to the man’s presence in the drain?
4. Why did the man initially claim that he entered the drain to retrieve his phone?
5. What questions are raised about the man’s motives for hiding in the drain network?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How long did the man spend hiding in the underground drain network?
The man spent over 30 hours hiding in the underground drain network.

2. Why did the man initially claim he had entered the drain?
The man initially claimed he had entered the drain to retrieve his phone.

3. What did Queensland police say the man had actually done?
Queensland police stated that the man had actually fled there after crashing his car into one of their vehicles.

4. How was the man eventually rescued?
The man was eventually rescued when a passerby alerted the authorities. Firefighters helped him climb out by lifting a drain lid.

5. Who alerted the authorities to the man’s presence in the drain?
A local resident named James Lingwood alerted the authorities to the man’s presence in the drain.

6. Why did James Lingwood initially leave the man alone when he encountered him?
James Lingwood initially thought the man was fine and capable of getting out on his own.

7. What did the man do after crashing into a police vehicle?
After crashing into a police vehicle, the man fled the scene on foot.

8. What is the man’s current condition and how is he cooperating with the police?
The man is currently in stable condition and is cooperating with the police in their investigation.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) entered
(2) Brisbane
(3) retrieve
(4) Queensland
(5) minutes
(6) named
(7) encountered
(8) thought
(9) heavy
(10) suspect
(11) scene
(12) injuries
(13) capable
(14) motives
(15) hiding
(16) incidents
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. retrieved
Answer: (B) Gained back or recovered something that was lost

2. network
Answer: (L) A system or group of interconnected people or things

3. hypothermia
Answer: (A) A medical condition caused by prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures, leading to a dangerous drop in body temperature

4. passerby
Answer: (E) A person who is walking by, especially near an event or in a specific location

5. injuries
Answer: (I) Physical harm or damage to someone’s body

6. distress
Answer: (N) A state of extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain

7. authorities
Answer: (H) The organizations or individuals in charge of enforcing laws and maintaining public order

8. resident
Answer: (J) A person living in a particular place or area

9. suspicious
Answer: (G) Causing one to be under suspicion or doubt

10. commissioner
Answer: (C) An official in charge of a particular area or activity

11. cooperating
Answer: (F) Working together willingly with someone, especially in a difficult situation

12. investigation
Answer: (M) The systematic examination or research to establish facts or principles

13. incident
Answer: (O) A distinct event or occurrence, especially one that is noteworthy

14. media
Answer: (K) The means of mass communication, especially television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, considered collectively

15. motives
Answer: (D) The reasons or desires that explain why someone acts or behaves in a particular way
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How long did the man spend hiding in the underground drain network?
Answer: (c) Over 30 hours

2. Why did the man initially claim he entered the drain?
Answer: (c) To retrieve his phone

3. How was the man eventually rescued?
Answer: (a) A passerby alerted the authorities

4. What injuries did the man suffer from?
Answer: (d) Injuries and hypothermia

5. Who alerted the authorities about the man hiding in the drain?
Answer: (d) James Lingwood

6. What caused the man to flee and hide in the drain?
Answer: (a) Crashing his car into a police vehicle

7. What did the police reveal about the man’s car?
Answer: (b) It crashed into a police vehicle

8. How is the man currently doing?
Answer: (b) In stable condition
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Initially, the man claimed he had entered the drain to rescue a lost kitten, but it was later revealed that he had actually fled there after fleeing from a stray dog. (Answer: False)
2. A man in Australia was rescued after spending over 30 hours hiding in an underground drain network. (Answer: True)
3. The man was eventually rescued when a passerby alerted the authorities. (Answer: True)
4. He was treated for injuries and hypothermia after being rescued. (Answer: True)
5. The man is currently in critical condition and is not cooperating with the police in their investigation. (Answer: False)
6. Firefighters helped him by lowering a ladder into the drain. (Answer: False)
7. A tourist named James Lingwood made the call to the authorities after hearing a loud noise. (Answer: False)
8. The entire rescue operation took about five minutes. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧