A recent car accident on a Canadian motorway resulted in an unexpected and spectacular fireworks display. The crash involved a lorry carrying fireworks and a pickup truck, and the collision caused the fireworks to ignite, creating a pyrotechnics show that lasted for an hour. The incident took place in British Columbia.

The accident occurred when the lorry carrying the fireworks collided with the pickup truck. As a result of the impact, the fireworks on the lorry were set off, leading to a spontaneous and mesmerizing display of lights and explosions. The show lasted for an hour, captivating onlookers and causing quite a spectacle on the motorway.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the accident. However, the crash did cause significant damage to the vehicles involved. The incident also resulted in the closure of the motorway for a period of time while emergency services attended to the scene and cleared the wreckage.

The impromptu fireworks show attracted a lot of attention from both motorists and local residents. Many people stopped their cars and gathered on the side of the road to watch the mesmerizing display. Videos and photos of the incident quickly spread on social media, capturing the extraordinary event.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident and determining who may be at fault. In the meantime, the incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected and sometimes extraordinary events that can occur on the road. It also highlights the importance of staying alert and cautious while driving, as accidents can happen at any time and in any place.

Original news source: Car crash leads to fireworks show on Canadian motorway (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Have each group read the article and summarize the main points in a news report format. They should include the key details and events of the accident, as well as any additional information they find interesting or important.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have the class discuss their opinions on the accident. Divide them into small groups and give them a list of questions to discuss, such as “Who do you think is at fault for the accident?” or “What safety measures could have prevented this incident?” After discussing, have each group share their opinions with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into teams and have one person from each team come up to the board. Give them a vocabulary word and have them draw a picture to represent it. The other members of their team must guess the word based on the drawing. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Give each student a copy of the article. Set a timer for 5 minutes and have the students write a summary of the article. After the time is up, have them exchange papers with a partner and read each other’s summaries. Discuss any differences or similarities in their summaries as a class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, have the students discuss and make predictions about the aftermath of the accident. What do they think will happen next? How will the investigation turn out? Encourage them to use their imagination and think critically about the potential consequences of the accident. After the group discussions, have each group share their predictions with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What caused the fireworks to ignite in the car accident?
2. How long did the pyrotechnics show last?
3. Were there any serious injuries in the accident?
4. What damage did the crash cause to the vehicles involved?
5. How did the impromptu fireworks show attract attention?
6. What did onlookers do when they saw the fireworks display?
7. What are authorities currently doing in response to the accident?
8. What does the incident remind people about the importance of?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A recent car accident on a (1)______ motorway resulted in an unexpected and spectacular fireworks display. The crash involved a lorry carrying fireworks and a pickup truck, and the collision caused the fireworks to (2)______, (3)______ a pyrotechnics show that lasted for an hour. The incident took place in British Columbia.

The accident occurred when the lorry carrying the fireworks (4)______ with the pickup truck. As a result of the impact, the fireworks on the lorry were set off, leading to a spontaneous and (5)______ display of lights and explosions. The show lasted for an hour, captivating onlookers and causing quite a spectacle on the motorway.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the accident. However, the (6)______ did (7)______ significant (8)______ to the vehicles involved. The incident also resulted in the closure of the motorway for a (9)______ of time while emergency services attended to the scene and cleared the wreckage.

The impromptu fireworks show attracted a lot of (10)______ from both motorists and local residents. Many people stopped their cars and (11)______ on the side of the road to watch the mesmerizing display. Videos and photos of the incident quickly spread on (12)______ media, capturing the (13)______ event.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident and (14)______ who may be at fault. In the meantime, the (15)______ serves as a reminder of the unexpected and sometimes extraordinary events that can occur on the road. It also highlights the importance of staying (16)______ and cautious while driving, as accidents can happen at any time and in any place.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion of the impromptu fireworks show that resulted from the car accident?
2. How would you feel if you were driving on the motorway and witnessed the fireworks display?
3. Do you think the accident could have been prevented? Why or why not?
4. What do you think the reaction of the drivers involved in the accident was when the fireworks started to ignite?
5. Have you ever witnessed a car accident? If so, how did it make you feel?
6. Do you think the closure of the motorway was necessary after the accident? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the onlookers felt while watching the mesmerizing display of lights and explosions?
8. What precautions do you take to stay alert and cautious while driving?
9. Have you ever been in a car accident? If so, how did it impact you physically and emotionally?
10. How do you think the accident could have been avoided?
11. Do you think the incident could have been more dangerous if the fireworks had exploded in a different way?
12. What is your opinion of people stopping their cars to watch the fireworks display instead of continuing on their journey?
13. How do you think the accident will impact the drivers involved in terms of insurance and legal consequences?
14. Have you ever been stuck in traffic due to an accident? How did you pass the time?
15. Do you think accidents like this are rare or common? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. accident
2. fireworks
3. collision
4. display
5. motorway
6. incident
7. vehicles
8. wreckage

Meanings:
(a) Explosive devices that create colorful lights and sounds
(b) An unexpected event or occurrence
(c) A large road designed for high-speed traffic
(d) The act of two objects hitting each other
(e) A show or exhibition of something
(f) Machines used for transportation
(g) An unexpected event that causes damage or injury
(h) The remains of something that has been destroyed or damaged
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where did the car accident involving fireworks take place?
(a) Ontario
(b) Quebec
(c) British Columbia
(d) Alberta

2. How long did the fireworks display last?
(a) Thirty minutes
(b) Two hours
(c) Fifteen minutes
(d) One hour

3. What caused the fireworks to ignite?
(a) A malfunction in the fireworks
(b) The collision between the lorry and the pickup truck
(c) A lightning strike
(d) A spark from another vehicle

4. Were there any serious injuries as a result of the accident?
(a) Yes
(b) It is not mentioned in the article
(c) There were minor injuries
(d) No

5. What happened to the motorway after the accident?
(a) It remained open
(b) It was permanently closed
(c) It was closed for a period of time
(d) It was partially closed

6. How did people react to the impromptu fireworks show?
(a) They stopped their cars and watched
(b) They continued driving without paying attention
(c) They called emergency services
(d) They left the scene immediately

7. What did videos and photos of the incident do on social media?
(a) They received no attention
(b) They quickly spread
(c) They were taken down by authorities
(d) They were ignored by users

8. What is the main message of the article?
(a) The unexpected events that can happen on the road
(b) The importance of fireworks safety
(c) The dangers of driving in British Columbia
(d) The need for stricter driving regulations

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident and determining who may be at fault.
2. The incident resulted in the opening of the motorway while emergency services attended to the scene.
3. A recent car accident in British Columbia resulted in a spectacular fireworks display.
4. The accident involved a lorry carrying fireworks and a pickup truck.
5. The collision caused the fireworks to extinguish, ending the pyrotechnics show that lasted for an hour.
6. One person was seriously injured in the accident, but significant damage was caused to the vehicles involved.
7. The impromptu fireworks show attracted a lot of attention from both motorists and local residents.
8. Videos and photos of the incident slowly spread on social media, capturing the ordinary event.
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 fireworks to ignite in the car accident on the Canadian motorway?
2. How long did the spontaneous fireworks display last?
3. Were there any injuries as a result of the accident?
4. How did the accident affect traffic on the motorway?
5. What is the significance of this incident in terms of road safety?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The collision between the lorry carrying the fireworks and the pickup truck caused the fireworks to ignite.
2. The pyrotechnics show lasted for an hour.
3. No, there were no serious injuries in the accident.
4. The crash caused significant damage to the vehicles involved.
5. The impromptu fireworks show attracted attention through social media, as videos and photos of the incident quickly spread.
6. Onlookers stopped their cars and gathered on the side of the road to watch the fireworks display.
7. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident and determining who may be at fault.
8. The incident reminds people about the importance of staying alert and cautious while driving, as accidents can happen at any time and in any place.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Canadian
(2) ignite
(3) creating
(4) collided
(5) mesmerizing
(6) crash
(7) cause
(8) damage
(9) period
(10) attention
(11) gathered
(12) social
(13) extraordinary
(14) determining
(15) incident
(16) alert
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Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. accident
Answer: (g) An unexpected event that causes damage or injury

2. fireworks
Answer: (a) Explosive devices that create colorful lights and sounds

3. collision
Answer: (d) The act of two objects hitting each other

4. display
Answer: (e) A show or exhibition of something

5. motorway
Answer: (c) A large road designed for high-speed traffic

6. incident
Answer: (b) An unexpected event or occurrence

7. vehicles
Answer: (f) Machines used for transportation

8. wreckage
Answer: (h) The remains of something that has been destroyed or damaged
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where did the car accident involving fireworks take place?
Answer: (c) British Columbia

2. How long did the fireworks display last?
Answer: (d) One hour

3. What caused the fireworks to ignite?
Answer: (b) The collision between the lorry and the pickup truck

4. Were there any serious injuries as a result of the accident?
Answer: (d) No

5. What happened to the motorway after the accident?
Answer: (c) It was closed for a period of time

6. How did people react to the impromptu fireworks show?
Answer: (a) They stopped their cars and watched

7. What did videos and photos of the incident do on social media?
Answer: (b) They quickly spread

8. What is the main message of the article?
Answer: (a) The unexpected events that can happen on the road
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident and determining who may be at fault. (Answer: True)
2. The incident resulted in the opening of the motorway while emergency services attended to the scene. (Answer: False)
3. A recent car accident in British Columbia resulted in a spectacular fireworks display. (Answer: True)
4. The accident involved a lorry carrying fireworks and a pickup truck. (Answer: True)
5. The collision caused the fireworks to extinguish, ending the pyrotechnics show that lasted for an hour. (Answer: False)
6. One person was seriously injured in the accident, but significant damage was caused to the vehicles involved. (Answer: False)
7. The impromptu fireworks show attracted a lot of attention from both motorists and local residents. (Answer: True)
8. Videos and photos of the incident slowly spread on social media, capturing the ordinary event. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧