A tourist village in China, renowned for its picturesque snowy landscapes, has recently issued an apology for using artificial materials to create the illusion of snow during an unseasonably warm period. This incident occurred in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, during the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January. Due to the unexpected warm weather, the village was unable to provide the natural snow that many visitors anticipated.

In an effort to maintain the winter atmosphere, the Chengdu Snow Village project resorted to using cotton wool and soapy water to simulate snow. They shared images on social media that depicted large sheets of cotton scattered across the village grounds and rooftops. However, these images were criticized by tourists who felt misled, as the village did not clarify that the snow was not real. Many social media users pointed out the discrepancy, with one comment highlighting the irony of a “snow village without snow.”

Following the backlash, the village took to the Chinese social media platform WeChat to express its regret. In their statement, they acknowledged the disappointment caused by their attempts to create a snowy environment and offered refunds to visitors who felt deceived. The village admitted that their efforts to replicate a winter wonderland had not met expectations and had ultimately left a negative impression on tourists.

The incident has drawn attention to the broader implications of climate change in China, where the weather patterns have become increasingly erratic. The country’s weather bureau has reported that China is experiencing longer and more intense heat waves, as well as unpredictable heavy rainfall. These changes are impacting traditional seasonal activities and tourism, prompting businesses to seek alternative methods to attract visitors.

In light of this situation, the Chengdu Snow Village has reportedly removed the synthetic snow from its premises. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges that tourist destinations may face in adapting to changing climate conditions while still meeting the expectations of their visitors. As the effects of climate change continue to unfold, it will be crucial for such areas to find sustainable and honest ways to promote their attractions.

Original news source: Snow village in China apologises for using fake snow during unusually warm weather (Sky News)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will take turns acting out key concepts from the article without speaking, such as “snow,” “apology,” “tourism,” or “climate change.” The rest of the class will guess the word or phrase being acted out. This will help reinforce vocabulary and comprehension of the article’s themes.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Ask students to express their opinions on the use of artificial materials to create snow in tourist attractions. Students can walk around the classroom and ask their peers for their thoughts, compiling a tally of different opinions. Afterward, facilitate a class discussion on the topic.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: In groups, students will create a mind map based on the article. They should write “Chengdu Snow Village Incident” in the center and branch out to themes such as “climate change,” “tourism,” “public reaction,” and “sustainability.” This activity encourages critical thinking and helps students visualize the connections between concepts.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to come up with catchy and informative headlines for the article. They should consider the main ideas and emotional impact of the incident. Afterward, each pair will present their headline to the class, and together they can vote on the most effective one.

– SYNONYM CHALLENGE
Instructions: Provide students with a list of key vocabulary words from the article, such as “apology,” “landscapes,” “simulate,” and “disappointment.” Students will work in pairs to come up with synonyms for each word. After a set amount of time, pairs will share their synonyms with the class, enhancing their vocabulary skills.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What materials did the Chengdu Snow Village use to create the illusion of snow during the warm period?
2. How did tourists react to the images shared by the village on social media?
3. What steps did the Chengdu Snow Village take in response to the backlash from visitors?
4. How has climate change affected weather patterns in China, according to the article?
5. What impact has the changing climate had on traditional seasonal activities and tourism in China?
6. What was the overall response of the Chengdu Snow Village regarding their efforts to create a winter atmosphere?
7. Why is the incident at Chengdu Snow Village significant for other tourist destinations facing climate change?
8. What can be inferred about the importance of transparency in promoting tourist attractions based on this incident?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A tourist village in China, renowned for its picturesque (1)______ landscapes, has recently issued an apology for using artificial materials to create the illusion of snow during an unseasonably warm (2)______. This incident occurred in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, during the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January. Due to the unexpected warm weather, the village was unable to provide the (3)______ snow that many visitors anticipated.

In an effort to maintain the winter atmosphere, the Chengdu Snow (4)______ project resorted to using cotton wool and soapy water to simulate snow. They (5)______ images on social media that depicted large sheets of (6)______ scattered across the village grounds and rooftops. However, these images were criticized by tourists who felt misled, as the village did not clarify that the snow was not real. Many social media users pointed out the discrepancy, with one comment (7)______ the irony of a “snow village without snow.”

Following the backlash, the village took to the Chinese social media platform WeChat to (8)______ its regret. In their statement, they acknowledged the disappointment caused by their attempts to create a snowy environment and offered refunds to visitors who felt deceived. The village admitted that their (9)______ to replicate a (10)______ wonderland had not met expectations and had ultimately left a negative impression on tourists.

The incident has drawn attention to the broader implications of climate (11)______ in (12)______, where the weather patterns have become increasingly erratic. The country’s weather bureau has reported that China is experiencing longer and more intense heat waves, as well as unpredictable heavy rainfall. These changes are impacting traditional seasonal activities and tourism, prompting businesses to seek alternative (13)______ to attract visitors.

In light of this situation, the Chengdu Snow Village has reportedly (14)______ the synthetic snow from its premises. This incident (15)______ as a reminder of the challenges that tourist destinations may face in adapting to changing climate conditions while still meeting the expectations of their visitors. As the effects of climate change continue to unfold, it will be (16)______ for such areas to find sustainable and honest ways to promote their attractions.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on using artificial materials to create a winter atmosphere in tourist destinations?
2. How would you feel if you traveled to a snowy destination and found out the snow was fake?
3. Do you think it is acceptable for tourist attractions to mislead visitors about their experiences? Why or why not?
4. What is a memorable travel experience you had that did not meet your expectations?
5. How do you think climate change is affecting tourism in your country?
6. Do you like visiting places that rely on seasonal weather, such as ski resorts? Why or why not?
7. How would you respond if a business offered you a refund after you felt deceived by their advertising?
8. What is a creative solution you can think of to attract tourists during unusual weather conditions?
9. Do you think tourists should be more understanding of the challenges that businesses face due to climate change? Why or why not?
10. How would you feel if a popular tourist destination had to close due to extreme weather conditions?
11. What is a way that businesses can promote sustainability while still attracting visitors?
12. Do you think social media plays a positive or negative role in how tourist experiences are shared? Why?
13. How important is honesty in marketing for tourist attractions?
14. What is a destination you would recommend for someone seeking a true winter experience?
15. How do you think the travel industry can adapt to the ongoing effects of climate change in the future?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. picturesque
2. illusion
3. unseasonably
4. resorted
5. simulate
6. discrepancy
7. irony
8. backlash
9. acknowledged
10. implications
11. erratic
12. unpredictable
13. synthetic
14. adapting
15. sustainable

Meanings:
(A) Able to be maintained or continued over the long term without depleting resources or causing harm
(B) Unpredictable and inconsistent in behavior or pattern
(C) A difference or inconsistency between two things
(D) Not typical for the time of year
(E) A false appearance or deceptive impression
(F) Adjusting or modifying to suit new conditions
(G) Imitate or replicate the appearance or character of something
(H) A situation where the outcome is contrary to what was expected
(I) Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product
(J) Possible future effects or consequences of an action or decision
(K) A strong negative reaction or response
(L) Turned to a strategy or course of action as a last option
(M) Visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way
(N) Admitted or recognized the truth or existence of something
(O) Not able to be predicted or foreseen
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the Chengdu Snow Village known for?
(a) Tropical beaches
(b) Picturesque snowy landscapes
(c) Historical monuments
(d) Urban nightlife

2. During which holiday did the incident occur?
(a) Christmas
(b) National Day
(c) Lunar New Year
(d) Mid-Autumn Festival

3. What materials did the village use to simulate snow?
(a) Cotton wool and soapy water
(b) Plastic and glitter
(c) Paper and paint
(d) Ice and water

4. How did the village respond to the criticism from tourists?
(a) They issued an apology and offered refunds
(b) They ignored the complaints
(c) They closed the village temporarily
(d) They increased ticket prices

5. What broader issue does this incident highlight?
(a) Economic growth
(b) Urban development
(c) Cultural heritage
(d) Climate change

6. What has the Chinese weather bureau reported about weather patterns?
(a) Consistent seasonal weather
(b) Decreased rainfall
(c) More predictable winters
(d) Longer and more intense heat waves

7. What action did the Chengdu Snow Village take after the incident?
(a) Expanded their snow-making operations
(b) Increased social media marketing
(c) Removed the synthetic snow
(d) Built more attractions

8. What is essential for tourist destinations as climate change continues to affect them?
(a) Reducing ticket prices
(b) Finding sustainable and honest ways to promote attractions
(c) Increasing the use of artificial materials
(d) Expanding their geographical reach

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Tourists criticized the village for not clarifying that the snow was not real.
2. The village used foam and glitter to create the illusion of snow.
3. The village offered refunds to visitors who felt deceived by the artificial snow.
4. The Chengdu Snow Village added more synthetic snow to its premises after the backlash.
5. The village refused to apologize for using artificial materials to simulate snow.
6. This incident occurred during the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January.
7. A tourist village in Japan is known for its beautiful snowy landscapes.
8. The incident highlighted the impact of climate change on weather patterns in China.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What materials did the Chengdu Snow Village use to create the illusion of snow, and why did they resort to this method?
2. How did tourists react to the use of artificial snow in the village, and what specific criticism did they express?
3. What steps did the Chengdu Snow Village take in response to the backlash from visitors?
4. How does the incident at the Chengdu Snow Village reflect broader issues related to climate change in China?
5. What lessons can other tourist destinations learn from the Chengdu Snow Village incident regarding climate adaptation and visitor expectations?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What materials did the Chengdu Snow Village use to create the illusion of snow during the warm period?
The Chengdu Snow Village used cotton wool and soapy water to simulate snow.

2. How did tourists react to the images shared by the village on social media?
Tourists felt misled and criticized the village for not clarifying that the snow was not real, with some commenting on the irony of a “snow village without snow.”

3. What steps did the Chengdu Snow Village take in response to the backlash from visitors?
The village expressed regret on WeChat, acknowledged the disappointment caused, and offered refunds to visitors who felt deceived.

4. How has climate change affected weather patterns in China, according to the article?
Climate change has led to longer and more intense heat waves, as well as unpredictable heavy rainfall in China.

5. What impact has the changing climate had on traditional seasonal activities and tourism in China?
The changing climate has impacted traditional seasonal activities and tourism, prompting businesses to seek alternative methods to attract visitors.

6. What was the overall response of the Chengdu Snow Village regarding their efforts to create a winter atmosphere?
The Chengdu Snow Village admitted that their efforts had not met expectations and left a negative impression on tourists.

7. Why is the incident at Chengdu Snow Village significant for other tourist destinations facing climate change?
The incident highlights the challenges that tourist destinations may face in adapting to changing climate conditions while still meeting visitor expectations.

8. What can be inferred about the importance of transparency in promoting tourist attractions based on this incident?
The incident suggests that transparency is crucial in promoting tourist attractions, as misleading representations can lead to disappointment and backlash from visitors.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) snowy
(2) period
(3) natural
(4) Village
(5) shared
(6) cotton
(7) highlighting
(8) express
(9) efforts
(10) winter
(11) change
(12) China
(13) methods
(14) removed
(15) serves
(16) crucial
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. picturesque
Answer: (M) Visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way

2. illusion
Answer: (E) A false appearance or deceptive impression

3. unseasonably
Answer: (D) Not typical for the time of year

4. resorted
Answer: (L) Turned to a strategy or course of action as a last option

5. simulate
Answer: (G) Imitate or replicate the appearance or character of something

6. discrepancy
Answer: (C) A difference or inconsistency between two things

7. irony
Answer: (H) A situation where the outcome is contrary to what was expected

8. backlash
Answer: (K) A strong negative reaction or response

9. acknowledged
Answer: (N) Admitted or recognized the truth or existence of something

10. implications
Answer: (J) Possible future effects or consequences of an action or decision

11. erratic
Answer: (B) Unpredictable and inconsistent in behavior or pattern

12. unpredictable
Answer: (O) Not able to be predicted or foreseen

13. synthetic
Answer: (I) Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product

14. adapting
Answer: (F) Adjusting or modifying to suit new conditions

15. sustainable
Answer: (A) Able to be maintained or continued over the long term without depleting resources or causing harm
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the Chengdu Snow Village known for?
Answer: (b) Picturesque snowy landscapes

2. During which holiday did the incident occur?
Answer: (c) Lunar New Year

3. What materials did the village use to simulate snow?
Answer: (a) Cotton wool and soapy water

4. How did the village respond to the criticism from tourists?
Answer: (a) They issued an apology and offered refunds

5. What broader issue does this incident highlight?
Answer: (d) Climate change

6. What has the Chinese weather bureau reported about weather patterns?
Answer: (d) Longer and more intense heat waves

7. What action did the Chengdu Snow Village take after the incident?
Answer: (c) Removed the synthetic snow

8. What is essential for tourist destinations as climate change continues to affect them?
Answer: (b) Finding sustainable and honest ways to promote attractions
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Tourists criticized the village for not clarifying that the snow was not real. (Answer: True)
2. The village used foam and glitter to create the illusion of snow. (Answer: False)
3. The village offered refunds to visitors who felt deceived by the artificial snow. (Answer: True)
4. The Chengdu Snow Village added more synthetic snow to its premises after the backlash. (Answer: False)
5. The village refused to apologize for using artificial materials to simulate snow. (Answer: False)
6. This incident occurred during the Lunar New Year holiday at the end of January. (Answer: True)
7. A tourist village in Japan is known for its beautiful snowy landscapes. (Answer: False)
8. The incident highlighted the impact of climate change on weather patterns in China. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧