A video capturing the collapse of a church steeple in New London, Connecticut has been circulating online. The incident occurred when the church roof and steeple suddenly gave way. Fortunately, there were no casualties as there was no service taking place at the time. Emergency crews promptly evacuated the area to ensure everyone’s safety. The cause of the collapse is still unknown, according to Mayor Michael Passero.

The video shows the moment when the church steeple collapses, causing a significant amount of damage to the building. It is unclear what led to the collapse, and investigations are underway to determine the cause. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and inspections of buildings, especially those with historical significance.

The church, which is located in New London, Connecticut, is a well-known landmark in the area. It is a place of worship for many residents and holds cultural and historical significance. The collapse of the steeple has left the community shocked and concerned about the safety of other buildings in the area.

Authorities are working to assess the extent of the damage and ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out. The safety of the community is a top priority, and measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. In the meantime, residents are urged to stay away from the affected area and follow any instructions given by emergency personnel.

Overall, the collapse of the church steeple in New London, Connecticut is a significant event that has raised concerns about building safety. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse, and steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community is coming together to support one another during this challenging time.

Original news source: Watch: US church steeple collapse caught on camera (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide students into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct students to read the article and summarize the main points in their own words.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their summaries with the class.
5. Encourage discussion and ask follow-up questions to ensure comprehension.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide students into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct each group to come up with a question related to the article.
3. Have students take turns asking their question and recording their partner/group’s opinion on the topic.
4. After each question, encourage students to discuss their opinions and provide reasons for their answers.
5. Wrap up the activity by having a class discussion and sharing different perspectives on the topic.

– Keyword Taboo
Instructions:
1. Choose five key words from the article and write them on the board.
2. Instruct students to work in pairs or small groups.
3. One student from each group will choose a word from the board and describe it to their partner/group without using the word itself.
4. The partner/group must guess the keyword based on the description.
5. Rotate turns until all the keywords have been guessed.
6. Discuss the meanings and context of the keywords as a class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions:
1. Divide students into pairs or small groups.
2. Instruct each group to discuss and make predictions about the future of building safety in light of the church steeple collapse.
3. Encourage students to consider advancements in technology, changes in regulations, and potential community responses.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their predictions with the class.
5. Facilitate a discussion and ask follow-up questions to explore different perspectives and possibilities.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions:
1. Instruct students to individually think about and write down three questions they have about the church steeple collapse.
2. Pair up students and have them share their questions with each other.
3. Encourage discussion and brainstorm possible answers or explanations to the questions.
4. Bring the class back together and have pairs share their questions and any interesting discussions or ideas that arose.
5. As a class, discuss the questions and possible answers, encouraging critical thinking and analysis.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What caused the collapse of the church steeple in New London, Connecticut?
2. Why were there no casualties during the collapse?
3. What is the significance of the church in the community?
4. What measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the community?
5. Why is regular maintenance and inspections important for buildings?
6. How has the community responded to the collapse of the steeple?
7. What is the role of emergency personnel in this situation?
8. What is the current state of the investigation into the collapse?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A video capturing the collapse of a church (1)______ in New London, Connecticut has been circulating online. The incident occurred when the church roof and steeple suddenly gave way. Fortunately, there were no casualties as there was no (2)______ taking place at the time. Emergency crews promptly (3)______ the area to ensure everyone’s safety. The (4)______ of the collapse is still unknown, according to Mayor Michael Passero.

The video shows the moment when the church steeple (5)______, causing a significant amount of damage to the building. It is (6)______ what led to the collapse, and (7)______ are (8)______ to determine the cause. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and inspections of buildings, especially those with historical significance.

The church, which is located in New London, Connecticut, is a well-known landmark in the area. It is a place of worship for many residents and holds cultural and historical (9)______. The collapse of the steeple has left the (10)______ shocked and concerned about the safety of other buildings in the area.

Authorities are working to assess the extent of the damage and (11)______ that the necessary repairs are (12)______ out. The safety of the community is a top priority, and measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. In the meantime, residents are urged to stay away from the affected area and follow any instructions given by emergency personnel.

Overall, the collapse of the (13)______ steeple in New London, Connecticut is a significant event that has raised (14)______ about (15)______ safety. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse, and steps will be (16)______ to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community is coming together to support one another during this challenging time.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of regular maintenance and inspections of buildings?
2. How would you feel if you witnessed the collapse of a building in your community?
3. Do you think historical buildings should receive extra attention and care when it comes to maintenance? Why or why not?
4. What steps do you think can be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future?
5. Have you ever experienced a building collapse or witnessed one in your country? If so, how did it impact you and your community?
6. How important is it for communities to come together and support each other during challenging times like this?
7. Do you think the government should provide financial assistance to repair and restore historical buildings? Why or why not?
8. What are some potential dangers or risks associated with living or working in older buildings?
9. How do you think the collapse of a building can impact the overall morale and sense of safety in a community?
10. What measures do you think should be in place to ensure the safety of buildings and prevent accidents like this?
11. Have you ever been involved in a building inspection or renovation project? If so, what was your experience like?
12. How do you think the collapse of a building can affect the local economy and tourism in the area?
13. Do you think the media plays a role in creating fear or panic after incidents like this? Why or why not?
14. How important is it for emergency personnel to have proper training and resources to handle situations like building collapses?
15. What role do you think individuals and communities have in reporting potential safety hazards in buildings?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. circulating
2. casualties
3. evacuated
4. significant
5. maintenance
6. inspections
7. landmark
8. worship
9. cultural
10. shocked
11. assess
12. repairs
13. priority
14. urged
15. challenging

Meanings:
(A) Removed from a place for safety reasons
(B) The status of being most important or urgent
(C) To evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of
(D) An easily recognizable object that is used as a reference point
(E) Being passed around or disseminated widely
(F) Struck with fear, horror, or surprise
(G) Pertaining to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society
(H) Considerable in amount, importance, or size
(I) Deaths or injuries caused by an accident or disaster
(J) Requiring considerable effort or skill to accomplish or understand
(K) Careful examinations or reviews
(L) Strongly recommended or encouraged to do something
(M) The act of showing reverence and adoration for a deity
(N) The work of keeping something in proper condition
(O) The act of making something good as new again
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where did the church steeple collapse occur?
(a) New York City, New York
(b) New London, Connecticut
(c) Los Angeles, California
(d) Boston, Massachusetts

2. What caused the collapse of the church steeple?
(a) The cause is still unknown
(b) Strong winds
(c) Earthquake
(d) Negligence in maintenance

3. Were there any casualties in the incident?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) It is unclear
(d) The article does not mention

4. What is the importance of regular maintenance and inspections of buildings?
(a) It helps prevent incidents like this
(b) It is a legal requirement
(c) It increases property value
(d) It is a religious obligation

5. What is the community’s reaction to the collapse of the steeple?
(a) Indifferent
(b) Excited
(c) Shocked and concerned
(d) Relieved

6. What is the top priority for authorities after the collapse?
(a) Determining the cause of the collapse
(b) Assessing the extent of the damage
(c) Ensuring the safety of the community
(d) Carrying out necessary repairs

7. What should residents do in the meantime?
(a) Start their own investigations
(b) Attend the church service
(c) Ignore any instructions given by emergency personnel
(d) Stay away from the affected area

8. What is the overall impact of the collapse?
(a) It has increased property value
(b) It has caused panic in the community
(c) It has led to the closure of other buildings in the area
(d) It has raised concerns about building safety

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Emergency crews did not promptly evacuate the area to ensure everyone’s safety.
2. The incident did not occur when the church roof and steeple suddenly gave way.
3. A video capturing the collapse of a church steeple in New London, Connecticut has been circulating online.
4. The church is a well-known landmark in the area and holds cultural and historical significance.
5. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse.
6. Unfortunately, there were casualties as there was service taking place at the time.
7. Authorities are not working to assess the extent of the damage and ensure necessary repairs are carried out.
8. The cause of the collapse is still unknown, according to Mayor Michael Passero.
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 happened to the church steeple in New London, Connecticut?
2. Were there any casualties during the collapse?
3. Why is the collapse of the church steeple significant?
4. What measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the community?
5. How is the community responding to the incident?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The cause of the collapse is still unknown.
2. There were no casualties because there was no service taking place at the time.
3. The church holds cultural and historical significance in the community.
4. Authorities are working to assess the damage and carry out necessary repairs.
5. Regular maintenance and inspections are important to prevent incidents like this from happening.
6. The community is coming together to support one another during this time.
7. Emergency personnel are responsible for evacuating the area and ensuring everyone’s safety.
8. The investigation into the collapse is still ongoing.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) steeple
(2) service
(3) evacuated
(4) cause
(5) collapses
(6) unclear
(7) investigations
(8) underway
(9) significance
(10) community
(11) ensure
(12) carried
(13) church
(14) concerns
(15) building
(16) taken
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. circulating
Answer: (E) Being passed around or disseminated widely

2. casualties
Answer: (I) Deaths or injuries caused by an accident or disaster

3. evacuated
Answer: (A) Removed from a place for safety reasons

4. significant
Answer: (H) Considerable in amount, importance, or size

5. maintenance
Answer: (N) The work of keeping something in proper condition

6. inspections
Answer: (K) Careful examinations or reviews

7. landmark
Answer: (D) An easily recognizable object that is used as a reference point

8. worship
Answer: (M) The act of showing reverence and adoration for a deity

9. cultural
Answer: (G) Pertaining to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society

10. shocked
Answer: (F) Struck with fear, horror, or surprise

11. assess
Answer: (C) To evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of

12. repairs
Answer: (O) The act of making something good as new again

13. priority
Answer: (B) The status of being most important or urgent

14. urged
Answer: (L) Strongly recommended or encouraged to do something

15. challenging
Answer: (J) Requiring considerable effort or skill to accomplish or understand
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where did the church steeple collapse occur?
Answer: (b) New London, Connecticut

2. What caused the collapse of the church steeple?
Answer: (a) The cause is still unknown

3. Were there any casualties in the incident?
Answer: (b) No

4. What is the importance of regular maintenance and inspections of buildings?
Answer: (a) It helps prevent incidents like this

5. What is the community’s reaction to the collapse of the steeple?
Answer: (c) Shocked and concerned

6. What is the top priority for authorities after the collapse?
Answer: (c) Ensuring the safety of the community

7. What should residents do in the meantime?
Answer: (d) Stay away from the affected area

8. What is the overall impact of the collapse?
Answer: (d) It has raised concerns about building safety
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Emergency crews did not promptly evacuate the area to ensure everyone’s safety. (Answer: False)
2. The incident did not occur when the church roof and steeple suddenly gave way. (Answer: False)
3. A video capturing the collapse of a church steeple in New London, Connecticut has been circulating online. (Answer: True)
4. The church is a well-known landmark in the area and holds cultural and historical significance. (Answer: True)
5. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse. (Answer: True)
6. Unfortunately, there were casualties as there was service taking place at the time. (Answer: False)
7. Authorities are not working to assess the extent of the damage and ensure necessary repairs are carried out. (Answer: False)
8. The cause of the collapse is still unknown, according to Mayor Michael Passero. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧