A video released by the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, captured the moment when four elephants were led to safety through floodwaters. The park’s founder, Saengduean Chailert, explained that one of the elephants, who trailed behind the others, was blind, causing it to move slowly. Severe flooding, brought by Typhoon Yagi, has affected northern Thailand, worsening the country’s annual monsoon season and impacting thousands of households. The floods reached the elephant sanctuary on October 3rd after heavy rainfall caused the Mae Taeng River to rise rapidly.
The sanctuary, home to 126 elephants, faced challenges as nine of them were stranded on the far side of the park due to the flooding. However, all the elephants were successfully evacuated to safety. The incident highlighted the importance of quick action and care for the animals during natural disasters. The video of the elephants navigating the floodwaters serves as a reminder of the resilience and vulnerability of wildlife in the face of environmental challenges.
The Elephant Nature Park’s efforts to ensure the safety of the elephants amidst the flooding demonstrate the dedication and compassion of the staff towards the animals under their care. The park’s commitment to protecting and preserving wildlife in times of crisis reflects the importance of conservation efforts in safeguarding vulnerable species. The heartwarming footage of the elephants’ escape serves as a testament to the bond between humans and animals, showcasing the mutual respect and understanding that can exist between them.
As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the flooding, the story of the elephants’ rescue serves as a beacon of hope and resilience. It sheds light on the need for increased awareness and preparedness for natural disasters to safeguard both human and animal lives. The courage and determination displayed by the elephants and the park staff in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration for communities to come together and support each other during challenging times. The video stands as a symbol of strength and unity in the face of adversity, highlighting the importance of compassion and cooperation in times of crisis.
Original news source: Watch: Elephants escape floodwaters in Thailand (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | sanctuary | A place of refuge or safety, especially for animals |
| 2 | monsoon | A seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast Asia, bringing heavy rains |
| 3 | evacuated | Removed from a place of danger to a safer location |
| 4 | resilience | The ability to recover quickly from difficulties |
| 5 | vulnerability | The state of being open to harm or damage |
| 6 | conservation | The protection and preservation of the natural environment and wildlife |
| 7 | aftermath | The consequences or aftereffects of a significant event |
| 8 | grapple | To struggle or deal with a difficult problem |
| 9 | beacon | A guiding or warning signal, often used metaphorically for hope |
| 10 | adversity | Difficulties or misfortune |
| 11 | dedication | The quality of being committed to a task or purpose |
| 12 | preparedness | The state of being ready for something, especially emergencies |
| 13 | safeguarding | Protecting from harm or damage |
| 14 | mutual | Shared by two or more parties |
| 15 | cooperation | The process of working together towards a common goal |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs or small groups and summarize the main points of the article about the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They should focus on key details such as the flooding, the rescue of the elephants, and the importance of conservation efforts. Encourage them to practice paraphrasing and using their own words to communicate the information concisely.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “elephant” on the board and ask students to brainstorm as many related words or phrases as they can within a set time limit (e.g., 2 minutes). Encourage them to think of words related to elephants, such as “wildlife,” “sanctuary,” “rescue,” “flood,” “Thailand,” etc. After the time is up, discuss the words they came up with and their connections to the article.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a few minutes to choose a scene from the article about the Elephant Nature Park and sketch it out on a piece of paper. They can choose to draw the elephants being rescued from the floodwaters, the sanctuary facing the flooding, or any other significant moment described in the article. After they finish drawing, have pairs share their sketches with the class and explain the scene they chose.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Split the class into two groups. Assign one group to discuss the pros of the Elephant Nature Park’s actions in rescuing the elephants during the flood, and the other group to discuss the cons. Give them a few minutes to brainstorm and prepare their arguments. Then, have a debate where each group presents their points while the other group listens. Encourage respectful discussion and critical thinking.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, ask students to imagine themselves as staff members at the Elephant Nature Park. Have them discuss and predict what challenges they might face in the future regarding natural disasters and wildlife conservation. Encourage them to come up with innovative solutions and strategies to ensure the safety and well-being of the elephants and other animals in the sanctuary. After they discuss, have groups share their predictions with the class.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What challenges did the Elephant Nature Park face during the flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi?
2. How did the blind elephant’s condition affect the evacuation process?
3. What message does the video of the elephants navigating the floodwaters convey about wildlife resilience?
4. How did the staff of the Elephant Nature Park demonstrate their dedication and compassion towards the elephants during the crisis?
5. In what way does the incident at the elephant sanctuary emphasize the importance of quick action during natural disasters?
6. What does the successful evacuation of all the elephants to safety signify about the park’s conservation efforts?
7. How does the story of the elephants’ rescue serve as a beacon of hope and resilience for the region affected by the flooding?
8. What lessons can communities learn from the courage and determination displayed by the elephants and the park staff in the face of adversity?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
A video released by the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, (1)______, captured the moment when four elephants were led to safety through floodwaters. The park’s founder, Saengduean Chailert, explained that one of the elephants, who trailed behind the others, was blind, causing it to move slowly. Severe flooding, brought by Typhoon Yagi, has affected northern Thailand, worsening the country’s (2)______ monsoon season and impacting thousands of households. The (3)______ reached the elephant sanctuary on (4)______ 3rd after heavy rainfall caused the Mae Taeng River to rise rapidly.
The sanctuary, home to 126 elephants, faced challenges as nine of them were stranded on the far side of the park due to the flooding. However, all the elephants were successfully evacuated to (5)______. The (6)______ highlighted the importance of quick (7)______ and care for the animals during natural disasters. The video of the elephants navigating the floodwaters serves as a reminder of the resilience and vulnerability of wildlife in the face of environmental challenges.
The Elephant Nature Park’s (8)______ to ensure the safety of the elephants amidst the flooding demonstrate the dedication and compassion of the staff towards the animals under their care. The park’s commitment to protecting and preserving wildlife in times of crisis reflects the importance of conservation efforts in safeguarding (9)______ species. The (10)______ footage of the elephants’ escape serves as a testament to the bond between humans and animals, showcasing the mutual (11)______ and understanding that can exist between them.
As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the flooding, the (12)______ of the elephants’ rescue (13)______ as a beacon of hope and resilience. It (14)______ light on the need for increased awareness and preparedness for natural disasters to safeguard both (15)______ and animal lives. The courage and (16)______ displayed by the elephants and the park staff in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration for communities to come together and support each other during challenging times. The video stands as a symbol of strength and unity in the face of adversity, highlighting the importance of compassion and cooperation in times of crisis.
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 efforts made by the Elephant Nature Park to rescue the elephants during the flood?
2. How would you feel if you were in a natural disaster like a flood and had to be rescued?
3. Do you think it is important for wildlife sanctuaries to have emergency plans in place for natural disasters? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever witnessed or experienced a natural disaster? How did it impact you?
5. What do you think the blind elephant might have been feeling as it moved slowly through the floodwaters?
6. Do you believe that humans have a responsibility to protect and care for animals during natural disasters? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the bond between the elephants and the park staff was strengthened through this experience?
8. Do you think the media coverage of the elephants’ rescue will raise awareness about the vulnerability of wildlife in the face of environmental challenges?
9. What actions do you think communities can take to better prepare for natural disasters and protect both human and animal lives?
10. How do you think witnessing the elephants’ escape can impact people’s attitudes towards conservation efforts?
11. Do you think stories like this about animals in need help to bring people together and foster a sense of unity? Why or why not?
12. What do you believe are the long-term effects of natural disasters on wildlife populations?
13. How can individuals contribute to the conservation and protection of vulnerable species in their own communities?
14. Do you think it is important for wildlife sanctuaries to prioritize the safety and well-being of the animals under their care over other considerations during emergencies?
15. In your opinion, what can be done to ensure that animals are not forgotten or left behind during natural disasters?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. sanctuary
2. monsoon
3. evacuated
4. resilience
5. vulnerability
6. conservation
7. aftermath
8. grapple
9. beacon
10. adversity
11. dedication
12. preparedness
13. safeguarding
14. mutual
15. cooperation
Meanings:
(A) The protection and preservation of the natural environment and wildlife
(B) A place of refuge or safety, especially for animals
(C) A seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast Asia, bringing heavy rains
(D) The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
(E) Difficulties or misfortune
(F) A guiding or warning signal, often used metaphorically for hope
(G) The state of being ready for something, especially emergencies
(H) The process of working together towards a common goal
(I) The quality of being committed to a task or purpose
(J) Protecting from harm or damage
(K) Removed from a place of danger to a safer location
(L) To struggle or deal with a difficult problem
(M) Shared by two or more parties
(N) The state of being open to harm or damage
(O) The consequences or aftereffects of a significant event
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Where is the Elephant Nature Park located?
(a) Bali, Indonesia
(b) Hanoi, Vietnam
(c) Kathmandu, Nepal
(d) Chiang Mai, Thailand
2. What caused the flooding in northern Thailand?
(a) Typhoon Yagi
(b) Earthquake
(c) Tornado
(d) Wildfire
3. How many elephants are housed at the Elephant Nature Park?
(a) 50
(b) 200
(c) 126
(d) 75
4. What river caused the flooding at the sanctuary?
(a) Mekong River
(b) Mae Taeng River
(c) Yangtze River
(d) Ganges River
5. What did the blind elephant struggle with during the evacuation?
(a) Seeing in the dark
(b) Swimming
(c) Climbing trees
(d) Moving slowly
6. What is the message conveyed by the video of the elephants’ escape?
(a) Speed and agility of elephants
(b) Fear and panic of animals
(c) Resilience and vulnerability of wildlife
(d) Indifference towards natural disasters
7. What does the article highlight as the importance of the Elephant Nature Park’s actions?
(a) Profit-making ventures
(b) Dedication and compassion towards animals
(c) Neglect and mistreatment of animals
(d) Exploitation of wildlife
8. What does the story of the elephants’ rescue symbolize?
(a) Strength and unity in adversity
(b) Weakness and division in adversity
(c) Fear and isolation in adversity
(d) Greed and selfishness in adversity
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. The video of the elephants struggling in the floodwaters serves as a memory of the fragility and invincibility of wildlife in the face of environmental challenges.
2. The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, recently released a video showing the rescue of four elephants from floodwaters.
3. Severe flooding in northern Thailand was exacerbated by Typhoon Yagi, impacting thousands of households.
4. The blind elephant in the group moved slowly, causing it to lead ahead of the others during the evacuation.
5. The flooding at the elephant sanctuary happened on October 3rd following heavy rainfall that led to the Mae Taeng River quickly dropping.
6. All 126 elephants at the Elephant Nature Park were successfully evacuated to safety during the flooding.
7. Nine elephants were stranded on the far side of the park due to the flooding, presenting a challenge for the sanctuary.
8. The incident highlighted the significance of prompt inaction and indifference towards animals during natural disasters.
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 challenges did the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand face during the flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi?
2. How did the park staff ensure the safety of the elephants, especially the blind one, during the evacuation process?
3. How does the video of the elephants navigating the floodwaters emphasize the resilience and vulnerability of wildlife in the face of environmental challenges?
4. What does the successful evacuation of all 126 elephants at the sanctuary signify about the dedication and compassion of the park staff towards the animals?
5. In what ways does the story of the elephants’ rescue serve as a reminder of the importance of increased awareness and preparedness for natural disasters to safeguard both human and animal lives?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What challenges did the Elephant Nature Park face during the flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi?
The Elephant Nature Park faced challenges such as severe flooding, with nine elephants being stranded on the far side of the park due to the rising waters.
2. How did the blind elephant’s condition affect the evacuation process?
The blind elephant’s condition caused it to move slowly, trailing behind the other elephants during the evacuation process.
3. What message does the video of the elephants navigating the floodwaters convey about wildlife resilience?
The video of the elephants navigating the floodwaters conveys the message of the resilience and vulnerability of wildlife in the face of environmental challenges.
4. How did the staff of the Elephant Nature Park demonstrate their dedication and compassion towards the elephants during the crisis?
The staff of the Elephant Nature Park demonstrated their dedication and compassion by successfully evacuating all 126 elephants to safety amidst the flooding.
5. In what way does the incident at the elephant sanctuary emphasize the importance of quick action during natural disasters?
The incident at the elephant sanctuary emphasizes the importance of quick action in ensuring the safety of both humans and animals during natural disasters.
6. What does the successful evacuation of all the elephants to safety signify about the park’s conservation efforts?
The successful evacuation of all the elephants to safety signifies the park’s commitment to protecting and preserving wildlife, showcasing their conservation efforts.
7. How does the story of the elephants’ rescue serve as a beacon of hope and resilience for the region affected by the flooding?
The story of the elephants’ rescue serves as a beacon of hope and resilience by highlighting the courage and determination displayed by the elephants and the park staff during the crisis.
8. What lessons can communities learn from the courage and determination displayed by the elephants and the park staff in the face of adversity?
Communities can learn the importance of coming together, showing compassion, and supporting each other during challenging times from the courage and determination displayed by the elephants and the park staff.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) Thailand
(2) annual
(3) floods
(4) October
(5) safety
(6) incident
(7) action
(8) efforts
(9) vulnerable
(10) heartwarming
(11) respect
(12) story
(13) serves
(14) sheds
(15) human
(16) determination
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. sanctuary
Answer: (B) A place of refuge or safety, especially for animals
2. monsoon
Answer: (C) A seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast Asia, bringing heavy rains
3. evacuated
Answer: (K) Removed from a place of danger to a safer location
4. resilience
Answer: (D) The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
5. vulnerability
Answer: (N) The state of being open to harm or damage
6. conservation
Answer: (A) The protection and preservation of the natural environment and wildlife
7. aftermath
Answer: (O) The consequences or aftereffects of a significant event
8. grapple
Answer: (L) To struggle or deal with a difficult problem
9. beacon
Answer: (F) A guiding or warning signal, often used metaphorically for hope
10. adversity
Answer: (E) Difficulties or misfortune
11. dedication
Answer: (I) The quality of being committed to a task or purpose
12. preparedness
Answer: (G) The state of being ready for something, especially emergencies
13. safeguarding
Answer: (J) Protecting from harm or damage
14. mutual
Answer: (M) Shared by two or more parties
15. cooperation
Answer: (H) The process of working together towards a common goal
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. Where is the Elephant Nature Park located?
Answer: (d) Chiang Mai, Thailand
2. What caused the flooding in northern Thailand?
Answer: (a) Typhoon Yagi
3. How many elephants are housed at the Elephant Nature Park?
Answer: (c) 126
4. What river caused the flooding at the sanctuary?
Answer: (b) Mae Taeng River
5. What did the blind elephant struggle with during the evacuation?
Answer: (d) Moving slowly
6. What is the message conveyed by the video of the elephants’ escape?
Answer: (c) Resilience and vulnerability of wildlife
7. What does the article highlight as the importance of the Elephant Nature Park’s actions?
Answer: (b) Dedication and compassion towards animals
8. What does the story of the elephants’ rescue symbolize?
Answer: (a) Strength and unity in adversity
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. The video of the elephants struggling in the floodwaters serves as a memory of the fragility and invincibility of wildlife in the face of environmental challenges. (Answer: False)
2. The Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, recently released a video showing the rescue of four elephants from floodwaters. (Answer: True)
3. Severe flooding in northern Thailand was exacerbated by Typhoon Yagi, impacting thousands of households. (Answer: True)
4. The blind elephant in the group moved slowly, causing it to lead ahead of the others during the evacuation. (Answer: False)
5. The flooding at the elephant sanctuary happened on October 3rd following heavy rainfall that led to the Mae Taeng River quickly dropping. (Answer: False)
6. All 126 elephants at the Elephant Nature Park were successfully evacuated to safety during the flooding. (Answer: True)
7. Nine elephants were stranded on the far side of the park due to the flooding, presenting a challenge for the sanctuary. (Answer: True)
8. The incident highlighted the significance of prompt inaction and indifference towards animals during natural disasters. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
