The government of England has announced the expansion of monitored bathing sites, allowing for more opportunities for wild swimming. A total of 27 new locations, mostly on rivers, have been designated for summer pollution testing. However, it is important to note that the official designation of a bathing site does not guarantee its cleanliness. Currently, the two river sites on the list are rated as “Poor”. Despite this, wild swimmers like Alison Biddulph from Shropshire are optimistic about the designations and hope that they will prompt local action to clean the waters.

Water Minister Robbie Moore expressed his commitment to improving the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes for the benefit of the environment and all users. Last year, out of the 423 bathing sites measured in England, 405 met at least the minimum standard. However, the number of sites rated as “Excellent” decreased, while the number rated as “Poor” reached its highest level since 2015. Designated sites are tested by the Environment Agency throughout the bathing season, and the results are published on their website.

The testing process involves analyzing samples for the presence of bacteria, such as e. coli and intestinal enterococci, which indicate the possible presence of fecal material in the water. If a bathing site exceeds the acceptable levels of bacteria, it receives a “Poor” rating and a warning sign is put up to advise against swimming. Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford serves as an example of the challenges faced by river bathing sites. Despite being designated two years ago, its water quality has consistently been rated as “Poor”. However, the designation has led to increased attention and efforts to improve the water quality.

It is important to note that if a bathing site is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years, it loses its designation and testing regime. Therefore, there is a sense of urgency to address water pollution and ensure that bathing sites meet the necessary standards.

Original news source: 27 new wild swimming sites for England – but are they clean? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to read the article and write a summary of the main points in their own words. They should aim to condense the information into a concise paragraph. After they have finished, have them share their summaries with a partner or in small groups.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a statement related to the article, such as “Monitoring bathing sites is an effective way to improve water quality.” Have students discuss the statement and come to a consensus within their group. Then, have each group present their opinion and provide reasons to support their stance. Encourage respectful debate and discussion.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article, such as “bathing sites,” “monitored,” “pollution testing,” etc. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come up to the board or use a virtual whiteboard and draw a picture to represent one of the vocabulary words. The rest of their team must guess the word based on the drawing. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to argue in favor of expanding monitored bathing sites, and assign the other group to argue against it. Give students time to brainstorm their arguments and gather evidence from the article to support their position. Then, hold a debate where each group takes turns presenting their arguments. Encourage students to use persuasive language and counter each other’s points respectfully.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine they are environmental experts. Based on the information in the article, have them make predictions about the future of monitored bathing sites and water quality. They should consider factors such as government action, public awareness, and technological advancements. After they have written their predictions, have students share their ideas with a partner or in small groups. Encourage them to discuss the likelihood of their predictions coming true and the potential impacts.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the purpose of expanding monitored bathing sites in England?
2. Does the official designation of a bathing site guarantee its cleanliness?
3. How many bathing sites met at least the minimum standard last year?
4. How does the testing process determine the quality of a bathing site?
5. What happens if a bathing site exceeds the acceptable levels of bacteria?
6. Why has Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford faced challenges in improving its water quality?
7. What happens to a bathing site if it is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years?
8. Why is there a sense of urgency to address water pollution at bathing sites?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The government of England has announced the expansion of monitored bathing sites, allowing for more opportunities for wild swimming. A total of 27 new (1)______, mostly on (2)______, have been designated for (3)______ pollution testing. However, it is important to note that the official designation of a bathing site does not guarantee its cleanliness. Currently, the two river sites on the list are rated as “Poor”. Despite this, wild swimmers like Alison Biddulph from (4)______ are optimistic about the designations and hope that they will (5)______ local action to clean the waters.

Water Minister Robbie (6)______ expressed his commitment to improving the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes for the benefit of the environment and all users. Last year, out of the 423 bathing (7)______ measured in England, 405 met at least the minimum standard. However, the (8)______ of sites rated as “Excellent” decreased, while the number rated as “Poor” reached its highest level since 2015. Designated sites are tested by the Environment Agency throughout the (9)______ season, and the results are published on their website.

The testing process involves analyzing samples for the presence of bacteria, such as e. coli and intestinal enterococci, which indicate the possible presence of fecal material in the water. If a bathing site exceeds the (10)______ levels of bacteria, it receives a “Poor” rating and a warning sign is put up to (11)______ against swimming. Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford serves as an (12)______ of the challenges faced by river bathing sites. Despite being (13)______ two years ago, its water (14)______ has consistently been rated as “Poor”. However, the (15)______ has led to (16)______ attention and efforts to improve the water quality.

It is important to note that if a bathing site is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years, it loses its designation and testing regime. Therefore, there is a sense of urgency to address water pollution and ensure that bathing sites meet the necessary standards.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is wild swimming and have you ever tried it?
2. How would you feel if your favorite swimming spot was designated as “Poor” for water quality?
3. Do you think the government should be responsible for cleaning up bathing sites, or should individuals take more responsibility?
4. Why do you think the number of bathing sites rated as “Excellent” has decreased?
5. How important is it to you to swim in clean water? Why or why not?
6. Do you think the designation of bathing sites will lead to local action to clean the waters? Why or why not?
7. What actions do you think could be taken to improve water quality in bathing sites?
8. How would you feel if your favorite river or lake lost its bathing site designation due to poor water quality?
9. Do you think the testing process for bathing sites is effective? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the designation of bathing sites affects tourism and local economies?
11. What measures could be put in place to prevent water pollution and maintain clean bathing sites?
12. How would you feel if you were swimming in a designated bathing site and saw a warning sign advising against swimming?
13. Do you think individuals have a responsibility to report water pollution to the authorities? Why or why not?
14. What impact do you think water pollution has on the environment and wildlife?
15. Have you ever witnessed efforts to improve water quality in your local area? If so, what were they?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. designated
2. monitoring
3. pollution
4. optimistic
5. commitment
6. coastal
7. intestinal
8. fecal
9. regime
10. consecutive
11. exceeds
12. acceptable
13. consistently
14. attention
15. urgency

Meanings:
(A) Hopeful and confident about the future
(B) The presence of harmful substances in the environment
(C) The act of observing and checking something over a period of time
(D) Following one after another without interruption
(E) Related to the areas near the sea
(F) Officially assigned or named for a specific purpose
(G) A system or planned way of doing things
(H) In a way that does not change; always the same
(I) Notice taken of someone or something
(J) Considered satisfactory or adequate
(K) Relating to waste matter from the bowels
(L) Relating to the intestines
(M) To go beyond a set limit
(N) A pledge or promise to do something
(O) The need for immediate action or attention
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What has the government of England announced regarding bathing sites?
(a) The closure of all bathing sites
(b) The reduction of monitored bathing sites
(c) The expansion of monitored bathing sites
(d) The relocation of monitored bathing sites

2. How many new locations have been designated for summer pollution testing?
(a) 27
(b) 10
(c) 50
(d) 15

3. What does the official designation of a bathing site guarantee?
(a) Cleanliness and safety
(b) Nothing, it does not guarantee cleanliness
(c) Safety, but not cleanliness
(d) Cleanliness, but not safety

4. What is the current rating of the two river sites on the list?
(a) Poor
(b) Excellent
(c) Good
(d) Average

5. Who expressed commitment to improving the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes?
(a) Alison Biddulph from Shropshire
(b) The Environment Agency
(c) The government of England
(d) Water Minister Robbie Moore

6. How many bathing sites met at least the minimum standard last year?
(a) 423
(b) 200
(c) 405
(d) 350

7. What bacteria are analyzed during the testing process?
(a) Salmonella and listeria
(b) Staphylococcus and streptococcus
(c) Shigella and Campylobacter
(d) E. coli and intestinal enterococci

8. What happens if a bathing site is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years?
(a) It receives additional funding for improvement
(b) It loses its designation and testing regime
(c) It is relocated to a different location
(d) It is closed permanently

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The official designation of a bathing site guarantees its cleanliness.
2. If a bathing site is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years, it retains its designation and testing regime.
3. The government of England is expanding monitored bathing sites for wild swimming.
4. Wild swimmers like Alison Biddulph are pessimistic about the designations and hope they will not prompt local action to clean the waters.
5. Two river sites on the list are currently rated as “Excellent”.
6. Water Minister Robbie Moore is committed to improving the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes.
7. 27 new locations, mostly on rivers, have been designated for summer pollution testing.
8. Last year, out of the 423 bathing sites measured in England, 405 met at least the minimum standard.
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 is the purpose of the expansion of monitored bathing sites in England?
2. How does the government determine the cleanliness of a bathing site?
3. What are the consequences for a bathing site that is consistently rated as “Poor”?
4. How has the designation of bathing sites as “Poor” prompted action to improve water quality?
5. What is the overall trend in the quality of bathing sites in England?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The purpose of expanding monitored bathing sites in England is to allow for more opportunities for wild swimming and to improve the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes.
2. No, the official designation of a bathing site does not guarantee its cleanliness.
3. Last year, 405 out of the 423 bathing sites measured in England met at least the minimum standard.
4. The testing process determines the quality of a bathing site by analyzing samples for the presence of bacteria, such as e. coli and intestinal enterococci, which indicate the possible presence of fecal material in the water.
5. If a bathing site exceeds the acceptable levels of bacteria, it receives a “Poor” rating and a warning sign is put up to advise against swimming.
6. Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford has faced challenges in improving its water quality despite being designated as a bathing site two years ago.
7. If a bathing site is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years, it loses its designation and testing regime.
8. There is a sense of urgency to address water pollution at bathing sites because if they do not meet the necessary standards, they can lose their designation and testing regime, and there is a desire to improve the environment and ensure the safety of all users.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) locations
(2) rivers
(3) summer
(4) Shropshire
(5) prompt
(6) Moore
(7) sites
(8) number
(9) bathing
(10) acceptable
(11) advise
(12) example
(13) designated
(14) quality
(15) designation
(16) increased
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. designated
Answer: (F) Officially assigned or named for a specific purpose

2. monitoring
Answer: (C) The act of observing and checking something over a period of time

3. pollution
Answer: (B) The presence of harmful substances in the environment

4. optimistic
Answer: (A) Hopeful and confident about the future

5. commitment
Answer: (N) A pledge or promise to do something

6. coastal
Answer: (E) Related to the areas near the sea

7. intestinal
Answer: (L) Relating to the intestines

8. fecal
Answer: (K) Relating to waste matter from the bowels

9. regime
Answer: (G) A system or planned way of doing things

10. consecutive
Answer: (D) Following one after another without interruption

11. exceeds
Answer: (M) To go beyond a set limit

12. acceptable
Answer: (J) Considered satisfactory or adequate

13. consistently
Answer: (H) In a way that does not change; always the same

14. attention
Answer: (I) Notice taken of someone or something

15. urgency
Answer: (O) The need for immediate action or attention
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What has the government of England announced regarding bathing sites?
Answer: (c) The expansion of monitored bathing sites

2. How many new locations have been designated for summer pollution testing?
Answer: (a) 27

3. What does the official designation of a bathing site guarantee?
Answer: (b) Nothing, it does not guarantee cleanliness

4. What is the current rating of the two river sites on the list?
Answer: (a) Poor

5. Who expressed commitment to improving the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes?
Answer: (d) Water Minister Robbie Moore

6. How many bathing sites met at least the minimum standard last year?
Answer: (c) 405

7. What bacteria are analyzed during the testing process?
Answer: (d) E. coli and intestinal enterococci

8. What happens if a bathing site is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years?
Answer: (b) It loses its designation and testing regime
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The official designation of a bathing site guarantees its cleanliness. (Answer: False)
2. If a bathing site is rated as “Poor” for five consecutive years, it retains its designation and testing regime. (Answer: False)
3. The government of England is expanding monitored bathing sites for wild swimming. (Answer: True)
4. Wild swimmers like Alison Biddulph are pessimistic about the designations and hope they will not prompt local action to clean the waters. (Answer: False)
5. Two river sites on the list are currently rated as “Excellent”. (Answer: False)
6. Water Minister Robbie Moore is committed to improving the quality of coastal waters, rivers, and lakes. (Answer: True)
7. 27 new locations, mostly on rivers, have been designated for summer pollution testing. (Answer: True)
8. Last year, out of the 423 bathing sites measured in England, 405 met at least the minimum standard. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧