A tragic incident occurred in South Korea when a massive fire broke out at a factory after several lithium batteries exploded, resulting in the death of at least 22 people. The fire took place at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, located about 45km south of Seoul. Firefighters faced difficulties as they battled the blaze, with smoke clouds and small explosions hindering their efforts. The factory was responsible for producing lithium batteries, which are widely used in electric vehicles and laptops.

According to fire official Kim Jin-young, 18 Chinese, one Laotian, and two South Korean workers have been confirmed dead, while one body has yet to be identified. There are concerns that another person may still be missing. The bodies were badly burned, making identification a time-consuming process. Eight individuals were also injured, two of them seriously, out of the 100 workers present during the fire.

The fire started when a series of battery cells exploded, although the cause of the initial explosions remains unclear. The site was initially difficult to access due to fears of additional explosions. Lithium batteries are prone to exploding if damaged or overheated. Once the fire began, it spread rapidly, leaving little time for the workers to escape. Battery materials, such as nickel, are highly flammable, making it challenging to respond quickly compared to fires caused by other materials.

Firefighters used dry sand to extinguish the blaze, as lithium fires react intensely with water. It took several hours to bring the fire under control. However, there is still a risk of the fire reigniting due to chemical reactions even after it has been extinguished. The incident highlights the dangers associated with lithium batteries and the need for strict safety measures in their production and handling.

South Korea, being a leading producer of lithium batteries, will likely review its safety protocols and regulations in light of this tragic event. The country’s expertise in battery production makes it crucial to ensure the safety of workers and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Original news source: Exploding batteries spark deadly S Korea factory fire (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then write a summary of the main points. They can discuss their summaries with their partner and then share with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Students will form small groups and discuss their opinions on the safety of lithium batteries and the need for strict regulations. Each group will then create a poll with multiple-choice questions and survey the class. After collecting the data, each group will present their findings and discuss the results.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Students will work in pairs or small groups. One student will choose a vocabulary word from the article and draw a picture representing that word. The other students must guess the word based on the picture. Each student will take turns drawing and guessing.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Students will work individually or in pairs to create a list of the pros and cons of using lithium batteries. They can then share their lists with the class and engage in a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to discuss and make predictions about the future of lithium batteries. They can consider the impact on technology, transportation, and the environment. Each pair will present their predictions to the class and explain their reasoning.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Where did the tragic incident occur?
2. What caused the fire to spread rapidly?
3. How did firefighters extinguish the blaze?
4. Why was the site initially difficult to access?
5. What are lithium batteries commonly used in?
6. How many people were injured during the fire?
7. Why are lithium batteries prone to exploding?
8. What is the significance of this incident for South Korea?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A tragic incident occurred in South (1)______ when a massive fire broke out at a factory after several lithium batteries exploded, resulting in the death of at least 22 people. The fire took place at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, located about 45km south of Seoul. (2)______ faced difficulties as they battled the blaze, with smoke clouds and small (3)______ hindering their efforts. The factory was responsible for (4)______ lithium batteries, which are widely used in electric vehicles and laptops.

According to fire official Kim Jin-young, 18 Chinese, one Laotian, and two South Korean (5)______ have been confirmed dead, while one body has yet to be identified. There are concerns that another person may still be missing. The bodies were badly burned, (6)______ identification a time-consuming process. Eight individuals were also (7)______, two of them seriously, out of the 100 workers (8)______ during the fire.

The fire started when a series of battery cells exploded, although the cause of the initial explosions remains unclear. The site was initially difficult to access due to fears of additional explosions. Lithium batteries are prone to exploding if damaged or overheated. Once the fire began, it spread rapidly, leaving little time for the workers to escape. Battery materials, such as nickel, are highly (9)______, making it challenging to respond quickly compared to fires caused by other materials.

Firefighters used dry sand to (10)______ the (11)______, as lithium fires react intensely with water. It took (12)______ hours to bring the fire under control. However, there is still a risk of the fire (13)______ due to chemical reactions even after it has been extinguished. The incident highlights the dangers associated with lithium batteries and the need for strict safety measures in their production and handling.

South Korea, being a (14)______ producer of lithium batteries, will likely review its safety protocols and regulations in light of this (15)______ event. The country’s expertise in (16)______ production makes it crucial to ensure the safety of workers and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on the use of lithium batteries in electric vehicles and laptops?
2. How would you feel if you were a firefighter battling a blaze with smoke clouds and small explosions hindering your efforts?
3. Do you think the factory should be held responsible for the deaths and injuries caused by the fire? Why or why not?
4. What safety measures do you think should be implemented in the production and handling of lithium batteries?
5. How do you think the incident will impact the reputation of South Korea as a leading producer of lithium batteries?
6. Do you think stricter regulations should be put in place for the production and handling of lithium batteries? Why or why not?
7. What do you think could have caused the initial explosions at the factory?
8. How would you feel if you were one of the workers present during the fire?
9. Do you think the government should provide compensation to the families of the victims? Why or why not?
10. What precautions do you think should be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future?
11. How do you think the incident will affect the demand for lithium batteries in electric vehicles and laptops?
12. What safety concerns do you have when using devices that are powered by lithium batteries?
13. How would you feel if you were a family member of one of the victims of the fire?
14. Do you think the workers at the factory were properly trained to handle emergency situations? Why or why not?
15. What steps do you think South Korea should take to improve the safety of its battery production industry?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. tragic
2. incident
3. lithium
4. hindering
5. identification
6. prone
7. flammable
8. extinguish
9. reigniting
10. protocols
11. regulations
12. expertise
13. hazardous
14. production
15. expertise

Meanings:
(A) Causing or characterized by extreme distress or sorrow
(B) Easily set on fire
(C) Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority
(D) Creating obstacles or difficulties that prevent progress
(E) A soft, silver-white metal that is highly reactive and used in batteries
(F) To put out a fire or bring something to an end
(G) The process of determining who or what someone or something is
(H) Specialized knowledge or skills in a particular field
(I) An event or occurrence, especially one that is significant or noteworthy
(J) Likely to or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something
(K) A system of rules or guidelines to be followed
(L) The process of making or manufacturing something
(M) The act of catching fire again after being extinguished
(N) Specialized knowledge or skills in a particular field
(O) Dangerous or risky, especially to health or safety
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where did the tragic fire at the factory occur?
(a) South Korea
(b) China
(c) Laos
(d) Japan

2. How many people have been confirmed dead as a result of the fire?
(a) 18
(b) 1
(c) 22
(d) 8

3. What type of batteries were being produced at the factory?
(a) Nickel batteries
(b) Lithium batteries
(c) Lead-acid batteries
(d) Alkaline batteries

4. How did firefighters extinguish the blaze?
(a) Water
(b) Foam
(c) CO2 extinguishers
(d) Dry sand

5. Why was the site initially difficult to access?
(a) Lack of firefighting equipment
(b) Heavy smoke clouds
(c) Lack of trained firefighters
(d) Fears of additional explosions

6. What is a potential risk even after the fire has been extinguished?
(a) Structural collapse of the factory
(b) Toxic fumes from the burned batteries
(c) Reignition due to chemical reactions
(d) Contamination of nearby water sources

7. Which country is a leading producer of lithium batteries?
(a) South Korea
(b) China
(c) Japan
(d) Laos

8. What does the article emphasize the need for?
(a) Stricter regulations in South Korea
(b) Strict safety measures in battery production
(c) A ban on lithium batteries
(d) More research on battery technology

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The factory was responsible for producing lithium batteries, which are widely used in electric vehicles and laptops.
2. South Korea, as a leading producer of lithium batteries, will likely review its safety protocols and regulations in light of this tragic event.
3. The cause of the initial explosions that started the fire remains unclear.
4. Eight individuals were unharmed, two of them seriously, out of the 100 workers present during the fire.
5. The fire occurred at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, located about 45km south of Seoul.
6. Firefighters used dry sand to contain the blaze, as lithium fires react mildly with water.
7. A minor fire broke out at a factory in South Korea, resulting in the death of at most 22 people.
8. 18 Chinese, one Laotian, and two South Korean workers have been confirmed alive, while one body has yet to be identified.
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. How many people were killed in the fire at the Aricell plant in South Korea?
2. What are lithium batteries commonly used for?
3. Why was it difficult for firefighters to access the site of the fire initially?
4. How did firefighters extinguish the blaze?
5. What does the incident at the Aricell plant highlight about the production and handling of lithium batteries?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Where did the tragic incident occur?
The tragic incident occurred in South Korea.

2. What caused the fire to spread rapidly?
The fire spread rapidly due to the highly flammable battery materials, such as nickel, used in lithium batteries.

3. How did firefighters extinguish the blaze?
Firefighters used dry sand to extinguish the blaze, as lithium fires react intensely with water.

4. Why was the site initially difficult to access?
The site was initially difficult to access due to fears of additional explosions.

5. What are lithium batteries commonly used in?
Lithium batteries are commonly used in electric vehicles and laptops.

6. How many people were injured during the fire?
Eight individuals were injured during the fire.

7. Why are lithium batteries prone to exploding?
Lithium batteries are prone to exploding if damaged or overheated.

8. What is the significance of this incident for South Korea?
The incident highlights the need for strict safety measures in the production and handling of lithium batteries in South Korea, as the country is a leading producer of these batteries.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Korea
(2) Firefighters
(3) explosions
(4) producing
(5) workers
(6) making
(7) injured
(8) present
(9) flammable
(10) extinguish
(11) blaze
(12) several
(13) reigniting
(14) leading
(15) tragic
(16) battery
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. tragic
Answer: (A) Causing or characterized by extreme distress or sorrow

2. incident
Answer: (I) An event or occurrence, especially one that is significant or noteworthy

3. lithium
Answer: (E) A soft, silver-white metal that is highly reactive and used in batteries

4. hindering
Answer: (D) Creating obstacles or difficulties that prevent progress

5. identification
Answer: (G) The process of determining who or what someone or something is

6. prone
Answer: (J) Likely to or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something

7. flammable
Answer: (B) Easily set on fire

8. extinguish
Answer: (F) To put out a fire or bring something to an end

9. reigniting
Answer: (M) The act of catching fire again after being extinguished

10. protocols
Answer: (K) A system of rules or guidelines to be followed

11. regulations
Answer: (C) Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority

12. expertise
Answer: (H) Specialized knowledge or skills in a particular field

13. hazardous
Answer: (O) Dangerous or risky, especially to health or safety

14. production
Answer: (L) The process of making or manufacturing something

15. expertise
Answer: (H) Specialized knowledge or skills in a particular field
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where did the tragic fire at the factory occur?
Answer: (a) South Korea

2. How many people have been confirmed dead as a result of the fire?
Answer: (c) 22

3. What type of batteries were being produced at the factory?
Answer: (b) Lithium batteries

4. How did firefighters extinguish the blaze?
Answer: (d) Dry sand

5. Why was the site initially difficult to access?
Answer: (d) Fears of additional explosions

6. What is a potential risk even after the fire has been extinguished?
Answer: (c) Reignition due to chemical reactions

7. Which country is a leading producer of lithium batteries?
Answer: (a) South Korea

8. What does the article emphasize the need for?
Answer: (b) Strict safety measures in battery production
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The factory was responsible for producing lithium batteries, which are widely used in electric vehicles and laptops. (Answer: True)
2. South Korea, as a leading producer of lithium batteries, will likely review its safety protocols and regulations in light of this tragic event. (Answer: True)
3. The cause of the initial explosions that started the fire remains unclear. (Answer: True)
4. Eight individuals were unharmed, two of them seriously, out of the 100 workers present during the fire. (Answer: False)
5. The fire occurred at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, located about 45km south of Seoul. (Answer: True)
6. Firefighters used dry sand to contain the blaze, as lithium fires react mildly with water. (Answer: False)
7. A minor fire broke out at a factory in South Korea, resulting in the death of at most 22 people. (Answer: False)
8. 18 Chinese, one Laotian, and two South Korean workers have been confirmed alive, while one body has yet to be identified. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧