Storm Ciarán caused heavy rainfall in Tuscany, Italy, resulting in severe flooding. This was the most significant amount of rain the region has experienced in 50 years, with more rain expected in the coming days. The extreme weather led to the tragic deaths of at least six people, and several others are still missing. The Italian government has allocated €5 million in emergency funds to assist the affected area. The army has been called in to help evacuate those who are trapped.

Dramatic footage shows cars being swept away by the powerful floodwaters in Prato, central Italy. The situation became so dire that the army had to intervene to rescue those in danger. The storm has caused widespread destruction and disruption in the region, with shops in Pisa also being flooded. The impact of Storm Ciarán has been felt not only in Italy but also in the UK, where it has caused a trail of destruction.

The severity of the storm has prompted the Italian government to take immediate action by providing emergency funds. This financial assistance will aid in the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the affected areas. The footage of cars being washed away serves as a reminder of the devastating power of nature and the importance of being prepared for such extreme weather events.

This news article highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the role of government in providing assistance during times of crisis.

Original news source: Moment cars swept away by floodwaters as Storm Ciarán hits Italy (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Give each group a few minutes to read the article.
3. Instruct the groups to write a concise summary of the article, highlighting the main points and key details.
4. After a designated time, ask each group to share their summary with the rest of the class.
5. Encourage discussion and compare the different summaries, noting any variations or additional information mentioned.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Ask each group to discuss their opinions on the following questions:
a) Do you think the government’s response to the flooding in Tuscany was adequate? Why or why not?
b) How should governments prepare for and respond to extreme weather events?
3. Give each group time to share their opinions and discuss their reasoning.
4. After the discussion, conduct a class-wide opinion poll by asking each student to vote on the questions using a show of hands or by writing their answers on a piece of paper.
5. Discuss the results as a class, noting any differences in opinions and reasons given.

– Sketch It

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Assign one student in each pair to be the “artist” and the other to be the “describer”.
3. Without showing the article to the “artist”, the “describer” must verbally describe the scenes and events in the article while the “artist” attempts to sketch them.
4. After a designated time, have the pairs switch roles and repeat the activity.
5. Allow each pair to share their sketches and discuss the challenges they faced during the activity.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions:
1. Write a list of key vocabulary words from the article on the board or on a handout.
2. Divide the class into small groups.
3. Give each group a set of vocabulary words.
4. Instruct the groups to take turns selecting a word and drawing a visual representation of it without using any letters or numbers.
5. The other groups must try to guess the word based on the drawing alone.
6. After each word is guessed correctly or the time limit is reached, the next group takes a turn.
7. Encourage discussion and clarification of the vocabulary words as needed.

– Speed Summarizing

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs.
2. Instruct one student in each pair to be the “summarizer” and the other to be the “listener”.
3. Give each pair a designated time limit (e.g. 1 minute).
4. Provide the pairs with a prompt related to the article (e.g. “Summarize the main points of the article in 1 minute”).
5. The “summarizer” must speak non-stop for the given time, summarizing the article to the best of their ability.
6. The “listener” should actively listen and take notes on the main points mentioned.
7. After the time is up, have the pairs switch roles and repeat the activity.
8. Allow each pair to share their summaries and discuss any differences or additional points mentioned.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What caused the severe flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
2. How much rain did the region receive, and how does it compare to previous years?
3. How many people have died as a result of the flooding, and are there still people missing?
4. How much money has the Italian government allocated in emergency funds to help the affected area?
5. What measures has the government taken to assist in the evacuation of trapped individuals?
6. Where else has Storm Ciarán caused destruction, besides Italy?
7. Why is the Italian government providing emergency funds?
8. What does the footage of cars being swept away by floodwaters demonstrate about the power of nature and the need for preparedness?
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Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Storm Ciarán caused heavy rainfall in Tuscany, Italy, (1)______ in severe flooding. This was the most significant amount of rain the (2)______ has experienced in 50 years, with more rain expected in the coming days. The extreme weather led to the tragic deaths of at least six people, and several (3)______ are still missing. The (4)______ government has allocated €5 million in emergency funds to assist the affected area. The army has been called in to help (5)______ those who are (6)______.

Dramatic footage shows cars being (7)______ away by the (8)______ floodwaters in Prato, central Italy. The situation became so dire that the army had to intervene to rescue those in danger. The storm has caused widespread destruction and disruption in the region, with shops in Pisa also being (9)______. The impact of Storm Ciarán has been felt not only in Italy but also in the UK, where it has caused a trail of destruction.

The severity of the (10)______ has (11)______ the Italian government to take immediate action by providing (12)______ funds. This financial assistance will aid in the recovery and (13)______ efforts in the affected areas. The footage of cars being washed away serves as a reminder of the devastating power of nature and the (14)______ of being prepared for such (15)______ weather events.

This news article (16)______ the importance of emergency preparedness and the role of government in providing assistance during times of crisis.
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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 government’s response to the flooding in Tuscany?
2. How would you feel if you were trapped in a flood and needed to be rescued by the army?
3. Do you think the government should provide more than €5 million in emergency funds? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever experienced severe flooding in your own country? If so, how did the government respond?
5. What precautions do you think people should take to be prepared for extreme weather events like this?
6. How do you think the widespread destruction and disruption caused by the storm will impact the affected region in the long term?
7. Do you think the severity of this storm is a result of climate change? Why or why not?
8. What measures do you think the government should take to prevent future flooding in Tuscany?
9. How do you think the lives of the people affected by this flooding will be changed?
10. Do you think the government should prioritize providing financial assistance to the affected areas over other issues? Why or why not?
11. What do you think could have been done to prevent this level of destruction and loss of life?
12. How do you think the media coverage of this event will impact tourism in Tuscany?
13. Do you think the government should have allocated more or less than €5 million in emergency funds? Why?
14. How do you think the community will come together to support those affected by the flooding?
15. Do you think events like this will become more common in the future? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. rainfall
2. severe
3. flooding
4. deaths
5. missing
6. emergency
7. funds
8. evacuate

Meanings:
(a) People who cannot be found
(b) The act of rain falling from the sky
(c) Money set aside for a specific purpose
(d) A situation requiring immediate action or assistance
(e) The loss of life
(f) The overflowing of water onto normally dry land
(g) Very intense or extreme
(h) To remove people from a dangerous or harmful situation
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What caused the severe flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
(a) Earthquake
(b) Storm Ciarán
(c) Tsunami
(d) Heatwave

2. How much rain did the region experience, making it the most significant amount in 50 years?
(a) Moderate rainfall
(b) Heavy rainfall
(c) Light drizzle
(d) No rain at all

3. How many people have died as a result of the flooding?
(a) None
(b) More than ten
(c) At least six
(d) The article does not say

4. What has the Italian government allocated to assist the affected area?
(a) €1 million in emergency funds
(b) €10 million in emergency funds
(c) No financial assistance
(d) €5 million in emergency funds

5. What has the army been called in to do?
(a) Help evacuate those who are trapped
(b) Provide medical assistance
(c) Rebuild the affected area
(d) None of these

6. Where did the dramatic footage of cars being swept away come from?
(a) Pisa, Italy
(b) Tuscany, Italy
(c) UK
(d) Prato, central Italy

7. How has Storm Ciarán impacted the UK?
(a) It has caused a trail of destruction
(b) It has brought heavy rainfall
(c) It has caused severe flooding
(d) All of these answers

8. What does the article emphasize the importance of?
(a) Good swimming skills
(b) Buying an umbrella
(c) Emergency preparedness
(d) All of these answers

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Storm Ciarán did not cause heavy rainfall and severe flooding in Tuscany, Italy.
2. This was the most significant amount of rain the region has experienced in 50 years.
3. The storm led to the deaths of at least six people, with others still missing.
4. The Italian government has not allocated €5 million in emergency funds to assist the affected area.
5. The impact of Storm Ciarán has not been felt in both Italy and the UK, causing a trail of destruction.
6. The army has been called in to help evacuate those who are trapped.
7. The storm has not caused destruction and disruption in the region, including flooded shops in Pisa.
8. Cars were swept away by floodwaters in Prato, central Italy.
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 much rainfall did Tuscany, Italy experience during Storm Ciarán?
2. How many people have been reported missing due to the flooding in Tuscany?
3. What actions has the Italian government taken to assist the affected area?
4. What role has the army played in response to the flooding in Tuscany?
5. How has Storm Ciarán impacted other countries besides Italy?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Storm Ciarán caused the severe flooding in Tuscany, Italy.
2. The region received the most significant amount of rain in 50 years.
3. At least six people have died as a result of the flooding, and several others are still missing.
4. The Italian government has allocated €5 million in emergency funds to help the affected area.
5. The government has called in the army to help evacuate those who are trapped.
6. Storm Ciarán has also caused destruction in the UK.
7. The Italian government is providing emergency funds to aid in the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the affected areas.
8. The footage of cars being swept away by floodwaters demonstrates the devastating power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) resulting
(2) region
(3) others
(4) Italian
(5) evacuate
(6) trapped
(7) swept
(8) powerful
(9) flooded
(10) storm
(11) prompted
(12) emergency
(13) rebuilding
(14) importance
(15) extreme
(16) highlights
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. rainfall
Answer: (b) The act of rain falling from the sky

2. severe
Answer: (g) Very intense or extreme

3. flooding
Answer: (f) The overflowing of water onto normally dry land

4. deaths
Answer: (e) The loss of life

5. missing
Answer: (a) People who cannot be found

6. emergency
Answer: (d) A situation requiring immediate action or assistance

7. funds
Answer: (c) Money set aside for a specific purpose

8. evacuate
Answer: (h) To remove people from a dangerous or harmful situation
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What caused the severe flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
Answer: (b) Storm Ciarán

2. How much rain did the region experience, making it the most significant amount in 50 years?
Answer: (b) Heavy rainfall

3. How many people have died as a result of the flooding?
Answer: (c) At least six

4. What has the Italian government allocated to assist the affected area?
Answer: (d) €5 million in emergency funds

5. What has the army been called in to do?
Answer: (a) Help evacuate those who are trapped

6. Where did the dramatic footage of cars being swept away come from?
Answer: (d) Prato, central Italy

7. How has Storm Ciarán impacted the UK?
Answer: (a) It has caused a trail of destruction

8. What does the article emphasize the importance of?
Answer: (c) Emergency preparedness
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Storm Ciarán did not cause heavy rainfall and severe flooding in Tuscany, Italy. (Answer: False)
2. This was the most significant amount of rain the region has experienced in 50 years. (Answer: True)
3. The storm led to the deaths of at least six people, with others still missing. (Answer: True)
4. The Italian government has not allocated €5 million in emergency funds to assist the affected area. (Answer: False)
5. The impact of Storm Ciarán has not been felt in both Italy and the UK, causing a trail of destruction. (Answer: False)
6. The army has been called in to help evacuate those who are trapped. (Answer: True)
7. The storm has not caused destruction and disruption in the region, including flooded shops in Pisa. (Answer: False)
8. Cars were swept away by floodwaters in Prato, central Italy. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧