A truck carrying 102,000 live salmon in Oregon crashed last week, causing thousands of juvenile fish to be released into the wrong river. The young Chinook salmon were being transported from the Lookingglass Hatchery to the Imnaha River, where they are considered threatened. However, the crash caused around 77,000 fish to end up in the Lookingglass Creek instead. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The crash occurred when the driver lost control on a tight turn, causing the truck to roll down a rocky embankment. Over 25,000 of the salmon smolts, which are around two years old, died either inside the truck or on the creek bank. The local sheriff’s office and the Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation responded to the crash and assisted in collecting and scanning transponders on the dead fish.

Salmon are anadromous, meaning they spend most of their lives in the ocean but return to freshwater rivers to spawn. Many are raised in government-run hatcheries before being released back into their native waters. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) estimates that the loss of the fish represents about 20% of what was intended to be released into the Imnaha River this year. They anticipate that there will be 500-900 fewer adult fish returning to spawn in 2026-2027 due to the loss. However, the 77,000 smolts in the Lookingglass Creek will likely result in an additional 350-700 adults returning there.

ODFW officials have expressed gratitude that the driver of the truck was not seriously injured and believe that this incident will not impact their ability to collect future brood stock or maintain production goals in the future.

Original news source: Truck crash spills live salmon into Oregon river (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades

Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down various words related to the article (e.g. truck, salmon, hatchery, river) on small pieces of paper and put them in a hat. One student from each team will take turns picking a word from the hat and acting it out without speaking. The team members will have to guess the word within a certain time limit (e.g. 1 minute). The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– News Summary

Instructions: Ask students to individually write a summary of the article in their own words. They should include the main points and key details. After a few minutes, have students share their summaries with a partner and discuss any differences or similarities. Then, as a class, discuss the different summaries and create a collective summary on the board.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group should come up with a question related to the article (e.g. Do you think the truck driver should be held responsible for the accident?). Each group will then conduct an opinion poll within the class, asking the question to their classmates and recording their responses. Afterward, each group will present their findings and discuss the different opinions.

– Word Association

Instructions: Provide the students with a list of words related to the article (e.g. truck, salmon, hatchery, accident). Ask them to take turns saying a word and the next student has to say the first word that comes to their mind related to the previous word. For example, if the first word is “truck,” the next student might say “driver.” Encourage the students to think quickly and try to make connections between the words.

– Sketch It

Instructions: Give each student a blank piece of paper and ask them to draw a visual representation of the article. They can include key elements, such as the truck, the salmon, the river, and any other details they find important. After a few minutes, have students share their sketches with a partner and explain their drawings. Then, as a class, discuss the different interpretations and meanings behind the drawings.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What caused the truck carrying the live salmon to crash?
2. Where were the salmon supposed to be transported to?
3. How many fish ended up in the wrong river as a result of the crash?
4. How many of the salmon smolts died in the accident?
5. Who responded to the crash and assisted in collecting the dead fish?
6. What does it mean for salmon to be anadromous?
7. How much of the intended release into the Imnaha River was lost due to the crash?
8. How many additional adult fish are expected to return to the Lookingglass Creek as a result of the incident?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A truck carrying 102,000 live salmon in Oregon (1)______ last week, causing thousands of juvenile fish to be released into the wrong river. The (2)______ Chinook salmon were being transported from the (3)______ Hatchery to the (4)______ River, where they are considered threatened. However, the crash caused around 77,000 fish to end up in the Lookingglass Creek instead. The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The (5)______ occurred when the (6)______ lost control on a tight turn, causing the truck to roll down a rocky embankment. Over 25,000 of the salmon smolts, which are around two years old, died either inside the truck or on the (7)______ bank. The local sheriff’s office and the Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (8)______ to the crash and assisted in collecting and scanning transponders on the dead fish.

Salmon are (9)______, (10)______ they spend most of their lives in the ocean but return to freshwater rivers to spawn. Many are raised in government-run hatcheries before being (11)______ back into their native waters. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) estimates that the loss of the fish represents about 20% of what was intended to be released into the Imnaha (12)______ this year. They anticipate that there will be 500-900 fewer (13)______ fish returning to spawn in 2026-2027 due to the loss. However, the 77,000 smolts in the Lookingglass Creek will likely result in an additional 350-700 (14)______ returning there.

ODFW officials have expressed gratitude that the driver of the truck was not seriously injured and believe that this (15)______ will not impact their ability to collect future brood stock or (16)______ production goals in the future.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the possible impact of releasing thousands of juvenile salmon into the wrong river?
2. How would you feel if you were the driver of the truck involved in the accident?
3. Do you think the government should be responsible for the loss of the fish? Why or why not?
4. What do you think can be done to prevent accidents like this from happening in the future?
5. How important do you think it is to protect endangered species like the Chinook salmon?
6. Do you think the loss of 20% of the intended release will have a significant impact on the ecosystem? Why or why not?
7. What measures do you think can be taken to ensure the safe transportation of live animals?
8. How would you feel if you were a member of the Nez Perce Tribe or the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, whose cultural heritage is closely tied to the salmon?
9. Do you think the loss of the fish will have a long-term effect on the local economy? Why or why not?
10. What is the role of hatcheries in preserving and restoring fish populations?
11. How would you feel if you were a fisherman whose livelihood depends on the salmon population?
12. Do you think accidents like this can be completely avoided? Why or why not?
13. How important do you think it is to invest in alternative transportation methods for live animals?
14. Do you think the driver of the truck should face any consequences for the accident? Why or why not?
15. How would you feel if you were an environmental activist who has been advocating for the protection of the Imnaha River and its salmon population?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. anadromous
2. hatcheries
3. smolts
4. spawn
5. brood stock
6. embankment
7. juvenile
8. transponders
9. threatened
10. gratitude
11. anticipated
12. native
13. freshwater
14. embankment
15. brood

Meanings:
(A) A long, artificial mound of earth and stone, often used for roads or railways
(B) To produce or lay eggs in water
(C) Fish that migrate from the sea to rivers to breed
(D) Water that is not salty, typically found in lakes, rivers, and streams
(E) At risk of becoming endangered or extinct
(F) Young fish that have not yet reached maturity
(G) Facilities where eggs are hatched under artificial conditions
(H) The group of mature individuals used in aquaculture for breeding purposes
(I) Originating from a particular place
(J) Electronic devices used for tracking and identification
(K) Young or not fully developed
(L) A long, artificial mound of earth and stone, often used for roads or railways
(M) The feeling of being thankful or appreciative
(N) Expected or foreseen as likely to happen
(O) The group of mature individuals used in aquaculture for breeding purposes
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What caused the truck carrying the live salmon to crash?
(a) The truck had a mechanical failure
(b) Another vehicle collided with the truck
(c) The road was slippery due to rain
(d) The driver lost control on a tight turn

2. Where were the juvenile salmon being transported to?
(a) Lookingglass Hatchery
(b) Imnaha River
(c) Lookingglass Creek
(d) Ocean

3. How many fish ended up in the wrong river due to the crash?
(a) All 102,000
(b) Around 77,000
(c) None of the fish were released
(d) Around 25,000

4. What is the condition of the driver after the accident?
(a) Serious injuries
(b) No injuries
(c) Fatal injuries
(d) Minor injuries

5. How old are the salmon smolts that died in the accident?
(a) Just hatched
(b) Five years old
(c) Around two years old
(d) Ten years old

6. What did the local sheriff’s office and tribes do after the crash?
(a) Assisted in collecting and scanning transponders on the dead fish
(b) Investigated the cause of the accident
(c) Rescued the driver from the truck
(d) Released the remaining fish into the correct river

7. What percentage of the intended release of fish into the Imnaha River was lost due to the crash?
(a) About 20%
(b) All of it
(c) None of it
(d) About 50%

8. How many additional adult fish are expected to return to the Lookingglass Creek due to the 77,000 smolts?
(a) None
(b) 500-900
(c) 350-700
(d) 1,000-2,000

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The crash caused around 77,000 fish to end up in the Lookingglass Creek instead of the Imnaha River.
2. The driver of the truck suffered major injuries in the accident.
3. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that the loss of the fish represents about 10% of what was intended to be released into the Imnaha River this year.
4. A truck carrying 102,000 live salmon crashed in Oregon, causing thousands of juvenile fish to be released into the wrong river.
5. ODFW officials believe that this incident will not impact their ability to collect future brood stock or maintain production goals in the future.
6. The mature Chinook salmon were being transported from the Lookingglass Hatchery to the Imnaha River.
7. The local sheriff’s office and the Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation did not respond to the crash and assist in collecting and scanning transponders on the dead fish.
8. Over 25,000 of the salmon smolts died either inside the truck or on the creek bank.
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 caused the truck carrying live salmon to crash in Oregon?
2. How many of the salmon smolts died as a result of the crash?
3. What is the significance of the salmon being anadromous?
4. How much of the intended release of salmon into the Imnaha River was lost due to the crash?
5. How do officials from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife believe this incident will impact their future goals?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The driver losing control on a tight turn caused the truck carrying the live salmon to crash.
2. The salmon were supposed to be transported to the Imnaha River.
3. Around 77,000 fish ended up in the wrong river as a result of the crash.
4. Over 25,000 of the salmon smolts died in the accident.
5. The local sheriff’s office and the Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation responded to the crash and assisted in collecting the dead fish.
6. Being anadromous means that salmon spend most of their lives in the ocean but return to freshwater rivers to spawn.
7. The loss of fish represents about 20% of what was intended to be released into the Imnaha River this year.
8. The incident is expected to result in an additional 350-700 adult fish returning to the Lookingglass Creek.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) crashed
(2) young
(3) Lookingglass
(4) Imnaha
(5) crash
(6) driver
(7) creek
(8) responded
(9) anadromous
(10) meaning
(11) released
(12) River
(13) adult
(14) adults
(15) incident
(16) maintain
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. anadromous
Answer: (C) Fish that migrate from the sea to rivers to breed

2. hatcheries
Answer: (G) Facilities where eggs are hatched under artificial conditions

3. smolts
Answer: (F) Young fish that have not yet reached maturity

4. spawn
Answer: (B) To produce or lay eggs in water

5. brood stock
Answer: (H) The group of mature individuals used in aquaculture for breeding purposes

6. embankment
Answer: (A) A long, artificial mound of earth and stone, often used for roads or railways

7. juvenile
Answer: (K) Young or not fully developed

8. transponders
Answer: (J) Electronic devices used for tracking and identification

9. threatened
Answer: (E) At risk of becoming endangered or extinct

10. gratitude
Answer: (M) The feeling of being thankful or appreciative

11. anticipated
Answer: (N) Expected or foreseen as likely to happen

12. native
Answer: (I) Originating from a particular place

13. freshwater
Answer: (D) Water that is not salty, typically found in lakes, rivers, and streams

14. embankment
Answer: (A) A long, artificial mound of earth and stone, often used for roads or railways

15. brood
Answer: (H) The group of mature individuals used in aquaculture for breeding purposes
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What caused the truck carrying the live salmon to crash?
Answer: (d) The driver lost control on a tight turn

2. Where were the juvenile salmon being transported to?
Answer: (b) Imnaha River

3. How many fish ended up in the wrong river due to the crash?
Answer: (b) Around 77,000

4. What is the condition of the driver after the accident?
Answer: (d) Minor injuries

5. How old are the salmon smolts that died in the accident?
Answer: (c) Around two years old

6. What did the local sheriff’s office and tribes do after the crash?
Answer: (a) Assisted in collecting and scanning transponders on the dead fish

7. What percentage of the intended release of fish into the Imnaha River was lost due to the crash?
Answer: (a) About 20%

8. How many additional adult fish are expected to return to the Lookingglass Creek due to the 77,000 smolts?
Answer: (c) 350-700
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The crash caused around 77,000 fish to end up in the Lookingglass Creek instead of the Imnaha River. (Answer: True)
2. The driver of the truck suffered major injuries in the accident. (Answer: False)
3. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that the loss of the fish represents about 10% of what was intended to be released into the Imnaha River this year. (Answer: False)
4. A truck carrying 102,000 live salmon crashed in Oregon, causing thousands of juvenile fish to be released into the wrong river. (Answer: True)
5. ODFW officials believe that this incident will not impact their ability to collect future brood stock or maintain production goals in the future. (Answer: True)
6. The mature Chinook salmon were being transported from the Lookingglass Hatchery to the Imnaha River. (Answer: False)
7. The local sheriff’s office and the Nez Perce Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation did not respond to the crash and assist in collecting and scanning transponders on the dead fish. (Answer: False)
8. Over 25,000 of the salmon smolts died either inside the truck or on the creek bank. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧