The reason Bitcoin uses so much water is because it needs a lot of computer power. Big power plants that make electricity also use a lot of water to stay cool. The computers that help Bitcoin work need to be cooled down too. A person who studied this said Bitcoin could use less water if it changed the way it works. Another kind of internet money called Ethereum already made some changes to use less power and water.
People who know a lot about this are worried. They think we should be careful about using water for Bitcoin, especially in places where there isn't much water. Some people say it might be hard for Bitcoin to change and use less water. But other people say we need to think about how using Bitcoin can hurt the environment.
Original news source: Every Bitcoin payment 'uses a swimming pool of water' (BBC)
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a word or phrase related to the article (e.g. Bitcoin, water usage, computer power). One person from each group will act out the word or phrase without speaking, and the other group members have to guess what it is.
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns summarizing the main points of the article to their partner. After each summary, the partner will provide feedback and help clarify any misunderstood information.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write two statements on the board related to the article, such as "Using Bitcoin is harmful to the environment" and "Using Bitcoin is beneficial for the economy." Have students stand on a spectrum from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree" and explain why they chose their position.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Give each student a word from the article (e.g. Bitcoin, power plant, Ethereum). Students will draw a picture representing the word on the board while their classmates guess what it is. This will help reinforce vocabulary related to the article.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of Bitcoin and its impact on the environment. They should consider the possibility of Bitcoin using even more water in the coming years and discuss potential solutions or alternatives.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
When people use Bitcoin, it uses a lot of water.
Bitcoin uses a lot of water because the computers that help it work need to be cooled down, and cooling them requires water.
The computers that help Bitcoin work need water to stay cool.
Ethereum made some changes to its system to use less power and water.
People who know a lot about this are worried because using a lot of water for Bitcoin can harm the environment, especially in places where there isn't much water.
It might be hard for Bitcoin to change and use less water because it would require making changes to its system, which can be difficult.
Some people say we need to think about how using Bitcoin can harm the environment.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Scientists found out that when people use Bitcoin, a of money on the internet, it uses a lot of water. Every time someone uses Bitcoin, it's like filling a whole swimming pool with water. Computers all over the world help Bitcoin , and they need a lot of and water to stay cool. Last year, Bitcoin used so much water that it could fill a lot of swimming pools, and it might use even more water next year. The Bitcoin uses so much water is because it needs a lot of computer power. Big power plants that electricity also use a lot of water to stay . The that help Bitcoin work need to be cooled down too. A person who studied this said Bitcoin could use less if it changed the way it works. Another kind of internet money called Ethereum already made some changes to use less power and water. who know a lot about this are . They think we should be careful about water for Bitcoin, especially in places where there isn't much water. Some people say it might be hard for Bitcoin to and use less water. But other people say we need to think about how using Bitcoin can hurt the environment.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is Bitcoin and how does it work?
2. How do computers help Bitcoin work?
3. Do you think it's important to use less water for Bitcoin? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you found out that using Bitcoin uses a lot of water?
5. What are some ways that Bitcoin could use less water?
6. Have you ever used Bitcoin or any other kind of internet money? Why or why not?
7. Do you think it's important to think about how using Bitcoin can hurt the environment? Why or why not?
8. What are some other ways that we can help protect the environment?
9. How do you think people can use less water in their daily lives?
10. Do you think it's hard for Bitcoin to change and use less water? Why or why not?
11. What are some other things that use a lot of water?
12. How can we raise awareness about the importance of conserving water?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π 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!
