There are big cracks in the ground in a place called the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. A helicopter from the Coast Guard took a video of these cracks. The ground is moving because there might be a volcano that could start erupting. The town nearby, Grindavik, had to send some people away and the ground there went down by more than a meter.

Because the volcano might erupt, a famous hot spring called the Blue Lagoon is closed for now. People who take care of safety in Iceland are working hard to keep everyone safe. The video from the helicopter shows how much the ground is changing. Scientists and people who help in emergencies are watching the volcano very carefully.

The video from the helicopter is special because it shows the cracks from above. It helps us see how big the cracks are and that the volcano might start erupting. This video helps us remember that the Earth is always changing. People need to keep checking on places where volcanoes can start so they can be ready for what might happen.

Original news source: Iceland: Helicopter footage shows giant cracks in earth (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can do this individually or in pairs. Afterward, have a class discussion to compare their summaries and discuss any questions or clarifications.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a role (e.g. scientists, local residents, emergency responders). Each group should discuss and come up with their opinions on the situation described in the article. Afterwards, have each group present their opinions to the class and facilitate a discussion where students can ask questions and share their own thoughts.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Give each student a vocabulary word from the article (e.g. cracks, erupting, volcano, safety) and have them draw a picture to represent the word. Once everyone has finished, have students take turns showing their drawings to the class while their classmates try to guess the word. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary and encourages creativity.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs and assign one student to take the role of a scientist and the other as a local resident. Each pair should discuss the pros and cons of the situation described in the article from their respective perspectives. Afterward, have pairs share their arguments with the class and encourage a class discussion on the different viewpoints.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students imagine they are living in the town nearby the potential erupting volcano. In pairs or small groups, they should discuss and make predictions about what might happen in the future. They can consider the impact on the town, the people, and the surrounding area. Afterward, have groups share their predictions with the class and facilitate a discussion on the different possibilities.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Where are the big cracks in the ground?
2. What might happen if the volcano erupts?
3. Why did the town of Grindavik have to send some people away?
4. Why is the Blue Lagoon closed?
5. Who is working hard to keep everyone safe?
6. Why is the video from the helicopter special?
7. Why is it important to check on places where volcanoes can start?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

There are big cracks in the ground in a place (1)______ the (2)______ Peninsula in Iceland. A helicopter from the Coast Guard took a video of these cracks. The ground is moving because there might be a volcano that could (3)______ erupting. The town nearby, Grindavik, had to (4)______ some people away and the (5)______ there (6)______ down by more than a meter.

Because the volcano might erupt, a famous hot spring called the Blue Lagoon is closed for now. People who take care of safety in Iceland are working hard to keep everyone (7)______. The video from the (8)______ shows how much the ground is changing. Scientists and people who help in emergencies are watching the volcano very carefully.

The video from the helicopter is (9)______ because it shows the cracks from above. It helps us see how big the cracks are and that the volcano might start (10)______. This video helps us remember that the Earth is always (11)______. People need to keep checking on (12)______ where volcanoes can start so they can be ready for what might happen.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a volcano?
2. How would you feel if you had to leave your town because of a volcano?
3. Do you like hot springs? Why or why not?
4. What do you think scientists and people who help in emergencies do to keep everyone safe during a volcano eruption?
5. Have you ever seen a crack in the ground? How did it make you feel?
6. Do you think it’s important to check on places where volcanoes can start? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the ground changing can affect people’s lives?
8. Have you ever been to Iceland? What did you see there?
9. What do you think the Blue Lagoon looks like?
10. How do you think the helicopter video helps us understand the situation better?
11. Why do you think the Earth is always changing?
12. What would you do if you were in Iceland and there was a volcano eruption?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. cracks
2. ground
3. volcano
4. erupting
5. helicopter
6. video
7. changing
8. safety

Meanings:
(a) A flying machine that can take videos from above
(b) When a volcano starts to explode
(c) The surface of the Earth
(d) Big breaks in the Earth’s surface
(e) A mountain that can explode and shoot out hot rocks and lava
(f) Becoming different or not staying the same
(g) Being protected from danger or harm
(h) A moving picture that shows what happened in the past
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where are the big cracks in the ground?
(a) Blue Lagoon in Iceland
(b) Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland
(c) Grindavik in Iceland
(d) Coast Guard in Iceland

2. Why is the ground moving in Reykjanes Peninsula?
(a) There might be a volcano that could start erupting
(b) There was an earthquake
(c) The ground is sinking
(d) The cracks are getting bigger

3. What happened to the town of Grindavik?
(a) The volcano erupted and destroyed the town
(b) The town was evacuated because of a flood
(c) Some people had to leave and the ground went down by more than a meter
(d) The ground cracked but nothing else happened

4. Why is the Blue Lagoon closed?
(a) The hot spring water is too hot
(b) The town of Grindavik is closed
(c) The helicopter crashed there
(d) The volcano might erupt

5. Who is working hard to keep everyone safe?
(a) Tourists visiting the Blue Lagoon
(b) People who take care of safety in Iceland
(c) Scientists studying the volcano
(d) People who live in Grindavik

6. What does the video from the helicopter show?
(a) The inside of the volcano
(b) The Blue Lagoon from a distance
(c) The cracks in the ground from above
(d) People running away from the volcano

7. Why is it important to keep checking on places where volcanoes can start?
(a) So people can be ready for what might happen
(b) To make sure the ground is not sinking
(c) To find more hot springs
(d) To see if the volcano is getting bigger

8. What does the article remind us about the Earth?
(a) It is always hot
(b) It is always dangerous
(c) It is always the same
(d) It is always changing

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The town of Grindavik had to send some people away because of the cracks.
2. The famous hot spring called the Blue Lagoon is closed because of the possible eruption.
3. The ground in Grindavik went down by more than a meter.
4. The ground is stationary because there might be a volcano that could erupt.
5. The video from the helicopter does not help us understand how big the cracks are and the potential for eruption.
6. Scientists and emergency workers are keeping a close eye on the volcano.
7. There are tiny cracks in the ground in Iceland.
8. A helicopter from the Coast Guard did not take a video of the cracks.
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 did a helicopter from the Coast Guard take a video of in Iceland?
2. Why did the town of Grindavik have to send some people away?
3. Why is the famous hot spring called the Blue Lagoon closed?
4. Who is working hard to keep everyone safe in Iceland?
5. Why is the video from the helicopter special?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Where are the big cracks in the ground?
The big cracks in the ground are in the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland.

2. What might happen if the volcano erupts?
If the volcano erupts, there could be a lot of lava and ash coming out. It could be dangerous for people who live nearby.

3. Why did the town of Grindavik have to send some people away?
The town of Grindavik had to send some people away because the ground was moving and it wasn’t safe for them to stay there.

4. Why is the Blue Lagoon closed?
The Blue Lagoon is closed because the volcano might erupt and it’s not safe for people to go there right now.

5. Who is working hard to keep everyone safe?
Scientists and people who help in emergencies are working hard to keep everyone safe.

6. Why is the video from the helicopter special?
The video from the helicopter is special because it shows the cracks from above, giving us a better view of how big they are. It helps us understand the situation better.

7. Why is it important to check on places where volcanoes can start?
It is important to check on places where volcanoes can start so that people can be prepared for any possible eruptions. It helps keep everyone safe and gives them time to evacuate if needed.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) called
(2) Reykjanes
(3) start
(4) send
(5) ground
(6) went
(7) safe
(8) helicopter
(9) special
(10) erupting
(11) changing
(12) places
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. cracks
Answer: (d) Big breaks in the Earth’s surface

2. ground
Answer: (c) The surface of the Earth

3. volcano
Answer: (e) A mountain that can explode and shoot out hot rocks and lava

4. erupting
Answer: (b) When a volcano starts to explode

5. helicopter
Answer: (a) A flying machine that can take videos from above

6. video
Answer: (h) A moving picture that shows what happened in the past

7. changing
Answer: (f) Becoming different or not staying the same

8. safety
Answer: (g) Being protected from danger or harm
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where are the big cracks in the ground?
Answer: (b) Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland

2. Why is the ground moving in Reykjanes Peninsula?
Answer: (a) There might be a volcano that could start erupting

3. What happened to the town of Grindavik?
Answer: (c) Some people had to leave and the ground went down by more than a meter

4. Why is the Blue Lagoon closed?
Answer: (d) The volcano might erupt

5. Who is working hard to keep everyone safe?
Answer: (b) People who take care of safety in Iceland

6. What does the video from the helicopter show?
Answer: (c) The cracks in the ground from above

7. Why is it important to keep checking on places where volcanoes can start?
Answer: (a) So people can be ready for what might happen

8. What does the article remind us about the Earth?
Answer: (d) It is always changing
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The town of Grindavik had to send some people away because of the cracks. (Answer: True)
2. The famous hot spring called the Blue Lagoon is closed because of the possible eruption. (Answer: True)
3. The ground in Grindavik went down by more than a meter. (Answer: True)
4. The ground is stationary because there might be a volcano that could erupt. (Answer: False)
5. The video from the helicopter does not help us understand how big the cracks are and the potential for eruption. (Answer: False)
6. Scientists and emergency workers are keeping a close eye on the volcano. (Answer: True)
7. There are tiny cracks in the ground in Iceland. (Answer: False)
8. A helicopter from the Coast Guard did not take a video of the cracks. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧