Romania has a nuclear power plant called Cernavodă. It uses water from the Danube River to keep the reactors cool. Right now, the Danube River is very low because the weather is extremely hot. So, the Cernavodă plant had to be shut down.
This plant provides about 20% of Romania's electricity. With the plant closed, Romania will rely on wind, solar, and imported energy. The plant will not restart for at least 10 days. This change affects how Romania gets its power.
Climate change is affecting many parts of Europe. Hot weather is making rivers, like the Danube, fall to their lowest levels in 30 years. This causes problems for agriculture and transportation too. These changes make people worry about the future.
4. electricityenergy that powers lights and machines
5. importedbrought from another country
6. climate changechanges in the typical weather patterns
7. agriculturefarming and growing food
8. transportationmoving people or things from place to place
9. extremelyvery much, to a great degree
10. relyto depend on or need something
11. lowestthe least amount or level
12. affectscauses a change or impact
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
1. Name some sources of energy you know. 2. What do you think makes the weather very hot? 3. How does electricity work in your house? 4. Why is water important for power plants? 5. Can you list any energy sources your country uses?
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the name of Romania's nuclear power plant?
The name is Cernavodă.
2. Why did the Cernavodă plant have to be shut down?
It was shut down because the Danube River water level was too low.
3. What percentage of Romania's electricity does the plant provide?
The plant provides about 20% of Romania's electricity.
4. What energy sources will Romania rely on with the plant closed?
Romania will rely on wind, solar, and imported energy.
5. How long will the Cernavodă plant remain closed?
It will be closed for at least 10 days.
6. What is causing the Danube River to have low water levels?
Extremely hot weather is causing low water levels.
7. How is climate change impacting Europe, according to the article?
It is causing hot weather and rivers to fall to their lowest levels in 30 years.
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Romania has a power plant called Cernavodă. It uses from the Danube River to keep the reactors cool. Right now, the Danube River is very low the weather is hot. So, the Cernavodă plant had to be down. This plant provides about 20% of Romania's electricity. With the plant closed, Romania will rely on , solar, and imported energy. The plant will not restart for at 10 days. This change affects how Romania gets its power. Climate change is affecting many of Europe. Hot is making , like the Danube, fall to their levels in 30 . This causes problems for agriculture and transportation too. These changes make people worry about the future.
💬 Discussion Questions:
1. How do you feel about using nuclear power? 2. Do you think climate change is a big problem? Why? 3. Have you ever experienced extremely hot weather? 4. What would you do if your electricity suddenly stopped? 5. Should countries use more renewable energy sources? 6. How can we help reduce the effects of climate change? 7. Do you think water levels in rivers affect us? How? 8. What are some good ways to save electricity? 9. Have you learned about climate change in school? 10. Do you prefer sunny or rainy weather? Why? 11. How do you think transportation is affected by weather? 12. Why is it important to protect our environment?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
1. nuclear
2. reactor
3. shut down
4. electricity
5. imported
6. climate change
7. agriculture
8. transportation
9. extremely
10. rely
11. lowest
12. affects
Meanings
(A) changes in the typical weather patterns
(B) to stop working or close
(C) very much, to a great degree
(D) a powerful energy source using atoms
(E) causes a change or impact
(F) to depend on or need something
(G) farming and growing food
(H) moving people or things from place to place
(I) the least amount or level
(J) energy that powers lights and machines
(K) brought from another country
(L) a machine that produces energy
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is used to cool the reactors at the Cernavodă plant?
(a) Air from the ocean
(b) Electricity
(c) Water from the Danube River
(d) Wind
2. How much of Romania's electricity comes from the Cernavodă plant?
(a) About 50%
(b) About 20%
(c) About 5%
(d) About 80%
3. What will Romania rely on with the plant closed?
(a) More nuclear power
(b) Only coal
(c) Only natural gas
(d) Wind, solar, and imported energy
4. Why is the Danube River very low?
(a) Because of a big storm
(b) Because of heavy rain
(c) Because of a dam
(d) Because of extremely hot weather
5. How long will the Cernavodă plant be closed?
(a) At least 30 days
(b) At least 1 day
(c) At least 10 days
(d) At least 100 days
6. Which other sectors are affected by low river levels?
(a) Agriculture and transportation
(b) Fishing and skiing
(c) Reading and writing
(d) Football and basketball
7. What is one effect of climate change mentioned in the article?
(a) Rivers falling to low levels
(b) More trees growing
(c) More snow falling
(d) Bigger icebergs forming
8. What problem does hot weather cause in Europe?
(a) More parties
(b) Problems for agriculture
(c) Less sunshine
(d) More vacations
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Romania will rely on wind and solar power with the plant closed.
2. The Cernavodă plant will not restart for at least 10 days.
3. Low river levels cause problems for agriculture and transportation.
4. Climate change is affecting many parts of Europe.
5. The Cernavodă plant uses air from the Danube River to cool its reactors.
6. Extremely cold weather is making rivers rise to high levels.
7. The Cernavodă plant provides about 50% of Romania's electricity.
8. The Danube River is experiencing high water levels due to cold weather.
Writing Questions:
1. Why do you think nuclear power is important for a country?
2. Describe a time when you experienced very hot weather.
3. How do you think climate change might affect your life in the future?
4. What are some things you can do to help save energy at home?
5. Write about the importance of rivers in your country.
