Good news! The workers who were trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand, India have been rescued after being stuck for more than two weeks. The tunnel collapsed on November 12th because of a landslide, trapping the workers inside. Luckily, the rescue teams were able to make contact with them soon after and gave them things like oxygen, food, and water while they waited to be saved.

There’s a video that shows the amazing moment when the workers finally got out of the tunnel and saw their families again. It’s really touching. The rescue teams worked really hard to make sure the workers were safe and could get out of the tunnel. They made sure the workers had everything they needed while they were stuck underground.

This incident shows how important it is to have safety measures in place when doing construction projects. We need to make sure we assess the risks properly so accidents like this don’t happen. It also shows how brave and strong the workers were. They faced a really tough situation, but they stayed strong and got through it.

It’s such a relief that all the workers have been rescued and can go back to their families. This is a time to celebrate and remember how important it is to keep workers safe in all industries. We should always make sure their well-being is a top priority.

Original news source: Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Moment Indian workers freed after weeks (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can take turns sharing their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss and share their opinions on the importance of safety measures in construction projects. They should provide reasons to support their opinions and try to reach a consensus within their group.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns selecting a vocabulary word from the article and drawing a picture to represent it. Their partner must guess the word based on the drawing. The student who guesses correctly earns a point.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In small groups, students will brainstorm a list of pros and cons for implementing safety measures in construction projects. They should consider the potential benefits and drawbacks and be prepared to share and discuss their ideas with the class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs, students will discuss and make predictions about the future impact of this incident on construction practices. They should consider how it might influence safety regulations and procedures. After discussing their predictions, they can share them with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What happened to the workers in Uttarakhand, India?
2. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
3. Why did the tunnel collapse?
4. What did the rescue teams provide to the workers while they were trapped?
5. What can be seen in the video of the workers being rescued?
6. Why is it important to have safety measures in place during construction projects?
7. How did the workers show bravery and strength during the incident?
8. Why is it a relief that all the workers have been rescued?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Good news! The workers who were trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand, India have been (1)______d after being stuck for more than two weeks. The tunnel collapsed on November 12th because of a (2)______, (3)______ the workers inside. Luckily, the rescue teams were able to make (4)______ with them soon after and gave them things like oxygen, food, and water while they (5)______ to be saved.

There’s a video that shows the amazing (6)______ when the workers finally got out of the (7)______ and saw their families again. It’s really touching. The rescue teams (8)______ really hard to make sure the workers were safe and could get out of the tunnel. They made sure the workers had everything they needed while they were stuck underground.

This incident shows how important it is to have safety measures in place when doing construction projects. We need to make sure we assess the (9)______ properly so accidents like this don’t (10)______. It also shows how brave and (11)______ the (12)______ were. They faced a really tough situation, but they stayed strong and got through it.

It’s such a relief that all the workers have been (13)______ and can go back to their families. This is a time to (14)______ and (15)______ how (16)______ it is to keep workers safe in all industries. We should always make sure their well-being is a top priority.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think the workers felt when they finally got out of the tunnel and saw their families again?
2. How would you feel if you were trapped underground for two weeks?
3. Do you think the workers were brave for staying strong during the tough situation? Why or why not?
4. What safety measures do you think should be in place for construction projects?
5. How important do you think it is to assess risks properly before starting a construction project? Why?
6. Do you think the rescue teams did a good job in helping the workers? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the workers’ families felt when they saw them for the first time after the rescue?
8. What do you think the workers missed the most while they were stuck in the tunnel?
9. Why do you think it’s important to prioritize the well-being of workers in all industries?
10. How do you think the workers’ lives will change after this incident?
11. Do you think this incident will make people more aware of the risks involved in construction work? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the workers’ experience will affect their future work decisions?
13. What is the most dangerous job you can think of? Why do you think it’s dangerous?
14. How do you think the workers’ families supported them during the time they were trapped?
15. Do you think the workers will be afraid to go back to work after this incident? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. trapped
2. tunnel
3. collapsed
4. landslide
5. rescue
6. underground
7. incident
8. relief

Meanings:
(a) Beneath the surface of the ground
(b) An event or occurrence, often involving danger or harm
(c) A feeling of comfort or happiness after a difficult situation
(d) A sudden fall of earth and rocks down a hill or mountain
(e) Unable to escape or move freely
(f) The act of saving someone from danger or harm
(g) A passage or tube underground or through a mountain
(h) Fell down suddenly and completely
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
(a) One week
(b) Three days
(c) One month
(d) More than two weeks

2. Why did the tunnel collapse?
(a) Because of a landslide
(b) Because of heavy rain
(c) Because of an earthquake
(d) Because of a construction mistake

3. What did the rescue teams provide to the trapped workers?
(a) Blankets and clothes
(b) Oxygen, food, and water
(c) Tools to dig themselves out
(d) Entertainment to pass the time

4. What did the workers see when they finally got out of the tunnel?
(a) The rescue teams
(b) Their families
(c) The collapsed tunnel
(d) The construction site

5. What did the rescue teams do to ensure the workers’ safety?
(a) Provided them with everything they needed
(b) Assessed the risks properly
(c) Stayed with them until they were rescued
(d) Called for additional help

6. What does this incident teach us about construction projects?
(a) The need for more workers
(b) The benefits of underground tunnels
(c) The importance of safety measures
(d) The risks of working in India

7. How did the workers handle the situation?
(a) They panicked and caused more problems
(b) They blamed the rescue teams for the incident
(c) They stayed strong and got through it
(d) They refused to cooperate with the rescue teams

8. What should be a top priority in all industries?
(a) Profit margins
(b) Efficiency
(c) Innovation
(d) Workers’ well-being

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Rescue teams were unable to make contact with the trapped workers soon after the incident.
2. A video captured the emotional moment when the workers were finally freed and reunited with their families.
3. The tunnel collapse happened on November 13th.
4. The workers were provided with oxygen, food, and water while waiting to be rescued.
5. The rescue teams neglected to prioritize the safety of the workers and provide them with necessary supplies.
6. Workers in Uttarakhand, India were trapped in a tunnel for over two weeks due to a landslide.
7. This incident downplays the importance of implementing safety measures in construction projects to prevent accidents.
8. The workers showed bravery and strength throughout the challenging situation and were able to overcome it.
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 happened to the workers in Uttarakhand, India?
2. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
3. What did the rescue teams provide to the workers while they were stuck?
4. How did the workers react when they finally got out of the tunnel?
5. Why is it important to have safety measures in place during construction projects?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What happened to the workers in Uttarakhand, India?
The workers were trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand, India.

2. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
The workers were trapped in the tunnel for more than two weeks.

3. Why did the tunnel collapse?
The tunnel collapsed because of a landslide.

4. What did the rescue teams provide to the workers while they were trapped?
The rescue teams provided the workers with things like oxygen, food, and water while they were trapped.

5. What can be seen in the video of the workers being rescued?
In the video, you can see the moment when the workers finally got out of the tunnel and saw their families again.

6. Why is it important to have safety measures in place during construction projects?
It is important to have safety measures in place during construction projects to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of the workers.

7. How did the workers show bravery and strength during the incident?
The workers showed bravery and strength by staying strong and getting through the tough situation they were in.

8. Why is it a relief that all the workers have been rescued?
It is a relief that all the workers have been rescued because they can now go back to their families and it is a reminder of the importance of keeping workers safe in all industries.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) rescue
(2) landslide
(3) trapping
(4) contact
(5) waited
(6) moment
(7) tunnel
(8) worked
(9) risks
(10) happen
(11) strong
(12) workers
(13) rescued
(14) celebrate
(15) remember
(16) important
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. trapped
Answer: (e) Unable to escape or move freely

2. tunnel
Answer: (g) A passage or tube underground or through a mountain

3. collapsed
Answer: (h) Fell down suddenly and completely

4. landslide
Answer: (d) A sudden fall of earth and rocks down a hill or mountain

5. rescue
Answer: (f) The act of saving someone from danger or harm

6. underground
Answer: (a) Beneath the surface of the ground

7. incident
Answer: (b) An event or occurrence, often involving danger or harm

8. relief
Answer: (c) A feeling of comfort or happiness after a difficult situation
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How long were the workers trapped in the tunnel?
Answer: (d) More than two weeks

2. Why did the tunnel collapse?
Answer: (a) Because of a landslide

3. What did the rescue teams provide to the trapped workers?
Answer: (b) Oxygen, food, and water

4. What did the workers see when they finally got out of the tunnel?
Answer: (b) Their families

5. What did the rescue teams do to ensure the workers’ safety?
Answer: (a) Provided them with everything they needed

6. What does this incident teach us about construction projects?
Answer: (c) The importance of safety measures

7. How did the workers handle the situation?
Answer: (c) They stayed strong and got through it

8. What should be a top priority in all industries?
Answer: (d) Workers’ well-being
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Rescue teams were unable to make contact with the trapped workers soon after the incident. (Answer: False)
2. A video captured the emotional moment when the workers were finally freed and reunited with their families. (Answer: True)
3. The tunnel collapse happened on November 13th. (Answer: False)
4. The workers were provided with oxygen, food, and water while waiting to be rescued. (Answer: True)
5. The rescue teams neglected to prioritize the safety of the workers and provide them with necessary supplies. (Answer: False)
6. Workers in Uttarakhand, India were trapped in a tunnel for over two weeks due to a landslide. (Answer: True)
7. This incident downplays the importance of implementing safety measures in construction projects to prevent accidents. (Answer: False)
8. The workers showed bravery and strength throughout the challenging situation and were able to overcome it. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧