The Amazon rainforest had its worst drought ever in 2023, and it caused a lot of damage to the villages, animals, and plants there. Scientists are worried that this is a sign that the Amazon is in big trouble. Oliveira Tikuna, who lives in a village in the middle of the forest, couldn’t believe how bad the drought was. He said he had never seen anything like it before. Because there’s no water, the crops are ruined, and the villagers are feeling more isolated. The drought happened because of the El Niño weather pattern, which is made worse by climate change.
Flávia Costa is a scientist who studies plants, and she has been studying the rainforest for a long time. She says that each drought has been worse than the one before it, and it has caused a lot of damage to the plants. In 2015, there was a really bad drought called the “Godzilla drought,” and it killed billions of trees and plants. The Amazon rainforest is really important because it has a lot of different kinds of plants and animals, and it also helps to take carbon out of the air. But scientists are scared that if we cut down too many trees and the Earth gets too hot, the forest will change into something else, like a savannah.
Carlos Nobre is a scientist from Brazil, and he is really worried about what will happen to the Amazon. He says that we need to do more to stop the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change. Right now, 17% of the Amazon has been cut down, and the Earth is already 1.1-1.2°C hotter than it was before people started using a lot of machines and factories. But there is some hope because the rate of deforestation is going down in all the countries that have the Amazon, and they have promised to stop cutting down trees completely by 2030.
Some scientists think that parts of the forest might survive even if things get really bad, but there are already signs that things are getting worse. People are starting fires to clear land, but sometimes the fires get out of control and burn parts of the forest that were supposed to be protected. Also, because the water is getting hotter, hundreds of dolphins have been found dead in lakes. The changing climate and what it’s doing to the Amazon has surprised scientists and the people who live there. It’s really important that we do everything we can to protect and save the rainforest.
Original news source: Amazon drought: ‘We’ve never seen anything like this’ (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | drought | A long period without rain, causing a shortage of water |
| 2 | isolated | Feeling alone and cut off from others |
| 3 | phenomenon | An event or situation that is impressive or extraordinary |
| 4 | savannah | A type of flat grassland with few trees, often found in tropical or subtropical regions |
| 5 | deforestation | The act of cutting down or burning the trees in a forest |
| 6 | greenhouse gases | Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming |
| 7 | machinery | Equipment, especially large and powerful types, used for different functions |
| 8 | carbon | A chemical element that is found in all living things and can also be a gas in the air |
| 9 | biodiversity | The variety of different types of life found on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms |
| 10 | deforestation | The process of cutting down trees and clearing forests |
| 11 | emissions | The release of gases or substances into the air |
| 12 | irreversible | Impossible to change back to the original state or condition |
| 13 | mitigation | The effort to reduce the severity or seriousness of a problem |
| 14 | conservation | The protection and preservation of natural resources and the environment |
| 15 | extinction | The dying out or disappearance of a species |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a different aspect of the article (e.g. the drought, the role of climate change, deforestation). Instruct them to read their assigned section and summarize it in 2-3 sentences. Then, have each group share their summary with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write the following question on the board: “Do you think enough is being done to protect the Amazon rainforest? Why or why not?” Give students a few minutes to think about their answer, and then have them discuss their opinions in pairs or small groups. Afterward, conduct a class poll by having students raise their hands to indicate their answer, and encourage a few students to share their reasoning.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “Amazon” on the board and instruct students to brainstorm as many words or phrases related to the Amazon rainforest as they can in 2 minutes. Afterward, have students share their words or phrases with the class, and create a word association web on the board.
– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a few minutes to read and discuss the article together. Then, instruct one student in each pair to describe a scene or image from the article without showing the text to their partner. The other student must listen and sketch what they imagine based on the description. Afterward, have pairs compare their sketches and discuss any differences or similarities.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct students to imagine themselves as environmental activists working to protect the Amazon rainforest. Ask them to write a short paragraph describing what they think will happen to the Amazon in the future if no action is taken, and what they would do to prevent it. Afterward, have a few students share their predictions and ideas with the class.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What caused the worst drought ever in the Amazon rainforest?
2. How did the drought affect the villages and the people living there?
3. Why is Flávia Costa concerned about the damage caused by the droughts to the plants in the rainforest?
4. What is the significance of the Amazon rainforest in terms of its biodiversity and environmental impact?
5. What is Carlos Nobre worried about regarding the future of the Amazon rainforest?
6. How much of the Amazon has been deforested so far, and how has this affected the Earth’s temperature?
7. What are some of the current threats to the Amazon rainforest, and how are they impacting the ecosystem?
8. Why is it important for us to take action and protect the Amazon rainforest?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The Amazon rainforest had its worst (1)______ ever in 2023, and it caused a lot of damage to the (2)______, animals, and plants there. Scientists are worried that this is a sign that the Amazon is in big trouble. Oliveira Tikuna, who lives in a village in the (3)______ of the forest, couldn’t believe how bad the drought was. He said he had never seen anything like it before. Because there’s no water, the crops are ruined, and the villagers are feeling more isolated. The drought happened because of the El Niño weather pattern, which is made worse by climate change.
(4)______ Costa is a scientist who studies (5)______, and she has been studying the rainforest for a long time. She says that each drought has been worse than the one before it, and it has caused a lot of (6)______ to the plants. In 2015, there was a really bad drought called the “Godzilla drought,” and it killed billions of (7)______ and plants. The Amazon rainforest is really important because it has a lot of different kinds of plants and animals, and it also (8)______ to take carbon out of the air. But scientists are scared that if we cut down too many trees and the Earth gets too hot, the forest will change into something else, like a (9)______.
Carlos Nobre is a scientist from Brazil, and he is really worried about what will happen to the Amazon. He says that we need to do more to stop the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change. Right now, 17% of the Amazon has been cut down, and the Earth is already 1.1-1.2°C (10)______ than it was before people (11)______ using a lot of machines and factories. But there is some hope because the rate of deforestation is going down in all the countries that have the Amazon, and they have (12)______ to stop cutting down trees completely by 2030.
Some scientists think that (13)______ of the forest might survive even if (14)______ get really bad, but there are already signs that things are getting worse. People are starting fires to clear land, but sometimes the fires get out of control and burn parts of the forest that were supposed to be protected. Also, because the water is getting hotter, hundreds of dolphins have been found dead in (15)______. The changing climate and what it’s doing to the Amazon has surprised scientists and the (16)______ who live there. It’s really important that we do everything we can to protect and save the rainforest.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is a drought and why is it bad for the Amazon rainforest?
2. How would you feel if your crops were ruined because of a drought?
3. Do you think it’s important to protect the Amazon rainforest? Why or why not?
4. What do you think will happen if too many trees are cut down in the Amazon?
5. How do you think climate change is affecting the Amazon rainforest?
6. Do you like studying about plants and animals? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think the rate of deforestation is going down in the countries with the Amazon?
8. How would you feel if you lived in a village in the middle of the rainforest and felt isolated?
9. What do you think can be done to stop climate change and protect the Amazon?
10. How do you think the changing climate is affecting the people who live in the Amazon?
11. What is a greenhouse gas and why is it causing climate change?
12. How do you think the changing climate is affecting the animals in the Amazon?
13. Do you think the Amazon rainforest will survive in the future? Why or why not?
14. How would you feel if you saw parts of the rainforest on fire?
15. What can individuals do to help protect and save the rainforest?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. drought
2. isolated
3. phenomenon
4. savannah
5. deforestation
6. greenhouse gases
7. machinery
8. carbon
9. biodiversity
10. deforestation
11. emissions
12. irreversible
13. mitigation
14. conservation
15. extinction
Meanings:
(A) The variety of different types of life found on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms
(B) Feeling alone and cut off from others
(C) A chemical element that is found in all living things and can also be a gas in the air
(D) A long period without rain, causing a shortage of water
(E) An event or situation that is impressive or extraordinary
(F) Impossible to change back to the original state or condition
(G) A type of flat grassland with few trees, often found in tropical or subtropical regions
(H) Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming
(I) The process of cutting down trees and clearing forests
(J) The act of cutting down or burning the trees in a forest
(K) The release of gases or substances into the air
(L) Equipment, especially large and powerful types, used for different functions
(M) The protection and preservation of natural resources and the environment
(N) The effort to reduce the severity or seriousness of a problem
(O) The dying out or disappearance of a species
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What caused the worst drought in the Amazon rainforest in 2023?
(a) Excessive rainfall
(b) Global warming
(c) The El Niño weather pattern worsened by climate change
(d) Deforestation
2. How did the drought affect the villages in the Amazon rainforest?
(a) Increased agricultural productivity
(b) Ruined crops and increased isolation
(c) Improved access to water
(d) Boosted economic growth
3. What is the significance of the Amazon rainforest?
(a) It has a diverse range of plants and animals
(b) It is a major tourist attraction
(c) It is a source of oil and minerals
(d) It is a hub for technological innovation
4. What is the current rate of deforestation in the Amazon?
(a) 50%
(b) 17%
(c) 5%
(d) 100%
5. What is the goal for stopping deforestation in the Amazon?
(a) Reduce deforestation by 50% by 2030
(b) Increase deforestation by 17% by 2030
(c) Maintain the current rate of deforestation
(d) Completely stop cutting down trees by 2030
6. What are some of the consequences of fires in the Amazon rainforest?
(a) Destruction of protected areas
(b) Increased biodiversity
(c) Enhanced ecosystem services
(d) Improved air quality
7. What has been the trend in the rate of deforestation in countries with the Amazon?
(a) Increasing
(b) Staying the same
(c) Fluctuating
(d) Decreasing
8. Why is it important to protect and save the Amazon rainforest?
(a) It provides a habitat for endangered species
(b) It plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate
(c) It helps to take carbon out of the air
(d) All of the above
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. The El Niño weather pattern, exacerbated by climate change, was responsible for the drought.
2. The “Godzilla drought” in 2015 resulted in the birth of billions of trees and plants in the Amazon rainforest.
3. Oliveira Tikuna, a resident of a village in the forest, was shocked by the severity of the drought, as he had never seen anything like it before.
4. The Amazon rainforest is crucial due to its diverse plant and animal species, as well as its role in removing carbon from the air. However, scientists fear that excessive deforestation and rising temperatures could transform the forest into a savannah-like landscape.
5. Scientists are concerned that this drought is a warning sign that the Amazon is in serious trouble.
6. The drought nurtured crops, leaving the villagers feeling more connected.
7. The Amazon rainforest experienced its best drought in 2023, causing insignificant damage to the villages, animals, and plants.
8. Flávia Costa, a plant scientist, has observed that each drought has been better than the previous one, causing minimal damage to the plants.
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 worst drought ever in the Amazon rainforest?
2. How did the drought affect the villages, animals, and plants in the rainforest?
3. Why is the Amazon rainforest important?
4. What are scientists worried will happen to the rainforest if we cut down too many trees?
5. What are some signs that things are getting worse for the Amazon rainforest?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What caused the worst drought ever in the Amazon rainforest?
The worst drought in the Amazon rainforest was caused by the El Niño weather pattern, which was made worse by climate change.
2. How did the drought affect the villages and the people living there?
The drought ruined the crops in the villages and made the villagers feel more isolated due to the lack of water.
3. Why is Flávia Costa concerned about the damage caused by the droughts to the plants in the rainforest?
Flávia Costa is concerned because each drought has been worse than the previous one, causing significant damage to the plants. This is a threat to the biodiversity and overall health of the rainforest.
4. What is the significance of the Amazon rainforest in terms of its biodiversity and environmental impact?
The Amazon rainforest is significant because it has a wide variety of plants and animals, making it one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Additionally, the rainforest helps absorb carbon dioxide from the air, which helps combat climate change.
5. What is Carlos Nobre worried about regarding the future of the Amazon rainforest?
Carlos Nobre is worried about the future of the Amazon rainforest because of deforestation and climate change. He believes that more needs to be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the rainforest.
6. How much of the Amazon has been deforested so far, and how has this affected the Earth’s temperature?
17% of the Amazon has been deforested so far. This deforestation, along with the increase in greenhouse gases, has contributed to the Earth’s temperature rising by 1.1-1.2°C.
7. What are some of the current threats to the Amazon rainforest, and how are they impacting the ecosystem?
Some current threats to the Amazon rainforest include deforestation, fires, and rising temperatures. These threats are causing damage to the ecosystem, including the loss of plant and animal species and the destruction of protected areas.
8. Why is it important for us to take action and protect the Amazon rainforest?
It is important to take action and protect the Amazon rainforest because it plays a crucial role in maintaining global biodiversity, regulating the climate, and absorbing carbon dioxide. If we don’t protect the rainforest, it could lead to irreversible damage to the environment and have a negative impact on the planet as a whole.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) drought
(2) villages
(3) middle
(4) Flávia
(5) plants
(6) damage
(7) trees
(8) helps
(9) savannah
(10) hotter
(11) started
(12) promised
(13) parts
(14) things
(15) lakes
(16) people
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. drought
Answer: (D) A long period without rain, causing a shortage of water
2. isolated
Answer: (B) Feeling alone and cut off from others
3. phenomenon
Answer: (E) An event or situation that is impressive or extraordinary
4. savannah
Answer: (G) A type of flat grassland with few trees, often found in tropical or subtropical regions
5. deforestation
Answer: (J) The act of cutting down or burning the trees in a forest
6. greenhouse gases
Answer: (H) Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming
7. machinery
Answer: (L) Equipment, especially large and powerful types, used for different functions
8. carbon
Answer: (C) A chemical element that is found in all living things and can also be a gas in the air
9. biodiversity
Answer: (A) The variety of different types of life found on Earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms
10. deforestation
Answer: (I) The process of cutting down trees and clearing forests
11. emissions
Answer: (K) The release of gases or substances into the air
12. irreversible
Answer: (F) Impossible to change back to the original state or condition
13. mitigation
Answer: (N) The effort to reduce the severity or seriousness of a problem
14. conservation
Answer: (M) The protection and preservation of natural resources and the environment
15. extinction
Answer: (O) The dying out or disappearance of a species
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What caused the worst drought in the Amazon rainforest in 2023?
Answer: (c) The El Niño weather pattern worsened by climate change
2. How did the drought affect the villages in the Amazon rainforest?
Answer: (b) Ruined crops and increased isolation
3. What is the significance of the Amazon rainforest?
Answer: (a) It has a diverse range of plants and animals
4. What is the current rate of deforestation in the Amazon?
Answer: (b) 17%
5. What is the goal for stopping deforestation in the Amazon?
Answer: (d) Completely stop cutting down trees by 2030
6. What are some of the consequences of fires in the Amazon rainforest?
Answer: (a) Destruction of protected areas
7. What has been the trend in the rate of deforestation in countries with the Amazon?
Answer: (d) Decreasing
8. Why is it important to protect and save the Amazon rainforest?
Answer: (c) It helps to take carbon out of the air
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. The El Niño weather pattern, exacerbated by climate change, was responsible for the drought. (Answer: True)
2. The “Godzilla drought” in 2015 resulted in the birth of billions of trees and plants in the Amazon rainforest. (Answer: False)
3. Oliveira Tikuna, a resident of a village in the forest, was shocked by the severity of the drought, as he had never seen anything like it before. (Answer: True)
4. The Amazon rainforest is crucial due to its diverse plant and animal species, as well as its role in removing carbon from the air. However, scientists fear that excessive deforestation and rising temperatures could transform the forest into a savannah-like landscape. (Answer: True)
5. Scientists are concerned that this drought is a warning sign that the Amazon is in serious trouble. (Answer: True)
6. The drought nurtured crops, leaving the villagers feeling more connected. (Answer: False)
7. The Amazon rainforest experienced its best drought in 2023, causing insignificant damage to the villages, animals, and plants. (Answer: False)
8. Flávia Costa, a plant scientist, has observed that each drought has been better than the previous one, causing minimal damage to the plants. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
