A 27-year-old student from China recently caught the attention of the media after needing to be rescued from Mount Fuji in Japan two times in just four days. The first rescue happened on April 22 when the student, who has not been named, called for help because he was suffering from altitude sickness while climbing the Fujinomiya trail. This trail goes up to about 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) high. The incident occurred during the mountain’s off-season, a time when climbers are warned about the harsh weather conditions that can happen.

Just four days after his first rescue, the student went back to Mount Fuji to look for his phone and other things he had left behind. Unfortunately, he got altitude sickness again and was found unable to move by another climber. This led to a second emergency call for help, and the rescue team quickly came to assist him once more.

Many people on social media reacted strongly to this situation, with some saying the student should face consequences for going back to the mountain after his first rescue. While there are no official penalties for climbers who need help, the public’s reaction shows a concern for safety and responsibility when it comes to outdoor activities. The Shizuoka police have reminded all climbers to be careful, especially since low temperatures and snow can still be present in spring.

Mount Fuji’s hiking trails are only officially open from July to early September, but there isn’t a complete ban on climbing during the off-season. Local authorities have started charging entry fees and limiting the number of climbers on the most popular trail, with plans to do the same for other trails later this year. However, climbing during the off-season and off-trail is still free, which raises questions about safety for those who choose to hike outside of the official season. This incident highlights the risks of mountain climbing and the importance of being prepared and paying attention to safety warnings.

Original news source: Student rescued from mountain twice in four days – after going back to find his phone (Sky News)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the students into two teams. Give each team a set of phrases related to mountain climbing and rescue operations (e.g., altitude sickness, rescue team, hiking gear). One member from each team will act out the phrase without speaking while their team tries to guess what it is.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Pose a question to the class related to the article, such as “Should climbers face penalties for needing rescue?” Students will walk around the room, asking their classmates for their opinions and tallying the results. Afterward, have a discussion about the different viewpoints shared.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: On a large piece of paper or a whiteboard, write “Mountain Climbing Risks” in the center. Students will work in small groups to brainstorm and add branches related to risks, safety measures, and consequences of climbing during the off-season. Each group will then present their mind map to the class.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Ask students to create a catchy headline for the article that captures its essence. They can work individually or in pairs. After they’ve crafted their headlines, students will share them with the class, and the class can vote on the most engaging one.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Choose key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., altitude, rescue, consequences). Divide the class into small groups and give each group a few words to illustrate. One member will draw the word while the others guess what it is, promoting vocabulary recall and understanding through visual representation.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What happened to the student from China while he was climbing Mount Fuji?

2. How high is the Fujinomiya trail that the student attempted to climb?

3. Why did the student go back to Mount Fuji just four days after his first rescue?

4. What were the reactions of people on social media regarding the student’s decision to return to the mountain?

5. What reminders did the Shizuoka police give to climbers about safety during the off-season?

6. When are Mount Fuji’s hiking trails officially open for climbers?

7. What changes are local authorities planning to make regarding climbing on Mount Fuji?

8. What does this incident teach us about the importance of safety and preparation in mountain climbing?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A 27-year-old student from China recently caught the attention of the media after needing to be rescued from Mount Fuji in Japan two times in just four days. The first rescue happened on April 22 when the student, who has not been (1)______, (2)______ for help because he was suffering from (3)______ sickness while climbing the Fujinomiya trail. This trail goes up to about 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) high. The (4)______ occurred during the mountain’s off-season, a time when climbers are warned about the (5)______ weather conditions that can happen.

Just four days after his first (6)______, the student went back to Mount Fuji to look for his phone and other things he had left behind. Unfortunately, he got altitude sickness again and was found unable to move by another climber. This led to a second emergency call for help, and the rescue team quickly came to (7)______ him once more.

Many people on social (8)______ reacted strongly to this situation, with some saying the student should face consequences for (9)______ back to the mountain after his first rescue. While there are no (10)______ penalties for climbers who need help, the public’s reaction shows a concern for (11)______ and responsibility when it comes to outdoor activities. The Shizuoka police have reminded all climbers to be careful, especially since low (12)______ and snow can still be present in spring.

Mount Fuji’s hiking trails are only officially open from July to early September, but there isn’t a complete ban on climbing during the off-(13)______. Local authorities have started charging entry fees and limiting the number of climbers on the most popular (14)______, with plans to do the same for other trails later this year. However, climbing during the off-season and off-trail is still free, which raises questions about safety for those who choose to hike outside of the official season. This incident highlights the risks of (15)______ climbing and the importance of being prepared and paying (16)______ to safety warnings.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on climbing mountains during the off-season?

2. How would you feel if you had to be rescued while climbing a mountain?

3. Do you think it’s responsible to go back to a dangerous place after having a bad experience? Why or why not?

4. Have you ever done something risky or dangerous? What happened?

5. What is a safety warning that you think is important to follow in outdoor activities?

6. How do you think social media influences people’s opinions about situations like this rescue?

7. Do you like outdoor activities like hiking or climbing? Why or why not?

8. What do you think should happen to someone who repeatedly needs rescue in dangerous situations?

9. How would you feel if you were the climber who got altitude sickness twice?

10. Do you think the authorities should charge fees for climbing during the off-season? Why or why not?

11. What is your experience with heights? Do you enjoy being up high, or does it make you nervous?

12. How do you think climbers can better prepare themselves for challenges like altitude sickness?

13. Do you think it’s fair for climbers to face criticism for their decisions in dangerous situations? Why or why not?

14. What is a lesson you think people can learn from this student’s experience?

15. How do you feel about the idea of limiting the number of climbers on popular trails? Do you think it’s a good idea? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. altitude
2. trail
3. harsh
4. consequences
5. penalties
6. responsibility
7. authorities
8. limiting
9. officially
10. incident
11. rescue
12. conditions
13. entry
14. prepared
15. warnings

Meanings:
(A) Controlling the amount or number of something
(B) The act of saving someone from danger
(C) The act of going into a place
(D) The state of the weather or environment at a certain time
(E) Very difficult or unpleasant to deal with
(F) In a way that is recognized by authority or law
(G) Ready and able to deal with something
(H) Punishments or fines for breaking rules
(I) An event or occurrence, often something unexpected
(J) Messages or signs that alert you to danger or problems
(K) People or organizations in power who make decisions
(L) Results or effects of an action
(M) The height of something above sea level
(N) A path or route, especially one used for hiking
(O) The state of being accountable or to blame for something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How old is the student who was rescued from Mount Fuji?
(a) 25 years old
(b) 30 years old
(c) 27 years old
(d) 22 years old

2. What was the reason for the student’s first rescue on Mount Fuji?
(a) Altitude sickness
(b) Lost phone
(c) Bad weather
(d) Injury

3. How many times did the student need to be rescued in total?
(a) Three times
(b) Four times
(c) Two times
(d) Once

4. What did the student go back to Mount Fuji to retrieve?
(a) Food and water
(b) His phone and other belongings
(c) Climbing gear
(d) A friend

5. What is the official climbing season for Mount Fuji?
(a) June to August
(b) July to early September
(c) April to October
(d) March to November

6. What did the Shizuoka police remind climbers about?
(a) To climb only during the summer
(b) To bring more friends
(c) To avoid social media
(d) To be careful during climbing

7. What do local authorities plan to do regarding climbing on Mount Fuji?
(a) Charge entry fees and limit climbers
(b) Ban all climbing
(c) Increase the number of climbers allowed
(d) Make climbing free for everyone

8. What does this incident highlight about mountain climbing?
(a) The need for more climbing trails
(b) The benefits of climbing off-season
(c) The popularity of social media reactions
(d) The importance of safety and preparation

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Many people on social media criticized the student for returning to the mountain after being rescued.
2. The student returned to Mount Fuji to retrieve his wallet after his first rescue.
3. The Fujinomiya trail, where the student was hiking, reaches about 5,000 meters high.
4. The first rescue happened because the student was suffering from altitude sickness while climbing.
5. Mount Fuji’s hiking trails are officially open only from July to early September.
6. A 27-year-old student from China was rescued from Mount Fuji twice in four days.
7. He experienced altitude sickness again during his third trip and required assistance from another climber.
8. Local authorities are offering free entry and encouraging more climbers on popular trails to enhance safety.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 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!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. Why did the student from China need to be rescued from Mount Fuji twice in four days?
2. What were the conditions like on Mount Fuji during the time the student was climbing?
3. How did people on social media react to the student’s decision to return to the mountain after his first rescue?
4. What measures have local authorities taken to improve safety for climbers on Mount Fuji?
5. Why is it important for climbers to pay attention to safety warnings when hiking?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What happened to the student from China while he was climbing Mount Fuji?
The student needed to be rescued twice in four days due to altitude sickness while climbing Mount Fuji.

2. How high is the Fujinomiya trail that the student attempted to climb?
The Fujinomiya trail goes up to about 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) high.

3. Why did the student go back to Mount Fuji just four days after his first rescue?
He went back to look for his phone and other belongings that he had left behind during his first climb.

4. What were the reactions of people on social media regarding the student’s decision to return to the mountain?
Many people reacted strongly, with some saying the student should face consequences for returning after his first rescue, showing concern for safety and responsibility.

5. What reminders did the Shizuoka police give to climbers about safety during the off-season?
The Shizuoka police reminded climbers to be careful due to the potential for harsh weather conditions, including low temperatures and snow in spring.

6. When are Mount Fuji’s hiking trails officially open for climbers?
Mount Fuji’s hiking trails are officially open from July to early September.

7. What changes are local authorities planning to make regarding climbing on Mount Fuji?
Local authorities plan to charge entry fees and limit the number of climbers on the most popular trail, with plans to do the same for other trails later this year.

8. What does this incident teach us about the importance of safety and preparation in mountain climbing?
This incident highlights the risks of mountain climbing and the need for climbers to be prepared and pay attention to safety warnings.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) called
(3) altitude
(4) incident
(5) harsh
(6) rescue
(7) assist
(8) media
(9) going
(10) official
(11) safety
(12) temperatures
(13) season
(14) trail
(15) mountain
(16) attention
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. altitude
Answer: (M) The height of something above sea level

2. trail
Answer: (N) A path or route, especially one used for hiking

3. harsh
Answer: (E) Very difficult or unpleasant to deal with

4. consequences
Answer: (L) Results or effects of an action

5. penalties
Answer: (H) Punishments or fines for breaking rules

6. responsibility
Answer: (O) The state of being accountable or to blame for something

7. authorities
Answer: (K) People or organizations in power who make decisions

8. limiting
Answer: (A) Controlling the amount or number of something

9. officially
Answer: (F) In a way that is recognized by authority or law

10. incident
Answer: (I) An event or occurrence, often something unexpected

11. rescue
Answer: (B) The act of saving someone from danger

12. conditions
Answer: (D) The state of the weather or environment at a certain time

13. entry
Answer: (C) The act of going into a place

14. prepared
Answer: (G) Ready and able to deal with something

15. warnings
Answer: (J) Messages or signs that alert you to danger or problems
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How old is the student who was rescued from Mount Fuji?
Answer: (c) 27 years old

2. What was the reason for the student’s first rescue on Mount Fuji?
Answer: (a) Altitude sickness

3. How many times did the student need to be rescued in total?
Answer: (c) Two times

4. What did the student go back to Mount Fuji to retrieve?
Answer: (b) His phone and other belongings

5. What is the official climbing season for Mount Fuji?
Answer: (b) July to early September

6. What did the Shizuoka police remind climbers about?
Answer: (d) To be careful during climbing

7. What do local authorities plan to do regarding climbing on Mount Fuji?
Answer: (a) Charge entry fees and limit climbers

8. What does this incident highlight about mountain climbing?
Answer: (d) The importance of safety and preparation
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Many people on social media criticized the student for returning to the mountain after being rescued. (Answer: True)
2. The student returned to Mount Fuji to retrieve his wallet after his first rescue. (Answer: False)
3. The Fujinomiya trail, where the student was hiking, reaches about 5,000 meters high. (Answer: False)
4. The first rescue happened because the student was suffering from altitude sickness while climbing. (Answer: True)
5. Mount Fuji’s hiking trails are officially open only from July to early September. (Answer: True)
6. A 27-year-old student from China was rescued from Mount Fuji twice in four days. (Answer: True)
7. He experienced altitude sickness again during his third trip and required assistance from another climber. (Answer: False)
8. Local authorities are offering free entry and encouraging more climbers on popular trails to enhance safety. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧