The Arctic World Archive (AWA) is a special place located in Longyearbyen, Norway, which is the northernmost town in the world. It’s found in the Svalbard archipelago, a remote area known for its icy landscapes and few people. The AWA is built inside an old coal mine, where it acts as a secure underground vault for keeping important data safe. People can store their information on film, which helps it last longer against changing technology and time. The founder, Rune Bjerkestrand, believes it’s essential to protect memories and cultural heritage through this unique way of preserving data.

The AWA has been running for eight years and has collected over 100 deposits from different organizations, businesses, and individuals from more than 30 countries. Some of the interesting items stored there include 3D scans of the Taj Mahal, ancient manuscripts from the Vatican Library, and Edvard Munch’s famous painting, “The Scream.” The AWA operates as a business and uses technology from a Norwegian company called Piql, which is also led by Bjerkestrand. Inspired by the nearby Global Seed Vault, the AWA aims to keep data safe from threats like terrorism, war, and cyberattacks.

The vault has perfect conditions for keeping data safe because it stays dark, dry, and cold all year round. Bjerkestrand thinks that even if global warming causes the Arctic ground to thaw, the strong structure of the vault will still protect what’s inside. One important part of the archive is GitHub’s Code Vault, which holds many reels of open-source code that are vital for software development. Kyle Daigle, GitHub’s chief operating officer, points out how important it is to secure software for the future since it plays a big role in our daily lives.

Data at the AWA is stored on special photosensitive film that creates images similar to tiny QR codes. This way, the information can’t be deleted or changed, making it easy to retrieve later. However, there are worries about whether future generations will know how to access this preserved data. To help with this, Piql has printed a guide on the film itself, which can be magnified and read. As more and more data is created, experts warn about a possible “digital Dark Age,” where new technology might make current formats unusable. The AWA accepts new deposits three times a year, including recordings of endangered languages and manuscripts by composer Frédéric Chopin, making it an important effort to keep cultural and historical information available for the future.

Original news source: Visit the Arctic vault holding back-ups of great works (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out key concepts from the article without using words while their teammates guess what they are. Concepts can include “Arctic World Archive,” “data preservation,” and “cyberattacks.”

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Pose a question related to the article, such as “Do you think it’s important to preserve cultural heritage?” Have students walk around the classroom to ask their classmates for their opinions and tally the results. Afterward, discuss the varied responses as a class.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: Using a whiteboard or large paper, create a mind map as a class. Start with “Arctic World Archive” in the center and have students contribute related ideas, such as “data storage,” “cultural heritage,” and “global warming.” Encourage them to connect ideas and elaborate on how they relate to the archive.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In pairs, students will come up with catchy headlines for the article. They should focus on the main themes such as data preservation and cultural heritage. After creating their headlines, pairs can share them with the class, and the best headlines can be voted on.

– TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
Instructions: Each student will write down three statements about the Arctic World Archive based on the article—two of which must be true and one that is false. Students will then take turns sharing their statements with the class, while others guess which statement is the lie.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the purpose of the Arctic World Archive (AWA) and where is it located?

2. How does the AWA protect important data from changing technology and time?

3. Can you name some of the interesting items that are stored in the AWA?

4. Why does the founder, Rune Bjerkestrand, believe it is important to preserve memories and cultural heritage?

5. What conditions inside the vault help keep the data safe?

6. What is GitHub’s Code Vault, and why is it significant for software development?

7. How does the special photosensitive film used at the AWA ensure that information cannot be deleted or changed?

8. What concerns do experts have about the future of data storage, and what steps are being taken to address these concerns?
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🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The Arctic World Archive (AWA) is a special (1)______ located in Longyearbyen, Norway, which is the northernmost town in the (2)______. It’s found in the Svalbard archipelago, a remote area known for its icy landscapes and few people. The AWA is built inside an old coal mine, where it acts as a secure (3)______ vault for keeping important data safe. People can (4)______ their information on film, which helps it last longer against changing technology and time. The founder, Rune Bjerkestrand, believes it’s essential to protect memories and cultural heritage through this unique way of preserving data.

The AWA has been running for eight years and has collected over 100 deposits from different (5)______, businesses, and individuals from more than 30 countries. Some of the interesting items stored there include 3D scans of the Taj Mahal, ancient manuscripts from the Vatican Library, and Edvard Munch’s famous painting, “The Scream.” The AWA operates as a business and uses technology from a Norwegian (6)______ called Piql, which is also led by Bjerkestrand. Inspired by the nearby Global Seed Vault, the AWA aims to keep data safe from threats like terrorism, war, and (7)______.

The (8)______ has perfect conditions for keeping data safe because it stays dark, dry, and cold all year round. Bjerkestrand thinks that even if global warming causes the Arctic (9)______ to thaw, the strong structure of the vault will still (10)______ what’s inside. One important part of the (11)______ is GitHub’s Code Vault, which holds many (12)______ of open-source code that are vital for software development. Kyle Daigle, GitHub’s chief operating officer, points out how important it is to secure software for the future since it plays a big role in our daily lives.

Data at the AWA is stored on special photosensitive film that creates images similar to tiny QR codes. This way, the information can’t be deleted or changed, making it easy to (13)______ later. However, there are worries about whether future generations will know how to access this preserved data. To help with this, Piql has (14)______ a (15)______ on the film itself, which can be magnified and read. As more and more data is created, experts warn about a possible “digital Dark Age,” where new (16)______ might make current formats unusable. The AWA accepts new deposits three times a year, including recordings of endangered languages and manuscripts by composer Frédéric Chopin, making it an important effort to keep cultural and historical information available for the future.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a memory or piece of cultural heritage that you think is important to preserve?
2. How would you feel if you found out that a significant part of your culture was lost forever?
3. Do you think it’s important to keep our digital information safe for the future? Why or why not?
4. What is a technology that you think will be important in the future?
5. How do you think future generations will access information stored on old technology?
6. Do you like the idea of storing data on film instead of digital formats? Why?
7. What is a historical event or item that you believe should be preserved for future generations?
8. How would you feel if your personal memories were stored in a vault like the AWA?
9. Do you think we are doing enough to protect our cultural heritage today? Why or why not?
10. What is a piece of art or literature that you think is essential for people to remember?
11. How would you feel if you were responsible for preserving important data for the future?
12. Do you think climate change could affect how we preserve information? Why?
13. What is a way you think technology could improve the preservation of cultural heritage?
14. How would you feel if your language was endangered and needed to be recorded for future generations?
15. Do you think there is a risk of a “digital Dark Age”? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. archipelago
2. vault
3. deposits
4. manuscripts
5. cyberattacks
6. thaw
7. reels
8. photosensitive
9. retrieve
10. magnified
11. endangered
12. manuscripts
13. heritage
14. preserving
15. formats

Meanings:
(A) Reacting to light, often used to describe certain types of film
(B) To get something back or recover it
(C) Handwritten or typed documents, often old and valuable
(D) Items or materials placed in a safe location for storage
(E) Different ways or versions of presenting information or data
(F) Handwritten or typed documents, often old and valuable
(G) Traditions, achievements, and beliefs passed down from previous generations
(H) To melt or become unfrozen
(I) A secure room or space for storing valuable things
(J) Made larger or more visible
(K) At risk of disappearing or becoming extinct
(L) Keeping something in its original state or in good condition
(M) Cylindrical objects around which film or tape is wound
(N) Attempts to damage or disrupt computer systems
(O) A group of islands
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where is the Arctic World Archive located?
(a) Oslo, Norway
(b) Reykjavik, Iceland
(c) Longyearbyen, Norway
(d) Stockholm, Sweden

2. What is the main purpose of the Arctic World Archive?
(a) To serve as a tourist attraction
(b) To mine coal
(c) To store food supplies
(d) To keep important data safe

3. How long has the Arctic World Archive been operating?
(a) Five years
(b) Ten years
(c) Eight years
(d) Three years

4. What type of film is used to store data at the AWA?
(a) Black and white film
(b) Photosensitive film
(c) Color film
(d) Digital film

5. What is one of the unique items stored in the Arctic World Archive?
(a) A collection of modern art
(b) Historical newspapers
(c) Personal diaries
(d) 3D scans of the Taj Mahal

6. Who is the founder of the Arctic World Archive?
(a) Rune Bjerkestrand
(b) Kyle Daigle
(c) Edvard Munch
(d) Albert Einstein

7. What does the AWA aim to protect its data from?
(a) Natural disasters only
(b) Terrorism, war, and cyberattacks
(c) Theft and vandalism
(d) Outdated technology

8. How often does the Arctic World Archive accept new deposits?
(a) Three times a year
(b) Once a month
(c) Twice a year
(d) Every week

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The vault maintains perfect conditions for data preservation by staying dark, dry, and cold all year round.
2. People can store their information on paper at the AWA, which helps it decay faster over time.
3. The Arctic World Archive is located in Svalbard, Norway, which is the northernmost town in the world.
4. The AWA uses special photosensitive film to store data, which prevents it from being deleted or changed.
5. The AWA is built inside an old coal mine to keep important data safe.
6. The AWA accepts new deposits once a year, including recordings of extinct languages and compositions by Frédéric Chopin.
7. The AWA has been operating for eight years and has received over 100 deposits from more than 30 countries.
8. None of the unique items stored in the AWA include 3D scans of the Taj Mahal and ancient manuscripts from the Vatican Library.
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. What is the main purpose of the Arctic World Archive (AWA)?
2. Why is the location of the AWA in Longyearbyen, Norway, considered special?
3. What kind of items can be stored in the AWA, and why are they important?
4. How does the AWA ensure that the data stored inside remains safe for a long time?
5. What concerns do experts have about future generations accessing the preserved data in the AWA?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is the purpose of the Arctic World Archive (AWA) and where is it located?
The purpose of the AWA is to act as a secure underground vault for keeping important data safe, preserving memories and cultural heritage. It is located in Longyearbyen, Norway, which is the northernmost town in the world.

2. How does the AWA protect important data from changing technology and time?
The AWA protects important data by storing it on film, which helps it last longer against changing technology and the passage of time.

3. Can you name some of the interesting items that are stored in the AWA?
Some interesting items stored in the AWA include 3D scans of the Taj Mahal, ancient manuscripts from the Vatican Library, and Edvard Munch’s famous painting, “The Scream.”

4. Why does the founder, Rune Bjerkestrand, believe it is important to preserve memories and cultural heritage?
Rune Bjerkestrand believes it is important to preserve memories and cultural heritage to protect them for future generations, ensuring that valuable information and history are not lost.

5. What conditions inside the vault help keep the data safe?
The vault maintains perfect conditions for data safety by staying dark, dry, and cold all year round.

6. What is GitHub’s Code Vault, and why is it significant for software development?
GitHub’s Code Vault holds many reels of open-source code that are vital for software development. It is significant because securing software is important for our daily lives and future technological advancements.

7. How does the special photosensitive film used at the AWA ensure that information cannot be deleted or changed?
The special photosensitive film creates images similar to tiny QR codes, which makes it impossible to delete or change the information, ensuring it can be easily retrieved later.

8. What concerns do experts have about the future of data storage, and what steps are being taken to address these concerns?
Experts are worried about a potential “digital Dark Age,” where new technology might make current data formats unusable. To address this, Piql has printed a guide on the film itself, which can be magnified and read to help future generations access the preserved data.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) place
(2) world
(3) underground
(4) store
(5) organizations
(6) company
(7) cyberattacks
(8) vault
(9) ground
(10) protect
(11) archive
(12) reels
(13) retrieve
(14) printed
(15) guide
(16) technology
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. archipelago
Answer: (O) A group of islands

2. vault
Answer: (I) A secure room or space for storing valuable things

3. deposits
Answer: (D) Items or materials placed in a safe location for storage

4. manuscripts
Answer: (C) Handwritten or typed documents, often old and valuable

5. cyberattacks
Answer: (N) Attempts to damage or disrupt computer systems

6. thaw
Answer: (H) To melt or become unfrozen

7. reels
Answer: (M) Cylindrical objects around which film or tape is wound

8. photosensitive
Answer: (A) Reacting to light, often used to describe certain types of film

9. retrieve
Answer: (B) To get something back or recover it

10. magnified
Answer: (J) Made larger or more visible

11. endangered
Answer: (K) At risk of disappearing or becoming extinct

12. manuscripts
Answer: (C) Handwritten or typed documents, often old and valuable

13. heritage
Answer: (G) Traditions, achievements, and beliefs passed down from previous generations

14. preserving
Answer: (L) Keeping something in its original state or in good condition

15. formats
Answer: (E) Different ways or versions of presenting information or data
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where is the Arctic World Archive located?
Answer: (c) Longyearbyen, Norway

2. What is the main purpose of the Arctic World Archive?
Answer: (d) To keep important data safe

3. How long has the Arctic World Archive been operating?
Answer: (c) Eight years

4. What type of film is used to store data at the AWA?
Answer: (b) Photosensitive film

5. What is one of the unique items stored in the Arctic World Archive?
Answer: (d) 3D scans of the Taj Mahal

6. Who is the founder of the Arctic World Archive?
Answer: (a) Rune Bjerkestrand

7. What does the AWA aim to protect its data from?
Answer: (b) Terrorism, war, and cyberattacks

8. How often does the Arctic World Archive accept new deposits?
Answer: (a) Three times a year
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The vault maintains perfect conditions for data preservation by staying dark, dry, and cold all year round. (Answer: True)
2. People can store their information on paper at the AWA, which helps it decay faster over time. (Answer: False)
3. The Arctic World Archive is located in Svalbard, Norway, which is the northernmost town in the world. (Answer: False)
4. The AWA uses special photosensitive film to store data, which prevents it from being deleted or changed. (Answer: True)
5. The AWA is built inside an old coal mine to keep important data safe. (Answer: True)
6. The AWA accepts new deposits once a year, including recordings of extinct languages and compositions by Frédéric Chopin. (Answer: False)
7. The AWA has been operating for eight years and has received over 100 deposits from more than 30 countries. (Answer: True)
8. None of the unique items stored in the AWA include 3D scans of the Taj Mahal and ancient manuscripts from the Vatican Library. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧