A British climber named Fay Manners and her climbing buddy, Michelle Dvorak, were saved after being stuck on Chaukhamba mountain in northern India for three days. They faced tough times when the rope holding their supplies broke, leaving them without necessary gear. Even though they sent out a distress signal, it was hard for search teams to find them at first.

Ms. Manners, who is an experienced climber living in Chamonix, France, felt really down when they lost their safety stuff and food. They had to deal with freezing cold, no food, and difficult terrain while waiting for help. They had only one sleeping bag, fought off hypothermia, and managed with very little water until a helicopter finally spotted them.

When the helicopter couldn’t rescue them due to bad weather, Ms. Manners and her friend decided to come down the mountain on their own. They met some French climbers who gave them important help like gear, food, and guidance. These climbers helped them cross dangerous areas, which eventually led to their rescue.

Ms. Manners, who is well-known for her climbing accomplishments, stressed the importance of having the right gear and being prepared for mountain trips. Despite what happened, she is still determined to encourage women to try climbing and mountaineering. This incident, though rare, showed how tough and skilled you need to be in challenging places like mountains.

Original news source: Climbers rescued after three days on mountain (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Write down key words related to the article (e.g., climbing, mountain, rescue, gear, cold) on separate pieces of paper. Have students pick a paper and act out the word without speaking while the others guess what it is.

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide students into pairs. Each pair will take turns summarizing the article to their partner in their own words. Encourage them to focus on the main points and key events. After both have summarized, they can discuss any differences and clarify details.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g., “Women climbers face unique challenges,” “Having proper gear is essential for mountain climbing,” “Rescue teams should prioritize experienced climbers”). Have students move around the room and indicate their level of agreement with each statement. Afterward, they can discuss their opinions in small groups.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper. Each student will randomly select a word and draw it on the board without using any letters or numbers. Their classmates must guess the word based on the drawing alone.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, have students discuss and predict what they think might happen next for Ms. Manners and her climbing friend after this incident. Encourage them to consider potential changes in their approach to climbing, any new safety measures they might take, or how they could inspire others with their story. Then, each group can share their predictions with the class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who were the two climbers stuck on Chaukhamba mountain in northern India?
2. What happened to the rope holding Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak’s supplies?
3. How did the climbers feel when they lost their safety gear and food?
4. What challenges did Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak face while waiting for help?
5. Why was it difficult for search teams to find Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak at first?
6. What did the French climbers provide to Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak?
7. Why couldn’t the helicopter initially rescue Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak?
8. What message does Fay Manners want to share with women about climbing and mountaineering despite the incident on Chaukhamba mountain?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A British climber named Fay Manners and her (1)______ buddy, Michelle Dvorak, were saved after being stuck on (2)______ mountain in northern India for three days. They (3)______ tough times when the rope (4)______ their supplies broke, leaving them without necessary gear. Even though they sent out a distress signal, it was hard for search teams to find them at first.

Ms. Manners, who is an experienced (5)______ living in Chamonix, France, felt really down when they lost their safety stuff and food. They had to deal with freezing cold, no food, and difficult terrain while (6)______ for help. They had only one (7)______ bag, fought off hypothermia, and (8)______ with very little water until a helicopter finally spotted them.

When the helicopter couldn’t (9)______ them due to bad weather, Ms. (10)______ and her friend decided to come down the mountain on their own. They met some French climbers who gave them important help like gear, food, and (11)______. These climbers (12)______ them cross dangerous areas, which eventually led to their rescue.

Ms. Manners, who is well-known for her climbing accomplishments, (13)______ the (14)______ of having the right gear and being prepared for (15)______ trips. Despite what happened, she is still determined to (16)______ women to try climbing and mountaineering. This incident, though rare, showed how tough and skilled you need to be in challenging places like mountains.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think it would feel like to be stuck on a mountain without food or proper gear?
2. Do you think you would have the courage to come down a mountain on your own if a rescue helicopter couldn’t reach you?
3. How important do you think it is to have the right gear when going on a mountain trip?
4. Why do you think Ms. Manners is determined to encourage women to try climbing and mountaineering?
5. Do you think you would be able to fight off hypothermia like Ms. Manners did?
6. How do you think the French climbers felt when they were able to help Ms. Manners and her friend?
7. Why do you think it was hard for the search teams to find Ms. Manners and her friend at first?
8. What would you do if you were in a situation like Ms. Manners, with very little water and supplies?
9. How do you think the experience of being stuck on a mountain for three days changed Ms. Manners and her friend?
10. Do you think you would still want to climb mountains after going through an experience like Ms. Manners did?
11. Why do you think Ms. Manners decided to continue climbing despite the tough situation she faced?
12. How do you think the French climbers’ help impacted Ms. Manners and her friend’s chances of survival?
13. What do you think are some important skills to have if you want to climb mountains?
14. How do you think Ms. Manners felt when the helicopter couldn’t rescue them due to bad weather?
15. Why do you think Ms. Manners stressed the importance of being prepared for mountain trips after this incident?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. climber
2. distress
3. terrain
4. hypothermia
5. helicopter
6. rescue
7. gear
8. freezing
9. spotted
10. accomplishments
11. determined
12. encourage
13. mountaineering
14. incident
15. challenging

Meanings:
(A) To give support or confidence to someone
(B) The physical features of a piece of land
(C) The sport or activity of climbing mountains
(D) Difficult and requiring effort to deal with
(E) A dangerous drop in body temperature
(F) A flying vehicle with rotating blades
(G) A person who climbs mountains or rocks
(H) Achievements or successes
(I) Equipment or tools needed for a specific activity
(J) Noticed or seen
(K) An event or occurrence, often unexpected
(L) Extremely cold
(M) Having a strong will to do something
(N) Saving someone from a dangerous situation
(O) Extreme anxiety or worry, often needing urgent help
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who were the climbers stuck on Chaukhamba mountain in India?
(a) John Smith and Emily Johnson
(b) Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak
(c) David Brown and Sarah White
(d) Michael Jackson and Jennifer Lopez

2. What happened to the rope holding Fay and Michelle’s supplies?
(a) It was too short
(b) It got tangled
(c) It was stolen
(d) It broke

3. Where does Fay Manners live?
(a) London, England
(b) New York, USA
(c) Sydney, Australia
(d) Chamonix, France

4. How long were Fay and Michelle stuck on the mountain?
(a) Three days
(b) One week
(c) Two months
(d) One day

5. What did Fay and Michelle have to deal with while waiting for help?
(a) Warm weather and lots of food
(b) Sunny days and easy paths
(c) Freezing cold, no food, and difficult terrain
(d) Rainy weather and no water

6. What did the French climbers give Fay and Michelle to help them?
(a) Money and a map
(b) A phone and a compass
(c) Gear, food, and guidance
(d) A tent and a flashlight

7. What did Fay Manners stress the importance of after the incident?
(a) Climbing without any gear
(b) Having the right gear and being prepared
(c) Going on mountain trips without planning
(d) Ignoring safety rules

8. What is Fay Manners determined to encourage women to try?
(a) Climbing and mountaineering
(b) Swimming and diving
(c) Running and cycling
(d) Skiing and snowboarding

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. They chose to stay on the mountain on their own and received help from French climbers.
2. The rope holding their supplies broke, leaving them without necessary gear.
3. The helicopter managed to rescue them despite the bad weather.
4. Fay Manners and her friend Michelle Dvorak got stuck on a mountain in India for three days.
5. Despite the inspiring experience, Fay Manners is determined to encourage women to try climbing and mountaineering.
6. They had to deal with freezing cold, no food, and difficult terrain while waiting for help.
7. A distress signal was sent out, but it was easy for search teams to find them at first.
8. The French climbers provided them with gear, food, and guidance to cross dangerous areas.
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 Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak while they were climbing Chaukhamba mountain in India?
2. Why was it difficult for search teams to find Fay and Michelle at first?
3. How did Fay and Michelle manage to survive while waiting for help on the mountain?
4. Who eventually helped Fay and Michelle to safety?
5. Why does Fay Manners want to encourage more women to try climbing and mountaineering despite her challenging experience on Chaukhamba mountain?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who were the two climbers stuck on Chaukhamba mountain in northern India?
Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak were the two climbers stuck on Chaukhamba mountain in northern India.

2. What happened to the rope holding Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak’s supplies?
The rope holding Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak’s supplies broke, leaving them without necessary gear.

3. How did the climbers feel when they lost their safety gear and food?
The climbers felt really down when they lost their safety gear and food.

4. What challenges did Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak face while waiting for help?
Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak faced freezing cold, lack of food, difficult terrain, fought off hypothermia, and managed with very little water while waiting for help.

5. Why was it difficult for search teams to find Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak at first?
It was difficult for search teams to find Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak at first because of the challenging terrain and their distress signal being hard to locate.

6. What did the French climbers provide to Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak?
The French climbers provided important help like gear, food, and guidance to Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak.

7. Why couldn’t the helicopter initially rescue Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak?
The helicopter couldn’t initially rescue Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak due to bad weather conditions.

8. What message does Fay Manners want to share with women about climbing and mountaineering despite the incident on Chaukhamba mountain?
Fay Manners wants to encourage women to try climbing and mountaineering while stressing the importance of having the right gear and being prepared for mountain trips.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) climbing
(2) Chaukhamba
(3) faced
(4) holding
(5) climber
(6) waiting
(7) sleeping
(8) managed
(9) rescue
(10) Manners
(11) guidance
(12) helped
(13) stressed
(14) importance
(15) mountain
(16) encourage
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. climber
Answer: (G) A person who climbs mountains or rocks

2. distress
Answer: (O) Extreme anxiety or worry, often needing urgent help

3. terrain
Answer: (B) The physical features of a piece of land

4. hypothermia
Answer: (E) A dangerous drop in body temperature

5. helicopter
Answer: (F) A flying vehicle with rotating blades

6. rescue
Answer: (N) Saving someone from a dangerous situation

7. gear
Answer: (I) Equipment or tools needed for a specific activity

8. freezing
Answer: (L) Extremely cold

9. spotted
Answer: (J) Noticed or seen

10. accomplishments
Answer: (H) Achievements or successes

11. determined
Answer: (M) Having a strong will to do something

12. encourage
Answer: (A) To give support or confidence to someone

13. mountaineering
Answer: (C) The sport or activity of climbing mountains

14. incident
Answer: (K) An event or occurrence, often unexpected

15. challenging
Answer: (D) Difficult and requiring effort to deal with
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who were the climbers stuck on Chaukhamba mountain in India?
Answer: (b) Fay Manners and Michelle Dvorak

2. What happened to the rope holding Fay and Michelle’s supplies?
Answer: (d) It broke

3. Where does Fay Manners live?
Answer: (d) Chamonix, France

4. How long were Fay and Michelle stuck on the mountain?
Answer: (a) Three days

5. What did Fay and Michelle have to deal with while waiting for help?
Answer: (c) Freezing cold, no food, and difficult terrain

6. What did the French climbers give Fay and Michelle to help them?
Answer: (c) Gear, food, and guidance

7. What did Fay Manners stress the importance of after the incident?
Answer: (b) Having the right gear and being prepared

8. What is Fay Manners determined to encourage women to try?
Answer: (a) Climbing and mountaineering
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. They chose to stay on the mountain on their own and received help from French climbers. (Answer: False)
2. The rope holding their supplies broke, leaving them without necessary gear. (Answer: True)
3. The helicopter managed to rescue them despite the bad weather. (Answer: False)
4. Fay Manners and her friend Michelle Dvorak got stuck on a mountain in India for three days. (Answer: True)
5. Despite the inspiring experience, Fay Manners is determined to encourage women to try climbing and mountaineering. (Answer: False)
6. They had to deal with freezing cold, no food, and difficult terrain while waiting for help. (Answer: True)
7. A distress signal was sent out, but it was easy for search teams to find them at first. (Answer: False)
8. The French climbers provided them with gear, food, and guidance to cross dangerous areas. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧