Kashmir is having a weird winter with no snow, and people are worried. This is bad news for the tourism industry because fewer tourists are coming, and hotels and businesses are suffering. Tourism is an important part of the economy, so this snowless winter will have a big impact. It’s not just tourism that’s affected – farming and water supply will also be affected because the snow usually helps with that. Experts say that climate change is to blame for this strange weather.

People who were looking forward to skiing and other winter activities in Kashmir are disappointed because there’s no snow. Lots of hotel bookings have been cancelled, and new ones are not being made. Local businesses that rely on tourists during the winter months are also struggling to make money. This is especially hard for people like pony riders who need snow for their business.

The lack of snow doesn’t just affect tourism, it also affects other things like hydroelectricity, fishing, and farming. The nearby area of Ladakh is also not getting any snow, which will cause problems for farming and water supply there too. Experts are worried that this lack of snow could lead to drought and water scarcity in the future. Some experts think that there has been less snow in the region in recent years, and they think that climate change is the reason.

Even though things are not looking good right now, people in Kashmir are still hoping for a miracle and praying for lots of snow. The weather department says that there won’t be any significant snow until later in January, but people are still hopeful. However, experts warn that if climate change continues, the region could face even hotter temperatures by the end of the century, which would be really bad.

Original news source: Kashmir’s rare snowless winter sets off alarm bells (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a list of winter activities mentioned in the article (skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc.). One person from each group will act out a winter activity without using any words, and the rest of the group has to guess what activity it is. The group with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: Have the students read the article individually. Then, divide them into pairs and ask each pair to summarize the main points of the article in their own words. Afterward, have some pairs share their summaries with the class and compare them to ensure accuracy and comprehension.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g., “Climate change is the main cause of the snowless winter in Kashmir”). Have the students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates for their opinions on each statement. They should record the responses and be ready to share the overall class opinion on each statement.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Choose 10 key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., tourism, hydroelectricity, scarcity, etc.). Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a vocabulary word and ask them to draw a picture representing the word. The other pairs should try to guess the word based on the drawing. The pair with the most correct guesses wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a role (e.g., farmers, hotel owners, tourists, etc.) related to the article. Ask each group to brainstorm the pros and cons of the snowless winter for their assigned role. Afterward, have each group present their findings to the class and facilitate a discussion about the overall impact of the snowless winter on different stakeholders.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why are people worried about the lack of snow in Kashmir?
2. How is the tourism industry being affected by the snowless winter?
3. What other industries besides tourism are being impacted by the lack of snow?
4. Why are pony riders struggling during this snowless winter?
5. What problems could arise in the future due to the lack of snow in Ladakh?
6. What do experts believe is the cause of the strange weather in Kashmir?
7. What are people in Kashmir hoping for despite the current situation?
8. What could happen to the region if climate change continues?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Kashmir is having a weird winter with no snow, and people are worried. This is bad news for the tourism industry because (1)______ tourists are coming, and hotels and businesses are suffering. (2)______ is an important part of the economy, so this snowless winter will have a big impact. It’s not just tourism that’s affected – (3)______ and water supply will also be affected because the snow usually helps with that. (4)______ say that climate change is to blame for this strange weather.

People who were looking forward to (5)______ and other winter activities in (6)______ are disappointed because there’s no snow. Lots of hotel bookings have been cancelled, and new ones are not being made. Local (7)______ that rely on tourists during the winter months are also struggling to make money. This is especially hard for people like pony riders who need snow for their (8)______.

The lack of snow doesn’t just (9)______ tourism, it also affects other things like hydroelectricity, fishing, and farming. The nearby area of Ladakh is also not getting any snow, which will cause problems for farming and water supply there too. Experts are worried that this lack of snow could lead to drought and water scarcity in the future. Some (10)______ think that there has been less snow in the (11)______ in (12)______ years, and they think that climate change is the reason.

Even though things are not looking good right now, people in Kashmir are still hoping for a miracle and praying for lots of snow. The (13)______ department says that there won’t be any significant snow until later in January, but people are still (14)______. However, experts warn that if climate change (15)______, the region could face even hotter temperatures by the end of the (16)______, which would be really bad.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the impact of the lack of snow on the tourism industry in Kashmir?
2. How do you think local businesses are affected by the snowless winter?
3. Do you think the lack of snow will have a long-term effect on the economy of Kashmir? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you had planned a skiing trip to Kashmir and there was no snow?
5. What are some other industries besides tourism that are affected by the lack of snow?
6. Do you think climate change is the main cause of the strange weather in Kashmir? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the lack of snow could lead to water scarcity in the future?
8. What are some possible consequences of hotter temperatures in the region by the end of the century?
9. What do you think the weather department means by “significant snow”? Why do you think people are still hopeful for snow?
10. How would you feel if you were a pony rider who relied on snow for your business?
11. Do you think the lack of snow in Kashmir is a unique situation, or is it happening in other parts of the world as well? Why or why not?
12. What are some possible solutions to the problems caused by the lack of snow in Kashmir?
13. Do you think the government should take action to address the issue of climate change? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the lack of snow could affect the environment in Kashmir?
15. What can individuals do to help combat climate change and its effects on the weather?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. weird
2. suffering
3. economy
4. impact
5. farming
6. climate
7. disappointed
8. cancelled
9. rely
10. struggling
11. hydroelectricity
12. scarcity
13. drought
14. miracle
15. significant

Meanings:
(A) To depend on someone or something for support or help
(B) Called off or stopped
(C) Experiencing pain or distress
(D) An extraordinary event that is hoped for, even though it is very unlikely to happen
(E) The job of growing crops and raising animals for food
(F) A long period without rain, leading to a lack of water
(G) Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
(H) The production of electricity by using the energy of flowing water
(I) A situation where there is not enough of something
(J) Having a hard time succeeding or making progress
(K) The system that includes all of the activities related to making and selling goods and services
(L) A strong effect or influence
(M) The typical weather conditions in a certain area over a long period
(N) Feeling sad because something you hoped for didn’t happen
(O) Strange or unusual
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the main reason for the lack of snow in Kashmir this winter?
(a) Global warming
(b) Climate change
(c) Natural weather patterns
(d) Decreased precipitation

2. How is the tourism industry in Kashmir being affected by the lack of snow?
(a) Hotel bookings are being cancelled
(b) Local businesses are struggling
(c) Fewer tourists are coming
(d) All of the above

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as being affected by the lack of snow in Kashmir?
(a) Fishing
(b) Farming
(c) Skiing
(d) Hydroelectricity

4. What are some of the potential long-term consequences of the lack of snow in Kashmir?
(a) Water scarcity
(b) Hotter temperatures
(c) All of the above
(d) Drought

5. What are people in Kashmir hoping for despite the current lack of snow?
(a) Rain instead of snow
(b) Warmer temperatures
(c) A miracle
(d) Earlier snowfall

6. When does the weather department predict significant snowfall in Kashmir?
(a) Early February
(b) Later in January
(c) Springtime
(d) It is uncertain

7. What is the main concern if climate change continues in the region?
(a) Hotter temperatures by the end of the century
(b) Increased snowfall in the future
(c) Stronger tourism industry
(d) Improved water supply

8. Who are some of the people most affected by the lack of snow in Kashmir?
(a) Tourists
(b) Hotel owners
(c) Local businesses
(d) Pony riders

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The lack of snow is negatively impacting the tourism industry, resulting in fewer tourists and financial struggles for hotels and businesses.
2. Hotel bookings have been cancelled, and local businesses that rely on winter tourism are struggling financially.
3. People who were looking forward to winter activities like skiing in Kashmir are disappointed due to the lack of snow.
4. The presence of snow not only affects tourism but also has implications for hydroelectricity, fishing, and farming in the region.
5. Climate change is not believed to be the cause of this abnormal weather pattern.
6. Kashmir is experiencing a typical winter with no snow, causing concern among the local population.
7. The absence of snow also affects farming and water supply, as the snow typically helps in these areas.
8. Experts are not concerned that the lack of snow could lead to drought and water scarcity in the future, potentially worsening the situation.
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. Why is the lack of snow in Kashmir bad for the tourism industry?
2. How are local businesses, like pony riders, being affected by the lack of snow?
3. Besides tourism, what other industries are being impacted by the lack of snow in Kashmir?
4. What are some potential long-term consequences of the region not receiving enough snow?
5. What do experts warn could happen to the region if climate change continues?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why are people worried about the lack of snow in Kashmir?
People are worried because the lack of snow is affecting the tourism industry and other important sectors like farming and water supply. It could also lead to drought and water scarcity in the future.

2. How is the tourism industry being affected by the snowless winter?
The tourism industry is being impacted because fewer tourists are coming to Kashmir due to the lack of snow. This means that hotels and businesses are suffering and struggling to make money.

3. What other industries besides tourism are being impacted by the lack of snow?
Besides tourism, industries like hydroelectricity, fishing, and farming are being impacted by the lack of snow. The nearby area of Ladakh is also facing problems with farming and water supply.

4. Why are pony riders struggling during this snowless winter?
Pony riders are struggling because they rely on snow for their business. Without snow, they cannot offer rides to tourists, which means they are losing out on income.

5. What problems could arise in the future due to the lack of snow in Ladakh?
The lack of snow in Ladakh could lead to drought and water scarcity in the future. This could have a negative impact on farming and water supply in the region.

6. What do experts believe is the cause of the strange weather in Kashmir?
Experts believe that climate change is the cause of the strange weather in Kashmir. They think that there has been less snow in the region in recent years, and this is likely due to climate change.

7. What are people in Kashmir hoping for despite the current situation?
Despite the current situation, people in Kashmir are still hoping for a miracle and praying for lots of snow. They are hopeful that the weather will change and bring the much-needed snowfall.

8. What could happen to the region if climate change continues?
If climate change continues, the region could face even hotter temperatures by the end of the century. This could have severe consequences for the environment, agriculture, and people’s lives in Kashmir.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) fewer
(2) Tourism
(3) farming
(4) Experts
(5) skiing
(6) Kashmir
(7) businesses
(8) business
(9) affect
(10) experts
(11) region
(12) recent
(13) weather
(14) hopeful
(15) continues
(16) century
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. weird
Answer: (O) Strange or unusual

2. suffering
Answer: (C) Experiencing pain or distress

3. economy
Answer: (K) The system that includes all of the activities related to making and selling goods and services

4. impact
Answer: (L) A strong effect or influence

5. farming
Answer: (E) The job of growing crops and raising animals for food

6. climate
Answer: (M) The typical weather conditions in a certain area over a long period

7. disappointed
Answer: (N) Feeling sad because something you hoped for didn’t happen

8. cancelled
Answer: (B) Called off or stopped

9. rely
Answer: (A) To depend on someone or something for support or help

10. struggling
Answer: (J) Having a hard time succeeding or making progress

11. hydroelectricity
Answer: (H) The production of electricity by using the energy of flowing water

12. scarcity
Answer: (I) A situation where there is not enough of something

13. drought
Answer: (F) A long period without rain, leading to a lack of water

14. miracle
Answer: (D) An extraordinary event that is hoped for, even though it is very unlikely to happen

15. significant
Answer: (G) Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the main reason for the lack of snow in Kashmir this winter?
Answer: (b) Climate change

2. How is the tourism industry in Kashmir being affected by the lack of snow?
Answer: (c) Fewer tourists are coming

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as being affected by the lack of snow in Kashmir?
Answer: (d) Hydroelectricity

4. What are some of the potential long-term consequences of the lack of snow in Kashmir?
Answer: (d) Drought

5. What are people in Kashmir hoping for despite the current lack of snow?
Answer: (c) A miracle

6. When does the weather department predict significant snowfall in Kashmir?
Answer: (b) Later in January

7. What is the main concern if climate change continues in the region?
Answer: (a) Hotter temperatures by the end of the century

8. Who are some of the people most affected by the lack of snow in Kashmir?
Answer: (a) Tourists
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The lack of snow is negatively impacting the tourism industry, resulting in fewer tourists and financial struggles for hotels and businesses. (Answer: True)
2. Hotel bookings have been cancelled, and local businesses that rely on winter tourism are struggling financially. (Answer: True)
3. People who were looking forward to winter activities like skiing in Kashmir are disappointed due to the lack of snow. (Answer: True)
4. The presence of snow not only affects tourism but also has implications for hydroelectricity, fishing, and farming in the region. (Answer: False)
5. Climate change is not believed to be the cause of this abnormal weather pattern. (Answer: False)
6. Kashmir is experiencing a typical winter with no snow, causing concern among the local population. (Answer: False)
7. The absence of snow also affects farming and water supply, as the snow typically helps in these areas. (Answer: True)
8. Experts are not concerned that the lack of snow could lead to drought and water scarcity in the future, potentially worsening the situation. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧