Storm Ciarán caused a lot of rain in Tuscany, Italy, and it flooded the area really badly. This was the most rain they’ve had in 50 years, and there’s more rain expected soon. Sadly, at least six people have died because of the flooding, and some others are still missing. The Italian government has given €5 million to help the affected area, and the army is helping to rescue people who are stuck.

There are videos showing cars getting swept away by the floodwaters in Prato, central Italy. It got so bad that the army had to come and save people who were in danger. The storm has caused a lot of damage and problems in the region, and even shops in Pisa got flooded. The storm has also caused problems in the UK.

The storm was so bad that the Italian government quickly gave money to help. This money will help the affected areas recover and rebuild. The videos of cars being washed away show how powerful and dangerous nature can be, and it reminds us how important it is to be ready for extreme weather.

This news article shows how important it is for the government to help during times of crisis and to be prepared for emergencies.

Original news source: Moment cars swept away by floodwaters as Storm Ciarán hits Italy (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They should focus on the cause of the flooding, the consequences, and the government’s response. Afterward, each group can share their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss their opinions on the government’s response to the flooding in Tuscany. They should consider whether they think the government did enough, if the amount of money given was sufficient, and what other actions they believe should be taken. Afterward, each group can share their opinions with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will select 5-10 vocabulary words from the article and draw pictures to represent them. They should then take turns showing their drawings to their group members, who must guess the correct word. This activity will help reinforce the students’ understanding of the vocabulary used in the article.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Students will individually read the article and then think about the following question: “What can we learn from this news article about the importance of government response during times of crisis?” Afterward, they will pair up with a classmate and discuss their thoughts. Finally, a few pairs will share their ideas with the entire class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future consequences of the flooding in Tuscany. They should consider the impact on the affected areas, the economy, and the environment. Afterward, each group can share their predictions with the class and discuss the likelihood of each scenario.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What caused the flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
2. How much rain did Tuscany receive, and how does it compare to previous years?
3. How many people have died as a result of the flooding?
4. What is the Italian government doing to help the affected area?
5. What kind of videos have emerged showing the impact of the storm?
6. What problems did the storm cause in the UK?
7. Why did the Italian government quickly provide money for the affected areas?
8. What does this news article teach us about the importance of government assistance during times of crisis?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Storm Ciarán (1)______ a lot of rain in (2)______, (3)______, and it flooded the area really badly. This was the most rain they’ve had in 50 years, and there’s more rain expected soon. Sadly, at least six people have died because of the flooding, and some others are still (4)______. The Italian government has given €5 million to help the affected area, and the army is (5)______ to rescue (6)______ who are stuck.

There are videos (7)______ cars getting swept away by the floodwaters in Prato, central Italy. It got so bad that the army had to come and save people who were in (8)______. The storm has caused a lot of damage and problems in the (9)______, and even (10)______ in Pisa got (11)______. The storm has also caused problems in the UK.

The storm was so bad that the Italian government quickly gave money to help. This money will help the affected (12)______ recover and rebuild. The videos of cars being washed away show how (13)______ and (14)______ nature can be, and it reminds us how important it is to be ready for extreme weather.

This news article shows how important it is for the government to help during times of (15)______ and to be prepared for (16)______.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the weather like in Tuscany right now?
2. How do you think the people in the affected area feel after the flooding?
3. Have you ever experienced a natural disaster? If so, how did it make you feel?
4. Do you think the government should always provide financial assistance during times of crisis? Why or why not?
5. What do you think the army’s role should be during a natural disaster?
6. How would you feel if your house or belongings were destroyed by a flood?
7. Have you ever seen a car being swept away by floodwaters? How did it make you feel?
8. Do you think people should be more prepared for extreme weather? Why or why not?
9. What are some ways individuals can prepare for extreme weather events?
10. How do you think the affected areas will recover and rebuild after the flooding?
11. Do you think the government’s response to the flooding was sufficient? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the people in the affected areas will feel when they receive financial assistance?
13. Have you ever witnessed the power of nature? How did it make you feel?
14. Do you think the government should prioritize funding for emergency preparedness? Why or why not?
15. How can communities come together to support each other during times of crisis?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. storm
2. rain
3. flooding
4. government
5. videos
6. damage
7. extreme
8. emergencies

Meanings:
(a) When an area becomes covered in water
(b) A very bad weather event with strong winds
(c) Very serious or dangerous
(d) Unexpected and dangerous situations that need immediate action
(e) Harm or destruction caused by something
(f) The group of people who make decisions for a country
(g) Water falling from the sky
(h) Short movies that show what happened
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What caused the flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
(a) Earthquake
(b) Tsunami
(c) Volcano eruption
(d) Storm Ciarán

2. How long has it been since Tuscany had this much rain?
(a) 10 years
(b) 100 years
(c) 50 years
(d) 5 years

3. How many people have died due to the flooding?
(a) None
(b) At least six
(c) Twenty
(d) One

4. What is the Italian government doing to help the affected area?
(a) Giving €5 million
(b) Sending food supplies
(c) Building new houses
(d) Nothing

5. Who is helping to rescue people who are stuck?
(a) The police
(b) The army
(c) The fire department
(d) Volunteers

6. Where did the flooding cause damage and problems?
(a) Rome and Milan
(b) Venice and Florence
(c) Naples and Turin
(d) Pisa and Prato

7. Why is it important for the government to help during times of crisis?
(a) To gain popularity
(b) To save money
(c) To support the affected areas
(d) To cause panic

8. What can we learn from this news article?
(a) The importance of being prepared for disasters
(b) How to swim in floodwaters
(c) How to build a dam
(d) How to predict storms

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The Italian government has provided €2 million in aid to assist the affected area.
2. This was the best rainfall in the region in the past 50 years.
3. The army is currently involved in rescue operations to help those who are trapped.
4. Unfortunately, at least six people have lost their lives due to the flooding, and some are still missing.
5. Videos have emerged showing cars being swept away by the floodwaters in Prato, central Italy.
6. Storm Ciarán caused light rainfall and mild flooding in Tuscany, Italy.
7. The storm has also impacted the United Kingdom, causing problems there as well.
8. The storm has caused minimal damage and disruptions in the region, including flooded shops in Pisa.
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 flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
2. How many people have died because of the flooding?
3. What is the Italian government doing to help the affected area?
4. What problems did the storm cause in the UK?
5. Why is it important for the government to be prepared for emergencies?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What caused the flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
The flooding in Tuscany, Italy was caused by Storm Ciarán, which brought a lot of rain to the area.

2. How much rain did Tuscany receive, and how does it compare to previous years?
Tuscany received the most rain it has had in 50 years. This means that it rained more than it has in the past 50 years.

3. How many people have died as a result of the flooding?
At least six people have died as a result of the flooding.

4. What is the Italian government doing to help the affected area?
The Italian government has given €5 million to help the affected area. The army is also helping to rescue people who are stuck.

5. What kind of videos have emerged showing the impact of the storm?
Videos have emerged showing cars getting swept away by the floodwaters in Prato, central Italy.

6. What problems did the storm cause in the UK?
The article does not mention any problems caused by the storm in the UK.

7. Why did the Italian government quickly provide money for the affected areas?
The Italian government quickly provided money to help the affected areas because they recognized the urgent need for assistance and wanted to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

8. What does this news article teach us about the importance of government assistance during times of crisis?
This news article teaches us that government assistance during times of crisis is crucial. It shows how the Italian government quickly stepped in to provide financial aid and mobilize the army to rescue people. It highlights the importance of being prepared for emergencies and the role that governments play in helping communities recover from natural disasters.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) caused
(2) Tuscany
(3) Italy
(4) missing
(5) helping
(6) people
(7) showing
(8) danger
(9) region
(10) shops
(11) flooded
(12) areas
(13) powerful
(14) dangerous
(15) crisis
(16) emergencies
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. storm
Answer: (b) A very bad weather event with strong winds

2. rain
Answer: (g) Water falling from the sky

3. flooding
Answer: (a) When an area becomes covered in water

4. government
Answer: (f) The group of people who make decisions for a country

5. videos
Answer: (h) Short movies that show what happened

6. damage
Answer: (e) Harm or destruction caused by something

7. extreme
Answer: (c) Very serious or dangerous

8. emergencies
Answer: (d) Unexpected and dangerous situations that need immediate action
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What caused the flooding in Tuscany, Italy?
Answer: (d) Storm Ciarán

2. How long has it been since Tuscany had this much rain?
Answer: (c) 50 years

3. How many people have died due to the flooding?
Answer: (b) At least six

4. What is the Italian government doing to help the affected area?
Answer: (a) Giving €5 million

5. Who is helping to rescue people who are stuck?
Answer: (b) The army

6. Where did the flooding cause damage and problems?
Answer: (d) Pisa and Prato

7. Why is it important for the government to help during times of crisis?
Answer: (c) To support the affected areas

8. What can we learn from this news article?
Answer: (a) The importance of being prepared for disasters
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The Italian government has provided €2 million in aid to assist the affected area. (Answer: False)
2. This was the best rainfall in the region in the past 50 years. (Answer: False)
3. The army is currently involved in rescue operations to help those who are trapped. (Answer: True)
4. Unfortunately, at least six people have lost their lives due to the flooding, and some are still missing. (Answer: True)
5. Videos have emerged showing cars being swept away by the floodwaters in Prato, central Italy. (Answer: True)
6. Storm Ciarán caused light rainfall and mild flooding in Tuscany, Italy. (Answer: False)
7. The storm has also impacted the United Kingdom, causing problems there as well. (Answer: True)
8. The storm has caused minimal damage and disruptions in the region, including flooded shops in Pisa. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧