A recent report from the UK Met Office shows that extreme weather is becoming more common in the UK, especially with hotter temperatures and heavy rain. The annual State of the Climate report reveals that 2023 has had a noticeable increase in extremely hot days. This is worrying because it means the UK is not only facing more hot days but also more heavy rainfall, like what happened during Storm Babet in October last year.

The report also points out that the number of “nice” days, which are days with temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius or higher, has gone up by 40% over the last few decades. The UK has also become 9% sunnier during this time. While this might sound good, it can actually harm nature and buildings. For example, between 1961 and 1990, only London and Hampshire had six or more days a year with temperatures over 28 degrees Celsius. Now, almost all of England and Wales have this many hot days, with the South East averaging more than 12 hot days each year.

Rainfall patterns are changing too, but they are less predictable than temperature changes. The Met Office reports a 20% increase in the number of the wettest days, which are defined as the top 5% of rainfall days from 1961 to 1990. This is concerning because more extreme rainfall can lead to flooding and other problems. Mike Kendon, the lead author of the report, stresses that these numbers show a clear fact: the climate is already changing, not just in the future.

The year 2023 has been especially important, as it is the second warmest year ever recorded in the UK, with June being the hottest month on record. Several months, including February, May, June, and September, were among the top ten warmest months in the UK’s history. The Met Office says these temperature extremes are due to human-caused climate change, and there haven’t been many new records for cool weather lately. This situation highlights the urgent need to tackle climate change, as record-breaking warm temperatures are happening more often.

Original news source: UK getting more hot and more wet days – Met Office (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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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 different weather-related phrases or terms from the article (e.g., “heavy rain,” “extreme weather,” “climate change”) without speaking. The other groups will guess what they are acting out.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Create a few statements based on the article (e.g., “Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet.”) and ask students to move to different sides of the room to indicate their level of agreement (strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree). Afterward, facilitate a discussion on their viewpoints.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: On a large piece of paper or a whiteboard, write “Climate Change in the UK” in the center. In groups, students will brainstorm and add related concepts, terms, or ideas from the article. They should connect their ideas visually to create a mind map.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs to create a catchy headline for the article. They should think about the most important aspects of the content and try to summarize it in a few compelling words. Afterward, each pair will present their headline to the class.

– SPEED SUMMARIZING
Instructions: Organize students in pairs and give them two minutes to read a section of the article. After reading, one student summarizes the section to their partner in one minute. Then they switch roles and repeat with a different section of the article.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the recent report from the UK Met Office reveal about extreme weather in the UK?

2. How much has the number of “nice” days increased over the last few decades according to the report?

3. Why might the increase in sunny days and hot temperatures be harmful to nature and buildings?

4. What significant change in rainfall patterns is mentioned in the article, and why is it concerning?

5. Who is Mike Kendon, and what does he emphasize about the climate situation in the report?

6. Why is the year 2023 described as particularly important in terms of temperature records in the UK?

7. What does the Met Office attribute the temperature extremes in the UK to?

8. Based on the article, what is the overall message regarding climate change and its effects in the UK?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A recent (1)______ from the UK Met Office shows that extreme weather is becoming more common in the UK, especially with (2)______ temperatures and heavy rain. The annual (3)______ of the Climate report reveals that 2023 has had a noticeable increase in extremely hot days. This is worrying because it means the UK is not only facing more hot days but also more heavy rainfall, like what happened during Storm Babet in October last year.

The report also (4)______ out that the number of “nice” days, which are days with (5)______ of 20 degrees Celsius or (6)______, has gone up by 40% over the last few (7)______. The UK has also (8)______ 9% sunnier during this time. While this might sound good, it can actually harm nature and buildings. For example, between 1961 and 1990, only London and Hampshire had six or more days a year with temperatures over 28 degrees Celsius. Now, almost all of England and Wales have this many hot days, with the South East averaging more than 12 hot days each year.

Rainfall patterns are changing too, but they are less predictable than (9)______ changes. The Met Office reports a 20% increase in the number of the (10)______ days, which are defined as the top 5% of rainfall days from 1961 to 1990. This is concerning because more extreme rainfall can lead to flooding and other problems. Mike Kendon, the lead author of the report, stresses that these numbers show a clear fact: the (11)______ is already changing, not just in the future.

The year 2023 has been especially (12)______, as it is the second warmest year ever (13)______ed in the UK, with June being the hottest month on record. (14)______ months, including February, May, June, and September, were among the top ten warmest months in the UK’s history. The Met (15)______ says these temperature extremes are due to human-caused climate change, and there haven’t been many new records for cool weather lately. This (16)______ highlights the urgent need to tackle climate change, as record-breaking warm temperatures are happening more often.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on climate change? Do you think it is a serious issue? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if your hometown experienced extreme weather like heavy rain or extreme heat?
3. Do you like hot weather or do you prefer cooler temperatures? Why?
4. What do you think are the biggest effects of climate change on our daily lives?
5. How do you think people can help reduce the impact of climate change?
6. Have you ever experienced a natural disaster, like floods or storms? How did it affect you?
7. Do you think governments are doing enough to tackle climate change? Why or why not?
8. What is a “nice” day for you? How important is good weather to your mood?
9. How would you feel if you had to change your lifestyle because of climate change?
10. Do you think young people today are more aware of climate issues than previous generations? Why?
11. What is your favorite season, and how do you think climate change is affecting it?
12. How would you react if you found out that your favorite outdoor activities were threatened by extreme weather?
13. Do you think it’s possible to reverse some of the effects of climate change? Why or why not?
14. How important is it for schools to teach students about climate change?
15. What do you think the weather will be like in your area in 10 years? Why do you think that?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. extreme
2. noticeable
3. annual
4. decade
5. harm
6. averaging
7. predictable
8. concerning
9. flooding
10. stresses
11. recorded
12. highlights
13. tackle
14. urgent
15. temperatures

Meanings:
(A) Easy to see or recognize
(B) Emphasizes or points out strongly
(C) Written down or documented
(D) To deal with or solve a problem
(E) Able to be foreseen or expected
(F) Draws attention to something important
(G) Calculating the usual amount
(H) Causing worry or anxiety
(I) The measure of how hot or cold something is
(J) Happening once every year
(K) A period of ten years
(L) Overflowing of water onto land
(M) Requiring immediate attention or action
(N) To cause damage or injury
(O) Very severe or intense
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What recent report discusses extreme weather in the UK?
(a) The UK Met Office report
(b) The World Weather Organization report
(c) The National Climate report
(d) The UK Weather Service report

2. How much has the number of “nice” days increased over the last few decades?
(a) 25%
(b) 40%
(c) 15%
(d) 30%

3. What was significant about the year 2023 in relation to temperature records in the UK?
(a) It was the coldest year on record
(b) It had the most rainfall ever recorded
(c) It was the second warmest year ever recorded
(d) It had the least number of hot days

4. What percentage increase in the number of the wettest days has been reported?
(a) 15%
(b) 10%
(c) 25%
(d) 20%

5. What does the Met Office attribute the temperature extremes to?
(a) Natural climate cycles
(b) Seasonal weather patterns
(c) Human-caused climate change
(d) Urban development

6. Which month in 2023 was noted as the hottest month on record in the UK?
(a) July
(b) August
(c) May
(d) June

7. How has the number of hot days changed in England and Wales compared to the past?
(a) There are fewer hot days than before
(b) Almost all areas now have more than six hot days a year
(c) Only London has more hot days now
(d) Hot days have remained the same

8. What does Mike Kendon emphasize about the climate situation?
(a) The climate is already changing
(b) The climate will change in the future
(c) The climate is stable
(d) The climate is improving

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The UK has become 9% cloudier over the last few decades, which can negatively impact nature and buildings.
2. The number of days classified as “nice,” or having temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius or higher, has decreased by 40% over recent decades.
3. The annual State of the Climate report indicates that 2023 has seen a significant decrease in extremely hot days.
4. The Met Office attributes the rise in temperature extremes to human-caused climate change, highlighting the urgent need for action against climate change.
5. In the past, only London and Hampshire experienced six or more days a year with temperatures over 28 degrees Celsius, but now almost all of England and Wales do.
6. There has been a 20% increase in the number of the wettest days, which are defined as the top 5% of rainfall days from 1961 to 1990.
7. The UK Met Office has reported an increase in extreme weather events in the UK, particularly hotter temperatures and heavy rainfall.
8. The year 2023 is noted as the coldest year ever recorded in the UK, with June being the coldest month on record.
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 does the recent report from the UK Met Office say about extreme weather in the UK?
2. How has the number of “nice” days changed in the UK over the last few decades?
3. Why is the increase in heavy rainfall considered a problem according to the report?
4. What does Mike Kendon mean when he says the climate is already changing?
5. Why is the year 2023 significant in terms of temperature records in the UK?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does the recent report from the UK Met Office reveal about extreme weather in the UK?
The report reveals that extreme weather is becoming more common in the UK, with an increase in hotter temperatures and heavy rainfall.

2. How much has the number of “nice” days increased over the last few decades according to the report?
The number of “nice” days, which are days with temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius or higher, has increased by 40% over the last few decades.

3. Why might the increase in sunny days and hot temperatures be harmful to nature and buildings?
The increase in sunny days and hot temperatures can harm nature and buildings because it can lead to issues like stress on ecosystems and damage to infrastructure.

4. What significant change in rainfall patterns is mentioned in the article, and why is it concerning?
The article mentions a 20% increase in the number of the wettest days, which is concerning because more extreme rainfall can lead to flooding and other problems.

5. Who is Mike Kendon, and what does he emphasize about the climate situation in the report?
Mike Kendon is the lead author of the report, and he emphasizes that the data shows a clear fact: the climate is already changing, not just in the future.

6. Why is the year 2023 described as particularly important in terms of temperature records in the UK?
The year 2023 is described as particularly important because it is the second warmest year ever recorded in the UK, with several months being among the top ten warmest in history.

7. What does the Met Office attribute the temperature extremes in the UK to?
The Met Office attributes the temperature extremes in the UK to human-caused climate change.

8. Based on the article, what is the overall message regarding climate change and its effects in the UK?
The overall message is that climate change is having significant effects in the UK, leading to more extreme weather events like hot days and heavy rainfall, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) report
(2) hotter
(3) State
(4) points
(5) temperatures
(6) higher
(7) decades
(8) become
(9) temperature
(10) wettest
(11) climate
(12) important
(13) record
(14) Several
(15) Office
(16) situation
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. extreme
Answer: (O) Very severe or intense

2. noticeable
Answer: (A) Easy to see or recognize

3. annual
Answer: (J) Happening once every year

4. decade
Answer: (K) A period of ten years

5. harm
Answer: (N) To cause damage or injury

6. averaging
Answer: (G) Calculating the usual amount

7. predictable
Answer: (E) Able to be foreseen or expected

8. concerning
Answer: (H) Causing worry or anxiety

9. flooding
Answer: (L) Overflowing of water onto land

10. stresses
Answer: (B) Emphasizes or points out strongly

11. recorded
Answer: (C) Written down or documented

12. highlights
Answer: (F) Draws attention to something important

13. tackle
Answer: (D) To deal with or solve a problem

14. urgent
Answer: (M) Requiring immediate attention or action

15. temperatures
Answer: (I) The measure of how hot or cold something is
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What recent report discusses extreme weather in the UK?
Answer: (a) The UK Met Office report

2. How much has the number of “nice” days increased over the last few decades?
Answer: (b) 40%

3. What was significant about the year 2023 in relation to temperature records in the UK?
Answer: (c) It was the second warmest year ever recorded

4. What percentage increase in the number of the wettest days has been reported?
Answer: (d) 20%

5. What does the Met Office attribute the temperature extremes to?
Answer: (c) Human-caused climate change

6. Which month in 2023 was noted as the hottest month on record in the UK?
Answer: (d) June

7. How has the number of hot days changed in England and Wales compared to the past?
Answer: (b) Almost all areas now have more than six hot days a year

8. What does Mike Kendon emphasize about the climate situation?
Answer: (a) The climate is already changing
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The UK has become 9% cloudier over the last few decades, which can negatively impact nature and buildings. (Answer: False)
2. The number of days classified as “nice,” or having temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius or higher, has decreased by 40% over recent decades. (Answer: False)
3. The annual State of the Climate report indicates that 2023 has seen a significant decrease in extremely hot days. (Answer: False)
4. The Met Office attributes the rise in temperature extremes to human-caused climate change, highlighting the urgent need for action against climate change. (Answer: True)
5. In the past, only London and Hampshire experienced six or more days a year with temperatures over 28 degrees Celsius, but now almost all of England and Wales do. (Answer: True)
6. There has been a 20% increase in the number of the wettest days, which are defined as the top 5% of rainfall days from 1961 to 1990. (Answer: True)
7. The UK Met Office has reported an increase in extreme weather events in the UK, particularly hotter temperatures and heavy rainfall. (Answer: True)
8. The year 2023 is noted as the coldest year ever recorded in the UK, with June being the coldest month on record. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧