ESL WORKSHEET - Weather and Climate

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

GETTING COOL

LinguaHouse
May 16, 2022

Level: Pre-Intermediate (A2-B1)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Environment and Nature; Weather and Climate; Have/Get Something Done; Be/Get Used to Doing; 18+ Years Old; 16-18 Years Old
Publication date: 05/16/2022

Students consider how to get cool in hot weather via listening and reading activities. The language point is various uses of the verb get, and the lesson supports vocabulary development and speaking skills. There is also an optional extension activity with discussion questions that relate to the topic, as well as a short writing task (by Stephanie Hirschman).

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audios (Am/Br English).

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Anchor: We’ve just heard that it’s going to get really hot over most of Australia during the next week and the high temperatures that we’re expecting could be dangerous to some people. We’re going to get some advice today from our weather reporter Josie Fisher. Josie, why is it so important to stay cool in hot weather?
Josie: Well, it’s a matter of life and death for some people. Your body can’t work normally if it gets hotter than thirty-seven point five degrees. Some people may experience mild problems like muscle pains or headaches, but others may get something called “heatstroke”, which can kill them. Lots of people just don’t get how dangerous heatstroke is.
Anchor: So, who needs to be careful?
Josie: The people who are most at risk are older people, babies and young children, and pregnant women. We also need to keep an eye on people who have communication problems or who can’t get around much because they can’t take action to stay cool by themselves. Make sure you check on family, friends, or neighbors who have these conditions.
Anchor: What advice do you have for people who work outdoors?
Josie: Get out of the sun and stay in the shade! Make sure you get lots of water to drink and stay away from teas and coffees because these make you need the toilet more often.
Anchor: What can we do at home or in the office?
Josie: Open the windows to let air move through the room but close the curtains to keep the sun out. People should use fans or air-conditioning if they have these, but it’s important to understand how to get the best use out of these machines.
Anchor: Why is that?
Josie: Well, these machines use a lot of energy, and we need to use less energy to slow down climate change. Air conditioning and fans make up 10% of all the electricity used around the world!
Anchor: Wow! And if global warming gets worse, that amount will only increase. What can we do?
Josie: First of all, it’s important to understand the difference between fans and air-conditioning. Air conditioning actually brings down the room temperature, while fans get the air moving to make the room seem cooler, and, importantly, fans use less energy than air conditioning. Scientists at the University of Sydney have discovered that people who use fans on a high speed are comfortable at higher temperatures and use less energy than people who only use air-conditioning.
Anchor: How much less energy do the fans use?
Josie: It’s a big difference - seventy-six percent! Using fans instead of air-conditioning saves money and is better for the environment. Australians could get their total yearly carbon emissions down from over five thousand kilotonnes to just over twelve hundred. The scientists suggest that we use air conditioning for a short time only if temperatures become very high.
Anchor: That sounds like good advice. That’s all we have time for, but if you want to get more information about how to keep cool, please visit our website. Thanks for watching.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/getting-cool. Accessed on March 28, 2024. © 2008–2024 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.