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GENERAL ENGLISH · BREAKING NEWS · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

LA PALMA
VOLCANO
ERUPTS
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1EME-71LB-858

1 Warm up
Discuss the questions in pairs or small groups.

1. Think of some famous volcanoes. How many can you name?

2. Have you ever visited a volcano? Would you like to see an eruption in person, from a safe distance?
3. Do you think people should be allowed to live close to volcanoes? Why/why not?
4. Can you remember any recent volcano eruptions? What were the consequences?
5. Where can we find the biggest number of active volcanoes?

Work with your partner and make a list of words related to volcanoes:

1. 4.

2. 5.

3. 6.

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2 Vocabulary in context

Read the sentences below and decide which definition is best for each word in bold.

1. Magma exists under the surface of the Earth.

2. He used his inheritance to buy a new house, which is what his father would have wanted.
3. The tsunami engulfed the island, leaving a trail of destruction behind.
4. The eruption destroyed the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
5. The forest fire left cars and buildings in a nearby city covered in ash.
6. When he retired, John bought fourteen acres of farmland and moved to the countryside.
7. Seismic movements can be an early warning sign, and it’s best to retreat to a shelter if you
experience them.
8. We were evacuated after the fire alarm went off, but it turned out to be a test.

a. a soft gray or black powder that is left after a fire burns something
b. a unit of measure area equal to 4,840 square yards
c. caused by or related to earthquakes
d. hot liquid rock
e. money or possessions somebody gives you when they die
f. move people to a safe place from a dangerous place
g. surround or cover something completely
h. when flames and rock come out of a volcano in an explosion

3 Listening for details and understanding

Part A: You’re going to listen to a news report about the volcanic eruption in La Palma. Fill in the
missing numbers in the questions below.

1. In the village of Callejon de la Gata, at least buildings were destroyed by the eruption.
2. On Saturday, there was a series of seismic movements.
3. The largest of these seismic movements measured .
4. Since the eruption began, the volcano has destroyed over buildings.
5. La Palma has around inhabitants, and about people have been evacuated from
their homes on the island.

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Part B: Listen to the report again and answer the following questions.

1. The Cumbre Vieja volcano began erupting on which day?

a. October 9th
b. September 19th
c. September 9th

2. What did Jose Roberto Sanchez lose because of the lava?

a. his job
b. all of his possessions
c. land inherited from his parents

3. At the time of the report, is the airport in La Palma open or closed?

a. closed
b. open
c. the reporter doesn’t mention it

4. According to the report, when did the evacuation start?

a. the information isn’t given

b. September 19th
c. October 9th

4 Vocabulary

Part A: Match words on the left with the definitions on the right.

1. circulate a. a copy of something made with a liquid that becomes hard

2. excavation b. an idea or subject someone thinks about a lot

3. enthusiast c. a person who is very interested in a particular activity or topic

4. blessing d. metal or rock in a liquid state because of intense heat

5. plaster cast e. move or make move around or through something

6. huddle f. people killed in a serious accident, war, or natural disaster

7. molten g. removing earth or digging to discover objects related to the past

8. casualties h. something you feel lucky or happy about

9. preoccupation i. stand or sit close together in a crowd

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Part B: Complete the sentences with the correct words from part A.

1. During the war, they together in an air raid shelter in their yard.
2. Rumors quickly that the politician had been having an affair.
3. He was an - he loved collecting model trains.
4. During times of crisis, a pet dog really can be a , as they are very loving animals.
5. There were many after the stadium collapsed.
6. In order to make a sword, you need to heat metal until it is so it can be easily
formed into a shape.
7. The has proven to be an interesting source of archeological discoveries.
8. One of her biggest was climate change, and for this reason, she became a protestor.
9. In my art class, I made a of my hand, and it looked so real!

Discuss these questions in pairs.

1. Would you describe yourself as an enthusiast for a particular hobby or interest?

2. Have you ever made a plastercast of something?
3. What things in your life would you describe as blessings?
4. Can you think of any famous archeological excavations?
5. Can you think of some ways in which science can help us to avoid casualties during natural
disasters?

5 Reading for general understanding

You are going to read a text about the volcanic eruption in La Palma. Scan the text (page 6) quickly
and write the paragraph number next to each topic on the left.

1. How will the eruption define La Palma in the coming years?

2. Volcanoes have always fascinated us as a species.
3. Why do people live near volcanoes?
4. A victory for science.
5. A disaster unfolding in front of the eyes of the world.

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Eruption in La Palma
A tsunami of explosions

1.
For many in Europe, the volcanic eruption in La technology have allowed scientists to detect signs of
Palma seems like a somewhat distant event. Some volcanic activity well in advance, which has enabled
vacations have been affected by canceled flights as warnings to be given so that evacuations can take
the airport was forced to close, but the island - a place. Nonetheless, many residents of La Palma have
dot in the Atlantic Ocean - appears remote, closer to lost their livelihoods, and the island’s tourism industry
Africa than to mainland Spain. Images of lava streams may take years to recover.
and molten rock being pushed into the atmosphere 4.
In the long run, however, La Palma may see a boom
have, however, been widely circulated. Reports have in tourism as people flock to visit the site of the
stoked fears that the La Palma eruption may trigger eruption. Pompeii attracts millions of visitors a year,
a tsunami, and the scenes of destruction broadcast and the area around Mount Vesuvius was officially
around the world are undoubtedly shocking. The declared a national park in 1995. The climb to
hashtag #LaPalma has been trending on Twitter for the peak of the volcano remains a popular walk
weeks, a symptom of our recurring fascination with among enthusiasts. Around 800 million people live
volcanoes. within 62 miles of an active volcano. Despite the
2.
The word volcano comes from the Roman god Vulcan, danger, volcanoes can provide many benefits to those
and for many, our preoccupation with volcanoes dwelling nearby. Volcanic soil is more fertile, making
began with the destruction of Pompeii, a Roman it easier to grow crops, and often volcanoes have a
town, in AD79. The event was documented by the level of cultural or spiritual importance to the local
Roman lawyer and author Pliny the Younger, who community.
watched his uncle attempt a rescue mission from 5.
As well as fertilizing soil, a volcanic eruption can be a
across the Bay of Naples. The town was buried by blessing for creatures living in the sea. According to
layers of volcanic ash and rock and remained that oceanographer Carolina Santana Gonzalez, "The lava
way until it was rediscovered in 1592. Over the is rich in iron, as well as magnesium and silicates, and
next few centuries, excavations continued, and by this supplies nutrients to the water." This can occur
the late twentieth century, it was common to find almost immediately, and researchers have found that
pictures of plaster casts of the victims in school marine life can recover in just three years. Forests,
textbooks. These images showed huddled figures however, may take much longer to regenerate. The
trying to protect themselves from the eruption, and, future for La Palma, then, is mixed. The island will
combined with live footage from volcanic eruptions, certainly recover from the effects of the eruption,
ensured that the idea of the volcano would remain but it may take many years for things to get back to
fixed in the collective consciousness. normal. Life in Santa Cruz de La Palma may never be
3.
In La Palma, the eruption has resulted in the the same again, but there have already been pledges
evacuation of over 6,000 people. More than one to rebuild, and in the coming years, the surrounding
thousand buildings have been destroyed, with roads seas may be richer in life than ever before.
and agricultural land blanketed in ash. Remarkably, Sources: BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, Reuters,
there have been no casualties so far. Advances in National Geographic

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6 Vocabulary - synonyms
Scan through the text again to find a synonym for each given word.

1. definitely (para. 1):

2. awareness (para. 2):
3. however (para. 3):
4. mountaintop (para. 4):
5. living (para. 4):
6. rich (para. 4):
7. vitamins and minerals (para. 5)
8. promises (para. 5):

7 Reading comprehension
Complete the following sentences with one, two, or three words from the text.

1. The volcanic eruption in La Palma appears to be a somewhat for many

Europeans.
2. The destruction of Pompeii by Pliny the Younger.
3. Pictures of the victims discovered in Pompeii showed figures themselves
from the eruption.
4. Scientists have been able to detect signs of potential eruptions ahead of time, due to
.
5. It could for the island’s tourism industry to recover.
6. Eventually, however, visitors may return and La Palma could experience a
.
7. Volcanoes can offer some potential benefits to local residents, despite .
8. Oceans can recover from volcanic eruptions within three years, but forests may take much longer
.

8 Talking point
In pairs, discuss the following questions.

1. How many movies related to volcanoes can you think of?

2. Imagine you’re living near Pompeii when Mount Vesuvius erupts in AD79, with a clear view of the
disaster as it happens. Describe what you can see to a partner.
3. A volcano is erupting in your city. You’re in charge of the evacuation, but you haven’t received
much warning. How do you manage the situation?
4. Is your hometown a popular tourist destination? Are there any natural features that tourists flock
to see?
5. Should the government be responsible for helping people who have lost their livelihoods due to
natural disasters?

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9 Extended activity/writing homework

Read the essay topics below. Pick one and decide if you agree or disagree with the statement. Write
an opinion essay of 250 – 300 words. You should provide evidence to support your answer, as well
as an introduction and conclusion.

A) Wealthy Western countries have an obligation to provide aid to poorer

countries after natural disasters.

B) Volcanoes could be used as an energy source for future generations.

C) Volcanic eruptions are great for the environment.

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