Topic: Emergencies and (Un)Natural Disasters
Mode: Interpretive
Level: Intermediate
Students will listen to a radio announcement about an emergency and will answer comprehension questions.
Components of this activity: A passage, comprehension questions, answer key.
Instructions to the teacher
Make a recording of the radio announcement script below or read it out to students in class. Ask them to listen and answer the comprehension questions.
Script
Traffic Alert. Slow moving traffic on Highway 123 at Exit 17. The multi-car accident that caused the traffic jam at noon has been cleared and traffic is moving again. Exit 17 remains closed. It’s no longer necessary to take the detour announced earlier. However, be advised that traffic remains slow between Exit 16 – Exit 18. Dense fog developed unexpectedly due to a temperature drop, and visibility was drastically reduced. Freezing rain was forecast, but this didn’t develop. The dense fog is likely what led to the accident.
Instructions to students
Listen to the radio announcement and answer the questions.
- What was not a result of the weather on this day?
a traffic jam, a closed exit, faster-moving traffic, a multi-car accident
- Where did the accident take place?
Exit 17 Exit 15 Exit 18
- What weather situation probably caused the accident?
fog blizzard freezing rain
- What is the current situation?
Traffic is moving. There is a traffic jam. Drivers should take a detour.
- What should a driver on Highway 123 do?
Allow more time. Take the detour. Share rides with other drivers.