News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Identify the measured change and the storms’ effects.
Heavy Rain Raises Reservoir Water
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 2 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
How much did the reservoir rise?
Correct answer: B — Nearly 18 metres
Why: The first paragraph gives a rise of nearly 18 metres.
Clue in the story: NASA’s November 11 report shows Navajo Reservoir after heavy rain. Its water level rose nearly 18 metres between September 20 and November 7.
What damage did the storms cause?
Correct answer: A — Flooded streets and damaged property
Why: The second paragraph names flooded streets and damaged homes and property.
Clue in the story: The storms helped ease short-term drought in the region. They also flooded streets and damaged homes and other property.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Describe one benefit and one harm.
One possible answer: The storms helped ease short-term drought, but they also flooded streets and damaged homes and other property.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.
Grammar to discuss
Help make a problem less severe
helped ease
Helped ease means contributed to reducing the drought problem; it does not mean ended it completely.