News by Levels · Level 2 · For teachers

Teacher guide & answers

In this lesson: Connect satellite comparisons with the dated water-level record.

Reservoir Rises as Storms Bring Mixed Effects

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 worksheet

A 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.

What do the images compare?
Correct answer: A — The reservoir before and after autumn storms
Why: The opening paragraph describes the before-and-after comparison.
Clue in the story: Landsat 9 images show Navajo Reservoir before and after autumn storms. NASA reported a rise of nearly 18 metres between September 20 and November 7.
Which claim does the November 7 record support?
Correct answer: C — The highest level since August 2019
Why: The second paragraph states the limited comparison since August 2019.
Clue in the story: The water increase brought short-term drought relief, but rivers also flooded nearby communities. On November 7, the reservoir reached its highest level since August 2019.

The open question: accept different answers

Ask learners: Explain the change and its mixed effects.

One possible answer: The reservoir rose nearly 18 metres between September 20 and November 7. Water increased and drought eased in the short term, while nearby communities also suffered river flooding.

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

A dated comparison

since August 2019

Since sets the starting point for the comparison. It does not establish an all-time record.