News by Levels · Level 1 · Student worksheet

Ozone Hole Above Antarctica Was Large This Year

In this lesson: Explain what the ozone layer does and recognise two different timescales.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Scientists say the ozone hole over Antarctica became unusually large in 2026. US agencies NOAA and NASA shared their measurements on November 4.

The ozone layer high above Earth helps protect living things from harmful rays from the Sun. The hole is an area where that layer becomes thinner.

The scientists say unusual winds helped make the hole bigger this year. But they still expect the ozone layer to recover over the longer term as harmful chemicals decrease.

Source: NOAA, 2026-11-04. https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-nasa-release-measurements-of-2026-ozone-hole

Read and practise

1. What does the ozone layer help protect living things from?

   1. Harmful rays from the Sun
   2. Very strong winds
   3. Smoke near the ground

2. What do scientists still expect over the longer term?

   1. The layer will keep getting thinner as harmful chemicals decrease.
   2. The layer will recover as harmful chemicals decrease.
   3. The layer’s recovery has already finished.

Your turn

Explain what an ozone hole means and why one large year is not the whole story.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/antarctic-ozone-hole-2026-noaa-nasa-measurements-november/level-1/