B1- Intermediate
Scientists predict that the next ice age or “the long period of reduction in the temperature of Earth’s surface and atmosphere” will come in about 10,000 years.
However, due to human activities that contribute to global warming, the possibility of the next ice age might be delayed.
Read the article about how global warming will delay the occurrence of the next ice age. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2503/250306-ice-age.html
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to push something back” mean? “The scientists said melting glaciers in the North and South Poles will push back the next ice age.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
- What does “at regular intervals” mean? “When the amount of ice on the continental ice sheets was stable, ice ages happened at regular intervals.” Use this expression in a sentence and give a synonym.
- What does “gap” mean? “However, Professor Barker said less ice means a longer gap between ice ages.” Use this word in a sentence and give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you think this is good news? Why or why not?
- What comes to your mind when you hear “ice age”? Talk about it.
- Is studying about past ice ages important? Why or why not?
- Share your insights on this statement, “Earth’s climate is an interconnected system of complex processes, all acting together to produce the changes we observe.”.
- Have you joined a glacier tour before? Share your experience. If not yet, would you be interested? Why or why not?