B2 – Upper Intermediate
After a century-long ban, swimming is finally returning to the Seine River in Paris. Once considered too polluted for safe recreational use, the iconic river has now been cleaned enough to allow residents and tourists to take a dip, marking a historic moment for the city and its waterways.
Read the article or watch video to learn more.
https://www.nbcnews.com/world/europe/paris-swimming-seine-100-years-rcna217021
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to ring out” mean? “Cries of “It is warm!” rang out across the Seine on Saturday morning as Parisians jumped into the river — legally — for the first time in more than 100 years.” Give a synonym and make a sentence.
- What’s the meaning of “to skim something away“? “Before sunrise, a municipal officer skimmed away the last few patches of algae with a fishnet. Soon after, a line of eager Parisians formed, towels in hand, waiting for their chance to jump in.” Give a synonym and make a sentence.
- Define “threshold“. “Environmental authorities confirmed bacteria levels were well below official thresholds.” Give a synonym and make a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your reaction to this news.
- Do you think swimming in urban rivers should be encouraged in other cities? Why or why not?
- How might cleaning and maintaining rivers affect local communities and tourism?
- How can governments balance environmental preservation with public recreation?
- How could this initiative inspire other cities to focus on sustainable urban development?
- How would you feel if a polluted body of water in your city/country became safe for activities like swimming again?