Vast city-sized iceberg breaks away from Antarctica

An EFL and ESL English Lesson

Lesson Collection
A photo of some icerbergs.

Date: 29th January 2023

Level: B2 Upper-intermediate

Grammar: Premodifiers

Topics: Nature & the Environment, Science, Countries & Places

Printables: 10-Page Lesson, Single-Page Lesson

Lesson

Text

Vast city-sized iceberg breaks away from Antarctica

Antarctica has lost an iceberg the equivalent size of Greater London. The iceberg measuring 1,550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf. The split is part of a natural process known as calving. It is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a major crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf. Pictures captured by satellite show that the vast iceberg has been breaking away since 2012.

The floating ice shelf is an extension of Antarctica. As it extends, its link to Antarctica breaks. The new iceberg will eventually float out to sea. Although cracks around the edges of Antarctica are common and blamed on climate change, this one is an exception. Scientists monitoring the breakage say it is a significant event because of the massive size of the iceberg. Fortunately, the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg.

Figures reveal that Antarctica is melting at an average rate of 150 billion metric tons per year. The global rise in sea level is partly a result of this rapid process of shrinking icebergs. Scientists say they will continue to monitor the entire split, called Chasm-1, that runs along the ice shelf mass.

Information sources (external links): euronews.com, foxnews.com

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Warm-up activities and vocabulary

Activities:

Compare where you live to Antarctica.

What has changed in your town or city over the past 10 years?

Name something massive. Take turns and see how long you can last naming something massive without repeating anything.

Vocabulary:

1. Scan the text and find a word or phrase that means:

  • equal (paragraph 1)(e...)
  • cut (paragraph 1)(s...)
  • important (paragraph 2)(s...)
  • ice turning into water (paragraph 3)(m...)
  • fast (paragraph 3)(r...)
Answers
  • equivalent, split, significant, melting, rapid

2. What does the italicised word below mean — fixing, watching, or controlling?

  • scientists monitoring the breakage
Answer
  • watching

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Reading comprehension questions

  1. The iceberg is the same size as what?
  2. Is the split natural or caused by human activity?
  3. How many icebergs have broken off the ice shelf?
  4. What do satellite photos show?
  5. What will happen to the new iceberg?
  6. Is it normal for massive icebergs to break off?
  7. Why do scientists say this is important news?
  8. What happened to the research base?
  9. What is 150 billion tons referring to?
  10. Have scientists had to leave because of safety?
  1. The melting rate per year.
  2. It will float out to sea.
  3. Greater London.
  4. Two.
  5. No, they will continue to stay.
  6. It’s a natural process.
  7. Nothing, because it was moved in time.
  8. The time it has taken to break.
  9. No, it’s the exception.
  10. Because of the iceberg’s size.
Answers
  • 1C, 2F, 3D, 4H, 5B, 6I, 7J, 8G, 9A, 10E

interactive  |  top

Phrases, synonyms, and antonyms match-up

Match the words on the left to their endings to make phrases from the text.

  1. square
  2. average
  3. break
  4. natural
  5. sea
  6. per
  7. massive
  8. runs
  9. metric
  10. float
  1. process
  2. kilometres
  3. year
  4. along
  5. rate
  6. off
  7. size
  8. level
  9. tons
  10. out to sea
Answers
  • 1B, 2E, 3F, 4A, 5H, 6C, 7G, 8D, 9I, 10J

Match the words on the left from the text to their synonyms.

  1. separate
  2. measure
  3. blame
  4. global
  5. shrink
  1. the world’s
  2. break
  3. the size of
  4. the fault of
  5. get smaller
Answers
  • 1B, 2C, 3D, 4A, 5E

Match the words on the left from the text to their antonyms.

  1. separate
  2. shrink
  3. extend
  1. shrink
  2. connect
  3. grow
Answers
  • 1B, 2C, 3A

interactive  |  top

Grammar gap-fill cloze: premodifiers

  1. equivalent
  2. vast
  3. massive
  4. natural
  5. average
  1. major
  2. entire
  3. significant
  4. rapid
  5. floating

Antarctica has lost an iceberg the 1._______________ size of Greater London. The iceberg measuring 1,550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf. The split is part of a 2._______________ process known as calving. It is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a 3._______________ crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf. Pictures captured by satellite show that the 4._______________ iceberg has been breaking away since 2012.

The 5._______________ ice shelf is an extension of Antarctica. As it extends, its link to Antarctica breaks. The new iceberg will eventually float out to sea. Although cracks around the edges of Antarctica are common and blamed on climate change, this one is an exception. Scientists monitoring the breakage say it is a 6._______________ event because of the 7._______________ size of the iceberg. Fortunately, the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg.

Figures reveal that Antarctica is melting at an 8._______________ rate of 150 billion metric tons per year. The global rise in sea level is partly a result of this 9._______________ process of shrinking icebergs. Scientists say they will continue to monitor the 10._______________ split, called Chasm-1, that runs along the ice shelf mass.

Answers
  1. 1A, 2D, 3F, 4B, 5J, 6H, 7C, 8E, 9I, 10G

interactive  |  top

Vocabulary multiple-choice cloze

Antarctica has lost an iceberg the equivalent size of Greater London. The iceberg 1._______________ 1,550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf. The 2 ._______________ is part of a natural process known as calving. It is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a major crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf. Pictures 3 ._______________ by satellite show that the vast iceberg has been breaking away since 2012.

The floating ice shelf is an extension of Antarctica. As it extends, its 4 ._______________ to Antarctica breaks. The new iceberg will eventually 5 ._______________ out to sea. Although cracks around the edges of Antarctica are common and 6 ._______________ on climate change, this one is an exception. Scientists monitoring the breakage say it is a 7 ._______________ event because of the massive size of the iceberg. Fortunately, the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg.

Figures reveal that Antarctica is melting at an average rate of 150 billion metric tons per year. The 8._______________ rise in sea level is partly a result of this rapid process of 9 ._______________ icebergs. Scientists say they will continue to 10 ._______________ the entire split, called Chasm-1, that runs along the ice shelf mass.

1.
A. measuring
B. sizing
C. fitting
D. reaching
2.
A. pair
B. split
C. amount
D. part
3.
A. shoot
B. take
C. captured
D. record
4.
A. link
B. chain
C. ice
D. water
5.
A. float
B. swim
C. sail
D. dive
6.
A. everyday
B. blames
C. blamed
D. normal
7.
A. ancient
B. scientific
C. significant
D. futuristic
8.
A. local
B. worldly
C. planetary
D. global
9.
A. shrink
B. shrinking
C. shrinks
D. shrunk
10.
A. monitor
B. screen
C. speaker
D. mouse
Answers
  1. 1A, 2B, 3C, 4A, 5A, 6C, 7C, 8D, 9B, 10A

interactive  |  top

Writing cloze

  1. the q i a e l v e t u n size of Greater London(eq...)
  2. e m s u g r a i n 1,550 square kilometres(me...)
  3. part of a natural c o s p r e s(pr...)
  4. pictures captured by t a t e s e l i l(sa...)
  5. r a k c s c around the edges of Antarctica(cr...)
  6. scientists o n i n o t g m r i the breakage(mo...)
  7. it is a i s a n i f g i t n c event(si...)
  8. the a v s m s e i size of the iceberg(ma...)
  9. Antarctica is l e t g i n m at an average rate(me...)
  10. this rapid process of k h n r i n s i g icebergs(sh...)
Answers
  1. EQUIVALENT
  2. MEASURING
  3. PROCESS
  4. SATELLITE
  5. CRACKS
  6. MONITORING
  7. SIGNIFICANT
  8. MASSIVE
  9. MELTING
  10. SHRINKING

interactive  |  top

Fill-in punctuation

The text below is missing its capital letters, commas, and full stops, and specifically 4 unique proper nouns for names and places. Tip: sometimes numbers need commas!

antarctica has lost an iceberg the equivalent size of greater london the iceberg measuring 1550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf the split is part of a natural process known as calving it is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a major crack in the brunt ice shelf pictures captured by satellite show that the vast iceberg has been breaking away since 2012

the floating ice shelf is an extension of antarctica as it extends its link to antarctica breaks the new iceberg will eventually float out to sea although cracks around the edges of antarctica are common and blamed on climate change this one is an exception scientists monitoring the breakage say it is a significant event because of the massive size of the iceberg fortunately the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg

figures reveal that antarctica is melting at an average rate of 150 billion metric tons per year the global rise in sea level is partly a result of this rapid process of shrinking icebergs scientists say they will continue to monitor the entire split called chasm-1 that runs along the ice shelf mass

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Cool-down discussion, game, and keywords

Discussion questions:

  • Can you list three things you think need to be protected on our planet?
  • How do you keep up to date with science news?
  • What was the last good thing you did to help the environment?
  • What subject do you wish you had time to study?
  • What is the largest place, manmade or natural, that you’ve ever been to?

CEFR B2 10 keywords revision list:

blame capture float global link measure monitor shrink significant split

Beginning with each letter below, think of a word that describes water.

  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

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Interactive exercises

Reading comprehension interactive questions

Select the correct answers from the dropdown menus

Vast city-sized iceberg breaks away from Antarctica

Antarctica has lost an iceberg the equivalent size of Greater London. The iceberg measuring 1,550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf. The split is part of a natural process known as calving. It is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a major crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf. Pictures captured by satellite show that the vast iceberg has been breaking away since 2012.

The floating ice shelf is an extension of Antarctica. As it extends, its link to Antarctica breaks. The new iceberg will eventually float out to sea. Although cracks around the edges of Antarctica are common and blamed on climate change, this one is an exception. Scientists monitoring the breakage say it is a significant event because of the massive size of the iceberg. Fortunately, the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg.

Figures reveal that Antarctica is melting at an average rate of 150 billion metric tons per year. The global rise in sea level is partly a result of this rapid process of shrinking icebergs. Scientists say they will continue to monitor the entire split, called Chasm-1, that runs along the ice shelf mass.

The iceberg is the same size as what?
Is the split natural or caused by human activity?
How many icebergs have broken off the ice shelf?
What do satellite photos show?
What will happen to the new iceberg?
Is it normal for massive icebergs to break off?
Why do scientists say this is important news?
What happened to the research base?
What is 150 billion tons referring to?
Did scientists have to leave because of safety?

lesson  |  top

Phrases, synonyms, and antonyms interactive match-up

Select the correct matches from the dropdown menus

Phrases
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Synonyms
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Antonyms
16.
17.
18.

lesson  |  top

Grammar gap-fill interactive cloze: premodifiers

Select the correct answers from the dropdown menus

Antarctica has lost an iceberg the
1.
size of Greater London. The iceberg measuring 1,550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf. The split is part of a
2.
process known as calving. It is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a
3.
crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf. Pictures captured by satellite show that the
4.
iceberg has been breaking away since 2012.
The
5.
ice shelf is an extension of Antarctica. As it extends, its link to Antarctica breaks. The new iceberg will eventually float out to sea. Although cracks around the edges of Antarctica are common and blamed on climate change, this one is an exception. Scientists monitoring the breakage say it is a
6.
event because of the
7.
size of the iceberg. Fortunately, the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg.
Figures reveal that Antarctica is melting at an
8.
rate of 150 billion metric tons per year. The global rise in sea level is partly a result of this
9.
process of shrinking icebergs. Scientists say they will continue to monitor the
10.
split, called Chasm-1, that runs along the ice shelf mass.

lesson  |  top

Vocabulary multiple-choice interactive cloze

Select the correct answers from the dropdown menus

Antarctica has lost an iceberg the equivalent size of Greater London. The iceberg
1.
1,550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf. The
2.
is part of a natural process known as calving. It is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a major crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf. Pictures
3.
by satellite show that the vast iceberg has been breaking away since 2012.
The floating ice shelf is an extension of Antarctica. As it extends, its
4.
to Antarctica breaks. The new iceberg will eventually
5.
out to sea. Although cracks around the edges of Antarctica are common and
6.
on climate change, this one is an exception. Scientists monitoring the breakage say it is a
7.
event because of the massive size of the iceberg. Fortunately, the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg.
Figures reveal that Antarctica is melting at an average rate of 150 billion metric tons per year. The
8.
rise in sea level is partly a result of this rapid process of
9.
icebergs. Scientists say they will continue to
10.
the entire split, called Chasm-1, that runs along the ice shelf mass.

lesson  |  top

Interactive writing cloze

Type the words correctly in the boxes

Antarctica has lost an iceberg the
1.
size of Greater London. The iceberg
2.
1,550 square kilometres separated from the main ice shelf. The split is part of a natural
3.
known as calving. It is the second iceberg to break off in two years because of a major crack in the Brunt Ice Shelf. Pictures captured by
4.
show that the vast iceberg has been breaking away since 2012.
The floating ice shelf is an extension of Antarctica. As it extends, its link to Antarctica breaks. The new iceberg will eventually float out to sea. Although
5.
around the edges of Antarctica are common and blamed on climate change, this one is an exception. Scientists
6.
the breakage say it is a
7.
event because of the
8.
size of the iceberg. Fortunately, the research scientists recently moved their station and are not currently based on the iceberg.
Figures reveal that Antarctica is
9.
at an average rate of 150 billion metric tons per year. The global rise in sea level is partly a result of this rapid process of
10.
icebergs. Scientists say they will continue to monitor the entire split, called Chasm-1, that runs along the ice shelf mass.

lesson  |  top

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