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1. Image
Three people are stranded in a flooded community center after a violent monsoon. They must use their supplies, map, and teamwork to stay safe.
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2. Vocabulary
- floodedcovered with water after heavy rain
- rising waterwater that is getting higher
- higher groundland that is safer because it is above floodwater
- trappedunable to leave a place safely
- suppliesfood, water, tools, and other useful things
- battery powerthe energy left in a phone, radio, or other device
- blanketa warm cover for the body
- ropea strong cord used to tie, pull, or rescue someone
- broken radioa radio that does not work properly
- emergency servicespolice, fire, medical, or rescue help
- rescue boata boat used to save people in danger
- survival plana plan to stay safe in danger
- mustneed to do something because it is necessary
- shoulda good idea or advice
- mightpossible, but not certain
- becausegives a reason
- soshows a result
- first / next / then / after that / finallysequencing words
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3. Grammar
Must, should, and might in an emergency
We use must, should, and might to talk about decisions in a difficult situation.
1) Must = very necessary
Use must when something is essential or strongly needed.
- We must move to higher ground.
- They must save some battery power.
2) Should = good advice
Use should when something is a good idea, but not the only possible choice.
- They should keep the rope near the door.
- Maya should write a short message to emergency services.
3) Might = possible, but not certain
Use might when something is possible, but we are not sure.
- A rescue boat might come before dark.
- The water might rise again after the next rain.
Form
Positive
- Subject + must/should/might + base verb
- We must wait.
- They should listen.
- Priya might call for help.
Negative
- must not / mustn’t = not allowed or not safe
- should not / shouldn’t = not a good idea
- might not = maybe not
- We mustn’t walk into deep water.
- You shouldn’t use the phone too much.
- The boat might not arrive soon.
Questions
In questions, we usually use should more than must or might.
- Should we leave now?
- Should they wait for the boat?
Example sentences from the San Paloma story
- The group must stay calm and check the map.
- Tomas should keep the blanket dry.
- Maya might know a safer route to the road.
- They mustn’t waste water.
- The radio should stay on only when they need updates.
- A neighbour might need help near the flooded street.
Common mistakes
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Wrong: We must to leave now.
Correct: *We must leave now. -
Wrong: They shoulds wait here.
Correct: *They should wait here. -
Wrong: She might to call emergency services.
Correct: *She might call emergency services. -
Wrong: He musts carry the rope.
Correct: *He must carry the rope.
Quick reminder
- must = necessary
- should = good advice
- might = possible
In an emergency, these verbs help you say what is necessary, what is wise, and what is possible.
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4. Text
San Paloma: The first hour
The monsoon has passed, but the danger is still outside. In the flooded community center in San Paloma, Maya, a delivery driver, Tomas, a hotel receptionist, and Priya, a nurse, wait near a table with a few wet supplies. The floor is cold, and floodwater is moving slowly across the entrance.
Maya has a small backpack, Tomas has the map, and Priya checks the broken radio again. They also have one blanket, a short rope, two bottles of water, and a phone with very little battery power. No one knows how long they will be stuck there.
Priya says they must stay calm and look at the map first. Tomas thinks they should save the phone battery for one emergency call. Maya is worried about the water at the door, but she might be able to find a dry corner near the stage. The group can hear rain on the roof, and that makes every choice feel important.
Their first problem is simple but serious: should they move now, or wait and protect their supplies? If the water rises, they will need to act quickly. If they choose well, they may reach higher ground before night.
Context
In an emergency, people often need to make fast decisions with limited information. This reading shows how the group uses practical thinking, teamwork, and simple survival language.
Discussion questions
- Which item in the room seems most useful right now, and why?
- What do you think the group should do first?
- How does the setting make the situation more dangerous?
- Which person seems most careful, and which person seems most worried?
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5. Grammar practice
Choose the best modal verb for each situation. Think about what is necessary, advisable, or only possible.
1.
The water is getting closer to the table. What do the group _____ do now?
must move their supplies to a dry place
should wait and see
might make a cup of tea
must not think about it
2.
Priya sees that Tomas is very tired. What _____ she say to him?
must sleep for two hours right now
should rest if he can
might run into the floodwater
must leave the building alone
3.
The radio is broken, so the team is not sure about the rescue boat. What _____ happen later?
must happen later
should happen later
might happen later
must not happen later
4.
Maya finds a small bottle of clean water. What is the strongest idea?
They must save it for later
They should pour it away
They might use it as a blanket
They must open all the bottles
5.
The map shows a dry hill outside town. What _____ the group do if the road is safe?
should try to reach higher ground
must stay in the same room forever
might ignore the map completely
should throw the map away
6.
The neighbor outside is calling for help, but the water is deep. What _____ they do?
must jump in at once
should think carefully before acting
might take every item they own
must not listen to the call
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- Q1A. must move their supplies to a dry place
- Q2B. should rest if he can
- Q3C. might happen later
- Q4A. They must save it for later
- Q5A. should try to reach higher ground
- Q6B. should think carefully before acting
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6. Listening
Listen to the radio update. Focus on the weather warning, the safest action, and what the group should do with their phones and battery power.
- What part of San Paloma is mentioned as being at greater risk?
- What should people in low areas do if it is safe?
- What should they avoid doing in deep water?
- Why does the radio tell people to keep their phones off?
- What is one possible future development mentioned in the update?
- What does the speaker tell listeners to do while they wait?
After listening, compare your answers with a partner and say which instruction you think is the most important.
Teacher audio script
Radio: Emergency update for San Paloma. Flood water is rising in the east district. People in low areas must move to higher ground if it is safe. Do not walk through deep water. Keep your phones off unless you need them. Battery power is limited. A rescue team might reach the community center later this evening. Stay calm and wait for further instructions.
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7. Multiple choice
Listen to the emergency update and choose the best answer for each question.
1.
What is the main danger mentioned in the radio update?
Flood water is rising in the east district
The bridge has already collapsed
A fire has started in the community center
The town has lost all electricity
2.
What should people in low areas do if it is safe?
Move to higher ground
Stay near the river and wait
Call their friends for a ride
Open all the windows
3.
What does the radio say people should avoid doing?
Walking through deep water
Using a blanket
Listening carefully
Saving battery power
4.
Why does the radio tell people to keep their phones off unless needed?
Battery power is limited
The phones are too expensive
The signal is perfect
The phones will get warmer
5.
What might happen later this evening?
A rescue team might reach the community center
The monsoon might start again at noon
The road to the market might close forever
The water might disappear in one hour
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- Q1A. Flood water is rising in the east district
- Q2A. Move to higher ground
- Q3A. Walking through deep water
- Q4A. Battery power is limited
- Q5A. A rescue team might reach the community center
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8. Word ordering
Teacher preview — use the slider to move between sentences and try the task as students see it.
Put the words in order to make each survival sentence.
Sentence 1 / 4
Your sentence
Tap words to place them here
Word bank
Sentence 1 of 4: 0 / 5 words placed
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- Slide 1First, they check the map.
- Slide 2Next, they save the rope.
- Slide 3Then, they share the blanket.
- Slide 4Finally, they move uphill.
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9. Speaking
Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner
Pair discussion: Choose the safest next move
Work with a partner. You are still in the flooded community center in San Paloma. Decide what the group should do first and which supplies are worth protecting.
Step 1: Compare your ideas
Take turns and say:
- what you think is the most important item
- what the group must do right away
- what the group should do next
- what the group might do if the water rises again
Step 2: Negotiate a plan
Try to agree on one plan. If you disagree, respond politely and give a reason.
Useful phrases:
- I think we should... because...
- We must... so that...
- I agree, but maybe...
- I’m not sure. What if... ?
- That could work, but...
- Let’s choose... first.
Speak about these ideas
- Which single item should the group protect first: water, rope, blanket, battery power, or food?
- What is the safest first action inside the building?
- If the floodwater gets higher, what change should the group make immediately?
- Which person’s job is most important right now: Maya, Tomas, or Priya? Why?
- What could happen if they use too much battery power too early?
- Should they stay together, or should one person look for help? Explain your choice.
- What is the best reason to keep one blanket dry?
- Which plan sounds stronger: waiting near the map, moving to the stairs, or preparing to leave? Why?
Mini challenge
After you speak, agree on one final sentence together:
- The group must ______ first because ______.
Try to keep your speaking clear, short, and practical. Use because, so, must, should, and might at least once.
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10. Board game
Student's turn
Student
Teacher
Play a decision game with survival choices.
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11. Matching
Match each survival item with its best use in the flood situation.
Column A
- water bottle
- rope
- blanket
- battery power
- map
- emergency services
Column B
- to drink and stay hydrated
- to pull, tie, or help someone move safely
- to keep warm and dry
- to keep a phone or radio working
- to find a safer route or higher ground
- people who can send rescue help and medical support
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- 1. water bottleto drink and stay hydrated
- 2. ropeto pull, tie, or help someone move safely
- 3. blanketto keep warm and dry
- 4. battery powerto keep a phone or radio working
- 5. mapto find a safer route or higher ground
- 6. emergency servicespeople who can send rescue help and medical support
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12. Listening
Listen to the emergency update. Then answer the questions about the new problem and the safest next steps.
- Who needs help in this update?
- What does the radio say about entering the water alone?
- Where might the rescue boat arrive?
- What should the group take with them?
- What should they do with battery power?
- What must they do if the water rises again?
Teacher audio script
Radio: New update for San Paloma. A neighbor near the market is trapped and needs help, but do not enter dangerous water alone. If you can reach the main road safely, a rescue boat might arrive near the bridge. Take only essential supplies. Keep one light source and save battery power. If the water rises again, move immediately to higher ground.
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13. True / false
Read each statement and decide if it is true or false.
A trapped neighbor near the market needs help.
The radio says it is safe to enter deep water alone.
A rescue boat may arrive near the bridge.
The group should pack everything they own.
If the water rises again, they must move immediately.
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- 1. A trapped neighbor near the market needs help.True
- 2. The radio says it is safe to enter deep water alone.False
- 3. A rescue boat may arrive near the bridge.True
- 4. The group should pack everything they own.False
- 5. If the water rises again, they must move immediately.True
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14. Fill in the blanks
Send this message to emergency services. Fill in the missing words.
We are in the flooded community center in San Paloma. Thewater is still rising, and one person isnear the back door. We need to move tosoon, because the water is getting deeper. Our phone has very littleleft, so please send ateam as soon as possible.
We are in the flooded community center in San Paloma. Thewater is still rising, and one person isnear the back door. We need to move tosoon, because the water is getting deeper. Our phone has very littleleft, so please send ateam as soon as possible.
Answer key (teachers only)
Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.
- Blank 1flood
- Blank 2trapped
- Blank 3higher ground
- Blank 4battery
- Blank 5rescue
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15. Writing task
Students write a short emergency message from Maya, Tomas, or Priya to emergency services. They should say where they are, what they need, what is happening, and what they have done. Include must, should, might, because, and sequencing words if possible.
Aim for at least 60 words.
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16. Speaking
Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner
Final escape decision
You are Maya, Tomas, and Priya in the flooded community center. Work together to choose the best next move and agree on one plan.
Your mission
- Decide which one or two supplies are most important to keep with you.
- Choose between waiting for the rescue boat or moving to higher ground.
- Explain your reasons clearly.
- Use polite disagreement if you do not agree at first.
Speak in turns
- Maya starts and gives one strong opinion.
- Tomas responds and adds a different idea.
- Priya helps the group make the final decision.
- The group agrees on one plan and says what to do next.
Useful language
- We must...
- We should...
- We might...
- I agree, but...
- I see your point, however...
- That makes sense because...
- If we wait, ...
- If we move now, ...
Discussion prompts
- Which item is most useful right now: the map, rope, blanket, water, or phone battery?
- Is it safer to stay and wait, or leave before the water rises again?
- What could go wrong if the group chooses the wrong route?
- How can the group help each other stay calm and make a clear decision?
- Which person should lead the next step, and why?
- What is the strongest reason to follow the map to higher ground?
- What is the strongest reason to wait for the rescue boat?
Challenge
Try to reach a final decision in less than two minutes. Then give a one-sentence summary of the plan: what you will do, what you will take, and why.
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17. AI conversation
Roles set by your teacherRole-play
Who is responsible for what
Stay in your role during the live voice chat. The AI partner follows the other role.
You (student)
One of the stranded adults in the flooded community center
AI partner
Another stranded adult helping make the survival plan
What to do
- Use your microphone and speak in short, clear sentences.
- Stay in the flooded San Paloma survival role-play and talk for about 5 minutes.
- Ask and answer about supplies, danger, next steps, and reasons.
- Try to use must, should, might, because, so, first, next, then, and finally.
Students connect here for a live 5-minute AI voice conversation.
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18. Voice message
Record a short survival report about the group’s escape from the flooded community center in San Paloma.
Include:
- how the group got to safety or stayed safe
- what they needed to do during the emergency
- which decisions helped them survive
- at least 2 sequencing words, such as first, next, then, finally
- at least 2 modal verbs, such as must, should, might
Speak clearly in B1 English. Aim for 60–90 seconds.
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19. Image
Follow the safest route to higher ground. Use the map, the bridge, and the rescue boat area to plan the escape.
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