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Wildfires expose millions in Midwest, Northeast to dangerous smoke: "Perfect storm for really dry conditions" - CBS News

Students will explore a news story about wildfire smoke affecting cities across the Midwest and Northeast, while learning key health and weather vocabulary. They will also practice giving safety advice, sharing personal reactions, and summarizing the situation in short spoken and written responses.

B1 Intermediate60 minutesEnglishTeacher

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1. Image

Teacher note: Show the news headline and smoke map to set the topic.

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2. Vocabulary

  • wildfire
    a large fire that spreads quickly in forests, grassland, or other natural areas
  • smoke
    dirty air and tiny particles produced by something that is burning
  • air quality
    how clean or polluted the air is in a place
  • hazardous
    extremely dangerous or unsafe for health
  • pollution
    harmful substances in the air, water, or ground
  • particulate matter
    very small pieces of pollution floating in the air
  • alert
    an official warning that tells people about danger
  • advisory
    official advice or guidance about a problem or risk
  • sensitive groups
    people who may be affected more strongly by pollution or illness, such as children or people with health conditions
  • shortness of breath
    difficulty breathing normally
  • N95 mask
    a protective face mask that filters many tiny particles from the air
  • air purifier
    a machine that helps clean the air inside a room or building
  • outdoor activity
    exercise or other actions you do outside
  • health risk
    a situation that may harm your health

Teacher note: Vocabulary set for B1 adults on wildfire smoke, air quality warnings, and practical health protection. Definitions are clear and news-focused, with a few useful phrases for everyday safety talk.

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3. Dictation

Dictation script (teacher)

Heavy smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota is moving across the Midwest and Northeast United States. Many cities are under air quality alerts because the air is unhealthy. Experts say fine smoke particles can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and other health problems. People are advised to stay indoors, close windows, and wear an N95 or KN95 mask if they must go outside. Officials warn that the smoke may continue for several days.

Target script: 35–45 words · current: 74. Students need at least 25 typed words to complete when required.

Listen and type the sentence you hear. Focus on the main news message and safety advice.

Your browser does not support audio playback.

AI-generated audio — replay as often as you need.

0 words typed25 words needed when required

Teacher note: Dictation practice with a short public-health news summary about wildfire smoke, air quality alerts, and safety advice.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • ScriptHeavy smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota is moving across the Midwest and Northeast United States. Many cities are under air quality alerts because the air is unhealthy. Experts say fine smoke particles can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and other health problems. People are advised to stay indoors, close windows, and wear an N95 or KN95 mask if they must go outside. Officials warn that the smoke may continue for several days.

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4. Speaking

Class speaking activity — read, then practise aloud with your teacher or partner

Speaking: Reacting to smoky air

Pair or group discussion

Work with a partner. Take turns answering the prompts below. Try to give reasons and simple examples from your own life or city.

Discussion prompts

  1. If your city suddenly had thick smoke in the air, what would you do first?
  2. Would you change your plans for the day, or try to continue as normal? Why?
  3. How might smoky air affect people who work outdoors, travel to work, or exercise outside?
  4. What advice would you give to families with young children or to older adults?
  5. What could people do at home to make the indoor air feel safer or cleaner?
  6. When you hear an official warning, how do you usually get the news: TV, phone alerts, social media, or another way?
  7. What would make you decide to wear a mask outside?
  8. Have you ever had a day when the air felt uncomfortable or unhealthy? What did you notice?

Useful speaking phrases

  • First, I would...
  • I’d probably stay inside because...
  • That could be a problem for...
  • I would pay attention to...
  • If I had to go out, I would...
  • In my experience, ...

Mini role-play

Student A is a friend who wants to go running outside. Student B is someone who has just seen a warning about the air.

  • Student A: explain why you still want to go.
  • Student B: give calm advice and suggest a safer choice.
  • Then switch roles and repeat with a different reason, such as commuting, shopping, or taking children to school.

Follow-up challenge

Choose one situation and speak for 30 seconds:

  • a delivery worker on a smoky day
  • a parent deciding about school pickup
  • an office worker thinking about the commute
  • a person checking the air before leaving home

Teacher note: A guided speaking lesson for adults on how to respond to dangerous smoke in daily life, with prompts about routines, health, and public warnings.

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5. Short answer

Answer each question in 1–3 short sentences.

1.

What would you do first if your area suddenly had very smoky air? Why?

2.

Which people may need extra care when the air is dirty, and why?

3.

How do you usually react when your phone or TV gives a public warning?

4.

Do you think official smoke warnings are useful? Explain your opinion.

Teacher note: Short-answer practice on the smoke news story, focusing on safety choices, affected people, and opinions about warnings.

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6. Writing task

Students write a short practical message for residents during a smoke alert. Ask them to include at least three safety tips and one sentence about health risks. Tone: clear, helpful, adult-friendly.

Aim for at least 70 words.

Teacher note: Writing task: students compose a short, practical local safety post about smoke alert conditions, with clear advice and one sentence about health risks.

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7. Voice message

Record a short voice message for a friend or colleague. Keep it under 60 seconds and sound calm but urgent.

In your message, include:

  • what is happening with the smoke,
  • one health risk,
  • two safety actions people should take today.

Speak clearly and use simple, natural English.

Tap to record

Up to 60 seconds

Teacher note: A short voice-message task that asks students to give a calm, practical update about the wildfire smoke and safety steps.

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8. True / false

Read each statement and choose True or False.

  • Wildfire smoke affected parts of the Midwest and Northeast United States.

  • The article says the air was safe for everyone in all cities.

  • Experts recommended staying indoors when possible.

  • N95 masks were suggested for people who had to go outside.

  • The smoke came only from fires in one U.S. state.

Teacher note: True/false check on wildfire smoke, air quality warnings, and basic safety advice.

Answer key (teachers only)

Students do not see this. Add or update questions and answers below the activity.

  • 1. Wildfire smoke affected parts of the Midwest and Northeast United State…True
  • 2. The article says the air was safe for everyone in all cities.False
  • 3. Experts recommended staying indoors when possible.True
  • 4. N95 masks were suggested for people who had to go outside.True
  • 5. The smoke came only from fires in one U.S. state.False

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9. Board game

Student's turn (preview)

Student

Roll

Teacher

Preview — dice sync when the lesson is live

Roll the die, move along the path, and complete each wildfire-smoke task with a partner or the teacher. Finish the board by reviewing the news and safety advice.

Teacher note: Roll the die, move along the path, and complete each wildfire-smoke task with a partner or the teacher. Finish the board by reviewing the news and safety advice.

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