The Reading / Listening - Artificial Sun - Level 3

China has set a record for creating the highest heat ever recorded. Scientists created temperatures of up to 70,000,000ºC in an "artificial sun". The new record was for keeping the heat at a temperature that is five times hotter than the sun. It did this for more than 17 minutes. The extreme heat was created in a nuclear fusion reactor. The reactor is part of the Experimental Advanced Super-conducting Tokamak project (EAST). It reproduces the natural reactions that happen inside our sun and other stars. The scientists want to develop the artificial sun to create a near-endless supply of clean energy. The EAST project has cost China more than $950 billion. Total costs will run over $1 trillion this year.

Scientists around the world have been trying for decades to develop nuclear fusion. They say it is the best way to produce clean energy. The nuclear fusion process needs no fossil fuels and leaves behind no dangerous waste. If scientists can make it work, the world will become greener and cleaner. It could also mean lower fuel bills. EAST set the new record in a laboratory. Nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced enough to become a global industry. However, researcher Dr Gong Xianzu, a nuclear fusion expert, says the EAST project is an important step. He said: "The recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation towards the running of a fusion reactor."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Artificial Sun - Level 0,  Artificial Sun - Level 1   or  Artificial Sun - Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.china.org.cn/china/2022-01/01/content_77964589.htm
  • https://news.yahoo.com/china-switches-artificial-sun-five-105253561.html
  • http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20211231/415ad5413d0f4f4880de7cb64972bbf0/c.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. THE SUN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the sun. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       record / heat / temperature / artificial / nuclear / scientist / supply / clean energy /
       decade / fossil fuels / waste / fuel bills / laboratory / global / expert / operation
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CLEAN ENERGY: Students A strongly believe we will have clean energy soon; Students B strongly believe we won't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. GREEN ENERGY: What do you know about these green energies? How green are they? Are they used in your country?  Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

How Green?

My Country

Nuclear

 

 

 

Wind

 

 

 

Solar

 

 

 

Wave

 

 

 

Geothermal

 

 

 

Biofuels

 

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. HEAT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "heat". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BILLS: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst bills at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Electricity bills
  • Repair bills
  • Water bills
  • Phone bills
  • Gas bills
  • Tax bills
  • Food bills
  • Hospital bills

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. set a. Created the best of something (a record) for others to try and beat or better.
      2. temperature b. A special place where a nuclear reaction takes place.
      3. artificial c. How hot or cold someone or something is.
      4. heat d. Very great; reaching a high or the highest degree.
      5. extreme e. Made by people, not nature.
      6. reactor f. The quality of being hot.
      7. supply g. Make something that is needed or wanted available to someone.

    Paragraph 2

      8. decade h. A printed or written paper showing the money owed for goods or services.
      9. nuclear fusion i. The part that is left over and not needed after a process has taken place.
      10. fossil fuel j. A period of ten years.
      11. waste k. An area of business activity (e.g. tourism, health, cars, oil...).
      12. bill l. A reaction in which atoms react to release energy.
      13. industry m. The basic thing needed to build on or develop from.
      14. foundation n. Coal, oil and gas.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Scientists in China created temperatures of 70 millionº C.     T / F
  2. The scientists maintained the record heat for nearly 17 seconds.     T / F
  3. The artificial sun project in China is called FAST.     T / F
  4. The cost of the project is already over $1 trillion.     T / F
  5. Scientists have been working on nuclear fusion for decades.     T / F
  6. The artificial sun project needs fossil fuels to work well.     T / F
  7. Nuclear fusion could mean we will pay less for fuel.     T / F
  8. A researcher said the artificial sun was an important step forward.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. set
  2. keeping
  3. extreme
  4. reproduces
  5. endless
  6. develop
  7. way
  8. lower
  9. expert
  10. foundation
  1. create
  2. established
  3. base
  4. limitless
  5. great
  6. specialist
  7. maintaining
  8. method
  9. copies
  10. reduced

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. creating the highest heat
  2. The extreme heat was created in
  3. the natural reactions that happen
  4. create a near-endless supply
  5. Total costs will run
  6. Scientists around the world have been
  7. it is the best way to produce
  8. fossil
  9. Nuclear fusion technology is still not
  10. a solid scientific and experimental
  1. fuels
  2. inside our sun
  3. over $1 trillion this year
  4. advanced enough
  5. a nuclear fusion reactor
  6. clean energy
  7. ever recorded
  8. trying for decades
  9. foundation
  10. of clean energy

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
extreme
natural
costs
set
endless
part
keeping
stars

China has (1) _____________________ a record for creating the highest heat ever recorded. Scientists created temperatures of up to 70,000,000ºC in an "artificial sun". The new record was for (2) _____________________ the heat at a temperature that is five times hotter than the sun. It did this for more than 17 minutes. The (3) _____________________ heat was created in a nuclear fusion reactor. The reactor is (4) _____________________ of the Experimental Advanced Super-conducting Tokamak project (EAST). It reproduces the (5) _____________________ reactions that happen inside our sun and other (6) _____________________. The scientists want to develop the artificial sun to create a near- (7) _____________________ supply of clean energy. The EAST project has cost China more than $950 billion. Total (8) _____________________ will run over $1 trillion this year.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
greener
decades
enough
waste
bills
running
way
step

Scientists around the world have been trying for (9) _____________________ to develop nuclear fusion. They say it is the best (10) _____________________ to produce clean energy. The nuclear fusion process needs no fossil fuels and leaves behind no dangerous (11) _____________________. If scientists can make it work, the world will become (12) _____________________ and cleaner. It could also mean lower fuel (13) _____________________. EAST set the new record in a laboratory. Nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced (14) _____________________ to become a global industry. However, researcher Dr Gong Xianzu, a nuclear fusion expert, says the EAST project is an important (15) _____________________. He said: "The recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation towards the (16) _____________________ of a fusion reactor."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) China has set a record for creating the highest ______
     a.  heat never recorded
     b.  heat even recorded
     c.  heat ever recorded
     d.  heat every recorded
2)  The extreme heat was created in a ______
     a.  nuclear fusion tractor
     b.  nuclear fusion vector
     c.  nuclear fusion rector
     d.  nuclear fusion reactor
3)  It reproduces the natural reactions that happen inside our sun ______
     a.  and other starlets
     b.  and other star
     c.  and other stars
     d.  and another stars
4)  The scientists want to develop the artificial sun to create a ______
     a.  near-endless supply
     b.  nor-endless supply
     c.  new-endless supply
     d.  nears-endless supply
5)  Total costs will run over $1 ______.
     a.  trillion these year
     b.  trillion this year
     c.  trillion that year
     d.  trillion those year

6)  Scientists around the world have been ______
     a.  trying for decadence
     b.  trying for deck aids
     c.  trying for deck codes
     d.  trying for decades
7)  The nuclear fusion process needs no fossil fuels and leaves behind ______
     a.  now dangerous waste
     b.  not dangerous waste
     c.  know dangerous waste
     d.  no dangerous waste
8)  Nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced enough to become ______
     a.  a globally industry
     b.  a global industry
     c.  a global industrial
     d.  a global in dust tree
9)  a nuclear fusion expert says the EAST project is ______
     a.  an importance step
     b.  an importantly step
     c.  an important step
     d.  an imp port ant step
10)  a solid scientific and experimental foundation ______
     a.  towards a running
     b.  towards them running
     c.  towards the run in
     d.  towards the running

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

China has (1) ____________________ for creating the highest heat ever recorded. Scientists created temperatures of up to 70,000,000ºC in an "artificial sun". The new record was for (2) ____________________ at a temperature that is five times hotter than the sun. It did this for more than 17 minutes. The (3) ____________________ created in a nuclear fusion reactor. The reactor is part of the Experimental Advanced Super-conducting Tokamak project (EAST). It (4) ____________________ reactions that happen inside our sun and other stars. The scientists want to develop the artificial sun to create a near-endless supply (5) ____________________. The EAST project has cost China more than $950 billion. Total costs will run over $1 (6) ____________________.

Scientists around the world have been (7) ____________________ to develop nuclear fusion. They say it is the best way to produce clean energy. The nuclear fusion process needs (8) ____________________ and leaves behind no dangerous waste. If scientists can make it work, the world will become greener and cleaner. It could also mean (9) ___________________. EAST set the new record in a laboratory. Nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced enough to (10) ____________________ industry. However, researcher Dr Gong Xianzu, a nuclear (11) ____________________ the EAST project is an important step. He said: "The recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation (12) ____________________ of a fusion reactor."

Comprehension questions

  1. What temperature did the scientists create?
  2. For how long was the record temperature maintained?
  3. What is the abbreviation for the project?
  4. Where does nuclear fusion take place naturally?
  5. How much will costs rise to later this year?
  6. For how long have scientists been working on nuclear fusion?
  7. What does nuclear fusion not need?
  8. What could be lower because of nuclear fusion?
  9. What is nuclear fusion still not advanced enough to be?
  10. What is Dr Gong Xianzu an expert on?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What temperature did the scientists create?
a) 70,000,000ºC
b) 17,000,000ºC
c) 77,000,000ºC
d) 7,000,000ºC
2) For how long was the record temperature maintained?
a) 18 minutes
b) 15 minutes
c) 17 minutes
d) 16 minutes
3) What is the abbreviation for the project?
a) FAST
b) EAST
c) BEAST
d) YEAST
4) Where does nuclear fusion take place naturally?
a) inside plants
b) power stations
c) inside our bodies
d) inside our sun
5)  How much will costs rise to later this year?
a) over $1 trillion
b) around $1 trillion
c) exactly $1 trillion
d) just under $1 trillion

6) For how long have scientists been working on nuclear fusion?
a) years
b) millennia
c) centuries
d) decades
7) What does nuclear fusion not need?
a) lots of cash
b) fossil fuels
c) a laboratory
d) atoms
8) What could be lower because of nuclear fusion?
a) global temperatures
b) snowfall
c) stress
d) fuel bills
9) What is nuclear fusion still not advanced enough to be?
a) safe
b) a game-changer
c) a global industry
d) cheap
10) What is Dr Gong Xianzu an expert on?
a) the sun
b) nuclear fusion
c) global industries
d) laboratories

Role play

Role  A – Electricity Bills
You think electricity bills are the worst. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these are the easiest to pay (and why): water bills, phone / Internet bills or hospital bills.

Role  B – Water Bills
You think water bills are the worst. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these are the easiest to pay (and why): electricity bills, phone / Internet bills or hospital bills.

Role  C – Phone/Internet Bills
You think phone / Internet bills are the worst. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these are the easiest to pay (and why): water bills, electricity bills or hospital bills.

Role  D – Hospital Bills
You think hospital bills are the worst. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their bills aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which of these are the easiest to pay (and why): water bills, phone / Internet bills or electricity bills.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'artificial'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'sun'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • highest
    • keeping
    • 17
    • happen
    • develop
    • run
    • decades
    • way
    • behind
    • enough
    • expert
    • running

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Artificial Sun

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'artificial'?
    3. What do you know about the sun?
    4. Why is the sun so important?
    5. What do you know about nuclear fusion?
    6. What do you think of temperatures of 70,000,000ºC?
    7. What do you think of this new record?
    8. Why is clean energy so important?
    9. Do you think we will ever have clean energy?
    10. What do you think of the cost of this project?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'sun'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you want to know about the sun?
    5. What are the best clean energies we have today?
    6. What do you think of fossil fuels?
    7. Do you worry about your fuel bills?
    8. How might nuclear fusion change our lives?
    9. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    China has (1) ____ a record for creating the highest heat ever recorded. Scientists created temperatures of (2) ____ to 70,000,000ºC in an "artificial sun". The new record was for keeping the heat at a temperature that is five times hotter than the sun. It did (3) ____ for more than 17 minutes. The extreme heat was created in a nuclear fusion reactor. The reactor is part of the Experimental Advanced Super-conducting Tokamak project (EAST). It (4) ____ the natural reactions that happen inside our sun and other stars. The scientists want to develop the artificial sun to create a (5) ____-endless supply of clean energy. The EAST project has cost China more than $950 billion. Total costs will (6) ____ over $1 trillion this year.

    Scientists around the world have been (7) ____ for decades to develop nuclear fusion. They say it is the best way (8) ____ produce clean energy. The nuclear fusion process needs no fossil fuels and leaves behind (9) ____ dangerous waste. If scientists can make it work, the world will become greener and cleaner. It could also mean (10) ____ fuel bills. EAST set the new record in a laboratory. Nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced (11) ____ to become a global industry. However, researcher Dr Gong Xianzu, a nuclear fusion expert, says the EAST project is an important step. He said: "The recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation towards the (12) ____ of a fusion reactor."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     set     (b)     let     (c)     bet     (d)     wet    
    2. (a)     down     (b)     along     (c)     up     (d)     over    
    3. (a)     these     (b)     them     (c)     this     (d)     there    
    4. (a)     takes place     (b)     occurs     (c)     happens     (d)     reproduces    
    5. (a)     near     (b)     close     (c)     far     (d)     distant    
    6. (a)     walk     (b)     run     (c)     chase     (d)     dash    
    7. (a)     try     (b)     tries     (c)     tried     (d)     trying    
    8. (a)     for     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    9. (a)     not     (b)     never     (c)     no     (d)     no's    
    10. (a)     cheaply     (b)     decrease     (c)     lesser     (d)     lower    
    11. (a)     ample     (b)     sufficient     (c)     plenty     (d)     enough    
    12. (a)     walking     (b)     running     (c)     dashing     (d)     sprinting

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. mtesteuerapr of up to 70,000,000ºC
    2. a caurlne fusion reactor
    3. natural raoetcsni that happen inside our sun
    4. elovdpe the artificial sun
    5. create a near-endless pulpsy of clean energy
    6. Total costs will run over $1 orniiltl

    Paragraph 2

    1. trying for acdseed
    2. The nuclear fusion crsoeps
    3. dangerous tsewa
    4. in a aorrbaotyl
    5. a nuclear fusion rpetxe
    6. The recent epntorioa

    Put the text back together

    (...)  bills. EAST set the new record in a laboratory. Nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced enough to
    (...)  a nuclear fusion reactor. The reactor is part of the Experimental Advanced Super-conducting Tokamak project
    (...)  way to produce clean energy. The nuclear fusion process needs no fossil fuels and leaves behind no dangerous
    (...)  stars. The scientists want to develop the artificial sun to create a near-endless supply of clean
    (...)  waste. If scientists can make it work, the world will become greener and cleaner. It could also mean lower fuel
    (...)  energy. The EAST project has cost China more than $950 billion. Total costs will run over $1 trillion this year.
    (...)  Scientists around the world have been trying for decades to develop nuclear fusion. They say it is the best
    (...)  and experimental foundation towards the running of a fusion reactor."
    (...)  expert, says the EAST project is an important step. He said: "The recent operation lays a solid scientific
    (...)  become a global industry. However, researcher Dr Gong Xianzu, a nuclear fusion
    (...)  of up to 70,000,000ºC in an "artificial sun". The new record was for keeping the heat at a temperature that is five
    (  1  ) China has set a record for creating the highest heat ever recorded. Scientists created temperatures
    (...)  (EAST). It reproduces the natural reactions that happen inside our sun and other
    (...)  times hotter than the sun. It did this for more than 17 minutes. The extreme heat was created in

    Put the words in the right order

    1. for   creating   record   a   Set   highest   heat   .   the
    2. more   this   than   for   17   It   minutes   .   did
    3. supply   near-endless   of   Create   clean   a   energy   .
    4. scientists   want   The   develop   the   sun   .   to   artificial
    5. costs   will   this   run   $1 trillion   over   Total   year   .
    6. the   been   have   trying   .   world   Scientists   around
    7. energy   .   way   the   clean   It's   best   produce   to
    8. fuels   .   fusion   fossil   no   needs   process   nuclear   The
    9. not   fusion   technology   enough   is   advanced   still   Nuclear
    10. important   step   .   an   is   project   EAST   The

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    China has set / bet a record for creating the highest heat ever recorded. Scientists created temperatures of up to 70,000,000ºC in an "artificial sun". The new record was to / for keeping the heat at a temperature that is five times hotter than the sun. It did / heated this for more than 17 minutes. The extreme / extremely heat was created in a nuclear fusion reactor. The reactor is / be part of the Experimental Advanced Super-conducting Tokamak project (EAST). It reproduces a / the natural reactions that happen inside our sun and another / other stars. The scientists want to develop the artificial sun for / to create a near-endless supply of clean energy. The EAST project has cost / priced China more than $950 billion. Total costs will run / walk over $1 trillion this year.

    Scientists around the world have been tying / trying for decades to develop nuclear fusion. They say it is the best way to produce cleanser / clean energy. The nuclear fusion process needs no fossil / fossils fuels and leaves behind no dangerous wasting / waste. If scientists can make it work, the world will become greener and cleaner. It could also mean / meant lower fuel bills. EAST set the new record in a lavatory / laboratory. Nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced for / enough to become a global industry. However, researcher Dr Gong Xianzu, a nuclear fusion expat / expert, says the EAST project is an important step / stair. He said: "The recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation towards the ruining / running of a fusion reactor."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

         Ch_n_  h_s  s_t  _  r_c_rd  f_r  cr__t_ng  th_  h_gh_st  h__t  _v_r  r_c_rd_d.  Sc__nt_sts  cr__t_d  t_mp_r_t_r_s  _f  _p  t_  70,000,000ºC  _n  _n  "_rt_f_c__l  s_n".  Th_  n_w  r_c_rd  w_s  f_r  k__p_ng  th_  h__t  _t  _  t_mp_r_t_r_  th_t  _s  f_v_  t_m_s  h_tt_r  th_n  th_  s_n.  _t  d_d  th_s  f_r  m_r_  th_n  17  m_n_t_s.  Th_  _xtr_m_  h__t  w_s  cr__t_d  _n  _  n_cl__r  f_s__n  r__ct_r.  Th_  r__ct_r  _s  p_rt  _f  th_  _xp_r_m_nt_l  _dv_nc_d  S_p_r-c_nd_ct_ng  T_k_m_k  pr_j_ct  (__ST).  _t  r_pr_d_c_s  th_  n_t_r_l  r__ct__ns  th_t  h_pp_n  _ns_d_  __r  s_n  _nd  _th_r  st_rs.  Th_  sc__nt_sts  w_nt  t_  d_v_l_p  th_  _rt_f_c__l  s_n  t_  cr__t_  _  n__r-_ndl_ss  s_pply  _f  cl__n  _n_rgy.  Th_  __ST  pr_j_ct  h_s  c_st  Ch_n_  m_r_  th_n  $950  b_ll__n.  T_t_l  c_sts  w_ll  r_n  _v_r  $1  tr_ll__n  th_s  y__r.

              Sc__nt_sts  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  h_v_  b__n  try_ng  f_r  d_c_d_s  t_  d_v_l_p  n_cl__r  f_s__n.  Th_y  s_y  _t  _s  th_  b_st  w_y  t_  pr_d_c_  cl__n  _n_rgy.  Th_  n_cl__r  f_s__n  pr_c_ss  n__ds  n_  f_ss_l  f__ls  _nd  l__v_s  b_h_nd  n_  d_ng_r__s  w_st_.  _f  sc__nt_sts  c_n  m_k_  _t  w_rk,  th_  w_rld  w_ll  b_c_m_  gr__n_r  _nd  cl__n_r.  _t  c__ld  _ls_  m__n  l_w_r  f__l  b_lls.  __ST  s_t  th_  n_w  r_c_rd  _n  _  l_b_r_t_ry.  N_cl__r  f_s__n  t_chn_l_gy  _s  st_ll  n_t  _dv_nc_d  _n__gh  t_  b_c_m_  _  gl_b_l  _nd_stry.  H_w_v_r,  r_s__rch_r  Dr  G_ng  X__nz_,  _  n_cl__r  f_s__n  _xp_rt,  s_ys  th_  __ST  pr_j_ct  _s  _n  _mp_rt_nt  st_p.  H_  s__d:  "Th_  r_c_nt  _p_r_t__n  l_ys  _  s_l_d  sc__nt_f_c  _nd  _xp_r_m_nt_l  f__nd_t__n  t_w_rds  th_  r_nn_ng  _f  _  f_s__n  r__ct_r."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

         china has set a record for creating the highest heat ever recorded scientists created temperatures of up to 70000000c in an artificial sun the new record was for keeping the heat at a temperature that is five times hotter than the sun it did this for more than 17 minutes the extreme heat was created in a nuclear fusion reactor the reactor is part of the experimental advanced superconducting tokamak project east it reproduces the natural reactions that happen inside our sun and other stars the scientists want to develop the artificial sun to create a nearendless supply of clean energy the east project has cost china more than 950 billion total costs will run over 1 trillion this year

         scientists around the world have been trying for decades to develop nuclear fusion they say it is the best way to produce clean energy the nuclear fusion process needs no fossil fuels and leaves behind no dangerous waste if scientists can make it work the world will become greener and cleaner it could also mean lower fuel bills east set the new record in a laboratory nuclear fusion technology is still not advanced enough to become a global industry however researcher dr gong xianzu a nuclear fusion expert says the east project is an important step he said the recent operation lays a solid scientific and experimental foundation towards the running of a fusion reactor

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Chinahassetarecordforcreatingthehighestheateverrecorded.Scienti
    stscreatedtemperaturesofupto70,000,000ºCinan"artificialsun".The
    newrecordwasforkeepingtheheatatatemperaturethatisfivetimeshot
    terthanthesun.Itdidthisformorethan17minutes.Theextremeheatwa
    screatedinanuclearfusionreactor.ThereactorispartoftheExperiment
    alAdvancedSuper-conductingTokamakproject(EAST).Itreproduces
    thenaturalreactionsthathappeninsideoursunandotherstars.Thescie
    ntistswanttodeveloptheartificialsuntocreateanear-endlesssupplyof
    cleanenergy.TheEASTprojecthascostChinamorethan$950billion.Tot
    alcostswillrunover$1trillionthisyear.Scientistsaroundtheworldhave
    beentryingfordecadestodevelopnuclearfusion.Theysayitisthebestw
    aytoproducecleanenergy.Thenuclearfusionprocessneedsnofossilfue
    lsandleavesbehindnodangerouswaste.Ifscientistscanmakeitwork,t
    heworldwillbecomegreenerandcleaner.Itcouldalsomeanlowerfuelbil
    ls.EASTsetthenewrecordinalaboratory.Nuclearfusiontechnologyisst
    illnotadvancedenoughtobecomeaglobalindustry.However,research
    erDrGongXianzu,anuclearfusionexpert,saystheEASTprojectisanimp
    ortantstep.Hesaid:"Therecentoperationlaysasolidscientificandexpe
    rimentalfoundationtowardstherunningofafusionreactor."

    Free writing

    Write about artificial sun for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Clean energy is the most important goal in science. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. THE SUN: Make a poster about the sun. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. FOSSIL FUELS: Write a magazine article about ending all investment in fossil fuels immediately. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on the sun. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can use the sun. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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