Heatwave Brings Rising Deaths and Wildfires
Today’s article is about the rising heat that is happening all over Europe and in many parts of the world. Is this the new normal or is this just an unusual year?
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🚀 Find your level and then practice the exercises below!
Beginner Level (A1/A2)
A strong heatwave has started in many countries in Europe. In France, more than 2,000 extra people died last week because of the high temperatures. Many of the people who died were older adults. Paris was almost 41°C, and many parts of the country experienced a heat warning. Weather experts say that another period of hot weather is coming soon to France, the UK, Spain, and Portugal.
The heat has caused many problems across Europe. Belgium and the Netherlands also reported more deaths than usual. In France, some people died while in rivers, lakes, or the sea. Portugal is in a state of alert because temperatures may go above 40°C, and Spain is getting ready for more extreme heat.
- heatwave – A long period of very hot weather.
- adults – Grown-up people.
- warning – Information that tells people about possible danger
- experts – People who know a lot about a subject.
- reported – Told or announced officially.
- state of alert – A time when people must be ready because there is danger.
- extreme -very great or very serious.
Intermediate Level (B1/B2)
France has reported more than 2,000 additional deaths after an intense heatwave swept across Europe in late June. The number of deaths increased by nearly 30% compared with the previous week, with older adults being the most affected. Paris experienced temperatures close to 41°C, and weather forecasters expect another period of extreme heat to reach France, southern Britain, Spain, and Portugal in the coming days.
The heatwave has brought serious challenges across Europe. Belgium and the Netherlands also recorded hundreds of extra deaths, mainly among elderly people. French officials warned that the country’s death toll could still rise as more information becomes available. The hot, dry weather has also increased the risk of wildfires, leading to thousands of evacuations in southern France.
- reported – Announced officially.
- heatwave – A long period of very hot weather.
- swept across – spread rapidly over
- weather forecasters – people who predict the weather
- extreme – Very serious or very high.
- challenges – Difficult problems.
- recorded – Counted or officially noted.
- elderly – Old people.
- death toll – The number of people who have died.
- risk – The possibility that something bad may happen.
- wildfires – Large fires in forests or grasslands.
- evacuations – Moving people from danger to safety.
Native Level (C1)
France has confirmed a sharp increase in deaths following the record-breaking heatwave that gripped Europe in late June, with more than 2,000 additional fatalities recorded during the final week of the month. Health officials reported that mortality rose by almost 30% compared with the previous week, particularly among older adults, as temperatures in Paris approached 41°C and much of the country remained under the highest heat alert. Meteorologists are now warning that another spell of extreme heat is set to affect France, southern Britain, Portugal, and Spain.
The prolonged heat has had widespread consequences across Europe. Belgium and the Netherlands also reported significant increases in excess deaths, with elderly residents accounting for the majority of the fatalities. French authorities cautioned that the current mortality figures are likely to rise as further data is analysed. At the same time, soaring temperatures have intensified wildfire conditions, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate communities in southern France. Portugal has declared a nationwide state of alert, and several regions of Spain are preparing for temperatures exceeding 40°C.
- sharp increase – strong rise; becoming much greater.
- heatwave – A long period of unusually hot weather.
- gripped – Strongly affected or controlled.
- fatalities – Deaths caused by an event.
- mortality – The number of deaths in a group or place.
- meteorologists – scientists who study and predict the weather
- spell – A period of time.
- prolonged – Lasting longer than usual.
- consequences – results or effects of an action
- soaring – rising quickly or flying high.
- cautioned – Warned people to be careful.
- evacuate – Leave a dangerous place for safety.
True or False Exercises
Can you get these 5 questions right?
1 . France recorded more than 5,000 extra deaths during the last week of June because of the heatwave.
true / false
✅ false
ℹ️ There were 2000 deaths
2. Weather experts believe cooler temperatures will arrive across Europe this weekend.
true / false
✅ false
ℹ️ The hot weather is expected to continue.
3. Belgium and the Netherlands also reported more deaths than usual during the period of extreme heat.
true / false
✅ true
ℹ️ Most of Europe is experiencing unusually hot weather.
4. Wildfires in southern France forced thousands of people to leave their homes.
true / false
✅ true
ℹ️ There have been lots of wildfires in the south of France.
5. Scientists say people need to install air conditioning in every house and building.
true / false
✅ false
ℹ️ This announcement has not happened.
Vocabulary Quiz
Which answer matches the meaning?
1 . heatwave
1. A single very hot day.
2. A long period of unusually hot weather.
3. Warm weather that happens every summer.
✅ 2
ℹ️ “Heatwaves are unusual in May”
2. weather forecaster
1. A person who measures the temperature only.
2. A person who studies climate change only.
3. A person who predicts and reports the weather.
✅ 2
ℹ️ “Today the weather forecaster got it wrong!”
3. elderly people
1. People who are middle-aged.
2. People who are old, usually aged 65 or older.
3. People who are middle-aged.
✅2
ℹ️ Japan has many elderly people because they live much longer.
4. risk
1. The chance that something bad may happen.
2. A guarantee that something bad will happen.
3. A reward for doing something difficult.
✅ 1
ℹ️”There is a risk of rain today”
5. evacuation
1. The process of building new homes after a disaster.
2. The process of moving people from a dangerous place to a safe place.
3. The return of people to their homes after an emergency.
✅ 2
ℹ️ The ship had a fire, so there was an evacuation.
