• bad air keeps students at home until 16 September

Hi Indra,

I want to tell you about a situation in Solok, West Sumatra. Students there are studying at home because the air outside is not safe. There is a lot of smoke in the area. The smoke comes from forest and land fires in some parts of Indonesia.

Bad air can be dangerous, especially for children. It can make people cough, have trouble breathing, or feel sick. Children can have more problems if they spend a long time outside in the smoke. Because of this, the local government in Solok has asked students to stay at home.

Schools have changed their normal lessons. Students now study at home instead of going to school. In Indonesia, this is called Belajar Dari Rumah, or “Learning from Home”. Students can do their school work without spending many hours outside in the bad air.

The new school plan is for students from primary school to senior high school. It will continue until 16 September because the air is still not good enough for students to return to school.

This is not easy for students, teachers, or parents. Teachers have to prepare work that students can do at home. They may send the work by phone or online. Parents also need to help their children with their school work.

Students in Solok are not on holiday. They still have lessons and school work to do. They are studying at home for a short time because the air outside is bad.

I hope the fires stop soon and the smoke goes away. Then the students can return to school and study with their teachers and friends.

Best wishes,

Chanra

_________________________

Vocabulary:

Word / phrase	A1 definition
to be safe	to not be in danger or at risk
a land fire	a fire that burns grass, trees, or land
to cough	to push air out of your throat with a loud sound
to have trouble breathing	to find it difficult to get air into your lungs
to feel sick	to feel that you may vomit or that you are not well
instead of	in place of someone or something else
to spend hours outside	to stay outside for many hours
to continue	to keep doing something
to return	to go back to a place
to prepare	to get something ready
for a short time	for only a little time

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Match the words with the definitions

1. to be safe
2. a land fire
3. to cough
4. to have trouble breathing
5. to feel sick
6. instead of
7. to spend hours outside
8. to continue
9. to return
10. to prepare
11. for a short time
    

A. to keep doing something
B. to get something ready
C. to stay outside for many hours
D. to go back to a place
E. to feel that you may vomit or that you are not well
F. to not be in danger
G. in place of someone or something else
H. a fire that burns grass, trees, or land
I. to push air out of your throat with a loud sound
J. for only a little time
K. to find it difficult to get air into your lungs

_______________________________

Answer:
1–F, 2–H, 3–I, 4–K, 5–E, 6–G,
7–C, 8–A, 9–D, 10–B, 11–J

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Match the definitions with the words

1. to get something ready
2. to stay outside for many hours
3. to go back to a place
4. to keep doing something
5. to not be in danger
6. for only a little time
7. a fire that burns grass, trees, or land
8. to find it difficult to get air into your lungs
9. to feel that you may vomit or that you are not well
10. in place of someone or something else
11. to push air out of your throat with a loud sound
    

A. to continue
B. to feel sick
C. a land fire
D. to prepare
E. instead of
F. to return
G. to cough
H. for a short time
I. to be safe
J. to spend hours outside
K. to have trouble breathing

____________________________

Answer:
1–D, 2–J, 3–F, 4–A, 5–I, 6–H,
7–C, 8–K, 9–B, 10–E, 11–G

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True or false

1. Students in Solok are studying at home because the air outside is not safe.
2. The smoke comes from fires in forests and on land in some parts of Indonesia.
3. Bad air cannot cause breathing problems.
4. The local government has asked students to stay at home.
5. Students in Solok are having a normal school holiday.
6. Belajar Dari Rumah means “Learning from Home”.
7. Students can do their school work without spending many hours outside.
8. The new school plan is only for primary school students.
9. The plan will continue until 16 September.
10. Teachers do not need to prepare work for students.
11. Parents may help their children with their school work.
12. Students are studying at home because they do not like their teachers.
13. Bad air can be especially dangerous for children.
14. Teachers may send school work by phone or online.
15. The school plan is only for senior high school students.
16. Students have no school work while they are at home.
17. Students are studying at home for a short time.
18. The writer hopes that the fires and smoke will continue.
19. Students can return to school when the air is good enough.
20. The situation is easy for students, teachers, and parents.

___________________________

False: 3,5,8,10,12,15,16,18,20

__________________________

Correct version:

Students in Solok are studying at home because the air outside is not safe.

The smoke comes from fires in forests and on land in some parts of Indonesia.

Bad air cannot cause breathing problems.
True is: Bad air can cause breathing problems.

The local government has asked students to stay at home.

Students in Solok are having a normal school holiday.
True is: Students in Solok are not having a normal school holiday.

Belajar Dari Rumah means “Learning from Home”.

Students can do their school work without spending many hours outside.

The new school plan is only for primary school students.
True is: The new school plan is for students from primary school to senior high school.

The plan will continue until 16 September.

Teachers do not need to prepare work for students.
True is: Teachers need to prepare work for students.

Parents may help their children with their school work.

Students are studying at home because they do not like their teachers.
True is: Students are studying at home because the air outside is bad.

Bad air can be especially dangerous for children.

Teachers may send school work by phone or online.

The school plan is only for senior high school students.
True is: The school plan is for students from primary school to senior high school.

Students have no school work while they are at home.
True is: Students still have lessons and school work while they are at home.

Students are studying at home for a short time.

The writer hopes that the fires and smoke will continue.
True is: The writer hopes that the fires stop and the smoke goes away soon.

Students can return to school when the air is good enough.

The situation is easy for students, teachers, and parents.
True is: The situation is not easy for students, teachers, and parents.

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Choose the correct answer

1. Why are students in Solok studying at home?
   a) Their teachers are away.
   b) The air outside is bad.
   c) Their schools need repairs.
2. Who can have more problems from bad air?
   a) Children.
   b) Teachers.
   c) Drivers.
3. What does Belajar Dari Rumah mean?
   a) Learning about Indonesia.
   b) Studying in a new school.
   c) Learning from Home.
4. Where does the smoke come from?
   a) Local factories.
   b) Forest and land fires.
   c) Cars and buses.
5. What can bad air make difficult?
   a) Breathing.
   b) Reading.
   c) Sleeping.
6. When will the school plan continue until?
   a) 15 September.
   b) 17 September.
   c) 16 September.
7. Who may help children with their school work?
   a) Parents.
   b) Drivers.
   c) Neighbours.
8. What may teachers send to students?
   a) Holiday plans.
   b) School work.
   c) School news.
9. Are students in Solok on holiday?
   a) Yes, they have no lessons.
   b) No, they still have school work.
   c) Yes, they have a long holiday.
10. How may teachers send school work?
    a) By phone or online.
    b) By post.
    c) Through friends.
11. Which students are included in the plan?
    a) Only young children.
    b) Primary to senior high school students.
    c) Only senior high school students.
12. What can children feel in bad air?
    a) Hungry.
    b) Bored.
    c) Sick.
13. What do students still have at home?
    a) School trips.
    b) Sports games.
    c) School work.
14. Why do students study at home?
    a) They have no teachers.
    b) The air outside is not safe.
    c) They want more free time.
15. What does Chanra hope will happen?
    a) The fires stop soon.
    b) Schools stay closed.
    c) The smoke gets worse.
16. When can students return to school?
    a) When parents agree.
    b) When teachers call them.
    c) When the air is safe.
17. Why is the situation difficult for teachers?
    a) They cannot contact parents.
    b) They must prepare work for students.
    c) They have no school buildings.
18. What do students avoid by studying at home?
    a) Doing their lessons.
    b) Talking to their parents.
    c) Spending many hours outside.

______________________________

Answer:
1–B, 2–A, 3–C, 4–B, 5–A, 6–C, 7–A,
8–B, 9–B, 10–A, 11–B, 12–C, 13–C,
14–B, 15–A, 16–C, 17–B, 18–C

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Complete the sentences – match the two halves

1. Students are studying at home because
2. The smoke comes from
3. Bad air can make people
4. The local government has asked students to
5. Belajar Dari Rumah means
6. The plan will continue until
7. Teachers may send work by
8. Parents may help their children with
9. Students are not on holiday because
10. Chanra hopes that the fires
    

A. their school work at home.
B. stop soon and the smoke goes away.
C. phone or online.
D. 16 September.
E. stay at home.
F. Learning from Home.
G. forest and land fires.
H. the air outside is bad.
I. still have lessons and school work.
J. cough or have trouble breathing.

___________________________

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

__________________________#

###################

Match the two halves

1. Students are studying at home because — the air outside is bad.
2. The smoke comes from — forest and land fires.
3. Bad air can make people — cough or have trouble breathing.
4. The local government has asked students to — stay at home.
5. Belajar Dari Rumah means — Learning from Home.
6. The plan will continue until — 16 September.
7. Teachers may send work by — phone or online.
8. Parents may help their children with — their school work at home.
9. Students are not on holiday because — they still have lessons and school work.
10. Chanra hopes that the fires — stop soon and the smoke goes away.

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Find the information in the text– write one or two words from the text

1. The name of the place in West Sumatra: __________
2. The Indonesian name for Learning from Home: __________
3. The date when the plan will continue until: __________
4. People who prepare work for students: __________
5. People who may help children at home: __________
6. The natural areas where some fires happen: __________
7. What students still have at home: __________
8. What the writer hopes will go away: __________
9. The part of Indonesia where the fires happen: __________
10. What students can have problems with when the air is bad: __________
11. People who need to prepare work for students: __________
12. Where students can study instead of going to school: __________
13. What can make people cough: __________
14. What students can do without spending many hours outside: __________

———————————————

Answers:

1. The name of the place in West Sumatra: Solok
2. The Indonesian name for Learning from Home: Belajar Dari Rumah
3. The date when the plan will continue until: 16 September
4. People who prepare work for students: teachers
5. People who may help children at home: parents
6. The natural areas where some fires happen: forests
7. What students still have at home: school work
8. What the writer hopes will go away: smoke
9. The part of Indonesia where the fires happen: Indonesia
10. What people can have problems with when the air is bad: breathing
11. People who need to prepare work for students: teachers
12. Where students can study instead of going to school: home
13. What can make people cough: smoke
14. What students can do without spending many hours outside: school work

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Cause and effect – match each cause with the correct effect.

1. There is a lot of smoke in Solok.
2. The air outside is not safe.
3. Children spend a long time in bad air.
4. The local government is worried about the air.
5. Students cannot safely spend many hours outside.
6. Students study at home.
7. Teachers have students studying at home.
8. Parents have children studying at home.
9. The fires continue.
10. The air becomes good enough again.
    

A. They may need to help with school work.
B. Students can return to school.
C. Students can avoid spending many hours outside.
D. People can have trouble breathing.
E. The smoke does not go away.
F. Teachers need to prepare work for home.
G. The government asks students to stay at home.
H. Children may feel sick.
I. Students have lessons and school work at home.
J. The area has bad air.

__________________________

Answer:
1–J, 2–I, 3–H, 4–G, 5–C, 6–I,
7–F, 8–A, 9–E, 10–B
###################

Fill in, words below:

trouble – prepare – safe – at home – government –
holiday – safe – stay – continue –
land – online

Students in Solok, West Sumatra, are studying _____ because the air outside is not_____. There is a lot of smoke from forest and _____ fires in some parts of Indonesia. Bad air can make people cough, have _____ breathing, or feel sick, especially children.

The local _____ has asked students from primary school to senior high school to _____ at home. This plan is called Belajar Dari Rumah, or “Learning from Home”. It will _____ until 16 September if the air is still bad.

This is not easy for students, teachers, or parents. Teachers must _____ school work for students, and they may send it by phone or _____. Parents may also help their children. Students are not on _____ because they still have lessons and school work. They can return to school when the air is _____.

____________________________

Correct version:

Students in Solok, West Sumatra, are studying at home because the air outside is not safe. There is a lot of smoke from forest and land fires in some parts of Indonesia. Bad air can make people cough, have trouble breathing, or feel sick, especially children.

The local government has asked students from primary school to senior high school to stay at home. This plan is called Belajar Dari Rumah, or “Learning from Home”. It will continue until 16 September if the air is still bad.

This is not easy for students, teachers, or parents. Teachers must prepare school work for students, and they may send it by phone or online. Parents may also help their children. Students are not on holiday because they still have lessons and school work. They can return to school when the air is safe.

###################
Match questions and answers:

Questions

1. What does Chanra hope will happen soon?
2. Why are students in Solok studying at home?
3. Where does the smoke come from?
4. What problems can bad air cause?
5. Who can have more problems because of the bad air?
6. What has the local government asked students to do?
7. What does Belajar Dari Rumah mean?
8. Which students are included in the new school plan?
9. How long will the new school plan continue?
10. What must teachers prepare?
11. How may teachers send the school work?
12. What may parents do?
13. Why are the students not on holiday?
14. When can the students go back to school?

Answers

A. The plan covers students from primary school to senior high school.

B. The school work may go to students by phone or online.

C. The students still have lessons and school work to do.

D. Forest and land fires in some parts of Indonesia cause the smoke.

E. The new school plan will last until 16 September.

F. Children can face more health problems because of the bad air.

G. The bad air outside is the reason for their lessons at home.

H. The local government has told students to stay at home.

I. The Indonesian phrase means “Learning from Home”.

J. Teachers must get school work ready for students.

K. A return to school is possible when the air is safe enough.

L. Chanra hopes for an end to the fires and smoke soon.

M. Coughing, breathing problems, and feelings of sickness are possible.

N. Parents may give their children help with their school work.

__________________________

Answer key:
1-L, 2-G, 3-D, 4-M, 5-F, 6-H, 7-I, 8-A,
9-E, 10-J, 11-B, 12-N, 13-C, 14-K
_________________________

Correct dialogue:

Interview with Chanra

What does Chanra hope will happen soon?
Chanra hopes for an end to the fires and smoke soon.

Why are students in Solok studying at home?
The bad air outside is the reason for their lessons at home.

Where does the smoke come from?
Forest and land fires in some parts of Indonesia cause the smoke.

What problems can bad air cause?
Coughing, breathing problems, and feelings of sickness are possible.

Who can have more problems because of the bad air?
Children can face more health problems because of the bad air.

What has the local government asked students to do?
The local government has told students to stay at home.

What does Belajar Dari Rumah mean?
The Indonesian phrase means “Learning from Home”.

Which students are included in the new school plan?
The plan covers students from primary school to senior high school.

How long will the new school plan continue?
The new school plan will last until 16 September.

What must teachers prepare?
Teachers must get school work ready for students.

How may teachers send the school work?
The school work may go to students by phone or online.

What may parents do?
Parents may give their children help with their school work.

Why are the students not on holiday?
The students still have lessons and school work to do.

When can the students go back to school?
A return to school is possible when the air is safe enough.

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Remember how babies
learn a language:

Babies learn a language by listening.
They use their ears to hear sounds.
Their brain remembers these sounds.
Babies connect sounds with people and things.
They listen to their parents.
Then they copy the sounds they hear. They imitate words.
Slowly, babies learn to speak.

So,
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN………………

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