© AP Photo/David Goldman, file
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever been on an airplane before? If so, what was the experience like? If not, would you like to fly one day?
- Do you know what happens if there is smoke inside a building or vehicle? If so, what should people do? If not, what do you think is the best action?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- firefighter /FAHYUHR-fahy-ter/
- critical /KRIT-i-kuhl/
- efficient /ih-FISH-uhnt/
- precautionary /pri-KAW-shuh-ner-ee/
- coordinate /koh-AWR-dn-eyt/
[noun] – a person whose job is to stop fires
The firefighter helped people leave the burning building safely.
[adjective] – very serious or dangerous
The patient was in critical condition after the accident.
[adjective] – working well and not wasting time or energy
The firefighters were efficient and saved everyone quickly.
[adjective] – done to prevent danger or problems
They wore masks as a precautionary measure during the fire drill.
[verb] – to organize people or things to work well together
The team worked together to coordinate the rescue.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On February 24, a Delta Air Lines flight going to Columbia, South Carolina, had to go back to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shortly after takeoff. Thick smoke suddenly came out inside the Boeing 717 cabin. The flight crew could not see clearly. Based on a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 99 people were onboard. Flight attendants saw the smoke begin near the front door and spread from the air vents. The pilots wore oxygen masks and decided to return for safety. When the plane landed, all passengers were taken out safely. Two people got minor injuries during the evacuation. The smoke did not harm anyone.
The NTSB stated that the pilots got a low oil pressure warning for the right engine while flying back. As part of emergency procedures, the pilots turned the engine off. After landing, the engine was checked and had very little oil. It is still unknown if the oil problem caused the smoke. A final report is expected next year. Firefighters were ready when the plane arrived. When the cockpit door opened, a tremendous amount of smoke was seen inside, and the evacuation began. Some passengers used the emergency slides. Others exited from the wings. The situation was critical, but the response was efficient, precautionary, and coordinated.
The NTSB stated that the pilots got a low oil pressure warning for the right engine while flying back. As part of emergency procedures, the pilots turned the engine off. After landing, the engine was checked and had very little oil. It is still unknown if the oil problem caused the smoke. A final report is expected next year. Firefighters were ready when the plane arrived. When the cockpit door opened, a tremendous amount of smoke was seen inside, and the evacuation began. Some passengers used the emergency slides. Others exited from the wings. The situation was critical, but the response was efficient, precautionary, and coordinated.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What airline did the flight belong to?
- Where was the plane going before it returned?
- Why did the plane go back to the airport?
- How many people were on board the plane?
- Where did the smoke first appear?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen firefighters doing their job? If so, what were they doing? If not, where do you think they work?
- Have you ever had to leave a place quickly? If yes, what happened? If not, what might make someone leave quickly?
- Do you agree that all flights should have emergency procedures ready?
- What could happen if the crew did not follow safety steps during smoke?
- How can passengers help during an emergency evacuation on a plane?