Severe Drought Declared in Southern England
Listen to the story
Some parts of southern England now have a severe drought. This means there is very little water.
About 30 million people cannot use a hosepipe. A hosepipe is a long pipe for water. People use it to clean cars or water gardens.
This rule is called a hosepipe ban. It helps save water during the drought.
The weather has been very dry. Dry weather means less rain for a long time.
Water companies want people to use less water now. They say this will help in the future.
Many people are asking if their area has the ban. They want to know the new rules.
The government and water companies are watching the weather. They will check if the drought gets worse.
Vocabulary15 words
- drought
- a long time with no rain; very little water
- severe
- very bad; very strong
- hosepipe
- a long pipe for water, used outside
- hosepipe ban
- a rule that stops people using a hosepipe
- dry
- with no water or rain
- weather
- rain, sun, wind, and temperature outside
- water companies
- businesses that give water to homes
- rule
- something people must follow
- government
- the people who run the country
- area
- a place or part of a country
- save
- to not use something so there is more later
- garden
- a space outside a home with plants
- clean
- to make something not dirty
- million
- a very big number, 1,000,000
- future
- time that has not happened yet
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Severe drought 2. About 30 million 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Some parts of southern England now have a severe _____.
About 30 _____ people cannot use a hosepipe.
A hosepipe is a long pipe for _____.
This rule is called a hosepipe _____.
It helps _____ water during the drought.
The weather has been very _____.
_____ companies want people to use less water now.
Many people are asking if their _____ has the ban.
The government and water companies are watching the _____.
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