Lesson
Europe Faces Record Heatwaves
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
Europe is experiencing unprecedented heatwaves, breaking temperature records across the continent. Scientists link these extreme conditions to climate change caused by human activities.
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Standard — Natural English
56 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Europe is getting hotter. This summer, heatwaves broke many temperature records. In June, temperatures reached 37.7C in the UK. High humidity made it hard to cool down. Experts say climate change is causing these extreme events.Standard version (B1–B2)
Europe is facing record-breaking heatwaves this summer, with temperatures soaring to 37.7C in the UK. These extreme conditions are linked to climate change, primarily driven by human activities like burning fossil fuels. The combination of high temperatures and humidity has made it difficult for people to cool down, leading to more tropical nights than ever before.Advanced version (C1–C2)
This summer, Europe is experiencing unprecedented heatwaves, with temperatures in the UK reaching a staggering 37.7C. These extreme weather events are attributed to human-induced climate change, primarily resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases. The combination of soaring temperatures and high humidity levels has created oppressive conditions, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to cool down, particularly during the night. Experts predict that as global temperatures continue to rise, occurrences of tropical nights will become more frequent, fundamentally altering the climate landscape in Europe.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01What temperature did the UK reach during the heatwave?
02What is causing the extreme heat in Europe?
03What is a tropical night?
04How much higher were some temperature records broken by?
Discussion
How do you think climate change will affect future weather patterns in Europe?
Vocabulary
heatwave word
a prolonged period of excessively hot weather
“The UK experienced a heatwave last June.”
humidity word
the amount of moisture in the air
“High humidity made it hard to cool down.”
record-breaking word
surpassing previous records
“This summer has seen record-breaking temperatures.”
extraordinary word
very unusual or remarkable
“The heatwave was described as an extraordinary event.”
climate change word
long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns
“Scientists say climate change is causing these extreme events.”