Lesson
Permafrost Thawing Poses Climate Risks
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
Heatwaves and wildfires threaten permafrost, releasing carbon. This could accelerate climate change significantly.
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Standard — Natural English
50 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Permafrost is ground that stays frozen all year. It holds a lot of carbon. When it thaws, it can release gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This is bad for the climate because it adds to global warming.Standard version (B1–B2)
Permafrost is permanently frozen ground found in places like Siberia and Alaska. It contains a vast amount of carbon, which is released when the ground thaws due to heatwaves and wildfires. This release of carbon dioxide and methane can greatly worsen climate change, making it a serious concern for scientists.Advanced version (C1–C2)
Permafrost, a layer of ground that remains frozen throughout the year, is primarily located in regions such as Siberia, Canada, and Alaska. It contains approximately 1,500 gigatons of carbon, which is three times the amount found in all living vegetation on Earth. As climate change accelerates due to human activities, rising temperatures lead to the thawing of permafrost, exposing ancient organic matter to microbes that decompose it, releasing significant quantities of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. This process poses a critical risk of reaching a tipping point, which could exacerbate global warming.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01What does permafrost contain that is a concern for climate change?
02What can wildfires do to permafrost?
03Who is the climate professor mentioned in the article?
04How much carbon does permafrost store?
Discussion
What actions can be taken to mitigate the risks of permafrost thawing?
Vocabulary
permafrost word
ground that is frozen all year round
“Permafrost is found mostly in Siberia and Alaska.”
carbon word
a chemical element that is essential for life
“Carbon is released into the atmosphere when permafrost thaws.”
methane word
a greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide
“Methane is released when organic matter in permafrost decays.”
tipping point word
a critical threshold that, when exceeded, leads to significant change
“The permafrost regions are approaching a tipping point.”
wildfires word
large, uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly
“Wildfires can accelerate the thawing of permafrost.”