Why read this: This short article tells the story of Chernobyl in simple words. In 1986, a power plant exploded in Ukraine. People had to leave the area. Many people thought all the animals would die. But 40 years later, many animals live there. Students learn that the story is not simple, and scientists are still trying to understand it.
What to notice: Notice the time words and dates in the text: 1986, 40 years later, 2014, and 2016. They help you follow the story step by step. Also notice the words 'but' and 'so'. They show how one idea is different from another, or why something happens. The last paragraph shows that scientists do not all agree.
Skills practised: Students practise reading a short news story with a clear time order. They learn key words like 'power plant', 'nuclear disaster', 'radioactive material', and 'exclusion zone'. They also practise finding facts in the text, such as the names of animals and what one scientist found. The questions ask students to remember and describe these facts.
Wild Animals Came Back to Chernobyl, 40 Years Later
People left after the 1986 accident, and now wolves, bears, and tree frogs are living in the area.
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
In 1986, a exploded in Chernobyl, Ukraine. It was the world's worst . The accident sent high into the air, and wind carried it to many other countries. Many people lived near the power plant, and they had to leave their homes very quickly.
The land around the power plant is still closed, and people are not allowed to live there. This area is called the , and it is very large. The land has dangerous radiation, so the area will stay closed for many more years.
At first, many people thought all the animals would die from the radiation. But 40 years later, many animals are living in this area. There are wolves, bears, and deer in the forests. There are also and many kinds of birds. In 2014, a camera took a photo of a brown bear inside the area. Brown bears have not lived here for a very long time.
Some scientists go to Chernobyl to study these animals. They want to know if the animals changed because of the radiation. In 2016, a scientist named Burraco came to Chernobyl on a science trip. One night, he walked into the forest with a small light. He found a small and noticed it was darker than other frogs of the same kind. Burraco thinks the dark colour might protect the frog from radiation, but he has no clear proof yet.
Other scientists are not sure about Burraco's idea. They say the animals came back mainly because no people live in the area now. With no people, the animals have more food and more space to live. The story is more complicated than it seems. There is still a lot to learn about Chernobyl, even after 40 years.
In 1986, a exploded in Chernobyl, Ukraine. It was the world's worst . The accident sent high into the air, and wind carried it to many other countries. Many people lived near the power plant, and they had to leave their homes very quickly.
The land around the power plant is still closed, and people are not allowed to live there. This area is called the , and it is very large. The land has dangerous radiation, so the area will stay closed for many more years.
At first, many people thought all the animals would die from the radiation. But 40 years later, many animals are living in this area. There are wolves, bears, and deer in the forests. There are also and many kinds of birds. In 2014, a camera took a photo of a brown bear inside the area. Brown bears have not lived here for a very long time.
Some scientists go to Chernobyl to study these animals. They want to know if the animals changed because of the radiation. In 2016, a scientist named Burraco came to Chernobyl on a science trip. One night, he walked into the forest with a small light. He found a small and noticed it was darker than other frogs of the same kind. Burraco thinks the dark colour might protect the frog from radiation, but he has no clear proof yet.
Other scientists are not sure about Burraco's idea. They say the animals came back mainly because no people live in the area now. With no people, the animals have more food and more space to live. The story is more complicated than it seems. There is still a lot to learn about Chernobyl, even after 40 years.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
What happened in Chernobyl in 1986?
- 02
Why are people not allowed to live in the exclusion zone?
- 03
What did Burraco notice about the tree frog he found?
- 04
Name three animals that live in the Chernobyl area today.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe what Burraco found when he came to Chernobyl in 2016.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
What happened in Chernobyl in 1986?
- 02
Why are people not allowed to live in the exclusion zone?
- 03
What did Burraco notice about the tree frog he found?
- 04
Name three animals that live in the Chernobyl area today.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe what Burraco found when he came to Chernobyl in 2016.
Suggested length: ~50 words