Drought
Cambridge Primary English Grade 5 · Unit 8: Natural disasters · Lesson 24 · Term 1 · Marshall Cavendish
Also known as: Gerunds · Zero conditional
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Lesson idea
Ellie emails her grandma about a three-year drought on the family farm, and we learn gerunds, the zero conditional and future arrangements.
Lesson vocabulary: drought: a long period of low rainfall · paddock: a field for animals · resilient: able to recover quickly from difficulty · sacrifice: to give something up for others · searing: extremely hot · stressed: feeling tense · companion: someone you spend a lot of time with · mention: to talk about
Key points
- We use the if clause in zero conditionals for things that are generally true, with the present tense in both parts.
- The present continuous and present simple can show future plans and timetables.
- A diary uses the first person and has a date.
Lesson questions (15)
- Who wrote the first email?
Answer: Ellie - How long has the drought lasted?
Answer: Three years - Why must they hand feed the cattle?
Answer: The paddocks are bare - Why is buying feed a problem?
Answer: It is really expensive - What has happened to the big waterhole?
Answer: It has almost dried up - What is Ellie's hope for the future?
Answer: Getting a good education - When will Ellie fly to Melbourne?
Answer: 20th December - Which state is the farm in?
Answer: NSW - What is the usual annual rainfall?
Answer: 600 millimetres - How much rain fell last year?
Answer: 230 millimetres - Who is Boo?
Answer: Grandma's cat - What is Uncle Jack's business?
Answer: Carpets - Why is giving up the farm a sacrifice?
Answer: It is her parents' dream - What does Grandma say we are experiencing more of with global warming?
Answer: Droughts and extreme weather - Complete: If there ___ no rain for many months, there is a drought.
Answer: is
About this lesson
“Drought” is from Cambridge Primary English Grade 5 (Unit 8: Natural disasters) and has 15 questions with answers. Sample questions: “Who wrote the first email?” and “How long has the drought lasted?”. Every question can be played in any Hessa Play game or activity.
How to use it in class
- Show the question on the board and let students think before the options appear.
- Split the class into two teams; every correct answer earns a point.
- Display it on the smart board, send it as homework by link, or play it solo or in two teams.
Related lessons
Questions about this lesson
What is a gerund?
A verb with ing that works as a noun: Swimming is fun.
How do we use the zero conditional?
If + present, present: If it doesn't rain, plants die.
How do we express a future plan?
With the present continuous: We are leaving tomorrow.
Do students need an account to play this lesson?
No. The teacher shares the lesson link; the student types a first name and plays on a phone or computer, and the score reaches the teacher.
Which games suit this lesson?
You can play it in The Hunter, Complete the sentence, Match Up, Matching pairs and the other games and activities on Hessa Play.