The Chernobyl Disaster

Steve Love

Reading — Advanced Level
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Activity

Read the article and select the correct answer to the questions below


The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986 near Pripyat, Ukraine. The accident was caused by a destructive steam explosion, which produced plumes of radioactive materials to shoot out into the atmosphere for 9 days before falling on the surface of surrounding areas in the western USSR and Europe.

The Chernobyl disaster was the worst nuclear power plant accident in history in terms of cost and casualties. During the accident, blast effects caused 2 deaths within the facility and later 29 firemen and employees died from acute radiation syndrome. The effects of the disaster still affect the region's environment and residents. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicted 4,000 future cancer deaths in surrounding countries as a result of the disaster.

The remains of the affected reactor number 4 were enclosed in a large radiation shield in December 1986. The undamaged reactors at the power station continued to produce electricity into 2000. Chernobyl made recent headlines when a new radiation shield replaced the old one in November 2016.
  1. What caused the Chernobyl disaster?

  2. Why was it considered so catastrophic if only 31 people died at the time of the blast?

  3. Based on the article, is the Chernobyl disaster over?

  4. What is another reason why Chernobyl was the worst nuclear disaster?

  5. Which statement below is true based on the article?

Discussion

Practice your writing skills by discussing the questions below

  1. Would you live near a nuclear power plant? Why or why not?

  2. What other man-made disasters do you know about?

  3. Do you know any forms of renewable energy? What are their benefits and disadvantages?

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