BTN WHOLE EPISODE ACTIVITIES
Published by Grabaword.com on 27/10/2015
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REPORT SUMMARIES
STORMS EXPLAINED (0:38 - 4:35)
Hurricane Patricia, the biggest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, hit Mexico and the US
recently while another part of the world was devastated by a typhoon. This report looks at the differences
between a hurricane and a typhoon.
ULURU HANDBACK (6:35 - 10:14)
This week marks the 30th anniversary of Uluru and the surrounding land being handed back to its traditional
aboriginal owners.
SOLAR CARS (10:36 - 14:18)
The World Solar Challenge, the biggest event on the solar car-racing calendar, has just finished in Adelaide.
In this report we meet some of the teams who took part in the challenge.
HIGH RISE SCHOOLS (14:41 - 18:17)
In this report we visit a new school located in a high rise office building in Perth’s CBD.
BLIND TENNIS (20:19 - 23:58)
In this report we meet some kids who have been trying out a modified version of tennis for the visionimpaired.
BTN WHOLE EPISODE ACTIVITIES
Published by Grabaword.com on 27/10/2015
Page 2 / 6
STORMS EXPLAINED (0:38 - 4:35)
Hurricane Patricia, the biggest hurricane ever recorded in the Western
Hemisphere, hit Mexico and the US recently while another part of the
world was devastated by a typhoon. This report looks at the differences
between a hurricane and a typhoon.
Focus Questions
 Which Asian country was hit by a typhoon recently?
 What kind of destruction do hurricanes and typhoons cause?
 What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon?
 In Australia, big tropical storms are called what?
 Which parts of the world use the word ‘hurricane’? Which regions use the word ‘typhoon’?
 How do hurricanes and typhoons form?
 Why are hurricanes and typhoons more common in some parts of the world?
Before watching the report, fill in the spaces
the humid air
the atmosphere
warm ocean water
the Earth
thunderclouds
Hurricanes and typhoons start forming over ………………………………........................... where the
surface is above 26.5 degrees Celsius. At that temperature, water begins to evaporate and
………………………………........................... begins
to rise into ………………………………............................ As it
rises, heat and water is released and ………………………………........................... form. The rotation of
………………………………........................... then
causes them to spin around faster and faster.
The following figures are in the report – what do you think they refer to?

The Philippines –

58 people -

More than 100,000 people –
Before watching the report, try to complete the sentences with no more than 2 words
1. In Australia, big tropical storms are called ………………………………............................
2. These storms form over warm water near ………………………………............................
3. The word is believed to come from a Greek word, Kukloma, which means wheel or coil of a
………………………………............................
4. The word hurricane is derived from the Caribbean word Juracán which was the name of a ……………
5. In Chinese, tai fung means ………………………………............................
BTN WHOLE EPISODE ACTIVITIES
Published by Grabaword.com on 27/10/2015
Page 3 / 6
ULURU HANDBACK (6:35 - 10:14)
This week marks the 30th anniversary of Uluru and the surrounding land being handed back to its traditional
aboriginal owners.
Focus Questions
 Where is Uluru? Have you been there? What did European explorers call Uluru?
 Why was Uluru handed back to its traditional aboriginal owners? Why is it important to them?
 After being handed back, the traditional owners still didn’t get full control over Uluru – why not?
 The traditional aboriginal owners do not like tourists climbing Uluru – why not?
 Should people be allowed to climb Uluru?
The following word is in the report – what do you think it means?

Anangu –
Watch the report and answer the questions
1. What are some of the physical features of Uluru that the traditional owners believe their ancestors
created?

……………………......…………................................ in
the rock were left by the spears of poisonous
snake men

……………………......…………................................ were
left by an angry python woman striking out at
her enemies
2. European explorers named the rock after who? ………………………………................................…
3. Why did the traditional owners have to lease the land back to the federal government and share
responsibility for its management?
Mainly to allow ………………………………................................…
4. The traditional aboriginal owners say tourists climbing Uluru is disrespectful because it's
………………………………................................….
BTN WHOLE EPISODE ACTIVITIES
Published by Grabaword.com on 27/10/2015
Page 4 / 6
SOLAR CARS (10:36 - 14:18)
The World Solar Challenge, the biggest event on the solar car-racing calendar, has just finished in Adelaide.
In this report we meet some of the teams who took part in the challenge.
Focus Questions
 What is the purpose of the World Solar Challenge?
 Where do the cars travel from?
 How does a solar car work? What are the 3 main components a solar car has which an ordinary car
doesn’t have?
 Why are some of the cars oddly shaped?
 How do you think solar car technology has changed over the years? Which things have improved?
 What is the main limitation of a solar car, especially over longer distances?
 Do you think that eventually solar cars will be a common sight on our roads?
The following figures appear in the report. Try to write questions for each one before watching the report

40 – How many __________________________________________?

3000 km –

Since the 1980s –

Millions of dollars –
Watch the report and answer the questions
1. The cars in the World Solar Challenge travel from ………………………………............................... to Adelaide.
2. Only universities or tech companies are allowed to enter teams. T / F
3. Since the event began, the cars have become faster and more ………………………………................................
4. Batteries these days are smaller, cheaper and can ………………………………...............................
5. Some of the electric cars available today can be recharged at home. T / F
6. The solar cars can reach speeds of more than 100 km/h. T / F
BTN WHOLE EPISODE ACTIVITIES
Published by Grabaword.com on 27/10/2015
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HIGH RISE SCHOOLS (14:41 - 18:17)
In this report we visit a new school located in a high rise office building in Perth’s CBD.
Focus Questions
 Why do you think the school has been set up in a high rise office building rather than on traditional
school grounds?
 What might be some advantages of a school being located in a high rise office building in the CBD?
What could be some disadvantages compared to a traditional school? Why might some health
experts be concerned about this type of school?
 Do you think setting up schools in high rise office buildings in the city centre is a good idea?
Watch the report and answer the questions
1. The school’s gymnasium is located ………………………………....................
2. For art lessons, students can go to ………………………………....................
3. Experts say that compared to building big new schools further out of town, utilizing existing office
space uses less land and is ………………………………....................
4. The school's principal says the kids are getting their full quota of ………………………………....................
5. More high-rise schools are being planned but only in Western Australia. T / F
BLIND TENNIS (20:19 - 23:58)
In this report we meet some kids who have been trying out a modified version of tennis for the visionimpaired.
Focus Questions
 How do you think the new version of tennis for vision-impaired kids works?
 Different kinds of balls are used – what do you think the differences are?
 Why do you think there is a piece of wire placed underneath the tape marking the boundary lines of
the court?
 What is braille? How might braille be used as part of the tennis program?
Watch the report and answer the questions
1. The modified game is called ………………………………....................
2. How are the balls different? ………………………….............................................................................................……...................
3. According to the rules, the balls are allowed to bounce more than once. T / F
4. How did the reporter find playing the game? ………………………………...................
BTN WHOLE EPISODE ACTIVITIES
Published by Grabaword.com on 27/10/2015
Page 6 / 6
Answers
STORMS EXPLAINED (0:38 - 4:35)
SOLAR CARS (10:36 - 14:18)
Hurricanes and typhoons start forming over warm

40 – How many solar vehicles took part in the
race?
ocean water where the surface is above 26.5
degrees Celsius. At that temperature, water begins

3000 km – How long is the race?
to evaporate and the humid air begins to rise into

Since the 1980s – How long has the event
been running?
the atmosphere. As it rises, heat and water is
released and thunderclouds form. The rotation of

cars cost to build?
the Earth then causes them to spin around faster
and faster.

Philippines – Country which was struck by a
typhoon recently

58 people – Number of people killed

More than 100,000 people – Number of people
evacuated
1. cyclones
2. the equator
3. a snake
4. storm god
5. big wind
Millions of dollars – How much do some of the
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Darwin
F
sophisticated
hold more power
T
T
HIGH RISE SCHOOLS (14:41 - 18:17)
1. on the rooftop
2. the art gallery
3. much cheaper
4. physical education
5. F – and NSW
ULURU HANDBACK (6:35 - 10:14)

Anangu – The traditional aboriginal
BLIND TENNIS (20:19 - 23:58)
owners of Uluru and the surrounding
land
1. blind tennis
2. bigger and softer and there is a rattle inside
1.
2.
3.
4.
The holes / The cracks
the Premier of South Australia (at the time)
tourists to keep visiting
a sacred site
3. T
4. really hard