Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some thought-provoking questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of the Suez Canal blockage. Please take a moment to reflect on the following:
- How do you think global trade affects your daily life, from the food you eat to the clothes you wear?
- Have you ever experienced a delay or disruption in receiving a package or product due to shipping issues? How did it affect you?
- Can you think of any other critical infrastructure or transportation routes that, if disrupted, could have a significant impact on global trade and your daily life?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Take a look at the featured image of the Ever Given ship stuck in the Suez Canal. What do you see in the image? What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Please discuss your observations and predictions with your peers.
Introduction:
Now, let’s dive into the introduction of the Suez Canal blockage. Please read the introductory text and take note of the key points, including the cause of the incident, the impact on global trade, and the efforts to refloat the ship.
Vocabulary Review:
Next, let’s review the key vocabulary related to the Suez Canal blockage. Please go over the vocabulary table and make sure you understand the definitions and example usage of each term, including:
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Aground | When a ship runs into shallow water and gets stuck, often due to navigational errors or bad weather. | The Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, causing a massive blockage. |
| Salvage | The act of rescuing a ship or its cargo from a dangerous or distressing situation, often requiring specialized equipment and expertise. | A Dutch salvage firm was hired to help free the stuck Ever Given from the Suez Canal. |
| Ballast Water | Water taken on by a ship to stabilize it and improve its balance, often used to counteract the weight of cargo. | Taking on ballast water at the rear of the ship helped lift the front of the Ever Given, dislodging it from the sand. |
| Refloating | The process of making a ship float again after it has run aground or become stuck. | The salvage team worked to refloat the Ever Given, using a combination of tugs and ballast water to dislodge it from the canal bank. |
| Tidal Peak | The highest point of the tide, often occurring during a full moon or new moon. | The super moon at the end of March provided a higher tidal peak, giving salvagers the best opportunity to refloat the Ever Given. |
| Global Trade | The exchange of goods and services between countries, often relying on international shipping and logistics. | The Suez Canal blockage highlighted the importance and fragility of global trade, with billions of dollars’ worth of goods passing through the canal every day. |
| Helmsman | A person who steers a ship, often working under the direction of a captain or pilot. | Egyptian pilots advise ship captains and helmsmen on navigating the Suez waterway, warning of hazards and providing instructions. |
| Pilot | A person who guides a ship through a specific waterway or harbor, often having local knowledge and expertise. | The two Egyptian pilots on the bridge of the Ever Given argued about speed and weather, contributing to the fraught situation. |
| Super Moon | A full moon that occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, often resulting in higher-than-usual tides. | The super moon at the end of March provided a higher tidal peak, giving salvagers the best opportunity to refloat the Ever Given. |
| Backlog | A buildup of tasks, orders, or shipments that cannot be processed or delivered due to a lack of resources or capacity. | The Ever Given’s blockage of the Suez Canal caused a massive backlog of vessels waiting to transit, with goods worth $10 billion arriving daily. |
Video Engagement:
Now, let’s watch the video about the Suez Canal blockage. Please watch the video and pause at the following points to discuss the questions with your peers:
- Pause at 2:00 minutes: What were the initial causes of the Suez Canal blockage, and how did the weather conditions contribute to the incident?
- Pause at 5:00 minutes: How did the blockage affect global trade, and what were the estimated daily costs of the disruption?
- Pause at 8:00 minutes: What were the challenges faced by the salvage team, and how did they eventually manage to refloat the Ever Given?
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVJ94tM7pNA
For more information, you can also visit the original post at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/the-inside-story-of-the-ship-that-broke-global-trade/
Conclusion:
After completing this activity, you should have a better understanding of the Suez Canal blockage and its impact on global trade. Remember to review the key vocabulary and grammar points, and don’t hesitate to ask your instructor if you have any questions or need further clarification.