1. PUBLIC SAFETY
80
Sheila Robayna Manzano
Ylenia López García
Laura Pérez Santana
Miguel Ángel Parra Pérez

2. Reading
Brazilians are still in shock at the The co-owner of the nightclub is blaming
devastating loss of life after the nightclub "the whole country" for the disaster.
fire in the city of Santa Maria in southern Elissandro Spohr, 28, has been arrested by
Rio Grande do Sul state. The blaze at the police for operating a nightclub without a
Kiss club has so far claimed the lives of valid license after his club's safety
236 partygoers. The death toll could rise certificate expired last year. He is currently
as another 87 people are fighting for in a hospital after trying to commit suicide.
their life on respirators in intensive care He reportedly told police officers he no
units. Investigators have been quick to longer has the will to live and regrets he
ascertain the cause of such a high was ever born. His lawyer says Mr Spohr
number of fatalities. They blame a highly blames all the inspectors who approved the
flammable and toxic foam that was used plans for the nightclub, saying: "My client's
to soundproof the club. Santa Maria responsibility is having trusted too much in
police chief Marcelo Arigony told the inspectors and in those responsible for
reporters: "If it weren't for this material, the construction." He denies police reports
no one would have died." The police also of overcrowding – that 1,200 people were
blamed faulty fire extinguishers and in a place with a capacity of 700.
alarms, and a single obstructed
emergency exit.

3. True or False?
1. The correct English term is "in shock" and not "in shocked".
T/F
2. Over 80 people are still in critical condition in hospital. T / F
3. A police chief said the soundproofing foam was the cause of
all deaths. T / F
4. Police said a total lack of fire extinguishers made the
situation worse. T / F

4. 5. A co-owner of the nightclub said he blamed only himself for
the fire. T / F
6. The safety certificate for the club ran out several years ago.
T/F
7. The club's co-owner tried to take his own life. T / F
8. The club's owner admitted that there were too many people
in the club. T / F

6. 1. The correct English term is "in shock" and not "in shocked".
2. Over 80 people are still in critical condition in hospital.
3. A police chief said the soundproofing foam was the cause of all
deaths.
4. Police said a total lack of fire extinguishers made the situation
worse

7. 5. A co-owner of the nightclub said he blamed only himself
for the fire.
6. The safety certificate for the club ran out several years
ago.
7. The club's co-owner tried to take his own life.
8. The club's owner admitted that there were too many people
in the club

8. Answering questions

9. 1. What’s the name of the survivor?
2. Did she go to the club with someone else?
3. How did she avoid breathing the smoke inside the
nightclub?
4. How many people were killed that night?
5. What’s the name of the nightclub?
6. How many people did the police
arrest after the tragedy?

10. 1. PamellaVedovotto
2. She went to the club with a friend
3. She covered her face with her yellow dress
4. More than two hundred people
5. Kiss Nightclub
6. Four people: two club owners
and two men of the band

11. Listening and spoken interaction
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1302/130203-santa_maria_fire-q.mp3
In pairs, listen to the following questions and discuss them with your partner

12. Writing and writing interaction
Task: look for information about this new using ICT.
Afterwards, write an email to the Brazilian government
explaining what you think about this kind of tragedies
and the possibilities we have to avoid that this kind of
incidents happen again.

13. Writing guide
To whom it may concern:
I am writing in reference to the current situation with …………
I would also appreciate it if you could……………………………
I would really appreciate it if you could deal with these matters
urgently.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
X

14. CHEERS, MATES! 