7.1 Complete the sentences with the correct Present Perfect form of the verb in brackets. Use Past Simple for the finished event in item 8.

Example: Volcanic ash ______ (affect) flight schedules this week. → Volcanic ash has affected flight schedules this week.

1. The volcano ________________ (disrupt) air travel across Sicily.
2. Catania Airport ________________ (suspend) all arrivals and departures.
3. The ash cloud ________________ (reach) 4 kilometers above sea level.
4. Several airlines ________________ (cancel) their flights today.
5. The airport operator ________________ (not restore) normal operations yet.
6. ________________ (SAC / issue) a new warning about the ash cloud?
7. Passengers ________________ (remain) at the airport since this morning.
8. The disruption ________________ (begin) before the full suspension.

7.2 Rewrite the sentences, changing Past Simple to Present Perfect to show that the situation is still true now. Remove the past time word.

Example: The airport closed two runways yesterday. → The airport has closed two runways.

1. The volcano disrupted air travel yesterday.
2. The ash cloud reached the coast this morning.
3. SAC suspended all flights at 10:00.
4. The airline canceled three flights yesterday.
5. The restrictions affected many passengers last week.
6. Capacity at the airport remained reduced all day.

7.3 Write sentences about the current situation at Catania Airport. Use Present Perfect and the words given.

Example: airport / suspend / all departures → The airport has suspended all departures.

1. ash cloud / reach / 4 kilometers
2. airlines / divert / several flights / to Palermo
3. operator / tighten / the restrictions
4. capacity / remain / reduced
5. disruption / affect / many passengers
6. KM Malta Airlines / cancel / two flights

8.1 Look at these sentences based on the news report. Write the tense and voice of the verb in bold (например: Past Simple Passive).

Example: SAC said that all flights would be suspended until 12:00. → Future-in-the-past Passive

1. An ash plume had reached approximately 4 kilometers above sea level.
2. Around 140 passengers had been affected by the cancellation.
3. A red VONA notice was issued because of the ash emission.
4. The airport has operated with reduced capacity since this morning.
5. Flight KM642 had been canceled because of volcanic activity.
6. Restrictions were tightened later that day.
7. Passengers were not expected to return until September 28.

8.2 Rewrite the active sentences in the passive, keeping the same tense.

Example: SAC said that officials would reposition the aircraft. → SAC said that the aircraft would be repositioned.

1. The airline said that officials would tighten the restrictions.
2. INGV reported that the ash cloud had affected several airspace sectors.
3. Controllers have issued a new warning this morning.
4. The operator said that they would suspend all flights.
5. Airlines have canceled more than ten flights.
6. The airport had already reduced capacity before the full suspension.

8.3 Complete the news summary with the correct passive form of the verb in brackets (Past Simple, future-in-past, Present Perfect, or Past Perfect).

Example: SAC said that flight operations ______ (suspend) until 12:00 local time. → would be suspended

1. The operator said that capacity ________________ (reduce) because of the ash cloud.
2. At first, the airport continued to operate with reduced capacity, but later the restrictions ________________ (tighten).
3. Controllers confirmed that a new notice ________________ (issue) that morning.
4. By midday, more than twenty flights ________________ (affect) by the restrictions.
5. Several departures ________________ (cancel) already by the time the airport reopened.
6. The airline said that passengers ________________ (expect) to continue their journey by bus.

9.1 Join the two sentences using the word in brackets. Make any necessary changes.

Example: Mount Etna erupted. Catania Airport suspended flights. (as a result) → Mount Etna erupted. As a result, Catania Airport suspended flights.

1. Volcanic ash reached 4 kilometres. A red VONA was issued. (therefore)
2. Ten flights were diverted. Passengers had to find other transport. (as a result)
3. Reduced capacity caused delays. The airport did not fully close at first. (although)
4. Strong winds caused problems. Volcanic ash caused problems. (as well as)
5. Many flights were cancelled. Some flights continued through diversions. (although)
6. The ash cloud can damage engines. Pilots must avoid flying through it. (therefore)

9.2 Rewrite the sentences, changing because + clause to because of + noun.

Example: Flights were suspended because the ash cloud was dangerous. → Flights were suspended because of the dangerous ash cloud.

1. Catania Airport closed because volcanic ash was present.
2. The airline cancelled the flight because wind conditions were dangerous.
3. Passengers needed extra transport because the flight was diverted.
4. The schedule was disrupted because the volcano erupted.
5. Operations stopped because the hazard to aircraft engines increased.
6. The airspace sectors were closed because the ash plume was moving south.

9.3 Complete the sentences with a word or phrase from the box.

because of | as a result | although | therefore | as well as | resulted

Example: Flights were suspended ______ volcanic ash and dangerous winds. → because of

1. The ash plume reached 4 km. ________________, a red VONA was issued.
2. ________________ some flights were diverted, some passengers still had to wait a long time.
3. Reduced capacity ________________ from the approaching ash cloud.
4. The restrictions were caused by the ash cloud ________________ strong winds.
5. KM Malta Airlines cancelled two flights ________________ the volcanic activity.
6. ________________, the restrictions were tightened and the airport suspended all operations.
7. ________________ some carriers diverted their flights, others decided to cancel them.

9.4 Write three sentences about the consequences of the Etna eruption, using as a result, although and as well as (one each).

Example: (because of) → Catania Airport closed because of volcanic ash and strong winds.

1. (as a result)
2. (although)
3. (as well as)

10.1 Choose must or may need to complete each sentence.

Example: Airlines ______ (must / may need) extra time to reposition aircraft after a long suspension. → may need

1. The airport operator ________________ (must / may need) suspend all flights when ash is detected.
2. Ground crews ________________ (must / may need) extra time to restore the schedule after disruption.
3. Passengers ________________ (must / may need) extra time to reach their connecting flights.
4. Pilots ________________ (must / may need) follow instructions from air traffic control.
5. The airport ________________ (must / may need) extra time before it can reopen safely.
6. Airlines ________________ (must / may need) report any hazard to the operator immediately.

10.2 Rewrite these strict requirements as probable future necessity, using may need to.

Example: Catania Airport must close until conditions improve. → Catania Airport may need to close until conditions improve.

1. The airline must cancel more flights because of the ash cloud.
2. SAC must extend the suspension beyond 12:00.
3. Crews must reposition aircraft that were diverted to Palermo.
4. The operator must reduce capacity while the ash cloud remains close.
5. Passengers must change their travel plans because of the disruption.
6. Airlines must restore their normal schedule after the suspension ends.

10.3 Write a forecast about Catania Airport reopening normally. Use may need (to), and other words from the prompts.

Example: airlines / reposition aircraft → Airlines may need to reposition aircraft.

1. SAC / need extra time / restore the schedule
2. ground staff / extra time / handle diverted passengers
3. airlines / reposition crews before flights resume
4. the operator / extra time / check the airspace restrictions
5. passengers / extra time / reach Catania by bus from Palermo
6. whether flights resume / depend on / the wind direction

11.1 Join the two sentences into one, using which.

Example: The volcano's ash emission increased overnight. This created a serious hazard for pilots. → The volcano's ash emission increased overnight, which created a serious hazard for pilots.

1. The airport operator suspended operations. This disrupted hundreds of passengers' travel plans.
2. Airlines canceled several flights. This led to extra costs for many passengers.
3. The ash plume moved south. This reduced the airport's capacity for several hours.
4. New limitations were introduced. This forced airlines to change their schedules.
5. Brussels Airlines diverted a flight to Palermo. This meant passengers had to continue their journey by bus.
6. Wind conditions worsened quickly. This led to a complete suspension of arrivals and departures.

11.2 Read the short report below. Find the four clauses with which and decide what each one refers to: a noun, or the whole previous part of the sentence.

Mount Etna's ash emission increased overnight, which led to new airspace limitations. The airport operator, which manages Catania Fontanarossa, suspended all operations at 06:00. The ash plume, which reached about 4 kilometers, was reported by INGV. Restrictions were tightened later, which caused a complete suspension of flights.

Example: Mount Etna's ash emission increased overnight, which led to new airspace limitations. → whole previous situation (the increase in ash emission)

1. The airport operator, which manages Catania Fontanarossa, suspended all operations at 06:00.
2. The ash plume, which reached about 4 kilometers, was reported by INGV.
3. Restrictions were tightened later, which caused a complete suspension of flights.

11.3 Complete the sentences with which and the correct form of a verb from the box: lead to, force, reduce, affect, disrupt, cause.

Example: The ash emission increased, ______ (create) a bigger hazard for pilots. → which created

1. The volcano's activity increased, ________________ (lead to) new flight limitations.
2. SAC tightened the rules, ________________ (force) airlines to reposition aircraft.
3. The storm reduced visibility, ________________ (reduce) airport capacity.
4. The ash plume's presence continued for two days, ________________ (affect) passenger schedules.
5. Several flights were canceled, ________________ (disrupt) travel plans for many passengers.
6. The airport operator suspended operations, ________________ (cause) long delays for everyone.

11.4 Complete the sentences with your own ending, using which. Write a realistic result.

Example: The airport suspended all flights, which ______. → which caused long delays for passengers.

1. Volcanic ash emissions increased sharply, which ________________.
2. The operator reduced capacity at the airport, which ________________.
3. Airlines diverted several flights to Palermo, which ________________.
4. New limitations were introduced, which ________________.
5. The ash plume's presence continued for two days, which ________________.

12.1 Translate the direct speech into reported speech with that and the correct tense shift.

Example: SAC: "All flight operations will be suspended until 12:00." → SAC said that all flight operations would be suspended until 12:00.

1. KM Malta Airlines: "We have canceled flight KM642."
2. INGV: "The ash plume is moving south."
3. Aeroitalia: "We are operating our Rome–Catania service to Comiso."
4. The operator: "We cannot restore the schedule yet."
5. Delta Air Lines: "Our flight has diverted to Rome Fiumicino."
6. Airlines: "We may need extra time to reposition aircraft."

12.2 Each sentence has a mistake in tense agreement. Find it and correct it.

Example: SAC said that flights is suspended until 12:00. → SAC said that flights were suspended until 12:00.

1. The operator said that the airport remain closed.
2. KM Malta Airlines confirmed that it cancel the flight yesterday.
3. INGV reported that the ash plume reach 4 kilometers.
4. Brussels Airlines said that passengers will return on Monday.
5. Airlines said that they can need extra time to reposition aircraft.
6. SAC said that airspace sectors C1 and B3 closes.

12.3 Report these airline and agency messages from the third person, using said that, reported, confirmed, whether or according to.

Example: TUI fly Belgium: "We diverted our flight to Palermo." → TUI fly Belgium said that it had diverted its flight to Palermo.

1. Passengers asked: "Will the airport reopen tomorrow?"
2. Catania Airport operator: "We are operating with reduced capacity."
3. INGV: "The ash plume has reached 4 kilometers."
4. Airlines: "We may need extra time to restore the schedule."
5. SAC: "Airspace sectors C1 and B3 are closed."
6. Italian media reports: "At least 10 flights were diverted." (rewrite with According to)

13.1 Write a short definition for each word. Compare your definitions with the model answers.

Example: disrupt → to stop something working normally for a time

1. hazard
2. operator
3. capacity
4. reposition
5. emission
6. limitation
7. confirm
8. reopen

13.2 Complete the summary of the text with the correct form of a word from the lesson.

Example: Mount Etna's renewed activity has ______ air travel in Sicily. → disrupted

1. Catania Airport had to ________________ all arrivals and departures.
2. The airport ________________, SAC, announced the closure.
3. At first the airport worked with ________________ while the ash approached.
4. Officials later tightened the rules, which ________________ a full suspension.
5. ________________ Italian media, ten flights were diverted.
6. KM Malta Airlines ________________ that two flights were canceled.
7. Whether the airport will ________________ soon depends on the wind.
8. Reopening also ________________ the ash situation.
9. Airlines may ________________ to reposition aircraft and restore schedules.

13.3 Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets.

Example: Volcanic ash is dangerous for aircraft engines. (hazard) → Volcanic ash is a hazard for aircraft engines.

1. The airport can only handle a limited number of flights per hour. (capacity)
2. New rules now restrict how close aircraft can fly to ash. (limitation)
3. Ash was sent out from the volcano for several hours. (emission)
4. Ash in the air made the airspace dangerous. (presence)
5. Flights usually leave and arrive at planned times. (schedule)
6. The news service said the plume had reached 4 km. (report)

13.4 Join the two sentences using the linking word in brackets.

Example: The ash cloud moved south. Nearby airspace was closed. (as a result) → The ash cloud moved south. As a result, nearby airspace was closed.

1. Wind direction changed overnight. Officials tightened the restrictions. (therefore)
2. The airport reopened on Saturday. Many flights were still delayed. (although)
3. Flights were disrupted by ash. Flights were disrupted by strong wind. (as well as)
4. The delay was caused by bad weather. (result from)
5. The ash cloud was approaching. The airport reduced capacity. (as a result)

13.5 Speaking. Use the lesson vocabulary to complete each task. Try to use at least five lesson words in each answer.

Example: Retell the Catania Airport situation in two or three sentences, as if you were the duty controller. → Volcanic activity at Etna has disrupted flights in Sicily. The operator had to suspend all arrivals and departures because of the ash hazard, and the schedule will not be restored until the ash situation improves.

1. Discussion: Why is volcanic ash such a serious hazard for aircraft? What can airlines do to protect passengers?
2. Role-play (controller): Explain to a pilot why their sector is closed and when operations might reopen.
3. Role-play: You are an airline representative. A journalist asks why your flight to Catania was canceled. Answer using the lesson vocabulary.
4. Role-play (dispatcher and pilot): The dispatcher briefs the pilot about the ash plume and possible reposition of the aircraft to another airport.