Speaking/ Writing - Snowed in for New Year's Eve

A great scenario here for an extended speaking or writing exercise. Easy to manipulate to suit the needs/ size of your class.

Speaking wise it could be a straight discussion or a role-play activity. Some ideas below along with the brief intro to set the scene and get the ball rolling.

Then it's up to your students' imagination with the help of the question prompts...


New Year's Eve guests snowed in for 3 days

It was the ultimate lock-in. Around 30 people attending the New Year's Eve festivities at the highest pub in England had a big surprise at the end of the night: they couldn't leave.

Heavy snow meant they were trapped inside the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire for 3 days until the weather conditions improved. Was it a cause for celebration or a nightmare from start to finish?


Speaking/ writing exercise

Discuss in groups/ write a description of what happened at the pub over the three days. You can use some of the following as a guide:

Who were the guests? Did they all know each other? Were there any unusual characters?
How did the guests feel? Were they worried or happy?
What did they do for 3 nights?
Did anything unexpected happen?
Were there any arguments or problems?
Did they run out of food or drink?
Were any of the guests ill or injured?
How did they keep their spirits up?
Did anyone try to leave the pub during the 3 days? If so, what happened to them?
Did they manage to leave in the end? How?

Role-play activity

Imagine that you are the guests at The Tan Hill Inn on New Year's Eve. The pub is 50km from the nearest town. You all arrived by car but they are now snowed in so you cannot use them. There is enough food and drink at the pub for 1/2 days. There is no electricity and mobile phones don't work. The weather forecast is for more heavy snow. One of the guests said she saw a large furry animal from the window of the pub. Do you try and escape or wait until the snow clears and help arrives?

The guests at the pub divided into 2 groups:

Group A

- You want to leave the pub on New Year's Day morning and brave the weather conditions
- You need to convince the other group that this is the best idea to ensure survival for everyone
- You must create your escape plan. How will you survive in the terrible winter conditions? Will you need to spend a night outside? What will you need to take? What are the dangers? How will you overcome them? What are the dangers if you don't leave the pub immediately?
- You must assign a team leader and any other roles you think necessary
- Describe your plan and argument to the other group


Group B

- You think the best idea is to stay at the pub and wait for help to arrive. The risks in braving the weather conditions are too great
- You must convince the other group that this is the best idea to ensure survival for everyone
- You must create a survival plan. How will you attract help? How will you ensure that the food and drink lasts as long as possible? What else are you going to need? What other problems are there and how will you overcome them? Could you live in the pub for a week or more if the weather conditions got worse? What are the dangers of leaving the pub?
- You must assign a team leader and any other roles you think necessary
- Describe your plan and argument to the other group