evacuation

Everyday

1. An evacuation is when people leave a dangerous place quickly and in an organised way, such as a building on fire or a town before a flood. tree →
2. In history, evacuation was moving children from cities to the countryside to keep them safe in wartime. tree →

In the lessons

In school safety, an evacuation drill (fire drill) practises leaving the building: stop, line up quietly, walk — do not run — to the assembly point, do not go back for things. In everyday life, towns may order evacuation because of floods, bushfires or cyclones. In history lessons on World War II, British evacuee children were sent away from cities. Phrases: «evacuation drill», «evacuation route», «evacuation centre», «order an evacuation».

Examples

• We practised an evacuation drill at school. tree →
• Follow the evacuation route to the assembly point. tree →
• The bushfire led to the evacuation of the town. tree →
• During an evacuation, leave your bags behind. tree →
• The evacuation took only four minutes. tree →
• Families went to an evacuation centre during the flood. tree →
• In the war, the evacuation of city children kept them safe from bombs. tree →
• Listen for the alarm and start the evacuation calmly. tree →

Note

Verb: evacuate; a person moved away is an «evacuee». Safety: in a real evacuation, follow adults' instructions, walk, stay with your group, never use lifts in a fire, and never go back inside until told it is safe.