Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What is the climate crisis?
- What is the average temperature during the summer in your country?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- crisis /KRAHY-sis/
- extreme /ik-STREEM/
- visible /VIZ-uh-buhl/
- slow down /sloh-doun/
- adopt /uh-DOPT/
[noun] – a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering
The country is currently facing an economic crisis with high unemployment rates.
[adjective] – very large in amount or degree
The hurricane caused extreme damage to the coastal towns, with houses completely destroyed.
[adjective] – able to be seen
The stars were so bright that they were visible even from the city center.
[phrasal verb] – to move slower, or to cause someone or something to move slower
He decided to slow down his car to enjoy the scenic view of the countryside.
[verb] – to accept or start to use something new
The company is adopting new technologies to improve its production efficiency.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Heatwaves around the world are breaking records and showing the seriousness of the climate crisis. Many regions, including Texas, the US Southwest, the UK, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, are experiencing extreme heat events. In fact, June was declared the hottest month ever globally.
It’s important to know that the oceans store most of the heat, not the air. The North Atlantic, for example, has its highest-ever surface water temperatures, causing a heatwave that affects the coasts of the UK. Additionally, there is an El Niño event in the Pacific that makes the heatwave even stronger. When the seas are warmer than usual, it leads to higher air temperatures, which makes the situation worse. Climate models had predicted these trends, highlighting the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The effects of the climate crisis are already visible, with irreversible changes happening in ecosystems worldwide. For instance, the UK has seen an unusually high number of fish deaths in rivers and canals due to extreme heat. It’s important to take quick action to reduce emissions and slow down global warming to prevent further damage. While the situation is serious, there is hope in adopting technologies and strategies that can lower emissions. We need to act promptly to protect our planet’s future.
It’s important to know that the oceans store most of the heat, not the air. The North Atlantic, for example, has its highest-ever surface water temperatures, causing a heatwave that affects the coasts of the UK. Additionally, there is an El Niño event in the Pacific that makes the heatwave even stronger. When the seas are warmer than usual, it leads to higher air temperatures, which makes the situation worse. Climate models had predicted these trends, highlighting the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The effects of the climate crisis are already visible, with irreversible changes happening in ecosystems worldwide. For instance, the UK has seen an unusually high number of fish deaths in rivers and canals due to extreme heat. It’s important to take quick action to reduce emissions and slow down global warming to prevent further damage. While the situation is serious, there is hope in adopting technologies and strategies that can lower emissions. We need to act promptly to protect our planet’s future.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the significance of the heatwaves occurring around the world?
- Name some regions that are currently experiencing extreme heat events.
- Which month was declared the hottest month ever globally?
- Where is most of the heat stored, if not in the air?
- What did climate models predict regarding these heatwave trends?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you personally experienced or witnessed any extremely hot weather events in your area? How did these events affect you and your community? If not, what are your thoughts or concerns about the increasing occurrence of heatwaves around the world?
- How did the extreme heat events you encountered affect your daily life or activities?
- Do you believe immediate action is necessary to address the impact of heatwaves and global warming?
- What do you believe individuals, communities, and governments should do to reduce the impact of global warming?
- What technological innovations or approaches do you think could be effective in reducing emissions and addressing climate change?