Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What are greenhouse gas emissions?
- What are some current environmental issues that your country is experiencing?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- crucial /KROO-shuhl/
- disrupt /dis-RUHPT/
- critical /KRIT-i-kuhl/
- potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/
- consequence /KON-si-kwens/
[adjective] – extremely important or necessary
Proper communication is crucial for effective teamwork and project success.
[verb] – to prevent something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected
The power outage disrupted the entire neighborhood’s electricity supply, causing inconvenience to residents.
[adjective] – of the greatest importance to the way things might happen
The scientist emphasized the critical need for urgent action to address climate change and its potentially catastrophic consequences.
[adjective] – possible when the necessary conditions exist
The company is exploring potential business opportunities in the emerging market.
[noun] – a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient
The company faced severe financial consequences after making poor business decisions.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Scientists are issuing warnings about a possible collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC), including the Gulf Stream, if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current pace. This event could have catastrophic effects on global weather patterns, affecting everyone on the planet. A recent study in the journal Nature indicates that the tipping point for the AMOC could occur as early as 2025, with a more likely timeframe between 2039 and 2070. The AMOC is a crucial system of ocean currents that regulates climate and weather patterns worldwide. Its collapse would lead to extreme winters, sea-level rises, and changes in monsoons.
The instability of the AMOC has been a concern due to the impact of climate change. As oceans warm and ice melts, freshwater enters the ocean, disrupting the current flow. The study analyzed sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic from 1870 to 2020 and identified “early warning signals” of critical changes in the AMOC. While earlier reports predicted a weakening over the century, this study reveals a much more alarming timeline for potential collapse. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down Arctic ice melting. Failing to address climate change would have severe consequences for global weather patterns, underscoring the need for immediate action.
The instability of the AMOC has been a concern due to the impact of climate change. As oceans warm and ice melts, freshwater enters the ocean, disrupting the current flow. The study analyzed sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic from 1870 to 2020 and identified “early warning signals” of critical changes in the AMOC. While earlier reports predicted a weakening over the century, this study reveals a much more alarming timeline for potential collapse. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down Arctic ice melting. Failing to address climate change would have severe consequences for global weather patterns, underscoring the need for immediate action.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What are scientists warning about regarding the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC) and the Gulf Stream?
- How could a collapse of the AMOC affect global weather patterns?
- What does the recent study in the journal Nature suggest about the tipping point for the AMOC?
- Why is the AMOC considered crucial for regulating climate and weather patterns worldwide?
- What factors are contributing to the instability of the AMOC?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced extreme weather events like unusually harsh winters or intense storms? How do you think these events might be connected to larger climate patterns like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC)?
- What do you think you can do in your daily life to help address climate change and potentially prevent the collapse of crucial systems like the AMOC?
- Do you think it’s important to take urgent action to address climate change and its potential impact on the AMOC?
- The study used “early warning signals” to identify potential critical changes in the AMOC. How do you think these warning signals can be helpful in predicting the health of complex natural systems like ocean currents?
- The article mentions that urgent action is needed to address climate change and its potential impact on the AMOC. What are some practical steps you believe individuals, schools, or communities can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to safeguarding the stability of the AMOC?