Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think ‘record rainfall’ means?
- Why might the record rainfall be significant for a region or community?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/
- injury /IN-juh-ree/
- affect /uh-FEKT/
- extreme /ik-STREEM/
- partial /PAHR-shuhl/
[adjective] – unusual or special and therefore surprising and worth mentioning
The discovery of a previously unknown species of deep-sea creature was a remarkable achievement for the team of marine biologists.
[noun] – physical harm or damage to someone’s body caused by an accident or an attack
The car accident caused a minor injury to her arm.
[verb] – to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something
The sudden change in weather can affect our outdoor plans for the weekend.
[adjective] – very large in amount or degree
The extreme heatwave in July made it unbearable to spend time outdoors without proper shade and hydration.
[adjective] – not complete
Due to the ongoing construction work, there was only partial access to the main entrance of the building.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Hong Kong faced an unprecedented weather event on Friday, with its heaviest rainfall since 1884 causing flash floods, submerged metro stations, and stranded drivers. Schools were swiftly suspended, and people were urged to find safe shelter as the Hong Kong Observatory recorded a remarkable 158 mm of rain in one hour, the highest in a century. Some areas received nearly 500 mm of rain within 24 hours. Despite Typhoon Saola’s weakening, it still led to disruptions, including flight cancellations and 86 injuries. Transportation and businesses were severely affected, with the stock market halting morning trading and schools remaining closed. Residents like Stuart Hargreaves were left stranded in flooded cars. By Friday afternoon, 119 injuries had been reported, with four in serious condition. Authorities cautioned that these extreme conditions would persist until at least midnight, resulting in partial subway closures and suspended transportation services.
Furthermore, there was a heightened threat of landslides in the mountainous areas, prompting the issuance of the highest “black” rainstorm warning for the first time in two years. Additionally, the government cautioned about potential flooding in the northern New Territories district, which borders mainland China, following Shenzhen’s announcement of a water release from a reservoir. Shenzhen itself experienced record-breaking rainfall, resulting in transportation disruptions and school closures in the neighboring city.
Furthermore, there was a heightened threat of landslides in the mountainous areas, prompting the issuance of the highest “black” rainstorm warning for the first time in two years. Additionally, the government cautioned about potential flooding in the northern New Territories district, which borders mainland China, following Shenzhen’s announcement of a water release from a reservoir. Shenzhen itself experienced record-breaking rainfall, resulting in transportation disruptions and school closures in the neighboring city.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What made the rainfall in Hong Kong on Friday remarkable, and how did it impact the city?
- How did the authorities respond to the heavy rainfall, and what measures were taken to ensure public safety?
- Aside from the record-breaking rainfall, what other weather-related events disrupted Hong Kong, and what were their consequences?
- How did Typhoon Saola affect Hong Kong, and what disruptions did it cause?
- What additional challenges did the region face due to the extreme weather conditions, especially concerning landslides and neighboring areas like Shenzhen?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced or been directly affected by extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall or flooding, similar to what was described in the article about Hong Kong? If yes, how did it impact your life, and how did you cope with the situation? If not, how do you think you would react if you were in a similar situation?
- Have you ever had to evacuate or seek shelter due to a natural disaster or extreme weather event? If yes, what was your experience like, and how did you prepare for such a situation? If not, how do you think you would handle the challenges associated with evacuations or seeking shelter in the face of extreme weather conditions?
- Do you think the Hong Kong authorities took appropriate and timely actions in response to the extreme rainfall?
- In light of the record-breaking rainfall event in Hong Kong, what are some potential long-term strategies that cities and regions vulnerable to extreme weather conditions can implement to mitigate the impact of such events and enhance resilience?
- The article mentions that Typhoon Saola weakened upon reaching Hong Kong but still caused disruptions. What factors contribute to the resilience of a city or region in the face of extreme weather events, and how can governments and communities better prepare for and respond to these challenges?