Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What thoughts or feelings come to mind when you imagine a place that rarely sees snow suddenly being covered in a blanket of snow?
- How do you think the daily routines and activities of people in a region unaccustomed to snow might be impacted by the occurrence of rare snowfall?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- failure /FEYL-yer /
- expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/
- creation /kree-EY-shuhn/
- decline /dih-KLAHYN/
- community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/
[noun] – the fact of someone or something not succeeding
The student felt a deep sense of failure when she couldn’t solve the math problem.
[noun] – the feeling that good things are going to happen in the future
The team’s performance exceeded everyone’s expectations during the championship game.
[noun] – the act of creating something, or the thing that is created
The artist proudly displayed his latest creation, a stunning sculpture made from recycled materials.
[noun] – when something becomes less in amount, importance, quality, or strength
The company experienced a decline in profits after the economic downturn.
[noun] – the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality
The local community gathered for a potluck dinner to celebrate the holiday season.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
China is currently experiencing unusual winter weather that has caught many by surprise. Guangdong, a southern province unaccustomed to snow, is witnessing rare snowfall, while the northern regions are grappling with near-record low temperatures, causing disruptions in transportation. Even Beijing, the capital, faced a train brake failure due to the extreme cold. Initial forecasts in November predicted a warmer winter linked to the El Nino phenomenon, but the current frigid conditions have defied expectations, following one of the warmest Octobers in decades. Guangdong officials have issued precautions, particularly for the elderly and young, who may be susceptible to “cold wave illnesses.” Meanwhile, Beijing experienced temperatures as low as -15.5°C, nearing historic lows. The cold snap is anticipated to persist until Thursday, affecting northern areas, Inner Mongolia, and regions around the Yangtze River, with temperatures expected to be 7°C lower than usual.
Harbin seizes the freezing conditions for its largest-ever ice sculpture festival, featuring over 1,000 ice and snow creations. However, challenges emerge elsewhere. Zhengzhou’s heating system is strained, risking a decline in heating for residents in older communities. Further, over 50 tourists were stranded for two hours in Zhejiang province’s cable cars due to unpredictable weather. Despite the freezing temperatures, all were unharmed, underscoring the unexpected challenges posed by this unusual winter weather.
Harbin seizes the freezing conditions for its largest-ever ice sculpture festival, featuring over 1,000 ice and snow creations. However, challenges emerge elsewhere. Zhengzhou’s heating system is strained, risking a decline in heating for residents in older communities. Further, over 50 tourists were stranded for two hours in Zhejiang province’s cable cars due to unpredictable weather. Despite the freezing temperatures, all were unharmed, underscoring the unexpected challenges posed by this unusual winter weather.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is happening in Guangdong, and why is it unusual?
- What is the impact of the extreme cold in Beijing? Provide an example from the article.
- Why are Guangdong officials issuing precautions, and who are they specifically concerned about?
- How does the article describe the temperatures in Beijing, and what is their historical significance?
- What challenges are mentioned in relation to Zhengzhou’s heating system, and who may be affected by the potential decline in heating quality?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced an unusual weather event in your region, like rare snowfall or extreme cold? If yes, what was your experience? If not, how do you think you would react to such unexpected weather conditions?
- Have you ever attended a festival or event in freezing conditions, similar to the ice sculpture festival in Harbin? If yes, what was it like? If not, would you be interested in participating in such an event in the future?
- Do you think unexpected winter weather, like the rare snowfall in Guangdong, can have a significant impact on a region?
- What factors do you think contributed to the discrepancy between the initial weather forecasts and the actual winter conditions in China? How might accurate weather forecasting be crucial for communities and authorities?
- In your opinion, what are the potential long-term effects of extreme weather events, such as the strain on Zhengzhou’s heating system or disruptions in transportation in Beijing? How can communities better prepare for such unexpected challenges in the future?