Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- hail /heyl /
- saturated /SAT-uh-ray-ted/
- excessive /ek-SEH-siv/
- hypothermia /hy-poh-THER-mee-uh/
- impassible /im-PASS-uh-bul/
[noun] – small, hard balls of ice that fall from the sky like rain
The forecast predicts a severe thunderstorm with possible hail this afternoon.
[adjective] – containing as much of a substance as possible.
The sponge was saturated with water and couldn’t hold anymore.
[adjective] – too much; more than is reasonable
Eating excessive amounts of candy can make you feel sick.
[noun] – a serious medical condition caused by very low body temperature
After falling into the icy lake, he was treated for hypothermia.
[adjective] – impossible to travel on or through
The snow made the roads impassible, so we had to stay home.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Following severe flooding in Florida, many states are preparing for a heat wave, while the Pacific Northwest faces cold weather and possible snow in the Rockies. Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding may occur from eastern Nebraska to northern Wisconsin. Strong storms are expected in eastern Montana and the Dakotas. Heavy rain is predicted for the central Gulf Coast due to tropical moisture. Forecaster David Roth links this diverse weather to an amplified weather pattern. The Northwest has had thunderstorms and hail, with frost warnings in northern Idaho. Phoenix reached 111°F, with cooling centers helping over 5,000 people. In Florida, heavy rain is less likely, but local flooding remains a risk due to saturated soil. The southern U.S. is heating up; Atlanta is nearing 100°F, leading to the opening of cooling centers and event postponements. El Paso also faces high temperatures, with cooling centers open daily.
Despite monsoon season, Arizona expects dry conditions for most of the week. An atmospheric river in the upper Midwest is causing excessive rainfall, especially in Minnesota. The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee saw attendees braving the hot weather, with medical teams treating heat-related issues. The Mid-Atlantic and New England will see temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s next week, possibly setting records. Parts of Montana are under winter storm watches, with wet snow possible into Monday night. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather watch for north-central Idaho and western Montana, warning of hypothermia risks and impassible roads due to snow and downed trees. In summary, the U.S. is facing extreme weather events, from heat waves to unexpected snow, due to an amplified weather pattern.
Despite monsoon season, Arizona expects dry conditions for most of the week. An atmospheric river in the upper Midwest is causing excessive rainfall, especially in Minnesota. The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee saw attendees braving the hot weather, with medical teams treating heat-related issues. The Mid-Atlantic and New England will see temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s next week, possibly setting records. Parts of Montana are under winter storm watches, with wet snow possible into Monday night. The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather watch for north-central Idaho and western Montana, warning of hypothermia risks and impassible roads due to snow and downed trees. In summary, the U.S. is facing extreme weather events, from heat waves to unexpected snow, due to an amplified weather pattern.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced extreme weather, like a heatwave or severe storm? If so, how did you cope with it? If not, what would you do to stay safe during such events?
- Have you ever had to change your plans because of unexpected weather conditions? If so, what happened, and how did you adapt? If not, how do you usually prepare for changes in the weather?
- Do you agree that cooling centers are an effective solution for dealing with extreme heat?
- How can urban planning be improved to better handle extreme weather conditions like those described in the article?
- What long-term strategies should governments implement to mitigate the effects of extreme weather patterns on vulnerable populations?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- state
- predict
- postponement
- issue
- weather