Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you know about flooding?
- How can flooding impact a community?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- destruction /dih-STRUHK-shuhn/
- overflowing /oh-ver-FLOH-ing/
- partial /PAHR-shuhl/
- pressure /PRESH-er/
- urgently /UR-juhnt-lee/
[noun] – the act of destroying something, or the state of being destroyed
The hurricane caused widespread destruction in the coastal town, damaging homes and roads.
[adjective] – (of a container) so full that the contents go over the sides
The river was overflowing after the heavy rain, flooding the nearby streets.
[adjective] – not complete
The team made partial progress on the project, but there was still a lot of work left to do.
[noun] – the force produced by pressing against something
The high pressure from the water broke the dam and caused flooding downstream.
[adverb] – in a way that needs to be dealt with or done immediately
The firefighters responded urgently to the call about the forest fire.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Recent flooding in southern Minnesota has caused significant destruction due to the overflowing waters of a river. This flooding led to the partial collapse of a dam, which has put a nearby bridge at risk. The powerful current has washed away parts of the dam, causing officials to worry about the bridge’s ability to handle the increased water pressure and the strain on its structure.
In response, authorities are urgently assessing the damage and considering immediate structural reinforcements to prevent further deterioration and potential threats to nearby communities. The perilous conditions following the flooding, including debris carried by the floodwaters and unstable riverbanks, have made it difficult for authorities to safely inspect the affected areas. These hazardous conditions have complicated efforts to accurately assess the damage and determine the necessary actions for repairs. Efforts are being made to ensure safe access and deploy specialized teams for thorough assessments and prompt recovery. Local and state officials are monitoring the situation to prioritize safety and prevent further damage. Plans include extensive repairs on the damaged dam and at-risk bridge, with ongoing infrastructure stability assessments. Immediate actions involve securing repair funds and enhancing infrastructure resilience against future flooding. The overall goal is to ensure residents’ safety and well-being by reinforcing structures and preventing similar incidents. Despite challenges, officials are committed to addressing the damage and protecting the community.
In response, authorities are urgently assessing the damage and considering immediate structural reinforcements to prevent further deterioration and potential threats to nearby communities. The perilous conditions following the flooding, including debris carried by the floodwaters and unstable riverbanks, have made it difficult for authorities to safely inspect the affected areas. These hazardous conditions have complicated efforts to accurately assess the damage and determine the necessary actions for repairs. Efforts are being made to ensure safe access and deploy specialized teams for thorough assessments and prompt recovery. Local and state officials are monitoring the situation to prioritize safety and prevent further damage. Plans include extensive repairs on the damaged dam and at-risk bridge, with ongoing infrastructure stability assessments. Immediate actions involve securing repair funds and enhancing infrastructure resilience against future flooding. The overall goal is to ensure residents’ safety and well-being by reinforcing structures and preventing similar incidents. Despite challenges, officials are committed to addressing the damage and protecting the community.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What caused the partial collapse of the dam in southern Minnesota?
- Why are authorities concerned about the nearby bridge?
- What are officials doing in response to the damage caused by the flooding?
- What challenges are authorities facing in inspecting the affected areas?
- What long-term plans are being considered to prevent future flooding incidents?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced a natural disaster like flooding? If so, what was
the experience like? If not, what do you think it would be like to experience one? - Do you know of any community that has been affected by flooding? If so, how did the community
respond? If not, what do you think are the best ways for a community to respond to
flooding? - Do you agree that immediate structural reinforcements are necessary to prevent further
damage? - What do you think are the most effective strategies for preventing flooding in vulnerable areas?
- What are the potential consequences of not maintaining these natural defenses?