Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。
- Do you know what a mudslide is?
- Do heavy rainfall and wildfires increase the risk of mudslides?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。
- unstable /uhn-STEY-buhl/
- loosen /LOO-suhn/
- tragically /TRA-ji-klee/
- authority /uh-THAWR-i-tee/
- maintenance /MEYN-tuh-nuhns/
[adjective] – not steady or likely to change or fail
The table is unstable and may fall over.
[verb] – to make something less tight or fixed in place
I will loosen the cap on the bottle.
[adverb] – in a way that causes sadness or disaster
Tragically, the event caused many problems.
[noun] – the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience
The teacher has the authority to explain the rules.
[noun] – the process of keeping something in good condition
The car needs regular maintenance to run smoothly.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。
Mudslides, also known as debris flows, are a serious problem in areas with specific geological and weather conditions. In California, steep hills, loose soil, and frequent wildfires make the risk of mudslides higher. Experts explain that heavy rainfall and the state’s young mountains lead to unstable slopes, while droughts make the soil harder, preventing it from absorbing water. This causes runoff, which loosens the earth. Additionally, wildfires destroy plants that help hold the soil together. Tragically, events like the 2018 Montecito disaster, which killed 23 people, show the deadly impact of mudslides.
To reduce the risk of mudslides, authorities take several measures to protect communities. Debris basins are built to catch sediment and direct water downstream. These basins need regular maintenance to stay clear. After the 2018 disaster, Santa Barbara County spent $20 million on infrastructure to improve safety. Experts also use advanced tools like lidar and GPS to monitor terrain and predict mudslide risks. Reforestation and soil stabilization efforts help reduce erosion, strengthening slopes and making them less likely to collapse. Hazard maps are regularly updated to keep communities informed and prepared.
To reduce the risk of mudslides, authorities take several measures to protect communities. Debris basins are built to catch sediment and direct water downstream. These basins need regular maintenance to stay clear. After the 2018 disaster, Santa Barbara County spent $20 million on infrastructure to improve safety. Experts also use advanced tools like lidar and GPS to monitor terrain and predict mudslide risks. Reforestation and soil stabilization efforts help reduce erosion, strengthening slopes and making them less likely to collapse. Hazard maps are regularly updated to keep communities informed and prepared.
True or False:
Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.
文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。
- Mudslides only occur in areas with flat land.
- Experts use advanced tools like lidar to predict mudslide risks.
- Wildfires help reduce the risk of mudslides.
- Authorities build debris basins to prevent mudslides.
- The 2018 Montecito disaster was not caused by a mudslide.
Fill in the blanks:
Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.
適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。
| unstable | loosen | tragically | authorities | maintenance |
- Regular ______ of the garden is required every season.
- The soil on the hill is ______ and may slide.
- The rain ______ the dirt on the hill.
- She ______ lost her keys in the park.
- The police officer is an ______ in the area.