© AP Photo/David Goldman, file
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- preliminary /pri-LIM-uh-ner-ee/
- sustain /suh-STEYN/
- evacuation /ih-vak-yoo-EY-shuhn/
- procedure /pruh-SEE-jer/
- tremendous /trih-MEN-duhs/
[adjective] – coming before a more important action or event, especially introducing or preparing for it
The team gave a preliminary report before the full investigation.
[verb] – to suffer or experience damage or injury
He sustained a minor injury during the emergency.
[noun] – the process of moving people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe
The school had an evacuation during the fire drill.
[noun] – a set of actions that is the official or accepted way of doing something
The workers followed all safety procedures during the drill.
[adjective] – very great in amount or level, or extremely good
There was a tremendous amount of smoke in the plane.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On February 24, a Delta Air Lines flight going to Columbia, South Carolina, had to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shortly after takeoff. Thick smoke suddenly filled the cabin of the Boeing 717 aircraft, making it hard for the flight crew to see inside. According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were 99 people onboard. The flight attendants saw the smoke starting near the front door of the plane and later coming out of all the air vents. Because of the smoke, the pilots wore oxygen masks for safety and quickly turned the plane back to the airport. When the plane landed, the passengers were safely evacuated. Two people sustained minor injuries during the evacuation, but nobody was hurt by the smoke itself.
The NTSB shared that the pilots received a low oil pressure warning for the right engine while returning to the airport. As part of emergency procedures, they shut the engine down. After the flight, maintenance workers checked the engine and found very little oil inside. It is still unclear if the oil problem caused the smoke. The final report is expected next year. Firefighters waited for the plane when it landed. When the cockpit door was opened, the pilots saw a tremendous amount of smoke inside the cabin and decided to begin the evacuation. Some passengers used emergency slides, while others exited the wings.
The NTSB shared that the pilots received a low oil pressure warning for the right engine while returning to the airport. As part of emergency procedures, they shut the engine down. After the flight, maintenance workers checked the engine and found very little oil inside. It is still unclear if the oil problem caused the smoke. The final report is expected next year. Firefighters waited for the plane when it landed. When the cockpit door was opened, the pilots saw a tremendous amount of smoke inside the cabin and decided to begin the evacuation. Some passengers used emergency slides, while others exited the wings.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever been on an airplane? If so, what was the flight like? If not, where would you like to go first?
- Have you ever seen or been in an emergency? If so, what happened? If not, what do you think you would do?
- Do you agree that safety procedures should be practiced often on planes?
- How can airlines make flights safer in the future after incidents like this?
- Why is it important for reports like this to be shared with the public?
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.
- international
- flight attendant
- engine
- shut down
- cockpit