©AP Photo/Abdul Rehman
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- precipitous /pri-SIP-i-tuhs/
[adjective] – very dangerous or high; happening suddenly and dramatically
The hikers stopped at the edge of the precipitous cliff. - ineluctable /in-i-LUHK-tuh-buhl/
[adjective] – impossible to avoid or escape from
Death is an ineluctable part of every human life. - conundrum /kuh-NUHN-druhm/
[noun] – a problem that is difficult to deal with or solve
The students faced a conundrum during the final exam. - meager /MEE-ger/
[adjective] – very small in amount or not enough in quantity or quality
The family survived on a meager income for many years. - concerted /kuhn-SUR-tid/
[adjective] – planned and done together by a group of people
The rescue team made a concerted effort to save the villagers.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Heavy rainfall in Pakistan between June 24 and July 23 caused floods that damaged more than 1,600 houses, according to government reports. A study by World Weather Attribution (WWA), a global network of climate researchers, found that the rainfall during this period was 10% to 15% heavier because of human-driven climate change. The collapse of fragile homes in both urban and rural communities caused widespread losses. One case in northern Pakistan involved the destruction of several houses and dairy farms, with financial damages reaching 100 million rupees. The study emphasized that a warmer atmosphere traps more moisture, creating more powerful monsoon rains across South Asia. Recent events have shown that climate impacts once predicted for 2050 are already occurring in 2025, raising serious concerns about preparedness.
The WWA report explained that such disasters demonstrate the urgent need for stronger adaptation measures. Climate specialists described the current situation as a precipitous warning, since extreme events are appearing more rapidly than expected. Analysts noted that developed countries remain slow in delivering climate financing, even as Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emissions but suffers severe consequences. The 2022 floods caused $40 billion in damage, making clear the ineluctable costs of inaction. Experts said that building flood-resilient housing and investing in safe infrastructure could help reduce risks. They also stressed that every rise in global temperature leads to heavier monsoon rainfall, turning vulnerability into a conundrum for policymakers. International organizations stated that current adaptation funds are meager compared with actual needs. The report concluded that protecting millions living in unstable areas requires a concerted effort from both local authorities and the global community.
The WWA report explained that such disasters demonstrate the urgent need for stronger adaptation measures. Climate specialists described the current situation as a precipitous warning, since extreme events are appearing more rapidly than expected. Analysts noted that developed countries remain slow in delivering climate financing, even as Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emissions but suffers severe consequences. The 2022 floods caused $40 billion in damage, making clear the ineluctable costs of inaction. Experts said that building flood-resilient housing and investing in safe infrastructure could help reduce risks. They also stressed that every rise in global temperature leads to heavier monsoon rainfall, turning vulnerability into a conundrum for policymakers. International organizations stated that current adaptation funds are meager compared with actual needs. The report concluded that protecting millions living in unstable areas requires a concerted effort from both local authorities and the global community.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen heavy rain or flooding in your area? If so, what happened? If not, what natural event have you seen?
- Have you or your family ever prepared for a strong storm? If so, what did you do? If not, how would you prepare?
- Do you agree that stronger houses are the best way to reduce flood risks?
- What problems can happen if rich countries do not give enough climate funding?
- How can communities work together to stay safe during extreme weather events?
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.
- researcher
- fragile
- several
- extreme
- temperature