©(AP Photo/Emilie Megnien)
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Do you prefer traveling during busy seasons or quiet times? Why?
- What problems can bad weather cause when people travel?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- cancel /KAN-suhl/
[verb] – to stop something from happening
The airline canceled the flight because of the storm. - delay /dih-LEY/
[noun] – a situation when something happens later than planned
There was a long delay at the airport. - crowded /KROU-did/
[adjective] – full of people
The airport was very crowded during the holiday. - shortage /SHAWR-tij/
[noun] – a situation when there is not enough of something
There was a shortage of workers at the airport. - warning /WAWR-ning/
[noun] – something that tells people about possible danger
The weather service gave a warning about strong winds.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed across the United States on March 17 after strong storms caused major problems for air travel. More than 550 flights were canceled, and over 460 flights faced delays as heavy snow and strong winds affected cities such as New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. Airports were also crowded because of spring break travelers and sports fans. At the same time, a government shutdown caused a shortage of airport security workers, making the situation worse for travelers.
The Federal Aviation Administration gave warnings about dangerous weather and ordered ground stops at several airports to keep passengers safe. Many travelers experienced long waits at security checkpoints because there were fewer workers available. Some Transportation Security Administration employees were not receiving pay during the shutdown, which made staffing problems worse. Airports advised passengers to arrive earlier than usual to avoid missing flights. Experts explained that bad weather and worker shortages together created a difficult situation for both airlines and passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration gave warnings about dangerous weather and ordered ground stops at several airports to keep passengers safe. Many travelers experienced long waits at security checkpoints because there were fewer workers available. Some Transportation Security Administration employees were not receiving pay during the shutdown, which made staffing problems worse. Airports advised passengers to arrive earlier than usual to avoid missing flights. Experts explained that bad weather and worker shortages together created a difficult situation for both airlines and passengers.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- When did the flight problems happen?
- How many flights were canceled?
- Which cities were affected by the storm?
- Why were airports crowded?
- What caused the shortage of workers?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever had a flight delay? If so, what happened? If not, how would you feel?
- Have you ever traveled during a busy season? If so, what was the experience like? If not, would you try it?
- Do you agree that weather is the biggest cause of flight problems?
- What should airlines do to help passengers during delays?
- How can airports prepare better for busy travel times?