Spain records its lowest temperatures after snowstorm

admin 2021年1月20日

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

aftermath /AF-ter-math/

[noun] – the period that follows an unpleasant event or accident, and the effects that it causes
Many volunteered to help the victims in the aftermath of the typhoon.

Siberia /sahy-BEER-ee-uh/

[noun] – a large region of North Asia that is part of Russia
Siberia has the coldest inhabited place on Earth, where temperature drops to -40 degrees Celcius.

immense /ih-MENS/

[adjective] – extremely large in size or degree
We saw immense sea waves not too far from the shore.

bearable /BAIR-uh-buhl/

[adjective] – if an unpleasant situation is bearable, you can accept or deal with it
The humidity in this place is low, so the temperature is bearable.

clear (something) away /kleer (something) uh-WEY/

[phrasal verb] – to make a place tidy by removing things from it or putting them where they should be
Please clear the dishes away after you’re done with your meals.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Temperatures in central Spain remained at their lowest since Tuesday, January 12. Locals in the area continue to struggle with the aftermath of the heavy snow and -25 degrees Celcius temperature in Molina de Aragón (known as the Spanish Siberia) and Teruel. Meanwhile in Madrid, the temperature fell to -16 degrees Celcius. Snowstorm Filomena left deep snow that eventually turned to ice on the affected areas’ main roads, causing a disruption in transportation.

An immense quantity of snow and ice has been recorded in Spain, where winter season is usually mild and bearable. Molina de Aragón’s recorded temperature is said to be Spain’s coldest for the past 20 years. Due to this, as well as the flood of emergency calls, officials have warned the elderly to stay indoors. El País Daily, a Spanish newspaper, reported that 1,300 snow removal vehicles managed to clear snow 12,100 kilometers away from the roads in an effort to keep them ice-free.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

Officials recorded Spain’s coldest temperature of -25C in Madrid.
Winter is usually bearable in Spain.
The deep snow left by snowstorm Filomena turned to ice on roads, affecting transportation.
Molina de Aragón’s new recorded temperature is said to be the country’s coldest for the past 10 years.
Snow removal vehicles are able to push snow 1,300 kilometers off of affected roads.

Situational question:

I will read the situation. Then, please answer based on the question. Make sure to use the given keywords in your answer.

Situation: You have a friend from a tropical country who wants to visit Japan in winter.
Question: What advice would you give him/her?

snowfall
heat packs (kairo)
winter essentials

Express Your Opinion:

I will read each sentence. Then, please tell me if you agree or disagree, and why.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.” — Anne Bradstreet
“Nothing burns like the cold.” — George R.R. Martin
“What good is the warm of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” — John Steinbeck