Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Why do you think the Titanic tragedy is still remembered and studied today?
- Have you ever seen the movie Titanic? If yes, what parts did you find interesting? If not, would you consider watching a movie about it?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- implode /im-PLOHD/
- malfunction /mal-FUHNGK-shuhn/
- cause /kawz/
- competence /KOM-pi-tuhns/
- implosion /im-PLOH-zhuhn/
[verb] – to collapse or cause to collapse violently inward
The balloon began to implode when it was exposed to the extreme cold.
[noun] – a failure to function properly
The device experienced a malfunction that required immediate repair.
[verb] – to make something happen, especially something bad
The loud noise caused the baby to cry loudly in the room.
[noun] – the ability to do something successfully or efficiently
Her competence in languages impressed everyone at the conference.
[noun] – a sudden inward collapse or bursting
The submarine’s implosion was shocking to everyone.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
On September 19, Steven Ross, the scientific director of the company behind the Titan submersible, testified before a U.S. Coast Guard panel. The Titan tragically imploded in June 2023 while on its way to the Titanic wreck. Ross revealed that just days before the dive, the submersible had a malfunction. He explained that an issue with the platform caused passengers to be thrown around, delaying their exit from the water by an hour. Stockton Rush, the co-founder and pilot of OceanGate, also collided with part of the sub during this incident, but fortunately, no one was hurt. Ross described the malfunction as uncomfortable for everyone involved. Sadly, the Titan imploded during the mission.
In her testimony, Renata Rojas, a mission specialist for OceanGate, painted a different picture. She praised the competence of the staff and expressed confidence in the company’s commitment to exploring the Titanic site. Rojas felt the company was open about the risks and never felt unsafe. However, other witnesses raised concerns about the company’s practices. Former operations director David Lochridge claimed that profit was prioritized over science and safety. The hearing continues as investigators work to uncover what led to Titan’s catastrophic implosion.
In her testimony, Renata Rojas, a mission specialist for OceanGate, painted a different picture. She praised the competence of the staff and expressed confidence in the company’s commitment to exploring the Titanic site. Rojas felt the company was open about the risks and never felt unsafe. However, other witnesses raised concerns about the company’s practices. Former operations director David Lochridge claimed that profit was prioritized over science and safety. The hearing continues as investigators work to uncover what led to Titan’s catastrophic implosion.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What happened to the Titan in June 2023?
- How long was the delay in getting the passengers out of the water?
- How did Ross describe the malfunction during the incident?
- Who was the mission specialist for OceanGate?
- What concern did David Lochridge raise about the company?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever participated in an adventure that involved risks, like diving or exploring? If so, what did you enjoy most about that experience? If not, would you be interested in trying something adventurous in the future? Why or why not?
- Have you ever encountered a situation where safety was a concern, such as during a trip or activity? If so, how did you handle that situation? If not, what would you do if you felt unsafe during an activity?
- Do you agree that companies should prioritize safety over profit?
- What lessons do you think can be learned from the Titan incident regarding safety in adventure tourism?
- What measures do you think should be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?