Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- likelihood /LAHYK-lee-hood/
- prolonged /pruh-LAWNGD/
- recurrent /ri-KUR-uhnt/
- intensify /in-TEN-suh-fahy/
- ambiguous /am-BIG-yoo-uhs/
[noun] – the chance that something will happen
The likelihood of rain tomorrow is high, so take an umbrella.
[adjective] – continuing for a long time or longer than usual
The prolonged meeting left everyone feeling exhausted and uninterested in the topic.
[adjective] – happening repeatedly over a period of time
The recurrent symptoms indicated that she needed to see a doctor again.
[verb] – to increase in degree or strength
The coach decided to intensify training sessions to prepare the team for the competition.
[adjective] – open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning
The instructions were ambiguous, leading to confusion among the students.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has indicated a 60% likelihood of a weak La Niña event developing this autumn. This event could potentially persist until March. La Niña represents a phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), characterized by cooling ocean temperatures in the Pacific. These changes can significantly disrupt global weather patterns. While projections vary, certain trends have emerged. For example, northern regions of South America may experience above-average rainfall, whereas the southern United States and parts of Mexico are likely to encounter drier conditions. Understanding La Niña’s effects is crucial, as these weather shifts can influence agriculture, water supply, and natural disasters.
La Niña events are known to strengthen trade winds, which bring cold water to the surface of the eastern Pacific. This results in cooler ocean temperatures. This phenomenon impacts the positioning of the jet stream, a rapid air current that typically shifts northward during La Niña. This shift subsequently increases rainfall in certain areas while decreasing it in others. Recent observations, particularly the “triple-dip” La Niña from 2020 to 2023, highlighted the unusual nature of prolonged events, as stated by NOAA climate scientist Michelle L’Heureux. Climate scientist Ben Cook from NASA emphasized that recurrent La Niña events can intensify drought conditions, particularly in regions like East Africa. Although the relationship between climate change and ENSO patterns remains ambiguous, climate models propose a potential increase in El Niño occurrences and a corresponding decline in La Niña events. However, consensus on this trend is still lacking.
La Niña events are known to strengthen trade winds, which bring cold water to the surface of the eastern Pacific. This results in cooler ocean temperatures. This phenomenon impacts the positioning of the jet stream, a rapid air current that typically shifts northward during La Niña. This shift subsequently increases rainfall in certain areas while decreasing it in others. Recent observations, particularly the “triple-dip” La Niña from 2020 to 2023, highlighted the unusual nature of prolonged events, as stated by NOAA climate scientist Michelle L’Heureux. Climate scientist Ben Cook from NASA emphasized that recurrent La Niña events can intensify drought conditions, particularly in regions like East Africa. Although the relationship between climate change and ENSO patterns remains ambiguous, climate models propose a potential increase in El Niño occurrences and a corresponding decline in La Niña events. However, consensus on this trend is still lacking.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced unusual weather conditions in your area? If so, how did it affect your daily life? If not, how do you think such changes would impact your community?
- Have you ever learned about climate change or weather patterns in school? If so, what topic interests you the most? If not, what aspect of climate change would you like to explore further?
- Do you agree that understanding events like La Niña is important for preparing for potential weather impacts?
- What steps can communities take to prepare for the effects of climate phenomena like La Niña? How effective do you think these steps would be?
- Considering the ambiguity surrounding climate change and its impacts, how should policymakers approach decisions related to environmental planning? What criteria should they consider?
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.
- climate
- represent
- weather
- strengthen
- decline