A powerful storm system has recently struck the central United States, causing tornadoes, heavy rain, and severe flooding. The state of Texas experienced golf ball-sized hail as a result of the storms. This extreme weather has led to tornado warnings being issued for at least 8 million Americans.

The storm system has brought about significant damage and disruption in the affected areas. The hail, in particular, has caused destruction to property and vehicles. The size of the hailstones, comparable to golf balls, can cause significant damage upon impact. This has prompted authorities to issue warnings and advise residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their belongings.

The severe weather conditions have raised concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of tornadoes in the United States. Scientists and meteorologists are studying these patterns to better understand the causes and potential impacts of these natural disasters. The aim is to improve forecasting and preparedness measures to minimize the risks and damages associated with tornadoes.

The footage captured in Texas serves as a visual reminder of the destructive power of severe weather events. It highlights the importance of being prepared and staying informed during such situations. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay updated with weather alerts and follow the guidance provided by local authorities to ensure their safety.

As the central US continues to face the aftermath of these storms, it is crucial for communities to come together and support one another in the recovery process. Efforts to rebuild and restore affected areas will require collaboration and resources. By working together, communities can overcome the challenges posed by severe weather events and build resilience for the future.

Original news source: Large hail seen in Texas after storms hit central US (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They should focus on key details such as the storm system, the damage caused, and the importance of preparedness and collaboration in the face of severe weather events.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss their opinions on the increasing frequency and intensity of tornadoes in the United States. They should consider the potential causes and impacts of these natural disasters. After the discussion, each group will present their opinions to the class and engage in a Q&A session.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. The teacher will call out a word from the article related to severe weather events (e.g. tornado, hail, forecast). One student from each team will come to the front of the class and draw a visual representation of the word without using any letters or numbers. The team members must guess the word based on the drawing within a time limit.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In pairs, students will discuss the pros and cons of living in an area prone to severe weather events such as tornadoes. They should consider factors such as the beauty of the landscape, the risks involved, the sense of community during recovery efforts, and the potential impact on mental health. After the discussion, each pair will share their thoughts with the class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, students will brainstorm and discuss their predictions for the future of severe weather events. They should consider factors such as climate change, technological advancements in forecasting, and the potential impact on infrastructure and human settlements. Each group will present their predictions to the class and engage in a debate on the topic.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What types of extreme weather did the central United States experience recently?
2. How did the hailstones in Texas compare in size to everyday objects?
3. How has the hail caused damage to property and vehicles?
4. Why have authorities issued warnings and advised residents to take precautions?
5. What are scientists and meteorologists studying in relation to tornadoes?
6. What is the aim of studying tornado patterns?
7. Why is it important for residents in affected areas to stay updated with weather alerts?
8. What is the importance of communities coming together in the recovery process after severe weather events?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A powerful (1)______ system has recently struck the central United States, causing tornadoes, heavy rain, and severe flooding. The state of Texas (2)______ golf ball-sized hail as a result of the storms. This extreme weather has led to tornado warnings being issued for at least 8 million (3)______.

The storm system has brought about significant damage and disruption in the affected areas. The hail, in (4)______, has caused destruction to property and vehicles. The size of the hailstones, comparable to golf balls, can (5)______ significant damage upon impact. This has prompted authorities to issue warnings and advise residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their (6)______.

The severe weather conditions have (7)______ concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of tornadoes in the United States. Scientists and meteorologists are studying these patterns to better (8)______ the causes and (9)______ impacts of these natural disasters. The aim is to improve forecasting and (10)______ measures to minimize the risks and damages associated with tornadoes.

The footage captured in Texas serves as a visual reminder of the destructive power of severe (11)______ events. It highlights the importance of being prepared and (12)______ informed during such situations. Residents in affected areas are urged to stay updated with weather alerts and follow the guidance provided by local authorities to ensure their safety.

As the central US continues to face the aftermath of these storms, it is crucial for communities to come together and support one another in the recovery process. Efforts to (13)______ and restore affected areas will (15)______ collaboration and resources. By working together, communities can overcome the challenges (16)______ by severe weather events and (14)______ resilience for the future.
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💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your experience with severe weather events like tornadoes or heavy rain?
2. How would you feel if you were in an area affected by golf ball-sized hail? Why?
3. Do you think the frequency and intensity of tornadoes in the United States is increasing? Why or why not?
4. What precautions would you take to protect yourself and your belongings during a severe weather event?
5. Have you ever witnessed or been affected by a natural disaster? If so, how did it impact you and your community?
6. How do you think scientists and meteorologists can improve forecasting and preparedness measures for tornadoes?
7. What role do you think technology plays in keeping people informed and safe during severe weather events?
8. Do you think the government should provide more resources and support for communities affected by severe weather events? Why or why not?
9. How do you think communities can come together to support one another during the recovery process after a severe weather event?
10. Have you ever participated in any community efforts to rebuild and restore after a natural disaster? If so, what was your experience like?
11. What measures do you think can be taken to build resilience in communities for future severe weather events?
12. How do you think severe weather events impact the economy of affected areas?
13. Do you think climate change is contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of tornadoes? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the media can play a role in raising awareness and educating the public about severe weather events?
15. What steps do you think individuals can take to be better prepared for severe weather events?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. tornadoes
2. hail
3. flooding
4. precautions
5. destruction
6. meteorologists
7. forecasting
8. resilience
9. aftermath
10. collaboration
11. severe
12. impacted
13. minimize
14. recovery
15. communities

Meanings:
(A) The period following an event, especially one that is destructive or significant
(B) The act of causing great damage or harm
(C) The act of predicting future events or conditions, such as weather
(D) An overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry
(E) Groups of people living together in a particular area, often sharing common interests or characteristics
(F) Measures taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening
(G) Working together towards a common goal or purpose
(H) Scientists who study the atmosphere and weather patterns
(I) To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree
(J) Of great seriousness or intensity, often leading to adverse conditions
(K) Rotating columns of air that are in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud, often causing significant damage
(L) Precipitation in the form of ice balls or lumps usually larger than 5mm
(M) Affected by a particular phenomenon, typically negatively
(N) The ability to recover quickly from difficulties
(O) The process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What type of extreme weather has recently struck the central United States?
(a) Tornadoes
(b) Snowstorms
(c) Heatwaves
(d) Earthquakes

2. Which state experienced golf ball-sized hail as a result of the storms?
(a) California
(b) Florida
(c) Texas
(d) New York

3. How many Americans have tornado warnings been issued for?
(a) 2 million
(b) 8 million
(c) 5 million
(d) 10 million

4. What has caused destruction to property and vehicles?
(a) Tornadoes
(b) Heavy rain
(c) Flooding
(d) Hail

5. What are scientists and meteorologists studying to better understand tornadoes?
(a) Earthquakes
(b) Volcanic eruptions
(c) Weather patterns
(d) Tsunamis

6. What is the aim of studying tornado patterns?
(a) To cause panic among the public
(b) To improve forecasting and preparedness measures
(c) To ignore the risks and damages associated with tornadoes
(d) To minimize the frequency of tornadoes

7. What is the importance of staying informed during severe weather events?
(a) To ensure safety
(b) To cause chaos
(c) To ignore warnings
(d) To increase damage

8. What is crucial for communities in the recovery process after severe weather events?
(a) Isolation and scarcity
(b) Panic and chaos
(c) Ignoring the damage
(d) Collaboration and resources

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Authorities disregarded warnings and advised residents to disregard precautions to protect themselves and their belongings.
2. A powerful storm system recently struck the central United States, causing tornadoes, heavy rain, and severe flooding.
3. Tornado warnings were lifted for at least 8 million Americans due to the extreme weather.
4. Efforts to rebuild and restore affected areas will require collaboration and resources from communities.
5. The size of the hailstones can cause significant damage upon impact.
6. Scientists and meteorologists are studying the increasing frequency and intensity of tornadoes in the United States.
7. The hail caused minimal damage to property and vehicles in the affected areas.
8. The state of Texas experienced pea-sized hail as a result of the storms.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What types of extreme weather did the central United States experience recently?
2. How has the hail from the storm system caused damage to property and vehicles?
3. Why are scientists and meteorologists studying the patterns of tornadoes in the United States?
4. What is the importance of being prepared and staying informed during severe weather events?
5. Why is it crucial for communities to come together and support one another in the recovery process after severe weather events?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What types of extreme weather did the central United States experience recently?
The central United States experienced tornadoes, heavy rain, and severe flooding.

2. How did the hailstones in Texas compare in size to everyday objects?
The hailstones in Texas were comparable in size to golf balls.

3. How has the hail caused damage to property and vehicles?
The hailstones, comparable to golf balls in size, can cause significant damage upon impact, leading to destruction of property and vehicles.

4. Why have authorities issued warnings and advised residents to take precautions?
Authorities have issued warnings and advised residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their belongings from the destructive power of severe weather events, such as tornadoes and hail.

5. What are scientists and meteorologists studying in relation to tornadoes?
Scientists and meteorologists are studying the patterns of tornadoes to better understand their causes and potential impacts.

6. What is the aim of studying tornado patterns?
The aim of studying tornado patterns is to improve forecasting and preparedness measures in order to minimize the risks and damages associated with tornadoes.

7. Why is it important for residents in affected areas to stay updated with weather alerts?
It is important for residents in affected areas to stay updated with weather alerts to ensure their safety and be prepared for any potential dangers or evacuation orders.

8. What is the importance of communities coming together in the recovery process after severe weather events?
Communities coming together in the recovery process after severe weather events is important because it allows for collaboration and pooling of resources, which is crucial in rebuilding and restoring affected areas. It also helps build resilience for the future by fostering a sense of unity and support among community members.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) storm
(2) experienced
(3) Americans
(4) particular
(5) cause
(6) belongings
(7) raised
(8) understand
(9) potential
(10) preparedness
(11) weather
(12) staying
(13) rebuild
(14) build
(15) require
(16) posed
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. tornadoes
Answer: (K) Rotating columns of air that are in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud, often causing significant damage

2. hail
Answer: (L) Precipitation in the form of ice balls or lumps usually larger than 5mm

3. flooding
Answer: (D) An overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry

4. precautions
Answer: (F) Measures taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening

5. destruction
Answer: (B) The act of causing great damage or harm

6. meteorologists
Answer: (H) Scientists who study the atmosphere and weather patterns

7. forecasting
Answer: (C) The act of predicting future events or conditions, such as weather

8. resilience
Answer: (N) The ability to recover quickly from difficulties

9. aftermath
Answer: (A) The period following an event, especially one that is destructive or significant

10. collaboration
Answer: (G) Working together towards a common goal or purpose

11. severe
Answer: (J) Of great seriousness or intensity, often leading to adverse conditions

12. impacted
Answer: (M) Affected by a particular phenomenon, typically negatively

13. minimize
Answer: (I) To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

14. recovery
Answer: (O) The process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty

15. communities
Answer: (E) Groups of people living together in a particular area, often sharing common interests or characteristics
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What type of extreme weather has recently struck the central United States?
Answer: (a) Tornadoes

2. Which state experienced golf ball-sized hail as a result of the storms?
Answer: (c) Texas

3. How many Americans have tornado warnings been issued for?
Answer: (b) 8 million

4. What has caused destruction to property and vehicles?
Answer: (d) Hail

5. What are scientists and meteorologists studying to better understand tornadoes?
Answer: (c) Weather patterns

6. What is the aim of studying tornado patterns?
Answer: (b) To improve forecasting and preparedness measures

7. What is the importance of staying informed during severe weather events?
Answer: (a) To ensure safety

8. What is crucial for communities in the recovery process after severe weather events?
Answer: (d) Collaboration and resources
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Authorities disregarded warnings and advised residents to disregard precautions to protect themselves and their belongings. (Answer: False)
2. A powerful storm system recently struck the central United States, causing tornadoes, heavy rain, and severe flooding. (Answer: True)
3. Tornado warnings were lifted for at least 8 million Americans due to the extreme weather. (Answer: False)
4. Efforts to rebuild and restore affected areas will require collaboration and resources from communities. (Answer: True)
5. The size of the hailstones can cause significant damage upon impact. (Answer: True)
6. Scientists and meteorologists are studying the increasing frequency and intensity of tornadoes in the United States. (Answer: True)
7. The hail caused minimal damage to property and vehicles in the affected areas. (Answer: False)
8. The state of Texas experienced pea-sized hail as a result of the storms. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧