Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- blackout / ˈblækˌaʊt / (n.) – a period when all lights are switched off because of an electrical power failure
Example:Many areas experienced blackouts after the typhoon.
- unaccustomed / ˌʌn əˈkʌs təmd / (adj.) – unfamiliar with or not used to something
Example:The job is stressful if you’re unaccustomed to talking with strangers.
- prolonged / prəˈlɔŋd / (adj.) – continuing for a long time or happening for a longer time than expected
Example:The farmers are worried because the prolonged rainy season is negatively affecting their crops.
- scramble / ˈskræm bəl / (v.) – to make something, such as words, signals, or messages, confusing or difficult to understand without using special equipment
Example:The soldiers scrambled their radio messages so the enemy wouldn’t understand them even if they heard them.
- decrypt / diˈkrɪpt / (v.) – to change a coded message or information back into an understandable form
Example:The investigators solved the crime after successfully decrypting the secret code.
Article
Read the text below.
Disrupted water supplies for millions in Texas
Over 7.9 million people in Texas still had issues with their water supply as of Feb. 22, authorities said, after a record-breaking freeze had knocked out power stations the week before.
Millions of Texans were advised to boil water before use, but all power plants were back online and power had been restored to most homes as the weather returned to normal.
A deadly winter storm caused widespread blackouts across Texas, a state unaccustomed to extreme cold, killing at least two dozen people and knocking out power to more than 4 million people at its peak. (Reuters)
Major US pipeline hit by ransomware attack
The operator of a major pipeline system that transports fuel across the East Coast in the U.S. said May 8 it had been victimized by a ransomware attack and had halted all pipeline operations to deal with the threat. The attack is unlikely to affect gasoline supply and prices unless it leads to a prolonged shutdown of the pipeline, experts said.
Colonial Pipeline did not say what was demanded or who made the demand. Ransomware attacks are typically carried out by criminal hackers who scramble data, paralyzing victim networks, and demand a large payment to decrypt it. (AP)
These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- A deadly winter storm caused widespread blackouts across Texas, a state unaccustomed to extreme cold. Have you ever experienced unusual weather in your area (ex. extreme heat, a strong typhoon in an area that doesn’t normally have typhoons)? Do you think your country is prepared to deal with unexpected weather? Why or why not? Discuss.
- The deadly winter storm caused widespread blackouts across Texas. How long do you think you could handle a blackout (ex. a few hours, one week)? Why? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Colonial Pipeline did not say what was demanded or who made the demand. Do you think they should have revealed these details to the public? Why or why not? Discuss.
- A report later said that Colonial Pipeline paid millions of dollars to the hackers to restore their operations. Do you think it was a good idea to pay the hackers? Why or why not? Discuss.