Lesson 3: Warnings
A state of emergency has been declared in Veracruz.

I can read and understand warnings.

INTRODUCE

Reading warnings can help you avoid a devastating event.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the expressions with your tutor and answer the questions.

    1. Authorities can declare a state of emergency if a situation becomes so bad that it requires help from the government.

     

    After the category-five hurricane hit, the government declared a state of emergency.

     

    Q: In which situation will the government most likely declare a state of emergency? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    2. To exercise caution means to be careful.

     

    We expect to see thick fog this evening, so please exercise caution when driving home.

     

    Q: In which situation would you need to exercise caution? Why?

    A

    B

     

     

    3. To evacuate means to leave a place to go to a safer area.

     

    All residents living near the coast are advised to evacuate immediately.

     

    Q: In which situation would you evacuate? Why?

    A

    B

STEP B PRONUNCIATION

When a word ends in -tion, the io is usually pronounced as /uh/.
Phrase Example

caution

/ kaw-shuhn /

Please exercise / kaw-shuhn / !

UNDERSTAND

READING

Toru and his wife Holly are reading online weather updates.

4:00 AM – Hurricane Francisco continues to bring heavy rains to Southeast Mexico. The category-three hurricane has wind speeds reaching up to 120 mph. Residents in Veracruz are advised to evacuate as soon as possible.

5:10 AM – Highways from Veracruz going to Puebla are now not passable for motorcycles and light vehicles due to some fallen trees. Bus and delivery truck drivers are advised to exercise caution when taking Federal Highway 140 and 140D.

6:43 AM – A state of emergency has been declared in Veracruz as the sea level continues to rise. The coastal areas are now under a mandatory order of evacuation.

7:00 AM – Residents in neighboring states Puebla and Guerrero are also advised to exercise caution as Hurricane Francisco continues to move east of the country. Authorities advise to prepare for possible evacuation.

TRIVIA

Hurricanes and typhoons are both tropical cyclones. Their main difference is the location in which they happen. Hurricanes occur in the northeast Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, whereas typhoons occur in the northwest Pacific Ocean.

PRACTICE

STEP A EXERCISE

Rephrase the underlined sentences using the expressions in the box.

exercise caution
a state of emergency
evacuate
Student:

I just got off the phone with my cousin. He said they’re canceling the barbecue.

Tutor:

Why? What happened?

Student:

You know that volcano that just started erupting? He lives pretty close to it. The authorities have already requested help from the government in the town next to his.

Tutor:

Oh, no… Is there anything we can do about it?

Student:

I’m not sure… Apparently, some residents have already been asked to leave and go to a safer place. If my cousin and his family need to leave, we might have to drive there and go get them.

Tutor:

Do you think it’s safe to drive all the way there?

Student:

As long as we’re careful, I think we’ll be fine.

STEP B EXERCISE

Complete the photo captions using the expressions in the box. Some expressions may be used more than once.

exercise caution
a state of emergency
evacuate

1.

@newsroom_8: The town is in _____. The government will be sending aid immediately.

 

2.

@mexicoandthecarribbeannews: All residents living within a five-kilometer radius of the volcano are advised to _____.

 

3.

@thenewschannel: After suffering three consecutive hurricanes this month, the government finally declared _____. Aid workers will be arriving from surrounding states within the next few days.

 

4.

@toursafetips: It’s the summer season again, so beaches are crowded once more. Tourists visiting the beach should _____ and not leave their things unattended.

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You and your friend have plans to go sightseeing, but you received an alert on your phone that might affect your plans. Read the alert. Then, tell your friend about it and decide whether to push through with your plans.

Today's Expressions

  • a state of emergency
  • exercise caution
  • evacuate

7:30 AM – Authorities declared a state of emergency as wildfires broke out in Buenavista del Monte at 6:43 AM today. Firefighters were quick to respond, but only 5% of the wildfire has been contained as of 7:30 AM. Wind direction is sending smoke to nearby towns.

Conditions may change at a moment’s notice, so authorities are advising people to stay alert and to evacuate if the smoke becomes unbearable. The public is also advised to avoid the area and to keep the streets open for emergency vehicles.

Challenge 2

Discuss your ideas.

If Time
Allows
1

WARNINGS AND STATES OF EMERGENCY
2

EXERCISING CAUTION
3

EVACUATING
1

WARNINGS AND STATES OF EMERGENCY

  1. Does Japan have a national weather service alert system?
  2. Do you usually worry when you see a warning about bad weather on TV?
  3. Have you ever experienced a state of emergency?
  4. What usually happens in Japan when there’s a state of emergency?

2EXERCISING CAUTION

  1. What are some jobs in which workers need to exercise caution?
  2. In your opinion, what countries or places should people exercise caution when visiting?
  3. If authorities told you to exercise caution when visiting a place, would you still go there or avoid it entirely?
  4. Do you tend to exercise caution more when you're alone or when you’re with others?

3EVACUATING

  1. Would you always follow an order to evacuate?
  2. What kind of places are often used as evacuation centers in Japan?
  3. Do you know the closest evacuation center near your home?
  4. What would you take with you if you had to evacuate?

FEEDBACK

I can read and understand warnings.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK