Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. hail
    • ex. The storm produced hail that damaged several cars.
  2. water vapor
    • ex. Scientists study how water vapor affects the climate.
  3. conducive
    • ex. The quiet room was conducive to studying.
  4. a thunderstorm
    • ex. The thunderstorm brought heavy rain and strong winds.
  5. an updraft
    • ex. Strong updrafts helped the storm grow larger.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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A new study warns that climate change is likely to increase the number of larger and more damaging hailstorms around the world. Researchers found that storms with large hail could increase by 38% to 47% in the future, depending on how the climate changes. At the same time, storms with smaller hail are expected to decrease because warmer air causes smaller ice stones to melt more easily before reaching the ground.

Scientists say a warmer atmosphere contains more water vapor, creating conditions that are conducive to stronger thunderstorm development. This extra energy can produce powerful updrafts that keep growing hail in the air longer, allowing it to become larger. Larger hail falls faster and strikes with greater force, increasing the risk of damage.

Experts say larger hail can seriously damage cars, roofs, solar panels, crops, and other buildings. The study predicts the greatest increases in large hail in parts of Argentina, Europe, Canada, and the northern United States. Researchers also warned that building in areas that often have hailstorms could cause much greater financial losses in the future.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.
Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Hail and Hailstorms

  • Which do you think is more frightening: large hail, or heavy rain and strong wind? Why? Discuss.
  • What would you do if a very strong hailstorm were coming to your area? Discuss.
  • How do you think technology can help people prepare for hailstorms? Discuss.

Extreme Weather and the Future

  • Do you think the weather in your country is becoming more extreme? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What things regarding extreme weather like hailstorms do you think people should learn more about? Why? Discuss.
  • How might daily life change if extreme weather becomes more common? Discuss.