Hurricanes Have you ever been to a hurricane? Hurricanes are serious weather storms. They can do a lot of damage. But what is a hurricane? Another name for a hurricane is a tropical cyclone. A hurricane consists of thunderstorms, torrential rains, and waves with winds up to 75 mph or higher. A hurricane is a tropical storm that starts out in the ocean and gathers speed and strength as it travels.
When the winds inside these storms reach 39 mph, they are given names. An international committee developed the list of names. Hurricanes alternate back and forth between male and female names. Giving the hurricanes names makes it easier for meteorologists to identify and track certain storms. This makes it easier to announce hurricane warnings, as well.
The best place to be during a hurricane is indoors and away from windows and doors. If the hurricane is very bad, you will probably be asked to evacuate and move to safer ground. It is important to keep a bag ready that contains fresh water, long-lasting food, first aid kit, flashlight, rain gear, and other items that would be useful if you had to leave your home for a few days.
Part 1. Choose the correct answer.
Example: 0. According to the author the waves to form a hurricane should be..
A) less than 75 mph
B) less than 39 mph
C) up to 75 mph or higher
D) up to 39 mph
1. According to the author how fast does a tropical storm need to be moving in order to receive a name?
A) 25 mph
B) Over 39 mph
C) 100 mph
D) Over 76 mph [1]
2. Where does the author write this informationto the question above? A) Second paragraph
B) Third paragraph C) First paragraph D) None of the above
[1]
Part 2. Find some inconsistences in the statements. Mark these sentences Yes, No, Not Given.
3. Fishermen all over the world know when hurricanes start. [1]
4. Hurricanes usually start in the steppe. [1]
5. The best place to hide from hurricane is indoors. [1]
6. Humans’ names are not given to the hurricanes. [1]
Total [6]
1. When was New Orleans hit by Hurricane Katrina?
A. On 25th March 2007
B. On 29th August 2005
C. On 30th April 2006
D. On 15th October 2008
2. Where do Hurricanes start?
a. In the Atlantic and eastern Pacific
b. New Orleans
c. The Mississippi
d. Katrina
3.Why could not the levees protect the city?
a. many buildings were damaged
b. thunderstorms appear over the warm ocean
c. they were not built to protect the city from really big storms
d. storms with high winds and heavy rain
4. How fast did the wind travel?
a. 300km per hour
b. 400km per hour
c. 250 km per hour
d. 200 km per hour
5. How many homes were flooded?
a. 250 or 500
b. 100 or 1000
c. 300 or 1000
d. 400 or 800
6. Complete the sentences. Use the past simple passive form of the verbs in brackets.
6. The plane ….(strike) by lightning, but managed to land safely.
a. was struck
b. strike
c. striked
d. were striking
7. The centre of the town ….(destroy) by the hurricane.
a. destroyed
b. was destroyed
c. were destroying
d. destroy
8. Much of the city…..(flood) after days of heavy rain.
a. flood
b. was flooding
c. was flooded
d. is flooding
9. The couple ….(rescue) from the roof of their house
a. are rescue
b. was rescuing
c.rescued
d. were rescued
