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Weather Phenomena and Natural Events

The document discusses different types of extreme weather events including hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and can have winds over 155 mph and cause coastal flooding. Tornadoes occur on a smaller scale but can have even higher wind speeds over 300 mph and cause destruction. Earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries and can cause buildings to collapse and cut off utilities if the magnitude is strong enough.

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Hiền Cao Minh
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183 views3 pages

Weather Phenomena and Natural Events

The document discusses different types of extreme weather events including hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and can have winds over 155 mph and cause coastal flooding. Tornadoes occur on a smaller scale but can have even higher wind speeds over 300 mph and cause destruction. Earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries and can cause buildings to collapse and cut off utilities if the magnitude is strong enough.

Uploaded by

Hiền Cao Minh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Weather and natural phenomena (plural)

phenomenon (singular)
In your country, how many seasons are there?
+ a tropical country
+ rainy season (floods) = monsoon
+ dry season favourable weather

What is your favourite weather?


temperate weather/ climate
neither hot nor cold
outdoor & indoor activities

TASK 1
collocations
All the words in each of the groups 1-8 below can be used with one of nouns in the box to form strong collo-

cations. Write the noun which can be used in the appropriate space.

sunshine showers sky hot storm clouds rain winds

1. overcast = cloudy 5. warm


clear sky
………........... brilliant sunshine
………...........
stormy glorious

2. violent 6. scorching
severe storm
………........... swelteringly hot
………...........
electric tropical depression boiling

3. intermittent 7. thick
persistent rain
………........... fluffy clouds
………...........
torrential = heavy rain angry-looking

4. strong 8. light
gale-force winds
………........... scattered showers
………...........
light gale-force winds = cause damages snow

TASK 2

Complete each gap with a two-word adjective noun collocation from exercise.

1. clear sky
There's a lovely _________________ tonight so we might see a shooting star.

2. gale-force winds
Our garden wall was blown down during the night by _________________

3. snow showers
Heavy _________________ will fall on high ground tonight, so skiers can look forward to a good day on the
slope tomorrow.

angry-looking cloudsoverhead. Look at them.


4. It's going to rain -- there are some very _________________
Torrential rain floods
5. _________________ has caused serious flooding throughout the region.

glorious sunshine with not a wave in sight. drought /draʊt/


6. We sailed on a beautiful _________________
TASK 3 TASK 4

Complete the table with the words below. Choose the correct alternative.

gale breeze warm boiling 1. It's pouring out there! I'm totally drenched/
drizzle moist pour cool moist and the streets are flooding!
freezing drenched
2. Last night a gale/breeze blew a tree down dur-
ing the storm.
Light Medium Extreme
3. I'm really enjoying the warm/hot spring tem-
breeze wind gale peratures.
moist wet soaking wet 4. It's been a pleasant, freezing/cool autumn.
warm hot boiling
5. It's warm/boiling here. It's almost 40°C! Celcius degrees
cool cold freezing
6. It's been drizzling/pouring, so the ground is a
drizzle rain pour little moist.

It's pouring down. 7. Could you open the window to let in the wind/
breeze?
TASK 5

Answer the questions below.


6. Do you prefer sunny days to rainy days?
1. What is the typical weather in your country like?
7. How do you feel when the weather is cloudy?
2. Are there any bad points about the weather in put you in a bad or good mood?
your city? 8. Have there been any changes in the weather over
the past few years? rainfall
3. What kind of weather do you like? temperatures:
9. Have you ever been to any place where the
4. What sort of weather do you least like? weather is different to your hometown?

5. What kinds of weather can put you in a good/ 10. Do you usually pay attention to the weather
bad mood? forecast?

TASK 6

Match questions and comments (1-7) with a response (a-g).

1. Do you think we should buy a new car? a. It just shows that every cloud has a silver lin-

2. How do you transfer photographs from this cam- ing.


era to a computer? b. Well, he left his old job under a cloud, maybe

3. Is your grandmother feeling any better? that's why.

4. Why hasn't Dan found another job? c. And they say lightning never strikes in the
5. What were you and Melinda arguing about last same place twice.
night? d. No, I don't. We should save some money for a

6. She made some lifelong friends while she was rainy day.
recovering from her car accident. e. Not really, she still feels under the weather.

7. Thieves broke into her apartment again last f. Don't ask me. I haven't the foggiest idea!

weekend. g. Nothing important, it was just a storm in a tea-


TASK 6

Match the words in box A with the words in box B to form some compound nouns about extreme weather

events. heatwave volcanic eruption

heat volcanic hail rain snow bush eruption fires wave fall stones storm

TASK 7 TASK 8

Complete the descriptions with Tornadoes, Hurri- Read the descriptions and match the expressions

canes or Earthquakes. in bold to their meaning.

a. to travel a particular distance


_________________ typhoons or cyclones are the b. a large amount of damage
most violent storms on Earth. They 1
form over
c. how fast the wind blows
warm ocean waters near the equator. By the time
they 2 strike land, the wind can 3 reach speeds of d. small quakes that often follow a much bigger one
up to 155 mph and 4
cover huge areas and dis- e. to increase to a particular speed or level
tances. They often bring heavy rain and generate f. to hit something hard
high waves, resulting in coastal flooding.
g. to move rapidly from side to side or up and down

h. the strength of an earthquake


_________________ occur on a much smaller 5
i. essential things needed to survive
scale, but can have higher 6
wind speeds - with
j. size
some gales blowing at over 300 mph. They can also
cause 7 considerable destruction. k. to stop the supply of something

l. to start to develop

_________________, like volcanoes, occur where


the Earth's tectonic plates meet. The movement of
the plates causes the ground to 8
shake. If the 9

magnitude is strong enough, it will collapse build-


ings and 10
cut off water, electricity and other 11

vital supplies. People are also at risk of tsunamis


if they live near the coast, or are hit unexpectedly
by further 12 aftershocks.

Common questions

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Collocations are crucial in learning English vocabulary as they represent natural language patterns that enhance fluency. In the context of weather terms, knowing collocations like 'scorching hot' or 'glorious sunshine' helps learners understand nuances and maintain natural conversational flows . This familiarity with common pairings allows learners to express themselves more like native speakers and better grasp subtleties in meaning.

Cultural perceptions significantly influence language around weather through idioms and expressions that reflect societal attitudes. For example, 'every cloud has a silver lining' suggests a positive outlook despite adversity, rooted in a cultural tendency to find hope in difficult situations . Weather expressions often use metaphorical language, such as 'under the weather,' to reflect everyday experiences and shared understandings within a culture.

Metaphorical language about weather often reflects human emotions and our understanding of life's challenges. Phrases like 'storm in a teacup' denote exaggerated problems, suggesting that small issues are often blown out of proportion . Weather metaphors allow people to express complex emotions through familiar natural phenomena, linking emotional turmoil with physical storms, thus enhancing communication and understanding.

Winds are categorized in terms of intensity and effects in collocations, such as 'strong gale-force winds' implying very powerful and potentially damaging winds, and 'light winds' indicating gentle breezes unlikely to cause harm . Different types of winds affect weather by influencing temperature, moisture, and pressure systems, which in turn can lead to storms or more benign weather conditions.

Individuals may be particularly attentive to weather forecasts in regions with volatile weather conditions, such as areas prone to hurricanes or tornadoes where early warnings can save lives . Additionally, in climates with significant seasonal changes, such as the transition from rainy to dry seasons, forecasts guide agricultural activities and day-to-day planning, emphasizing their importance for economic and personal safety.

The pairing 'torrential rain' implies a much more severe weather condition than simply 'rain,' suggesting an intense downpour that may lead to flooding or other weather-related challenges . Such nuanced language helps convey the severity and potential impact of weather conditions more clearly, aiding in preparedness and response to extreme weather.

Weather conditions such as 'overcast' or 'electric' are part of strong collocations, where specific adjectives are commonly paired with nouns to describe typical weather phenomena. For example, 'overcast' and 'stormy' relate to the noun 'sky' in expressions like 'overcast sky' and 'stormy sky' . These pairs create vivid and precise imagery in language, contributing to effective communication about weather conditions.

Hurricanes and tornadoes differ in both formation and impact. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters near the equator and can strike large areas with strong winds and heavy rains leading to coastal flooding . Tornadoes, on the other hand, occur on a smaller scale but can have higher wind speeds, causing localized yet considerable destruction . They are more intense in smaller areas than hurricanes, but both weather events can cause significant damage when they occur.

Seasons vary considerably by geographic location affecting local activities and lifestyle. Tropical countries might experience 'rainy' and 'dry' seasons as opposed to four distinct seasons experienced in temperate zones . This affects agriculture, outdoor activities, and cultural events, as people adapt their daily routines and economic activities according to the predominant weather conditions of their region.

Understanding weather-related idioms can significantly improve cross-cultural communication as these expressions often capture cultural nuances and shared experiences. Recognizing idioms like 'save for a rainy day' can help bridge cultural gaps by revealing common values and priorities regarding preparedness and uncertainty . Such knowledge aids in interpreting cultural messages accurately and fosters mutual comprehension and respect.

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