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Module 1. Test
1. Match the titles (1-8) to the texts (A-G). There is one extra title.
1. Safety measures
2. Terrible consequences
3. Effects on nature
4. Classifying tornadoes
5. Tornado concentration
6. Forecasting dangers
7. Courage required
8. Disaster formation
A. Tornado chasers are those brave thrill-seekers who are not afraid to follow this
dangerous natural disaster. They may drive hundreds of miles during a single chase risking
their lives. In the USA tornado chasers park southeast of the tornado. It's usually the safest
spot to film or record. The reason is: tornadoes normally travel from southwest to the
northeast. Tornadoes aren't the only danger, as tornado chasers have to be careful of the
lightning coming from the thunderstorms that produce tornadoes.
B. "Tornado" comes from the Spanish word tronada meaning thunderstorm. Most
tornadoes form from thunderstorms. Three main ingredients are needed for a tornado to
appear. You need warm, moist air and cool, dry air. When these two air masses meet, they
create instability in the atmosphere. Then, the wind changes its direction and grows in
speed. This creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the atmosphere.
C. There is little you can do to protect your home or workplace from the strength of
tornado winds, but there are actions you can take to protect yourself and your family
better. The best place to be at during a tornado is underground, which makes basements
and cellars ideal shelters to get away from tornadoes. If you have no basement, go to an
inside room on the lowest floor, like a closet, or bathroom with no windows and get under
something strong, like a heavy table. If possible, cover your body with a blanket and protect
your head with anything available.
D. Despite knowing how tornadoes form, it's still almost impossible to predict when one
will develop. However, meteorologists try to predict when tornadoes may appear using the
information from past tornadoes. In the USA there's a tornado watch programme, when
scientists try to watch the atmospheric conditions which form tornadoes in the country. So
when all the ingredients for a tornado are present, they warn people that a tornado is
coming. There is special equipment that measures the wind speed and direction, and helps
predict the disaster.
E. Most tornadoes only last a few minutes and travel a few miles, but some may last longer
and travel over 100 miles. Tornadoes are divided into groups according to how strong they
are. These five categories are marked from F-0 to F-5. F-0 tornadoes are the mild-est. F-5
tornadoes are the most dangerous. In the United States F-0 and F-1 tornadoes make up
80% of all tornadoes. The most violent ones don't happen very often but they cause a lot of
destruction and loss of life.
F. Most of the world's destructive tornadoes occur during the summer in the US. Most
tornadoes in the United States form in an area called "Tornado Alley" This area includes
parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. The land in the central US is rather flat,
which allows cold dry air from Canada to meet warm moist tropical air from the Gulf of
Mexico. It's along the front between the two air masses that most tornadoes form. Storm
chasers travel to this area because of the high concentration of tornadoes.
G. Tornadoes are dangerous because they kill and injure people. Most deaths come from
the most violent tornadoes. Injuries happen because of flying fragments or because people
are thrown by the high winds. Another significant effect tornadoes have on humans is the
property damage. Weak tornadoes can take the roofs off buildings and break windows.
Stronger tornadoes destroy buildings completely. This can have a considerable economic
impact. In 1999, Oklahoma suffered about $1.1 billion in property damage from tornadoes.
Text A B C D E F G
Title
3. Complete the sentences with the right words.
• struck • fainted • eruption • emergency • declared • collapsed • administered
• struggled • predictable • survivors
1) The volcanic __________________ shook the ground.
2) A massive earthquake __________________ off the coast of Japan yesterday.
3) The roof __________________ during the earthquake.
4) When Juliet heard the bad news, she __________________ from shock.
5) Paramedics __________________ first aid to those who were injured.
6) A state of emergency was __________________ after the hurricane struck.
7) Villagers __________________ to cope after the volcano destroyed their homes.
8) After the tornado, __________________ searched for their belongings in the rubble.
9) I found the book very __________________ and had already guessed the ending.
10) After the accident, __________________ services were called to the scene.
4. Underline the correct item.
1. The earthquake created pebbles/ripples on the water.
2. Yesterday's train crash resulted in a terrible loss/damage of life.
3. The volcano has been dormant/stable for decades.
4. Always make/take precautions before entering a mine.
5. The shaking/deafening roar of the volcano could be heard for miles.
5. Choose the correct item.
6. A magazine has asked its readers to send in stories about unfortunate events. Write a
story about an accident that happened (200 words). Include:
• a description of the scene: characters, when/where, weather (Being injured during an
earthquake? Getting hurt during a tornado or strong windstorm? heavy flooding? Burns or
injuries from a volcanic eruption affecting your area?)
• the events in the order they happened & climax event: What happened after the
accident? Did emergency services arrive?
• what happened in the end & feelings
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