Module 5 - Global Issues
5a. Reading and Vocabulary
1. What is a disaster?
Definition: A disaster is an event that results in permanent changes to human societies and often affects life, property, livelihood, industry, or ecosystems, negatively impacting the natural environment.
Agreement/Disagreement: I agree with this definition as it encompasses the broad impact of disasters, both natural and man-made. I would, however, add that disasters can also result in psychological effects on affected populations, which the definition does not take into account.
2. Match the words:
- tinned fish – консервированная рыба
- collapsed bridges – разрушенные мосты
- cracked roads – треснувшие дороги
- massive waves – огромные волны
- pull sb out – вытащить кого-то
Sentences:
- We had tinned fish for dinner last night.
- The storm caused several bridges to collapse.
- After the heavy rains, the roads were cracked and dangerous to drive on.
- Massive waves crashed against the shore during the storm.
- The lifeguard was able to pull the swimmer out of the water.
3. Mark the statements T (True), F (False), or NS (Not Stated):
- NS
- T
- F
- T
- F
4. Man-made disasters in Russian:
- arson - поджог
- civil disorder - гражданские беспорядки
- crime - преступление
- data loss - потеря данных
- power outage - отключение электроэнергии
- radiation - радиация
- terrorism - терроризм
- war - война
5. Definitions of natural disasters:
- Earthquake – a shaking of the ground, can occur anywhere but is common in tectonically active areas.
- Avalanche – a large mass of snow falling down the side of a mountain, typically occurs in mountainous regions.
- Hurricane/Typhoon – an extremely violent wind or storm, occurring in tropical and subtropical areas.
- Flood – a large amount of water that covers an area which is usually dry, can occur anywhere with heavy rainfall or melting snow.
- Tsunami – a huge wave caused by an earthquake which flows onto land, typically occurs in coastal areas following undersea earthquakes.
6. Circle the correct verb form in each of the following sentences: a) Mary was preparing lunch when they came. b) Tom was very unlucky. It rained every day during his holidays. c) Who was that nice girl you talked to when I walked by the pub? d) Last weekend Susan fell and broke her leg. e) When I entered the cafeteria Mary was having lunch with Peter. f) We were driving to Berlin in Robert's new car. g) The sun was shining brightly when I got up this morning. h) Ann finally told us the whole story about Peter.
7. Put the verbs in brackets in either the Past Simple or the Past Continuous: a) As Sophie was walking up Regent Street she met an old friend from college. b) When did your father arrive yesterday? He was delayed due to an accident. c) Who were you speaking to on the phone when I came in? d) Mary was reading in bed when she heard a strange noise. e) When Mr. Lawrence left home at 8:30 this morning, the sun was shining brightly. f) Sebastian arrived at Susan's house a little before 11 a.m., but she was not there. She was studying at the library. g) The fireman rescued a 75-year-old woman who was trapped on the second floor of the burning building. h) Yesterday Jane fell and hurt herself when she was riding her bicycle. i) What were you doing any shopping yesterday? j) What was Peter doing when you knocked on his door? k) Helen wore her dress to the party last night.