Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 07 January 2014
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
Deep Freeze Spreads Across US
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- deep freeze: extremely cold weather conditions
- dense: heavy; concentrated
- frigid: very cold
- blast: a sudden gust
- vortex: whirling air
- frostbite: skin damage from exposure to the cold
Comprehension Questions
- What is a polar vortex?
- What warning have meteorologists issued?
- What type of weather has been forecast for midweek in the US?
Discussion Question: What supplies should vehicles be equipped with in case of winter emergencies on the road?
show Answershide Answers
Deep Freeze Spreads Across US
Much of the US has slipped into a deep freeze, and many Americans are experiencing the coldest winter weather they have ever felt. Dense, frigid air that has been trapped in the Arctic for months was released this week, resulting in a blast of cold air and snow to much of Canada and the US. The climatic phenomenon is known as a polar vortex, and is affecting states as far south as Florida. Meteorologists have warned that these are life-threatening temperatures to anyone who gets stuck outside or in a vehicle. When cold temperatures are combined with wind chill, frostbite can occur within minutes. The extreme weather is expected to subside by midweek as the cold air moves out to the Atlantic. Many of the affected areas can look forward to temperatures above seasonal.
- A polar vortex is a climatic phenomenon that occurs when trapped arctic air is suddenly released.
- Meteorologists have warned that these temperatures can be life-threatening for anyone who is stuck outside or in a vehicle even for a few minutes.
- Weather that is above seasonal has been forecast for midweek in the US.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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