Youtube Exercise » English Grammar Homework

Weather disasters over past five decades 'have increased five-fold' – BBC News

BBC News

80K views 5 years ago

Warm-up Questions

When you hear the phrase “weather disasters,” what kinds of events do you think of?
What do you think it means if weather disasters have “increased five-fold” over 50 years?
What kind of information do you expect a BBC News report like this to include (numbers, examples, advice, opinions)?

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Weather disasters over past five decades 'have increased five-fold' – BBC News

Segment 1: The main claim and early warning vs. economic losses (00:00 – 01:11)

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1. According to the report, how has the number of weather-related disasters changed over the past 50 years?

It has doubled
It has decreased by two-thirds
It has increased five-fold
It has stayed about the same

2. What has improved, helping to reduce casualties from weather events?

Better early warning services/systems
More hurricanes forming over oceans
Higher economic growth worldwide
More fossil fuels being used

3. What is the “bad news” mentioned by the speaker from the news conference?

Climate change has stopped
Early warning systems have failed
Storms are becoming less frequent
Economic losses have been growing rapidly

Weather disasters over past five decades 'have increased five-fold' – BBC News

Segment 2: Examples, deaths vs. damages, and warning networks (01:11 – 02:38)

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1. What did Hurricane Ida do in Louisiana, according to the report?

It created a heat wave across Europe
It caused catastrophic damage and left millions without power
It caused drought and crop failure across the country
It reduced flooding by bringing steady rain

2. How have damages from weather-related events changed compared with the 1970s?

They are half as high
They are twice as high
They are more than seven times higher
They are about the same

3. Why have the number of deaths from storms, floods, and droughts decreased significantly?

Scientists have stopped measuring deaths
Disasters are weaker now
Early warning systems give people more time to move away from danger
People have stopped living near rivers

Weather disasters over past five decades 'have increased five-fold' – BBC News

Segment 3: The report’s message, recent storm costs, and the remaining challenge (02:38 – 06:02)

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1. What does the speaker say is the “real thrust” (main purpose) of the report?

To argue that weather disasters are mostly random
To give a comprehensive look at the last 50 years, including economic losses and mortality
To focus only on heat waves in Europe
To predict the exact date of the next hurricane

2. According to the report discussion, where have most of the people who died in these disasters been living?

Only in rich countries
Only in places far from the ocean
Mostly on small islands with strong warning systems
In poorer/developing countries

3. What ongoing problem does the speaker highlight near the end of the video?

Scientists are no longer interested in disasters
Half the world’s countries still don’t have warning systems
Storms in 2017 caused little damage
Economic losses have stopped growing

Weather disasters over past five decades 'have increased five-fold' – BBC News

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1. Which pair best matches the overall trend described in the video?

More disasters, fewer deaths
Fewer disasters, more deaths
No change in disasters or deaths
More disasters, more deaths at the same rate

2. What does the video suggest is a major reason economic losses keep increasing?

Scientists are reporting fewer events now
Climate extremes are expected to continue and events are causing greater damage
People have stopped building in cities
Early warning systems are making storms stronger

3. What is presented as one of the most effective ways to save lives during weather disasters?

Stopping all news coverage
Ignoring climate negotiations
Building fewer homes
Early warning systems and evacuation

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Weather disasters over past five decades 'have increased five-fold' – BBC News

The video says disasters are increasing but deaths are decreasing. What factors could explain this difference?
What should governments prioritize first: reducing emissions, improving early warning systems, or rebuilding infrastructure? Why?
Why might poorer countries have fewer adequate warning networks, and what could richer countries do to help?
Do you think the media reports more weather disasters now than in the past? How does that affect public opinion and policy?