[Technology ★★]
(P1) The USA put a powerful weather satellite into space. It will change how we get weather information. The $1 billion GOES-R satellite will take photos five times faster than other satellites. Photos will be four times better quality. GOES-R will change weather forecasts. It is like the difference between black and white TV and HD TV.
(P2) GOES-R will give real-time photos. They will make us safer. Airplanes will miss turbulence. GOES-R will zoom in on events like hurricanes, flooding and ash clouds. This will warn people about danger and save lives and homes. GOES-R will show the weather, as it looks right now, not the weather of 30 minutes ago.
WORDS: 111
SOURCE: http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1611/161123-weather-forecast-0.html
VOCABULARY: powerful, quality, forecasts, safer, turbulence, hurricanes, ash clouds
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly, summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Do you follow the weather for your city? Why or why not?
- What is the weather like now in your city?
- Does your country experience natural disasters? If yes, which ones? (Ex. hurricanes)
READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
- Who put the satellite into outer space?
- What is the value of the GOES-R?
- The satellite will help airplanes avoid dangerous air. (T or F)
- The satellite will help to save __________ and ___________.
- The GOES-R satellite will not display real-time weather. (T or F)
EXPRESSIONS or PHRASES:
What do the following expressions or phrases mean?
- five times faster (P1)
- the difference between black and white TV and HD TV (P1)
- real-time photos (P2)
- save lives (P2)
Image source: by “unknown” GOES R [Lockheed Martin] credit: NASA – Public Domain