🎧 Listen to today’s podcast
📚 Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | 中文 |
|---|---|---|
| intensified | To become greater in strength, force, or degree. | 加强,增强 |
| infrastructure | The basic systems and services, such as transport and power, that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively. | 基础设施 |
| precautions | Something that is done in advance in order to prevent problems or avoid danger. | 预防措施 |
| trajectory | The path followed by an object moving through space. | 轨道,轨迹 |
| vulnerabilities | Weaknesses that make someone or something easy to be harmed or attacked. | 脆弱性,弱点 |
| isolated | Far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote. | 偏远的,孤立的 |
| vigilant | Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. | 警惕的 |
| anticipated | Regarded as probable; expected or predicted. | 预料中的,预期的 |
📖 Read the Article
Hawaii is currently preparing for a potential direct impact from a significant meteorological event. On Saturday morning, a storm named Lala intensified into a Category 1 hurricane, representing a rare occurrence for the Pacific state. Remarkably, Hawaii has not experienced a direct hurricane hit in over three decades. Furthermore, should the storm strike the Big Island directly, it would mark the first such event in more than 150 years. Currently, Hurricane Lala is producing winds of approximately 120 kilometers per hour. Meteorologists predict that as the storm moves closer to the coast, it will bring extreme weather conditions to the entire region. Heavy rainfall is a primary concern, with forecasts suggesting that certain areas could receive up to 63 centimeters of rain. This immense volume of water poses a high risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Additionally, coastal regions are threatened by a projected storm surge of roughly one meter, which could lead to significant flooding and damage to infrastructure near the shoreline. In light of these hazards, local authorities have issued critical warnings to the public. While a hurricane warning is in effect for the Big Island, other islands, including Maui, Oahu, and Kauai, are under tropical storm warnings. Residents have been advised to take all necessary precautions and strictly adhere to official safety guidelines. If the hurricane maintains its current trajectory, it is expected to pass near the southern tip of the Big Island before continuing its journey westward. Although there is a possibility that the hurricane may weaken into a tropical storm as it progresses, experts emphasize that the danger remains severe. Reports from coastal areas describe intense conditions, where heavy precipitation and strong winds have drastically reduced visibility. This developing situation serves as a stark reminder of the unique vulnerabilities faced by isolated island communities. As Hurricane Lala draws nearer, residents and officials alike remain vigilant, monitoring weather reports for the latest updates on this unfolding natural disaster.
✏️ Reading Practice
1. What is the main purpose of the article?
- A.To explain the scientific causes of Pacific hurricanes.
- B.To inform the public about an approaching hurricane and its risks.
- C.To compare Hurricane Lala with previous storms in Hawaii’s history.
- D.To criticize the local government’s response to natural disasters.
2. What makes Hurricane Lala particularly unusual for the Big Island?
- A.It is the first storm to reach Category 1 status in 34 years.
- B.It is accompanied by an unprecedented one-meter storm surge.
- C.A direct hit there has not occurred for over a century and a half.
- D.It is moving west instead of following the usual northern path.
3. What can be inferred about travel conditions on the coast from the text?
- A.Only maritime travel has been officially suspended.
- B.Moving around is dangerous due to poor visibility and wind.
- C.Authorities have closed all roads on the Big Island.
- D.Travel is still safe as long as residents stay away from the shore.
4. What is the experts’ attitude regarding the potential weakening of the storm?
- A.They believe it will likely miss the islands if it weakens.
- B.They are confident that the threat will disappear by Sunday.
- C.They suggest that residents can relax if it becomes a tropical storm.
- D.They warn that the storm remains dangerous regardless of its strength.
5. In the third paragraph, what does the word ‘adhere’ most closely mean?
- A.To join together firmly.
- B.To follow or obey a rule.
- C.To create a new plan.
- D.To ignore advice.
