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On July 6, 2026, the Pacific territories of the United States, specifically Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, faced a severe natural disaster as Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall. Characterized by howling winds and torrential rain, the storm has been classified by the National Weather Service as an extremely hazardous event. To be categorised as a ‘super typhoon’, a tropical cyclone must possess sustained winds exceeding 240 kilometres per hour. Bavi has far surpassed this threshold, recording sustained winds of 290 kilometres per hour and gusts reaching a staggering 350 kilometres per hour. Experts have further warned that the resulting waves could reach heights of 11 metres, comparable to a three-story building.

In Guam, a territory with a population of approximately 170,000, the local community has been working tirelessly to mitigate the storm’s impact. Authorities established five evacuation centres within local schools to provide refuge for those whose homes might not withstand the extreme conditions. However, the demand for safety was so high that one facility reached its maximum capacity almost immediately, requiring officials to redirect residents to alternative locations. Meanwhile, business owners have been observed boarding up their premises with plywood. One local entrepreneur remarked that despite the high cost of protective materials, the potential loss of her entire shop was a risk she could not afford to take.

The island of Rota, situated to the north-east of Guam, is currently experiencing the full force of the typhoon’s eye. A formal advisory has been issued, urging the public to remain indoors as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly. Meteorologists predict that wind speeds will remain at typhoon strength until at least Monday afternoon, making any outdoor activity life-threatening.

While tropical cyclones are a recurring feature of the western Pacific, scientific consensus suggests that climate change is responsible for making such storms both more frequent and more intense. This recent event highlights the growing vulnerability of island communities and underscores the urgent need for global strategies to address the escalating threats posed by extreme weather patterns.

1. What is the primary purpose of the article?

• A.To explain the scientific causes behind the formation of typhoons.
• B.To report on the impact and preparation efforts regarding Super Typhoon Bavi.
• C.To criticize the government’s response to natural disasters in Guam.
• D.To compare Super Typhoon Bavi with previous storms in the Pacific.

2. According to the text, what qualifies a storm to be called a ‘super typhoon’?

• A.It must cause waves higher than a three-story building.
• B.It must have gusts of wind reaching 350 kilometres per hour.
• C.It must have sustained wind speeds of over 240 kilometres per hour.
• D.It must result in the total evacuation of local island populations.

3. What problem did officials in Guam face regarding the evacuation centres?

• A.The schools were not strong enough to resist the wind.
• B.People refused to leave their homes to go to the centres.
• C.One of the locations became full very quickly.
• D.The centres lacked the necessary plywood for protection.

4. What was the shop owner’s attitude towards the cost of plywood?

• A.She felt the government should have provided it for free.
• B.She viewed it as a necessary investment to protect her livelihood.
• C.She believed it was too expensive and decided not to buy it.
• D.She was annoyed that the price had increased due to the storm.

5. In the third paragraph, what does the word ‘deteriorate’ mean?

• A.To become worse or lower in quality.
• B.To stay at a constant, steady level.
• C.To improve after a period of difficulty.
• D.To move in a different direction.