[FCE] Typhoon Dujuan tracking close to Tokyo triggers rare evacuation alert

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📚 Key Vocabulary

Word Definition 中文
Sophisticated Highly developed and complex. 高级的,复杂的
Trajectory The path followed by a projectile or moving object. 轨道,路径
Precautionary Done in order to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant from happening. 预防性的
Consequence A result or effect of an action or condition. 后果
Deteriorate To become progressively worse. 恶化
Metropolitan Relating to a large city and its surrounding area. 大都市的
Infrastructure The basic physical and organizational structures (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies). 基础设施
Unpredictable Not able to be foreseen or known beforehand. 不可预测的

📖 Read the Article

On September 22, 2026, the Japanese capital of Tokyo faced a critical environmental challenge as Typhoon Dujuan approached the coastline with alarming speed. This powerful tropical storm, which gained intensity rapidly over the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, prompted local authorities to issue rare and urgent evacuation alerts. Given Tokyo’s exceptionally high population density, such a decision highlights the severity of the threat, despite the city’s long-standing reputation for possessing some of the most sophisticated coastal defenses and infrastructure globally.

Meteorologists have warned that if the storm maintains its current trajectory, it could result in catastrophic flooding and widespread power outages across the city and its surrounding suburbs. In anticipation of these hazards, thousands of residents have been strongly advised to relocate to government-provided safety zones. The National Weather Agency has urged the public to remain indoors and avoid all unnecessary travel, leading to the suspension of major transport services, including several vital high-speed rail networks, as a necessary precautionary measure.

From a scientific standpoint, the extreme intensity of Typhoon Dujuan is being closely monitored by experts who attribute its strength to unusually high sea surface temperatures. Climate scientists argue that these elevated temperatures, often a direct consequence of global climate change, provide significantly more energy to tropical storms. This phenomenon is resulting in typhoons that are not only becoming more frequent but also increasingly unpredictable and dangerous to coastal populations.

As the most intense part of the storm is expected to pass over the metropolitan area tonight, emergency services remain on high alert. Many local businesses have also taken the step of closing early to ensure that their employees can return home safely before weather conditions deteriorate further. Although modern cities like Tokyo are specifically designed to withstand harsh weather, the sheer scale of Dujuan is testing the limits of local resources and planning. This event ultimately raises important questions regarding whether modern urban centers are truly equipped to handle the increasingly extreme weather events of the future.

✏️ Reading Practice

1. What is the primary focus of the article?

  • A.The history of tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean.
  • B.The immediate threat of Typhoon Dujuan to Tokyo and its causes.
  • C.A comparison between Tokyo’s infrastructure and other global cities.
  • D.The long-term economic impact of storm-related power outages.

2. According to the text, why was the decision to issue an evacuation alert significant?

  • A.Because Tokyo is usually immune to tropical rainfall.
  • B.Because the city’s transport services had never been suspended before.
  • C.Because the city is normally protected by highly advanced infrastructure.
  • D.Because the storm developed much slower than expected.

3. What can be inferred about the relationship between climate change and typhoons?

  • A.Climate change is making it easier for meteorologists to predict storm paths.
  • B.Higher sea temperatures provide the energy that increases storm intensity.
  • C.Tropical storms are becoming less frequent but more powerful.
  • D.Global warming has no direct impact on coastal infrastructure.

4. What is the author’s tone regarding the preparedness of modern cities?

  • A.Completely confident that modern technology can stop any storm.
  • B.Critical of the government for not providing enough safety zones.
  • C.Indifferent to the challenges posed by extreme weather.
  • D.Reflective and questioning about the adequacy of current resources.

5. In the second paragraph, what is the closest meaning to the word ‘trajectory’?

  • A.The speed at which something moves.
  • B.The path or direction an object follows.
  • C.The measurement of rainfall during a storm.
  • D.The strength of the wind in a specific area.