So many natural disasters lately

The Haiti earthquake occurred just weeks after the five year anniversary of the Southeast Asia

tsunami. Between these two catastrophic events were other disasters including Hurricane Katrina, the

Sichuan earthquake, Cyclone Nargis, the Australia bushfires, and the Samoa tsunami. With all of

these natural disasters in just five years, it's reasonable to question whether natural disasters are on

the rise. In fact they are increasing in both frequency and severity. In general there are three primary

factors causing this trend.

Deforestation, over grazing, river channelization, and many other activities impact the frequency and

severity of natural disasters. Deforestation or overgrazing on hillsides increases the probability of

landslides after heavy rains, deforestation and overgrazing in marginal lands can lead to dustbowls or

desertification. Straightening and channelizing rivers decreases the total volume of water the river

can hold and speeds the flow of the water leading to more severe flooding downstream. And the list

goes on.

Population growth has two significant impacts. First, the greater the number of people in an area, the

greater the number of people that will be affected by a disaster. Second, overpopulation as well as

urban population migration may force people to live in marginal areas such as on unstable hillsides,

in flood plains, in shabbily constructed slums or on top of fault lines. All of these factors increase the

likelihood that more people will be severely affected by natural disasters.

Climate change is raising sea levels and changing precipitation patterns in many parts of the world.

As the sea level continues to rise, low lying coastal areas are more prone to damage by wave surges,

tropical storms and other coastal issues. Areas that have increased rainfall are more likely to have

issues with flooding and landslides, while areas receiving less rain fall may face crop failure,

desertification, wild fires and other serious issues. Scientists are also starting to study whether

earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are impacted by the retreat of glaciers and the melting of ice

sheets.

This is an updated and edited post of a previous post. It has been adapted for educational purposes by Sergio Pérez Tabares http://informationincontext.typepad.com/good_intentions_are_not_e/2010/02/why-are-there-so-many-natural-disasters-lately.html

1. - Say whether the following sentences are TRUE OR FALSE according to the text. Copy the

evidence from the text. No marks will be given without the evidence. (1.5 point).

1.- If a sheep eats so much grass, there will be more landslides.

2.- If you live in marginal areas, there will be more natural disasters.

3.- If it rains so much in an area, it is more likely to have flooding.

2.- Choose ONLY THREE of the following words and write a synonym(=), an antonym(=), a

definition or a sentence (only one of these four) to show that you understand their meaning in

the text. Use your own words (1.5 points)

a.-reasonable d.-patterns

b.-decreases e.-issues

c.-likelihood f.-failure

3.- You and your family have been evacuated as a volcano in Iceland was about to explote. You

are being interviewed. Complete the interview below. (2 points)

Interviewer: Well Mr. Johnson. How................................................................................................1

?

Mr Johnson: Now I am OK, but...........................................................................................................2

Interviewer: I can actually imagine the hell you and your family have just lived but..........................

...............................................................................................................................................................?3

Mr Johnson: Because it was absolutely impossible. There..................................................................4

Interviewer: Unfortunately, you have lost your home, haven’t you?

Mr Johnson: Yes, however,...........................................................................................................5

Interviewer: You mean that........................................................................................................6

Mr Johnson: That’s right. We even.............................................................................................7

4.- What would you say in or about these situations? Choose ONLY FOUR of the situations. (2

points)

a.-Your mum is reading your personal diary.

b.-Your best friend is moving into a different country.

c.-You eventually got your driving licence

d.-You have spent 500 € on your parents’ telephone bill

e.-A stranger asks you to marry him/her

f.-Someone has uploaded a photo of you on Facebook without asking for permission

5. - Write a composition of about 100 words on ONE of the following topics. (3 points)

a.- Narrate your dramatic experience after Timanfaya volcanoes erupted last Monday.

b.- Is our future predestined? Discuss