Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. shatter
    • ex. The team's star player shattered current records. He scored 40 points in one game.
  2. climate
    • ex. The climate in the Philippines is usually hot throughout the year.
  3. result in (something)
    • ex. Harsh weather conditions can result in property damage.
  4. intense
    • ex. The storm brought heavy rain and intense winds, which caused damage to houses in the area.
  5. a calculation
    • ex. The financial officer made some calculations to see how much the company earned this year.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Two top US science agencies reported that global average temperatures in 2023 shattered existing heat records. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) calculated an average global temperature of 15.08°C. That’s 0.15°C warmer than the previous record set in 2016. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also noted a 1.39°C increase since 1950. Both agencies agree that the past decade, from 2014 to 2023, has been the hottest ever recorded.

Many climate experts think it will be difficult to reach the target set in the Paris Agreement in 2015. The agreement intended to prevent the serious effects of climate change. The main causes of increasing temperatures are El Niño and greenhouse gases from burning fuel. And they result in more intense heat, floods, storms, and forest fires.

The scientists who made the calculations noticed strange climate behavior in 2023. They are not sure if it was due to human-caused climate change, El Niño, or a larger pattern of warming. According to NOAA’s Russ Vose, 2024 will most likely be warmer than 2023. There’s also a 99% chance that 2024 will be among the top five warmest years.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Strange Climate Behavior

  • Do you agree that there was strange climate behavior in 2023? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you believe that the strange climate behavior is a result of human activities? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • According to NOAA's Russ Vose, 2024 will most likely be warmer than 2023. Do you think we can trust the experts’ predictions about the climate in 2024? Why or why not? Discuss.

The Hottest Year

  • Based on your experience, do you agree that 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What would you do to feel comfortable during very hot weather (ex. use an air conditioner, go to the pool)? Discuss.
  • What do you think the government, private organizations, and the public should do to stop the temperature from becoming hotter and hotter? Discuss.