Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. at risk
    • ex. Children playing near the road are at risk of accidents.
  2. a disaster
    • ex. Disasters, like earthquakes and hurricanes, can cause a lot of damage to buildings and homes.
  3. evacuate
    • ex. The police helped the residents evacuate their homes before the flood started.
  4. survival
    • ex. Food and water are important for survival during an emergency.
  5. a hazard
    • ex. The signs warn about hazards on the road, like falling rocks and animals crossing.

Article

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

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Older adults are much more at risk during a disaster. They may face challenges, such as heart-related problems, accidents, medical equipment failures, or delayed medical care. They also struggle to evacuate quickly because they need more time to prepare. Experts say planning and preparation are key to survival, not just for hurricanes and wildfires but for any kind of climate-related hazard.

It’s important to know what hazards there are. Listen to the news and weather reports about wildfires or floods in the area. Plan what to do during a disaster: how you should evacuate or how to stay safe at home. Whether staying at home or evacuating, homes should be prepared early. For example, learn how to turn off water and electricity and cover windows if possible.

When evacuating, plan where to go and how to get there. Transportation can be tough for older adults who usually use buses or trains, which may be limited during disasters. In this case, it’s important to have a neighbor, friend, or family member who can provide emergency transportation. Also, know how to contact local emergency and disaster agencies for help.

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

During A Disaster

  • Older adults are much more at risk during a disaster. Why do you think this is so? Discuss.
  • It’s important to know what hazards there are. Why do you think it’s important to know the hazards in your area? Discuss.
  • What are the things that you would consider when planning to evacuate (ex. transportation vehicle, a place to go)? Discuss.

Key to Survival

  • Preparation and planning are key to survival in any kind of climate-related disaster. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Whether staying at home or evacuating, homes should be prepared early. In your opinion, why is early home preparation important? Discuss.
  • What do you think are some important things to prepare for a disaster (ex. an emergency kit, emergency contacts)? Discuss.