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1. Read the webpage about El Niño. What is it and what effects can it have?
El Niño
What is it?
El Niño is part of a phenomenon called El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). El Niño happens when the strong ocean winds decrease and the temperature of the ocean becomes unusually warm. The name comes from the Spanish for "child" and refers to the baby Jesus, because it often happens around Christmas. El Niño has occurred for at least the last 300 years, and it lasts between 9 months and 2 years. They occur approximately every 2–7 years.
Causes and effects
Scientists are not sure what causes El Niño, but there are various theories. One theory is that strong Pacific winds create a big area of warm water in the west. If the winds suddenly disappear, the warm water quickly moves to the east and causes El Niño. Another theory is that volcanic activity in the tropics causes it.
El Niño has a big impact on the Pacific region and affects weather all over the world. It can cause floods in some countries (such as Peru and Ecuador), but very dry conditions, forest fires and drought in others (south-east Asia and Australia). El Niño can cause typhoons and hurricanes. El Niño also affects marine ecosystems because the warm water is poor in nutrients and cannot sustain big fish populations. This causes problems for the Pacific fishing industry.
2. True or False? Write T or F. Correct the false sentences.
1. ENSO occurs in the Mediterranean.
2. ENSO happens when the ocean temperature becomes unusually cold.
3. ENSO lasts between 2 and 7 years.
4. Volcanic activity is a possible cause of El Nino.
5. El Nino only affects the weather in the Pacific.
6. ENSO is problematic for Pacific fish populations.
3. ☊2.11 Listen to an interview about El Niño. Choose the correct words to complete the statements.
1. El Nino events are getting more / less severe.
2. It's likely / unlikely that global warming will have an impact on future El Nino events.
3. Scientists think that El Nino events won't / may get more frequent.
4. Scientists can / can't predict when an El Nino event is going to happen.
4. ☊2.11 Listen again. Use the following numbers to complete the paragraph.
60 2015 16 2016 25
El Nino events have been getting more severe over the last (1) _____ years. In (2) _____ there were (3) _____ typhoons in the Central Pacific. It's possible that more than (4) _____ million people suffered from hunger and malnutrition in (5) _____ as a consequence.
5. SPEAKING Work in groups. Ask and answer the questions about extreme weather in Viet Nam.
1. What type of extreme weather is common?
2. When was the last typhoon?
3. In which region do typhoons normally occur?
4. What do the people usually do to prepare for typhoons?
