 Test your English. Tornadoes. Step 1. Preview. You will hear a passage about an academic topic. Listen carefully and be prepared to take a short quiz afterward. Prepare yourself. Focus. What do you know about this topic already? Tornadoes. Tornadoes in the U.S. Note, this passage is at the intermediate level. Step 2. The passage. You can either read or listen to the passage, or both. If you want to practice reading, turn off the sound. If you want to practice listening, minimize the screen. If you want to do both, leave everything as it is. Step 2. The passage. Tornadoes are a common and dangerous weather phenomenon in the United States, especially during the spring and summer months. The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country in the world, with an average of 1,200 tornadoes reported each year. Tornadoes typically form from severe thunderstorms, and can cause extensive damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure. A deadliest tornado in U.S. history occurred in 1925 in the states of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, and claimed 695 lives. Despite advances in technology and warning systems, tornadoes remain a significant threat to communities across the United States. It is important to stay informed, and to take necessary precautions to protect oneself and loved ones during severe weather events. Step 3. Take the quiz. Answer these questions about the passage. 1. Tornadoes are still a threat to communities in the U.S. True or false? Feel free to pause the video if you like more time. 2. A tornado in 1925 killed 695 people in three states. True or false? 3. How do tornadoes typically form? From extensive damage, from severe thunderstorms, from early warning systems, from infrastructure. 4. How can you protect yourself from tornadoes? Stay uniformed, advance your technology, take necessary precautions, protest with your loved ones. 5. Technology and warning systems tornadoes can still be dangerous, since, although, in spite of, because of. Here are the answers. 1. Tornadoes are still a threat to communities in the United States. True. 2. A tornado in 1925 killed 695 people in three states. True. 3. How do tornadoes typically form? From severe thunderstorms. 4. How can you protect yourself from tornadoes? Take necessary precautions. 5. Technology and warning systems tornadoes can still be dangerous, in spite of. This is the same as despite. The word although is followed by a subject and verb, so it does not work in this case. Check vocabulary. 6. What does the term precaution mean? A measure taken in advance to prevent harm. A careless action that causes harm or damage. A reaction to an event that has already occurred. A measure taken in advance to prevent harm. 7. What is the definition of the word infrastructure? A sudden and unusual event or occurrence. A measure taken in advance to prevent harm. The physical components that support a system. The physical components that support a system. 8. What is the definition of the word phenomenon? A gradual change over time. A completely unexpected event. An observable fact or occurrence. An observable fact or occurrence. 9. What is the definition of the word severe? Cut off from the main body. Extremely harsh or intense. Moderate, mild or tolerable. Extremely harsh or intense. 10. What is the definition of the word significant? Unimportant or trivial. Noteworthy or important. Average or ordinary. Noteworthy or important. How did you do? Did you get them all right? Good for you. 5. Read the script. I'll read it again and you can listen as I read. Tornadoes are a common and dangerous weather phenomenon in the United States, especially during the spring and summer months. The U.S. experiences more tornadoes than any other country in the world, with an average of 1,200 tornadoes reported each year. Tornadoes typically form from severe thunderstorms and can cause extensive damage to homes, buildings and infrastructure. The deadliest tornado in U.S. history occurred in 1925 in the states of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, and claimed 695 lives. Despite advances in technology and warning systems, tornadoes remain a significant threat to communities across the United States. It is important to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect oneself and loved ones during severe weather events. Step 6. Summarize. Write about the topic in your own words, or summarize it by speaking with your friends or classmates. Use the knowledge and vocabulary that you learned from the passage. This is a great way to practice all your English skills, reading, writing, listening, speaking and vocabulary. Step 7. Discussion. Have a conversation with your friends and classmates about this topic. Discuss what you would do in the event of a tornado. What would you do to prepare? How would you deal with a disaster like this? It's your turn. Go ahead, talk. Feel free to pause the video if you'd like more time for the discussion. Thanks for watching. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel so that you can get regular updates when we publish new videos. To see more videos like this, click on the link above, or check out our websites for more free English learning resources, eslgold.com and freeenglishstudy.com.