One Million Dollars to Solve a Big Weather Mystery
Scientists have one million dollars for a new study. They want to answer a big weather question. When does a supercell make a tornado?
A supercell is a very strong storm. It can bring heavy rain, wind, and hail. But only some supercells make tornadoes. A tornado is a fast spinning wind. It can destroy houses and trees.
Weather experts do not fully understand why this happens. Some supercells form tornadoes. Other similar supercells do not. This is a big enigma in meteorology.
The money will help scientists study this question. They want to find clear answers. This can help people stay safe in storms.
Better knowledge can also help with weather forecasts. A forecast tells people what weather is coming. Good forecasts can warn people before a tornado comes.
Vocabulary5 words
- supercell
- a very strong, big storm
- tornado
- a fast spinning wind that can break things
- enigma
- a hard question; a mystery
- meteorology
- the study of weather
- forecasts
- what people think the weather will be
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Quiz
Answer key
1. To study why supercells make tornadoes 2. A very strong, big storm 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Scientists have one million _____ for a new study.
They want to answer a big weather _____.
When does a _____ make a tornado?
A supercell is a very strong _____.
It can bring heavy rain, wind, and _____.
A tornado is a fast spinning _____.
It can _____ houses and trees.
This is a big _____ in meteorology.
The money will help scientists study this _____.
Good _____ can warn people before a tornado comes.
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