情景口語：natural disasters自然災(zāi)害

A: do you think that climate change is responsible for the recent floods?

B: it could be. There are floods in this country almost every year, but in recent years they havebeen more widespread and more frequent.

A: it seems that the climate in this country is changing.

B; the summers are hotter. The last three summers have been the hottest for the past 200 years.There have also been stronger winds.

A: I think that the changing climate is a sign that we are causing too much damage to theenvironment.

B; I think you’re right. Climate change naturally over time, but I think that human activities arespeeding up the change. I wish that government would join together and try to resolve theproblem.

A: me too. If we don’t do something soon, It might be too late.

Intermediate

A: are there any interesting stories in the newspaper today?

B; there are a few stories about natural disasters. There is a massive forest fire in Australia. It coversseveral square kilometers of land has destroyed many more square kilometers.

A; was it caused accidentally or naturally? Sometimes it gets so hot that fires begin naturally inAustralia and Africa.

B: nobody knows at the moment, but it has been very hot there recently. The drought in Africa iscausing starvation. Millions of people have migrated to try and find food.

A: what is the international community doing to help?

B; the European union has sent several plants with relief supplies. Several countries have sentsoldiers to distribute food and medical supplies. Refugee camps have been set up across theregion.

A: how many countries have been affected?

B: six have been seriously affected, but the refugees are also migrating to several surroundingcountries.

A; I saw on the tv yesterday that there has been another earthquake in iran.

B; yes. There have been a few there recently. They say that this one was not a big quake. TheIranians are dealing with it on their own. They have purchased some special equipment to findpeople buried under rubble.

A; does the newspaper say anything about casualties?

B; so far, less than 20 people have died, but over 100 are in hospital.