Dialogue
In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over this topic: Earthquakes. First, read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.
Kevin and Dorothy are talking about the recent earthquake in Chile.
Kevin:
Did you hear about the earthquake in Chile?
Dorothy:
Yes, I heard it was 6.8 in magnitude.
Kevin:
I saw there was also a tsunami warning in the news.
Dorothy:
I’m glad it was just a warning. I was told there were a lot of aftershocks.
Kevin:
Were there any collapsed buildings?
Dorothy:
I don’t think so. Most of the buildings in Chile are made to withstand a powerful earthquake.
Kevin:
That’s good. I think it’s a good idea to have a disaster preparedness kit.
Dorothy:
I agree. I’m sure the people in Chile were shaken up.
Kevin:
Have you ever been in an earthquake?
Dorothy:
No, but I have experienced tremors before.
Vocabulary
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly.
Vocabulary/ Expressions
| earthquake | (n) A sudden shaking of the ground when rocks move; a disaster
There was an earthquake in Ecuador last month. |
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| magnitude | (n) a metric to measure the size of an earthquake The earthquake was 6.8 in magnitude. |
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| tsunami warning | (n phrase) a very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption The government gave a tsunami warning after the earthquake. |
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| aftershocks | (n – plural) a smaller earthquake following the main shock of a larger earthquake The aftershocks were very strong. |
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| collapsed | (v – of a structure) fall down or in; give way The building collapsed after the earthquake. |
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| withstand | (v) to not be harmed or affected by something The buildings are made to withstand an earthquake. |
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| powerful | (adj) having a lot of strength or force The powerful earthquake caused a lot of damage. |
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| disaster preparedness kit | (n) a package having supplies like food, water, and candles in case of an earthquake or another emergency We have a disaster preparedness kit in our house for emergencies. |
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| shaken up | (v phrase) to become upset by a shock or bad accident, not physically injured My parents were shaken up after the car accident. |
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| tremors | (n) a sudden shaking of the ground; a weak earthquake that doesn’t cause damage Did you feel the two tremors today? |
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Exercise
Practice answering the following questions with your tutors. You can use the sample answers to come up with your own answer.
- Have you ever been in an earthquake?
- No, I’ve never felt an earthquake.
- I experienced a 7.0 earthquake.
- Your answer:
- Do you have a disaster preparedness kit?
- I have never heard of such a kit.
- I think I will consider buying or making one.
- Your answer:
- Can the buildings in your hometown withstand an earthquake?
- I don’t think the buildings in my hometown can withstand an earthquake.
- To tell you the truth, I don’t know.
- Your answer:
- Have you ever been shaken up by something?
- I was shaken up in a car accident one time.
- I was shaken up when my parents died.
- Your answer:
- Can you give an example of something powerful?
- My car is powerful.
- The rainstorm last night was powerful.
- Your answer:
Conversation
Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.
- What types of disasters do you have in your country?
- Is it a good idea to have a disaster preparedness kit? Why or why not?
- Do you think it’s possible to survive in a building that has collapsed?
- What would you put in a disaster preparedness kit?
- What would you do if you were in an earthquake?
Wrap-up
Go over any new expressions or vocabulary that you learned today.
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