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A Disaster Was a Bad Star

What caused that flood?

Interesting Facts in Easy English

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • avalanche: a sudden rush of snow and ice down a mountain or hill
  • pilot error: a mistake made by the person operating an aircraft
  • misalignment: the incorrect position or arrangement of something

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A Disaster Was a Bad Star

The news today is disasters. A disaster is anything bad that happens and causes major or loss. It can refer to something natural, such as an avalanche, or something , such as a plane crash caused by pilot error. The word disaster comes from the Latin words dis (bad) and aster (star). In the Middle Ages, disasters such as or fires were blamed on the misalignment of the planets. Ironically, these days, many disasters are considered to be manmade.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What was the original meaning of the word disaster?
  2. What examples of natural disasters are given in the report?
  3. Why does the report mention pilot error?

Discussion Questions: Why is the news full of reports about disasters? Do you think this focus on negative, sensational news will ever change?

show Answers

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