Listening Practice #3

Which hurricane is mentioned as an example of the devastating power of these storms?

• Hurricane Sandy

• Hurricane Andrew

• Hurricane Katrina

• Hurricane Wilma

In which regions do hundreds of storms form at sea each year, some intensifying to hurricane level?

• Polar regions

• Temperate zones

• Tropical regions surrounding the equator

• Subtropical high-pressure zones

What is a necessary condition for hurricane formation related to ocean temperature?

• Ocean surface temperature below 20°C

• Ocean surface temperature of at least 27°C

• Ocean surface temperature between 15°C and 25°C

• Ocean surface temperature that is rapidly decreasing

At what minimum wind speed does a storm officially gain hurricane status?

• 50 miles per hour

• 65 miles per hour

• 74 miles per hour

• 100 miles per hour

How do greenhouse gases contribute to the conditions that fuel hurricanes?

• They cool the Earth's atmosphere, reducing evaporation.

• They increase wind shear, disrupting storm formation.

• They raise the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, leading to warmer sea surface temperatures.

• They decrease the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.