What is a hurricane?

    You may already know that hurricanes are storms that can cause devastating(毁灭性的)waves, wind, and rain. They happen during “Hurricane Season,” which is from June 1st until November 30th in the Atlantic Ocean and from May 15th until November 30th in the Pacific Ocean.

Categories(类别)of Hurricanes

    There are five categories of hurricanes, which are based on wind speeds. The categories help people know how much damage(危害)a hurricane may cause because the greater the wind speed, the more dangerous the storm is. For example, a Category 5 hurricane has winds over 155 miles per hour, which are strong enough to destroy the buildings along the shorelines completely.

Hurricane Dangers

When a hurricane happens together with heavy rainfall, there can be a devastating flood. The centre of a hurricane is called the eye. While most of a hurricane has dangerously strong winds, the eye is actually(事实上)a calm area in the storm. When the eye of a hurricane passes over land, people might think that it's over, but before long the wind and rain increase again as the second part of the hurricane moves through.

Hurricane Safety Tips

    There is no way to stop a hurricane or make it change direction, so if you ever find yourself in the path of a hurricane, be sure to remember the following safety tips.

    Be sure you have a radio, batteries, fresh drinking water, and enough food.

    Tell neighbours, friends, and family members your emergency plans. Tell them where you'll go if you need to leave your home.

    If you live near the ocean, leave your home and travel to a safe place. You could stay with a friend or a family member, in a hotel or in an emergency shelter area.

    Stay inside during the storm. You could be seriously injured (受伤) if you go outside.

    Here is a page from a magazine called Future. Read the following information about things that may happen in twenty years.

    Cars will run on solar power (太阳能) and will be much cleaner and safer. For example, if you are too close to another car or if you are driving dangerously, your car will slow down or stop by itself.

    New cities will have to be built in the sea. Some cities on water will have two levels(层). People will live on the upper level, the lower level will be used for traffic, shops and factories.

    Biotechnology(生物技术) will make food better and healthier. Plants without insects or illnesses(病虫害) will be developed. The taste of fruit and vegetables will be better and food will be kept longer.

    Many new ways to cure(治愈) illnesses will be found. People will use products of genetic engineering (基因产品) to cure more illnesses. However, some new illnesses will appear.

Where does the wind come from? What makes the wind move(移动) all the time? Scientists tell us that it is the sun. That makes air move, and makes it blow(吹). When the sun shines on the earth, it makes the earth hot. Then the earth makes the air hot. When the air becomes hotter, it also becomes lighter(更轻). The light air goes up. Cool air comes into take the place of（代替） the hot air. The hot light air goes up higher and higher until it becomes cool. Then it comes down again, and then the earth makes it hot again, and it has to go up. When the air move, it has wind.

    People can use the phone to talk with others almost anywhere on the earth. But when you use the phone, you don't see the person you are talking with.

    Today some people are using a kind of telephone called the picture phone or vision phone. With it, two people who are talking can see each other.

    Picture phones can be useful when you have something to show the person you're calling. They may have other uses in the future. One day you may be able to ring up a library and ask to see a book. Then you'll be able to read the book right over your picture phone. Or you may be able to go shopping through your picture phone. If you see something in the newspaper that you think you want to buy, you'll go to the phone and call the shop. People at the shop will show you the thing you're interested in right over the phone .You'll be able to shop all over the town and never even leave your room.