Camille Seaman: Photos from a storm chaser

Photographer Camille Seaman has been chasing storms for 5 years. In this talk she shows stunning, surreal photos of the heavens in tumult.

Listening

Watch the TED talk, listen carefully and answer the questions below:

 

 

Comprehension Questions

 

1. Where is her tribe situated?

 

2. When did she start storm chasing?

 

3. What percentage of supercell produce tornados?

 

4. What has she learned to respect?

 

5. What excites her about the storms?

 

 

 

Gap-fill

 

Watch the video again from 01:15 to 01:58 and fill in the blanks:

 

And so three days later, driving very fast, I found myself (6) _________ a single type of giant cloud called the super cell, capable of producing grapefruit-size hail and (7) ___________ tornadoes, although only two percent actually do. These clouds can grow so big, up to  (8) ___ miles wide and reach up to 65,000 feet into the atmosphere. They can grow so big, (9) _________ all daylight, making it very dark and (10) ________ standing under them.

 

 

 

True or False?

 

Listen to the material again and answer true or false to the following statements:

 

11. She is an Apache Indian.

 

12. Her Grandmother used to take her outside to look at the sky.

 

13. She started chasing storms in 2008.

 

14. Storm chasing is a very tactile experience.

 

15. Her son told her she should start storm chasing.

 

Speaking

Here are a few questions you might be asked in the IELTS Speaking Exam on the topic of weather.

1.Do you like rainy days?

Yes, I actually really enjoy rainy days because the rain makes the air seem much fresher.

2. What’s your favourite season?

I like spring because it’s when the flowers are in bloom and it’s neither too hot nor too cold.

3. Does the weather affect your mood?

I think it affects everyone’s mood to some extent. Sunny days certainly make me happier, and when it’s cloudy I feel a little lethargic.

 

 

Answers:

1. Long Island
2. 2008
3. 2.6%
4. the lightning
5. their movement
6. stalking
7. spectacular
8. 50 (fifty)
9. blocking
10. ominous
11. (F) she is a Shinnecock
12. (F) it was her Grandad
13. (T)
14. (T)
15. (F) it was her daughter