Ejercicio Option B - I · Inglés PAU País Vasco Ordinaria 2022

OPTION B

STORM CHASERS

While most of us watch storms from our windows at a safe distance, some individuals only want to get closer. These people are called “storm chasers” and they actually head toward some of the most dangerous storms there are in nature: tornadoes and hurricanes.

Storm chasers are usually scientists who study weather and seek to predict when storms will appear and how they will behave. This information will hopefully allow weather forecasters to provide people with earlier, more accurate warnings, so that areas where bad storms are expected can be evacuated.

The first storm chasers were American pilots who flew into storms in the late 1940s, collecting data for weather scientists. By the 1950s, amateurs were chasing storms on the ground, too. Then, in 1972, the US government started the Tornado Intercept Programme, which consisted of chasing tornadoes on the ground to get data on them.

The 1996 Hollywood movie Twister, which follows a group of scientists trying to get under a tornado, led to more people studying weather science and to an increase in interest in storm chasing, too. In recent years, “chase vacations” have even become popular, with tourists watching strong storms and tornadoes with the help of tour operators. These companies particularly operate in the American Midwest area known as "Tornado Alley", where strong storms are more likely to happen.

Storm chasing is not always as exciting as it sounds. It can involve hours and hours of driving, just looking and waiting for storms to develop. Many different circumstances have to occur to allow storm chasers to find a developing storm and get into its path. Then, they place their scientific equipment and retreat as quickly as possible to a safe place.

Some storm chasers use special huge heavy vehicles that they believe can resist the strength of a tornado. For example, the Tornado Intercept Vehicle 2 (TIV2) weighs about 8 tons and has other special features that would make it hard for a tornado to lift it off the ground.

From time to time, storm chasers are not able to get to a safe place quickly enough. Some storm chasers have been injured and even killed in this risky line of work. That's why only professional weather experts should ever attempt to chase storms.

I.- Answer 4 out of the following 6 questions according to the information given in the text. WRITE COMPLETE SENTENCES USING YOUR OWN WORDS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. DO NOT COPY FROM THE TEXT. (Choose 4 out of the 6 questions) (4 marks)

1.

What do scientists chase storms for?

2.

What did the first storm chasers do?

3.

What effect did the film Twister have on people?

4.

Why do tour companies choose the American Midwest area to operate?

5.

Why isn't storm chasing always very exciting?

6.

Why shouldn't amateurs try chasing storms?