2. Because he observed the barometer fell steadily and he knew that a terrible storm would come soon.

1. It was fine, for there was no wind and the heat was close.

7. Why did the capital strike a match? What did he see?

　Task2. Try to explain the difficult sentence in bold in English.

6. What does the sentence “ Another one like this, and that’s the last of her” mean?

5. What should they do in such terrible weather?

4. Where were they when the full force of the hurricane struck the ship?

3. Why did the capital say that it looked as if a typhoon was coming on?

2. What was the weather at first?

1. Where did the ship meet the typhoon?

2.　　　 How long will it usually last?

(Ss watch the video and give the answers. If it is necessary, play it twice.)

Step 3 Pre-reading

T: We know typhoons can cause great damage or even deaths. In order to reduce the loss and protect ourselves, we have to learn more about it. Then what else do you know about the typhoon? Tell us what you know, please! First talk with your partner and then tell the whole class what you have discussed.

( pair work for two minutes and then one or two Ss report )

(This activity is to motivate the Ss to talk in English and cooperate well with each other.)

　( Then the teacher introduce the background information )

T: Now, Let’s look at the diagram. We’ll know what is typhoon. Typhoon is a kind of tropical cyclone. It’s the atmospheric whirlpool formed on the warm tropical ocean and the area of low pressure. Winds are produced because the pressure of the air is different in different places. Air flows from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, causing a wind. The low pressure center is the eye of the storm. And tropical cyclone is the general name of tropical depression, tropical storm, severe tropical storm and typhoon or hurricane. In USA, people don’t use the name of severe tropical storm and typhoon. Instead, people use the name---- hurricane. All over the world, people name these tropical cyclones according to their strongest speed of wind. Can you guess how fast a typhoon can move? (Show the form to the Ss)　

(Look at the form --- tropical cyclone naming conventions )

(Then the teacher shows the map of the world, ask Ss to tell the difference between typhoon and hurricane.)

　Step 4　 While reading

Fast reading: skim the passage and try to get the general idea of the text. ( Ss answer the main elements of a story: who, when, where, how)

Careful reading: Ss finish two tasks after reading.

　Task1.Scan the passage and find the answer to the following questions.