Youre going to watch Dr.

John Holdren, President

Obamas Science advisor, explain the polar vortex that
led to record low temperatures in some US states.
Listen carefully and fill in the gaps with one or two
words.
Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eDTzV6a9F4#t=30

1. For some extreme _______________ disprove global warming.

2. In fact, single weather episodes can neither prove nor disprove global _____________
3. Climate is defined as a(n) ________________ observed geographically and over the
seasons
4. To talk about climate we use terms such as ________________, variations and
probabilities
5. There is a ___________________ of evidence suggesting that extreme cold weather
will become more frequent due to global warming
6. This is due to the fact that the Arctic is warming about twice as fast as the
____________________
7. Therefore, the difference in temperature between these areas is ______________
8. This temperature difference drives the polar vortex, which is a great
_________________ swirling mass of cold air that exists over the Arctic
9. With a decrease in temperature difference, the Polar Vortex __________________ and
becomes wavier, which means that the cold air can move ___________________ and
warmer air can reach the _________________
10. Thanks to computers we can see that these patterns have several influences, which
leads to _____________ about what is exactly happening
11. Dr. Holdren argues that global warming will cause extreme cold in places such as the
US and ____________ in the northernmost latitudes.

ANSWER KEY

1. For some extreme COLD SPELLS disprove global warming.

2. In fact, single weather episodes can neither prove nor disprove global CLIMATE
CHANGE
3. Climate is defined as a(n) PATTERN observed geographically and over the seasons
4. To talk about climate we use terms such as AVERAGES, variations and probabilities
5. There is a GROWING BODY of evidence suggesting that extreme cold weather will
become more frequent due to global warming
6. This is due to the fact that the Arctic is warming about twice as fast as the MIDLATITUDES
7. Therefore, the difference in temperature between these areas is SHRINKING
8. This temperature difference drives the polar vortex, which is a great
COUNTERCLOCKWISE swirling mass of cold air that exists over the Arctic
9. With a decrease in temperature difference, the Polar Vortex WEAKENS and becomes
wavier, which means that the cold air can move SOUTHWARD and warmer air can
reach the FAR NORTH
10. Thanks to computers we can see that these patterns have several influences, which
leads to DEBATE about what is exactly happening
11. Dr. Holdren argues that global warming will cause extreme cold in places such as the
US and EXTREME WARM in the northernmost latitudes.