37. Global Problems

natural disaster

noun

/nˈætʃɚɹəl dˌɪsˈæstɚ/

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any destruction caused by the nature that results in a great amount of damage or the death of many, such as an earthquake, flood, etc.

hurricane

noun

/hɜ.rɪ.keɪn/ or /hē.ri.kein/

h

h

u

ɜ

rr

r

i

ɪ

c

k

a

eɪ

n

n

e

Select Your Language

a very strong and destructive wind that moves in circles, often seen in the Caribbean

snowstorm

noun

/snoʊ.stɔrm/ or /snooo.stawrm/

s

s

n

n

o

oʊ

w

s

s

t

t

o

ɔ

r

r

m

m

Select Your Language

a heavy fall of snow with a strong wind

forest fire

noun

/fˈɔːɹɪst fˈaɪɚ/

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an uncontrolled and destructive fire that occurs in a forest or other wooded area

earthquake

noun

/ɜrθ.kweɪk/ or /ērth.kveik/

ea

ɜ

r

r

th

θ

q

k

u

w

a

eɪ

k

k

e

Select Your Language

the sudden movement and shaking of the earth's surface, usually causing damage

flood

noun

/flʌd/ or /flad/

f

f

l

l

oo

ʌ

d

d

Select Your Language

the rising of a body of water that covers dry places and causes damage

to flood

Verb

/flʌd/ or /flad/

f

f

l

l

oo

ʌ

d

d

Select Your Language

(of a river) to become filled and overflown with water and spread it onto the surrounding lands

crowded

Adjective

/kraʊ.dəd/ or /kraoo.dēd/

c

k

r

r

o

a

w

ʊ

d

d

e

ə

d

d

Select Your Language

(of a space) filled with things or people

poor

Adjective

/pʊr/ or /poor/

p

p

oo

ʊ

r

r

Select Your Language

owning a very small amount of money or a very small number of things

hungry

Adjective

/hʌng.ri/ or /hang.ri/

h

h

u

ʌ

n

n

g

g

r

r

y

i

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needing or wanting something to eat

homeless

noun

/hoʊm.ləs/ or /hooom.lēs/

h

h

o

oʊ

m

m

e

l

l

e

ə

ss

s

Select Your Language

someone who does not have a place to live in and so lives on the streets

unemployed

Adjective

/ʌn.ɛmp.lɔɪd/ or /an.emp.lawid/

u

ə

n

n

e

ɛ

m

m

p

p

l

l

o

ɔ

y

ɪ

e

d

d

Select Your Language

without a job and seeking employment

pollution

noun

/pə.lu.ʃən/ or /pē.loo.shēn/

p

p

o

ə

ll

l

u

u

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

n

Select Your Language

a change in water, air, etc. that makes it harmful or dangerous

polluted

Adjective

/pəlu:tɪd/ or /pēlootid/

p

p

o

ə

ll

l

u

u:

t

t

e

ɪ

d

d

Select Your Language

containing harmful or dirty substances

air pollution

noun

/ˈɛɹ pəlˈuːʃən/

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toxic and harmful substances in the air that can cause illnesses

war

noun

/wɔr/ or /vawr/

w

w

a

ɔ

r

r

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a state of armed fighting between two or more groups, nations, or states

car crash

noun

/kˈɑːɹ kɹˈæʃ/

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a situation where a car collides with something, such as another vehicle or other object

traffic jam

noun

/ˈtræfɪk ˌʤæm/

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a large number of bikes, cars, buses, etc. that are waiting in lines behind each other which move very slowly

rush hour

noun

/ɹˈʌʃ ˈaɪʊɹ/

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a time of day at which traffic is the heaviest because people are leaving for work or home

disaster

noun

/dɪ.zæs.tər/ or /di.zās.tēr/

d

d

i

ɪ

s

z

a

æ

s

s

t

t

e

ə

r

r

Select Your Language

a sudden and unfortunate event that causes a great amount of death and destruction

man-made

Adjective

/ˈmænˌmeɪd/

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created by humans rather than occurring naturally in the environment