An interview with a hurricane hunter

by Joe La Tona

Last week I spoke with Karla Williams, a hurricane hunter from Miami, Florida.

J.L. How did you obtain this job?

K.W. I was working as a meteorologist. Then I saw a movie called Storm Chasers. It was about hurricane hunters – scientists who fly into hurricanes to do research. I thought that it would be a very interesting job. Then two months later I saw an ad for a hurricane researcher. I applied and got the job.

J.L. What do you like most about being a hurricane hunter?

K.W. I like working with the other scientists – it’s a classroom in the sky. I also enjoy travelling around the world.

J.L. What is an average day like?

K.W. There are no average days in this job during hurricane season. The weather is constantly changing. You can never plan anything too far in advance. Of course, afterwards we work with the information we collect. Then it’s pretty much 9 to 5 work for a few months.

J.L. What is your educational and professional background?

K.W. I received my bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Penn State University, and then went to work as a meteorologist.

J.L. What advice would you give someone who wanted to enter this field?

K.W. Math and science. Get a degree in meteorology and be willing to travel.

READING 3

DISC JOCKEY

What the Job is

Disc jockeys (DJs) introduce songs on the radio. They may also decide what music to play. While on the air, they comment on the music, weather, and traffic. DJs also announce and play music at clubs, dances, restaurants, and weddings. Some disc jockeys specialize in only one kind of music.

The Skills You Need

DJs need a pleasant and well controlled voice, good timing, excellent pronunciation, and a strong grasp of correct grammar. Additionally, DJs should be able to speak off the cuff and to work under tight deadlines. The most successful announcers have a pleasing personality and voice with a likable style.

The Training You Should Have

Formal training in broadcasting from a college or technical school is valuable. Courses in English, public speaking, drama, and computer science are useful. Hobbies such as sports and music are also helpful.

The Salary You Can Expect

Salaries vary widely from $7,000 to $ 100,000+, depending on experience and market.

4. READING COMPREHENSION

Check Your Predictions?

 

Prediction	Not Accurate	Accurate

Check the Facts

Check (P) the questions you can answer after reading once. Then go back and look for the answers that you are unsure of.

READING 1

___ 1. What happens if employees go to an illegal site?

___ 2. What kind of company does Ms Smith work for?

___ 3. What does she do?

___ 4. What kinds of sites does she look for?

___ 5. Why do companies want to block some Internet sites?

___ 6. Does Ms Smith like her job? What does she say?

READING 2

___ 1. Who is answering the questions?

___ 2. What does Karla like about her job?

___ 3. How did she get her job?

___ 4. Her job has two parts. What are they?

___ 5. What did she study?

READING 3

___ 1. What is an abbreviation for disc jockey?

___ 2. Where do disc jockeys work?

___ 3. What skills do disc jockeys need?

___ 4. Should disc jockeys go to college? Why or why not?

___ 5. How much money do disc jockeys make?

5. ANALYZE

Compare the jobs mentioned in the readings.

Which one ….

 

is the most dangerous? ______________________________________

requires the most education? ______________________________________

would you enjoy the most? ______________________________________

requires the least education? ______________________________________

is probably for young people? ______________________________________

 

6. VOCABULARY WORK

Guess Meaning from Context

There are several common phrases and idioms in the readings. Can you guess their meanings?

Phrase	Reading	Meaning
take a break		___________________________________
waste time		___________________________________
in touch with		___________________________________
in advance		___________________________________
pretty much		___________________________________
on the air		___________________________________
off the cuff		___________________________________
public speaking		___________________________________

Is the word naughty in Reading 1 good or bad? Why do you think so?

Match the words and the meanings.

Word	Meaning
blacklisted	presenter
white-listed	nice
background	a person’s qualities or behaviour
timing	nicely used or managed
well-controlled	put on a forbidden list
personality	enjoyable
announcer	vocational or mechanical
likable	put on an approved list
pleasing	past education or experience
technical	doing something at the correct time

READING SKILLS

Understanding the Purpose of a Reading