Learning English Podcast - December 12, 2024
VOA Learning English Podcast - VOA Learning English
Deep Dive
Why is 2024 expected to be the hottest year on record?
2024 is likely to be the hottest year due to a global temperature average 0.14 degrees Celsius above the same period in 2023, surpassing pre-industrial levels by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
What are the potential effects of the rapidly changing climate?
The rapidly changing climate could lead to animal extinctions, disrupt natural food webs, and cause problems for coastal communities due to rising sea levels.
Why are temperatures staying high despite the absence of El Niño?
Scientists are perplexed as the cooling effect typically provided by La Niña after El Niño has not occurred, leading to sustained high temperatures.
What names were commonly mispronounced in 2024?
Names like Kamala Harris, Chapel Rhone, Pete Buttigieg, and Dutch breed Kooikkerhundje were frequently mispronounced in 2024.
Why is TikTok asking for a delay in U.S. legal action against it?
TikTok is seeking a delay to allow the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the case, as they believe the high court could protect Americans' right to free speech.
What is the main concern behind the U.S. government's push for TikTok's divestment?
The primary concern is national security, as U.S. officials accuse ByteDance of sharing user data with the Chinese government and potentially spreading misinformation.
What is the difference between the verbs 'tell' and 'say'?
'Tell' is used with indirect object pronouns directly after the verb, while 'say' requires the preposition 'to' before the pronoun.
- November 2024 was the second warmest November on record.
- 2024 is likely to be the hottest year ever recorded.
- The high temperatures are linked to heat waves over oceans and a lack of the cooling effect from La Niña.
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