BBC Learning English
Words in the News

Super typhoon hits Hong Kong
23 September 2013

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Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2013

Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

A super typhoon has hit Hong Kong on its way to south China. Typhoon Usagi has killed

at least 25 people in Guangdong province, south China, but Hong Kong has escaped the

worst of the storm.

Reporter:

Juliana Liu

The streets of Hong Kong, one of the world's most densely packed cities, are eerily

quiet. Residents had been preparing for days for a super typhoon, the worst in decades.

But the storm weakened on its way to south China. Though there has been damage

caused, it has been far less than originally anticipated.

About a dozen people here have sought treatment in hospital. There has been some

flooding, and of course, hundreds of flights have been cancelled.

With the wind and rain abating, the city is likely to return to business as usual by mid-

morning.

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2013

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

densely

(adv) a lot of things or people very close together

eerily

(adv) strangely scary

residents

people who live or have their homes in a place

typhoon

a violent storm

weakened

became less strong, less powerful

anticipated

expected, imagined

sought treatment

tried to get drugs or a cure for injuries

abating

becoming less strong

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2013/09/130923_witn_typhoon.shtml

Related story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24193201