Water Problems in the Western United States

Introduction

The Western United States has very little snow and water. This is a big problem.

Main Body

The winter was very warm. There is not enough snow on the mountains. In California, the snow is very low. More than 60% of the US is now very dry. Lake Powell and Lake Mead have very little water. This is bad for 40 million people. Farmers cannot water their plants. Some homes may lose electricity. Government workers are moving water to help. But the ground is too dry. This means there are more forest fires.

Conclusion

The region has a water shortage. There is a high risk of fire.

Learning

🚩 The Power of 'Very'

In this text, we see the word very used many times. At the A2 level, you need to know that 'very' makes an adjective stronger.

  • Little →\rightarrow Very little (Almost nothing)
  • Warm →\rightarrow Very warm (Hot)
  • Low →\rightarrow Very low (Bottom level)
  • Dry →\rightarrow Very dry (No water)

Quick Rule: Very + Descriptive Word = Stronger Meaning


💧 Common Word Pairs

Look at how the text connects ideas:

WordMeaning in this story
Water shortageNot enough water
Forest firesFire in the woods
High riskA big chance of danger

Vocabulary Learning

water
a clear liquid that is essential for life
Example:I drink water every day.
water (n.)
Liquid that people drink and that plants need
Example:I need a glass of water.
problem
a difficult situation that needs to be solved
Example:We have a problem with the computer.
snow (n.)
Frozen rain that falls in winter
Example:The children made a snowman.
winter
the cold season between autumn and spring
Example:In winter, we wear coats.
problem (n.)
Something that causes difficulty
Example:The traffic jam is a big problem.
warm
not cold; having a moderate temperature
Example:The soup is warm.
winter (n.)
Season with cold weather and snow
Example:We wear coats in winter.
snow
frozen water crystals that fall from clouds
Example:The children built a snowman.
warm (adj.)
Not cold; pleasantly hot
Example:The coffee was warm.
mountains
large natural elevations that rise above the land
Example:The mountains are tall.
mountain (n.)
Tall natural landform that rises above the surrounding land
Example:The hikers climbed the mountain.
California
a state on the west coast of the United States
Example:I visited California last summer.
dry (adj.)
Lacking water or moisture
Example:The soil is dry after the rain.
dry
lacking water
Example:The desert is dry.
lake (n.)
Large body of water surrounded by land
Example:We went fishing in the lake.
lake
a large body of water surrounded by land
Example:We went fishing in the lake.
bad (adj.)
Not good; harmful
Example:The weather is bad today.
bad
not good; harmful
Example:The weather is bad today.
farmer (n.)
Person who grows crops or raises animals
Example:The farmer planted wheat.
farmers
people who grow crops or raise animals
Example:Farmers need water for their fields.
plant (n.)
Living thing that grows from soil
Example:She watered the plant.
plants
living organisms that grow in the ground
Example:Plants need sunlight.
fire (n.)
Burning of material that gives light and heat
Example:The campfire was warm.
homes
places where people live
Example:Many homes were damaged.
risk (n.)
Chance that something bad will happen
Example:There is a risk of flooding.
electricity
power that lights and runs appliances
Example:The electricity went out.
electricity (n.)
Power that runs lights and appliances
Example:The house needs electricity to work.
government
the governing body of a country
Example:The government announced new policies.
workers
people who do work
Example:Workers build the bridge.
moving
changing location or position
Example:Moving the furniture takes time.
help
to assist or support
Example:I will help you.
ground
the Earth's surface
Example:The ground is muddy.
forest
a large area covered with trees
Example:The forest is dense.
fires
burning flames
Example:Forest fires are dangerous.
region
an area or part of a country
Example:The region is known for its culture.
shortage
a lack or insufficient amount
Example:There is a water shortage.
risk
the possibility of danger
Example:There is a risk of injury.
big
large in size
Example:A big dog.
little
small in size
Example:A little child.
very
extremely or to a high degree
Example:The soup is very hot.
more
additional or greater amount
Example:More water is needed.
now
at this time
Example:Now is the time to act.
not
negative; opposite
Example:I am not happy.
enough
sufficient in amount
Example:We have enough food.
may
possible or allowed
Example:It may rain tomorrow.
cannot
unable to
Example:She cannot swim.