The Storm
Study Guide
SEASON 1
… except…
The Storm!
They were prepared for everything…
STUDY GUIDE CONTENTS
The Story Pages 1 - 12
Exercises Pages 13 - 27
Helpful Information Page 28
Dictionary Pages 29 - 30
Learn More English Page 31
Answers Page 32
www.nyc.gov/WeSpeakNYC
Watch • Read • Learn
The Storm
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The Morning of the Picnic
Aku is going to the beach.
Later on, she’s going to meet her parents in the park for a picnic.
Kojo and Alberto
A couple of hours later… Efie and Kojo’s friends come over before the picnic.
Kojo and his friend Alberto talk about boats.
Aku leaves. Kojo is proud of his daughter!
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7
9
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8
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5
4
6
What time
did I say to meet?
Bye!
I’m going to show this boat
to Alberto. He told me
he had a boat back home, too.
What time are
Alberto and Isabel
coming over?
That’s my girl, all right.
Just like me… Born to swim.
Born to fish!
You know what we
need, Alberto? We need
a boat, right here in
New York City.
Beautiful, Alberto!
Then we wouldn’t have to
work in the restaurant. We could
sell fish to the restaurant!
Exactly! We’ll take
tourists to
the Statue of Liberty.
Bye. See you
at the picnic!
4 o’clock. At the
entrance to the park.
I’ll be there…
Or, maybe a
tour boat.
A fishing
boat!
The Story
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Efie and Isabel
Efie and Isabel change the topic. They talk about the picnic.
Weather Alert!
A warning about a serious storm comes on TV.
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1615 17
19
Aku’s phone rings. Efie goes to get it. She realizes something…
They are all prepared.
Efie and Isabel listen to the weather alert. Everyone is worried.
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24
The cake?
I made it myself!
We’ve got our
meeting place, too.
Aku knows where
to meet us.
We are prepared
for everything!
The TV announcer says: “An alert has been issued
for a severe thunderstorm and possible tornado.
These are very dangerous weather conditions.
Stay indoors. Do not go outside.”
I’m worried
about Aku.
I’m going to call
her right now.
That’s Aku’s phone!
She left it home.
She forgot it.
Do we have food?!
Chicken, jollof rice,
empanadas…
Let’s talk about the picnic.
Isabel, do we have the
food?
12 13
Lemonade, check.
Tea, check.
Alberto, do you
have the cake?
Flood warnings…
Hazardous weather conditions…
That doesn’t sound good.
Kojo, do you have the
lemonade and iced tea?
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The Storm Is Coming
What should they do?
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The Storm Is Here
The storm is worse than expected.
Efie and Isabel are waiting. They are very worried.
Efie’s phone rings. But the line goes dead…
… and the power goes out.
Kojo and Alberto decide to go look for Aku.
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36
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That looks really bad.
I’m going to the beach
to find Aku.
But what about the storm?
They said to stay indoors.
My daughter’s at the beach.
Big waves… lightning…
There’s a huge storm coming!
Nothing… The line
went dead!
No lights…
No power!
Efie, you better stay here in
case she comes back.
I’m going too.
33
Kojo? Kojo!
What if power
lines fall?
32
Where is she?
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Mrs. Chen
The doorbell rings. Efie jumps up. It’s Mrs. Chen, a neighbor.
Mrs. Chen sits at the kitchen table with Efie and Isabel.
They talk about preparing for emergencies.
They talk about getting ready.
41
42
Efie remembers some information about
getting ready for emergencies.
Aku brought it home from school.
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45
47
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40
Mrs. Chen?!
And maybe we should
fill the bathtub. For washing
and for flushing the toilet.
What can we do
to be ready when they
come back?
Yes, my husband always
has extra batteries.
When there was that big
hurricane, I bought extra food
and water. I got ready. But this
storm was so sudden.
There was no time!
What about
flashlights and
extra batteries?
In storms like this,
we have to take care of
each other.
Do you have water?
In case the water shuts off,
it’s good to have some. Do you
have any empty containers?
Whenever there was a
big storm back home, my
mother always did that.
It pays to get ready,
to be prepared all the time.
Every storm is different!
Aku had a booklet about
getting ready. She brought
it home from school…
I’m just checking
on the people I know in
the building to see if
everyone is okay.
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A Few Months Ago
Isabel runs out to help. Kojo hugs Efie.
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Kojo and Alberto Return
But where is Aku?
Back to the Present…
Aku is still missing.
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What’s this?
Some information
they gave us in school
about getting ready
for emergencies…
Go Bags, meeting places.
In a Go Bag, you need
copies of important documents,
phone numbers and addresses
of family and friends,
a flashlight, bottled water...
What happened?!
Where is she?
Why did I let
her go?
I’m so glad I’m not alone.
I don’t know what I’d do
without you.
Things were blowing
everywhere.
It’s terrible out there.
Stuck in an elevator?
Don’t they know…
You never get in an elevator
in an emergency!
We’re all in the same
boat, together!
Where is
Alberto?
There are two kids stuck
in the elevator. Alberto is
talking to them right now
while the super gets help.
There was too much
wind and rain.
Huge branches were
breaking off the trees.
It’s not your fault.
You didn’t know there would
be a terrible storm like this.
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The Storm Is Over
It’s not too late to have a picnic… indoors!
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Aku Is Home!
Aku’s friend’s mother brings Aku home.
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5.
The trees aren’t moving.
The rain has stopped.
Look at all that
water in the street!
Hello?
Oh! Where
are you?
I got a storm alert from
“Notify NYC,” so I didn’t let
the kids go outside.
It’s going to be dark soon.
Where is my child?
Yes, Aku’s home,
and our friends are
all here!
Are you okay?
What about
our picnic?
It’s still wet
outside.
We can spread a
blanket right here
on the floor.
Suddenly, the phone rings. It’s Aku!
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So when you heard
there was a storm coming,
you never left for the beach?
Right. We “sheltered
in place,” just like
they said in school.
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Lesson 1
Efie
Isabel • Kojo • Alberto • Aku • Mrs. Chen • Efie
1. I’m . I am Aku’s
mother. Kojo is my husband. Together,
we organized a picnic with our friends.
We made a checklist of things to bring.
We are very prepared!
2. My name is .
I am Aku’s father. I’m very proud of her.
She’s just like me—born to swim, born
to fish!
3. My name is .
This morning I’m going to the beach.
In the afternoon, I’m going to the park.
I’m meeting my parents there for a picnic.
It’s an action-packed summer day.
Who We Are
Complete the sentences. Follow the example.
Here are some other characters in The Storm.
Watch the show and meet them.
4. My name is .
I made empanadas for the picnic. Efie made
jollof rice. My husband made a cake. We
have a lot of food. I can’t wait for the picnic!
6. My name is .
I live in the same building as Efie, Kojo and
Aku. When there’s an emergency, I check
on my neighbors. We’re all in the same
boat, together!
5. My name is .
It’s true… I made a cake, but now
we may have to cancel the picnic. There’s an
emergency weather alert. It sounds serious!
I’m going to be
a mother!
I am the mother
of Aku’s friend.
I’m going to be
a father!
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Lesson 2
What Happens?
Read the story on pages 1–12.
Then complete the sentences. Follow the example.
boats • beach • picnic
1. Aku says goodbye to her parents and leaves for the .
2. Kojo and his friend Alberto talk about .
3. Efie and her friend Isabel talk about the .
Stay indoors • rings • worried about
storm alert • find • returns
4. Suddenly, there’s a on TV.
5. The alert says, “ . Do not go outside.”
6. Efie and Kojo are Aku. She was going to the beach.
7. They try to call Aku, but her phone in the bedroom.
She forgot it!
8. Kojo and Alberto go to her.
9. Efie and Isabel stay home in case Aku .
terrible • line • nervous • power
10. The storm is . It’s worse than expected.
11. Efie and Isabel are waiting. They are very .
12. Efie’s phone rings. It’s Kojo. But the goes dead.
13. Then the goes out.
comfort • alone • boat • information • getting ready
14. A neighbor named Mrs. Chen comes over and the women talk
about
for emergencies.
15. Efie remembers some that Aku gave her about
preparing for emergencies.
16. The women each other.
17. Efie says, “I’m so glad I’m not .”
18. Mrs. Chen says, “We’re all in the same , together!”
call • without • picnic • warning • dark • missing
19. Kojo returns, but Aku. He never got to the beach.
There was too much wind and rain.
20. Finally, the storm ends, but Aku is still .
21. The sun is setting. It’s going to be soon.
22. Then, there’s a phone .
23. It’s Aku. She’s okay. She didn’t go to the beach. She heard the
about the storm.
24. When Aku comes home, they have the on the floor
in the apartment.
beach
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Lesson 4Lesson 3
Where Is It?
Find these things in the story.
Write the page number(s). Follow the example.
1. Kojo’s boat
2. Alberto’s boat
3. The Statue of Liberty
4. electric fan
5. Severe Weather Alert
6. radio
7. Aku’s cell phone
8. lightning bolt
9. flashlight
10. Ready New York booklet
page 1
Talking about Weather
Emergencies
Find the meaning. Follow the example.
water covering the streets
or ground
to leave a dangerous place
in an emergency
a serious or dangerous
situation that requires action
a very dangerous storm that
starts in the sea, with very
strong winds (over 74 miles
per hour) and heavy rain
a free system to get alerts
by text message or email
a bag with things you need
in case you have to evacuate
when the electrical power
goes out in a large area
a fast-moving cloud that
spins around and can knock
down trees, turn over cars
and destroy buildings
to stay where you are and not
go outside in an emergency
a warning about dangerous
weather conditions
a place to meet your family
in case you are separated
in an emergency
dangerous
1
1. weather alert
2. hazardous
3. a flood
4. emergency
5. Go Bag
6. meeting place
7. evacuate
8. shelter in place
9. Notify NYC
10. blackout
11. hurricane
12. tornado
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Lesson 5 Lesson 6
Mrs. Chen: Okay. What can we do to be ready when they come back?
First of all, do you have water?
Efie: Water…
Mrs. Chen: Yes, it’s good to have some (1)
the water
shuts off. Do you have any empty
(2) ?
Isabel: And maybe we should
(3) the bathtub.
My mother always did that. Every time we had a big storm back
home, she’d fill up the tub. For washing, for
(4)
the toilet.
Mrs. Chen: And what about
(5) ? And extra batteries?
Efie: Yes, my husband keeps extra (6)
in the
refrigerator. He says they last longer.
Mrs. Chen: Very prepared. A wise man.
Isabel: When there was that big (7)
, I bought extra
food and water. I got ready. But this storm was so sudden.
There was no time!
Mrs. Chen: It pays to get ready, to be (8)
all the time.
Every storm is different!
Efie: What’s this?
Aku: Oh, just some (1)
they gave us about getting
(2)
for (3) …
Go Bags, meeting places.
Efie: Go Bags?
Aku: Yeah, a Go Bag… A bag of stuff you need in case you have to
(4)
. Look in the book.
Efie: Copies of (5)
documents, addresses
and phone numbers of family and friends, bottled
(6)
, a flashlight, and a change of clothes.
in case
information
Talking about Emergencies
with Mrs. Chen
Complete the sentences. Follow the example.
Talking about Emergencies
with Aku
Complete the sentences. Follow the example.
• containers
• flushing
• batteries
• in case
• prepared
• fill
• flashlights
• hurricane
ready • important • emergencies
water • information • evacuate
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Lesson 7 Lesson 8
1. You are Mrs. Chen. Ask your neighbors if they have stored some water
in case the water shuts off.
2. You are Efie. Ask your daughter if she knows where to meet the family
in case of an emergency.
3. You are Kojo. Ask your wife if she has copies of the family’s important
documents in a safe place.
4. You are Aku. Ask your mom and dad if they have the free service to get
text or email message alerts about emergencies.
5. You are Isabel. Ask your husband if he is prepared in case of a blackout.
6. You are Alberto. Ask your wife if she has contact information for friends
who can help in case of an emergency.
Do you have extra water in case of an emergency?
Good Question!
The family and friends are talking about getting ready for emergencies.
They ask each other questions to get ready. Follow the example.
What can you say? Follow the example.
1. You are a meterologist. Tell people not to go outside in dangerous weather.
2. You are Isabel. Give advice about leaving a high-rise building in an emergency.
3. You are Aku. Tell your mom what to put in a Go Bag.
4. You are Efie. You are very glad that you are not by yourself.
5. You are Mrs. Chen. Say that everyone is in the same situation.
Say the words out loud—like actors on TV!
What Can You Say?
Stay indoors.
Copies of important documents,
phone numbers and addresses
of family and friends, a flashlight,
bottled water…
We’re all in the
same boat.
Stay indoors.
I’m so glad
I’m not alone.
Never get in an
elevator in an
emergency!
Do you have Efie’s
and Kojo’s telephone
numbers?
Do you know where we
should meet in case
we are separated?
Do you have copies of
our important documents
in a safe place?
Did you buy
a flashlight and
batteries?
Did you sign up
for “Notify NYC”?
Do you have extra
water in case of an
emergency?
meteorologist = weatherperson
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Lesson 9 Lesson 10
What Can You Do?
Match the problem with the solution. Follow the example.
What’s in Your Go Bag?
Match the words with the picture. Follow the example.
Problem Solution
1. You think you live in
a hurricane evacuation
zone but are not sure.
2. You don’t have an
emergency plan.
3. You live on a high floor
and can’t go down
stairs easily.
4. You don’t know your
neighbors.
5. You need to evacuate
but you don’t have a
place to stay overnight.
• Call 311.
Say: I need to evacuate and I don’t have
a place to stay overnight.
Ask: Where is the nearest shelter?
• Meet with family, friends or caregivers
to make a plan.
• Get supplies for an emergency supply
kit and a Go Bag.
• Call 311.
Say: Can I get information about getting
ready for an emergency?
• Go to www.nyc.gov/readyny
to get information about making
a plan.
• Call 311 or go to www.nyc.gov/
knowyourzone to find out about
your zone.
• In advance, nd two people who can
help move you in an emergency.
• Introduce yourself to at least
two neighbors.
Say: My name is… I live in…
• bottled water
• flashlight
• radio
• important documents
• notebook
• money
• glasses
• toothbrush
• batteries
• mask
• My Emergency Plan
• whistle
• first aid kit
• gloves
• toothpaste
• snack
(7)
(1)
(2)
(13)
(3)
(12)
(4)
(11)
(9)
(6)
(5)
(10)
first aid kit
(8)
(16)
(15)
(14)
A
B
C
D
E
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Lesson 11 Lesson 12
Watch The Storm. Listen carefully. Find out who says these lines.
Who says it?
1. “New York City is surrounded by water!”
2. “There’s not a cloud in the sky.”
3. “ If you’re going out there to find Aku,
I’m coming with you.”
4. “This is no picnic, folks.”
5. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
6. “Let’s call 311. They’ll have some good information.”
7. “I’m okay. I mean, we’re okay!”
8. “Batteries, flashlight… check, check!”
9. “It’s good to be prepared, to have a plan.”
10. “For a picnic... Or for a storm.”
11. “ In New York City, in times like these,
we are all in the same boat.”
Watch the Show
Who says it?
Kojo
Alberto
Announcer
Efie
Sumi
Isabel
Mrs. Chen
Watch the Show
What’s going on?
What do you think is going on in these pictures?
Watch
We Speak NYC • The Storm
to find out what is going on.
Go to www.nyc.gov/WeSpeakNYC
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Find ten words related to emergencies.
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.
Tell the Story
Use these words to tell a friend about The Storm.
Word picture: www.wordle.net/
What You Can Do
To Get Ready for Emergencies
Become A Leader!
Help your community prepare for an emergency. Join the New York City
Citizen Corps Council and learn about volunteer opportunities and how
you can help. Go to nyc.gov/citizencorps or call 311 to find out more.
Aku
Pack a Go Bag.
Everyone should
have a Go Bag—
a bag of things
you need in case
you have to leave
in a hurry—to
evacuate. Look at
the picture on page 24 to see
what to put in your Go Bag.
Alberto
Get the information you need. There are many
kinds of emergencies—weather, fire, health and
other kinds. Go to www.
nyc.gov/readyny to learn
about each one. Sign up
for “Notify NYC” to get
alerts. Keep your phone
charged. And get a radio
with batteries in case the
power goes out.
Mrs. Chen
Create an emergency
support group. You don’t
need to be alone in an
emergency. Ask at least
two people to be in your
group: family, friends,
neighbors, caregivers or
coworkers. Remember,
you will help each other
in emergencies.
Kojo
Choose a meeting place.
Know where you will meet
family, friends or caregivers
after an emergency in case
you can’t go home. Pick two
places to meet: one outside
your home and another
outside your neighborhood.
Isabel
Put together an emergency supply kit. In some
emergencies you can’t go outside to get what you
need. You should keep enough food and water at
home for at least three
days. You should also have
a flashlight and batteries.
You need supplies for your
health and for everyone in
your family, too, including
your pets!
Efie
Make a plan. Do it now! Talk to your
family and friends about how to get
ready. Write down names, addresses and
telephone numbers
of important people.
Buy supplies. Make
copies of important
documents and
keep them in a
safe place!
Lesson 13
Dictionary: Translation of Key Words
English
1. an alert
2. a blackout
3. evacuate
4. evacuation zone
5. emergency
6. flashlight and batteries
7. a flood
8. get ready
9. hurricane
10. NYC Office of Emergency
Management (OEM)
11. a shelter
Español
una alerta
un apagón
evacuar
zona de evacuación
emergencia
linterna y baterías
o pilas
una inundación
prepararse
huracán
Oficina para el Manejo
de Emergencias de la
Ciudad de Nueva York
un refugio
THE STORM
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SEASON 1 29
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THE STORM
Go to www.nyc.gov/We SpeakNYC to learn more.
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Answers
Pages 13-14 [Who We Are]
1. Efie
2. Kojo
3. Aku
4. Isabel
5. Alberto
6. Mrs. Chen
Pages 15-16 [What Happens?]
1. beach
2. boats
3. picnic
4. storm alert
5. Stay indoors
6. worried about
7. rings
8. find
9. returns
10. terrible
11. nervous
12. line
13. power
14. getting ready
15. information
16. comfort
17. alone
18. boat
19. without
20. missing
21. dark
22. call
23. warning
24. picnic
Page 17 [Where Is It?]
1. page 1
2. page 2
3. page 2
4. pages 3, 8, 9, 11
5. page 4
6. page 4
7. page 4
8. page 6
9. page 8
10. page 9
Page 18 [Talking about
Weather Emergencies]
1. a warning about dangerous
conditions
2. dangerous
3. water covering the streets
or ground
4. a serious or dangerous
situation that requires action
5. a bag with things you
need in case you have to
evacuate
6. a place to meet your family
in case you are separated in
an emergency
7. to leave a dangerous place
in an emergency
8. to stay where you are
and not go outside in an
emergency
9. a free system to get alerts
by text message or email
10. when the electrical power
goes out in a large area
11. a very dangerous storm that
starts in the sea, with very
strong winds (over 74 miles
per hour) and heavy rain
12. a fast-moving cloud that
spins around and can knock
down trees, turn over cards
and destroy buildings
Page 19 [Talking about
Emergencies with Mrs. Chen]
1. in case
2. containers
3. fill
4. flushing
5. flashlights
6. batteries
7. hurricane
8. prepared
Page 20 [Talking about
Emergencies with Aku]
1. information
2. ready
3. emergencies
4. evacuate
5. important
6. water
Page 21 [Good Question]
1. Do you have extra water in
case of an emergency?
2. Do you know where we
should meet in case we are
separated?
3. Do you have copies of our
important documents in a
safe place?
4. Did you sign up for “Notify
NYC”?
5. Did you buy a flashlight and
batteries?
6. Do you have Efie’s and
Kojo’s telephone numbers?
Page 22 [What Can You Say?]
1. Stay indoors.
2. Never get in an elevator in
an emergency!
3. Copies of important
documents, phone numbers
and addresses of family and
friends, a flashlight, bottled
water…
4. I’m so glad I’m not alone.
5. We’re all in the same boat.
Page 23 [What Can You Do?]
1. D
2. C
3. E
4. B
5. A
Page 24 [What’s in Your Go
Bag?]
1. first aid kit
2. glasses
3. notebook
4. important documents
5. money
6. My Emergency Plan
7. mask
8. gloves
9. radio
10. batteries
11. flashlight
12. whistle
13. bottled water
14. snack
15. toothpaste
16. toothbrush
Page 25 [Watch the Show:
Who Says It?]
1. Kojo
2. Alberto
3. Alberto
4. Announcer
5. Efie
6. Mrs. Chen
7. Sumi
8. Mrs. Chen
9. Efie
10. Isabel
11. Kojo
Page 27 [Tell the Story]
There are other correct
answers.
Emergency words: safe,
thunderstorm, blackout, fire,
information, dangerous, 311,
shelter, warning, batteries
What You Can Do
To Learn More English
Get together with friends who are learning English, too.
Watch We Speak NYC together. Do the exercises together.
Read the story out loud with a friend—like actors on TV!
It’s a good way to learn.
Go to your local public library. To find the nearest library, call 311
or go to www.nypl.org, www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
or www.queenslibrary.org.
If you have a high school diploma and want to improve your English
and start college, go to www.clip.cuny.edu or www.cuny.edu.
Make a list of words and expressions you learned from The Storm.
Join a free conversation group to practice English and talk about
preparing for emergencies and other important topics. For more
information about where you can join a conversation group, go to
the “We Speak NYC” website: www.nyc.gov/WeSpeakNYC.
31
THE STORM
•
32 WE SPEAK NYC
•
SEASON 1
Watch
Read
Learn
www.nyc.gov/WeSpeakNYC
Emergency
Management
