Speed Reading — Tokyo Energy - Level 3 — 300 wpm

Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.


This is the text (if you need help).

Japan is experiencing record heat. Last week, the temperature in eastern Japan reached 40ºC for the first time in June. Isesaki City in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, recorded a temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The hotter than usual weather means people are using their air conditioners more. This is making it difficult for power companies to keep up with demand. To help these companies, Japan's government has asked people to use less electricity. Spokesman Yoshihiko Isozaki said: "We ask the public to reduce energy consumption during the early evening hours." He wants people to turn off unnecessary lights from 3 pm to 6 pm and use air conditioners less.

Japan's heat wave is set to continue. The weather agency said that the country's rainy season finished at its earliest since records began in 1851. This means a longer and hotter summer. The government said: "We are struck by unusual heat for the season. Please cooperate and save as much power as possible." The Tokyo Electric Power Company warned there was a risk of power shortages and blackouts if people did not use less energy. There is also a risk of people getting heatstroke. More than 250 people were taken to hospital in Tokyo over the weekend after suffering from heatstroke. The government is advising people to drink more water and not to exercise outside in the heat.

Comprehension questions
  1. What does the article say Japan is experiencing?
  2. What was the record temperature that was set north of Tokyo?
  3. What are power companies having difficulty keeping up with?
  4. What did Japan's government ask people to use less of?
  5. Between which times should people use air conditioners less?
  6. What finished at its earliest since records began?
  7. When did Japan's weather records begin?
  8. What is there a risk of besides power shortages and heatstroke?
  9. How many people in Tokyo were hospitalized with heatstroke?
  10. Where did the government advise people not to exercise?

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