IELTS Reading Table Completion Example 5

Nature’s Most Violent Wind

A. Tornados are classified into three levels of intensity; these being weak, strong and violent. 88% of tornados occurring in the USA are classified into the first category making them the most common; they account for less than 5% of fatalities resulting from tornado activity, generally reach wind speeds of less than 177kms/hour and have a duration of between 1 and 10 minutes before cessation. In contrast, ‘violent’ tornados exceed 330 kilometres per hour, can continue for over an hour and while they account for only 1% of the incidence of tornados they result in approximately 70% of resultant deaths. The greatest devastation to date inflicted on the USA by a violent tornado was on March 18th, 1925. 

B. The tornado was the longest, fastest and widest tornado known to have formed in North America and resulted in 695 deaths, an additional 2279 being injured. Now known as the Tri-state Tornado, it travelled over 350 kilometres affecting 13 counties in the three different states of Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Around 11% of tornados are classified as ‘strong’ tornados. These tornados account for slightly more than 25% of tornado-related fatal accidents and reach mid-range speeds of between 177 and 330 kilometres per hour with an average duration of around 20 minutes.

1. 88%
2. 11%
3. Over an hour
4. 25%
5. Tri-state tornado

For the second question, the answer is towards the end of the second para, in the fifth line; Around 11% of tornados are classified as ‘strong’ tornados.

For the third question, the answer can be found in the seventh line of the first para; “In contrast, ‘violent’ tornados exceed 330 kilometres per hour, can continue for over an hour”

For the fourth question, the answer is in the sixth line of the second para; “These tornados account for slightly more than 25% of tornado-related fatal accidents”

For the fifth question, the answer is in the third line of the second para; “Now known as the Tri-state Tornado, it travelled over 350 kilometres affecting 13 counties”