QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
 Taming the sand 
Name:
2014-2015 S2 Geography
(
)
S.2 (
)
Unit 9.4 How do sandstorms affect us? (Textbook P. 23-31)
Key Questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Where do sandstorms occur in China?
Why do most sandstorms occur in northern China?
What negative impact do sandstorms bring to the people of China?
Can sandstorms do us some good?
Preparatory task
Find out the meaning of the BOLD words. Write down the definition in Chinese in the boxes below.
Passage A
Sandstorms occur over a large area in China, particularly in the northern and north-western parts. There
are factors favourable to the formation of sandstorms in northern China. They are:

(1) the sources of sand and dust

(2) strong winds

(3) misuse of land resources
Sandstorms can cause many negative impacts such as (4) disruption of transport, (5) destruction of
structures, (6) threatening people’s health and daily life or (7) reduction of crop yield.
However, sandstorms do some good to people in some ways. The (8) organic matter and minerals in
sand and dust can increase (9) soil fertility. Besides, sandstorms can reduce the (10) occurrence of acid
rains. Also, sand and dust particles in the sky favour the (11) formation of rain. Lastly, sand and dust can
reflect sunlight back to space. This can lower the (12) global average temperature.
English
1.
the sources of sand and dust
2.
strong winds
3.
misuse of land resources
4.
disruption of transport
5.
destruction of structures
6.
threatening people’s health and daily life
7.
reduction of crop yield
8.
organic matter and minerals
9.
soil fertility
Chinese
10. occurrence of acid rains
11. formation of rain
12. global average temperature
1
QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
 Taming the sand 
2014-2015 S2 Geography
Name:
(
)
S.2 (
)
1. Where do sandstorms occur in China? (Textbook, p.24)
The following map shows the distribution of sandstorms in China. Describe the distribution
of sandstorms in China
 Sandstorms occur __________________
in China.
 They are particularly in the __________
and _________________ parts in China.
 Most severe sandstorms are found in
__________________ part in China.
2. Why do most sandstorms occur in northern China? (Textbook, p.25-26)
Task 1:
The following figures show the factors to the formation of sandstorms in northern
China. Identify and describe the factors.
Factor (1) : ______________________________________
 ___________ are the major source
of sand and dust for sandstorms
 Major deserts are found in the
_________ and ____________
parts of China such as
- the Takla Makan Desert
- _________________________
Figure 2a Major paths of strong winds in spring
and winter and major sources of sand and dust in China.
 Some of the deserts lie on the path
of the __________________.
 There are ______main paths of
strong winds.
1. from the west and the
north-west, moving _______
2. from the _________ moving
_______________.
2
QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
 Taming the sand 
2014-2015 S2 Geography
Name:
(
)
S.2 (
)
Factor (2) : ___________________________________
Figure 2c Winter monsoon in China
Figure 2b
China
Monthly frequency of sandstorms in northern
 Sandstorms occur most frequently in ______________ because China is affected by
the _________________.
 In spring, (hot / cold) and (strong / weak) winds move from the continental interior
to northern China.
* Monsoon winds refer to winds that change with the seasons.
- In summer monsoon, wind blows from sea to land (Eastern or South-eastern wind of
Hong Kong).
- In winter monsoon, wind blows from land to sea (Northern or North-eastern wind of
Hong Kong).
Factor (3) : ___________________________________
Increase in population
Misuse of land resources
(e.g. __________, ___________, __________)
Loss of ________________
________________________
Sources of sand and dust (increases / decreases)
Figure 2d
Sandstorms
3
QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
 Taming the sand 
Task 2:
Name:
2014-2015 S2 Geography
(
)
S.2 (
)
List / Describe the factors to the formation of sandstorms in northern China.
1. The first factor is that ___________________________________________________
2. The second factor is that ________________________________________________
3. The third factor is that __________________________________________________
3. What negative impact do sandstorms bring to the people of China?
(Textbook, p.26-28)
Task 1:
The following figures show the negative impact brought by sandstorms.
Identify and describe the negative impacts.
Negative Impact (1) : ________________________________________
Figure 3a
A car covered by sand and dust Figure 3b Visibility is greatly reduced
during a sandstorm
during sandstorm
 Large amounts of sand and dust blown into the sky reduces ____________. This
threatens the ________ of transport. Flights, _______ and ______ services
cancelled.
4
QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
 Taming the sand 
2014-2015 S2 Geography
Name:
(
)
S.2 (
)
Negative Impact (2) : __________________________________________
Figure 3c

Sandstorm nearly buried a house Figure 3d
in Nei Mongol
Sandstorm hits Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia
Large amounts of sand and dust can ________ and ________ structures such as
_________ and ____________. It can cause great economic loss.
Negative Impact (3) : ________________________________________
Figure 3e

People in Gansu wearing masks
to protect themselves from a
sandstorm
Figure 3f
Tiananmen Square in Beijing
during a sandstorm
Sandstorms cause serious ______________. They can cause discomfort to
people’s eyes and breathing.

Sand and dust may contain ________ and _______ They may cause _________
to people.

It is dangerous to carry out _________________ during sandstorms. Schools,
_________ and _________ have to be closed. The ______________________
will be affected.
5
QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
 Taming the sand 
2014-2015 S2 Geography
Name:
(
)
S.2 (
)
Negative Impact (4) : __________________________________________
Figure 3g

Farmers are clearing sand and
dust deposited on vegetables
Figure 3h
Sunlight cannot reach the land
surface as it is reflected by sand
and dust
Source areas with sandstorms often suffer a loss of _________________ and
___________________. Strong winds may sometimes erode soil up to 1-10 cm
in depth. The thinning of the topsoil makes the land ______________________.
It will hinder ________________.

Sand and dust may destroy ________________. When the sand and dust are
deposited, it may _________________. It will affect _____________________.

Sand and dust in the atmosphere will _____________________. This will lower
the amount of __________ absorbed by plants. It will affect _______________.
Task 2:
List / Describe the negative impacts brought by sandstorms.
1.
The first negative impact is ______________________________________________
2.
The second negative impact is ____________________________________________
3.
The third impact is _____________________________________________________
4.
The fourth impact is ____________________________________________________
6
QESOSA Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
 Taming the sand 
2014-2015 S2 Geography
Name:
(
)
S.2 (
)
4. Can sandstorms do us some good? (Textbook, p.29)
Task 1:
The following photo some positive impacts brought by sandstorms. Identify and
describe the positive impacts.
The Loess Plateau ( _______) in northern
China was formed by deep layers of sand
and dust brought by sandstorms. Land is
some areas is rich in minerals and organic
matter, forming fertile topsoil. For
hundreds of years, the land has supported
dense farming activities.
Figure 4a

Extensive farmland in the Loess Plateau
Sand and dust may contain _________________ and ____________ such as _____.
These materials help ____________________ in the receiving areas. It can improve
_______________________ in the receiving areas.

When sand and dust are brought to the ( sea / river ), __________ in water increase.
This facilitates the growth of ________________. It can favour _______________.

Sand and dust can neutralize ____ in gases. It can reduce the occurrence of _______.

Sand and dust particles high up in the sky can act as condensation nuclei. It can
favour the ___________________________.

Sand and dust can reflect ___________ back to the space before it reached the earth’s
surface. It can lower the _______________________.
Task 2:
List or describe some positive impacts brought by sandstorms.
1. The first positive impact is that___________________________________________
2. The second positive impact is that ________________________________________
3. The third positive impact is that __________________________________________
4. The fourth positive impact is that _________________________________________
5. The fifth positive impact is that ___________________________________________
7