NOTE TO STUDENTS: The situation in Japan is very serious. The earthquake and tsunami were catastrophic events and a horrific tragedy for the Japanese people.  Just remember to keep the situation in perspective - many media outlets might present the worst-case scenario about possible nuclear radiation contamination. The nuclear reactor damage might not turn out to be as terrible as is being predicted. We hope this article will provide some perspective.

1. Define the following words as used in the article:

• meltdown, reactor (from para. 1)
• hydrogen gas, nuclear fuel rods (from para. 2)
• reactor core, combust (from para. 5)

2. a) How many nuclear power plants are there in Japan?
b) How many nuclear power reactors in Japan have been damaged?  How many are experiencing possible meltdowns as a result of the earthquake and tsunami there?

3. What specifically has caused the possibility of meltdowns at Fukushima Dai-ichi and Fukushima Daini nuclear reactors?

4. a) Who is Jasmina Vujic?
b) What happens to radiation levels at approximately 1/2 mile away from a reactor, according to Professor Vujic?

5. Why isn't Japan's nuclear crisis nearly as bad as the Chernobyl disaster that happened in the former Soviet Union in 1986?

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS:  Read "Nuclear Overreactions" by the WSJ editors at online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576198723013907008.html?KEYWORDS=nuclear+overreactions.
a) What is the main point of this commentary?
b) Do you think the editors make a persuasive argument? Why or why not?