1. a) When will a new power line to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant be completed?
b) How could the new power line help to prevent a nuclear meltdown?

2. a) Why is there a danger of a nuclear meltdown at Dai-ichi?
b) What has the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) been doing to contain the reactors?

3. Why are officials unsure of the extent of the damage?

4. Why has the Japanese government asked special police units to bring in water cannons?

5. How is the government dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake/tsunami in the city of Fukushima?

6. From para. 19: "Elevated levels of radiation were detected well outside the 20-mile emergency area around the plants. In Ibaraki prefecture, just south of Fukushima, officials said radiation levels were about 300 times normal levels by late morning. It would take three years of constant exposure to these higher levels to raise a person's risk of cancer." Considering the news reports you have seen/read on the spread of radiation from the nuclear plant, are you surprised by this information? Explain your answer.

CHALLENGE QUESTION:  Read the information on "How Nuclear Reactors Work" linked to under "Resources" below.  After reading this information, how has your view changed on the government and power company's attempts to contain the situation?  Be specific.