Final answer:
The statement that tornadoes are generally between 150 feet to a half mile in diameter is true. They are characterized by their violent spinning motion and extreme wind speeds, which underscore their destructive capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tornadoes are powerful weather phenomena featuring funnel-like shapes descending from clouds. These funnels spin violently, particularly at the bottom where they are most narrow. While they can vary greatly in size, many tornadoes do fall within the size range mentioned.
With wind speeds that can reach up to 500 km/h (approximately 300 miles/h), the destructive power of tornadoes is immense, capable of levelling houses and driving debris such as straw through tree trunks. The extent of destruction highlights the importance of tornado prediction by meteorologists who use information about atmospheric rotation to assess the potential for tornado formation.