Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you know about Pfizer/BioNTech?
- What countries are developing vaccines for coronavirus at the moment?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- efficient /ih-FISH-uhnt/
- declare /dih-KLAIR/
- infection /in-FEK-shuhn/
[noun] – a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus
The bandage would reduce the risk of infection. - treatment /TREET-muhnt/
- illness /IL-nis/
[adjective] – working or operating quickly and effectively in an organized way
Our country needs someone really efficient who can organize and make the economy run smoothly.
[verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially
They declared their support for the project.
[noun] – the use of drugs, exercises, etc. to cure a person of an illness or injury
The disease doesn’t respond to the treatment.
[noun] – a disease of the body or mind
He died after suffering from a severe illness.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Scientists Ugur Sahin, and Ozlem Tureci (founders of BioNTech) are the brains behind the world’s first efficient coronavirus vaccine; On November 9, 2020, the company’s partner, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, declared their candidate vaccine was more than 90% effective in stopping infection in enlistees. The couple has given their lives to the study of the treatment of tumors (masses of cells) in the body and infectious illnesses. Also, they are the first experts in personalized immunotherapy medications for cancer. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, the couple’s innovative research in the field of modified genetic code has made them notable today.
Sahin stressed the importance of the news — and posted a message of optimism for the world. “I think the good message for mankind is that we now understand that COVID-19 infections can be indeed prevented by a vaccine,” he said. Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s CEO called it the biggest medical advance in the past 100 years. While the vaccine is a huge move for the scientific society, Sahin and Tureci are experts in the world of medical achievements.
Sahin stressed the importance of the news — and posted a message of optimism for the world. “I think the good message for mankind is that we now understand that COVID-19 infections can be indeed prevented by a vaccine,” he said. Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s CEO called it the biggest medical advance in the past 100 years. While the vaccine is a huge move for the scientific society, Sahin and Tureci are experts in the world of medical achievements.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Who are the founders of BioNTech?
- How many percent is the effectiveness of the vaccine?
- Who is the CEO of Pfizer?
- According to the article, why did the couple become notable today?
- What did Bourla call the vaccine?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If you were given a chance, would you like to be vaccinated? Why or why not?
- Do you trust this vaccine? Why?
- Have you been vaccinated? What for?
- What do you think are the possible effects of the vaccine on people?
- Do you know some scientists who became notable for their contribution to medicine? Tell me about them.