Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What comes to mind when you think about snakes?
- Are there any cultural or mythological beliefs related to snakes in your region or country?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- critical /KRIT-i-kuhl/
- emerge /ih-MURJ/
- harm /hahrm /
- entire /en-TAHYUHR /
- prevention /pri-VEN-shuhn/
[adjective] – saying that someone or something is bad or wrong
His critical review of the restaurant’s food and service left no room for doubt about his dissatisfaction.
[verb] – to appear by coming out of something or out from behind something
After hours of searching, the elusive butterfly finally emerged from behind the bushes, delighting the eager onlookers.
[verb] – to hurt someone or damage something
Please be careful with that knife; you could harm yourself if you’re not cautious.
[adjective] – whole or complete, with nothing missing
She spent the entire day cleaning her house from top to bottom, leaving no room untouched.
[noun] – the act of stopping something from happening or of stopping someone from doing something
Vaccination is an effective method of disease prevention, as it helps the body build immunity against harmful pathogens.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Australia is currently experiencing one of its warmest winters ever recorded, prompting a critical alert from the Australian Reptile Park. This unusual warmth has caused venomous snakes to emerge early due to rising global temperatures and increased winter rainfall, disrupting their typical winter hibernation. This has led to a surge in snake-related incidents. The Australian Reptile Park emphasizes that snakes do not intentionally harm humans, with most snakebites occurring when people attempt to capture or kill them. Australians are urged to refrain from such actions and educate themselves on snakebite responses, which can become life-threatening within 30 minutes. Recommendations include keeping bite victims calm, removing jewelry and watches, bandaging the entire limb, and clearing yards of materials like stacked firewood, which can create ideal snake habitats.
As global temperatures continue to increase due to the ongoing use of fossil fuels, Australia’s winters are gradually becoming warmer. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology reveals that last month was New South Wales’ fourth warmest July on record, with temperatures nearly 1.2 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average nationwide. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, which experienced its hottest June on record this year, rising temperatures are impacting the country’s pet snake population. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has reported a rise in pet snakes escaping from their enclosures due to the warming climate.
As global temperatures continue to increase due to the ongoing use of fossil fuels, Australia’s winters are gradually becoming warmer. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology reveals that last month was New South Wales’ fourth warmest July on record, with temperatures nearly 1.2 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average nationwide. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, which experienced its hottest June on record this year, rising temperatures are impacting the country’s pet snake population. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has reported a rise in pet snakes escaping from their enclosures due to the warming climate.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Why is Australia currently experiencing one of the warmest winters ever recorded?
- What effect has the unusual warmth had on venomous snakes in Australia?
- Why are most snakebites emphasized as occurring when people try to capture or kill snakes?
- According to the article, what steps are Australians advised to take to reduce the risk of snakebites?
- How are rising temperatures in the United Kingdom affecting the pet snake population, as mentioned in the article?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever encountered a situation where you had to deal with wildlife or snakes in your surroundings? If yes, please share your experience and how it influenced your perspective on coexisting with wildlife. If not, would you feel prepared to respond to such a situation after learning about the emerging snake incidents in Australia? Why or why not?
- Are you aware of any climate-related changes in your local environment or wildlife behavior? If yes, how have these changes impacted your daily life or community? If not, do you believe that understanding such environmental shifts is crucial for individuals and communities to adapt and mitigate climate-related challenges? Why or why not?
- Do you think it’s important for individuals to follow the recommendations provided in the article to reduce the risk of snakebites in Australia?
- What are some potential long-term consequences for ecosystems if snake populations are disrupted by climate change, as discussed in the article?
- How can individuals and communities contribute to addressing climate change, not only in terms of mitigating its effects on wildlife but also in reducing the overall impact on the environment?