Thailand discovers electric blue tarantula species

admin 2023年11月29日

Beginner

science & technology, science & technology - beginner

©Courtesy Narin Chomphuphuang

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Have you ever seen a tarantula?
Is your country home to any unique species?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

expedition /ek-spi-DISH-uhn/

[noun] – an organized journey for a particular purpose
The scientific expedition to the remote rainforest uncovered several new species previously unknown to science.

gain /geyn /

[verb] – to get something that is useful, that gives you an advantage, or that is in some way positive, especially over a period of time
Through extensive research and fieldwork, the scientists were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem’s delicate balance.

wildlife /WAHYLD-lahyf/

[noun] – animals and plants that grow independently of people, usually in natural conditions
The documentary filmmaker spent months in the African savannah, capturing the behavior of wildlife in its natural environment.

tiny /TAHY-nee/

[adjective] – extremely small
In the palm of his hand, he held a tiny seashell he had found on the beach.

rare /rair/

[adjective] – not common or frequent; very unusual
The antique vase was a rare find, as it was one of only a few known to exist.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

In Thailand, a remarkable electric blue tarantula was recently discovered by scientists. This unique spider was found during an expedition in the Phang-Nga province, located in the southern part of Thailand. The purpose of the expedition was to gain a better understanding of the various types of tarantulas in the region. The researcher, Narin Chomphuphuang from Khon Kaen University, described this newfound species as having a captivating blue-violet color, similar to sparks of electric blue.

A team, including wildlife enthusiast JoCho Sippawat, discovered a special spider in a mangrove forest. They found a new type of tarantula last year, named Taksinus bambus, in bamboo plants. They auctioned the naming rights to support the indigenous Lahu people of northern Thailand. The chosen name, Chilobrachys natanicharum, honors two leaders from the winning company. The spider’s bright blue color comes from tiny structures, not hair color, interacting with light. This species has special metallic-blue and violet hairs on its body. Despite being adaptable, the electric blue tarantula is very rare due to shrinking mangrove forests caused by deforestation.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

A remarkable electric blue tarantula was recently discovered in the Phang-Nga province of Thailand.
The electric blue tarantula is common in the region and can be easily found in various habitats.
The auctioned naming rights of the Taksinus bambus spider supported a global wildlife conservation organization.
The newly discovered spider was found in a desert region of Thailand.
A team, including wildlife enthusiast JoCho Sippawat, discovered a special spider in a mangrove forest.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

expedition

gain

wildlife

tiny

rare

Seeing a shooting star is considered a __________ and magical event, as they are not frequently observed in the night sky.
The conservationists worked tirelessly to protect the local __________ by creating sanctuaries and implementing strict conservation measures.
The Arctic __________ aimed to study the effects of climate change on the polar ecosystem.
After years of dedicated practice and perseverance, the young athlete finally began to __________ recognition for her exceptional talent in gymnastics.
With a __________ brush, the artist painstakingly added intricate details to the miniature painting, bringing it to life.