Canadian Rockies reveal ancient jellyfish species

admin 2023年12月14日

Beginner

world news, world news - beginner

©Christian-McCall

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 seen a jellyfish in person?
Are you interested in seeing fossils of ancient marine creatures?

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。

ancient /EYN-shuhnt/

[adjective] – of or from a long time ago, having lasted for a very long time
The ancient city’s ruins offer a glimpse into the lives of people who lived thousands of years ago.

creature /KREE-cher/

[KREE-cher] – any large or small living thing that can move independently
The forest is home to a wide variety of creatures, from tiny insects to large mammals.

suggest /suhg-JEST/

[verb] – to mention an idea, possible plan, or action for other people to consider
She suggested a new approach to solving the problem during the team meeting.

valuable /VAL-yoo-uh-buhl/

[adjective] – important, useful, or beneficial
The experience gained from volunteering was valuable in shaping her perspective on social issues.

role /rohl/

[noun] – the duty or use that someone or something usually has or is expected to have
The role of a teacher extends beyond imparting knowledge; it also involves nurturing and inspiring students.

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。

Scientists have uncovered ancient jellyfish fossils in Canada’s famous Burgess Shale fossil site. These fossils, belonging to a newly identified jellyfish species called Burgessomedusa phasmiformis, date back 505 million years. Despite being made mostly of water, these soft creatures were well preserved, with fossils about 8 inches (20 centimeters) long. The findings, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, give us a glimpse into the past.

Jellyfish are part of the Cnidaria group, which includes ancient species like corals and sea anemones. The discovery of Burgessomedusa phasmiformis fossils suggests the existence of large, bell-shaped jellyfish that swam freely over half a billion years ago. The Burgess Shale Site provides valuable insights into the ancient marine ecosystem and species interactions. Burgessomedusa phasmiformis likely played a significant role in the ancient marine food chain with its unique features, including 90 finger-like tentacles for catching prey. This discovery adds to our knowledge of Earth’s history and the diverse species in the Burgess Shale.

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。

The discovered jellyfish fossils are estimated to be around 100 million years old.
The newly identified jellyfish species is known as Burgessia medusoides.
The Burgess Shale fossil site is located in Australia.
Jellyfish belong to the Cnidaria group, which also includes ancient species like corals and sea anemones.
The discovery of Burgessomedusa phasmiformis provides insights into the ancient marine ecosystem and species interactions at the Burgess Shale Site.

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。

ancient

creature

suggest

valuable

role

The deep ocean is inhabited by mysterious and fascinating _________ that are still being discovered by scientists.
The antique jewelry collection is not only beautiful but also ________ in terms of historical significance.
The _______ temple is a testament to the architectural and cultural achievements of its time.
The ____ of technology in modern society has become increasingly integral to daily life.
The teacher _________ reading a specific book to expand the students’ understanding of the topic.