Vocabulary:
- renowned /ri-NOUND/
- ritual /RICH-oo-uhl/
- reliance /ri-LAHY-uhns/
- resilience /ri-ZIL-yuhns/
- quest /kwest /
[adjective] – famous for something
The artist was renowned for his intricate and captivating sculptures.
[noun] – a way of doing something in which the same actions are done in the same way every time
In some cultures, the wedding ceremony is filled with traditional rituals that have been passed down for generations.
[noun] – the state of depending on or trusting in something or someone
The company’s success was built on its heavy reliance on innovative technology.
[noun] – the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened
Despite facing numerous setbacks, her unwavering resilience allowed her to overcome challenges and succeed in her career.
[noun] – a long search for something that is difficult to find, or an attempt to achieve something difficult
The scientist dedicated her life to the quest for a cure for the rare disease.
Article reading:
Traditionally, Emperor penguins have thrived by breeding on the stable sea ice during the harsh Antarctic winter, providing a secure environment for their hatchlings. However, with the changing patterns of sea ice due to escalating temperatures, the penguins find themselves in the midst of an adaptive challenge. A significant number of colonies are now establishing their breeding habitats on floating icebergs, while others are opting to relocate closer to the Antarctic coast. These behavioral adjustments underscore the penguins’ remarkable resilience, revealing their capacity to navigate changing circumstances in their quest to ensure the survival of their species. Nevertheless, the consequences of these changes are multifaceted. The availability and suitability of breeding sites play a pivotal role in determining the Emperor penguins’ population size and overall conservation status. This necessitates a close observation of their evolving strategies by researchers, who seek to decipher the broader implications for these fascinating creatures in the face of ongoing climate change. Ultimately, the situation serves as a poignant testament to the extensive and often unexpected impacts of climate change on even the hardest and most remote ecosystems, underscoring the urgency of global efforts to address and mitigate its effects.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever been fascinated by the behaviors and adaptations of animals like Emperor penguins in response to changing environments? If so, what aspects of their adjustments interest you the most? If not, do you find the idea of animals adjusting to climate change intriguing?
- Can you relate the Emperor penguins’ ability to adapt and change their breeding habits to any personal experiences or situations where you had to adjust to new circumstances?
- Do you believe that studying the breeding habits of Emperor penguins in the face of climate change can provide valuable insights into how other species might adapt to changing conditions?
- How do you think the shift in Emperor penguins’ breeding habits from stable sea ice to floating icebergs and coastal areas might impact their long-term survival and population dynamics?
- Considering the broader implications of climate change on various ecosystems and species, what are some of the key takeaways from the Emperor penguins’ adaptive responses that could inform our approach to mitigating and addressing the effects of climate change on a global scale?
Summarization
Describe:
- evolving
- transformation
- adaptive challenge
- climate change
- breeding habit