Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How is land formed in different geographical locations around the world? Can you provide examples of different processes that lead to the formation of land?
- Have you ever heard of or seen a newly formed island? If so, how do you think such islands are created? If not, have you ever been curious about natural phenomena like islands forming? If so, what sparked your interest in such topics?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- volcano / vol-KEY-noh /
- observe /uhb-ZURV/
- gather /GATH-er /
- unpredictable /uhn-pri-DIK-tuh-buhl/
- tide /tahyd/
[noun] – a mountain or hill with a vent through which molten rock and gas are discharged during an eruption
The volcano erupted with a tremendous explosion, sending ash and lava into the sky.
[verb] – to watch or notice something carefully and attentively
I like to observe the birds in the park and learn about their behavior.
[verb] – to come together or collect in one place
The students gathered in the library to study for their exams.
[adjective] – not able to be predicted; uncertain or unknown in advance
The weather in this region can be quite unpredictable, with sudden changes in temperature and rainfall.
[noun] – the regular rise and fall of the sea’s surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun
The fishermen knew the best time to catch fish was during the high tide, when the water was deeper.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In the Pacific Ocean near Japan’s Iwo Jima island, a brand-new island has just popped up. This occurred because of an underwater volcano eruption, as reported by Japan’s Meteorological Agency on November 1. The new island is part of the Ogasawara Island group, situated about 750 miles south of Japan’s mainland and very close to Iwo Jima Island. This event is exciting for scientists because it provides a rare chance to observe how land forms in real-time, helping to understand more about how the Earth changes.
The island’s creation is a captivating natural event, and it is all thanks to the materials that shot out of an underwater volcano. These materials gathered and turned into solid ground in the middle of the ocean over time. While similar happenings have been seen in the past in this area, this one is special because it is the first time magma has come up here since 1986. The duration of this new island’s existence is uncertain because these types of islands usually do not last very long. They often disappear under the sea in just a few weeks or months because the ocean’s conditions are harsh and unpredictable. Erosion, waves, and tides can quickly wear down and submerge these volcanic islands, making them temporary and short-lived.
The island’s creation is a captivating natural event, and it is all thanks to the materials that shot out of an underwater volcano. These materials gathered and turned into solid ground in the middle of the ocean over time. While similar happenings have been seen in the past in this area, this one is special because it is the first time magma has come up here since 1986. The duration of this new island’s existence is uncertain because these types of islands usually do not last very long. They often disappear under the sea in just a few weeks or months because the ocean’s conditions are harsh and unpredictable. Erosion, waves, and tides can quickly wear down and submerge these volcanic islands, making them temporary and short-lived.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What natural event near Iwo Jima led to the creation of a new island, and when did it occur?
- Why is the formation of this new island considered significant for scientists?
- How did the materials from the underwater volcano contribute to the creation of the new island?
- Why is the current formation of this island in the Pacific Ocean unique compared to previous events in the area?
- What challenges do such newly formed volcanic islands face, and why are they often short-lived?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you attended any educational workshops or seminars that focused on natural phenomena like volcanic activity or coastal ecosystems? If so, how did the knowledge gained from such events impact your understanding of the environment? If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend such events, are there specific topics related to volcanic activity or coastal areas that you would be interested in learning more about in the future?
- What thoughts or emotions come to your mind when you imagine witnessing the emergence of a new island? How would you feel if you were on a boat nearby?
- Do you agree with the idea that the forces of erosion and changing tides make the existence of volcanic islands transient and ephemeral?
- How do you think the study of this new island’s formation might contribute to our understanding of natural disasters and their prevention?
- What ethical and environmental concerns might arise from conducting research on this newly formed landmass?