Study reveals starfish bodies are not what they seem

admin 2024年1月18日

Beginner

science & technology, science & technology - beginner

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 heard of sea stars before?
Do you know anything about the genetic makeup of sea stars?

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。

challenge /CHAL-inj /

[verb] – to present tasks to someone that need great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully
She decided to challenge herself by taking on a new and demanding project at work.

development /dih-VEL-uhp-muhnt/

[noun] – the process in which someone or something grows, changes, and becomes more advanced
The growth and change of a small plant into a big tree is an example of development.

creature /KREE-cher/

[noun] – any large or small living thing that can move independently
Animals like dogs, cats, and birds are examples of creatures because they can move on their own.

knowledge /NOL-ij /

[noun] – understanding of or information about a subject that you get by experience or study, either known by one person or by people generally
Knowing things from studying or learning is having knowledge, like knowing the names of colors.

application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn /

[noun] – practical use or implementation of knowledge gained from research or study
Using what you learn from books to solve a real problem is an application of knowledge, like fixing a broken toy with what you know.

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。

Sea stars, or starfish, have captivated researchers with their unique body structure. A recent genetic study led by Laurent Formery challenges our previous understanding of sea stars, revealing a groundbreaking discovery: they are essentially walking heads without torsos or tails. Belonging to the echinoderm group, sea stars have a distinct body plan with five equal sections, deviating from the typical bilateral symmetry seen in most animals. The study, enabled by advanced genetic sequencing and microcomputed tomography scanning, unveils genes associated with head development throughout the body, prompting a reassessment of our comprehension of these fascinating marine creatures and shedding light on their evolutionary history. The study not only broadens our knowledge of Earth’s life evolution but also prompts questions about echinoderms’ unique body plans and their common ancestry with other animals. This genetic exploration contributes to the broader field of biology, deepening our understanding of sea stars. By revealing the intricacies of ocean ecosystems, the research holds potential for ecological and biomedical advancements, taking us on a journey to comprehend the complexities of marine life and its applications in various scientific fields.

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。

Sea stars are also known as starfish.
The recent genetic study challenges our previous understanding of sea stars.
Sea stars belong to the echinoderm group.
The study reveals that sea stars have a body plan with five equal sections.
Advanced genetic sequencing and microcomputed tomography scanning were used in the study to explore sea stars’ genetic makeup.

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。

challenge

development

creature

knowledge

application

The Loch Ness Monster is often considered a mythical ____________ that sparks curiosity and speculation.
Let’s ______ each other to improve our skills in this new hobby.
The practical ____________ of a language is crucial for effective communication in real-life situations.
The ____________ of a new technology requires careful planning and testing.
Continuous learning enhances our ____________ and understanding of the world around us.