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。
- What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of the planet Mars?
- Do you believe that humans can live on Mars in the future?
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。
- dryness /DRAI-nuhs/
- lose /looz/
- freezer /FREE-zer/
- degree /dih-GREE/
- desert /DEZ-ert/
[noun] – the state or condition of being dry; lack of moisture
The desert’s extreme dryness made it difficult for any vegetation to survive.
[verb] – to experience a reduction or depletion of something
After the severe drought, the crops began to lose their vitality due to lack of water.
[noun] – a device or compartment used to freeze food or keep things cold
Please put the ice cream back in the freezer before it melts.
[noun] – units used to measure temperature
Today’s temperature reached nearly 30 degrees Celsius, making it a hot day.
[noun] – an area, often covered with sand or rocks, where there is very little rain and not many plants
The Sahara Desert is known for its vast stretches of sand and extreme heat.
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 found a strong moss in China’s Xinjiang region that could help people live on Mars. The moss is called Syntrichia Caninervis. It can survive extreme dryness, freezing cold, and high radiation, like on Mars. A study by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, published in The Innovation journal on July 1, says this moss could create ecosystems on Mars. It can make oxygen, store carbon, and improve soil, which are important for life on Mars. Researchers found that the moss can start making food and working again quickly after getting water, even if it loses over 98% of its water. It can also live in very cold temperatures, coming back to life after five years in a freezer at minus 80 degrees Celsius or a month in liquid nitrogen. Syntrichia Caninervis grows in tough places like Xinjiang, Tibet, deserts in California, the Middle East, and polar regions. This discovery is timely as China and the United States do more space exploration.
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。
- Scientists have discovered a resilient moss called Syntrichia Caninervis in China’s Xinjiang region.
- The moss Syntrichia Caninervis is primarily found in tropical rainforests.
- Syntrichia Caninervis cannot survive extreme dryness or cold temperatures.
- The moss requires regular watering and cannot quickly resume its functions after losing water.
- The moss is capable of producing oxygen, storing carbon, and enhancing soil quality, which are crucial for sustaining life on Mars.
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。
| dryness | loses | freezer | degrees | desert |
- The Australian Outback is known for its vast __________ landscapes, where temperatures can reach extreme highs during the day.
- The thermometer outside displayed a temperature of 30 __________ Celsius on a hot summer afternoon.
- Proper hydration is essential in combating the ___________ caused by harsh weather conditions.
- If we don’t take care of the environment, humanity __________ much more than it gains.
- They found the missing keys in the ___________ next to the frozen vegetables.