Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What happens to animals that are endangered?
- What might happen if an endangered species disappears?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/
- collision /kuh-LIZH-uhn/
- reproduction /ree-pruh-DUHK-shuhn/
- challenge /CHAL-inj/
- emphasize /EM-fuh-sahyz/
[adjective] – at risk of becoming extinct
Some animals are endangered because their habitats are disappearing.
[noun] – an event where two things crash into each other
There was a collision between two cars on the highway.
[noun] – the process by which animals or plants produce offspring
The reproduction of many animals happens in the spring.
[noun] – a difficult task or problem
Climbing the mountain was a big challenge for the team.
[verb] – to stress something as being important
The teacher will emphasize the importance of reading every day.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The North Atlantic right whale is a critically endangered species with fewer than 400 individuals remaining. On December 9, two of these whales were found entangled in fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts, around 50 miles southeast of Nantucket. This sighting occurred during an aerial survey by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The entanglement poses a significant risk to the whales, with one juvenile likely to die from its injuries. The other whale, an adult female, has suffered a non-lethal injury. These entanglements highlight the vulnerability of the species, which faces threats from both fishing gear and ship collisions.
The recent sighting has sparked concern among environmentalists and scientists. While a recent study shows a small 4% increase in the whale population since 2020, experts warn that the species is still at great risk of extinction. The slow reproduction rate and the effects of climate change on their food sources add to the challenges they face. Scientists stress the need for stronger protections to reduce the impact of commercial fishing and shipping. Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring entanglements and developing new, innovative solutions to ensure the survival of these whales.
The recent sighting has sparked concern among environmentalists and scientists. While a recent study shows a small 4% increase in the whale population since 2020, experts warn that the species is still at great risk of extinction. The slow reproduction rate and the effects of climate change on their food sources add to the challenges they face. Scientists stress the need for stronger protections to reduce the impact of commercial fishing and shipping. Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring entanglements and developing new, innovative solutions to ensure the survival of these whales.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the North Atlantic right whale’s population size?
- What happened to two of the whales found off the coast of Massachusetts?
- What risk does the entanglement pose to the whales?
- What did a recent study show about the whale population?
- What are some challenges the North Atlantic right whale faces?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a whale or other large animal in real life? If so, where did you see it? What was the experience like? If not, would you like to see one in the future? Why or why not?
- Have you ever heard of any endangered animals before? If so, can you tell us about one endangered species? If not, would you like to learn about them?
- Do you agree that protecting endangered species is important?
- What do you think would happen if the North Atlantic right whale goes extinct?
- How can we balance economic activities, like fishing, with the need to protect animals?