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。
- Do you think humans could have influenced the extinction of animals in the past?
- Do you believe that new discoveries can change what we know about history?
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。
- research /ri-SURCH/
- suggest /suhg-JEST/
- provide /pruh-VAHYD/
- presence /PREZ-uhns/
- creature /KREE-cher/
[noun] – a detailed study or investigation into a particular subject to discover new facts
She read the research on animals in the zoo.
[verb] – to offer an idea or recommendation for consideration
I suggest we go to the park.
[verb] – to give or supply something that is needed
The teacher will provide the materials for class.
[noun] – the state of being present or existing in a place; the appearance or the fact of someone or something being there
His presence in the room made everyone feel calm.
[noun] – any large or small living thing that can move independently
The jungle was home to many strange creatures that had never been seen before.
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。
New research is changing the understanding of when humans first arrived in the Americas. Scientists once believed humans reached the continent about 13,000 years ago. They also thought that humans caused the extinction of large animals, such as giant ground sloths, mastodons, and saber-toothed cats. However, new evidence suggests that humans may have arrived as early as 27,000 years ago and could have lived alongside these animals. One key site, Santa Elina in Brazil, has provided important evidence. Bones of giant ground sloths show signs of human activity, challenging previous ideas about early human history.
Recent studies have used new techniques, including ancient DNA analysis and fossil chemical testing, to support the theory of earlier human presence. Researcher Mírian Pacheco discovered that sloth bones from Santa Elina were carved shortly after the animals died. This shows that humans interacted with these creatures before they went extinct. These findings challenge the “Pleistocene overkill” theory, which suggests that humans were responsible for the extinction of large mammals. As more discoveries are made, the timeline of human settlement may need to be revised.
Recent studies have used new techniques, including ancient DNA analysis and fossil chemical testing, to support the theory of earlier human presence. Researcher Mírian Pacheco discovered that sloth bones from Santa Elina were carved shortly after the animals died. This shows that humans interacted with these creatures before they went extinct. These findings challenge the “Pleistocene overkill” theory, which suggests that humans were responsible for the extinction of large mammals. As more discoveries are made, the timeline of human settlement may need to be revised.
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。
- Humans first arrived in the Americas about 13,000 years ago.
- New research suggests that humans may have arrived 27,000 years ago.
- Giant ground sloths were not related to early human activity.
- Santa Elina is a key site for evidence of early human history.
- The research supports the theory that humans caused the extinction of large mammals.
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。
| research | suggests | creature | provide | presence |
- The teacher’s ______ in class is important for learning.
- The ______ helped scientists find new information about space.
- He looked at the strange ______ with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
- He ______ playing games to have fun.
- We ______ food for the animals at the zoo.