Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- debris /duh-BREE/
- scattered /SKAT-erd/
- descent /dih-SENT/
- rarity /RAIR-i-tee/
- celestial /suh-LES-chuhl/
[noun] – broken or torn pieces of something larger
After the earthquake, debris covered the streets, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.
[adjective] – spread out or dispersed over an area
The broken toys lay scattered across the living room floor after the kids finished playing.
[noun] – the act of moving or falling downward
The airplane began its descent as it approached the airport.
[noun] – the state or quality of being uncommon or unusual
Diamonds of this size and clarity are a true rarity in the gemstone market.
[adjective] – relating to the sky, outer space, or the heavens
The observatory offers clear views of celestial bodies such as stars and planets.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In a remarkable event, a doorbell camera in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, captured rare footage and sound of a meteorite striking Earth. The incident occurred in July 2023, when Laura Kelly and her partner discovered unusual debris and dust scattered across their walkway after an evening stroll. The Meteoritical Society later released the footage, which revealed a meteorite crashing against the entranceway, producing a visible cloud of smoke and a crackling sound. This phenomenon is notable, as while meteors streaking through the atmosphere are often caught on video, audio and video of a complete meteorite impact are unprecedented. The space rock has since been officially named “Charlottetown” and registered as an interstellar object.
The couple reported their findings to the University of Alberta’s Meteorite Reporting System, where Chris Herd, a curator, analyzed the fragments and confirmed their extraterrestrial origin. Meteorites, fragments of space debris that survive their descent through Earth’s atmosphere, are a rare find, especially in urban areas. According to NASA, approximately 48 tons of similar debris enter Earth’s atmosphere daily, but most fall into oceans rather than populated regions. Experts emphasize the scientific significance of this discovery, as it offers a unique opportunity to study the composition and behavior of meteoritic material. This extraordinary event highlights both the rarity of meteorite impacts in populated areas and the potential for advanced technology, such as doorbell cameras, to document celestial phenomena.
The couple reported their findings to the University of Alberta’s Meteorite Reporting System, where Chris Herd, a curator, analyzed the fragments and confirmed their extraterrestrial origin. Meteorites, fragments of space debris that survive their descent through Earth’s atmosphere, are a rare find, especially in urban areas. According to NASA, approximately 48 tons of similar debris enter Earth’s atmosphere daily, but most fall into oceans rather than populated regions. Experts emphasize the scientific significance of this discovery, as it offers a unique opportunity to study the composition and behavior of meteoritic material. This extraordinary event highlights both the rarity of meteorite impacts in populated areas and the potential for advanced technology, such as doorbell cameras, to document celestial phenomena.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a shooting star or something unusual in the sky? If so, what did it look like, and how did you feel when you saw it? If not, would you like to see one? Why or why not?
- If you found unusual debris outside your house, what would you do first?
- Do you agree that technology like doorbell cameras can help document important events?
- Why do you think most meteorite debris falls into the ocean instead of land?
- Do you think people should be more prepared for objects from space, like meteorites? Why or why not?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- Earth
- meteorite
- phenomenon
- extraterrestrial
- unprecedented