©(Colossal Biosciences via AP)
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。
- If you could bring back one extinct animal, what would it be?
- If you could change one small trait about yourself (like hair color or height), would you do it?
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。
- thick /thik/
- fur /fur/
- consider /kuhn-SID-er/
- argue /AHR-gyoo/
- raise /reyz/
[adjective] – having a large distance between opposite sides; dense
The forest had thick trees that blocked most of the sunlight.
[noun] – the thick hair that covers the skin of some animals
The cat’s fur was soft and fluffy.
[verb] – to think carefully about something before making a decision
She considered studying abroad before deciding to stay in her country.
[verb] – to express disagreement with someone, often in a discussion or debate
Some experts argue that smartphones are affecting young people’s attention spans.
[verb] – to collect or gather money, support, or something else
The charity event raised thousands of dollars for children in need.
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。
Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company, is using genetic engineering to bring back traits of extinct animals. Since 2021, they have studied ancient DNA, focusing on key traits of species like the woolly mammoth and the dodo bird. Recently, their scientists edited seven genes in mouse embryos, resulting in mice with thick, woolly fur. This experiment helped them understand cold-resistant traits that allowed mammoths to survive in the Arctic. Although they shared their findings online, the research has not yet been reviewed by other scientists in a journal. The company hopes to apply this knowledge to Asian elephants, which are closely related to woolly mammoths. However, because Asian elephants are endangered, ethical concerns and strict regulations must be considered before making genetic changes. Genetic engineering sparks debate. Some scientists argue that modifying living species is different from reviving extinct ones. Others see potential benefits for conservation, farming, and medicine. Advances like CRISPR have made gene editing more precise. Colossal has raised over $400 million, showing strong interest in this field. While de-extinction remains controversial, genetic research is shaping biotechnology’s future.
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。
- The company started studying ancient DNA in 2015.
- Scientists have already tested gene editing on Asian elephants.
- Some scientists think genetic engineering can help with conservation.
- The research findings have been reviewed and published in a scientific journal.
- There are no ethical concerns about using genetic engineering on endangered animals.
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。
| thick | fur | considered | argue | raised |
- The teacher ______ giving the students extra time for the test.
- Scientists ______ about the long-term effects of artificial intelligence on jobs.
- Polar bears have ______ fur to help them survive in freezing temperatures.
- The school ______ funds to build a new library for students.
- She wore a ______ coat to keep warm during the snowstorm.