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 birds are important to the environment?
- Have you ever noticed fewer birds in your area over time?
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。
- experience /ik-SPEER-ee-uhns/
- main /meyn/
- drop /drop/
- total /TOHT-l/
- effort /EF-ert/
[verb] – to have something happen to you or to be affected by something
Many students have experienced stress before taking a big exam.
[adjective] – most important or central
The main reason for the delay was bad weather.
[verb] – to become lower in amount, level, or value
The price of gas has dropped significantly this month.
[noun] – the complete amount or number
The total cost of the trip was higher than expected.
[noun] – an attempt to achieve something
Her efforts to improve her grades paid off in the end.
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。
A recent report shows that over 112 bird species in North America have experienced major population declines over the past 50 years. Some of the most affected birds include Allen’s hummingbirds, Florida scrub jays, golden-cheeked warblers, tricolored blackbirds, and yellow-billed magpies. Experts say the main reason for this decline is the loss of their natural habitats. Mike Brasher, a scientist at Ducks Unlimited, explained that this loss has greatly harmed these birds. Waterfowl, which were once stable, have also dropped by 30% since 2017. This decrease is linked to the loss of grasslands and a drought that has dried up wetlands in the Great Plains. Since 2014, the total waterfowl population has fallen by 20%. The report was created by Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, and other bird conservation groups. Data came from sources like the U.S. Geological Survey and citizen science projects such as Cornell’s eBird. Experts warn that about one-third of North American bird species are now at risk, calling for stronger protection efforts.
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 population decline only affected Allen’s hummingbirds.
- Experts say the main reason for the decline is due to bird illnesses.
- Waterfowl populations have increased by 30% since 2017.
- The decrease in waterfowl is linked to the loss of grasslands and a drought.
- The report was created by Cornell University and other bird conservation groups.
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。
| experienced | main | dropped | total | efforts |
- Attendance at the meeting has ______ since last year.
- The team’s ______ to raise money for charity were successful.
- The ______ number of students in the class is 25.
- Her ______ goal is to improve her English before her trip.
- The town has ______ heavy snowfall this winter, causing road closures.