Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a lizard or iguana before? If so, what did it look like, and where did you see it? If not, what do you imagine they might look like?
- Have you ever discovered something surprising about an animal? If yes, what was it? If not, what kind of animal would you like to learn more about?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- occur /uh-KUR/
- pattern /PAT-ern/
- origin /AWR-i-jin/
- conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/
- threaten /THRET-n/
[verb] – to happen or take place
The extinction of the dinosaurs is thought to have occurred roughly 66 million years ago.
[noun] – a regular or repeated arrangement or behavior
Scientists observed unusual patterns in the bird migration this year.
[noun] – the point or place where something begins or is created
Historians are still studying the origin of the ancient ruins found in the desert.
[noun] – the protection and preservation of the environment, wildlife, or natural resources
The park rangers work hard to promote conservation efforts for endangered species.
[verb] – to put something at risk or in danger
The rising temperature may threaten the survival of polar bears.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Researchers have long wondered how iguanas reached Fiji, a remote island group in the South Pacific. Most iguanas live in the Americas, which are thousands of miles away from Fiji. Early ideas suggested that iguanas may have traveled through Asia or Australia before geological changes moved Fiji farther away. However, recent research suggests that iguanas crossed the ocean by floating on rafts of vegetation. This journey would have been over 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers)—the longest recorded ocean voyage by a land-dwelling animal.
Genetic studies of 14 iguana species from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Fiji show that Fijian iguanas are closely related to desert iguanas from North America. Their evolutionary split is believed to have occurred about 31 million years ago. This supports the idea that iguanas drifted across the ocean rather than traveling by land. To test this, researchers created a model using genetic data, iguana distribution patterns, and environmental factors. The results showed that the most likely explanation was that iguanas floated to Fiji from North America. Desert iguanas’ ability to survive without much water and to eat plants likely helped them survive the journey. Learning about Fijian iguanas’ origins is important for conservation since native species are endangered, and invasive green iguanas threaten local ecosystems. These findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Genetic studies of 14 iguana species from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Fiji show that Fijian iguanas are closely related to desert iguanas from North America. Their evolutionary split is believed to have occurred about 31 million years ago. This supports the idea that iguanas drifted across the ocean rather than traveling by land. To test this, researchers created a model using genetic data, iguana distribution patterns, and environmental factors. The results showed that the most likely explanation was that iguanas floated to Fiji from North America. Desert iguanas’ ability to survive without much water and to eat plants likely helped them survive the journey. Learning about Fijian iguanas’ origins is important for conservation since native species are endangered, and invasive green iguanas threaten local ecosystems. These findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where do most iguana species live?
- What early idea did researchers have about how iguanas reached Fiji?
- What new theory suggests how iguanas reached Fiji?
- How far is the journey that iguanas are believed to have traveled to reach Fiji?
- What did genetic studies reveal about Fijian iguanas?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever been on a boat or a floating raft before? If yes, what was the experience like? If not, what do you think it would feel like to float on the ocean for a long time?
- Have you ever seen an animal in an unusual place, like a bird or insect far from its natural home? If so, where was it, and what do you think brought it there? If not, what animal do you think would surprise you most if you saw it in an unexpected location?
- Do you agree that learning about Fijian iguanas is important for protecting local wildlife?
- What challenges do you think iguanas faced while drifting across the ocean for such a long distance?
- Why do you think it’s important for scientists to study the origins of animals like Fijian iguanas?