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。
- Have you ever experienced unusual weather?
- What’s one word you think of when you hear “Arctic”?
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。
- cycle /SAHY-kuhl/
- warn /wawrn/
- trend /trend/
- stream /streem/
- wildlife /WAHYLD-lahyf/
[noun] – a series of events that are repeated regularly in the same order
The water cycle helps move moisture through the air, land, and oceans.
[verb] – to tell someone about possible danger or problems
Scientists warn that rising sea levels may flood coastal cities.
[noun] – a general direction in which something is changing or developing
There’s a growing trend toward using renewable energy in many countries.
[noun] – a continuous flow of liquid, air, or gas (can also refer to a current of water or air)
A steady stream of traffic moved through the city during rush hour.
[noun] – animals and plants that live in natural conditions, not controlled by people
The forest fire destroyed a large part of the local wildlife habitat.
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。
The Arctic just had its weakest winter sea ice growth since satellite records began in 1979, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. The sea ice peaked at 14.33 million square kilometers—about 80,000 square kilometers less than the previous record low in 2017. This drop highlights the ongoing effects of climate change, as the Arctic warms nearly four times faster than the global average. Experts say that less winter ice does not just show a shrinking Arctic—it also signals changes to weather patterns worldwide. Normally, sea ice grows in the winter and melts in the summer, but warmer conditions and thinner ice are weakening this cycle.Scientists from institutions like the Woodwell Climate Research Center and the University of Manitoba warn that this trend is serious and unusual. A smaller temperature difference between the poles and the equator is weakening the jet stream, leading to strange weather like longer cold spells, stronger storms, and heavier rainfall. Thinner ice also melts faster in summer, threatening wildlife such as polar bears, seals, and fish. February 2025 saw the lowest global sea ice ever recorded, stressing the urgent need for action.
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 Arctic had strong winter ice growth this year.
- The Arctic warms at the same speed as other places.
- Less sea ice does not affect weather around the world.
- Usually, sea ice grows in summer and melts in winter.
- Animals like polar bears and seals benefit from thinner ice.
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。
| cycle | warn | trend | stream | wildlife |
- Tourists visited the park to see the area’s rich ______, including deer and birds.
- Plants go through a natural ______ of growth in spring and rest in winter.
- Doctors ______ against eating too much sugar due to health risks.
- The ______ of working from home has increased since the pandemic.
- The warm ______ of air brought unseasonably high temperatures.