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 visited a museum with fossils?
- Do you want to learn what footprints can tell us?
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。
- footprint /FOOT-print/
- fossil /FOS-uhl /
- claw /klaw/
- direction /dih-REK-shuhn/
- cover /KUHV-er/
[noun] – a mark made by a foot or shoe
The child left a footprint on the clean floor.
[noun] – part of a plant or animal that lived in the past and is found in rock
We saw a fish fossil at the museum.
[noun ] – a sharp nail on the foot of an animal
The cat used its claw to climb the tree.
[noun] – the way someone or something moves or faces
He walked in the wrong direction.
[verb] – to put something over something else
She will cover the pot with a lid.
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。
In May 2025, scientists in Australia discovered the oldest fossil footprints of a reptile-like animal. The footprints were found on a flat rock near Melbourne. The fossil is estimated to be 350 million years old. The footprints had long toes and sharp claws. These showed that the animal lived only on land. This discovery is important because older footprints found in Canada were only 318 million years old. The new finding helps scientists learn that land animals may have adapted faster than expected.
The fossil trackway showed a sequence of events. First, one reptile walked across the land. After that, it rained, and small marks appeared. Then, two more reptiles walked in the opposite direction. Later, the ground became dry and was covered with mud. This helped preserve the footprints. The place was once part of Gondwana, a warm land with many forests. Experts said the tracks are invaluable because they show the animal’s shape and how it moved. This gives new insight into how animals lived long ago.
The fossil trackway showed a sequence of events. First, one reptile walked across the land. After that, it rained, and small marks appeared. Then, two more reptiles walked in the opposite direction. Later, the ground became dry and was covered with mud. This helped preserve the footprints. The place was once part of Gondwana, a warm land with many forests. Experts said the tracks are invaluable because they show the animal’s shape and how it moved. This gives new insight into how animals lived long ago.
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。
- Scientists found the oldest fossil in Canada.
- The fossil footprints were discovered in May 2025.
- The footprints had short toes and no claws.
- The fossil is about 350 million years old.
- The footprints showed that the animal lived in water.
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。
| footprint | fossil | claw | direction | cover |
- That bird has a long ______ on its foot.
- This rock has a leaf ______ on it.
- There was a muddy ______ on the rug.
- Please ______ your book with paper.
- Turn in the other ______, please.