©(AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Jerome Delay, Matthew Craft)
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What kind of place do you think is difficult to live in? Why?
- Imagine you are the first person to live in a new land. What three things would you take with you? Why?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- examine /ig-ZAM-in/
- migrate /MAHY-greyt/
- flexibility /flek-suh-BIL-i-tee/
- survive /ser-VAHYV/
- resource /REE-sawrs/
[verb] – to look at something carefully to learn more about it
Scientists examined the animal bones to learn about its diet.
[verb] – to move from one place to another, usually to live or find better conditions
People often migrate to cities to find jobs and better opportunities.
[noun] – the ability to change or adjust easily to new conditions
Her flexibility helped her succeed in different jobs and roles.
[verb] – to continue to live or exist, especially in difficult situations
Many animals survive in the wild by hiding from predators.
[noun] – a thing such as food, water, or materials that people or animals need to live or use
The village depends on natural resources like clean water and wood.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A new study published in Nature on June 18, 2025, reported that ancient Homo sapiens had already developed strong adaptability to different and difficult environments before leaving Africa about 50,000 years ago. Archaeologists from the Max Planck Institute and Loyola University Chicago examined archaeological sites across Africa from 120,000 to 14,000 years ago and used climate models to understand conditions in those areas. Their research showed that around 70,000 years ago, early humans started living in more types of environments, including deserts and rainforests, not just savannas and forests. This ability to adapt is believed to have helped them migrate and spread across the world.
The study questioned older ideas that early humans left Africa because of a new tool or method. Instead, the researchers focused on behavioral flexibility. They described Homo sapiens as “ecosystem generalists,” meaning they could survive in many different conditions by using available resources. This made it easier for them to live in extreme areas where other species could not. Although other human species like Neanderthals also left Africa, only Homo sapiens were able to succeed in a wide range of environments. Experts called this ability both strong and lasting. While the study gives new insights into early human behavior, it also leaves an open question about why Homo sapiens continued to survive while other early humans became extinct.
The study questioned older ideas that early humans left Africa because of a new tool or method. Instead, the researchers focused on behavioral flexibility. They described Homo sapiens as “ecosystem generalists,” meaning they could survive in many different conditions by using available resources. This made it easier for them to live in extreme areas where other species could not. Although other human species like Neanderthals also left Africa, only Homo sapiens were able to succeed in a wide range of environments. Experts called this ability both strong and lasting. While the study gives new insights into early human behavior, it also leaves an open question about why Homo sapiens continued to survive while other early humans became extinct.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What group of early humans does the study talk about?
- What skill did ancient humans have before leaving Africa?
- How old were the archaeological sites studied by the researchers?
- What kinds of new environments did early humans begin to live in?
- What helped early humans spread across the world?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a place with a different climate from your hometown? If so, what did you notice about the weather or the environment? If not, where would you like to go, and why?
- Have you ever had to change something in your life, like a daily habit or way of doing things? If yes, what was the most difficult part of the change? If not, how do you think you would feel about trying something new?
- Do you agree that learning how to adapt is more important than using new tools?
- What are some ways people today adapt to new places or environments?
- Why do you think it is important to study how early humans lived?