©Ethan Tweedie/W. M. Keck Observatory via AP
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- epochal /EP-uh-kuhl/
[adjective] – extremely important, because it is likely to have a great influence on the future
The discovery of penicillin was an epochal change in medicine. - lucid /LOO-sid/
[adjective] – clearly expressed and easy to understand
The teacher gave a lucid explanation of the math problem. - conundrum /kuh-NUHN-druhm/
[noun] – a problem that is difficult to deal with
Deciding which job offer to take is a real conundrum. - seminal /SEM-uh-nl/
[adjective] – strongly influencing later developments
Her seminal research changed the way scientists study climate change. - monumental /mon-yuh-MEN-tl/
[adjective] – very big, important, or difficult
Building the bridge across the river was a monumental task.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Scientists for the first time have observed the inner layers of a massive star as it exploded in the Milky Way in 2021. The event, called supernova 2021yfj, gave researchers an unusual chance to study how stars end their lives after burning fuel for millions of years. Normally, the violent blast of a dying star mixes up its structure, making the inside impossible to analyze. In this case, however, the star’s outer hydrogen and helium had already peeled away before the collapse, and even the dense layers of silicon and sulfur were stripped during the explosion. The study, published in Nature, was described as a breakthrough because it offered confirmation of long-standing theories about how stars are organized, with lighter elements on the outside and heavier ones near the core. Experts considered the observation an epochal moment in stellar research.
The team emphasized that this discovery not only gave evidence of stellar structure but also opened new questions. Astronomers debated whether the star lost its layers violently in the last stages of life or if a twin star removed them. The finding provided a lucid confirmation of scientific models, yet it also created conundrums that remain unresolved. Researchers said the event may be extremely hard to capture again, since such explosions are rare and unpredictable. Still, the work is expected to have a seminal role in understanding how supernovas spread elements that later become part of planets and life. Specialists also described the research as a monumental step forward in tracing the complex path of stellar evolution.
The team emphasized that this discovery not only gave evidence of stellar structure but also opened new questions. Astronomers debated whether the star lost its layers violently in the last stages of life or if a twin star removed them. The finding provided a lucid confirmation of scientific models, yet it also created conundrums that remain unresolved. Researchers said the event may be extremely hard to capture again, since such explosions are rare and unpredictable. Still, the work is expected to have a seminal role in understanding how supernovas spread elements that later become part of planets and life. Specialists also described the research as a monumental step forward in tracing the complex path of stellar evolution.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever learned something in school that felt very important? If so, what was it? If not, what subject do you want to learn deeply?
- Have you ever faced a very difficult science or math problem? If so, how did you solve it? If not, how would you try to solve one?
- Do you agree that discoveries about stars can change how people understand life?
- Why do you think it is difficult to observe a star’s inner layers?
- How might the discovery of supernovas help scientists understand planets and life?
Summarization:
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- observe
- collapse
- consider
- spread
- evolution