©Ethan Tweedie/W. M. Keck Observatory via AP
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If you could name a new star, what name would you give it?
- How would you feel if you could see a star explode in the sky?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- credible /KRED-uh-buhl/
[adjective] – able to be trusted or believed
The teacher gave a credible explanation of the strange event. - established /ih-STAB-lisht/
[adjective] – accepted or respected because it has existed for a long time
English is an established global language used in many countries. - insightful /in-SAHYT-fuhl/
[adjective] – showing a deep understanding of something
The teacher’s insightful comment helped the class understand better. - dynamic /dahy-NAM-ik/
[adjective] – full of energy and new ideas
The dynamic speaker made the students excited to learn more. - significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/
[adjective] – important or large enough to be noticed
The new rule made a significant change in the school system.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Scientists in 2021 observed the inner layers of a massive star in the Milky Way during a rare explosion called supernova 2021yfj. The event was described as a breakthrough because the explosion exposed parts of the star usually hidden from study. The outer hydrogen and helium had already disappeared before the collapse, and even deeper layers of silicon and sulfur were stripped away. This unusual case allowed researchers to examine the order of elements, showing lighter ones on the surface and heavier ones near the center. The study, published in Nature, was considered an epochal moment, as it confirmed long-standing theories about stellar structure and gave scientists a new way to understand how stars end their lives. Experts said the results gave credible and reliable evidence that strengthened established scientific ideas and offered an insightful perspective on stellar life cycles.
The discovery also created new questions about how the star lost its layers. Experts debated whether the removal was caused by violent activity in its last stages or by the pull of a twin star. The study gave a lucid confirmation of earlier models, but it also introduced conundrums that remain unresolved. Astronomers warned that the chance to see such a clear event may not appear again soon, since explosions of this type are rare. Still, the research is expected to play a seminal role in learning how exploding stars spread elements that later form planets and life. Specialists described the finding as a monumental step in tracing the dynamic and significant history of stars and their evolution.
The discovery also created new questions about how the star lost its layers. Experts debated whether the removal was caused by violent activity in its last stages or by the pull of a twin star. The study gave a lucid confirmation of earlier models, but it also introduced conundrums that remain unresolved. Astronomers warned that the chance to see such a clear event may not appear again soon, since explosions of this type are rare. Still, the research is expected to play a seminal role in learning how exploding stars spread elements that later form planets and life. Specialists described the finding as a monumental step in tracing the dynamic and significant history of stars and their evolution.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What did scientists observe in 2021?
- Where did the supernova happen?
- Why was the event called a breakthrough?
- What elements had already disappeared before the collapse?
- What deeper layers were also stripped away?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a planetarium or science museum? If so, what did you see? If not, would you like to go?
- Have you ever studied space in school? If so, what did you find most interesting? If not, what do you want to learn?
- Do you agree that rare discoveries can change science in important ways?
- How might studying exploding stars help scientists understand Earth’s history?
- How does learning about stars make people think about the size of the universe?