Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- rancher /RAN-cher/
[noun] – a farmer who raises animals such as cattle, sheep, or horses on a large area of land
Ranchers in Texas are improving their land to produce healthier cattle. - lethal /LEE-thuhl/
[adjective] – causing death; deadly
The government banned the use of lethal chemicals in farming to protect the environment. - deterrence /dih-TUR-uhns/
[noun] – the act of preventing someone from doing something by making it seem difficult or dangerous
Stronger security at airports is meant to provide deterrence against illegal activities. - habituate /huh-BICH-oo-eyt/
[verb] – to become used to something so that it no longer seems new or unusual
City birds can habituate to traffic noise and continue nesting near busy roads. - refined /ri-FAHYND/
[adjective] – improved by making small changes; made more accurate or effective
The company introduced a refined system that makes online payments faster and safer.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Gray wolves near the California-Oregon border have become the focus of an unusual livestock protection experiment launched in 2022 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Researchers started employing drones fitted with loudspeakers that play sounds like rock music, fireworks, gunshots, and even clips from films to drive wolves away from cattle. The effort follows decades of rising wolf populations since their reintroduction in the mid-1990s at Yellowstone National Park and in Idaho. According to state and federal data, gray wolves were responsible for about 800 livestock deaths across 10 states in 2022. With growing conflict between ranchers and the predators, researchers are seeking new methods to reduce losses while avoiding lethal measures that remain common in some regions. Environmental advocates have emphasized that wolves are sensitive to novel disturbances, raising optimism about the long-term viability of these techniques.
The drones are equipped with thermal cameras for nighttime monitoring and use varied sound clips to interrupt wolves during hunts. Early reports documented successful deterrence, as wolves fled upon hearing heavy metal music or human voices projected from the drones. However, concerns remain that the predators may eventually habituate, diminishing the strategy’s efficacy. Each drone system costs around $20,000 and requires professional training, limiting its practicality for smaller ranches. Despite these obstacles, scientists argue that innovative deterrents offer a more humane alternative to sanctioned killings. Advocates stress that coexistence between ranchers and wolves could become feasible if technology is refined, affordable, and adaptable. The experiment has been described as a potential paradigm shift in wildlife management, though experts caution that further evaluation is needed before widespread adoption.
The drones are equipped with thermal cameras for nighttime monitoring and use varied sound clips to interrupt wolves during hunts. Early reports documented successful deterrence, as wolves fled upon hearing heavy metal music or human voices projected from the drones. However, concerns remain that the predators may eventually habituate, diminishing the strategy’s efficacy. Each drone system costs around $20,000 and requires professional training, limiting its practicality for smaller ranches. Despite these obstacles, scientists argue that innovative deterrents offer a more humane alternative to sanctioned killings. Advocates stress that coexistence between ranchers and wolves could become feasible if technology is refined, affordable, and adaptable. The experiment has been described as a potential paradigm shift in wildlife management, though experts caution that further evaluation is needed before widespread adoption.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a wild animal, such as a wolf, bear, or fox? If so, what happened and how did you feel? If not, what wild animal would you like to see one day?
- Have you ever used or seen a drone before? If so, what was it used for? If not, what do you think a drone could be useful for?
- Do you agree that using drones is a better way to protect cattle than killing wolves?
- What other non-lethal methods could farmers use to keep wolves away from livestock?
- Why is it important to protect both wolves and farm animals at the same time?
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.
- experiment
- drone
- population
- method
- nighttime