©(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- If you could design a room for animals to get medical care, what would you put inside it?
- What do you imagine a zoo hospital looks like inside?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- aquarium /uh-KWAIR-ee-uhm/
[noun] – a building or place where fish and other water animals are kept for people to see
Many families visited the city’s aquariums to learn how marine animals are cared for. - procedure /pruh-SEE-jer/
[noun] – a step or action done in a certain order to achieve a result, especially in medical or official work
The clinic performed several medical procedures to check the health of the rescued dog. - representative /rep-ri-ZEN-tuh-tiv/
[noun] – a person who speaks or acts for a group, company, or organization
Company representatives explained the new product to customers at the mall event. - enclosure /en-KLOH-zher/
[noun] – an area that is closed off or surrounded by a barrier, used to keep animals or things inside
The farm built a larger enclosure for the goats so they could move around more freely. - strengthen /STRENGK-thuhn/
[verb] – to make something stronger or more effective
The school hopes the new rules will strengthen trust between teachers and students.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A veterinary examination at the Turtle Back Zoo in northern New Jersey drew visitors watching a young sulcata tortoise receive medical care. The event took place in the zoo’s new treatment room with a viewing window. During the checkup, the tortoise received measurements, X-rays, microchipping, and a blood test. Zoo officials and experts from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums said that only a small number of accredited zoos in the United States offer public access to veterinary procedures. The practice aims to increase transparency at a time when social media discussions have raised questions about animal welfare. The Turtle Back Zoo, which opened in 1963 and now holds 150 species, completed a USD 17 million hospital in April to support care standards and education.
During the examination, the veterinary team showed the difficulty of handling the tortoise, because the animal kept pulling its legs inward when samples were needed. Zoo representatives reported that the tortoise had been found on a local street and may have been released after becoming too large for a home enclosure. Information from other zoos, including Nashville and Oklahoma City, indicated that similar viewing systems have been introduced to strengthen public trust and highlight modern veterinary practices. The Turtle Back Zoo plans to use this system to build awareness, expand opportunities, and support wildlife conservation.
During the examination, the veterinary team showed the difficulty of handling the tortoise, because the animal kept pulling its legs inward when samples were needed. Zoo representatives reported that the tortoise had been found on a local street and may have been released after becoming too large for a home enclosure. Information from other zoos, including Nashville and Oklahoma City, indicated that similar viewing systems have been introduced to strengthen public trust and highlight modern veterinary practices. The Turtle Back Zoo plans to use this system to build awareness, expand opportunities, and support wildlife conservation.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where did the veterinary examination take place?
- What could visitors do during the tortoise’s checkup?
- What medical procedures did the tortoise receive?
- Why was handling the tortoise difficult during the examination?
- What is one goal of using the new viewing system at the zoo?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever visited a zoo and watched an animal receive care or treatment? If yes, what animal did you see, and what were the staff doing? If not, what animal would you like to watch during a checkup, and why?
- Have you ever seen a turtle or tortoise up close? If yes, where did you see it, and what did it look like? If not, would you like to see one at a zoo or in nature? Why?
- Do you agree that zoos should show more of their animal care to visitors to increase transparency?
- Why do you think only a small number of zoos allow visitors to watch veterinary procedures?
- What are simple things people can do to help protect animals?