Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Do you feel small? Why or why not?
- When do you feel overwhelmed? Could you tell me about it?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- examine /ig-ZAM-in/
- emotion /ih-MOH-shuhn /
- satisfying /SAT-is-fahy-ing/
- inspire /in-SPAHYUHR/
- creativity /kree-ey-TIV-i-tee/
[verb] – to look at or consider a person or thing carefully and in detail in order to discover something about them
We can examine the bones of dinosaurs and make deductions about how they lived.
[noun] – (a) strong feeling, such as of love, anger, fear, etc.
He showed no visible sign of emotion.
[adjective] – making you feel pleased by providing what you need or want
It was hard work on the farm, but satisfying.
[verb] – If something or someone inspires something else, it causes or leads to it
A successful TV series inspires many imitations.
[noun] – the ability to produce or use original and unusual ideas
People with creativity are hard to come by these days.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
You can find it advantageous to feel small. Richard Fisher, a senior news correspondent, examines the benefits of embracing vastness.
About a week after his dad’s death, he was standing at the foot of Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, in north Wales. That day, as he realized his mortality, he was overwhelmed with emotion. However, at that very moment, allowing his mind to travel upward into the sky and seeing how small he was was cathartic—almost satisfying. We may feel a variety of emotions, such as awe, astonishment, and humility, when we encounter something vastly larger than ourselves. It’s easy to forget that there’s still a vast and mysterious universe out there that hasn’t been explored. Maybe this is because so much of life now is done on a smartphone screen that is a bit bigger than our hands.
Frank Keil, a psychologist, asserts that when faced with the unknown, wonder inspires creativity and inquiry. It raises questions about ourselves such as “how, what, where, when, and what if.” It is impossible to take that from us as humans; it is one of our most powerful motivations. With these perspectives and the combined knowledge and creative energy of humanity, we may approach the terrifying unknowns of our time with reverence and care.
About a week after his dad’s death, he was standing at the foot of Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, in north Wales. That day, as he realized his mortality, he was overwhelmed with emotion. However, at that very moment, allowing his mind to travel upward into the sky and seeing how small he was was cathartic—almost satisfying. We may feel a variety of emotions, such as awe, astonishment, and humility, when we encounter something vastly larger than ourselves. It’s easy to forget that there’s still a vast and mysterious universe out there that hasn’t been explored. Maybe this is because so much of life now is done on a smartphone screen that is a bit bigger than our hands.
Frank Keil, a psychologist, asserts that when faced with the unknown, wonder inspires creativity and inquiry. It raises questions about ourselves such as “how, what, where, when, and what if.” It is impossible to take that from us as humans; it is one of our most powerful motivations. With these perspectives and the combined knowledge and creative energy of humanity, we may approach the terrifying unknowns of our time with reverence and care.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Who is Richard Fisher?
- As described in the article, where was Richard Fisher standing?
- Why was he overwhelmed?
- Why is it easy to forget that there’s still a vast and mysterious universe?
- According to the article, what inspires creativity?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- When do you feel small? Could you tell me more about it?
- What are your questions about the universe that don’t have any answers yet?
- If you were Richard Fisher, would you feel the same? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that wonder is what motivates creativity?
- What is one characteristic that humans have that is needed for more discoveries? Please elaborate on your answer.