©CNN
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you seen a whale in person? Describe your experience.
- What are some of the threats that marine wildlife faces in today’s oceans?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- distressing /duh-STREH-suhng/
- encounter /en-KOUN-ter/
- significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/
- major /MEY-jer/
- highlight /HAHY-lahyt/
[adjective] – upsetting or worrying
The student received a distressing email notifying them of a significant grade drop in one of their courses.
[verb] – to experience something, especially something unpleasant
The company encountered unexpected financial difficulties, leading to layoffs and budget cuts.
[adjective] – important or noticeable
The discovery of a new treatment for the disease is a significant breakthrough in medical research.
[adjective] – more important, bigger, or more serious than others of the same type
The company announced a major expansion plan to open new branches in several countries.
[verb] – to attract attention to or emphasize something important
The CEO’s speech highlighted the company’s recent achievements and future goals.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In Western Australia, a distressing situation unfolded as nearly 100 long-finned pilot whales became stranded on Cheynes Beach. Despite the valiant efforts of over 250 volunteers, veterinarians, and marine experts, at least 51 whales have already lost their lives. The remaining 45 whales faced a second stranding, leading the experts to make the heart-wrenching decision to euthanize them to prevent further suffering.
For Peter Hartley, a seasoned wildlife management expert, this was one of the most challenging decisions he had encountered in his 34-year career. The team worked tirelessly to guide the whales back to the ocean, but the cold winter waters of Australia posed difficulties. Wildlife researcher Vanessa Pirotta explained that the cause of the stranding remains unknown, but the whales exhibited unusual behavior, huddling together before beaching. This behavior could have been an attempt to evade predators or might have resulted from a disoriented member of the pod. Pilot whale strandings are common globally, particularly among toothed whales using sonar for navigation. Tasmania has seen two significant strandings, with around 200 pilot whales stranded and only 35 surviving in one case. In 2020, over 450 pilot whales were involved in another major stranding, and recently, more than 50 pilot whales died after a stranding in Scotland. These events highlight the vulnerability of marine life and the challenges of protecting these majestic creatures.
For Peter Hartley, a seasoned wildlife management expert, this was one of the most challenging decisions he had encountered in his 34-year career. The team worked tirelessly to guide the whales back to the ocean, but the cold winter waters of Australia posed difficulties. Wildlife researcher Vanessa Pirotta explained that the cause of the stranding remains unknown, but the whales exhibited unusual behavior, huddling together before beaching. This behavior could have been an attempt to evade predators or might have resulted from a disoriented member of the pod. Pilot whale strandings are common globally, particularly among toothed whales using sonar for navigation. Tasmania has seen two significant strandings, with around 200 pilot whales stranded and only 35 surviving in one case. In 2020, over 450 pilot whales were involved in another major stranding, and recently, more than 50 pilot whales died after a stranding in Scotland. These events highlight the vulnerability of marine life and the challenges of protecting these majestic creatures.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where did the distressing situation of stranded pilot whales occur, and how many whales were involved?
- How many whales have already lost their lives in the stranding at Cheynes Beach, Western Australia?
- Why did the experts decide to euthanize the remaining 45 stranded whales?
- What factors could have contributed to the pilot whale stranding, according to wildlife researcher Vanessa Pirotta?
- What do these pilot whale strandings highlight about the vulnerability of marine life and the challenges ofprotecting it?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever been to a marine wildlife conservation center or joined beach cleanup activities to support marine life protection? How important is marine life conservation to you?
- What do you think people and communities can do to help protect marine life?
- Do you believe that raising awareness and educating the public about marine conservation can help prevent mass whale strandings?
- How can we tackle these challenges and enhance marine life protection?
- Considering the complexity of marine ecosystems and human impact, what roles should governments, environmental organizations, and individuals play in ensuring the long-term survival and well-being of marine species, such as whales?