©Michel Roggo/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。
- Have you ever visited a river, lake, or wetland?
- Have you ever heard of any efforts to protect lakes or rivers in your area?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。
- serious /SEER-ee-uhs/
- main /meyn/
- urgent /UR-juhnt/
- service /SUR-vis/
- stress /stres/
[adjective] – having important or dangerous consequences; not light or playful
He made a serious mistake by forgetting the deadline.
[adjective] – most important or central
The main reason for the delay was the heavy snow.
[adjective] – requiring immediate action or attention
The team was given an urgent deadline to finish the report.
[noun] – an action or work done to help others or fulfill a need
The hotel provides excellent services, including room cleaning and meal delivery.
[verb] – to emphasize or give importance to something
She stressed the importance of being on time for the meeting.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。
Freshwater ecosystems cover only about 1% of Earth’s surface, but they are home to over 10% of all known species. However, these habitats are under serious threat. A recent study published in Nature looked at 23,496 species living in freshwater, such as fish, crustaceans, and insects. It found that 24% of these species are at high risk of extinction. The main dangers to freshwater ecosystems are pollution, dams, water extraction, agriculture, invasive species, and overharvesting. Some species in danger include the mini blue bee shrimp in Sulawesi, the Atlantic helicopter damselfly in Brazil, and the shortnose sucker fish in North America. These species live in wetlands, lakes, rivers, and peatlands, which have shrunk by more than a third since 1970. The study emphasizes the need for urgent action to protect these ecosystems and the species living in them. Freshwater habitats provide vital services, like carbon storage, fisheries, and natural resources, contributing around $50 trillion to global well-being each year. Areas with the most endangered species include Lake Victoria, Lake Titicaca, and parts of India and Sri Lanka. Experts stress the need for better water management to protect these ecosystems.
True or False:
Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.
文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。
- Freshwater ecosystems cover 10% of Earth’s surface.
- The study found that 24% of freshwater species are at high risk of extinction.
- The mini blue bee shrimp is an endangered species in North America.
- Freshwater ecosystems provide services like carbon storage and fisheries.
- Wetlands, lakes, rivers, and peatlands have increased in size since 1970.
Fill in the blanks:
Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.
適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。
serious | main | urgent | services | stressed |
- The __________ purpose of the meeting was to discuss the budget.
- The doctor advised __________ treatment for the injury.
- They offer a variety of __________, from transportation to event planning.
- The teacher __________ that homework must be submitted by Friday.
- The doctor gave me __________ advice about my health.