Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think it would be like to live in a very cold place like Antarctica?
- How do you think animals stay safe or warm in the snow?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- decline /dih-KLAHYN/
- breed /breed/
- estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/
- growing /GROH-ing/
- survival /ser-VAHY-vuhl/
[noun] – a gradual decrease in number, amount, or quality
There was a sharp decline in student attendance during the rainy season.
[verb] – to produce young animals or offspring
Many birds breed in the spring when the weather is warmer.
[verb] – to make a guess about the size, number, or amount of something using available information
Experts estimated the number of visitors to the museum last year.
[verb] – becoming larger, greater, or more serious over time
There is growing interest in using solar power in many countries.
[noun] – the state of continuing to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions
Clean water is important for the survival of all living things.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A recent satellite study has found a 22% decrease in emperor penguin numbers across 16 colonies in Antarctica between 2009 and 2024. The study was published on June 10, 2025, and looked at areas such as the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and Bellingshausen Sea. The main reason for the decline is the fast loss of sea ice caused by global warming. Emperor penguins need stable sea ice to breed and find food. According to Peter Fretwell from the British Antarctic Survey, the shrinking ice is seriously affecting their habitat. Older studies showed a 10% drop in population, but the new research shows the problem is more serious and focused in certain areas.
Scientists used satellite images and population models to estimate how many penguins live in each colony. The 16 colonies in the study represent about 30% of the world’s emperor penguin population. Experts warned that if sea ice continues to disappear, predators like leopard seals and orcas may reach penguin nesting areas earlier than before. Changes in sea temperature and weather are also expected to reduce food and make it harder for chicks to survive. Penguin researcher Daniel Zitterbart, who did not work on the study, said the results are serious and have never been seen before. The study adds to growing concerns about the survival of emperor penguins in a warming climate.
Scientists used satellite images and population models to estimate how many penguins live in each colony. The 16 colonies in the study represent about 30% of the world’s emperor penguin population. Experts warned that if sea ice continues to disappear, predators like leopard seals and orcas may reach penguin nesting areas earlier than before. Changes in sea temperature and weather are also expected to reduce food and make it harder for chicks to survive. Penguin researcher Daniel Zitterbart, who did not work on the study, said the results are serious and have never been seen before. The study adds to growing concerns about the survival of emperor penguins in a warming climate.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What are two areas studied in Antarctica?
- What is the main cause of the population drop?
- Why is stable sea ice important for emperor penguins?
- What did scientists use to estimate penguin numbers?
- What may happen if sea ice keeps disappearing?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a penguin at a zoo or in a video? If so, what did the penguin do? If not, would you like to see one? Why or why not?
- Have you ever learned about climate change at school? If yes, what did you learn? If not, what do you think climate change means?
- Do you agree that people should care about what happens in Antarctica?
- Why do you think scientists study animals in places like Antarctica?
- What can people do to help animals that are in danger because of climate change?