Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What kinds of insects are common in your country?
- How would you feel if the plants or trees in your area started to die because of insects?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- trunk /truhngk/
[noun] – the thick main stems of trees that support the branches and leaves
The storm broke several trunks in the forest, leaving many trees lying on the ground. - sap /sap/
[noun] – the liquid inside a plant or tree that carries water and nutrients
The maple tree produces sweet sap that people use to make syrup. - shutdown /SHUHT-doun/
[noun] – a situation in which a business, system, or government stops operating temporarily
The factory shutdown caused delays in delivering the products to customers. - production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/
[noun] – the process of making or growing something, especially in large amounts
Poor weather conditions slowed the production of rice in the region this year. - cooperation /koh-op-uh-REY-shuhn/
[noun] – the act of working together with other people or groups to achieve a common goal
The success of the cleanup project depended on the cooperation of local volunteers.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Queensland longhorn beetle, an insect originally from Australia, has been damaging trees across Hawaii over the past year. It was first discovered in Puna in 2009 and has now spread north through Hilo and the Hamakua Coast. The beetle attacks cacao, avocado, citrus, ulu (breadfruit), and kukui trees. Farmers have seen holes in trunks, sawdust-like waste, and leaking sap, which are clear signs of infestation. Experts from the Big Island Invasive Species Committee warned that the pest could cause major harm to Hawaii’s agricultural and cultural crops if not controlled. The situation worsened when the U.S. government shutdown delayed pest control operations and the production of biological treatments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also identified the beetle as a risk to the national citrus and hardwood industries worth about $3 billion a year.
Efforts to control the beetle include using nematodes—tiny worms that kill beetle larvae inside trees. However, this process is slow and difficult for large farms. Some cacao farmers have already lost hundreds of trees worth about $1,000 each. Recently, researchers found a natural fungus that might help stop the beetle’s spread. The Hawaii Legislature has also increased funding for pest control and research. Experts stress the need for continuous cooperation to protect Hawaii’s agriculture and environment.
Efforts to control the beetle include using nematodes—tiny worms that kill beetle larvae inside trees. However, this process is slow and difficult for large farms. Some cacao farmers have already lost hundreds of trees worth about $1,000 each. Recently, researchers found a natural fungus that might help stop the beetle’s spread. The Hawaii Legislature has also increased funding for pest control and research. Experts stress the need for continuous cooperation to protect Hawaii’s agriculture and environment.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- When was the beetle first found in Hawaii?
- What kinds of trees does the beetle attack?
- What do farmers see on trees that show signs of infestation?
- What did experts warn about the beetle?
- What method do researchers use to kill beetle larvae?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever tried growing a plant or tree? If so, how did you take care of it? If not, what plant would you like to grow someday?
- Have you ever heard about insects that caused problems in another country? If so, what kind of problem did they cause? If not, what kind of problem do you think they could cause?
- Do you agree that using natural ways, like fungus or worms, is better than using chemicals to stop pests?
- How can people help protect trees and plants in their country?
- What lesson can other countries learn from Hawaii’s experience with this beetle problem?