Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Capuchin monkeys show unusual behavior in Panama

Brix-News (12)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have animals ever acted strangely in front of you? If so, what did the animal do? If not, what strange behavior would surprise you? Do you know animals that take care of babies that are not their own? If so, what animals are they? If not, why might animals do that? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. behavior /bih-HEYV-yer / [noun] – the way a person or animal acts or does things The dog’s friendly behavior made everyone smile. record /ri-KAWRD/ [verb] – to keep information about something, often using a…
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Severe drought dries up ancient water source supplying Damascus

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever experienced a time when water was not available at home? If so, what did you do? If not, what would you do if it happened? Have you ever heard of a city or country having a water shortage? If so, what do you remember about it? If not, where do you think it could happen? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shortage /SHAWR-tij/ [noun] – Meaning: a situation in which there is not enough of something The town had a food shortage after the storm. authority /uh-THAWR-i-tee/ [noun…
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Study reveals complex hand use of early human ancestors through 3D fossil analysis in Africa

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a fossil in a museum or a book? If so, what kind of fossil was it? If not, would you like to see one? Do you know how scientists study bones from long ago? If so, how do they do it? If not, what do you think they do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants The zoo has many bird species from around the world. method /METH-uhd/…
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Chimpanzees show complex communication through rhythmic drumming

chimpanzee

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What sounds in nature do you find interesting or relaxing? Why? If animals could talk, what do you think they would say to humans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. steady /STED-ee/ [adjective] – not changing; regular and continuous The drummer played a steady beat during the school performance. signal /SIG-nl/ [noun] – an action, sound, or sign used to give information or instructions She raised her hand as a signal to ask a question. root /root/ [noun] – the part of a plant that grows down into the earth to…
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Fossil footprints in Australia reveal earliest evidence of land-dwelling reptile-like animal

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited a museum with fossils? If so, what did you see there? If not, would you like to go? Why or why not? Do you know what a footprint can tell us about an animal? If so, what do you think it shows? If not, what do you want to learn? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to guess or calculate the cost, size, value, etc. of something The teacher estimated the time needed to finish the test. adapt /uh-DAPT/ [verb] – to change,…
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Scientists discover safer way to drop eggs without cracking

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever dropped an egg before? If so, what happened? If not, what do you think might happen? Do you think the shape of an object can affect how it breaks? If yes, what shape is strong? If not, why do you think shape is not important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. crack /krak/ [verb] – to break something so that it does not separate, but very thin lines appear on its surface The glass will crack if dropped on the floor. researcher /REE-sr-chr/ [noun] – someone who studies…
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Sea lion demonstrates exceptional musical rhythm skills

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen an animal react to music? If so, what did the animal do? If not, what do you think it might do? Do animals feel or enjoy rhythm like people do? If so, why do you think they can? If not, why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. amaze /uh-MEYZ/ [verb] – to cause someone to be extremely surprised The magician amazed the children with his tricks. scientific /sahy-uhn-TIF-ik/ [adjective] – relating to science or using the methods of science The team made a scientific study of…
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Study links thousands of wildfire smoke deaths to climate change

wildfire

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do when the weather is very hot and dry? Can you imagine what it’s like to live near a wildfire? What would you do first? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pattern /PAT-ern/ [noun] – a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens Scientists studied rainfall patterns to understand how the weather affects farming. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to make a guess or judgment about the size, amount, or value of something Engineers had to estimate the cost of building the new bridge. impact…
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Self-experiment leads to breakthrough in snakebite treatment research

snake

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What would you do if you found a snake in your backyard or neighborhood? If you could help scientists solve a big problem, what kind of problem would you want to work on? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. deliberately /dih-LIB-er-it-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is planned or intended He deliberately chose a remote village for his vacation to avoid crowds. curiosity /kyoor-ee-OS-i-tee/ [noun] – a strong desire to learn or know something His curiosity about outer space led him to study astronomy. reaction /ree-AK-shuhn/ [noun] – a response…
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Young colossal squid seen alive for the first time in deep ocean near South Sandwich Islands

Brix-News

©ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a sea creature in real life? If so, where did you see it? If not, where would you like to see one? Do you know any animals that live deep in the ocean? If yes, which ones? If not, would you like to learn about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expedition /ek-spi-DISH-uhn/ [noun] – a journey made for a particular purpose, especially for exploration The team went on an expedition to study sea animals. according to /uh-KOR-duhng/ [preposition] –…
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