Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Nevada fish may gain protection due to habitat threats and drought

Brix-News (19)

©Nathan Hurner/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of a fish that lives in only one place? If so, where did it live? If not, what do you think it eats? Do you know what happens when a species becomes endangered? If so, what can help the species? If not, what do you think people should do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. propose /pruh-POHZ/ [verb] – to offer or suggest a plan or idea for others to consider The teacher proposed a class trip to the…
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Florida swim school launches life-saving classes for children with autism

Brix-News (17)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen or joined a swimming class for children? If so, what activities did the children do? If not, what do you think they learn? Do you know anyone who learns things more slowly or in a different way? If so, how do teachers help that person? If not, what do you think would help? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – necessary or needed Water is essential for life. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a detailed plan for achieving success in situations such as war, politics,…
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Experimental gene-editing therapy saves baby with rare disorder

gene-edit baby

©(Chloe Dawson/Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could create a medicine to cure any illness, what illness would you choose? Why? Why do you think it’s important to try new ideas in science, even if they don’t always work? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. experimental /ik-sper-uh-MEN-tl/ [adjective] – used for testing; not yet proven to work perfectly An experimental drug was tested on a small group of people. newborn /NOO-BAWRN/ [noun] – a baby that was born recently The hospital has a special room for newborns. transplant /TRANS-plant/…
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Clownfish shrink to survive ocean heat waves, study finds

clownfish

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is one animal you find interesting or strange? Why do you feel that way? Do you like learning about how animals survive in nature? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shrink /shringk/ [verb] – to become smaller in size Clothes can shrink in hot water if you wash them the wrong way. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] – to watch something carefully to learn or understand it Scientists observed the birds to learn about their flying habits. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – very serious or bad The town was…
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World Bee Day marks urgent need to protect bee populations

bee

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could help one animal or insect, which would you choose? Why? Do you think insects are important in nature? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [noun] – a decrease or reduction in number, amount, or quality There has been a sharp decline in the number of students attending evening classes. express /ik-SPRES/ [verb] – to show or communicate a thought, feeling, or opinion Many parents express concern about the quality of school lunches. insecticide /in-SEK-tuh-sahyd/ [noun] – a chemical substance made and used…
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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

Brix-News (11)

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

Brix-News (8)

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

Brix-News (7)

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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