Column Discussion (Expert)｜コラムディスカッション（上級）Lesson14 : New Age Estimate for Early Human Skull Produces Surprising Discovery

PART A_1

Let’s learn vocabulary. Listen and repeat the words and the sentences with your tutor.

PART A_2

1.　specifically	/spi-SIF-ik-lee/
	-for a particular reason, purpose, etc.
	The campaign is targeted specifically at teenagers.
2.　species	/SPEE-sheez/
	-a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind
	The experts discovered another reptile species.
3.　extinct	/ik-STINGKT/
	-no longer in existence; having ended or died out:
	The team of scientists saves endangered animals from going extinct.
4.　assessment	/uh-SES-muhnt/
	-the act of assessing; appraisal; evaluation
	Seven applicants passed the initial assessment.
5.　comprehensive	/kom-pri-HEN-siv/
	-of large scope; covering or involving much; inclusive:
	The test taker finished the comprehensive examination in three hours.

PART B_1

Let’s read the article. Please read it aloud, and I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

PART B_2

Latest findings on early human skull raise questions about human ancestry

According to reports, a recent age estimate of the skull of an early human brings up more questions concerning the current human ancestry.

The aforementioned fossilized skull was first discovered in Zambia in 1921. Broken Hill was regarded as a main discovery back then. It was located specifically in a place called Broken Hill hence the name. Broken Hill was in fact the earliest recovered fossil of an extinct human species in the African continent.

Scientists note that a later assessment insinuates that Broken Hill is much younger than initially concluded by the experts. The previous age estimate of the skull was about 500,000, whereas the current estimate is about 299,000 years old with which the team used two new comprehensive dating methods. They add that the new findings affect how the tempo and mode of modern human ancestry were previously perceived.

As explained by the researchers, they found Broken Hill difficult to examine because it was found in a mining site that got massively ruined due to mining operations later on.

PART C_1

Let’s answer comprehension questions. Please answer them based on the article.

PART C_2

1.	When was the early human skull recovered?
2.	What does the new findings of the study convey?
3.	Why made the age estimation difficult for the researchers?

PART D_1

Let’s discuss the article. Please answer the questions below and express your opinions.

PART D_2

1.	What do you think is the importance of this study?
2.	Which of the two age estimates is more accurate?
3.	Comparing the two estimates, what do you make of the dating methods scientists use?
4.	Do you know of any fossils recovered in your country?
5.	Have you ever been to a mining site?

REVIEW AND FEEDBACK

Now, let us review the things that you learned in this lesson.

ではこのレッスンで学んだことを振り返りましょう。

(Please give a short feedback on how your student did on your class.)

	Grammar 文法	Pronunciation 発音	Vocabulary 単語	Comprehension 理解
GOOD	文法の誤りはほとんどなく、完全な文章で話すことができる	ほとんどの単語をはっきりと正しく発音することができる	習った表現を適切に使うことができる	文章を理解し、質問に正しく答えることができる
FAIR	文法の誤りはあるが、完全な文章で話すことができる	発音の練習が必要な言葉がいくつかある	たまにミスはあるが、習った表現を適切に使うことができる	文章を完全に理解するのは難しく、質問に正しく答えられないときもある
POOR	文章で話すのは難しく、単語だけで話すことができる	発音の練習が必要である	習った単語と表現を少しだけ使うことができる	文章を理解するのは難しく、質問に答えるのは難しい

TUTOR FEEDBACK

GRAMMAR
Good:	Was able to speak in complete sentences with minimal grammatical errors.
Fair:	Was able to speak in complete sentences with evident grammatical errors.
Poor:	Was able to speak using words only.
PRONUNCIATION
Good:	Was able to pronounce most of the words clearly and correctly.
Fair:	Mispronounced a few words.
Poor:	Mispronounced most of the words.
VOCABULARY
Good:	Used appropriate expressions learned in class.
Fair:	Used appropriate expressions learned in class and made a few errors in word choice.
Poor:	Used only a few words and expressions.
COMPREHENSION
Good:	Was able to understand the passages and answer the questions correctly.
Fair:	Had a little difficulty in understanding passages and answering questions.
Poor:	Had a hard time understanding passages and answering questions.

Parts of this lesson material are based on:
An article by Voice of America