PART A_1
Let’s learn vocabulary. Listen and repeat the words and the sentences with your tutor.
PART A_2
| 1. species | /SPEE-sheez/ |
| -a class of individuals having some common characteristics or qualities; distinct sort or kind. | |
| The world is filled with many species of plants. | |
| 2. calculate | /kal-kyuh-leyt/ |
| -to determine by reasoning, common sense, or practical experience; estimate; evaluate; gauge | |
| My mother always calculates our daily expenses. | |
| 3. conclusion | /kuhn-KLOO-zhuhn/ |
| -the final part of something | |
| You should improve the conclusion of your essay. | |
| 4. breakthrough | /BREYK-throo / |
| -any significant or sudden advance, development, achievement, or increase, as in scientific knowledge or diplomacy, that removes a barrier to progress | |
| NASA’s exploration to the moon is a huge breakthrough in science. | |
| 5. resilience | /ri-ZIL-yuhns/ |
| -the quality of being able to return quickly to a previous good condition after problems | |
| People’s resilience was tested during the storm. |
PART B_1
Let’s read the article. Please read it aloud, and I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
PART B_2
Scientists Estimate Age of World’s Largest Fish
Whale sharks are the world’s biggest species, and scientists have recently learned how to calculate their age. The researchers used evidence on experiments performed during the Cold War. They discovered that, like tree growth rings, bands develop in the shark vertebrae every year. They arrived at their conclusion by calculating carbon-14 quantities. Nuclear explosions also contain the naturally occurring radioactive element. These bands were already known to exist, and their numbers rose as the sharks grew older. However, it was unknown if new rings existed on an annual or six-monthly basis. Carbon-14 levels in the rings were compared to evidence of changes in carbon-14 levels over time by the researchers. They compared them to the 1950s and 1960s when there were a lot of nuclear experiments. Scientists can now evaluate a whale shark’s age after it has died thanks to this breakthrough. But, most importantly, it reveals that these endangered aquatic giants are slow-growing. According to Mark Meekan, an author with the Australian Institute of Marine Science, knowledge of growth rate is critical for all sea creatures as it determines their resilience to dangers such as fishing.
PART C_1
Let’s answer comprehension questions. Please answer them based on the article.
PART C_2
| 1. | How do scientists calculate the age of whale sharks? |
| 2. | How are whale sharks similar to trees? |
| 3. | What advantage does this breakthrough give the scientists? |
PART D_1
Let’s discuss the article. Please answer the questions below and express your opinions.
PART D_2
| 1. | What makes the article interesting for you? |
| 2. | Do you think scientists should do more research on the ages of sea creatures? Why or why not? |
| 3. | Do you think more students should learn about the discovery? Why or why not? |
| 4. | How did the article affect your view of whale sharks? |
| 5. | Do you think there should be more laws created for the protection of endangered animals? Why or why not? |
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 |