Column Discussion (Expert)｜コラムディスカッション（上級）Lesson29 : Tasmanian Devils Return to Australia Mainland after 3,000 Years

PART A_1

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

PART A_2

1.　spot	/spot/
	-to see, notice, or recognize
	After an hour of searching, they finally spotted the meeting place.
2.　non-existent	/non-IG-ZIST-uhnt/
	-not having being or existence
	The images she drew on the wall are now non-existent.
3.　account for	/uh-KOUNT fawr/
	-to be responsible for destroying, killing, or putting (people, aircraft, etc) out of action
	Low demand for the product accounts for the massive drop in sales.
4.　consequently	/KON-si-kwent-lee/
	-as a result, effect, or outcome; therefore:
	She woke up late and consequently missed her morning meeting.
5.　harmless	/HAHRM-lis/
	-without the power or desire to do harm; innocuous:
	Despite its immense size, the machine is proved to be harmless.

PART B_1

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

PART B_2

Tasmanian devils resurface in Australia after 3,000 years

After 3,000 years, Tasmanian devils were again spotted in mainland Australia where it was previously non-existent. About 20,000 of this kind live on the island of Tasmania. Experts convey the increasing human population, utmost dry weather conditions, and wild dog attacks account for the said extinction.
Tasmanian devils are regarded as carnivorous marsupials. Unlike other mammals, marsupials are born as embryos. Consequently, they take shelter in a pouch on their mother’s body where they continue to grow. Kangaroo and koalas which are two of the most common mammals in the country are categorized as marsupials as well.
These animals generally weigh a maximum of 8 kilograms. Most of them are covered in either brown or black fur. These mammals are considered harmless unless they have to defend themselves from attacks. Scientists explain that Tasmanian devils play an important part in the ecosystem as they can stabilize the population of other ferocious creatures such as foxes and wild cats.

PART C_1

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

PART C_2

1.	How are marsupials different from other mammals?
2.	What are the other common mammals in Australia?
3.	Are Tasmanian devils dangerous?

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 caused the Tasmanian devils to resurface in the said area 3,000 years later?
2.	In your opinion, are these animals likely to disappear again later?
3.	How do you think the local authorities can prevent their extinction?
4.	Do you agree that these creatures are significant in the area’s ecosystem?
5.	Do you think a Tasmanian devil will make a good pet?

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 in 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