Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Galapagos tortoises out of danger (1st November, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol for endangered animals. In the 1960s, there were just 15 of the animals in existence. They were dying out because wild goats were eating their food and damaging their habitat. This caused conservationists to take action to help them. Forty years later, the tortoises are doing well. There are over 1,000 of them living and breeding in the wild. Scientists say it is a conservation success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we basically found over time is that about half of the tortoises that were released have survived." Mr Gibbs added: "That’s actually pretty amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can now survive without human help.

Giant tortoises used to live all over the world. People hunted them and destroyed their habitat, so they almost became extinct. Giant tortoise numbers fell from over 250,000 in the 16th century to just a few thousand in the 1970s. Giant tortoises can weigh up to 250 kg and can live in the wild for over 100 years. One tortoise lived in captivity for more than 170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives, and can nap up to 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands would continue. Next year, a small island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises. Gibbs is looking forward to "another success".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/near-extinct-galapagos-island-tortoises-make-comeback#ixzz3HbOxXYbU
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gal%C3%A1pagos_tortoise
http://time.com/3544926/giant-tortoises-galapagos/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. ANIMALS IN DANGER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about animals in danger. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

tortoises / symbol / dying out / habitat / conservationists / success story / survive / hunted / extinct / a few thousand / captivity / nap / uncomplicated / Galapagos Islands

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. ENDANGERED: How can we help these endangered things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	How we can help	Chances of success
Tortoises
Rhinos
Bluefin tuna
Panda
Bactrian camel
Panamanian golden frog

4. HUNTING: Students A strongly believe people should stop hunting (unless they need food); Students B strongly believe hunting is OK. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. CAUSES OF EXTINCTION: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest reasons animals become extinct at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• hunting

• disease

• invasive species

• poaching

• climate change

• natural causes

• deforestation

• acid rain

6. ANIMALS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "animals". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	The article says tortoises were a symbol of the World Wildlife Fund.	T / F
b.	There were just 15 giant Galapagos tortoises in the 1960s.	T / F
c.	There are over 1,000 of the giant tortoises in the wild today.	T / F
d.	A conservationist said the tortoises still need our help to survive.	T / F
e.	There were a quarter of a million giant tortoises in the 1500s.	T / F
f.	Giant tortoises often weigh over 300kg.	T / F
g.	Giant tortoises can sleep for up to 16 hours a day.	T / F
h.	A Galapagos island will soon get 400 tortoises.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	symbol	a.	ruined
2.	dying out	b.	set free
3.	habitat	c.	dropped
4.	released	d.	confinement
5.	pretty	e.	disappearing
6.	destroyed	f.	simple
7.	fell	g.	environment
8.	captivity	h.	quite
9.	uncomplicated	i.	go on
10.	continue	j.	emblem

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	tortoises used to be a symbol	a.	that were released
2.	In the 1960s,	b.	1,000 of them
3.	eating their food and	c.	lives
4.	There are over	d.	damaging their habitat
5.	about half of the tortoises	e.	became extinct
6.	used to live	f.	to 250 kg
7.	they almost	g.	for endangered animals
8.	Giant tortoises can weigh up	h.	"another success"
9.	Tortoises also live very uncomplicated	i.	there were just 15
10.	Gibbs is looking forward to	j.	all over the world

GAP FILL

Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a (1) ____________ for endangered animals. In the 1960s, there were just 15 of the animals in existence. They were dying out because (2) ____________ goats were eating their food and damaging their habitat. This caused conservationists to take (3) ____________ to help them. Forty years later, the tortoises are doing (4) ____________. There are over 1,000 of them living and (5) ____________ in the wild. Scientists say it is a conservation success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we (6) ____________ found over time is that about half of the tortoises that were (7) ____________ have survived." Mr Gibbs added: "That's actually pretty amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can now (8) ____________ without human help.

action
released
breeding
symbol
basically
survive
wild
well

Giant tortoises used to live all over the world. People (9) ____________ them and destroyed their (10) ____________, so they almost became extinct. Giant tortoise numbers fell from over 250,000 in the 16th century to just a few thousand in the 1970s. Giant tortoises can (11) ____________ up to 250 kg and can live in the (12) ____________ for over 100 years. One tortoise lived in (13) ____________ for more than 170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very (14) ____________ lives, and can nap up to 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands would (15) ____________. Next year, a small island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises. Gibbs is looking forward to "another (16) ____________ ".

wild
uncomplicated
success
habitat
continue
hunted
captivity
weigh

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol for ______
	a. endangering animals b. endangered animals c. endangers animals d. endanger animals
2)	In the 1960s, there were just 15 of the ______
	a. animals in existence b. animals on existence c. animals an existence d. animals non-existence
3)	This caused conservationists to take ______ them
	a. actions to help b. action for help c. action into help d. action to help
4)	Scientists say it is a conservation ______
	a. successes story b. successful story c. unsuccessful story d. success story
5)	Gibbs said the tortoises can now survive ______
	a. without human's help b. without human help c. without humane help d. without humans help
6)	People hunted them and destroyed ______
	a. their habitats b. their habitat c. their habitation d. their habit at
7)	Giant tortoise numbers fell from over 250,000 in ______
	a. the 14th century b. the 15th century c. the 16th century d. the 17th century
8)	One tortoise lived in captivity for _______
	a. more than 117 years b. more than 177 years c. more than 170 years d. more than 107 years
9)	the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands ______
	a. wood continue b. wouldn't continue c. would continue d. would continues
10)	Gibbs is looking forward to "______"
	a. the other success b. an other success c. others success d. another success

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Giant Galapagos tortoises used (1) ___________________ endangered animals. In the 1960s, there were just 15 of the animals in existence. They (2) ___________________ wild goats were eating their food and damaging their habitat. This caused conservationists to (3) ___________________ them. Forty years later, the tortoises are doing well. There are over 1,000 of them living (4) ___________________ wild. Scientists say it is a conservation success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we (5) ___________________ time is that about half of the tortoises that were released have survived." Mr Gibbs added: "That's actually pretty amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can (6) ___________________ human help.

Giant tortoises used (7) ___________________ the world. People hunted them and destroyed their habitat, so they almost became extinct. Giant tortoise (8) ___________________ over 250,000 in the 16th century to just a few thousand in the 1970s. Giant tortoises (9) ___________________ 250 kg and can live in the wild for over 100 years. One tortoise lived in (10) ___________________ than 170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives, (11) ___________________ 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands would continue. Next year, a small island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises. Gibbs (12) ___________________ "another success".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What did Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol for?
2.	How many Galapagos turtles were there on Earth in the 1960s?
3.	How many Galapagos turtles are there on Earth today?
4.	How many of the tortoises survived after they were released?
5.	What did James Gibb say the tortoises could do without human help?
6.	What did people destroy?
7.	When were there 250,000 giant tortoises on Earth?
8.	For how long each day can tortoises nap?
9.	What did James Gibb say about the Galapagos Islands success story?
10.	What is James Gibb looking forward to?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What did Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol for?	6.	What did people destroy?
	a) endangered animals b) a long life c) the World Wildlife Fund d) peace on Earth		a) historic records b) an island c) evidence d) the turtles' habitat
2.	How many Galapagos turtles were there on Earth in the 1960s?	7.	When were there 250,000 giant tortoises on Earth?
	a) 13 b) 14 c) 15 d) 16		a) in the 1800s b) in the 16th century c) several thousand years ago d) in the days of the dinosaurs
3.	How many Galapagos turtles are there on Earth today?	8.	For how long each day can tortoises nap?
	a) over 10,000 b) over 1,000 c) 832 d) about 160		a) 4 hours b) 8 hours c) 12 hours d) 16 hours
4.	How many of the tortoises survived after they were released?	9.	What did Gibbs say about the Galapagos Islands success story?
	a) all of them b) around 90% of them c) 372 d) over half		a) very little b) it's like a fairy tale c) it would continue d) it should be a movie
5.	What did Gibb say the tortoises could do without human help?	10.	What is James Gibb looking forward to?
	a) survive b) hunt c) find food d) breed		a) a project with frogs b) more success c) the opening of a tortoise museum d) lunch

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Tortoises

You think most conservation money should be spent on tortoises. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why money should not go towards their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): frogs, tuna or pandas.

Role B – Frogs

You think most conservation money should be spent on frogs. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why money should not go towards their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): tortoises, tuna or pandas.

Role C – Tuna

You think most conservation money should be spent on tuna. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why money should not go towards their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): pandas, tortoises or pandas.

Role D – Pandas

You think most conservation money should be spent on pandas. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why money should not go towards their animals. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): tuna, frogs or tortoises.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'symbol' and 'animal'.

symbol

animal

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

symbol
dying
action
later
half
help

extinct
few
250
170
continue
another

ANIMALS IN DANGER SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about animals in danger in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

ANIMALS IN DANGER DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'tortoise'?
3)	What do you think of tortoises?
4)	What do you think of this story?
5)	What do you know about the Galapagos Islands?
6)	Do you think conservationists can save other animals?
7)	How do you think the conservationists saved the tortoises?
8)	What would it be like to be a conservationist?
9)	What are the differences between tortoises and turtles?
10)	When will all animals be able to survive without human help?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What do you think wildlife was like 500 years ago?
13)	How can we stop destroying the habitat of animals?
14)	How do you feel when an animal becomes extinct?
15)	What do you think of cloning to bring extinct animals back into existence?
16)	What would it be like to live to 170 years old?
17)	Would you like to nap for 16 hours a day?
18)	What conservation success story would you like to see?
19)	What is your message for the 200 tortoises going to the small island?
20)	What questions would you like to ask the conservationists?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a (1) ____ for endangered animals. In the 1960s, there were just 15 of the animals in (2) ____. They were dying out because wild goats were eating their food and damaging their habitat. This caused conservationists to (3) ____ action to help them. Forty years later, the tortoises are doing well. There are over 1,000 of them living and breeding in the (4) ____. Scientists say it is a conservation success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we (5) ____ found over time is that about half of the tortoises that were released have survived." Mr Gibbs added: "That's actually (6) ____ amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can now survive without human help.

Giant tortoises used to live (7) ____ over the world. People hunted them and destroyed their habitat, so they almost became (8) ____. Giant tortoise numbers fell from over 250,000 in the 16th century to just a (9) ____ thousand in the 1970s. Giant tortoises can weigh up to 250 kg and can live in the wild for over 100 years. One tortoise lived in (10) ____ for more than 170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives, and can nap (11) ____ to 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands would continue. Next year, a small island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises. Gibbs is looking forward to "(12) ____ success".

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	cymbal	(b)	symbol	(c)	symbolic	(d)	symbols
2.	(a)	existed	(b)	existence	(c)	exist	(d)	existing
3.	(a)	be	(b)	have	(c)	do	(d)	take
4.	(a)	wilder	(b)	wild	(c)	wildlife	(d)	wildly
5.	(a)	basics	(b)	basically	(c)	basic	(d)	base
6.	(a)	prettiness	(b)	prettily	(c)	pretty	(d)	prettied
7.	(a)	whole	(b)	every	(c)	all	(d)	entire
8.	(a)	exact	(b)	extreme	(c)	extinct	(d)	extend
9.	(a)	one	(b)	several	(c)	seven	(d)	few
10.	(a)	captivity	(b)	capacity	(c)	captive	(d)	caption
11.	(a)	up	(b)	on	(c)	off	(d)	down
12.	(a)	the other	(b)	others	(c)	another	(d)	other

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	a olybms for endangered animals
2.	eating their food and damaging their bhatati
3.	living and direngbe in the wild
4.	a nnsrvaoetico success story
5.	half of the tortoises that were leesread
6.	vesviur without human help
Paragraph 2
7.	they almost became tnetcxi
8.	in the 16th rytceun
9.	Giant tortoises can egihw up to 250 kg
10.	One tortoise lived in ayvtpicti
11.	Tortoises also live very epmonudccalti lives
12.	a small naidsl

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	1960s, there were just 15 of the animals in existence. They were dying out because wild goats were
( )	wild. Scientists say it is a conservation success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we basically found
( )	over time is that about half of the tortoises that were released have survived." Mr Gibbs added:
( )	Giant tortoises used to live all over the world. People hunted them and destroyed their
( )	habitat, so they almost became extinct. Giant tortoise numbers fell from over 250,000 in the 16th
( )	to 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands would continue. Next year, a small
( )	170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives, and can nap up
( 1 )	Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol for endangered animals. In the
( )	century to just a few thousand in the 1970s. Giant tortoises can weigh up to
( )	island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises. Gibbs is looking forward to "another success".
( )	eating their food and damaging their habitat. This caused conservationists to take action to help
( )	"That's actually pretty amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can now survive without human help.
( )	them. Forty years later, the tortoises are doing well. There are over 1,000 of them living and breeding in the
( )	250 kg and can live in the wild for over 100 years. One tortoise lived in captivity for more than

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	symbol animals used a endangered Tortoises be for to .
2.	the In animals the of 15 just were there , 1960s .
3.	take caused to action This conservationists .
4.	of that have Half tortoises released the were survived .
5.	now survive The without tortoises human can help .
6.	over used all world tortoises live the Giant to .
7.	hunted People habitat their destroyed and them .
8.	lived in captivity for more than 170 years One tortoise .
9.	lives Tortoises live uncomplicated also very .
10.	its all A tortoises that small of lost island .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Giant Galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol / symbolic for endangered animals. In the 1960s, there were just 15 of the animals on / in existence. They were dying out / up because wild goats were eating their food and damaging / damages their habitat. This caused conservationists to take action to help them. Forty years later, the tortoises are / be doing well. There are over 1,000 of these / them living and breeding in the wild. Scientists say it is a conservation successfully / success story. Conservationist James Gibb said: "What we basically / basics found over time is that about half of the tortoises that were / was released have survived." Mr Gibbs added: "That's actually pretty amazing." Gibbs said the tortoises can now survive without human helping / help.

Giant tortoises used to live every / all over the world. People hunted them and destroyed / destroying their habitat, so they almost became extinct. Giant tortoise numbers fall / fell from over 250,000 in the 16th century to just a few thousand / thousands in the 1970s. Giant tortoises can weigh up / heavy to 250 kg and can live in the wild for over 100 years. One tortoise lived in captive / captivity for more than 170 years. Wikipedia says: "Tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives, and can nap / nip up to 16 hours a day." Mr Gibbs said the conservation story in the Galapagos Islands would continual / continue. Next year, a small island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get / let 200 tortoises. Gibbs is looking / look forward to "another success".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

G__nt G_l_p_g_s t_rt__s_s _s_d t_ b_ _ symb_l f_r _nd_ng_r_d _n_m_ls. _n th_ 1960s, th_r_ w_r_ j_st 15 _f th_ _n_m_ls _n _x_st_nc_. Th_y w_r_ dy_ng __t b_c__s_ w_ld g__ts w_r_ __t_ng th__r f__d _nd d_m_g_ng th__r h_b_t_t. Th_s c__s_d c_ns_rv_t__n_sts t_ t_k_ _ct__n t_ h_lp th_m. F_rty y__rs l_t_r, th_ t_rt__s_s _r_ d__ng w_ll. Th_r_ _r_ _v_r 1,000 _f th_m l_v_ng _nd br__d_ng _n th_ w_ld. Sc__nt_sts s_y _t _s _ c_ns_rv_t__n s_cc_ss st_ry. C_ns_rv_t__n_st J_m_s G_bb s__d: "Wh_t w_ b_s_c_lly f__nd _v_r t_m_ _s th_t _b__t h_lf _f th_ t_rt__s_s th_t w_r_ r_l__s_d h_v_ s_rv_v_d." Mr G_bbs _dd_d: "Th_t's _ct__lly pr_tty _m_z_ng." G_bbs s__d th_ t_rt__s_s c_n n_w s_rv_v_ w_th__t h_m_n h_lp.

G__nt t_rt__s_s _s_d t_ l_v_ _ll _v_r th_ w_rld. P__pl_ h_nt_d th_m _nd d_str_y_d th__r h_b_t_t, s_ th_y _lm_st b_c_m_ _xt_nct. G__nt t_rt__s_ n_mb_rs f_ll fr_m _v_r 250,000 _n th_ 16th c_nt_ry t_ j_st _ f_w th__s_nd _n th_ 1970s. G__nt t_rt__s_s c_n w__gh _p t_ 250 kg _nd c_n l_v_ _n th_ w_ld f_r _v_r 100 y__rs. _n_ t_rt__s_ l_v_d _n c_pt_v_ty f_r m_r_ th_n 170 y__rs. W_k_p_d__ s_ys: "T_rt__s_s _ls_ l_v_ v_ry _nc_mpl_c_t_d l_v_s, _nd c_n n_p _p t_ 16 h__rs _ d_y." Mr G_bbs s__d th_ c_ns_rv_t__n st_ry _n th_ G_l_p_g_s _sl_nds w__ld c_nt_n__. N_xt y__r, _ sm_ll _sl_nd th_t l_st _ll _f _ts t_rt__s_s _ f_w y__rs _g_ w_ll g_t 200 t_rt__s_s. G_bbs _s l__k_ng f_rw_rd t_ "_n_th_r s_cc_ss".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

giant galapagos tortoises used to be a symbol for endangered animals in the 1960s there were just 15 of the animals in existence they were dying out because wild goats were eating their food and damaging their habitat this caused conservationists to take action to help them forty years later the tortoises are doing well there are over 1000 of them living and breeding in the wild scientists say it is a conservation success story conservationist james gibb said "what we basically found over time is that about half of the tortoises that were released have survived" mr gibbs added "that's actually pretty amazing" gibbs said the tortoises can now survive without human help

giant tortoises used to live all over the world people hunted them and destroyed their habitat so they almost became extinct giant tortoise numbers fell from over 250000 in the 16th century to just a few thousand in the 1970s giant tortoises can weigh up to 250 kg and can live in the wild for over 100 years one tortoise lived in captivity for more than 170 years wikipedia says "tortoises also live very uncomplicated lives and can nap up to 16 hours a day" mr gibbs said the conservation story in the galapagos islands would continue next year a small island that lost all of its tortoises a few years ago will get 200 tortoises gibbs is looking forward to "another success"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

GiantGalapagostortoisesusedtobeasymbolforendangeredanimals.I
nthe1960s,therewerejust15oftheanimalsinexistence.Theyweredyin
goutbecausewildgoatswereeatingtheirfoodanddamagingtheirhabita
t.Thiscausedconservationiststotakeactiontohelpthem.Fortyyearslat
er,thetortoisesaredoingwell.Thereareover1,000ofthemlivingandbre
edinginthewild.Scientistssayitisaconservationsuccessstory.Conser
vationistJamesGibbsaid:"Whatwebasicallyfoundovertimeisthatabo
uthalfofthetortoisesthatwerereleasedhavesurvived."MrGibbsadded
:"That'sactuallyprettyamazing."Gibbssaidthetortoisescannowsurvi
vewithouthumanhelp.Gianttortoisesusedtoliveallovertheworld.Peo
plehuntedthemanddestroyedtheirhabitat,sotheyalmostbecameexti
nct.Gianttortoisenumbersfellfromover250,000inthe16thcenturytoj
ustafewthousandinthe1970s.Gianttortoisescanweighupto250kgan
dcanliveinthewildforover100years.Onetortoiselivedincaptivityform
orethan170years.Wikipediasays:"Tortoisesalsoliveveryuncomplica
tedlives,andcannapupto16hoursaday."MrGibbssaidtheconservation
storyintheGalapagosIslandswouldcontinue.Nextyear,asmallislandt
hatlostallofitstortoisesafewyearsagowillget200tortoises.Gibbsisloo
kingforwardto"anothersuccess".

FREE WRITING

Write about animals in danger for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Conservationists should focus on animals and not birds or fish. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about animals in danger. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. ANIMALS IN DANGER: Make a poster about animals in danger. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. CONSERVATION: Write a magazine article about conservation. Include imaginary interviews with a conservationist and a giant tortoise.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on animals in danger. Ask him/her three questions about animals in danger. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	symbol	a.	emblem
2.	dying out	b.	disappearing
3.	habitat	c.	environment
4.	released	d.	set free
5.	pretty	e.	quite
6.	destroyed	f.	ruined
7.	fell	g.	dropped
8.	captivity	h.	confinement
9.	uncomplicated	i.	simple
10.	continue	j.	go on

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Endangered species
2.	15
3.	Over 1,000
4.	About half
5.	Survive
6.	The tortoises' habitat
7.	In the 16th Century
8.	16 hours
9.	It will continue
10.	Another success

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

a

2.

c

3.

b

4.

d

5.

a

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

c

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English

Home | Help This Site

Galapagos tortoises out of danger (1st November, 2014)

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS