The Reading / Listening - Orchids - Level 3

Nature is full of secrets. There are still many things to find out about it. One of those things was discovered last week in Japan. It is rare to find a new plant in Japan. Its trees, flowers and other flora are well documented. However, an amateur naturalist came across a new species of orchid in Tokyo. Scientists studied the flower and believe it grows in parks and gardens across Japan. The newly-found orchid is beautiful. It is pink and white, and its delicate petals look like they are made from glass. Professor Kenji Suetsugu from Kobe University said: "The discovery of new species in common places means it is necessary to keep exploring, even in everyday places that don't look so remarkable."

There are about 28,000 orchid species worldwide. The new orchid belongs to a class called Spiranthes. There are about 50 different kinds of Spiranthes. They are the most common kind of orchid in Japan. They are mentioned in a Japanese poem from the year 759. Professor Suetsugu said he and his colleagues were "thrilled to have identified a new species". He said it was exciting because it wasn't found hidden deep in a rainforest or jungle. The discovery of the new orchid is good news. However, many orchids are on the endangered species list. This is because of habitat loss. We need to protect natural environments to stop flowers disappearing. If we lose more orchids, the world will be less colourful.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Orchids - Level 0,  Orchids - Level 1   or  Orchids - Level 2

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/17/asia/japan-new-species-orchid-scn/index.html
  • https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/17/japans-most-familiar-orchid-is-found-to-have-near-identical-cousin
  • https://www.kobe-u.ac.jp/research_at_kobe_en/NEWS/news/2023_03_17_01.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. ORCHIDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about orchids. 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?
       nature / secrets / last week / Japan / flowers / gardens / orchids / species / discovery
       worldwide / poem / professor / colleague / thrilled / rainforest / good news / natural
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CUT FLOWERS: Students A strongly believe we should stop cutting flowers; Students B strongly believe we need cut flowers. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. NATURE: What amazes you about these things in nature? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What Amazes Me

Why

Flowers

 

 

Fish

 

 

Insects

 

 

Trees

 

 

Animals

 

 

Mountains

 

 
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. SECRET: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "secret". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. FLOWERS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best flowers at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Orchids
  • Roses
  • Dandelions
  • Tulips
  • Lotus
  • Lavender
  • Buttercup
  • Daisy

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

1. nature a. Found unexpectedly or during a search.
2. discovered b. Recorded something in written, photographic, or other form.
3. flora c. Worthy of attention; striking.
4. documented d. The plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
5. amateur e. Very fine in texture or structure.
6. delicate f. All the plants, animals, the landscape, and other natural features and products of the earth.
7. remarkable g. A person who does a sport or other activity for no money.

    Paragraph 2

8. class h. Happening, found, or done often.
9. common i. Spoke or wrote about something briefly and without going into detail.
10. mentioned j. Keep safe from harm or injury.
11. colleague k. Very, very excited.
12. thrilled l. A person with whom one works in a profession or business.
13. endangered m. A set or category of things being similar in kind, type, or quality.
14. protect n. Animals, plants and other things seriously at risk of dying out.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says there are very few secrets left in nature.     T / F
  2. It isn't so rare to find new plants in Japan.     T / F
  3. The newly-discovered orchid grows in parks across Japan.     T / F
  4. A professor said we need to keep exploring.     T / F
  5. There are around 28,000 species or orchid in the world.     T / F
  6. An orchid was mentioned in a Japanese poem in 1759.     T / F
  7. A professor was happy the orchid wasn't found deep in the jungle.     T / F
  8. Orchids are becoming endangered because of habitat loss.     T / F

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

  1. secrets
  2. discovered
  3. rare
  4. fragile
  5. remarkable
  6. worldwide
  7. colleagues
  8. hidden
  9. habitat
  10. protect
  1. unusual
  2. natural environment
  3. amazing
  4. co-workers
  5. mysteries
  6. safeguard
  7. easily broken
  8. globally
  9. found
  10. concealed

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

  1. Nature is full
  2. It is rare to
  3. its delicate
  4. they are made
  5. everyday places that don't look
  6. They are mentioned in a Japanese
  7. many orchids are on the endangered
  8. habitat
  9. We need to protect natural
  10. the world will be less
  1. species list
  2. petals
  3. colourful
  4. so remarkable
  5. loss
  6. environments
  7. of secrets
  8. from glass
  9. find a new plant
  10. poem

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
grows
necessary
across
rare
remarkable
secrets
delicate
amateur

Nature is full of (1) _____________________. There are still many things to find out about it. One of those things was discovered last week in Japan. It is (2) _____________________ to find a new plant in Japan. Its trees, flowers and other flora are well documented. However, an (3) _____________________ naturalist came (4) _____________________ a new species of orchid in Tokyo. Scientists studied the flower and believe it (5) _____________________ in parks and gardens across Japan. The newly-found orchid is beautiful. It is pink and white, and its (6) _____________________ petals look like they are made from glass. Professor Kenji Suetsugu from Kobe University said: "The discovery of new species in common places means it is (7) _____________________ to keep exploring, even in everyday places that don't look so (8) _____________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
loss
thrilled
good
common
less
worldwide
poem
hidden

There are about 28,000 orchid species (9) _____________________. The new orchid belongs to a class called Spiranthes. There are about 50 different kinds of Spiranthes. They are the most (10) _____________________ kind of orchid in Japan. They are mentioned in a Japanese (11) _____________________ from the year 759. Professor Suetsugu said he and his colleagues were "(12) _____________________ to have identified a new species". He said it was exciting because it wasn't found (13) _____________________ deep in a rainforest or jungle. The discovery of the new orchid is (14) _____________________ news. However, many orchids are on the endangered species list. This is because of habitat (15) _____________________. We need to protect natural environments to stop flowers disappearing. If we lose more orchids, the world will be (16) _____________________ colourful.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Nature is full of secrets. There are still many things to find ______
     a.  out around it
     b.  out avowed it
     c.  out about it
     d.  out abut it
2)  Its trees, flowers and other flora ______
     a.  or well documented
     b.  Orwell documented
     c.  rare well documented
     d.  are well documented
3)  It is pink and white, and its delicate petals look like they are ______
     a.  made from glass
     b.  made from grass
     c.  made from gas
     d.  made from glares
4)  The discovery of new species ______
     a.  ink common places
     b.  in common places
     c.  in commons places
     d.  in common paces
5)  it is necessary to keep exploring, even in everyday places that don't ______
     a.  looks so remarkable
     b.  look so remarkable
     c.  look so remarkably
     d.  look sore markable

6)  The new orchid belongs to a ______
     a.  crass called Spiranthes
     b.  classed called Spiranthes
     c.  classes called Spiranthes
     d.  class called Spiranthes
7)  They are mentioned in a Japanese poem from ______
     a.  the year 759
     b.  the year 579
     c.  the year 795
     d.  the year 957
8)  He said it was exciting because it wasn't found hidden deep in a ______
     a.  rainy forest or jungle
     b.  reign forest or jungle
     c.  rainforest or jungle
     d.  rein forest or jungle
9)  However, many orchids are on the ______
     a.  in dangered species list
     b.  endangered species wrist
     c.  in dangered species last
     d.  endangered species list
10)  If we lose more orchids, the world will ______
     a.  be less colourfully
     b.  be less colourful
     c.  be lest colourful
     d.  be least colourful

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Nature is (1) ____________________. There are still many things to find out about it. One of those things was discovered last week in Japan. It (2) ____________________ find a new plant in Japan. Its trees, flowers and other (3) ____________________ documented. However, an amateur naturalist came across a new species of orchid in Tokyo. Scientists studied the flower and believe (4) ____________________ parks and gardens across Japan. The newly-found orchid is beautiful. It is pink and white, and its delicate (5) ____________________ they are made from glass. Professor Kenji Suetsugu from Kobe University said: "The discovery of new species in common places means it is necessary to keep exploring, even in everyday places that don't (6) ____________________."

There are about 28,000 orchid species worldwide. The new orchid belongs to (7) ____________________ Spiranthes. There are about 50 different kinds of Spiranthes. They are the (8) ____________________ of orchid in Japan. They are mentioned in a Japanese poem from the year 759. Professor Suetsugu said he and his colleagues (9) ____________________ have identified a new species". He said it was exciting because it wasn't found hidden deep in a rainforest or jungle. The (10) ____________________ new orchid is good news. However, many orchids are on the endangered species list. This is because (11) ____________________. We need to protect natural environments to stop flowers disappearing. If we lose more orchids, the world will (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the article say nature is full of?
  2. What is it rare to find in Japan?
  3. Where did scientists say the newly-found orchid grows?
  4. What do the orchid's petals look like?
  5. What did a professor say we need to keep doing?
  6. How many species or orchid are there in the world?
  7. In what were orchids mentioned in 759?
  8. How did a professor and his co-workers feel about the orchid discovery?
  9. What kind of list are many orchids on?
  10. What will be lost to the world if orchids disappear?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say nature is full of?
a) birds
b) secrets
c) bees
d) colour
2) What is it rare to find in Japan?
a) orchids
b) botanists
c) yellow orchids
d) a new plant
3) Where did scientists say the newly-found orchid grows?
a) underground
b) in woods and forests
c) parks and gardens
d) on mountaintops
4) What do the orchid's petals look like?
a) glass
b) rose petals
c) humming birds
d) a finger
5) What did a professor say we need to keep doing?
a) enjoying nature
b) exploring
c) collecting flower seeds
d) painting flowers

6) How many species or orchid are there in the world?
a) about 28,000
b) exactly 28,000
c) over 28,000
d) fewer than 28,000
7) In what were orchids mentioned in 759?
a) a play
b) a book on flowers
c) a Japanese poem
d) a novel
8) How did a professor and his co-workers feel about the orchid discovery?
a) thrilled
b) good
c) satisfied
d) ecstatic
9) What kind of list are many orchids on?
a) a top-10 list
b) a garden store list
c) a shopping list
d) an endangered species list
10) What will be lost to the world if orchids disappear?
a) birds
b) bees
c) colour
d) an eco-system

Role play

Role  A – Orchids
You think orchids are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their flowers. Also, tell the others which are the worst of these (and why): dandelions, roses or lotus flowers.

Role  B – Dandelions
You think dandelions are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their flowers. Also, tell the others which are the worst of these (and why): orchids, roses or lotus flowers.

Role  C – Roses
You think roses are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their flowers. Also, tell the others which are the worst of these (and why): dandelions, orchids or lotus flowers.

Role  D – Lotus Flowers
You think lotus flowers are the best flowers. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their flowers. Also, tell the others which are the worst of these (and why): dandelions, roses or orchids.

After reading / listening

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

'orchid'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'species'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • full
    • rare
    • believe
    • amateur
    • glass
    • even
    • class
    • poem
    • thrilled
    • deep
    • list
    • less

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Orchids

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'species'?
    3. What do you think of nature's secrets?
    4. Do you want to know all of nature's secrets?
    5. What nature is there around you?
    6. What do you know about orchids?
    7. What's your favourite flower?
    8. Is it OK to pick or cut flowers from where they grow?
    9. What do you think of buying people flowers?
    10. Should we keep exploring?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'orchid'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How interested are you in nature?
    5. Would you like to study flowers and plants?
    6. What are the most common flowers in your country?
    7. What do you think of your country's national flower?
    8. Are weeds flowers?
    9. How can we protect flowers more?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the scientists?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Nature is (1) ____ of secrets. There are still many things to find out about it. One of (2) ____ things was discovered last week in Japan. It is rare to find a new plant in Japan. Its trees, flowers and (3) ____ flora are well documented. However, an amateur naturalist came across a new species of orchid in Tokyo. Scientists studied the flower and believe it (4) ____ in parks and gardens across Japan. The newly-found orchid is beautiful. It is pink and white, and its delicate petals look like they are (5) ____ from glass. Professor Kenji Suetsugu from Kobe University said: "The discovery of new species in common places means it is necessary to keep exploring, even in everyday places that don't look (6) ____ remarkable."

    There are about 28,000 orchid species worldwide. The new orchid belongs to a (7) ____ called Spiranthes. There are about 50 different kinds of Spiranthes. They are the most common kind of orchid in Japan. They are mentioned in a Japanese (8) ____ from the year 759. Professor Suetsugu said he and his colleagues were "(9) ____ to have identified a new species". He said it was exciting because it wasn't found hidden (10) ____ in a rainforest or jungle. The discovery of the new orchid is good news. However, many orchids are (11) ____ the endangered species list. This is because of habitat loss. We need to protect natural environments to stop flowers disappearing. If we lose more orchids, the world will be (12) ____ colourful.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     fully     (b)     full     (c)     fill     (d)     filled    
    2. (a)     them     (b)     those     (c)     that     (d)     this    
    3. (a)     another     (b)     others     (c)     othered     (d)     other    
    4. (a)     growth     (b)     grows     (c)     growing     (d)     grown    
    5. (a)     grown     (b)     made     (c)     sewn     (d)     smashed    
    6. (a)     such     (b)     thus     (c)     so     (d)     well    
    7. (a)     classy     (b)     classed     (c)     class     (d)     classless    
    8. (a)     poetry     (b)     poetic     (c)     poem     (d)     poet    
    9. (a)     thrilling     (b)     thrills     (c)     thrill     (d)     thrilled    
    10. (a)     deep     (b)     depth     (c)     deepen     (d)     deeps    
    11. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    12. (a)     lest     (b)     lessen     (c)     less     (d)     lesser

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Nature is full of tsecesr
    2. an truemaa naturalist
    3. its eaciledt petals
    4. The ervdsoyic of new species
    5. it is ssaecreny to keep exploring
    6. places that don't look so klabreamer

    Paragraph 2

    1. They are the most oncomm kind
    2. They are odntmenie in a Japanese poem
    3. he and his loseaeclug
    4. dtniifieed a new species
    5. the dgenndaere species list
    6. We need to tcroept natural environments

    Put the text back together

    (...)   flowers disappearing. If we lose more orchids, the world will be less colourful.
    (...)   found orchid is beautiful. It is pink and white, and its delicate petals look like they are made from
    (...)   or jungle. The discovery of the new orchid is good news. However, many orchids are on the endangered
    (...)   in a Japanese poem from the year 759. Professor Suetsugu said he and his colleagues were "thrilled to have
    (...)   species list. This is because of habitat loss. We need to protect natural environments to stop
    (...)   identified a new species". He said it was exciting because it wasn't found hidden deep in a rainforest
    (...)   flora are well documented. However, an amateur naturalist came across a new species of orchid
    (...)   discovered last week in Japan. It is rare to find a new plant in Japan. Its trees, flowers and other
    (...)   glass. Professor Kenji Suetsugu from Kobe University said: "The discovery of new species in common places means it is
    (...)   50 different kinds of Spiranthes. They are the most common kind of orchid in Japan. They are mentioned
    (  1  ) Nature is full of secrets. There are still many things to find out about it. One of those things was
    (...)   There are about 28,000 orchid species worldwide. The new orchid belongs to a class called Spiranthes. There are about
    (...)   necessary to keep exploring, even in everyday places that don't look so remarkable."
    (...)   in Tokyo. Scientists studied the flower and believe it grows in parks and gardens across Japan. The newly-

    Put the words in the right order

    1. find   things   still   out   .   to   There   many   are
    2. One   was   discovered   last   those   of   week   .   things
    3. plant   .   is   new   It   rare   a   to   find
    4. came   new   amateur   across   species   .   naturalist   a   An
    5. new   of   in   discovery   common   places   .   The   species
    6. There   orchid   28,000   species   are   about   worldwide   .
    7. common   most   of   They   kind   orchid   .   the   are
    8. a   They   in   mentioned   are   Japanese   poem   .
    9. wasn't   rainforest   .   deep   found   hidden   a   It   in
    10. environments   natural   stop   Protect   to   flowers   disappearing   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Nature is full up / of secrets. There are still many things to find out about it. One of those / them things was discovered last / next week in Japan. It is rare / rarely to find a new plant in Japan. Its trees, flowers and other flora are good / well documented. However, an amateur naturalist came across a new species of orchid in Tokyo. Scientists studied the flower and belief / believe it grows in parks and gardens across / cross Japan. The newly-found orchid is beautiful. It is pink and white, and its / their delicate petals look like they are made from glass. Professor Kenji Suetsugu from Kobe University said: "The discovery / discover of new species in common places means it is necessary to keep exploring, even in everyday places that don't look such / so remarkable."

    There are about 28,000 orchid species world / worldwide. The new orchid belongs to a class / glass called Spiranthes. There are about 50 different kinds of Spiranthes. They are the most commonly / common kind of orchid in Japan. They are mentioned on / in a Japanese poem from the year / years 759. Professor Suetsugu said he and his colleagues were "thrilling / thrilled to have identified a new species". He said it was exciting because it wasn't found hidden / hides deep in a rainforest or jungle. The discovery of the new orchid is well / good news. However, many orchids are on the endangered species list. This is because of habitat lost / loss. We need to protect natural environments to stop flowers disappearing. If we lose more orchids, the world will be less colour / colourful.

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

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    N_t_r_  _s  f_ll  _f  s_cr_ts.  Th_r_  _r_  st_ll  m_ny  th_ngs  t_  f_nd  __t  _b__t  _t.  _n_  _f  th_s_  th_ngs  w_s  d_sc_v_r_d  l_st  w__k  _n  J_p_n.  _t  _s  r_r_  t_  f_nd  _  n_w  pl_nt  _n  J_p_n.  _ts  tr__s,  fl_w_rs  _nd  _th_r  fl_r_  _r_  w_ll  d_c_m_nt_d.  H_w_v_r,  _n  _m_t__r  n_t_r_l_st  c_m_  _cr_ss  _  n_w  sp_c__s  _f  _rch_d  _n  T_ky_.  Sc__nt_sts  st_d__d  th_  fl_w_r  _nd  b_l__v_  _t  gr_ws  _n  p_rks  _nd  g_rd_ns  _cr_ss  J_p_n.  Th_  n_wly-f__nd  _rch_d  _s  b___t_f_l.  _t  _s  p_nk  _nd  wh_t_,  _nd  _ts  d_l_c_t_  p_t_ls  l__k  l_k_  th_y  _r_  m_d_  fr_m  gl_ss.  Pr_f_ss_r  K_nj_  S__ts_g_  fr_m  K_b_  _n_v_rs_ty  s__d:  "Th_  d_sc_v_ry  _f  n_w  sp_c__s  _n  c_mm_n  pl_c_s  m__ns  _t  _s  n_c_ss_ry  t_  k__p  _xpl_r_ng,  _v_n  _n  _v_ryd_y  pl_c_s  th_t  d_n't  l__k  s_  r_m_rk_bl_."

    Th_r_  _r_  _b__t  28,000  _rch_d  sp_c__s  w_rldw_d_  Th_  n_w  _rch_d  b_l_ngs  t_  _  cl_ss  c_ll_d  Sp_r_nth_s.  Th_r_  _r_  _b__t  50  d_ff_r_nt  k_nds  _f  Sp_r_nth_s.  Th_y  _r_  th_  m_st  c_mm_n  k_nd  _f  _rch_d  _n  J_p_n.  Th_y  _r_  m_nt__n_d  _n  _  J_p_n_s_  p__m  fr_m  th_  y__r  759.  Pr_f_ss_r  S__ts_g_  s__d  h_  _nd  h_s  c_ll__g__s  w_r_  "thr_ll_d  t_  h_v_  _d_nt_f__d  _  n_w  sp_c__s".  H_  s__d  _t  w_s  _xc_t_ng  b_c__s_  _t  w_sn't  f__nd  h_dd_n  d__p  _n  _  r__nf_r_st  _r  j_ngl_.  Th_  d_sc_v_ry  _f  th_  n_w  _rch_d  _s  g__d  n_ws.  H_w_v_r,  m_ny  _rch_ds  _r_  _n  th_  _nd_ng_r_d  sp_c__s  l_st.  Th_s  _s  b_c__s_  _f  h_b_t_t  l_ss.  W_  n__d  t_  pr_t_ct  n_t_r_l  _nv_r_nm_nts  t_  st_p  fl_w_rs  d_s_pp__r_ng.  _f  w_  l_s_  m_r_  _rch_ds,  th_  w_rld  w_ll  b_  l_ss  c_l__rf_l.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    nature is full of secrets there are still many things to find out about it one of those things was discovered last week in japan it is rare to find a new plant in japan its trees flowers and other flora are well documented however an amateur naturalist came across a new species of orchid in tokyo scientists studied the flower and believe it grows in parks and gardens across japan the newlyfound orchid is beautiful it is pink and white and its delicate petals look like they are made from glass professor kenji suetsugu from kobe university said the discovery of new species in common places means it is necessary to keep exploring even in everyday places that dont look so remarkable

    there are about 28000 orchid species worldwide. The new orchid belongs to a class called spiranthes there are about 50 different kinds of spiranthes they are the most common kind of orchid in japan they are mentioned in a japanese poem from the year 759 professor suetsugu said he and his colleagues were thrilled to have identified a new species he said it was exciting because it wasnt found hidden deep in a rainforest or jungle the discovery of the new orchid is good news however many orchids are on the endangered species list this is because of habitat loss we need to protect natural environments to stop flowers disappearing if we lose more orchids the world will be less colourful

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Natureisfullofsecrets.Therearestillmanythingstofindoutaboutit.One
    ofthosethingswasdiscoveredlastweekinJapan.Itisraretofindanewpla
    ntinJapan.Itstrees,flowersandotherfloraarewelldocumented.Howev
    er,anamateurnaturalistcameacrossanewspeciesoforchidinTokyo.Sc
    ientistsstudiedtheflowerandbelieveitgrowsinparksandgardensacros
    sJapan.Thenewly-foundorchidisbeautiful.Itispinkandwhite,anditsde
    licatepetalslookliketheyaremadefromglass.ProfessorKenjiSuetsugu
    fromKobeUniversitysaid:"Thediscoveryofnewspeciesincommonplac
    esmeansitisnecessarytokeepexploring,evenineverydayplacesthatd
    on'tlooksoremarkable."Thereareabout28,000orchidspeciesworldwi
    de.TheneworchidbelongstoaclasscalledSpiranthes.Thereareabout5
    0differentkindsofSpiranthes.Theyarethemostcommonkindoforchidi
    nJapan.TheyarementionedinaJapanesepoemfromtheyear759.Profe
    ssorSuetsugusaidheandhiscolleagueswere"thrilledtohaveidentified
    anewspecies".Hesaiditwasexcitingbecauseitwasn'tfoundhiddendee
    pinarainforestorjungle.Thediscoveryoftheneworchidisgoodnews.Ho
    wever,manyorchidsareontheendangeredspecieslist.Thisisbecauseo
    fhabitatloss.Weneedtoprotectnaturalenvironmentstostopflowersdis
    appearing.Ifwelosemoreorchids,theworldwillbelesscolourful.

    Free writing

    Write about orchids for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    No one should ever cut flowers from where they are growing. Discuss.

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    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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. ORCHIDS: Make a poster about orchids. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CUTTING FLOWERS: Write a magazine article about never cutting any flowers from where they are growing. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 orchids. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas about them. 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

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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