Breaking News English Lesson: Light and Insects

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Artificial light is dangerous for insects, say scientists (5th February 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Light and Insects - Level 6

Everyone knows that light attracts insects. In prehistoric times, our ancestors questioned why winged insects buzzed around fire. An old saying describes this attraction as being, "like a moth to a flame". However, a recent study dispels the long-believed notion that insects head towards light because they like it. Biologists at Imperial College London have reported that insects are drawn to light because it helps with their orientation when in flight. The scientists said artificial light actually disorients nocturnal bugs like moths and mosquitos, often to fatal ends. Jamie Theobald, co-author of the study, said all our speculations about why insects fly toward light "might have been wrong".

The scientists conducted their research in a rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed artificial lights under the canopy and observed the creatures' flying behaviour. Insects usually navigate by the moon to fly in straight lines. However, around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and erratic patterns of flight. An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect." This explains why so many insects fly to their death into bug zappers. Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself against predators.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Light and Insects - Level 4 or Light and Insects - Level 5

Sources

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/251217/flying-insects-become-disorientated-trapped-artificial/
https://gizmodo.com/why-insects-bugs-fly-around-artificial-lights-1851216660
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-44785-3

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. NOCTURNAL INSECTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about nocturnal insects. 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?
everyone / light / insects / prehistoric times / ancestors / attraction / nocturnal /
rainforest / artificial / canopy / entomologist / bug zapper / mate / forage / predator
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. LIGHTS OUT: Students A strongly believe we should turn off lights at night to help protect nocturnal insects; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. INSECT SAYINGS: What do these sayings mean? Do they have any relevance to your life? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Meaning	Your Life
Social butterfly
To be a fly on the wall
Snug as a bug in a rug
A can of worms
Bugbear
The birds and the bees

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. MOTH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "moth". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. NOCTURNAL: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about being a night owl at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Life is quieter
Get more work done
Empty streets
Off-peak electricity
No sunburn
Avoid rush hours
Seeing the stars
Avoid people

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	prehistoric	a.	Relating to or denoting the period before written records.
2.	ancestors	b.	Done, occurring, or active at night.
3.	flame	c.	A person, typically one more remote than a grandparent, from whom one is descended.
4.	dispel	d.	The relative position or direction of something.
5.	orientation	e.	A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by something on fire.
6.	nocturnal	f.	Make a doubt, feeling, or belief disappear.
7.	speculation	g.	The forming of a theory or idea without firm evidence.

Paragraph 2

8.	creature	h.	In a way that prevents success or development; harmfully or unfavourably.
9.	navigate	i.	An electronic device used for killing insects.
10.	erratic	j.	An animal, as distinct from a human being.
11.	zapper	k.	Of a person or animal searching widely for food.
12.	adversely	l.	Of an animal finding its way.
13.	forage	m.	An animal that naturally hunts and kills others.
14.	predator	n.	Not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.

Before reading / listening

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

In prehistoric times, our ancestors buzzed around fires. T / F
There is a saying in English that goes, "Like a flame to a moth". T / F
Scientists say insects do not fly to light because they like the light. T / F
Scientists say artificial light can be deadly for nocturnal insects. T / F
Scientists put artificial lights in a tent in a Costa Rica rainforest. T / F
Nocturnal insects use the sun to navigate while flying. T / F
The light from bug zappers entice bugs to their death. T / F
Artificial light makes it difficult for insects to protect themselves against predators. T / F

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

ancestors
dispels
notion
fatal
speculations
conducted
artificial
erratic
adversely
forage

carried out
unpredictable
theorizing
hunt
belief
negatively
predecessors
synthetic
dismisses
deadly

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

In prehistoric
our ancestors questioned why winged
a recent study dispels the
it helps with their orientation
nocturnal bugs
They installed artificial lights
navigate by the moon
erratic
many insects fly to their death
forage

patterns of flight
when in flight
under the canopy
times
into bug zappers
like moths and mosquitos
insects buzzed around fire
for food
to fly in straight lines
long-believed notion

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

notion
flight
wrong
fatal
prehistoric
drawn
flame
nocturnal

Everyone knows that light attracts insects. In (1) _____________________ times, our ancestors questioned why winged insects buzzed around fire. An old saying describes this attraction as being, "like a moth to a (2) _____________________". However, a recent study dispels the long-believed (3) _____________________ that insects head towards light because they like it. Biologists at Imperial College London have reported that insects are (4) _____________________ to light because it helps with their orientation when in (5) _____________________. The scientists said artificial light actually disorients (6) _____________________ bugs like moths and mosquitos, often to (7) _____________________ ends. Jamie Theobald, co-author of the study, said all our speculations about why insects fly toward light "might have been (8) _____________________".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

navigate
sources
conducted
predators
observed
forage
erratic
zappers

The scientists (9) _____________________ their research in a rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed artificial lights under the canopy and (10) _____________________ the creatures' flying behaviour. Insects usually (11) _____________________ by the moon to fly in straight lines. However, around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and (12) _____________________ patterns of flight. An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial (13) _____________________ …can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect." This explains why so many insects fly to their death into bug (14) _____________________. Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, (15) _____________________ for food, and defend itself against (16) _____________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) light attracts insects. In prehistoric times, our ______
     a. ancestor questioned why
     b. ancestors question why
     c. ancestors questioned why
     d. ancestors questioned what
2) An old saying describes this attraction as being, "like a moth ______"
     a. to aflame
     b. to a frame
     c. tour flame
     d. to a flame
3) Biologists at Imperial College London have reported that insects are ______
     a. drawn to light
     b. drown to light
     c. draw into light
     d. draw unto light
4) The scientists said artificial light actually ______
     a. disorients nocturne all bugs
     b. disorient nocturnal bugs
     c. disorients nocturnal bugs
   d. disorient nocturne all bugs
5) Jamie Theobald, co-author of the study, said all our ______
     a. speculations abut why
     b. speculations abet why
     c. speculations abbot why
     d. speculations about why

6) They installed artificial lights under the canopy and observed the ______
     a. creatures frying behaviour
     b. creatures' flying behaviour
     c. creature's flying behaviour
     d. creatures' frying behaviour
7) around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs ______
     a. and erratic patterns
     b. and erotic patterns
     c. and heretic patterns
     d. and error tick patterns
8) An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps ______"
     a. main train prosper flight
     b. maintainer proper flight
     c. maintain prosper flight
     d. maintain proper flight
9) Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and ______
     a. entrap an insect
     b. strap an insect
     c. trap an insect
     d. trapse an insect
10) Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, ______
     a. voyage for food
     b. forage for food
     c. porridge for food
     d. courage for food

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Everyone knows that (1) ____________________. In prehistoric times, our ancestors questioned why (2) ____________________ around fire. An old saying describes this (3) ____________________, "like a moth to a flame". However, a recent study dispels the (4) ____________________ that insects head towards light because they like it. Biologists at Imperial College London have reported that insects are drawn to light because it helps with their (5) ____________________ flight. The scientists said artificial light actually disorients nocturnal bugs like moths and mosquitos, often (6) ____________________. Jamie Theobald, co-author of the study, said all our speculations about why insects fly toward light "might have been wrong".

The scientists conducted their research in a rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed artificial lights under the (7) ____________________ the creatures' flying behaviour. Insects usually (8) ____________________ moon to fly in straight lines. However, around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made (9) ____________________ patterns of flight. An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce (10) ____________________ the light and trap an insect." This explains why so many insects fly to their death (11) ____________________. Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

When did our ancestors ask why fire attracted moths?
What old saying did the article mention?
Which university carried out this study?
What did the scientists say light helped insects with?
What did the scientists say artificial light disorientates?
Where did the scientists carry out their research?
What do insects usually use to navigate?
What kind of flight patterns do insects make around artificial light?
What do insects fly into that results in their death?
What does artificial light make it difficult for insects to forage for?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When did our ancestors ask why fire attracted moths?
a) in the Middle Ages
b) in prehistoric times
c) two millennia ago
d) 1832
2) What old saying did the article mention?
a) butterflies in your stomach
b) can of worms
c) snug as a bug in a rug
d) like a moth to a flame
3) Which university carried out this study?
a) Oxford University
b) Cambridge University
c) Imperial College London
d) UCLA
4) What did the scientists say light helped insects with?
a) their orientation
b) finding food
c) seeing other moths
d) avoiding spiderwebs
5) What did the scientists say artificial light disorientates?
a) drivers
b) nocturnal bugs
c) worms
d) night owls

6) Where did the scientists carry out their research?
a) Costa Rica
b) Cuba
c) Belize
d) California
7) What do insects usually use to navigate?
a) electric currents
b) gravity
c) the moon
d) the wind
8) What kind of flight patterns do insects make around artificial light?
a) erratic patterns
b) holding patterns
c) direct patterns
d) beautiful patterns
9) What do insects fly into that results in their death?
a) electricity lines
b) other insects
c) wifi towers
d) bug zappers
10) What does artificial light make it difficult for insects to forage for?
a) worms
b) mates
c) food
d) predators

Role play

Role A – Life Is Quieter
You think life being quieter is the best thing about being a night owl. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these things about being nocturnal (and why): empty streets, off-peak electricity or seeing the stars.

Role B – Empty Streets
You think empty streets are the best thing about being a night owl. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these things about being nocturnal (and why): life being quieter, off-peak electricity or seeing the stars.

Role C – Off-peak Electricity
You think off-peak electricity is the best thing about being a night owl. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these things about being nocturnal (and why): empty streets, life being quieter or seeing the stars.

Role D – See the Stars
You think seeing the stars is the best thing about being a night owl. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these things about being nocturnal (and why): empty streets, off-peak electricity or life being quieter.

After reading / listening

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

'light'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'insect'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

everyone

old

recent

drawn

nocturnal

wrong

canopy

observed

straight

proper

death

mate

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 - Light and Insects

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'artificial light'?
What do you think of artificial light?
What are the good and bad things about artificial light?
Do you prefer artificial or natural light?
How bad is light pollution?
What do you think of moths?
What do you think when you see moths buzzing around lights?
What nocturnal creatures do you like?
How nocturnal are you?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'insect'?
What do you think about what you read?
Would you like to do research in a Costa Rican rainforest?
When was the last time you were confused?
Would you like to be an entomologist?
What do you think of bug zappers?
How does artificial light adversely affect nocturnal insects?
What can we do to help nocturnal insects?
What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

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)

Everyone knows that light (1) ____ insects. In prehistoric times, our ancestors questioned why (2) ____ insects buzzed around fire. An old saying describes this attraction as being, "like a moth to a flame". However, a recent study (3) ____ the long-believed notion that insects head towards light because they like it. Biologists at Imperial College London have reported that insects are drawn (4) ____ light because it helps with their orientation when in flight. The scientists said artificial light actually (5) ____ nocturnal bugs like moths and mosquitos, often to fatal ends. Jamie Theobald, co-author of the study, said all our speculations about why insects fly (6) ____ light "might have been wrong".

The scientists conducted their research (7) ____ a rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed artificial lights under the (8) ____ and observed the creatures' flying behaviour. Insects usually navigate by the moon to fly (9) ____ straight lines. However, around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and (10) ____ patterns of flight. An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect." This explains why so many insects fly to their death into bug (11) ____. Artificial light adversely affects an insect's ability to find a mate, (12) ____ for food, and defend itself against predators.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) attacks (b) detracts (c) infects (d) attracts
(a) winging (b) whinging (c) singed (d) winged
(a) spells (b) dispels (c) exhales (d) inhales
(a) up (b) of (c) to (d) in
(a) disorients (b) orients (c) reorients (d) oriental
(a) toward (b) up (c) of (d) at
(a) to (b) on (c) up (d) in
(a) canopy (b) canape (c) cantaloupe (d) panoply
(a) up (b) in (c) at (d) of
(a) erotic (b) exotic (c) erratic (d) elastic
(a) zippers (b) lappers (c) zappers (d) mappers
(a) secure (b) forage (c) deal (d) negotiate

Spelling

Paragraph 1

In eiprosctrih times
our ocaetssnr questioned why
bltogossii at Imperial College London
it helps with their aerootninit
light actually disorients uotnlnrac bugs
all our oaelstnipcus

Paragraph 2

They installed riiatfilca lights
under the yaconp
ercarit patterns of flight
bug ezarspp
light aervedysl affects an insect's ability
defend itself against dteprosar

Put the text back together

(...)   actually disorients nocturnal bugs like moths and mosquitos, often to fatal ends. Jamie Theobald,
(...)   The scientists conducted their research in a rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed artificial lights under the
(...)   to a flame". However, a recent study dispels the long-believed notion that insects head
(...)   reported that insects are drawn to light because it helps with their orientation when in flight. The scientists said artificial light
(.1..) Everyone knows that light attracts insects. In prehistoric times, our ancestors questioned why winged
(...)   sources…can produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect." This explains
(...)   towards light because they like it. Biologists at Imperial College London have
(...)   in straight lines. However, around the artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and erratic
(...)   co-author of the study, said all our speculations about why insects fly toward light "might have been wrong".
(...)   canopy and observed the creatures' flying behaviour. Insects usually navigate by the moon to fly
(...)   patterns of flight. An entomologist said: "Natural sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial
(...)   affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself against predators.
(...)   insects buzzed around fire. An old saying describes this attraction as being, "like a moth
(...)   why so many insects fly to their death into bug zappers. Artificial light adversely

Put the words in the right order

our In prehistoric why . ancestors questioned times,
study the dispels However, long-believed recent notion . a
orientation their helps with when flight . It in
nocturnal disorients actually light moths . like Artificial bugs
speculations insects about Our light . fly toward why
a conducted their in research scientists rainforest . The
lights canopy . installed under the artificial They
to navigate Insects the moon usually by fly .
into death zappers . Insects fly to bug their
insect's find ability a Affects an to mate .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Everyone knows that light attacks / attracts insects. In prehistoric times, our ancestors questioned why winged / winging insects buzzed around fire. An old saying describes this attraction as been / being, "like a moth to a flame". However, a recent study dispels / spells the long-believed notion that insects head / back towards light because they like it. Biologists at Imperial College London have reported that insects are drawing / drawn to light because it helps with their orientation when on / in flight. The scientists said artificial light actually disorients nocturnal bugs similar / like moths and mosquitos, often to fatal mends / ends. Jamie Theobald, co-author of the study, said all our speculations about thus / why insects fly toward light "might have been wrong".

The scientists conducted their research in / on a rainforest in Costa Rica. They installed artificial lights lower / under the canopy and observed the creatures' flying behaviour. Insects usually navigate by / to the moon to fly in straight lines. However, around the / them artificial lights, the bugs became confused and made arcs and erotic / erratic patterns of flight. An entomologist said: "Natural / Naturally sky light…helps maintain proper flight….Artificial sources…can produce continuous steering around / abound the light and trap an insect." This explains why / what so many insects fly to their death into bug zappers. Artificial light adversely effects / affects an insect's ability to find a mate, forage for food, and defend itself / himself against predators.

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)

_v_ry_n_ kn_ws th_t l_ght _ttr_cts _ns_cts. _n pr_h_st_r_c t_m_s, __r _nc_st_rs q__st__n_d why w_ng_d _ns_cts b_zz_d _r__nd f_r_. _n _ld s_y_ng d_scr_b_s th_s _ttr_ct__n _s b__ng, "l_k_ _ m_th t_ _ fl_m_". H_w_v_r, _ r_c_nt st_dy d_sp_ls th_ l_ng-b_l__v_d n_t__n th_t _ns_cts h__d t_w_rds l_ght b_c__s_ th_y l_k_ _t. B__l_g_sts _t _mp_r__l C_ll_g_ L_nd_n h_v_ r_p_rt_d th_t _ns_cts _r_ dr_wn t_ l_ght b_c__s_ _t h_lps w_th th__r _r__nt_t__n wh_n _n fl_ght. Th_ sc__nt_sts s__d _rt_f_c__l l_ght _ct__lly d_s_r__nts n_ct_rn_l b_gs l_k_ m_ths _nd m_sq__t_s, _ft_n t_ f_t_l _nds. J_m__ Th__b_ld, c_-__th_r _f th_ st_dy, s__d _ll __r sp_c_l_t__ns _b__t why _ns_cts fly t_w_rd l_ght "m_ght h_v_ b__n wr_ng".

Th_ sc__nt_sts c_nd_ct_d th__r r_s__rch _n _ r__nf_r_st _n C_st_ R_c_. Th_y _nst_ll_d _rt_f_c__l l_ghts _nd_r th_ c_n_py _nd _bs_rv_d th_ cr__t_r_s' fly_ng b_h_v___r. _ns_cts _s__lly n_v_g_t_ by th_ m__n t_ fly _n str__ght l_n_s. H_w_v_r, _r__nd th_ _rt_f_c__l l_ghts, th_ b_gs b_c_m_ c_nf_s_d _nd m_d_ _rcs _nd _rr_t_c p_tt_rns _f fl_ght. _n _nt_m_l_g_st s__d: "N_t_r_l sky l_ght…h_lps m__nt__n pr_p_r fl_ght…._rt_f_c__l s__rc_s…c_n pr_d_c_ c_nt_n___s st__r_ng _r__nd th_ l_ght _nd tr_p _n _ns_ct." Th_s _xpl__ns why s_ m_ny _ns_cts fly t_ th__r d__th _nt_ b_g z_pp_rs. _rt_f_c__l l_ght _dv_rs_ly _ff_cts _n _ns_ct's _b_l_ty t_ f_nd _ m_t_, f_r_g_ f_r f__d, _nd d_f_nd _ts_lf _g__nst pr_d_t_rs.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

everyone knows that light attracts insects in prehistoric times our ancestors questioned why winged insects buzzed around fire an old saying describes this attraction as being like a moth to a flame however a recent study dispels the longbelieved notion that insects head towards light because they like it biologists at imperial college london have reported that insects are drawn to light because it helps with their orientation when in flight the scientists said artificial light actually disorients nocturnal bugs like moths and mosquitos often to fatal ends jamie theobald coauthor of the study said all our speculations about why insects fly toward light might have been wrong

the scientists conducted their research in a rainforest in costa rica they installed artificial lights under the canopy and observed the creatures flying behaviour insects usually navigate by the moon to fly in straight lines however around the artificial lights the bugs became confused and made arcs and erratic patterns of flight an entomologist said natural sky lighthelps maintain proper flightartificial sourcescan produce continuous steering around the light and trap an insect this explains why so many insects fly to their death into bug zappers artificial light adversely affects an insects ability to find a mate forage for food and defend itself against predators

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Everyoneknowsthatlightattractsinsects.Inprehistorictimes,ourance
storsquestionedwhywingedinsectsbuzzedaroundfire.Anoldsayingde
scribesthisattractionasbeing,"likeamothtoaflame".However,arecen
tstudydispelsthelong-believednotionthatinsectsheadtowardslightb
ecausetheylikeit.BiologistsatImperialCollegeLondonhavereportedt
hatinsectsaredrawntolightbecauseithelpswiththeirorientationwheni
nflight.Thescientistssaidartificiallightactuallydisorientsnocturnalbu
gslikemothsandmosquitos,oftentofatalends.JamieTheobald,co-aut
horofthestudy,saidallourspeculationsaboutwhyinsectsflytowardligh
t"mighthavebeenwrong".Thescientistsconductedtheirresearchinara
inforestinCostaRica.Theyinstalledartificiallightsunderthecanopyand
observedthecreatures'flyingbehaviour.Insectsusuallynavigatebyth
emoontoflyinstraightlines.However,aroundtheartificiallights,thebu
gsbecameconfusedandmadearcsanderraticpatternsofflight.Anento
mologistsaid:"Naturalskylight…helpsmaintainproperflight….Artifici
alsources…canproducecontinuoussteeringaroundthelightandtrapan
insect."Thisexplainswhysomanyinsectsflytotheirdeathintobugzapp
ers.Artificiallightadverselyaffectsaninsect'sabilitytofindamate,forag
eforfood,anddefenditselfagainstpredators.

Free writing

Write about light attracts insects for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We should turn off lights at night to help nocturnal insects survive. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. NOCTURNAL INSECTS: Make a poster about nocturnal insects. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. LIGHTS OUT: Write a magazine article about turning off lights at night to help nocturnal insects survive. 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 nocturnal insects. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to help 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

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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Breaking News English Lesson: Light and Insects

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