Listening

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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. decline
    • ex. Tourism was in decline during the lockdown.
  2. an environment
    • ex. Most plants can survive in different environments.
  3. a habitat
    • ex. Forests are a natural habitat for a lot of wild animals.
  4. migration
    • ex. Many scientists study animal migration to know more about the animals’ behavior.
  5. conserve
    • ex. The organization proposed a new way to conserve wild animals.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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A new United Nations report says that nearly half of the world’s migratory species are in decline. When the season changes, migratory animals move to different environments. And according to the report, these animals are in danger of habitat loss, illegal hunting and fishing, pollution, and climate change. About 44% of migratory species worldwide are decreasing in population. More than a fifth of the nearly 1,200 species the U.N. watches may die.

Kelly Malsch, author of the report, said that migration is important to migratory animals so they can eat and produce baby animals. And the dangers at any point of the migratory animals’ journey can lead to decreasing populations. A scientist from Duke University said that if migration is stopped, it is going to kill the species.

Following the report, members of the U.N. plan to discuss strategies to conserve the migratory animals. In addition, they will consider whether new species should be added to the list of animals that are in danger. Susan Lieberman, vice president of the organization Wildlife Conservation Society said, “One country alone cannot save any of these species.”

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Conserving Our Environment

  • Do you think it’s important to conserve our environment? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think your country is helping conserve our environment? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what part of the environment should we focus on conserving (ex. water, animals)? Discuss.

Animals and Other Species That are in Decline

  • The U.N. report says that nearly half of the world’s migratory species are in decline. How does this report make you feel (ex. worried, I’m not concerned)? Discuss.
  • The animals are in danger because of habitat loss, illegal hunting and fishing, pollution, and climate change. Which of these do you think is the biggest problem? Discuss.
  • Susan Lieberman said, “One country alone cannot save any of these species.” What do you think this means? Discuss.