Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. wildlife
    • ex. The national park is home to many wildlife, like deer, birds, and rabbits.
  2. dehydration
    • ex. Sports players drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.
  3. heatstroke
    • ex. During summer, a lot of people are brought to the hospital because of heatstroke.
  4. a rescuer
    • ex. After the earthquake, rescuers arrived quickly to help those in need.
  5. stabilize
    • ex. The doctor gave the patient medicine to stabilize her condition.

Article

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

Font size

Mexican wildlife, including birds and monkeys, is suffering because of a heat wave and lack of rain. Mexico’s Environment Department reported that more than 250 howler monkeys had died as of May 31. And tests on these monkeys show that they experienced dehydration and heatstroke. In addition, rescuers are finding birds lying on the ground.

So how are the government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) addressing the problem? They are busy rescuing animals. For example, the government is giving frozen meat to animals in some national zoos. Animal parks are setting up air conditioners in rooms for birds like eagles and owls. Moreover, some NGOs go to forests to stabilize sick monkeys. Sadly, it’s usually too late to save most of the animals they find.

Despite these issues, Mexico’s new president offered some hope. Claudia Sheinbaum, an environmental scientist, is the nation’s new president. She hopes to address the problems of Mexico’s wildlife as she starts working on October 1. She wrote on Instagram, “I have spent my whole life studying the environment, it is part of my cause.”

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Wildlife and the Hot Weather

  • Mexican wildlife is suffering because of a heat wave. And the government and NGOs are busy rescuing animals. Why do you think the government and NGOs are doing so? Discuss.
  • Some NGOs are also rescuing animals. In your opinion, what kind of help or support do NGOs need from the government (ex. financial support, food and supplies)? Discuss.
  • In your country, how is the wildlife affected by the climate (ex. the wildlife is suffering from forest fires)? Discuss.

Heat Waves

  • In your opinion, is extreme heat a huge problem in your country? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what could be the impact of a severe heat wave (ex. heatstroke in animals and humans)? Discuss.
  • Mexico’s new president is an environmental scientist. And she said the environment is part of her cause. Do you think a country’s leader should prioritize the environment? Why or why not? Discuss.