Can Animals predict Earthquakes?
Dear Scientist Sam,
I noticed my dog acting very nervous only a few minutes before a recent earthquake shook the house. Is it possible that my dog knew the earthquake was going to happen?
Janet Sam’s reply:
Well, Janet, people have believed for many centuries that animals can predict earthquakes. In fact, we can look back to records from the ancient Greeks. They noticed that animals acted oddly in the hours before earthquakes. Even now, people talk about dogs that won’t stop barking and cats that won’t come out of hiding before an earthquake. Furthermore, strange behaviour like this before earthquakes isn’t limited to pets. People have also reported seeing chicken stop laying eggs, bees leaving their homes, and big groups of fish dying mysteriously in the hours before a natural disaster hits.
It’s hard to answer your question, since not all seismologists or animal experts agree that animals can predict earthquakes. Those that disagree claim that we should take into account other things that affect animal behaviour, such as hunger. On the other hand, many people who believe that animals can predict earthquakes often have records of very strange animal behaviour right before the ground shakes.
To them, this is evidence that animals can indeed predict earthquakes.
In short, the truth is that we aren't sure. Animals might be able to sense earthquakes before they happen, but there is no solid evidence that they can. However, one thing that most seismologists can agree on is that more research is needed. Animals may be the key to predicting earthquakes before they happen, and could help save many lives.
(Adapted from Scope) 1. Janet wrote to Scientist Sam to find out _____________.
A. how and why earthquakes happen B. the history of animals and earthquakes C. if animals can predict earthquakes
D. if her dog was sick because his acting was nervous
2. According to the passage, which of these statements is correct?
A. People have always believed that animals can predict earthquakes.
B. People believe that animals can be trained to predict earthquakes.
C. People have only recently believed animals can predict earthquakes.
D. People believe that scientists should research the matter more.
3. Which of these is NOT a reason that Scientist Sam cannot really answer Janet’s question?
A. People have different opinions on the issue.
B. He personally does not believe animals can predict earthquakes.
C. There is not enough evidence to prove anything.
D. There is no evidence that animals can predict earthquakes.
4. Seismologists all agree that _____________.
A. animals cannot predict earthquakes B. there is not enough research on this topic
C. we can understand earthquakes by researching animal D. we cannot give the correct answer to that question 5. Which of the following statements is true?
A. Only pets would have strange behaviours before earthquakes.
B. The ancient Greeks kept dogs and cats to predict earthquakes.
C. Several animals except pets also have strange behaviours.
D. Animals can predict earthquakes just after they happen.
6. People who do not believe that animals can predict earthquakes think that _____________.
A. animals can act strangely for different reasons
B. strange behaviours happen in hours before an earthquake
C. it might be a hoax that animals had strange behaviours before earthquakes D. all other people agree with them about that
7. The word “them” in paragraph 2 refers to _____________.
A. people who think animals can predict earthquakes B. people who don’t think animals can predict earthquakes
C. the records of strange behaviours of animals before earthquakes D. scientists who will research the matter in the near future
8. The tone of the reply is _____________.
A. neutral B. subjective C. humourous D. professional V. Read the following passage and choose the correct answer for each question.
The Incredible Dolphin
Many people say dolphins are intelligent. They seem to be able to think, understand, and learn things quickly. But are they as smart as humans, or are they more like cats and dogs? Dolphins use the brains quite differently from the way humans do. But scientists say dolphins and humans are alike in some ways.
Like humans, every dolphin has its own “name.” The name is a special whistle. Each dolphin chooses a specific whistle for itself, usually by its first birthday. Dolphins are like people in other ways, too. They
“talk” to each other about a lot of things - such as their age, their feelings, and finding food. They also use a system of sounds and body language to communicate. Understanding dolphin conversation is not easy for humans. No one “speaks dolphin” yet, but some scientists are trying to learn.
Dolphins are also social animals. They live in groups called pods, and they often join others from different pods to play games and have fun - just like people. Scientists believe playing together is something only intelligent animals do.
Dolphins and humans are similar in another way: both species make plans for getting things they want. In the seas of southern Brazil, for example, dolphins use an intelligent strategy to get food. When there are fish near a boat, dolphins signal to the fishermen to put their nets in the water. Using this method, the men can catch a lot of fish. Why do dolphins assist the men? There is an advantage for them: they get to eat some of the fish that escape from the net.
(Adapted from Active) 1. Dolphins are social animals because they _____________.
A. communicate with people for fun B. often travel with others in a group
C. are intelligent enough to play games together D. play games and have fun like people
2. All of the following are the ways to tell if an animal is intelligent EXCEPT that _____________.
A. it can know how to do things in advance B. it can hold entertainment activities
C. it can have ways to communicate with each other D. it can get fish in the fishermen’s net
3. What does the reading NOT mention?
A. how dolphins communicate with each other B. how dolphins play games and have fun C. how dolphins work together as a team D. how dolphins move quickly through the water 4. Where does a dolphin get its “name”?
A. It gets it from its mother. B. It gets it from scientists.
C. It chooses it for itself. D. No one knows.
5. Which sentence about dolphin language is true?
A. Dolphins “talk” to each other about many things.
B. Dolphins whistle, but they don’t use body language.
C. Dolphin conversation is easy for humans to understand.
D. Dolphins don’t “talk’ about their feelings.
6. Which sentence about dolphins and humans is NOT true?
A. Dolphins and humans use their brains in the same way.
B. Dolphins and humans play games in groups.
C. Dolphins and humans plan ways to do things.
D. Dolphins and humans communicate their feelings.
7. The word “others” in paragraph 3 refers to other _____________.
A. pods B. people C. dolphins D. games 8. Why do dolphins sometimes help fishermen?
A. Dolphins are kind animals.
B. The dolphins can get food that way.
C. The dolphins are scared of humans.
D. The fishermen ask the dolphins for help.
E. Speaking
• Talking about threats to flora and fauna and how to protect them
I. The students (Lan, Nick and Phong) are talking about the threats to plants and animals and how we can do to protect them. Use the provided cues to complete their conversation. You can use some extra phrases and expressions to make the conversation meaningful.
Lan: - many threats to plants and animals
- face habitat destruction, also known as habitat loss - human activities: a major role in habitat destruction
There are many threats to plants and animals. First, they _______________________________
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Nick: the increasing demand for forest products: humans cut down forests in large quantities, causing deforestation
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Phong: - pollution: a major danger to biodiversity, affecting a variety of ecosystems
- water pollution (chemicals, fertilizers, and plastics): an impact on aquatic ecosystems
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Lan: pesticides and heavy metals: the soil polluted and unable to support growing plants
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Nick: sea levels: rising (climate change), harm coastal habitats and the organisms (rely on them) _____________________________________________________________________________
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Phong: - the government: maintain nature reserves and national parks
- national parks: protect wildlife in their natural habitat; also protect endangered species _____________________________________________________________________________
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Lan: hold campaigns: call on the community to participate in planting, protecting green trees _____________________________________________________________________________
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Nick: the campaign: raise public awareness in creating a green, clean, beautiful environment
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Phong: contribute to the national project “Growing I billion trees in the coming years”
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• Everyday English: Persuading someone to do something and responding II. Read the conversation and underline the expressions of persuading and responding.
A: What’s up? Are you OK?
B: No, not really. It’s my job. I’m not enjoying it and I didn’t get the promotion.
A: Why don’t you talk to your boss and ask for his advice?
B: I tried. He’s not very helpful. He said he was busy and didn’t have time to talk.
A: Well, you need to try again. You should tell him it’s important.
B: I don’t see the point. He gave the promotion to Sam, my colleague.
A: If I were you, I’d look for another job. Why don’t we look online at vacancies and get some ideas?
B: That sounds great. Thanks for listening to me.
III. Fill in each blank in the following conversations with the appropriate phrases given below.
Why don't we OK, let not That sounds great What should we do Let's invite Let's not make a noise I suggest going What do you suggest for 1. A: _________________________ our friends to our party.
B: _________________________.
2. A: _________________________.
B: _________________________. Our neighbours are sleeping.
3. A: _________________________ the next holiday?
B: _________________________ on a trip.
A: That sounds great.
4. A: _________________________ this afternoon? We have nothing to do.
B: _________________________ play some basketball?
IV. Match the sentences in column A and B to make meaningful exchanges.
1. It’s cold here in the park. _____ A. Why don’t you tidy it?
2. I don’t feel very well. _____ B. Shall I answer it?
3. This house is a mess! _____ C. Shall I help you?
4. We need one more person. _____ D. How about going to my house?
5. It’s Jack’s birthday tomorrow. _____ E. Shall we go home?
6. I don’t like this party. _____ F. Why don’t you go to the doctor?
7. We’re late for the theatre. _____ G. Let’s buy him a present.
8. I’m very hungry. _____ H. How about calling Mai?
9. I can hear the phone. _____ I. Let’s take a taxi.
10. I’m going to cook dinner. _____ J. Why don’t you eat this sandwich?