The Reading / Listening - Antarctic Icefish - Level 6

Scientists in Antarctica have made a surprising and welcome discovery – the world's largest breeding ground for fish. Researchers from Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research came across the fish while mapping the seabed of the Antarctic Weddell Sea. They discovered schools of around 60 million icefish breeding in an area roughly 240 square kilometers in size. The research team had been towing a number of cameras to a depth of 530 metres under the Weddell Sea for months. Deep-sea biologist Autun Purser commented on the find. He said: "The idea that such a huge breeding area of icefish in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered is totally fascinating."

The researchers have been exploring the region hoping to establish it as an official Marine Protected Area. They say the seas are a unique habitat that must be preserved. They want to prevent fishing and invasive research to keep the waters as pristine as possible. A recent University of Cambridge study found that fishing trawlers in Antarctica are bringing millions of "hitch-hiking" species from 1,500 ports around the globe. These are threatening the area's fragile eco-systems. A researcher said: "So far, the remoteness and difficult sea-ice conditions of this southernmost area…have protected it, but...we should be much more ambitious with marine conservation."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Antarctic Icefish - Level 4  or  Antarctic Icefish - Level 5

Sources
  • https://scitechdaily.com/spectacular-discovery-in-antarctica-massive-icefish-breeding-colony-with-60-million-nests/
  • https://www.cnet.com/news/scientists-in-disbelief-over-discovery-of-worlds-largest-fish-breeding-area/
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/13/world/icefish-colony-discovery-scn/index.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. ANTARCTICA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Antarctica. 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?
       scientists / discovery / breeding / fish / seabed / cameras / biologist / fascinating /
       exploring / official / habitat / fishing / globe / eco-systems / conditions / conservation
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. FISHING BAN: Students A strongly believe there should be a fishing ban in Antarctica; Students B strongly believe there shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. REGIONS: What do you know about these regions? What would you like to do there? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Would Want to Do

Antarctica

 

 

The Arctic

 

 

The Amazon

 

 

The Sahara

 

 

The Himalayas

 

 

The Serengeti

 

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

  • Icefish
  • Penguins
  • Seals
  • Killer whales
  • Albatross
  • Silverfish
  • Krill
  • Squid

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. welcome a. An expert in or student of the branch of science concerning living organisms.
      2. breeding b. Extremely interesting.
      3. mapping c. Very pleasing, needed or desired.
      4. towing d. The mating and production of offspring by animals.
      5. biologist e. Pull something behind.
      6. previously f. At an earlier time; before.
      7. fascinating g. Recording in detail the area of something.

    Paragraph 2

      8. exploring h. In its original condition; unspoilt.
      9. establish i. Tending to spread very quickly and undesirably or harmfully.
      10. unique j. Maintain something in its original or existing state.
      11. preserved k. Travelling through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it.
      12. invasive l. Relating to or found in the sea.
      13. pristine m. Set up on a firm or permanent basis.
      14. marine n. Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says the fish breeding discovery wasn't a welcome one.     T / F
  2. Scientists were mapping an ice shelf when they made the discovery.     T / F
  3. The scientists found around 60 million icefish in the breeding ground.     T / F
  4. A scientist was surprised the breeding ground wasn't found earlier.     T / F
  5. Researchers want to protect the breeding ground area.     T / F
  6. Fishing boats are bringing invasive species to Antarctica.     T / F
  7. Invasive species are enhancing Antarctica's eco-systems.     T / F
  8. A scientist said Antarctica's remoteness helps to protect it.     T / F

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

  1. welcome
  2. came across
  3. roughly
  4. towing
  5. fascinating
  6. exploring
  7. habitat
  8. pristine
  9. fragile
  10. ambitious
  1. investigating
  2. pulling
  3. determined
  4. discovered
  5. immaculate
  6. breakable
  7. pleasing
  8. engrossing
  9. natural environment
  10. approximately

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

  1. made a surprising and welcome
  2. while mapping
  3. towing a number
  4. such a huge breeding
  5. totally
  6. The researchers have been
  7. keep the waters as
  8. from 1,500 ports
  9. threatening the area's
  10. marine
  1. exploring the region
  2. conservation
  3. fascinating
  4. fragile eco-systems
  5. area of icefish
  6. around the globe
  7. discovery
  8. pristine as possible
  9. the seabed
  10. of cameras

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
across
biologist
totally
roughly
depth
welcome
huge
towing

Scientists in Antarctica have made a surprising and (1) _____________________ discovery - the world's largest breeding ground for fish. Researchers from Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research came (2) _____________________ the fish while mapping the seabed of the Antarctic Weddell Sea. They discovered schools of around 60 million icefish breeding in an area (3) _____________________ 240 square kilometers in size. The research team had been (4) _____________________ a number of cameras to a (5) _____________________ of 530 metres under the Weddell Sea for months. Deep-sea (6) _____________________ Autun Purser commented on the find. He said: "The idea that such a (7) _____________________ breeding area of icefish in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered is (8) _____________________ fascinating."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
trawlers
region
marine
globe
preserved
pristine
remoteness
official

The researchers have been exploring the (9) _____________________ hoping to establish it as an (10) _____________________ Marine Protected Area. They say the seas are a unique habitat that must be (11) _____________________. They want to prevent fishing and invasive research to keep the waters as (12) _____________________ as possible. A recent University of Cambridge study found that fishing (13) _____________________ in Antarctica are bringing millions of "hitch-hiking" species from 1,500 ports around the (14) _____________________. These are threatening the area's fragile eco-systems. A researcher said: "So far, the (15) _____________________ and difficult sea-ice conditions of this southernmost area...have protected it, but...we should be much more ambitious with (16) _____________________ conservation."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Scientists in Antarctica have made a surprising ______
     a.  and welcomed discovery
     b.  and welcome discovery
     c.  and welcomes discovery
     d.  and welcoming discovery
2)  schools of around 60 million icefish breeding in an area roughly ______
     a.  240 square kilometers
     b.  240 circular kilometers
     c.  240 rectangular kilometers
     d.  240 triangular kilometers
3)  The research team had been towing a number of cameras to a ______ metres
     a.  deep of 530
     b.  deepen of 530
     c.  deep of 530
     d.  depth of 530
4)  He said: "The idea that such a huge breeding ______
     a.  arena of icefish
     b.  aerial of icefish
     c.  aura of icefish
     d.  area of icefish
5)  in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered ______
     a.  is totally fascination
     b.  is totally fascinate tin
     c.  is totally fascinating
     d.  is totally fascinator

6)  The researchers have been exploring the region hoping to establish it ______
     a.  as an officials
     b.  as an officially
     c.  as an official
     d.  as an officialdom
7)  They say the seas are a unique habitat that ______
     a.  must been preserved
     b.  must be preserved
     c.  must being preserved
     d.  must beep preserved
8)  found that fishing trawlers in Antarctica are bringing millions of ______
     a.  "hitch-hiking" spurious
     b.  "hitch-hiking" specimens
     c.  "hitch-hiking" specials
     d.  "hitch-hiking" species
9)  A researcher said: "So far, the remoteness and difficult ______
     a.  sea-ice conditions
     b.  sea-ice condition
     c.  sea-ice conditional
     d.  sea-ice conditioning
10)  we should be much more ambitious ______
     a.  with mooring conservation
     b.  with marine conservation
     c.  with marinade conservation
     d.  with marinate conservation

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists in Antarctica have (1) ____________________ and welcome discovery - the world's largest breeding ground for fish. Researchers from Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research came across the fish (2) ____________________ seabed of the Antarctic Weddell Sea. They discovered schools of around 60 million icefish breeding in (3) ____________________ 240 square kilometers in size. The research team had been (4) ____________________ of cameras to a depth of 530 metres under the Weddell Sea for months. (5) ____________________ Autun Purser commented on the find. He said: "The idea that such a huge breeding area of icefish in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered (6) ____________________."

The researchers have been exploring (7) ____________________ to establish it as an official Marine Protected Area. They say the seas are a unique habitat that (8) ____________________. They want to prevent fishing and invasive research to keep the waters as (9) ____________________. A recent University of Cambridge study found that fishing trawlers in Antarctica are (10) ____________________ "hitch-hiking" species from 1,500 ports around the globe. These are threatening the area's fragile eco-systems. A researcher said: "So far, (11) ____________________ difficult sea-ice conditions of this southernmost area...have protected it, but...we should be much (12) ____________________ marine conservation."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of institute do the researchers work at?
  2. What were the researchers mapping when they made their discovery?
  3. How large is the fish breeding ground?
  4. What did the researchers tow?
  5. What is the job of Autun Purser?
  6. What do researchers want to establish the breeding area as?
  7. What did the researchers say the seas in Antarctica were?
  8. What did a Cambridge University study say "hitch-hikes" to Antarctica?
  9. What did a researcher say hitch-hikers were threatening?
  10. What did a researcher say we should be more ambitious about?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What kind of institute do the researchers work at?
a) a fish institute
b) a polar and marine institute
c) a climate change institute
d) an ice institute
2) What were the researchers mapping when they made their discovery?
a) the Southern Hemisphere
b) the Internet
c) icebergs
d) the seabed
3) How large is the fish breeding ground?
a) 240-square kilometres
b) 250-square kilometres
c) 220-square kilometres
d) 260-square kilometres
4) What did the researchers tow?
a) fish
b) small boats
c) cameras
d) the line

5) What is the job of Autun Purser?
a) a journalist
b) a deep-sea biologist
c) a marine archaeologist
d) sailor

6) What do researchers want to establish the breeding area as?
a) a tourist attraction
b) a UNESCO World Heritage site
c) a Marine Protected Area
d) a fishery
7) What did the researchers say the seas in Antarctica were?
a) icy
b) cold
c) home to unique fish
d) a unique habitat
8) What did a Cambridge University study say "hitch-hikes" to Antarctica?
a) millions of species
b) whales
c) backpackers
d) sailors
9) What did a researcher say hitch-hikers were threatening?
a) fragile eco-systems
b) sailors
c) people
d) ice
10) What did a researcher say we should be more ambitious about?
a) the ice shelf
b) marine conservation
c) fish
d) visiting Antarctica

Role play

Role  A – Icefish
You think icefish are the most interesting Antarctic creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their creatures. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): penguins, killer whales or squid.

Role  B – Penguins
You think penguins are the most interesting Antarctic creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their creatures. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): icefish, killer whales or squid.

Role  C – Killer Whales
You think killer whales are the most interesting Antarctic creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their creatures. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): penguins, icefish or squid.

Role  D – Squid
You think squid are the most interesting Antarctic creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their creatures. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): penguins, killer whales or icefish.

After reading / listening

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

'Antarctic'

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

    • and 'fish'.

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

    • • 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:

    • largest
    • mapping
    • 60
    • 530
    • find
    • totally
    • hoping
    • unique
    • waters
    • globe
    • difficult
    • marine

    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 - Antarctic Icefish

    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 'scientists'?
    3. What do you know about Antarctica?
    4. What do you know about icefish?
    5. How has this breeding ground never been found before?
    6. Would you like to visit Antarctica?
    7. Would you like to be a polar researcher?
    8. Why is the Antarctic important?
    9. What's your favourite fish, and why?
    10. How important is this discovery?

    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 'Antarctica'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why should the Antarctic be preserved?
    5. Why is Antarctica so unique?
    6. Should all fishing boats be totally banned from Antarctica?
    7. How might invasive species affect the eco-systems in Antarctica?
    8. Is the North Pole or South Pole more important?
    9. What more can we do to help with marine conservation?
    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)

    Scientists in Antarctica have (1) ____ a surprising and welcome discovery - the world's largest breeding ground for fish. Researchers from Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute for (2) ____ and Marine Research came (3) ____ the fish while mapping the seabed of the Antarctic Weddell Sea. They discovered schools of around 60 million icefish breeding in an area (4) ____ 240 square kilometers in size. The research team had been towing a number of cameras to a (5) ____ of 530 metres under the Weddell Sea for months. Deep-sea biologist Autun Purser commented (6) ____ the find. He said: "The idea that such a huge breeding area of icefish in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered is totally fascinating."

    The researchers have been (7) ____ the region hoping to establish it as an official Marine Protected Area. They say the (8) ____ are a unique habitat that must be preserved. They want to prevent fishing and invasive research to keep the waters as (9) ____ as possible. A recent University of Cambridge study found that fishing (10) ____ in Antarctica are bringing millions of "hitch-hiking" species from 1,500 ports around the globe. These are threatening the area's fragile eco-systems. A researcher said: "So far, the (11) ____ and difficult sea-ice conditions of this southernmost area...have protected it, but...we should be much more ambitious with (12) ____ conservation."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     given     (b)     made     (c)     taken     (d)     done    
    2. (a)     Molar     (b)     Polar     (c)     Solar     (d)     Femur    
    3. (a)     through     (b)     over     (c)     under     (d)     across     
    4. (a)     roughish     (b)     roughly     (c)     roughed     (d)     rough    
    5. (a)     deeps     (b)     deeply     (c)     deepen     (d)     depth    
    6. (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     in     (d)     on    
    7. (a)     exploring     (b)     imploring     (c)     deploring     (d)     imploding    
    8. (a)     seasons     (b)     sea     (c)     seas     (d)     seers    
    9. (a)     preventative     (b)     surety     (c)     endorsed     (d)     pristine    
    10. (a)     trawlers     (b)     distillers     (c)     ogres     (d)     darners    
    11. (a)     remoteness     (b)     prissiness     (c)     ineptitude     (d)     brevity    
    12. (a)     marine     (b)     alluvial     (c)     libertarian     (d)     ensuing

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a surprising and welcome isodevcry
    2. appming the seabed of the Antarctic
    3. woting a number of cameras
    4. Deep-sea giloobits
    5. ipvresyulo undiscovered
    6. totally fsgcainaitn

    Paragraph 2

    1. oxgienrlp the region
    2. the seas are a iunueq habitat
    3. prevent fishing and ivisaevn research
    4. keep the waters as nipsitre as possible
    5. the area's grilfae eco-systems
    6. meniar conservation

    Put the text back together

    (...)  The researchers have been exploring the region hoping to establish it as an official Marine Protected Area. They
    (...)  in Antarctica are bringing millions of "hitch-hiking" species from 1,500 ports around the globe. These are
    (  1  ) Scientists in Antarctica have made a surprising and welcome discovery - the world's largest breeding ground
    (...)  in an area roughly 240 square kilometers in size. The research team had been towing a number
    (...)  in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered is totally fascinating."
    (...)  for fish. Researchers from Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research came
    (...)  research to keep the waters as pristine as possible. A recent University of Cambridge study found that fishing trawlers
    (...)  say the seas are a unique habitat that must be preserved. They want to prevent fishing and invasive
    (...)  and difficult sea-ice conditions of this southernmost area...have protected it,
    (...)  biologist Autun Purser commented on the find. He said: "The idea that such a huge breeding area of icefish
    (...)  threatening the area's fragile eco-systems. A researcher said: "So far, the remoteness
    (...)  but...we should be much more ambitious with marine conservation."
    (...)  of cameras to a depth of 530 metres under the Weddell Sea for months. Deep-sea
    (...)  across the fish while mapping the seabed of the Antarctic Weddell Sea. They discovered schools of around 60 million icefish breeding

    Put the words in the right order

    1. and   discovery   .   made   welcome   surprising   Scientists   a   have
    2. while   across   seabed   .   mapping   Came   the   fish   the
    3. square   in   area   kilometers   roughly   240   An   size   .
    4. had   Researchers   a   cameras   .   been   number   of   towing
    5. a   of   icefish   .   huge   breeding   Such   area
    6. the   region   .   exploring   been   researchers   The   have
    7. unique   a   the   say   They   habitat   .   are   seas
    8. prevent   They   research   .   want   to   fishing   and
    9. are   eco-systems   .   the   area's   These   threatening   fragile
    10. marine   more   ambitious   We   be   should   with   conservation   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

         Scientists in Antarctica have made a surprise / surprising and welcome discovery - the world's largest breed / breeding ground for fish. Researchers from Germany's Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar / Solar and Marine Research came across the fish while mopping / mapping the seabed of the Antarctic Weddell Sea. They discovered schools of / off around 60 million icefish breeding in an area rough / roughly 240 square kilometers in size. The research team had been towing / stowing a number of cameras to a depth of 530 metres under the Weddell Sea for months / month. Deep-sea biologist Autun Purser commented on the fund / find. He said: "The idea that such a huge breeding area of icefish in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered is totally fastening / fascinating."

         The researchers have been exploring the region hoping to / for establish it as an official Marine Protected Area. They say the seas are a uniquely / unique habitat that must have / be preserved. They want to prevent fishing and invasion / invasive research to keep the waters as pristine / sustain as possible. A recent University of Cambridge study found that fishing trawlers in Antarctica are bringing millions of "hitch-hiking" species from 1,500 parts / ports around the globe / globular. These are threatening the area's agile / fragile eco-systems. A researcher said: "So for / far, the remoteness and difficult sea-ice conditions of this southernmost area...have protected it / them, but...we should be much more ambitious with marine conservation."

    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)

         Sc__nt_sts  _n  _nt_rct_c_  h_v_  m_d_  _  s_rpr_s_ng  _nd  w_lc_m_  d_sc_v_ry  -  th_  w_rld's  l_rg_st  br__d_ng  gr__nd  f_r  f_sh.  R_s__rch_rs  fr_m  G_rm_ny's  _lfr_d  W_g_n_r  _nst_t_t_  f_r  P_l_r  _nd  M_r_n_  R_s__rch  c_m_  _cr_ss  th_  f_sh  wh_l_  m_pp_ng  th_  s__b_d  _f  th_  _nt_rct_c  W_dd_ll  S__.  Th_y  d_sc_v_r_d  sch__ls  _f  _r__nd  60  m_ll__n  _c_f_sh  br__d_ng  _n  _n  _r__  r__ghly  240  sq__r_  k_l_m_t_rs  _n  s_z_.  Th_  r_s__rch  t__m  h_d  b__n  t_w_ng  _  n_mb_r  _f  c_m_r_s  t_  _  d_pth  _f  530  m_tr_s  _nd_r  th_  W_dd_ll  S__  f_r  m_nths.  D__p-s__  b__l_g_st  __t_n  P_rs_r  c_mm_nt_d  _n  th_  f_nd.  H_  s__d:  "Th_  _d__  th_t  s_ch  _  h_g_  br__d_ng  _r__  _f  _c_f_sh  _n  th_  W_dd_ll  S__  w_s  pr_v___sly  _nd_sc_v_r_d  _s  t_t_lly  f_sc_n_t_ng."

         Th_  r_s__rch_rs  h_v_  b__n  _xpl_r_ng  th_  r_g__n  h_p_ng  t_  _st_bl_sh  _t  _s  _n  _ff_c__l  M_r_n_  Pr_t_ct_d  _r__.  Th_y  s_y  th_  s__s  _r_  _  _n_q__  h_b_t_t  th_t  m_st  b_  pr_s_rv_d.  Th_y  w_nt  t_  pr_v_nt  f_sh_ng  _nd  _nv_s_v_  r_s__rch  t_  k__p  th_  w_t_rs  _s  pr_st_n_  _s  p_ss_bl_.  _  r_c_nt  _n_v_rs_ty  _f  C_mbr_dg_  st_dy  f__nd  th_t  f_sh_ng  tr_wl_rs  _n  _nt_rct_c_  _r_  br_ng_ng  m_ll__ns  _f  "h_tch-h_k_ng"  sp_c__s  fr_m  1,500  p_rts  _r__nd  th_  gl_b_.  Th_s_  _r_  thr__t_n_ng  th_  _r__'s  fr_g_l_  _c_-syst_ms.  _  r_s__rch_r  s__d:  "S_  f_r,  th_  r_m_t_n_ss  _nd  d_ff_c_lt  s__-_c_  c_nd_t__ns  _f  th_s  s__th_rnm_st  _r__...h_v_  pr_t_ct_d  _t,  b_t...w_  sh__ld  b_  m_ch  m_r_  _mb_t___s  w_th  m_r_n_  c_ns_rv_t__n."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

         scientists in antarctica have made a surprising and welcome discovery  the worlds largest breeding ground for fish researchers from germanys alfred wegener institute for polar and marine research came across the fish while mapping the seabed of the antarctic weddell sea they discovered schools of around 60 million icefish breeding in an area roughly 240 square kilometers in size the research team had been towing a number of cameras to a depth of 530 metres under the weddell sea for months deepsea biologist autun purser commented on the find he said the idea that such a huge breeding area of icefish in the weddell sea was previously undiscovered is totally fascinating

         the researchers have been exploring the region hoping to establish it as an official marine protected area they say the seas are a unique habitat that must be preserved they want to prevent fishing and invasive research to keep the waters as pristine as possible a recent university of cambridge study found that fishing trawlers in antarctica are bringing millions of hitchhiking species from 1500 ports around the globe these are threatening the areas fragile ecosystems a researcher said so far the remoteness and difficult seaice conditions of this southernmost areahave protected it butwe should be much more ambitious with marine conservation

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ScientistsinAntarcticahavemadeasurprisingandwelcomediscovery-
    theworld'slargestbreedinggroundforfish.ResearchersfromGermany'
    sAlfredWegenerInstituteforPolarandMarineResearchcameacrossthe
    fishwhilemappingtheseabedoftheAntarcticWeddellSea.Theydiscove
    redschoolsofaround60millionicefishbreedinginanarearoughly240sq
    uarekilometersinsize.Theresearchteamhadbeentowinganumberofc
    amerastoadepthof530metresundertheWeddellSeaformonths.Deep
    -seabiologistAutunPursercommentedonthefind.Hesaid:"Theideath
    atsuchahugebreedingareaoficefishintheWeddellSeawaspreviouslyu
    ndiscoveredistotallyfascinating."Theresearchershavebeenexploring
    theregionhopingtoestablishitasanofficialMarineProtectedArea.They
    saytheseasareauniquehabitatthatmustbepreserved.Theywanttopre
    ventfishingandinvasiveresearchtokeepthewatersaspristineaspossib
    le.ArecentUniversityofCambridgestudyfoundthatfishingtrawlersinA
    ntarcticaarebringingmillionsof"hitch-hiking"speciesfrom1,500por
    tsaroundtheglobe.Thesearethreateningthearea'sfragileeco-syste
    ms.Aresearchersaid:"Sofar,theremotenessanddifficultsea-icecond
    itionsofthissouthernmostarea...haveprotectedit,but...weshouldbe
    muchmoreambitiouswithmarineconservation."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    There must be a total ban on fishing in Antarctica. 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. ICEFISH: Make a poster about icefish. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. PROTECTED AREA: Write a magazine article about making the whole of Antarctica a protected area free from fishing. 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 Antarctica. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to protect Antarctica. 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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