1. CANADA 2. BELGIUMPicture... · PERFECT PANDAS One month after they were born, twin giant panda...

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Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019 WORLD NEWS NEW PTEROSAUR NAMED Sciensts have named a new type of dinosaur. The pterosaur (which means ‘winged lizard’) is officially called Cryodraken boreas, which translates as ‘frozen dragon of the north’. The bones were found nearly 30 years ago, but researchers have just confirmed it’s a new species. Cryodraken’s head is believed to be about 3.5 mes the size of its body, with a wingspan of 10m! 1. CANADA PERFECT PANDAS One month aſter they were born, twin giant panda cubs have been posing for pics at a Belgian zoo. The rare arrivals were born to mum Hao Hao at Pairi Daiza park in Brugelee. The male and female cubs were born two hours apart but cubs are not named unl they are 100 days old, in accordance with Chinese tradion. The cubs’ mum was loaned to the zoo by China in 2014. Under the agreement, giant panda cubs born in Belgium also belong to China and will return there when they are four. AIR IMPROVEMENT China’s capital, Beijing, is on target to leave the list of the top 200 most-polluted cies this year. In the last three years, the city has shut down and relocated many pollung businesses, improved fuel and emission standards, and reduced coal consumpon in and around Beijing. China says it will not be slowing down its efforts to stop air polluon. 3. CHINA 6. THE AMAZON 4. DENMARK RIVER RESCUE Australia is racing to save hundreds of thousands of fish because a drought is drying up its biggest river system. Sciensts will carry out a two-week relocaon operaon of fish in Lower Darling, part of the giant Murray-Darling Basin, to avoid a catastrophe like last year, when millions of fish died during heatwaves. They are aempng to save nave fish species, including Murray cod and golden perch, from pools that are drying out lower down the river, because the pools are not expected to last through the summer. The fish will be moved to a different secon of the Darling River that is sll flowing. 5. AUSTRALIA 2. BELGIUM 1 3 2 4 5 David Maas FUNDRAISER FOR TREES A television fundraiser in Denmark has raised 2.4 million euros (£2.6m) to be used for planng trees. The event was broadcast on the public channel TV2 live from Gisselfeld Kloster forest on Saturday. It is thought to be the world’s first telethon to focus on climate change. One tree will be planted for every 2.7 euros raised and 10% of the money raised will go to WWF to help with the conservaon of forests around the world. Recent studies have found that an area of forest the size of the UK (64m acres) is disappearing from the planet every year, a rate faster than ever before. IT'S ELECTRIFYING! The world’s most powerful electric eel has been found in the Amazon. Sciensts discovered that there are three species of electric eel living in the Amazon basin: the previously known Electrophorus electricus, plus the newly discovered Electrophorus voltai and Electrophorus varii. They also discovered that Electrophorus voltai is capable of delivering a jolt of 860 volts, which is way more than the 650 volts previously recorded. Electric eels use their shocks for self-defence, hunng and navigaon. Electrophorus electricus iStock How a dam on the River Murray looked during last summer’s drought Gey 6

Transcript of 1. CANADA 2. BELGIUMPicture... · PERFECT PANDAS One month after they were born, twin giant panda...

Page 1: 1. CANADA 2. BELGIUMPicture... · PERFECT PANDAS One month after they were born, twin giant panda cubs have been posing for pics at a Belgian zoo. The rare arrivals were born to mum

Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019

WORLD NEWS

NEW PTEROSAUR NAMEDScientists have named a new type of dinosaur. The pterosaur (which means ‘winged lizard’) is officially called Cryodraken boreas, which translates as ‘frozen dragon of the north’. The bones were found nearly 30 years ago, but researchers have just confirmed it’s a new species. Cryodraken’s head is believed to be about 3.5 times the size of its body, with a wingspan of 10m!

1. CANADAPERFECT PANDASOne month after they were born, twin giant panda cubs have been posing for pics at a Belgian zoo. The rare arrivals were born to mum Hao Hao at Pairi Daiza park in Brugelette. The male and female cubs were born two hours apart but cubs are not named until they are 100 days old, in accordance with Chinese tradition. The cubs’ mum was loaned to the zoo by China in 2014. Under the agreement, giant panda cubs born in Belgium also belong to China and will return there when they are four.

AIR IMPROVEMENTChina’s capital, Beijing, is on target to leave the list of the top 200 most-polluted cities this year. In the last three years, the city has shut down and relocated many polluting businesses, improved fuel and emission standards, and reduced coal consumption in and around Beijing. China says it will not be slowing down its efforts to stop air pollution.

3. CHINA

6. THE AMAZON

4. DENMARKRIVER RESCUEAustralia is racing to save hundreds of thousands of fish because a drought is drying up its biggest river system. Scientists will carry out a two-week relocation operation of fish in Lower Darling, part of the giant Murray-Darling Basin, to avoid a catastrophe like last year, when millions of fish died during heatwaves. They are attempting to save native fish species, including Murray cod and golden perch, from pools that are drying out lower down the river, because the pools are not expected to last through the summer. The fish will be moved to a different section of the Darling River that is still flowing.

5. AUSTRALIA

2. BELGIUM

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2 4 5

Davi

d M

aas

FUNDRAISER FOR TREES A television fundraiser in Denmark has raised 2.4 million euros (£2.6m) to be used for planting trees. The event was broadcast on the public channel TV2 live from Gisselfeld Kloster forest on Saturday. It is thought to be the world’s first telethon to focus on climate change. One tree will be planted for every 2.7 euros raised and 10% of the money raised will go to WWF to help with the conservation of forests around the world.Recent studies have found that an area of forest the size of the UK (64m acres) is disappearing from the planet every year, a rate faster than ever before.

IT'S ELECTRIFYING!The world’s most powerful electric eel has been found in the Amazon. Scientists discovered that there are three species of electric eel living in the Amazon basin: the previously known Electrophorus electricus, plus the newly discovered Electrophorus voltai and Electrophorus varii. They also discovered that Electrophorus voltai is capable of delivering a jolt of 860 volts, which is way more than the 650 volts previously recorded. Electric eels use their shocks for self-defence, hunting and navigation.

Electrophorus electricus iSto

ck

How a dam on the River Murray looked during last summer’s drought

Gett

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Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019

WORLD NEWS

GLOSSARYWWF – A charity that works around the world to protect the planet’s wildlife

drought – A long period of time where there is no, or very little, rain

emissions – Gases (also heat and light) given out by something

volt – A unit that measures the force of an electrical current. The electricity in a UK wall plug is 240 volts.

telethon – A very long television programme that raises money for charity

climate change – An increase in the Earth’s temperature (and other changes to the planet’s weather patterns), mainly caused by the carbon dioxide that comes from power plants, engines and factories. It will have serious consequences for humans and the world’s wildlife.

1. Fill in the gaps in the table.Country Headline News summary

Fundraiser for trees A TV programme has raised £2.6 million to plant trees.BELGIUM Perfect pandas

Scientists are trying to save the lives of fish that are at risk because of a drought.New pterosaur named A new giant flying dinosaur has been found.

CHINA

Look at the story from the Amazon.2. Find two facts about Electrophorus voltai.

Look at the story from Denmark.3. True or False? TRUE FALSE

20% of the money raised goes to the WWF. This TV show is thought to be the first programme to raise money to fight climate change.The programme raised 2.6 million euros.The TV programme came from a forest. A tree will be planted for every five euros raised.

4. Choose one fact that might have been read out on the TV programme to persuade people to give money. It explains why the need to plant trees is so urgent.

Look at the story from Australia.5. "Australia is racing to save hundreds of thousands of fish because a drought is drying up its biggest river system."The word racing tells you that:

Look at the story from Belgium.6. What two traditions, or agreements, do you have to follow if you would like to have a panda in your zoo in Belgium?

Look at the story from Canada.7. The new dinosaur is a species (a kind) of pterosaur. What is the meaning of the names below?

8. Every kind of animal or plant is given a Latin name. The Latin name for this dinosaur is Cryodraken boreas. There are also three more Latin names in the story about eels.What is similar about the Latin names? Can you find three rules the names always follow?

Consider all reports. 9. This is a selection of news from around the world. What would be another alternative heading for the page?

10. A documentary is a factual TV programme (about real people or events). Imagine you work for a TV company and you are looking for a new idea. Which of these news stories do you think could be made into a new, 30-minute documentary? Explain your choice.

a prize will be given out speed is important people are excited

Pterosaur Cryodraken boreas

Science and Technology European NewsAnimal News Nature and the Environment

Page 3: 1. CANADA 2. BELGIUMPicture... · PERFECT PANDAS One month after they were born, twin giant panda cubs have been posing for pics at a Belgian zoo. The rare arrivals were born to mum

Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019

WORLD NEWS

GLOSSARYWWF – A charity that works around the world to protect the planet’s wildlife

drought – A long period of time where there is no, or very little, rain

emissions – Gases (also heat and light) given out by something

volt – A unit that measures the force of an electrical current. The electricity in a UK wall plug is 240 volts.

telethon – A very long television programme that raises money for charity

climate change – An increase in the Earth’s temperature (and other changes to the planet’s weather patterns), mainly caused by the carbon dioxide that comes from power plants, engines and factories. It will have serious consequences for humans and the world’s wildlife.

1. Fill in the gaps in the table.

Country Headline News summary

Fundraiser for trees A TV programme has raised £2.6 million to plant trees.

BELGIUM Perfect pandas

Scientists are trying to save the lives of fish that are at risk because of a drought.

New pterosaur named A new giant flying dinosaur has been found.

CHINA

Look at the story from the Amazon.2.Find two facts about Electrophorus voltai.

Look at the story from Denmark.3. True or False? TRUE FALSE

20% of the money raised goes to the WWF.

This TV show is thought to be the first programme to raise money to fight climate change.

The programme raised 2.6 million euros.

The TV programme came from a forest.

A tree will be planted for every five euros raised.

4. Choose one fact that might have been read out on the TV programme to persuade people to give money. It explains

why the need to plant trees is so urgent.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fact 1 ...............................................................................................................................................

Fact 2 ...............................................................................................................................................

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Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019

Look at the story from Australia.5. "Australia is racing to save hundreds of thousands of fish because a drought is drying up its biggest river system."The word racing tells you that:

Look at the story from Belgium.

6. What two traditions, or agreements, do you have to follow if you would like to have a panda in your zoo in Belgium?

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Look at the story from Canada.7. The new dinosaur is a species (a kind) of pterosaur. What is the meaning of the names below?

Pterosaur

Cryodraken boreas 8. Every kind of animal or plant is given a Latin name. The Latin name for this dinosaur is Cryodraken boreas. There are also three more Latin names in the story about eels.What is similar about the Latin names? Can you find three rules the names always follow?

Consider all reports.9. This is a selection of news from around the world. What would be another alternative heading for the page?

10. A documentary is a factual TV programme (about real people or events). Imagine you work for a TV company and you are looking for a new idea. Which of these news stories do you think could be made into a new, 30-minute documentary? Explain your choice.

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fact 1 ...............................................................................................................................................

Fact 2 ...............................................................................................................................................

Fact 3 ...............................................................................................................................................

• Animal News • Nature and the Environment • Science and Technology • European News

a prize will be given out speed is important people are excited

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Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019

1. Fill in the gaps in the table. READING SKILL – Find and explain information(NC 2a)READING SKILL – Summarise information from more than one paragraph(NC 2e)Expected response

Look at the story from the Amazon.

2. Find two facts about Electrophorus voltai.READING SKILL – Find and explain information(NC 2a)Expected response (any of)1. It can deliver an electric shock of 860 volts.2. It is an electric eel.3. It is one of three species of electric eel.4. It is the world’s most powerful electric eel.5. It lives in the Amazon.

Look at the story from Denmark.

3. True or false?READING SKILL – Find and explain information(NC 2a)Expected response

TEACHER ANSWERS

AIM OF THE NEWS COMPREHENSIONS: News reports are unique non-fiction texts. Being real, they naturally engage students, and with the range of topics that are covered, help to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the wider world outside the classroom. The reports are ideal for short, focused comprehension or discussion activities. Along with the opportunity to find fascinating facts and appreciate the opinions of those involved, there is plenty to be inferred and deduced to understand in more depth what is being reported. Like authors, journalists play with language, so news ‘stories’ are rich nuggets of text to investigate and provide the opportunity for literacy programmes.

TEACHER ANSWER GUIDE: The teacher answers are intended to provide a quick reference guide. Suggestions are given for the 'Expected response' or starting point that pupils could give. The 'Development' then gives more in-depth ideas that students can work towards as they develop their reading comprehension skills.For a list of the reading skills used, please email [email protected].

Country Headline News summaryDENMARK Fundraiser for trees A TV programme has raised £2.6 million to plant trees.BELGIUM Perfect pandas Panda twins born in a Belgian zoo are being shown to the world for the first time.AUSTRALIA River rescue Scientists are trying to save the lives of fish that are at risk because of a drought.CANADA New pterosaur named A new giant flying dinosaur has been found.CHINA Air improvement Efforts to reduce air pollution are working in Beijing.

TRUE FALSE20% of the money raised goes to the WWF. This TV show is thought to be the first programme to raise money to fight climate change. The programme raised 2.6 million euros. The TV programme came from a forest. A tree will be planted for every five euros raised.

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Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019

4. Choose one fact that might have been read out on the TV programme to persuade people to give money. It explains why the need to plant trees is so urgent.READING SKILL – Infer information and justify with evidence(NC 2c & 8)Expected response• We will plant a tree for every 2.7 euros.• 10% of your money will go to the WWF. Development• An area of forest the size of the UK is disappearing from the planet every year – a faster rate than ever before.

Look at the story from Australia.

5. "Australia is racing to save hundreds of thousands of fish because a drought is drying up its biggest river system."The word racing tells you that:READING SKILL – Understand vocabulary in context (NC 2a)Expected response• a prize will be given out• speed is important • people are excited

Look at the story from Belgium.

6. What two traditions, or agreements, do you have to follow if you would like to have a panda in your zoo in Belgium?READING SKILL – Find and explain information(NC 2a)Expected response• Panda cubs must not be named until they are 100 days old.• Panda cubs belong to China and must be returned to China when they are four years old.

Look at the story from Canada.

7. The new dinosaur is a species (a kind) of pterosaur. What is the meaning of the names below?READING SKILL – Find and explain information(NC 2a)Expected response

Pterosaur Winged lizard

Cryodraken boreas Frozen dragon of the north

8. Every kind of animal or plant is given a Latin name. The Latin name for this dinosaur is Cryodraken boreas. There are also three more Latin names in the story about eels.What is similar about the Latin names? Can you find three rules the names always follow?READING SKILL – Identifying benefits of text organisation and presentation in non-fiction texts (NC 2f)Expected responseThe name:1. Always has two parts2. Is always written in slanted writing (italics)3. The first word always begins with a capital letter and the second word begins with a lower case letter.

Country Headline News summaryDENMARK Fundraiser for trees A TV programme has raised £2.6 million to plant trees.BELGIUM Perfect pandas Panda twins born in a Belgian zoo are being shown to the world for the first time.AUSTRALIA River rescue Scientists are trying to save the lives of fish that are at risk because of a drought.CANADA New pterosaur named A new giant flying dinosaur has been found.CHINA Air improvement Efforts to reduce air pollution are working in Beijing.

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Look Closer FirstNews Issue 692 20 – 26 September 2019

Consider all the reports.

9. This is a selection of news from around the world. What would be another alternative heading for the page?READING SKILL – Summarise information from more than one paragraph(NC 2e)Expected response• Animal News• Nature and the Environment • Science and Technology• European News

10. A documentary is a factual TV programme (about real people or events). Imagine you work for a TV company and you are looking for a new idea. Which of these news stories do you think could be made into a new, 30-minute documentary? Explain your choice.READING SKILL – Make comparisons between texts (NC 1e & 1f)Expected response• The panda story. People love watching baby animals.• The eel story. I can’t believe a fish can give such a huge electric shock. People would think that’s scary.Development• The dinosaur story. You could show the fossil and have cool CGI of the pterosaur.• If you were quick, you could have a documentary about the fish rescue to see whether the scientists succeed. It would be exciting because it would be a race against time.• You could makr a documentary about air pollution and show a success story – what can be done to reduce pollution.