The Reading / Listening - Loch Ness Monster - Level 3

There is a legendary monster that people say lives in the deep Loch Ness lake in the north of Scotland. It is called the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" for short. It looks kind of like a dinosaur, with a small head on a long neck and humps on its back. People first spotted Nessie in 1933. Since then, there have been many sightings and a few photographs. Now, scientists from New Zealand will use a special technique to see if there really is a Loch Ness Monster. A research team, led by Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago, will use a technique called eDNA sampling to try and find some of Nessie's DNA. Professor Gemmell says this will show if the monster really exists or not.

Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster are often in the newspapers. Loch Ness is in the Scottish Highlands. The word "loch" is the Scots word for "lake". Many scientists have tried to find the monster before. They have even sent sonar equipment to the bottom of the loch, which is 230 metres deep. All of the photographs that people have taken of Nessie over the years are blurred. Some people say they are just car tyres floating in the water. Gemmell says he will test water from the loch. He said there should be DNA from the monster's skin, urine and other things. He will check all DNA found and make sure it is not from other marine animals. If he finds DNA not known to scientists, that could belong to Nessie.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Loch Ness Monster - Level 0 Loch Ness Monster - Level 1   or  Loch Ness Monster - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/23/edna-sampling-loch-ness-monster-nessie-scotland/
  • https://abcnews.go.com/US/scientists-search-proof-loch-ness-monster/story?id=55378010
  • https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/05/loch-ness-monster-scotland-environmental-dna-science/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. THE LOCH NESS MONSTER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the Loch Ness Monster. 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?
       legendary / monster / dinosaur / humps / sightings / research / sampling / team /
       newspapers / scientists / equipment / photographs / water / DNA / skin / animals
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. EXIST: Students A strongly believe there are monsters on Earth; Students B strongly believe there aren't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MONSTERS: What do you know and what do you want to know about these legendary monsters? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Want to Know

Loch Ness Monster

 

 

Yeti

 

 

Big Foot

 

 

Vampire

 

 

Centaur

 

 

Dragon

 

 

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

  • casting spells
  • amazing strength
  • lightning bolts
  • hypnotism
  • breathe fire
  • fly
  • be invisible
  • run like the wind

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. legendary a. See, notice, or recognize (someone or something) that is usually difficult to see.
      2. dinosaur b. Great enough to be famous; very well known.
      3. humps c. A big round bump on the back of a camel (and other animals).
      4. spotted d. Testing a small part of something.
      5. technique e. Live; be.
      6. sampling f. A very, very big article that lived millions of years ago but then all died out.
      7. exists g. A way of doing a particular task.

    Paragraph 2

      8. sightings h. Unable to see or be seen clearly.
      9. sonar i. Be the property; have.
      10. equipment j. Of, found in, or produced by the sea.
      11. blurred k. The necessary things for a particular purpose.
      12. floating l. Rest on top of water without sinking.
      13. marine m. The actions of seeing things that are not easy to find.
      14. belong n. A system for the finding objects under water and for measuring the water's depth by sending out sound signals.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Loch Ness in Scotland isn't very deep.     T / F
  2. The Loch Ness Monster was first sighted more than 100 years ago.     T / F
  3. Scientists will use sound-detecting equipment to try and find Nessie.     T / F
  4. Scientists will use a technique called i-DNA sampling.     T / F
  5. The word "loch" is a Scots word that means "lake".     T / F
  6. There have been some clear photos taken of Nessie over the years.     T / F
  7. Scientists hope to find DNA from the monster's skin.     T / F
  8. Scientists will make sure that any DNA does not belong to other animals. T / F

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

  1. legendary
  2. kind
  3. spotted
  4. technique
  5. show
  6. find
  7. blurred
  8. just
  9. sure
  10. belong
  1. saw
  2. certain
  3. method
  4. locate
  5. unclear
  6. famous
  7. prove
  8. be linked to
  9. type
  10. simply

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

  1. a legendary
  2. It looks
  3. a long neck and humps
  4. People first spotted
  5. use a technique called
  6. often in the
  7. sent sonar equipment to the bottom
  8. people say they are just car tyres floating
  9. He said there should be DNA
  10. that could belong
  1. of the loch
  2. Nessie in 1933
  3. newspapers
  4. to Nessie
  5. monster
  6. from the monster's skin
  7. eDNA sampling
  8. kind of like a dinosaur
  9. in the water
  10. on its back

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
short
sampling
sightings
exists
legendary
research
humps
technique

There is a (1) ____________ monster that people say lives in the deep Loch Ness lake in the north of Scotland. It is called the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" for (2) ____________. It looks kind of like a dinosaur, with a small head on a long neck and (3) ____________ on its back. People first spotted Nessie in 1933. Since then, there have been many (4) ____________ and a few photographs. Now, scientists from New Zealand will use a special (5) ____________ to see if there really is a Loch Ness Monster. A (6) ____________ team, led by Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago, will use a technique called eDNA (7) ____________ to try and find some of Nessie's DNA. Professor Gemmell says this will show if the monster really (8) ____________ or not.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
years
sonar
check
deep
belong
floating
newspapers
skin

Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster are often in the (9) ____________. Loch Ness is in the Scottish Highlands. The word "loch" is the Scots word for "lake". Many scientists have tried to find the monster before. They have even sent (10) ____________ equipment to the bottom of the loch, which is 230 metres (11) ____________. All of the photographs that people have taken of Nessie over the (12) ____________ are blurred. Some people say they are just car tyres (13) ____________ in the water. Gemmell says he will test water from the loch. He said there should be DNA from the monster's (14) ____________, urine and other things. He will (15) ____________ all DNA found and make sure it is not from other marine animals. If he finds DNA not known to scientists, that could (16) ____________ to Nessie.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  It is called the Loch Ness Monster, or ______
     a.  "Nessie" for shorts
     b.  "Nessie" four short
     c.  "Nessie" far short
     d.  "Nessie" for short
2)  It looks kind of like a dinosaur, with a small head on a long neck and ______ back
     a.  hump on its
     b.  humps in its
     c.  humps on its
     d.  humps onyx
3)  Since then, there have been many sightings ______ photographs
     a.  and a few
     b.  and the few
     c.  and are few
     d.  and a phew
4) Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago will use a ______ eDNA
     a.  technical called
     b.  techniques called
     c.  tech nick called
     d.  technique called
5)  Professor Gemmell says this will show if the monster really ______
     a.  exits or not
     b.  ex-its or not
     c.  exhibits or not
     d.  exists or not

6)  Many scientists have tried to find the ______
     a.  monster afore
     b.  monster beef four
     c.  monster beyond
     d.  monster before
7)  All of the photographs that people have taken of Nessie over the years ______
     a.  are blurted
     b.  are bloated
     c.  are blurred
     d.  are below
8)  Some people say they are just car tyres floating ______
     a.  in a water
     b.  in then water
     c.  in that water
     d.  in the water
9)  He said there should be DNA from the monster's skin, urine ______
     a.  and other thing
     b.  and other things
     c.  and another things
     d.  and the other thing
10)  If he finds DNA not known to scientists, that ______ Nessie
     a.  could belonging to
     b.  could belong to
     c.  could belongs to
     d.  could belonged to

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

There is a legendary monster that (1) ___________________ in the deep Loch Ness lake in the north of Scotland. It is called the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" for short. It (2) ___________________ like a dinosaur, with a small head on a long neck (3) ___________________ its back. People first spotted Nessie in 1933. Since then, there have been many sightings and a few photographs. Now, scientists from New Zealand will use a special (4) ___________________ if there really is a Loch Ness Monster. A research team, led by Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago, will use a technique called eDNA (5) ___________________ and find some of Nessie's DNA. Professor Gemmell says this will show if the monster (6) ___________________ not.

Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster (7) ___________________ the newspapers. Loch Ness is in the Scottish Highlands. The word "loch" is the Scots word for "lake". Many scientists have tried to find the monster before. They have (8) ___________________ equipment to the bottom of the loch, which is 230 metres deep. All of the photographs that people have taken of Nessie over the (9) ___________________. Some people say they are just car tyres floating in the water. Gemmell says he (10) ___________________ from the loch. He said there should (11) ___________________ the monster's skin, urine and other things. He will check all DNA found and make sure it is not from other marine animals. If he finds DNA (12) ___________________ scientists, that could belong to Nessie.

Comprehension questions

  1. In which country is Loch Ness?
  2. What is the nickname of the Loch Ness Monster?
  3. When was the first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster?
  4. Which country are the scientists from who will look for the monster?
  5. What is the name of the technique the scientists will use?
  6. Where are sightings of the Loch Ness Monster usually reported?
  7. What does the word "loch" mean in English?
  8. How deep is Loch Ness?
  9. What is the quality of photographs of the Loch Ness Monster?
  10. What part of the monster's body do scientists hope to get DNA from?

Multiple choice quiz

1) In which country is Loch Ness?
a) Scotland
b) England
c) USA
d) Netherlands
2) What is the nickname of the Loch Ness Monster?
a) LN
b) Nestor
c) Nessie
d) Lochie
3) When was the first sighting of the Loch Ness Monster?
a) 1390
b) 1933
c) 1939
d) 1399
4) Which country are the scientists from who will look for the monster?
a) Portugal
b) Belize
c) England
d) New Zealand
5)  What is the name of the technique the scientists will use?
a) eDNA sampling
b) i-DNA sampling
c) eDAN sampling
d) iNDA sampling

6) Where are sightings of the Loch Ness Monster usually reported?
a) the World Monster Society
b) NASA
c) to the police
d) in the newspapers
7) What does the word "loch" mean in English?
a) dark
b) lake
c) deep
d) love
8) How deep is Loch Ness?
a) 3,200m
b) 203m
c) 2,300m
d) 230m
9) What is the quality of photographs of the Loch Ness Monster?
a) a little scratched
b) good
c) blurred
d) top quality
10) What part of the monster's body do scientists hope to get DNA from?
a) its tail
b) its skin
c) its heart
d) its bones

Role play

Role  A – Breathe Fire
You think breathing fire is the most useful monster skill. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their skills. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): being invisible, casting spells or hypnotism.

Role  B – Be Invisible
You think being invisible is the most useful monster skill. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their skills. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): breathing fire, casting spells or hypnotism.

Role  C – Cast Spells
You think casting spells is the most useful monster skill. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their skills. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): being invisible, breathing fire or hypnotism.

Role  D – Hypnotism
You think hypnotism is the most useful monster skill. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their skills. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why):  being invisible, casting spells or breathing fire.

After reading / listening

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

'scientist'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'monster'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • newspapers
    • bottom
    • deep
    • blurred
    • other
    • belong
    • people
    • short
    • head
    • now
    • team
    • really

    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 - Scientists to use DNA to find Loch Ness Monster

    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 'monster'?
    3. What do you think of monsters?
    4. What monsters were there when you were a child?
    5. What monsters are there in the world now?
    6. Why do people think monsters are scary?
    7. What would happen if scientists found Nessie?
    8. How can a large monster stay unseen for so long?
    9. What is the scariest kind of monster?
    10. Why do people call children "little monsters"?

    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 'Scotland'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about the Loch Ness Monster?
    5. Do you know any humans that are monsters?
    6. Do you have a favourite monster movie?
    7. What legendary monsters are there in other parts of the world?
    8. What real animals would you say were monsters?
    9. How much of a monster are you?
    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)

    There is a (1) ____ monster that people say lives in the deep Loch Ness lake in the north of Scotland. It is called the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" for (2) ____. It looks kind of like a dinosaur, with a small head on a long neck and humps on its back. People first spotted Nessie in 1933. Since (3) ____, there have been many sightings and a (4) ____ photographs. Now, scientists from New Zealand will use a special technique to see if there (5) ____ is a Loch Ness Monster. A research team, led by Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago, will use a technique called eDNA sampling to try and find some of Nessie's DNA. Professor Gemmell will say this will (6) ____ if the monster really exists or not.

    Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster are often (7) ____ the newspapers. Loch Ness is in the Scottish Highlands. The word "loch" is the Scots word for "lake". Many scientists have tried to find the monster (8) ____. They have even sent sonar equipment to the bottom of the loch, (9) ____ is 230 metres deep. All of the photographs that people have taken of Nessie over the years are blurred. Some people say they are just car tyres (10) ____ in the water. Gemmell says he will test water from the loch. He said there should (11) ____ DNA from the monster's skin, urine and other things. He will check all DNA found and make sure it is not from other marine animals. If he finds DNA not (12) ____ to scientists, that could belong to Nessie.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     legend     (b)     legendary     (c)     legibly     (d)     legion    
    2. (a)     brief     (b)     small     (c)     little     (d)     short    
    3. (a)     them     (b)     then     (c)     that     (d)     there    
    4. (a)     numerous     (b)     several     (c)     few     (d)     volumes    
    5. (a)     really     (b)     reality     (c)     realize     (d)     real    
    6. (a)     show     (b)     visible     (c)     display     (d)     teach    
    7. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     in    
    8. (a)     before     (b)     beyond     (c)     behind     (d)     behest    
    9. (a)     what     (b)     which     (c)     where     (d)     how    
    10. (a)     gloating     (b)     doting     (c)     floating     (d)     quoting    
    11. (a)     have     (b)     keep     (c)     be     (d)     see    
    12. (a)     knows     (b)     known     (c)     knowing     (d)     know

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. There is a reldnyega monster
    2. It looks kind of like a aiosunrd
    3. People first teotsdp Nessie in 1933
    4. there have been many tsghsnigi
    5. use a special htqneecui
    6. if the monster really sxesit or not

    Paragraph 2

    1. Many istesincts have tried
    2. sonar mpieunqte
    3. the years are luebrdr
    4. car tyres iafntlgo in the water
    5. DNA from the monster's skin, eriun and...
    6. that could logenb to Nessie

    Put the text back together

    (...)  Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster are often in the newspapers. Loch Ness is in the Scottish Highlands. The word "loch"
    1  ) There is a legendary monster that people say lives in the deep Loch Ness lake in the north
    (...)  of Scotland. It is called the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" for short. It looks kind of like
    (...)  tyres floating in the water. Gemmell says he will test water from the loch. He said there should be DNA
    (...)  sure it is not from other marine animals. If he finds DNA not known to scientists, that could belong to Nessie.
    (...)  equipment to the bottom of the loch, which is 230 metres deep. All of the photographs that
    (...)  from the monster's skin, urine and other things. He will check all DNA found and make
    (...)  is the Scots word for "lake". Many scientists have tried to find the monster before. They have even sent sonar
    (...)  led by Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago, will use a technique called eDNA sampling to
    (...)  try and find some of Nessie's DNA. Professor Gemmell says this will show if the monster really exists or not.
    (...)  a dinosaur, with a small head on a long neck and humps on its back. People first spotted Nessie
    (...)  people have taken of Nessie over the years are blurred. Some people say they are just car
    (...)  in 1933. Since then, there have been many sightings and a few photographs. Now, scientists from
    (...)  New Zealand will use a special technique to see if there really is a Loch Ness Monster. A research team,

    Put the words in the right order

    1. It   like   kind   of   a   dinosaur.   looks
    2. head   a   long   on   With   neck.   a   small
    3. there   many   sightings.   been   then,   have   Since
    4. special   use   a   will   technique.   Scientists   NZ   from
    5. the   This   monster   really   will   if   exists.   show
    6. often   in   Nessie   of   Sightings   the   are   newspapers.
    7. before.   monster   have   the   Scientists   find   tried   to
    8. photographs   the   have   taken.   All   that   of   people
    9. in   water.   floating   tyres   are   the   just   They
    10. from   should   There   the   skin.   DNA   monster's   be

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    There is a legendary / legend monster that people say lives in the deep Loch Ness lake in the northern / north of Scotland. It is called the Loch Ness Monster, or "Nessie" for small / short. It looks kind of like a dinosaur, with a small head on / in a long neck and humps on its back. People first spotted / spotty Nessie in 1933. Since then, there have been many sightseeing / sightings and a few / phew photographs. Now, scientists from New Zealand will use a special technique / technical to see if there really is a Loch Ness Monster. A research team, led by Professor Neil Gemmell of the University of Otago, will use a technique called eDNA sampling / simple to try and find some of Nessie's DNA. Professor Gemmell says this will show if the monster really exits / exists or not.

    Sightings of the Loch Ness Monster are often on / in the newspapers. Loch Ness is in the Scottish Highlands. The word "loch" is the Scots word for "lake". Many scientists be / have tried to find the monster before. They have even sent lunar / sonar equipment to the bottom / beneath of the loch, which is 230 metres deep. All of the photographs what / that people have taken of Nessie over the years are blurred / blushed. Some people say / talk they are just car tyres floating in the water. Gemmell says he will test water from the loch. He said there should be DNA from the monster's skinny / skin, urine and other things. He will check all DNA found and make sure it is not from another / other marine animals. If he finds DNA not known to scientists, that could belongings / belong to Nessie.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    T h_r_ _s _ l_g_n d_r y m_n s t_r t h_t p__ p l_ s_y l_v_s _n t h_ d__ p L_c h N_s s l_k_ _n t h_ n_r t h _f S c_t l_n d . I t _s c_l l_d t h_ L_c h N_s s M_n s t_r , _r " N_s s__ " f_r s h_r t . I t l__ k s k_n d _f l_k_ _ d_n_s__ r , w_t h _ s m_l l h__ d _n _ l_n g n_c k _n d h_m p s _n _t s b_c k . P__ p l_ f_r s t s p_t t_d N_s s__ _n 1 9 3 3 . S_n c_ t h_n , t h_r_ h_v_ b__ n m_n y s_g h t_n g s _n d _ f_w p h_t_g r_p h s . N_w , s c__ n t_s t s f r_m N_w Z__ l_n d w_l l _s_ _ s p_c__ l t_c h n_q__ t_ s__ _f t h_r_ r__ l l y _s _ L_c h N_s s M_n s t_r . A r_s__ r c h t__ m , l_d b y P r_f_s s_r N__ l G_m m_l l _f t h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f O t_g_, w_l l _s_ _ t_c h n_q__ c_l l_d _D N A s_m p l_n g t_ t r y _n d f_n d s_m_ _f N_s s__ ' s D N A . P r_f_s s_r G_m m_l l w_l l s_y t h_s w_l l s h_w _f t h_ m_n s t_r r__ l l y _x_s t s _r n_t .

    S_g h t_n g s _f t h_ L_c h N_s s M_n s t_r _r_ _f t_n _n t h_ n_w s p_p_r s . L_c h N_s s _s _n t h_ S c_t t_s h H_g h l_n d s . T h_ w_r d " l_c h " _s t h_ S c_t s w_r d f_r " l_k_" . M_n y s c__ n t_s t s h_v_ t r__ d t_ f_n d t h_ m_n s t_r b_f_r_. T h_y h_v_ _v_n s_n t s_n_r _q__ p m_n t t_ t h_ b_t t_m _f t h_ l_c h , w h_c h _s 2 3 0 m_t r_s d__ p . A l l _f t h_ p h_t_g r_p h s t h_t p__ p l_ h_v_ t_k_n _f N_s s__ _v_r t h_ y__ r s _r_ b l_r r_d . S_m_ p__ p l_ s_y t h_y _r_ j_s t c_r t y r_s f l__ t_n g _n t h_ w_t_r . G_m m_l l s_y s h_ w_l l t_s t w_t_r f r_m t h_ l_c h . H_ s__ d t h_r_ s h__ l d b_ D N A f r_m t h_ m_n s t_r ' s s k_n , _r_n_ _n d _t h_r t h_n g s . H_ w_l l c h_c k _l l D N A f__ n d _n d m_k_ s_r_ _t _s n_t f r_m _t h_r m_r_n_ _n_m_l s . I f h_ f_n d s D N A n_t k n_w n t_ s c__ n t_s t s , t h_t c__ l d b_l_n g t_ N_s s__ .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    there is a legendary monster that people say lives in the deep loch ness lake in the north of scotland it is called the loch ness monster or nessie for short it looks kind of like a dinosaur with a small head on a long neck and humps on its back people first spotted nessie in 1933 since then there have been many sightings and a few photographs now scientists from new zealand will use a special technique to see if there really is a loch ness monster a research team led by professor neil gemmell of the university of otago will use a technique called edna sampling to try and find some of nessies dna professor Gemmell says this will show if the monster really exists or not

    sightings of the loch ness monster are often in the newspapers loch ness is in the scottish highlands the word loch is the scots word for lake many scientists have tried to find the monster before they have even sent sonar equipment to the bottom of the loch which is 230 metres deep all of the photographs that people have taken of nessie over the years are blurred some people say they are just car tyres floating in the water gemmell says he will test water from the loch he said there should be dna from the monsters skin urine and other things he will check all dna found and make sure it is not from other marine animals if he finds dna not known to scientists that could belong to nessie

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThereisalegendarymonsterthatpeoplesaylivesinthedeepLochNessla
    keinthenorthofScotland.ItiscalledtheLochNessMonster,or"Nessie"f
    orshort.Itlookskindoflikeadinosaur,withasmallheadonalongneckan
    dhumpsonitsback.PeoplefirstspottedNessiein1933.Sincethen,there
    havebeenmanysightingsandafewphotographs.Now,scientistsfromN
    ewZealandwilluseaspecialtechniquetoseeiftherereallyisaLochNessM
    onster.Aresearchteam,ledbyProfessorNeilGemmelloftheUniversityo
    fOtago,willuseatechniquecalledeDNAsamplingtotryandfindsomeofN
    essie'sDNA.ProfessorGemmellsaysthiswillshowifthemonsterreallye
    xistsornot.SightingsoftheLochNessMonsterareofteninthenewspape
    rs.LochNessisintheScottishHighlands.Theword"loch"istheScotswor
    dfor"lake".Manyscientistshavetriedtofindthemonsterbefore.Theyha
    veevensentsonarequipmenttothebottomoftheloch,whichis230metr
    esdeep.AllofthephotographsthatpeoplehavetakenofNessieoverthey
    earsareblurred.Somepeoplesaytheyarejustcartyresfloatinginthewa
    ter.Gemmellsayshewilltestwaterfromtheloch.Hesaidthereshouldbe
    DNAfromthemonster'sskin,urineandotherthings.HewillcheckallDNA
    foundandmakesureitisnotfromothermarineanimals.IfhefindsDNAno
    tknowntoscientists,thatcouldbelongtoNessie.

    Free writing

    Write about Loch Ness Monster for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Are there monsters in this world? What do they look like?

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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. THE LOCH NESS MONSTER: Make a poster about the Loch Ness Monster. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. MONSTER HUNTING: Write a magazine article about monster hunting. 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 the Loch Ness Monster. Ask him/her three questions about the Loch Ness Monster. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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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