The Reading / Listening - Wasp - Level 6

Scientists in the Amazon rainforest have come across a new wasp that could encourage Hollywood to make a horror movie. The newly-discovered insect has a huge stinger on its tail that could inject a powerful and deadly sting into any unfortunate victim. A scientist said the stinger "looks like a fierce weapon". The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that debilitates its victims. Once paralysis has set in, the wasp lays eggs inside the victim's body. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland discovered the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new parasitoid wasp...is not only long but also very wide, in comparison to the size of the species."

The professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae inside their host - usually another inset. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from the inside out. Researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is likely to be a spider, although they need to undertake further research to ascertain exactly which species of spiders might fall prey to the wasp's stinger. The professor explained that: "The giant stinger of the current species is very likely a highly sophisticated tool as well. Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other purposes." He added: "Beautiful and exciting species with strange habits catch people's attention and highlight the importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Wasp - Level 4  or  Wasp - Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5927195/Terrifying-wasp-uses-stinger-like-fierce-weapon-lay-eggs-INSIDE-spiders-Amazon.html
  • https://www.techtimes.com/articles/231827/20180707/new-breed-of-wasp-with-exceptionally-large-stinger-discovered-in-the-amazon.htm
  • http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2018/07/i-do-not-like-this-new-wasp-species-whose-giant-stinger-lays-eggs-inside-spiders/


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. WASPS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about wasps. 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 / rainforest / horror movie / sting / weapon / venom / biodiversity / species
       insects / host / spider / research / prey / sophisticated / purposes / ecosystems
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CREATURES: Students A strongly believe insects are the most interesting creatures on Earth; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. INSECTS: How useful are these insects? Why? What is most special about them - 1 = not at all useful; 10 = very useful)? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Usefulness (1-10)

Why?

Most Special Thing

Wasps

 

 

 

Bees

 

 

 

Spiders

 

 

 

Worms

 

 

 

Ants

 

 

 

Cockroaches

 

 

 

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

  • tarantulas
  • centipedes
  • flies
  • bed bugs
  • cockroaches
  • wasps
  • mosquitoes
  • hornets

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. come across a. Put or force a liquid (especially a drug or vaccine) into a person or animal's body with a syringe (or similar device) or a stinger.
      2. encourage b. Find something for the first tine; discover.
      3. inject c. Having, or marked by, bad fortune; unlucky.
      4. unfortunate d. A person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action; an animal that is hurt or killed by another.
      5. victim e. Give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
      6. paralysis f. The act of looking at different things to find out how similar or different they are.
      7. comparison g. The loss of the ability to move (and sometimes to feel anything) in part or most of the body.

    Paragraph 2

      8. larvae h. Begin a project,  enterprise or responsibility; take on.
      9. undertake i. Developed to a high degree of complexity.
      10. ascertain j. The baby form of an insect, especially one that looks greatly from the adult, usually being the stage between the egg and adult.
      11. species k. Find something out for sure; make sure of.
      12. sophisticated l. Notice someone or something; the conscious looking at and thinking about something.
      13. attention m. A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
      14. vulnerable n. Open to (being an easy target to) physical or emotional attack or harm.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says Hollywood will make a horror movie about a wasp.     T / F
  2. The newly-found wasp has a large stinger on the top of its head.     T / F
  3. A scientist said the stinger looked like a fierce weapon.     T / F
  4. The stinger is not as wide as the stingers on other wasps.     T / F
  5. The newly-discovered wasps inject larvae into the bodies of spiders.     T / F
  6. Scientists know the types of spiders the wasp stings.     T / F
  7. A scientist said the new wasp's stinger is probably very sophisticated.     T / F
  8. The scientist said little is known about the stinger's other purposes.     T / F

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

  1. come across
  2. huge
  3. deadly
  4. debilitates
  5. victim
  6. grow
  7. undertake
  8. sophisticated
  9. attention
  10. maintaining
  1. get bigger
  2. weakens
  3. notice
  4. enormous
  5. preserving
  6. engage in
  7. prey
  8. discovered(ed)
  9. lethal
  10. complicated

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

  1. the Amazon
  2. inject
  3. a paralyzing venom that
  4. the wasp lays
  5. in comparison to the
  6. they eat the insect from
  7. they need to undertake
  8. a highly sophisticated
  9. catch people's
  10. maintaining vulnerable
  1. eggs inside the victim's body
  2. size of the species
  3. tool
  4. attention
  5. debilitates its victims
  6. a powerful and deadly sting
  7. ecosystems
  8. further research
  9. rainforest
  10. the inside out

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
weapon
across
huge
size
deadly
biodiversity
encourage
paralysis

Scientists in the Amazon rainforest have come (1) ____________ a new wasp that could (2) ____________ Hollywood to make a horror movie. The newly-discovered insect has a (3) ____________ stinger on its tail that could inject a powerful and (4) ____________ sting into any unfortunate victim. A scientist said the stinger "looks like a fierce (5) ____________ ". The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that debilitates its victims. Once (6) ____________ has set in, the wasp lays eggs inside the victim's body. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland discovered the wasp. A professor in (7) ____________ research said: "The stinger of the new parasitoid wasp...is not only long but also very wide, in comparison to the (8) ____________ of the species."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
likely
highly
habits
host
vulnerable
inside
purposes
prey

The professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae inside their (9) ____________ - usually another insect. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from the (10) ____________ out. Researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is (11) ____________ to be a spider, although they need to undertake further research to ascertain exactly which species of spiders might fall (12) ____________ to the wasp's stinger. The professor explained that: "The giant stinger of the current species is very likely a (13) ____________ sophisticated tool as well. Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other (14) ____________." He added: "Beautiful and exciting species with strange (15) ____________ catch people's attention and highlight the importance of maintaining (16) ____________ ecosystems."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Scientists in the Amazon rainforest have come across a new wasp that could ______
     a.  discouraged Hollywood
     b.  encourages Hollywood
     c.  encourage Hollywood
     d.  discourage Hollywood
2) inject a powerful and deadly sting into any ______
     a.  unfortunately victim
     b.  unfortunate victim
     c.  unfortunates victim
     d.  in fortunate victim
3)  A scientist said the stinger "looks like ______"
     a.  a fiercely weapon
     b.  a farce weapon
     c.  a first weapon
     d.  a fierce weapon
4)  The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that ______
     a.  debut dilates its victims
     b.  deep ill irate sits victims
     c.  debilitates its victims
     d.  debilitation its victims
5)  is not only long but also very wide, in comparison to the size ______
     a.  of then species
     b.  of non species
     c.  of a species
     d.  of the species

6)  The professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae ______
     a.  inside their ghost
     b.  inside their holster
     c.  inside their hosting
     d.  inside their host
7)  Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from ______
     a.  the outside out
     b.  the inside out
     c.  the inner side out
     d.  the inside outer
8)  Researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is ______ a spider
     a.  liked to be
     b.  likened to be
     c.  likely to be
     d.  likelihood to be
9)  The giant stinger of the current species is very likely a ______ tool
     a.  highly sophisticate it
     b.  highly sophisticate
     c.  highly sophistication
     d.  highly sophisticated
10)  Beautiful and exciting species with strange habits catch ______
     a.  people's a tension
     b.  people's at tension
     c.  people's as tension
     d.  people's attention

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists in the Amazon rainforest (1) ___________________ a new wasp that could encourage Hollywood to (2) ___________________ movie. The newly-discovered insect has a huge stinger on its tail that could inject a powerful and (3) ___________________ any unfortunate victim. A scientist said the stinger "looks like a fierce weapon". The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that (4) ___________________. Once paralysis has set in, the wasp (5) ___________________ the victim's body. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland discovered the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new parasitoid wasp...is not only long but (6) ___________________, in comparison to the size of the species."

The professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae (7) ___________________ - usually another insect. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from (8) ___________________. Researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is likely to be a spider, although they need to undertake further research to (9) ___________________ species of spiders might (10) ___________________ the wasp's stinger. The professor explained that: "The giant stinger of the current species is very likely a highly (11) ___________________ well. Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other purposes." He added: "Beautiful and exciting species with strange habits (12) ___________________ and highlight the importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of movie did the article say Hollywood could make?
  2. What did a scientist say the stinger looked like?
  3. What does the wasp do inside its victims?
  4. In which country is the university that conducted this research?
  5. What did the scientist say was wide in comparison to other species?
  6. What do the wasp's larvae do as they grow?
  7. Who are the most likely victims of the wasp?
  8. What did the article say scientists needed to undertake?
  9. What kind of tool did scientists call the wasp's stinger?
  10. What did a scientist say it was important to maintain?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What kind of movie did the article say Hollywood could make?
a) computer graphic movies
b) horror movies
c) cartoons
d) nature movies
2)  What did a scientist say the stinger looked like?
a) a pyramid
b) an umbrella
c) a sword
d) a fierce weapon
3) What does the wasp do inside its victims?
a) lay eggs
b) sleep
c) hibernate
d) hand on
4) In which country is the university that conducted this research?
a) Thailand
b) South Africa
c) Finland
d) Brazil
5) What did the scientist say was wide in comparison to other species?
a) the wasp's venom sac
b) the wasp's stinger
c) the wasp's head
d) the wasp's eyes

6) What do the wasp's larvae do as they grow?
a) eat the victim
b) fight
c) grow their stinger
d) sleep
7) Who are the most likely victims of the wasp?
a) other wasps
b) mice
c) spiders
d) caterpillars
8) What did the article say scientists needed to undertake?
a) further research
b) cars
c) universities
d) a vaccine
9) What kind of tool did scientists call the wasp's stinger?
a) a sophisticated tool
b) a drill
c) a bendy tool
d) a rainforest tool
10) What did a scientist say it was important to maintain?
a) the wasp population
b) venom
c) costs
d) vulnerable ecosystems

Role play

Role  A – Wasps
You think wasps are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): cockroaches, mosquitoes or bed bugs.

Role  B – Cockroaches
You think cockroaches are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): wasps, mosquitoes or bed bugs.

Role  C – Mosquitoes
You think mosquitoes are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): cockroaches, wasps or bed bugs.

Role  D – Bed Bugs
You think bed bugs are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the best of these (and why): cockroaches, mosquitoes or wasps.

After reading / listening

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

'Amazon'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'wasp'.

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

    • host
    • inside
    • need
    • giant
    • guess
    • importance
    • come
    • huge
    • weapon
    • delivers
    • set
    • size

    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 - Newly-discovered Amazon wasp has giant stinger

    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 'Amazon'?
    3. What do you think of wasps?
    4. Have you had any bad experiences with wasps?
    5. What use are wasps in nature?
    6. What are the differences between wasps, bees and hornets?
    7. How interesting are wasps?
    8. What should you do if a wasp stings you?
    9. What other weapons do insects have?
    10. Would you like to look for new insects in the Amazon?

    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 'wasp'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How can spiders protect themselves against this new wasp?
    5. What is your favourite insect and why?
    6. Which do you prefer, spiders or wasps?
    7. What are the most eye-catching insects you know of?
    8. How important is the Amazon?
    9. How important is it to maintain vulnerable ecosystems?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    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 the Amazon rainforest have (1) ____ across a new wasp that could encourage Hollywood to make a horror movie. The newly-discovered insect has a huge stinger on its tail that could (2) ____ a powerful and deadly sting into any unfortunate victim. A scientist said the stinger "looks like a (3) ____ weapon". The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that debilitates its victims. Once paralysis has (4) ____ in, the wasp lays eggs inside the victim's body. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland (5) ____ the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new parasitoid wasp...is not only long but also very (6) ____, in comparison to the size of the species."

    The professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae inside their (7) ____ - usually another insect. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from the inside out. Researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is (8) ____ to be a spider, although they need to undertake further research to ascertain exactly which species of spiders might fall (9) ____ to the wasp's stinger. The professor explained that: "The giant stinger of the (10) ____ species is very likely a highly sophisticated tool as well. Unfortunately we can only guess at its other purposes." He added: "Beautiful and exciting species with (11) ____ habits catch people's attention and highlight the importance (12) ____ maintaining vulnerable ecosystems."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     gone     (b)     came     (c)     coming     (d)     come    
    2. (a)     reject     (b)     abject     (c)     object     (d)     inject    
    3. (a)     fleece     (b)     fierce     (c)     farce     (d)     force    
    4. (a)     let     (b)     wet     (c)     set     (d)     met    
    5. (a)     discovered     (b)     discovery     (c)     discovering     (d)     discovers    
    6. (a)     wide     (b)     widely     (c)     width     (d)     widen    
    7. (a)     hoots     (b)     ghost     (c)     heist     (d)     host    
    8. (a)     likely     (b)     liked     (c)     likes     (d)     liken    
    9. (a)     play     (b)     prey     (c)     pry     (d)     pray    
    10. (a)     currant     (b)     currency     (c)     current     (d)     currently    
    11. (a)     strangely     (b)     stranger     (c)     strange     (d)     strangle    
    12. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     on     (d)     to

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. oaucregne Hollywood to make a horror movie
    2. ictejn a powerful and deadly sting
    3. venom that deslbttaiie its victims
    4. Once rasilypsa has set in
    5. A professor in sivoiitbydre research
    6. in ponimrcsoa to the size of the species

    Paragraph 2

    1. insects put varlea inside their host
    2. the fonnatutrue victim
    3. ieartcsna exactly which species
    4. a highly peiishdocstat tool
    5. catch people's ienttatno
    6. maintaining unlelrbaev ecosystems

    Put the text back together

    (...)  parasitoid wasp...is not only long but also very wide, in comparison to the size of the species."
    (...)  species with strange habits catch people's attention and highlight the importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems."
    (...)  tail that could inject a powerful and deadly sting into any unfortunate victim. A scientist said the stinger "looks like a fierce
    (...)  weapon". The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that debilitates its victims. Once paralysis has set
    (...)  in, the wasp lays eggs inside the victim's body. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland
    (...)  The professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae inside their host - usually another
    (...)  as well. Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other purposes." He added: "Beautiful and exciting
    (...)  insect. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from the inside out. Researchers believe the unfortunate
    (...)  victim of this new wasp is likely to be a spider, although they need to undertake further
    1  ) Scientists in the Amazon rainforest have come across a new wasp that could encourage
    (...)  Hollywood to make a horror movie. The newly-discovered insect has a huge stinger on its
    (...)  that: "The giant stinger of the current species is very likely a highly sophisticated tool
    (...)  discovered the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new
    (...)  research to ascertain exactly which species of spiders might fall prey to the wasp's stinger. The professor explained

    Put the words in the right order

    1. horror   to   Encourage   make   a   Hollywood   movie   .
    2. into   any   sting   victim   .   Inject   deadly   unfortunate   a
    3. victims   .   A   venom   paralyzing   debilitates   its   that
    4. lays   body   .   victim's   eggs   The   wasp   inside   the
    5. the   the   In   size   comparison   to   of   species   .
    6. larvae   inside   insects   put   host   .   Parasitoid   their
    7. eat   the   insect   the   from   inside   out   .   They
    8. which  Undertake   ascertain   to   research   further   species  .  exactly
    9. other   guess   at   We   its   only   purposes   .   can
    10. ecosystems   .  vulnerable  the  importance   of   maintaining   Highlight

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Scientists in the Amazon rainforest have come across / crossing a new wasp that could encourage Hollywood to make a horror movie. The newly-discovered insect has a hug / huge stinger on its tail that could inject / injection a powerful and deadly sting into any fortunately / unfortunate victim. A scientist said the stinger "looks like a farce / fierce weapon". The stinger delivers a paralyzing venom / venomous that debilitates its victims. Once paralysis has set on / in, the wasp lays eggs inside the victim's bodily / body. Researchers from the University of Turku in Finland discovered the wasp. A professor in biodiversity research said: "The stinger of the new parasitoid wasp...is not only length / long but also very wide, in comparison to the size of the species / specs."

    The professor explained that parasitoid insects put lava / larvae inside their host - usually another / other insect. Once the larvae grow, they eat the insect from the inside outer / out. Researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is likely / liken to be a spider, although they need to undertake / overtake further research to ascertain exactly which species of spiders might fall play / prey to the wasp's stinger. The professor explained that: "The giant stinger of the current specials / species is very likely a highly sophisticated tool was / as well. Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other purposes." He added: "Beautiful and exciting species within / with strange habits catch people's attention and highlight the important / importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems."

    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)

    S c__ n t_s t s _n t h_ A m_z_n r__ n f_r_s t h_v_ c_m_ _c r_s s _ n_w w_s p t h_t c__ l d _n c__ r_g_ H_l l y w__ d t_ m_k_ _ h_r r_r m_v__ . T h_ n_w l y - d_s c_v_r_d _n s_c t h_s _ h_g_ s t_n g_r _n _t s t__ l t h_t c__ l d _n j_c t _ p_w_r f_l _n d d__ d l y s t_n g _n t_ _n y _n f_r t_n_t_ v_c t_m . A s c__ n t_s t s__ d t h_ s t_n g_r " l__ k s l_k_ _ f__ r c_ w__ p_n " . T h_ s t_n g_r d_l_v_r s _ p_r_l y z_n g v_n_m t h_t d_b_l_t_t_s _t s v_c t_m s . O n c_ p_r_l y s_s h_s s_t _n , t h_ w_s p l_y s _g g s _n s_d_ t h_ v_c t_m ' s b_d y . R_s__ r c h_r s f r_m t h_ U n_v_r s_t y _f T_r k_ _n F_n l_n d d_s c_v_r_d t h_ w_s p . A p r_f_s s_r _n b__ d_v_r s_t y r_s__ r c h s__ d : " T h_ s t_n g_r _f t h_ n_w p_r_s_t__ d w_s p . . ._s n_t _n l y l_n g b_t _l s_ v_r y w_d_, _n c_m p_r_s_n t_ t h_ s_z_ _f t h_ s p_c__ s . "

    T h_ p r_f_s s_r _x p l__ n_d t h_t p_r_s_t__ d _n s_c t s p_t l_r v__ _n s_d_ t h__ r h_s t - _s__ l l y _n_t h_r _n s_c t . O n c_ t h_ l_r v__ g r_w , t h_y __ t t h_ _n s_c t f r_m t h_ _n s_d_ __ t . R_s__ r c h_r s b_l__ v_ t h_ _n f_r t_n_t_ v_c t_m _f t h_s n_w w_s p _s l_k_l y t_ b_ _ s p_d_r , _l t h__ g h t h_y n__ d t_ _n d_r t_k_ f_r t h_r r_s__ r c h t_ _s c_r t__ n _x_c t l y w h_c h s p_c__ s _f s p_d_r s m_g h t f_l l p r_y t_ t h_ w_s p ' s s t_n g_r . T h_ p r_f_s s_r _x p l__ n_d t h_t : " T h_ g__ n t s t_n g_r _f t h_ c_r r_n t s p_c__ s _s v_r y l_k_l y _ h_g h l y s_p h_s t_c_t_d t__ l _s w_l l . U n f_r t_n_t_l y w_ c_n _n l y g__ s s _t _t s _t h_r p_r p_s_s . " H_ _d d_d : " B___t_f_l _n d _x c_t_n g s p_c__ s w_t h s t r_n g_ h_b_t s c_t c h p__ p l_' s _t t_n t__ n _n d h_g h l_g h t t h_ _m p_r t_n c_ _f m__ n t__ n_n g v_l n_r_b l_ _c_s y s t_m s . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    scientists in the amazon rainforest have come across a new wasp that could encourage hollywood to make a horror movie the newly discovered insect has a huge stinger on its tail that could inject a powerful and deadly sting into any unfortunate victim a scientist said the stinger looks like a fierce weapon the stinger delivers a paralyzing venom that debilitates its victims once paralysis has set in the wasp lays eggs inside the victims body researchers from the university of turku in finland discovered the wasp a professor in biodiversity research said the stinger of the new parasitoid wasp is not only long but also very wide in comparison to the size of the species

    the professor explained that parasitoid insects put larvae inside their host  usually another insect once the larvae grow they eat the insect from the inside out researchers believe the unfortunate victim of this new wasp is likely to be a spider although they need to undertake further research to ascertain exactly which species of spiders might fall prey to the wasps stinger the professor explained that the giant stinger of the current species is very likely a highly sophisticated tool as well Unfortunately, we can only guess at its other purposes he added beautiful and exciting species with strange habits catch peoples attention and highlight the importance of maintaining vulnerable ecosystems

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ScientistsintheAmazonrainforesthavecomeacrossanewwaspthatco
    uldencourageHollywoodtomakeahorrormovie.Thenewly-discove
    redinsecthasahugestingeronitstailthatcouldinjectapowerfulanddea
    dlystingintoanyunfortunatevictim.Ascientistsaidthestinger"lookslik
    eafierceweapon".Thestingerdeliversaparalyzingvenomthatdebilitat
    esitsvictims.Onceparalysishassetin,thewasplayseggsinsidethevicti
    m'sbody.ResearchersfromtheUniversityofTurkuinFinlanddiscovere
    dthewasp.Aprofessorinbiodiversityresearchsaid:"Thestingerofthen
    ewparasitoidwasp...isnotonlylongbutalsoverywide,incomparisontot
    hesizeofthespecies."Theprofessorexplainedthatparasitoidinsectspu
    tlarvaeinsidetheirhost-usuallyanotherinset.Oncethelarvaegrow,th
    eyeattheinsectfromtheinsideout.Researchersbelievetheunfortunat
    evictimofthisnewwaspislikelytobeaspider,althoughtheyneedtounde
    rtakefurtherresearchtoascertainexactlywhichspeciesofspidersmigh
    tfallpreytothewasp'sstinger.Theprofessorexplainedthat:"Thegiants
    tingerofthecurrentspeciesisverylikelyahighlysophisticatedtoolaswel
    l.Unfortunatelywecanonlyguessatitsotherpurposes."Headded:"Bea
    utifulandexcitingspecieswithstrangehabitscatchpeople'sattentiona
    ndhighlighttheimportanceofmaintainingvulnerableecosystems."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Insects are the most interesting and important creatures on the planet. 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. BIODIVERSITY: Make a poster about biodiversity. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. WASPS: Write a magazine article about wasps. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against them.
    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 wasps. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on wasps. 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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