The Reading / Listening - Animal Ears - Level 3

Have you ever wondered what animal has the biggest ears? Of course, it's the African elephant. We all know this. Scientists know this. However, scientists have looked at what animal has the biggest ears for its body size. The elephant has big ears but it also has a giant body. Zoologists from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City have found out which animal has the biggest ears relative to its body size. And the answer is... the long-eared jerboa. Not many people know about this cute, big-eared creature. It is a rodent. It lives in the deserts of China and Mongolia. It is a nocturnal creature, which means it is active at night and sleeps during the day.

Zoologist Mary Ellen Holden described the jerboa. She said its body measures about 10 centimetres (not counting its long tail). Its ears are 3.8 to 5cm long. This means its ears are 40 to 50 per cent as long as its body length. The elephant's ears are just 17 per cent of its body length. Professor Holden said: "The jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the entire animal kingdom." Professor Holden explained why some animals have large ears. They usually live in very hot areas. Large ears help an animal to keep cool in the heat. Their ears are large, thin and have many tiny blood vessels. The blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the animal cool down.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Animal Ears - Level 0,  Animal Ears - Level 1   or  Animal Ears - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.livescience.com/largest-animal-ears-relative-to-body-size.html
  • https://www.bollyinside.com/news/which-animal-has-the-biggest-ears/
  • https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/biggest-ears-elephants-jerboa-bats


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. EARS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about ears. 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?
       wondered / ears / African / elephant / body / size / answer / creature / rodent / active
       zoologist / measure / entire / animal kingdom / hot areas / cool down / blood / air
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. FEATURES: Students A strongly believe ears are the least attractive features of our face; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BODY PARTS: How important are these body parts? What function do they do? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Important?

Function

Ears

 

 

Nose

 

 

Eyes

 

 

Mouth

 

 

Fingers

 

 

Brain

 

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

  • long-eared jerboa
  • koala
  • tiger
  • rabbit
  • elephant
  • sheep
  • tortoise
  • pig

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. wondered a. A very, very tall or large person, animal, or plant.
      2. giant b. When compared to something else.
      3. zoologist c. Wanted or was curious to know something.
      4. relative d. An animal like a rat, mouse, squirrel, hamster, etc. that has strong front teeth.
      5. creature e. An animal, but not a human being.
      6. rodent f. Done, occurring, or active at night.
      7. nocturnal g. An expert in or student of animals.

    Paragraph 2

      8. described h. A thin tube in the body that carries blood.
      9. measure i. All of something.
      10. length j. All of Earth's creatures as a whole.
      11. entire k. Said what something looked like.
      12. animal kingdom l. Find out the size, amount, or degree of something.
      13. heat m. The quality of being hot.
      14. vessel n. The quality of being long.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The African elephant is the animal with the biggest ears.     T / F
  2. The African elephant doesn't have the biggest ears for its body size.     T / F
  3. A jerboa has the biggest ears relative to its body size.     T / F
  4. The long-eared jerboa is more active during the day than at night.     T / F
  5. The long-eared jerboa is 10cm long from head to tail.     T / F
  6. An elephant's ears are 17% as long as the length of its body.     T / F
  7. Animals with large ears usually live in cooler regions.     T / F
  8. The long-eared jerboa's ears help to keep it cool in the heat.     T / F

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

  1. wondered
  2. giant
  3. found out
  4. cute
  5. active
  6. described
  7. entire
  8. usually
  9. tiny
  10. release
  1. discovered
  2. emit
  3. functional
  4. whole
  5. lovable
  6. thought about
  7. normally
  8. very small
  9. huge
  10. detailed

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

  1. We all
  2. scientists have looked at what animal
  3. it also has
  4. Not many people know
  5. it is active at night and
  6. its body measures
  7. Its ears are
  8. in the entire animal
  9. many tiny blood
  10. helps the animal
  1. 3.8 to 5cm long
  2. a giant body
  3. vessels
  4. know this
  5. about 10 centimetres
  6. cool down
  7. about this
  8. sleeps during the day
  9. kingdom
  10. has the biggest ears

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
animal
cute
giant
active
wondered
deserts
size
relative

Have you ever (1) _____________________ what animal has the biggest ears? Of course, it's the African elephant. We all know this. Scientists know this. However, scientists have looked at what (2) _____________________ has the biggest ears for its body (3) _____________________. The elephant has big ears but it also has a (4) _____________________ body. Zoologists from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City have found out which animal has the biggest ears (5) _____________________ to its body size. And the answer is... the long-eared jerboa. Not many people know about this (6) _____________________, big-eared creature. It is a rodent. It lives in the (7) _____________________ of China and Mongolia. It is a nocturnal creature, which means it is (8) _____________________ at night and sleeps during the day.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
areas
cool
counting
vessels
entire
thin
described
length

Zoologist Mary Ellen Holden (9) _____________________ the jerboa. She said its body measures about 10 centimetres (not (10) _____________________ its long tail). Its ears are 3.8 to 5 cm long. This means its ears are 40 to 50 per cent as long as its body (11) _____________________. The elephant's ears are just 17 per cent of its body length. Professor Holden said: "The jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the (12) _____________________ animal kingdom." Professor Holden explained why some animals have large ears. They usually live in very hot (13) _____________________. Large ears help an animal to keep (14) _____________________ in the heat. Their ears are large, (15) _____________________ and have many tiny blood (16) _____________________. The blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the animal cool down.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) However, scientists have looked at what animal has the biggest ears for ______
     a.  its body sized
     b.  its body sizes
     c.  its body sizable
     d.  its body size
2)  The elephant has big ears but it also has ______
     a.  a giant bodily
     b.  a giant body
     c.  a giant bodice
     d.  a giant bode
3)  in New York City have found out which animal has the biggest ears ______ body
     a.  relatively to its
     b.  relatives to its
     c.  relative to its
     d.  relativity to its
4)  Not many people know about this cute, big-eared creature. It ______
     a.  is a row dent
     b.  is a roe dent
     c.  is a rodent
     d.  is a road dent
5)  It is a nocturnal creature, which means it is ______
     a.  actively at night
     b.  activity at night
     c.  active at night
     d.  activate at night

6)  This means its ears are 40 to 50 per cent as long as ______
     a.  its body length
     b.  its body long
     c.  its body lengthen
     d.  its body lengthening
7)  The jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the ______
     a.  entire animal kingdom
     b.  entirely animal king dome
     c.  entire animal king dome
     d.  entirety animal kingdom
8)  Large ears help an animal to keep cool ______
     a.  on the heat
     b.  up the heat
     c.  in the heat
     d.  to the heat
9)  Their ears are large, thin and have many ______
     a.  tinny blood vessels
     b.  tin knee blood vessels
     c.  tie knee blood vessels
     d.  tiny blood vessels
10)  The blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the ______
     a.  animal coal down
     b.  animal coo down
     c.  animal cool down
     d.  animal cools down

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Have (1) ____________________ what animal has the biggest ears? Of course, it's the African elephant. We (2) ____________________. Scientists know this. However, scientists have looked at what animal has the biggest ears for (3) ____________________. The elephant has big ears but it also has a giant body. Zoologists from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City have found out which animal has the biggest ears (4) ____________________ body size. And the answer is... the long-eared jerboa. Not many people know about this cute, (5) ____________________. It is a rodent. It lives in the deserts of China and Mongolia. It is a nocturnal creature, which means it is active at night and sleeps (6) ____________________.

Zoologist Mary Ellen Holden described the jerboa. She said its body measures about 10 centimetres (not (7) ____________________ tail). Its ears are 3.8 to 5 cm long. This (8) ____________________ are 40 to 50 per cent as long as its body length. The elephant's ears are just 17 per cent of its body length. Professor Holden said: "The jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the (9) ____________________." Professor Holden explained why some animals have large ears. They (10) ____________________ very hot areas. Large ears help an animal to keep cool in the heat. Their ears are large, thin and have many (11) ____________________. The blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the (12) ____________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of elephant has the largest ears?
  2. What kinds of scientists looked into ear size?
  3. What family of animals does the long-eared jerboa belong to?
  4. Where in China and Mongolia do long-eared jerboas live?
  5. What does the long-eared jerboa do during the day?
  6. How long is the body of the long-eared jerboa?
  7. How long are an elephant's ears in relation to its body size?
  8. Where do big-eared animals usually live?
  9. What do large ears help animals do?
  10. What does the article say blood from an animal's ears releases?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of elephant has the largest ears?
a) Indian elephants
b) African elephants
c) South American elephants
d) Australian elephants
2) What kinds of scientists looked into ear size?
a) biologists
b) botanists
c) palaeontologists
d) zoologists
3) What family of animals does the long-eared jerboa belong to?
a) felines
b) canines
c) rodents
d) sheep
4) Where in China and Mongolia do long-eared jerboas live?
a) deserts
b) mountains
c) cities
d) fields
5) What does the long-eared jerboa do during the day?
a) not a lot
b) sleep
c) eat
d) hunt

6) How long is the body of the long-eared jerboa?
a) 10cm
b) 12cm
c) 15cm
d) 20cm
7) How long are an elephant's ears in relation to its body size?
a) 27 per cent as long
b) 20 per cent as long
c) 17 per cent as long
d) 25 per cent as long
8) Where do big-eared animals usually live?
a) in hot places
b) in mountains
c) in cold places
d) in forests
9) What do large ears help animals do?
a) hunt
b) attract mates
c) keep warm
d) keep cool
10) What does the article say blood from an animal's ears releases?
a) messages
b) electricity
c) heat
d) smells

Role play

Role  A – Koalas
You think koalas are the cutest animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why there animals aren't as cute. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): elephants, pigs or sheep.

Role  B – Elephants
You think elephants are the cutest animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why there animals aren't as cute. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): koalas, pigs or sheep.

Role  C – Pigs
You think pigs are the cutest animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why there animals aren't as cute. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): elephants, koalas or sheep.

Role  D – Sheep
You think sheep are the cutest animals. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why there animals aren't as cute. Also, tell the others which is the least cute of these (and why): elephants, pigs or koalas.

After reading / listening

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

'animal'

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

    • and 'ears'.

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

    • • 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:

    • wondered
    • African
    • giant
    • history
    • cute
    • night
    • described
    • tail
    • length
    • entire
    • thin
    • helps

    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 - Animal Ears

    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 'animal'?
    3. Have you ever wondered what animal has the biggest ears?
    4. What do you think of your ears?
    5. What animal has the cutest ears?
    6. What animal has the strangest ears
    7. What do you know about how our ears work?
    8. What do you think of elephants' ears?
    9. What do you know about rodents?
    10. What do you know about nocturnal animals?

    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 'ears'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you want to know about the jerboa?
    5. What different functions do your ears have?
    6. How do you keep cool in the heat?
    7. What would it be like to have really great hearing?
    8. What sounds do you like and dislike?
    9. How important is hearing compared to the other senses?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the zoologists?

    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)

    Have you ever wondered what animal has the biggest ears? Of (1) ____, it's the African elephant. We all know this. Scientists know this. However, scientists have looked at what animal has the biggest ears for (2) ____ body size. The elephant has big ears (3) ____ it also has a giant body. Zoologists from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City have found out which animal has the biggest ears (4) ____ to its body size. And the answer is... the long-eared jerboa. Not many people know about this cute, big-eared creature. It is a (5) ____. It lives in the deserts of China and Mongolia. It is a nocturnal creature, which means it is active at night and sleeps during the (6) ____.

    Zoologist Mary Ellen Holden described the jerboa. She said its body (7) ____ about 10 centimetres (not counting its long tail). Its ears are 3.8 to 5cm long. This means its ears are 40 to 50 per cent as (8) ____ as its body length. The elephant's ears are just 17 per cent of its body length. Professor Holden said: "The jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the (9) ____ animal kingdom." Professor Holden explained why some animals have large ears. They (10) ____ live in very hot areas. Large ears help an animal to keep (11) ____ in the heat. Their ears are large, thin and have many (12) ____ blood vessels. The blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the animal cool down.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     coarse     (b)     curse     (c)     course     (d)     cuss    
    2. (a)     its     (b)     that     (c)     that's     (d)     there    
    3. (a)     but     (b)     however     (c)     moreover     (d)     furthermore    
    4. (a)     relative     (b)     relation     (c)     relatives     (d)     relativity    
    5. (a)     indent     (b)     rodent     (c)     condiment     (d)     detriment    
    6. (a)     night     (b)     day     (c)     winter     (d)     moonlight    
    7. (a)     mazes     (b)     amuses     (c)     measures     (d)     gauges    
    8. (a)     length     (b)     long     (c)     longing     (d)     longs    
    9. (a)     entire     (b)     entirely     (c)     entice     (d)     entwine    
    10. (a)     useful     (b)     used     (c)     usually     (d)     usual    
    11. (a)     cool     (b)     coolly     (c)     coo     (d)     coolness    
    12. (a)     tiny     (b)     tinny     (c)     tinted     (d)     tin

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. nwedored what animal has the biggest ears
    2. ietnsictss know this
    3. it also has a ignat body
    4. alrtevie to its body size
    5. this cute, big-eared racutere
    6. It is cnrutnoal

    Paragraph 2

    1. its body samueers about 10 centimetres
    2. just 17 per cent of its body egnlth
    3. in the ntiere animal kingdom
    4. They usually live in very hot raeas
    5. tiny blood essvels
    6. The blood eleasres heat from the body

    Put the text back together

    (...)  said: "The jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the entire animal
    (...)  know this. Scientists know this. However, scientists have looked at what animal has the biggest
    (...)  (not counting its long tail). Its ears are 3.8 to 5 cm long. This means its ears are 40 to 50 per cent
    (  1  ) Have you ever wondered what animal has the biggest ears? Of course, it's the African elephant. We all
    (...)  areas. Large ears help an animal to keep cool in the heat. Their ears are large, thin and have many tiny
    (...)  American Museum of Natural History in New York City have found out which animal has the biggest ears
    (...)  as long as its body length. The elephant's ears are just 17 per cent of its body length. Professor Holden
    (...)  Zoologist Mary Ellen Holden described the jerboa. She said its body measures about 10 centimetres
    (...)  blood vessels. The blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the animal cool down.
    (...)  kingdom." Professor Holden explained why some animals have large ears. They usually live in very hot
    (...)  know about this cute, big-eared creature. It is a rodent. It lives in the deserts of China and Mongolia. It is a nocturnal
    (...)  ears for its body size. The elephant has big ears but it also has a giant body. Zoologists from the
    (...)  creature, which means it is active at night and sleeps during the day.
    (...)  relative to its body size. And the answer is... the long-eared jerboa. Not many people

    Put the words in the right order

    1. ears   .   animal   the   biggest   has   what   discovered   Scientists
    2. The   relative   its   ears   size   .   biggest   to   body
    3. people   Not   so   many   know   this   .   about
    4. China   .   the   lives   of   It   in   deserts
    5. means   it   This   active   at   is   night   .
    6. said   body   She   about   measures   its   10   centimetres   .
    7. in   ears   The   the   longest   animal   entire   kingdom   .
    8. why   Holden   animals   some   explained   have   large   ears   .
    9. ears   help   an   animal   to   Large   keep   cool   .
    10. releases   heat   body   Blood   into   the   air   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Have you ever wandered / wondered what animal has the biggest ears? Of course / coarse, it's the African elephant. We all know this. Scientists know this. However, scientists have looked at what animal has the biggest ears to / for its body size. The elephant has big ears that / but it also has a giant body. Zoologists from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City have founded / found out which animal has the biggest ears relation / relative to its body size. And the solution / answer is... the long-eared jerboa. Not many people know about this cute, big-eared creative / creature. It is a rodent. It lives in the deserts / desserts of China and Mongolia. It is a nocturnal creature, which means it is active at night and sleeps during the day / night.

    Zoologist Mary Ellen Holden described the jerboa. She said they / its body measures about 10 centimetres (not / so counting its long tail). Its ears are 3.8 to 5 cm long. This means its ears are 40 to 50 per cent as length / long as its body length. The elephant's ears are adjust / just 17 per cent of its body length. Professor Holden said: "The jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the entire / entirely animal kingdom." Professor Holden explained why / what some animals have largely / large ears. They usually live in very hot areas. Large ears help an animal to keep cool in the heater / heat. Their ears are large, thin and have many tinny / tiny blood vessels. The blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the animal cool up / down.

    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)

    H_v_  y__  _v_r  w_nd_r_d  wh_t  _n_m_l  h_s  th_  b_gg_st  __rs?  _f  c__rs_,  _t's  th_  _fr_c_n  _l_ph_nt.  W_  _ll  kn_w  th_s.  Sc__nt_sts  kn_w  th_s.  H_w_v_r,  sc__nt_sts  h_v_  l__k_d  _t  wh_t  _n_m_l  h_s  th_  b_gg_st  __rs  f_r  _ts  b_dy  s_z_.  Th_  _l_ph_nt  h_s  b_g  __rs  b_t  _t  _ls_  h_s  _  g__nt  b_dy.  Z__l_g_sts  fr_m  th_  _m_r_c_n  M_s__m  _f  N_t_r_l  H_st_ry  _n  N_w  Y_rk  C_ty  h_v_  f__nd  __t  wh_ch  _n_m_l  h_s  th_  b_gg_st  __rs  r_l_t_v_  t_  _ts  b_dy  s_z_.  _nd  th_  _nsw_r  _s...  th_  l_ng-__r_d  j_rb__.  N_t  m_ny  p__pl_  kn_w  _b__t  th_s  c_t_,  b_g-__r_d  cr__t_r_.  _t  _s  _  r_d_nt.  _t  l_v_s  _n  th_  d_s_rts  _f  Ch_n_  _nd  M_ng_l__.  _t  _s  _  n_ct_rn_l  cr__t_r_,  wh_ch  m__ns  _t  _s  _ct_v_  _t  n_ght  _nd  sl__ps  d_r_ng  th_  d_y.

    Z__l_g_st  M_ry  _ll_n  H_ld_n  d_scr_b_d  th_  j_rb__.  Sh_  s__d  _ts  b_dy  m__s_r_s  _b__t  10  c_nt_m_tr_s  (n_t  c__nt_ng  _ts  l_ng  t__l).  _ts  __rs  _r_  3.8  t_  5  cm  l_ng.  Th_s  m__ns  _ts  __rs  _r_  40  t_  50  p_r  c_nt  _s  l_ng  _s  _ts  b_dy  l_ngth.  Th_  _l_ph_nt's  __rs  _r_  j_st  17  p_r  c_nt  _f  _ts  b_dy  l_ngth.  Pr_f_ss_r  H_ld_n  s__d:  "Th_  j_rb__  h_s  th_  l_ng_st  __rs  f_r  th_  s_z_  _f  _ts  b_dy  _n  th_  _nt_r_  _n_m_l  k_ngd_m."  Pr_f_ss_r  H_ld_n  _xpl__n_d  why  s_m_  _n_m_ls  h_v_  l_rg_  __rs.  Th_y  _s__lly  l_v_  _n  v_ry  h_t  _r__s.  L_rg_  __rs  h_lp  _n  _n_m_l  t_  k__p  c__l  _n  th_  h__t.  Th__r  __rs  _r_  l_rg_,  th_n  _nd  h_v_  m_ny  t_ny  bl__d  v_ss_ls.  Th_  bl__d  r_l__s_s  h__t  fr_m  th_  b_dy  _nt_  th_  __r,  wh_ch  h_lps  th_  _n_m_l  c__l  d_wn.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    have you ever wondered what animal has the biggest ears? of course, it's the african elephant. we all know this. scientists know this. however, scientists have looked at what animal has the biggest ears for its body size. the elephant has big ears but it also has a giant body. zoologists from the american museum of natural history in new york city have found out which animal has the biggest ears relative to its body size. and the answer is... the long-eared jerboa. not many people know about this cute, big-eared creature. it is a rodent. it lives in the deserts of china and mongolia. it is a nocturnal creature, which means it is active at night and sleeps during the day.

    zoologist mary ellen holden described the jerboa. she said its body measures about 10 centimetres (not counting its long tail). its ears are 3.8 to 5 cm long. this means its ears are 40 to 50 per cent as long as its body length. the elephant's ears are just 17 per cent of its body length. professor holden said: "the jerboa has the longest ears for the size of its body in the entire animal kingdom." professor holden explained why some animals have large ears. they usually live in very hot areas. large ears help an animal to keep cool in the heat. their ears are large, thin and have many tiny blood vessels. the blood releases heat from the body into the air, which helps the animal cool down

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Haveyoueverwonderedwhatanimalhasthebiggestears?Ofcourse,it's
    theAfricanelephant.Weallknowthis.Scientistsknowthis.However,sci
    entistshavelookedatwhatanimalhasthebiggestearsforitsbodysize.T
    heelephanthasbigearsbutitalsohasagiantbody.ZoologistsfromtheA
    mericanMuseumofNaturalHistoryinNewYorkCityhavefoundoutwhic
    hanimalhasthebiggestearsrelativetoitsbodysize.Andtheansweris...t
    helong-earedjerboa.Notmanypeopleknowaboutthiscute,big-earedc
    reature.Itisarodent.ItlivesinthedesertsofChinaandMongolia.Itisano
    cturnalcreature,whichmeansitisactiveatnightandsleepsduringtheda
    y.ZoologistMaryEllenHoldendescribedthejerboa.Shesaiditsbodyme
    asuresabout10centimetres(notcountingitslongtail).Itsearsare3.8to
    5cmlong.Thismeansitsearsare40to50percentaslongasitsbodylengt
    h.Theelephant'searsarejust17percentofitsbodylength.ProfessorHol
    densaid:"Thejerboahasthelongestearsforthesizeofitsbodyintheentir
    eanimalkingdom."ProfessorHoldenexplainedwhysomeanimalshavel
    argeears.Theyusuallyliveinveryhotareas.Largeearshelpananimalto
    keepcoolintheheat.Theirearsarelarge,thinandhavemanytinybloodv
    essels.Thebloodreleasesheatfromthebodyintotheair,whichhelpsthe
    animalcooldown.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Ears are very important and beautiful. 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. EARS: Make a poster about ears. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. RESEARCH: Write a magazine article about the importance of researching animal ears. 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 ears. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. 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

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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