The Reading / Listening - Carnivorous plants - Level 6

Botanists have discovered a new, carnivorous plant. It is the western false asphodel. This is a white flower that is relatively common along the coastline of the Pacific Northwest in the USA and on Canada's western coast. It was actually first discovered in 1879, but botanists back then did not realise the innocuous-looking flower was actually a meat eater. Researchers have recently determined that sticky, tiny hairs along the bloom's stem produce a digestive enzyme that other carnivorous plants use to ensnare and eat insects. Professor Sean Graham, a botanist with the University of British Columbia, told the NPR news agency: "We had no idea it was carnivorous."

There are fewer than 1,000 carnivorous plant species known to scientists. The western false asphodel is the first to be discovered in 20 years. Professor Graham believes there may be more carnivores among our common flora. He said: "I suspect that there might be more carnivorous plants out there than we think." He believes many people will be surprised that the familiar asphodel is actually a carnivore. Co-researcher Dr Qianshi Lin said: "What's particularly unique about this carnivorous plant is that it traps insects near its insect-pollinated flowers." He added: "This seems like a conflict between carnivory and pollination because you don't want to kill the insects that are helping you reproduce."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Carnivorous plants - Level 4  or  Carnivorous plants - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.nsnews.com/amp/local-news/west-coast-flower-a-meat-eater-ubc-study-finds-4210585
  • https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/environment/567371-scientists-discover-common-flower-is-carnivorous
  • https://nerdist.com/article/new-carnivorous-plant-species-alaska-triantha-occidentalis/


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. CARNIVOROUS PLANTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about carnivorous plants. 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?
       discovered / carnivorous / plant / coastline / botanist / meat / enzyme / professor /
       species / scientists / flora / researcher / insect / conflict / pollination / reproduce
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BOTANY: Students A strongly believe botany should be a school subject; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

4. CARNIVOROUS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "carnivorous". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

5. PLANTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best plants at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Venus fly trap
  • Cactus
  • Rose
  • Bamboo
  • Moss
  • Pine tree
  • Rice
  • Ivy

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. carnivorous a. A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.
      2. relatively b. Of a plant able to trap and digest small animals, especially insects; of an animal feeding on other animals.
      3. common c. A flower, especially one cultivated for its beauty.
      4. innocuous d. In relation, comparison, or proportion to something else.
      5. bloom e. Not harmful or offensive.
      6. stem f. Found or living in relatively large numbers; not rare.
      7. enzyme g. The thin body of a plant from which leaves grow.

    Paragraph 2

      8. species h. A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
      9. flora i. Create or make again.
      10. familiar j. The plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.
      11. unique k. An incompatibility between two or more opinions, principles, or interests.
      12. pollinated l. Well known from long or close association.
      13. conflict m. Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.
      14. reproduce n. Received pollen to allow fertilization.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The newly-discovered carnivorous plant is black and dark red in colour.   T / F
  2. The plant was originally discovered in the 19th century.     T / F
  3. The plant has sticky hairs on its stem which trap insects.     T / F
  4. A professor from Colombia did research on the plant.     T / F
  5. The last time a carnivorous plant was discovered was 20 years ago.     T / F
  6. The professor doubted more carnivorous plants would be found.     T / F
  7. The researcher said the new discovery would not really surprise people.   T / F
  8. A researcher said the plant is unique because it traps insects.     T / F

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

  1. discovered
  2. common
  3. realise
  4. determined
  5. ensnare
  6. suspect
  7. familiar
  8. unique
  9. conflict
  10. reproduce
  1. trap
  2. notice
  3. procreate
  4. widespread
  5. distinctive
  6. clash
  7. unearthed
  8. well known
  9. found out
  10. guess

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

  1. relatively common along
  2. It was actually first discovered
  3. the innocuous-looking flower was
  4. sticky, tiny hairs along the
  5. ensnare and
  6. 1,000 carnivorous plant species
  7. among our common
  8. He believes many people will
  9. What's particularly
  10. insects that are helping
  1. flora
  2. actually a meat eater
  3. unique about this
  4. known to scientists
  5. be surprised
  6. the coastline
  7. bloom's stem
  8. you reproduce
  9. in 1879
  10. eat insects

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
enzyme
botanists
carnivorous
botanist
relatively
sticky
ensnare
coast

Botanists have discovered a new, (1) _____________________ plant. It is the western false asphodel. This is a white flower that is (2) _____________________ common along the coastline of the Pacific Northwest in the USA and on Canada's western (3) _____________________. It was actually first discovered in 1879, but (4) _____________________ back then did not realise the innocuous-looking flower was actually a meat eater. Researchers have recently determined that (5) _____________________, tiny hairs along the bloom's stem produce a digestive (6) _____________________ that other carnivorous plants use to (7) _____________________ and eat insects. Professor Sean Graham, a (8) _____________________ with the University of British Columbia, told the NPR news agency: "We had no idea it was carnivorous."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
familiar
flora
conflict
species
pollinated
discovered
reproduce
unique

There are fewer than 1,000 carnivorous plant (9) _____________________ known to scientists. The western false asphodel is the first to be (10) _____________________ in 20 years. Professor Graham believes there may be more carnivores among our common (11) _____________________. He said: "I suspect that there might be more carnivorous plants out there than we think." He believes many people will be surprised that the (12) _____________________ asphodel is actually a carnivore. Co-researcher Dr Qianshi Lin said: "What's particularly (13) _____________________ about this carnivorous plant is that it traps insects near its insect-(14) _____________________ flowers." He added: "This seems like a (15) _____________________ between carnivory and pollination because you don't want to kill the insects that are helping you (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  This is a white flower that is relatively common ______
     a.  all long the coastline
     b.  along the cast line
     c.  all along the caste line
     d.  along the coastline
2)  It was actually first discovered in 1879, but botanists back then ______
     a.  did not relish
     b.  did not realise
     c.  did not real eyes
     d.  did not real lays
3)  first discovered in 1879, but botanists back then did not realise the ______
     a.  innocuously-looking flower
     b.  inoculated-looking flower
     c.  in knock louse-looking flower
     d.  innocuous-looking flower
4)  recently determined that sticky, tiny hairs along the bloom's stem produce ______
     a.  a digestively enzyme
     b.  a digestives enzyme
     c.  a digestive enzyme
     d.  a digest tiff enzyme
5)  of British Columbia, told the NPR news agency: "We ______"
     a.  had know idea
     b.  had no idea
     c.  had non idea
     d.  had now idea

6)  There are fewer than 1,000 carnivorous plant species ______
     a.  knowing to scientists
     b.  knowhow to scientists
     c.  know in to scientists
     d.  known to scientists
7)  The western false asphodel is the first to be discovered ______
     a.  in 20 years
     b.  on 20 years
     c.  din 20 years
     d.  dine 20 years
8)  Professor Graham believes there may be more carnivores among ______
     a.  our common floral
     b.  our common fauna
     c.  our common flora
     d.  our common floorer
9)  What's particularly unique about this carnivorous plant is that ______
     a.  it trips insects
     b.  it traps insects
     c.  it traipse insects
     d.  it tropes insects
10) carnivory and pollination because you don't want to kill the insects that are ______
     a.  helping you're produce
     b.  helping your produce
     c.  helping you reap produce
     d.  helping you reproduce

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Botanists have discovered a (1) ____________________. It is the western false asphodel. This is a white flower that (2) ____________________ along the coastline of the Pacific Northwest in the USA and on Canada's western coast. It was (3) ____________________ in 1879, but botanists back then did not realise the innocuous-looking flower was actually a meat eater. Researchers have (4) ____________________ sticky, tiny hairs along the bloom's stem produce a (5) ____________________ other carnivorous plants use to ensnare and eat insects. Professor Sean Graham, a botanist with the University of British Columbia, told the (6) ____________________: "We had no idea it was carnivorous."

There are fewer than 1,000 carnivorous plant (7) ____________________ scientists. The western false asphodel is the first to be discovered in 20 years. Professor Graham believes there may be more carnivores among (8) ____________________. He said: "I suspect that there might be more carnivorous plants out there than we think." He believes many people will be surprised (9) ____________________ asphodel is actually a carnivore. Co-researcher Dr Qianshi Lin said: "What's (10) ____________________ this carnivorous plant is that it traps insects near its insect-pollinated flowers." He added: "This seems (11) ____________________ between carnivory and pollination because you don't want to kill the insects that are (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. What colour is the new flower?
  2. Where can the flower be found?
  3. When was the flower initially discovered?
  4. How do tiny hairs on the plan's stem ensnare insects?
  5. What university does Professor Sean Graham work for?
  6. When was the last carnivorous flower discovered?
  7. Where did Prof. Graham think there might be more carnivorous plants?
  8. How did Professor Graham think people would feel?
  9. What did a researcher say was unique about the plant?
  10. What did the researcher say it seemed like pollination conflicted with?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What colour is the new flower?
a) violet
b) black
c) white
d) lilac
2) Where can the flower be found?
a) the Pacific Northwest
b) all over the US
c) northern Canada
d) in gardens
3) When was the flower initially discovered?
a) 1978
b) 1879
c) 1789
d) 1987
4) How do tiny hairs on the plan's stem ensnare insects?
a) they are magnetic
b) they are electrified
c) they are poisonous
d) they are sticky
5) What university does Professor Sean Graham work for?
a) the University of Colombia
b) the University of British Columbia
c) the University of Columbia
d) the University of Colombo

6) When was the last carnivorous flower discovered?
a) 200 years ago
b) 20 years ago
c) 12 years ago
d) 22 years ago
7) Where did Prof. Graham think there might be more carnivorous plants?
a) in gardens
b) in the jungle
c) in science fiction
d) out there
8) How did Professor Graham think people would feel?
a) amazed
b) surprised
c) afraid
d) interested
9) What did a researcher say was unique about the plant?
a) its colour
b) it traps insects near its flowers
c) its scent
d) its stickiness

10) What did the researcher say it seemed like pollination conflicted with?
a) carnivory
b) bees
c) pollen
d) nature

Role play

Role  A – Venus Fly Trap
You think a Venus fly trap is the best plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cactus, bamboo or moss.

Role  B – Cactus
You think a cactus is the best plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): Venus fly trap, bamboo or moss.

Role  C – Bamboo
You think bamboo is the best plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cactus, Venus fly trap or moss.

Role  D – Moss
You think moss is the best plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cactus, bamboo or Venus fly trap.

After reading / listening

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

'plant

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

    • and 'meat'.

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

    • • 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:

    • new
    • white
    • coast
    • 1879
    • sticky
    • agency
    • known
    • 20
    • flora
    • believes
    • traps
    • kill

    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 - Carnivorous plants

    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 'plant'?
    3. What do you know about carnivorous plants?
    4. What do you think of carnivorous plants?
    5. What would life be like if there were human-eating plants?
    6. What are your favourite plants?
    7. What is the job of a botanist like?
    8. How do carnivorous plants catch and eat their prey?
    9. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    10. What are the most interesting things about flowers?

    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 'meat'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What are the world's most useful plants?
    5. Why do people like plants in their homes?
    6. Why do people give flowers?
    7. Is a carnivorous plant a good gift?
    8. What do you know about the process of plant pollination?
    9. What do you think of the plants in or around your house?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the botanists?

    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)

    Botanists have discovered a new, carnivorous plant. It is the western false asphodel. This is a white flower that is (1) ____ common along the coastline of the Pacific Northwest in the USA and (2) ____ Canada's western coast. It was actually first discovered in 1879, but botanists back then did not realise the (3) ____-looking flower was actually a meat eater. Researchers have recently determined that sticky, tiny hairs along the bloom's (4) ____ produce a digestive enzyme that other carnivorous plants use to (5) ____ and eat insects. Professor Sean Graham, a botanist with the University of British Columbia, told the NPR news agency: "We had (6) ____ idea it was carnivorous."

    There are fewer than 1,000 carnivorous plant species (7) ____ to scientists. The western false asphodel is the first to be discovered in 20 years. Professor Graham believes there may be more carnivores among our common (8) ____. He said: "I suspect that there might be more carnivorous plants out there than we think." He believes many people will be surprised that the (9) ____ asphodel is actually a carnivore. Co-researcher Dr Qianshi Lin said: "What's particularly (10) ____ about this carnivorous plant is that it traps insects near its insect-pollinated flowers." He added: "This (11) ____ like a conflict between carnivory and pollination because you don't want to kill the insects that are helping you (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     relativity     (b)     relatively     (c)     relation     (d)     relative    
    2. (a)     an     (b)     on     (c)     in     (d)     to    
    3. (a)     inoculated     (b)     innocents     (c)     innocently     (d)     innocuous    
    4. (a)     fragrance     (b)     stem     (c)     pollen     (d)     pollination    
    5. (a)     share     (b)     stare     (c)     spare     (d)     ensnare    
    6. (a)     not     (b)     non     (c)     no     (d)     known    
    7. (a)     known     (b)     knowing     (c)     knows     (d)     knowhow    
    8. (a)     fauna     (b)     fresco     (c)     flora     (d)     flue    
    9. (a)     aware     (b)     recognise     (c)     popularity     (d)     familiar    
    10. (a)     unique     (b)     ubiquitous     (c)     arcane     (d)     arachnid    
    11. (a)     seems     (b)     deems     (c)     teems     (d)     memes    
    12. (a)     reproduce     (b)     replicate     (c)     duplicate     (d)     copy

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. unoivscrrao plant
    2. ealelrvyit common
    3. an nuoncousi-looking flower
    4. produce a devstgeii enzyme
    5. sneaern and eat insects
    6. a tsntoiab with the university

    Paragraph 2

    1. plant esiceps
    2. among our common larfo
    3. the afmaiilr asphodel
    4. What's particularly nqueiu about this
    5. a conflict between carnivory and oiinltaplon
    6. helping you erecorpdu

    Put the text back together

    (...)  particularly unique about this carnivorous plant is that it traps insects near its insect-
    (.1.) Botanists have discovered a new, carnivorous plant. It is the western false asphodel. This is a white flower that is relatively
    (...)  many people will be surprised that the familiar asphodel is actually a carnivore. Co-researcher Dr Qianshi Lin said: "What's
    (...)  flora. He said: "I suspect that there might be more carnivorous plants out there than we think." He believes
    (...)  of British Columbia, told the NPR news agency: "We had no idea it was carnivorous."
    (...)  common along the coastline of the Pacific Northwest in the USA and on Canada's western
    (...)  pollinated flowers." He added: "This seems like a conflict between carnivory and pollination because
    (...)  There are fewer than 1,000 carnivorous plant species known to scientists. The western false asphodel is the first to
    (...)  looking flower was actually a meat eater. Researchers have recently determined that sticky, tiny
    (...)  use to ensnare and eat insects. Professor Sean Graham, a botanist with the University
    (...)  you don't want to kill the insects that are helping you reproduce."
    (...)  be discovered in 20 years. Professor Graham believes there may be more carnivores among our common
    (...)  hairs along the bloom's stem produce a digestive enzyme that other carnivorous plants
    (...)  coast. It was actually first discovered in 1879, but botanists back then did not realise the innocuous-

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   have   discovered   carnivorous   plant   .   Botanists   new,
    2. is   flower   A   common   .   that   white   relatively
    3. in   first   It   discovered   was   actually   1879   .
    4. a   digestive   enzyme   .   The   produces   bloom's   stem
    5. ensnare   insects   .   Other   it   to   plants   use   carnivorous
    6. plant   than   fewer   species   .   carnivorous   are   There   1,000
    7. There   be   our   carnivores   among   flora   .   more   may
    8. I   there   carnivorous   might   suspect   more   be   plants   .
    9. insect-pollinated   its   It   traps   flowers   .   insects   near
    10. that   the   reproduce   .   insects   are   Kill   you   helping

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Botanists have discovered a new / anew, carnivorous plant. It is the western false asphodel. This is a white flower that is relative / relatively common along the coastline as / of the Pacific Northwest in the USA and on Canada's western coast. It was actually / actual first discovered in 1879, but botanists back then did not realise the innocuous-looking flower / flowery was actually a meat eater. Researchers have recently determining / determined that sticky, tiny hairs along the bloom's stem / stern produce a digestive enzyme that other carnivorous plants abuse / use to ensnare and eat insects. Professor Sean Graham, a botanist to / with the University of British Columbia, told the NPR news agency: "We had no ideal / idea it was carnivorous."

    There are fewer than 1,000 carnivorous plant species knowing / known to scientists. The western false asphodel is the first to be / being discovered in 20 years. Professor Graham beliefs / believes there may be more carnivores among our common / commonly flora. He said: "I suspect that there might be more carnivorous plants out / up there than we think." He believes many people will be surprised that the / a familiar asphodel is actually a carnivore. Co-researcher Dr Qianshi Lin said: "What's particular / particularly unique about this carnivorous plant is that it traipse / traps insects near its insect-pollinated flowers." He added: "This seems like a conflict among / between carnivory and pollination because you don't want to kill the insects that are helping you  / your reproduce."

    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)

    B_t_n_sts  h_v_  d_sc_v_r_d  _  n_w,  c_rn_v_r__s  pl_nt.  _t  _s  th_  w_st_rn  f_ls_  _sph_d_l.  Th_s  _s  _  wh_t_  fl_w_r  th_t  _s  r_l_t_v_ly  c_mm_n  _l_ng  th_  c__stl_n_  _f  th_  P_c_f_c  N_rthw_st  _n  th_  _S_  _nd  _n  C_n_d_'s  w_st_rn  c__st.  _t  w_s  _ct__lly  f_rst  d_sc_v_r_d  _n  1879,  b_t  b_t_n_sts  b_ck  th_n  d_d  n_t  r__l_s_  th_  _nn_c___s-l__k_ng  fl_w_r  w_s  _ct__lly  _  m__t  __t_r.  R_s__rch_rs  h_v_  r_c_ntly  d_t_rm_n_d  th_t  st_cky,  t_ny  h__rs  _l_ng  th_  bl__m's  st_m  pr_d_c_  _  d_g_st_v_  _nzym_  th_t  _th_r  c_rn_v_r__s  pl_nts  _s_  t_  _nsn_r_  _nd  __t  _ns_cts.  Pr_f_ss_r  S__n  Gr_h_m,  _  b_t_n_st  w_th  th_  _n_v_rs_ty  _f  Br_t_sh  C_l_mb__,  t_ld  th_  NPR  n_ws  _g_ncy:  "W_  h_d  n_  _d__  _t  w_s  c_rn_v_r__s."

    Th_r_  _r_  f_w_r  th_n  1,000  c_rn_v_r__s  pl_nt  sp_c__s  kn_wn  t_  sc__nt_sts.  Th_  w_st_rn  f_ls_  _sph_d_l  _s  th_  f_rst  t_  b_  d_sc_v_r_d  _n  20  y__rs.  Pr_f_ss_r  Gr_h_m  b_l__v_s  th_r_  m_y  b_  m_r_  c_rn_v_r_s  _m_ng  __r  c_mm_n  fl_r_.  H_  s__d:  "_  s_sp_ct  th_t  th_r_  m_ght  b_  m_r_  c_rn_v_r__s  pl_nts  __t  th_r_  th_n  w_  th_nk."  H_  b_l__v_s  m_ny  p__pl_  w_ll  b_  s_rpr_s_d  th_t  th_  f_m_l__r  _sph_d_l  _s  _ct__lly  _  c_rn_v_r_.  C_-r_s__rch_r  Dr  Q__nsh_  L_n  s__d:  "Wh_t's  p_rt_c_l_rly  _n_q__  _b__t  th_s  c_rn_v_r__s  pl_nt  _s  th_t  _t  tr_ps  _ns_cts  n__r  _ts  _ns_ct-p_ll_n_t_d  fl_w_rs."  H_  _dd_d:  "Th_s  s__ms  l_k_  _  c_nfl_ct  b_tw__n  c_rn_v_ry  _nd  p_ll_n_t__n  b_c__s_  y__  d_n't  w_nt  t_  k_ll  th_  _ns_cts  th_t  _r_  h_lp_ng  y__  r_pr_d_c_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    botanists have discovered a new carnivorous plant it is the western false asphodel this is a white flower that is relatively common along the coastline of the pacific northwest in the usa and on canadas western coast it was actually first discovered in 1879 but botanists back then did not realise the innocuouslooking flower was actually a meat eater researchers have recently determined that sticky tiny hairs along the blooms stem produce a digestive enzyme that other carnivorous plants use to ensnare and eat insects professor sean graham a botanist with the university of british columbia told the npr news agency we had no idea it was carnivorous

    there are fewer than 1000 carnivorous plant species known to scientists the western false asphodel is the first to be discovered in 20 years professor graham believes there may be more carnivores among our common flora he said i suspect that there might be more carnivorous plants out there than we think he believes many people will be surprised that the familiar asphodel is actually a carnivore coresearcher dr qianshi lin said whats particularly unique about this carnivorous plant is that it traps insects near its insectpollinated flowers he added this seems like a conflict between carnivory and pollination because you dont want to kill the insects that are helping you reproduce

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Botanistshavediscoveredanew,carnivorousplant.Itisthewesternfals
    easphodel.Thisisawhiteflowerthatisrelativelycommonalongthecoast
    lineofthePacificNorthwestintheUSAandonCanada'swesterncoast.It
    wasactuallyfirstdiscoveredin1879,butbotanistsbackthendidnotreali
    setheinnocuous-lookingflowerwasactuallyameateater.Researcher
    shaverecentlydeterminedthatsticky,tinyhairsalongthebloom'sstem
    produceadigestiveenzymethatothercarnivorousplantsusetoensnare
    andeatinsects.ProfessorSeanGraham,abotanistwiththeUniversityof
    BritishColumbia,toldtheNPRnewsagency:"Wehadnoideaitwascarniv
    orous."Therearefewerthan1,000carnivorousplantspeciesknowntosc
    ientists.Thewesternfalseasphodelisthefirsttobediscoveredin20year
    s.ProfessorGrahambelievestheremaybemorecarnivoresamongourc
    ommonflora.Hesaid:"Isuspectthattheremightbemorecarnivorouspl
    antsouttherethanwethink."Hebelievesmanypeoplewillbesurprisedt
    hatthefamiliarasphodelisactuallyacarnivore.Co-researcherDrQian
    shiLinsaid:"What'sparticularlyuniqueaboutthiscarnivorousplantisth
    atittrapsinsectsnearitsinsect-pollinatedflowers."Headded:"Thisse
    emslikeaconflictbetweencarnivoryandpollinationbecauseyoudon'tw
    anttokilltheinsectsthatarehelpingyoureproduce."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    All children should study botany at school. 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. BOTANY: Make a poster about botany. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. CARNIVOROUS PLANTS: Write a magazine article about trying to turn carnivorous plants into herbivores. 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 carnivorous plants. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on carnivorous plants. 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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