The Reading / Listening - Water Purification - Level 6

Scientists have unearthed a previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath us. Researchers at Michigan State University have been exploring an area just below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This zone is essential to providing the conditions that sustain life. The researchers called the microbes CSP1-3. The microorganisms could be a key part of the process of purifying our water. Microbiologist James Tiedje said that while layers of soil are responsible for much of the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 are also indispensable. He said: "CSP1-3 are the scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have a job to do to purify our drinking water.

Dr Tiedje and his team focused on the microbes living in the deep soil, up to 200 metres beneath our feet. He said the CSP1-3 microbes remove harmful contaminants and detritus from the water supply. He now wants to cultivate CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about their properties. He believes they could be utilized to clean up pollution in the soil. He said: "We don't know their capacities for metabolizing tough pollutants and, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's most pressing problems." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this newly found group could boost conservation efforts and help address climate change."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Water Purification - Level 4  or  Water Purification - Level 5

Sources
  • https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-bizarre-new-lifeforms-in-earths-mysterious-critical-zone/
  • https://www.sci.news/biology/deep-soil-bacteria-13810.html
  • https://www.earth.com/news/new-microbes-found-deep-underground-critical-zone-help-clean-our-water/


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. WATER: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about water. 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 / species / microbes / Earth / purification / water / microbiologist / soil /
       beneath our feet / contaminant / detritus / lab / pollution / problems / climate change
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WATER QUALITY: Students A strongly believe water quality will continue to go down; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. MICROBES: What do you know and what do you want to know about these microbes? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Want to Know

Bacteria

 

 

Protozoa

 

 

Algae

 

 

Fungi

 

 

Viruses

 

 

Parasites

 

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

  • Organic waste
  • Fertilizers
  • Oil
  • Microplastics
  • Industrial waste
  • Radiation
  • Toxic waste
  • Sewage

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. unearthed a. Animals that look around for and eat dead things.
      2. critical b. Found something new.
      3. sustain c. The dirt where plants grow; the ground outside.
      4. purifying d. Very important: Something you really, really need.
      5. soil e. Making something clean; taking the dirt or bad things out.
      6. indispensable f. To keep something going; to help something stay alive or continue.
      7. scavengers g. You cannot live without it; something you absolutely need.

    Paragraph 2

      8. microbe h. A very, very, very small living thing.
      9. contaminant i. To try to fix something that is wrong.
      10. detritus j. Something that makes something dirty or unsafe.
      11. cultivate k. Very important and needs to be done now.
      12. metabolizing l. Small pieces of waste or dead things.
      13. pressing m. To grow plants by taking care of them.
      14. address n. How living things use food for energy.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The new species of microbes are largely found in rain and waterfalls.     T / F
  2. The researchers looked at an area called the Crucial Zone.     T / F
  3. A researcher said the microbes could be a key part of water filtration.     T / F
  4. The researcher called the microbes scavengers.     T / F
  5. The microbes can be found 200 metres beneath our feet.     T / F
  6. The researcher wants to grow the new microbes in his laboratory.     T / F
  7. The researcher said the microbes could help our metabolism.     T / F
  8. The researcher says the microbes will reverse climate change.     T / F

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

  1. unearthed
  2. exploring
  3. sustain
  4. indispensable
  5. purify
  6. focused
  7. detritus
  8. utilize
  9. capacity
  10. pressing
  1. concentrated
  2. put to use
  3. cleanse
  4. looking into
  5. ability
  6. discovered
  7. urgent
  8. waste
  9. essential
  10. support

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

  1. Scientists have unearthed a previously
  2. just below and above the
  3. providing the conditions
  4. the process of
  5. the filtration
  6. He now wants to
  7. they could be utilized
  8. solve one of the Earth's most pressing
  9. boost conservation
  10. help address
  1. efforts
  2. purifying our water
  3. problems
  4. of rainwater
  5. unknown species
  6. climate change
  7. cultivate CSP1-3 in his lab
  8. Earth's surface
  9. to clean up pollution
  10. that sustain life

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
exploring
process
indispensable
unearthed
purify
essential
layers
scavengers

Scientists have (1) _________________________________ a previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath us. Researchers at Michigan State University have been (2) _________________________________ an area just below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This zone is (3) _________________________________ to providing the conditions that sustain life. The researchers called the microbes CSP1-3. The microorganisms could be a key part of the (4) _________________________________ of purifying our water. Microbiologist James Tiedje said that while (5) _________________________________ of soil are responsible for much of the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 are also (6) _________________________________. He said: "CSP1-3 are the (7) _________________________________ cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have a job to do to (8) _________________________________ our drinking water.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
address
cultivate
capacities
newly
soil
solve
harmful
utilized

Dr Tiedje and his team focused on the microbes living in the deep (9) _________________________________, up to 200 metres beneath our feet. He said the CSP1-3 microbes remove (10) _________________________________ contaminants and detritus from the water supply. He now wants to (11) _________________________________ CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about their properties. He believes they could be (12) _________________________________ to clean up pollution in the soil. He said: "We don't know their (13) _________________________________ for metabolizing tough pollutants and, if we could learn that, we can help (14) _________________________________ one of the Earth's most pressing problems." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this (15) _________________________________ found group could boost conservation efforts and help (16) _________________________________ climate change."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  unearthed a previously unknown species of microbes in the ______
     a.  earth bequeath us
     b.  earth be neat us
     c.  earth beneath us
     d.  earth beneath the US
2)  Michigan State University have been exploring an area just below and above ______
     a.  the Earth's surfaced
     b.  the Earth's surface
     c.  the Earth's surf face
     d.  the Earth's sir face
3)  This zone is essential to providing the conditions ______
     a.  that suss stain life
     b.  that sass stain life
     c.  that sustains life
     d.  that sustain life
4)  The microorganisms could be a key part of the process of ______
     a.  purify in our water
     b.  purifying our water
     c.  purify on our water
     d.  pure refining our water
5)  CSP1-3 are the scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface ______
     a.  layer of soil
     b.  layer off soil
     c.  layer rough soil
     d.  layer of soiled

6)  Dr Teaja and his team focused on the microbes living in ______
     a.  the depth soil
     b.  the deep soil
     c.  the deepen soil
     d.  the deeps soil
7)  CSP1-3 microbes remove harmful contaminants and detritus from ______
     a.  the water supply
     b.  the watery supply
     c.  the watered supply
     d.  the waters supply
8)  We don't know their capacities for ______
     a.  metabolizing rough pollutants
     b.  metabolizing though pollutants
     c.  metabolizing through pollutants
     d.  metabolizing tough pollutants
9)  we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's ______
     a.  most press in problems
     b.  most passing problems
     c.  most pressing problems
     d.  most pressed in problems
10)  this newly found group could boost conservation efforts and help ______
     a.  address climate change
     b.  redress climate change
     c.  add dress climate change
     d.  a dress climate change

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists (1) _______________________________________________ previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath us. Researchers at Michigan State University have been (2) _______________________________________________ just below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This zone is (3) _______________________________________________ the conditions that sustain life. The researchers called the microbes CSP1-3. The microorganisms could be a key part of the (4) _______________________________________________ our water. Microbiologist James Tiedje said that while layers of soil are responsible for much of the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 (5) _______________________________________________. He said: "CSP1-3 are the scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have a job (6) _______________________________________________ purify our drinking water.

Dr Tiedje and his team focused on the microbes living in the deep soil, up to 200 metres (7) _______________________________________________. He said the CSP1-3 microbes remove harmful contaminants (8) _______________________________________________ the water supply. He now wants to cultivate CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about their properties. He believes they could (9) _______________________________________________ clean up pollution in the soil. He said: "We don't know their capacities for metabolizing (10) _______________________________________________, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's (11) _______________________________________________." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this newly found group could boost conservation efforts (12) _______________________________________________ climate change."

Comprehension questions

  1. What university are the researchers from?
  2. What area of the Earth did the researchers look at?
  3. What is the area essential in providing conditions for?
  4. What role did a microbiologist say the CSP1-3 microbes have?
  5. What job do the microbes have to do with our drinking water?
  6. How far beneath the earth do the microbes live?
  7. What do the CSP1-3 microbes remove from our water supply?
  8. What does the microbiologist want to do to the microbes in his lab?
  9. What does the microbiologist think the microbes can solve?
  10. What could the microbes help to address?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What university are the researchers from?
a) the University of New York
b) the University of Milwaukee
c) the University of Minnesota
d) the University of Michigan
2) What area of the Earth did the researchers look at?
a) the Crucial Zone
b) the Critical Zone
c) the Critics' Zone
d) the Critique Zone
3) What is the area essential in providing conditions for?
a) exploration
b) photosynthesis
c) plant decomposition
d) sustaining life
4) What role did a microbiologist say the CSP1-3 microbes have?
a) to regulate water temperature
b) to remove radiation
c) as scavengers
d) to regulate water pH levels
5) What job do the microbes have to do for our drinking water?
a) make it white
b) freeze it
c) keep dust out
d) purify it

6) How far beneath the earth do the microbes live?
a) up to 400 metres
b) up to 500 metres
c) up to 200 metres
d) up to 900 metres
7) What do the CSP1-3 microbes remove from our water supply?
a) contaminants and detritus
b) acids and alkalis
c) dust and sand
d) hydrogen and oxygen
8) What does the microbiologist want to do to the microbes in his lab?
a) freeze them
b) keep them as pets
c) grow them
d) make organic food from them
9) What does the microbiologist think the microbes can solve?
a) all human illnesses
b) Earth's most pressing problems
c) the meaning of life
d) puzzles
10) What could the microbes help to address?
a) climate change
b) envelopes
c) the envelope of space
d) large crowds

Role play

Role  A – Fertilizers
You think fertilizers are the most worrying water pollutants. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their pollutants are more easily managed. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): oil, radiation or microplastics.

Role  B – Oil
You think oil is the most worrying water pollutants. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their pollutants are more easily managed. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): fertilizers, radiation or microplastics.

Role  C – Radiation
You think radiation is the most worrying water pollutants. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their pollutants are more easily managed. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): oil, fertilizers or microplastics.

Role  D – Microplastics
You think microplastics are the most worrying water pollutants. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their pollutants are more easily managed. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): oil, radiation or fertilizers.

After reading / listening

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

'microbe'

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

    • and 'water'.

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

    • • 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:

    • previously
    • just
    • life
    • key
    • while
    • job
    • focused
    • remove
    • lab
    • know
    • most
    • boost

    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 - Water Purification

    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 'water'?
    3. What do you know about microbes?
    4. What do you think of tap water?
    5. Do you ever think about the quality of the water you drink?
    6. What do you know about Earth's Critical Zone?
    7. What are the conditions that sustain life?
    8. Do you drink enough water?
    9. How might pollution be affecting the quality of drinking water?
    10. How does water compare to other drinks?

    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 'microbe'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you know about water purification?
    5. What do you think of bottled water?
    6. What do you know about what lives 200 metres below ground?
    7. What are Earth's most pressing problems?
    8. In what ways can we boost conservation efforts?
    9. How can we address climate change?
    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 have (1) ____ a previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath us. Researchers at Michigan State University have been exploring an area (2) ____ below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This zone is essential (3) ____ providing the conditions that sustain life. The researchers called the microbes CSP1-3. The microorganisms could be a key part of the process (4) ____ purifying our water. Microbiologist James Tiedje said that while layers of soil are responsible (5) ____ much of the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 are also indispensable. He said: "CSP1-3 are the (6) ____ cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have a job to do to purify our drinking water.

    Dr Tiedje and his team focused on the microbes living in the deep soil, up to 200 metres beneath our (7) ____. He said the CSP1-3 microbes remove harmful contaminants and detritus from the water supply. He now wants to (8) ____ CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about their properties. He believes they could be utilized (9) ____ clean up pollution in the soil. He said: "We don't know their capacities for metabolizing tough (10) ____ and, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's most (11) ____ problems." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this newly found group could (12) ____ conservation efforts and help address climate change."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     earthy     (b)     earthed     (c)     earthly     (d)     unearthed    
    (a)     justly     (b)     adjust     (c)     adjusted     (d)     just    
    (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    (a)     to     (b)     by     (c)     for     (d)     as    
    (a)     scavengers     (b)     scriveners     (c)     scapegoats     (d)     sceptics    
    (a)     heel     (b)     feet     (c)     foot arch     (d)     little toe    
    (a)     cultivate     (b)     percolate     (c)     inundate     (d)     inculcate    
    (a)     for     (b)     to     (c)     at     (d)     as    
    (a)     pollinates     (b)     pollutes     (c)     pollutants     (d)     pollen    
    (a)     pushing     (b)     parsing     (c)     pressing     (d)     ironing    
    (a)     best     (b)     boast     (c)     baste     (d)     boost

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. nuetrahed a previously unknown species
    2. aommrniricsosg could be a key part
    3. responsible for much of the afitiltonr of rainwater
    4. CSP1-3 are also liaiedepnbnss
    5. CSP1-3 are the eagsnservc cleaning up
    6. rpfyiu our drinking water

    Paragraph 2

    1. harmful actsnamotnin
    2. rdtetusi from the water supply
    3. utcetiavl CSP1-3 in his lab
    4. their capacities for ianozltibemg
    5. tough sulopattnl
    6. boost sercvtnonaio efforts

    Put the text back together

    (    )                   above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This zone is essential to providing the conditions that sustain
    (    )                   Dr Tiedje and his team focused on the microbes living in the deep soil, up to 200 metres beneath our
    (    )                   feet. He said the CSP1-3 microbes remove harmful contaminants and detritus from the water
    (    )                   found group could boost conservation efforts and help address climate change."
    (    )                   life. The researchers called the microbes CSP1-3. The microorganisms could be a key
    (    )                   of the filtration of rainwater, CSP1-3 are also indispensable. He said: "CSP1-3 are the scavengers cleaning
    (    )                   part of the process of purifying our water. Microbiologist James Tiedje said that while layers of soil are responsible for much
    (    )                   pollutants and, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's most pressing
    (    )                   problems." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this newly
    (  1  )                 Scientists have unearthed a previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath
    (    )                   supply. He now wants to cultivate CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about their properties. He believes they could be
    (    )                   up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have a job to do to purify our drinking water.
    (    )                   us. Researchers at Michigan State University have been exploring an area just below and
    (    )                   utilized to clean up pollution in the soil. He said: "We don't know their capacities for metabolizing tough

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Scientists  have  species  unknown  a  previously  unearthed  microbe  .
    2. An   Earth   the   above   and   below   just   area      .
    3. A   purifying   of   of   process   the   part   key      .
    4. Cleaning   layer   surface   the   through   got   what   up      .
    5. A   our   purify   to   do   to   job   water      .
    6. The   soil   deep   the   in   living   microbes      .
    7. They   pollution   up   clean   to   utilized   be   could      .
    8. We   pollutants   metabolizing   for   capacities   their   know   don't      .
    9. Solve   problems   pressing   most   Earth's   the   of   one      .
    10. This   efforts   conservation   boost   could   group   found   newly      .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Scientists have unearthed a previous / previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath them / us. Researchers at Michigan State University have been exploring an area just below and above the Earth's surface called the Critical Zone. This zone is essential / essence to providing the conditions that retrain / sustain life. The researchers called the microbes CSP1-3. The microorganisms could be a key / quay part of the process of purifying our watery / water. Microbiologist James Tiedje said that while layers of foil / soil are responsible for much of the filtration / fluctuation of rainwater, CSP1-3 are also indispensable. He said: "CSP1-3 are the scriveners / scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil." They have / get a job to do to purify our drinking water.

    Dr Tiedje and his team focused in / on the microbes living in the depth / deep soil, up to 200 metres beneath our foot / feet. He said the CSP1-3 microbes remove harmful contaminants and delirium / detritus from the water supply. He now wants to cultivate CSP1-3 in his lab to find out more about their real estate / properties. He believes they could be utilized to clean up pollution at / in the soil. He said: "We don't know their capacities at / for metabolizing tough pollutants and, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth's most pressing / passing problems." The scitechdaily.com website said: "Understanding this newly funded / found group could boost conservation efforts and help post / address climate change."

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

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

    Sc__nt_sts  h_v_  _n__rth_d  _  pr_v___sly  _nkn_wn  sp_c__s  _f  m_cr_b_s  _n  th_  __rth  b_n__th  _s.  R_s__rch_rs  _t  M_ch_g_n  St_t_  _n_v_rs_ty  h_v_  b__n  _xpl_r_ng  _n  _r__  j_st  b_l_w  _nd  _b_v_  th_  __rth's  s_rf_c_  c_ll_d  th_  Cr_t_c_l  Z_n_.  Th_s  z_n_  _s  _ss_nt__l  t_  pr_v_d_ng  th_  c_nd_t__ns  th_t  s_st__n  l_f_.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  c_ll_d  th_  m_cr_b_s  CSP1-3.  Th_  m_cr__rg_n_sms  c__ld  b_  _  k_y  p_rt  _f  th_  pr_c_ss  _f  p_r_fy_ng  __r  w_t_r.  M_cr_b__l_g_st  J_m_s  T__dj_  s__d  th_t  wh_l_  l_y_rs  _f  s__l  _r_  r_sp_ns_bl_  f_r  m_ch  _f  th_  f_ltr_t__n  _f  r__nw_t_r,  CSP1-3  _r_  _ls_  _nd_sp_ns_bl_.  H_  s__d:  "CSP1-3  _r_  th_  sc_v_ng_rs  cl__n_ng  _p  wh_t  g_t  thr__gh  th_  s_rf_c_  l_y_r  _f  s__l."  Th_y  h_v_  _  j_b  t_  d_  t_  p_r_fy  __r  dr_nk_ng  w_t_r.

    Dr  T__dj_  _nd  h_s  t__m  f_c_s_d  _n  th_  m_cr_b_s  l_v_ng  _n  th_  d__p  s__l,  _p  t_  200  m_tr_s  b_n__th  __r  f__t.  H_  s__d  th_  CSP1-3  m_cr_b_s  r_m_v_  h_rmf_l  c_nt_m_n_nts  _nd  d_tr_t_s  fr_m  th_  w_t_r  s_pply.  H_  n_w  w_nts  t_  c_lt_v_t_  CSP1-3  _n  h_s  l_b  t_  f_nd  __t  m_r_  _b__t  th__r  pr_p_rt__s.  H_  b_l__v_s  th_y  c__ld  b_  _t_l_z_d  t_  cl__n  _p  p_ll_t__n  _n  th_  s__l.  H_  s__d:  "W_  d_n't  kn_w  th__r  c_p_c_t__s  f_r  m_t_b_l_z_ng  t__gh  p_ll_t_nts  _nd,  _f  w_  c__ld  l__rn  th_t,  w_  c_n  h_lp  s_lv_  _n_  _f  th_  __rth's  m_st  pr_ss_ng  pr_bl_ms."  Th_  sc_t_chd__ly.c_m  w_bs_t_  s__d:  "_nd_rst_nd_ng  th_s  n_wly  f__nd  gr__p  c__ld  b__st  c_ns_rv_t__n  _ff_rts  _nd  h_lp  _ddr_ss  cl_m_t_  ch_ng_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    scientists have unearthed a previously unknown species of microbes in the earth beneath us researchers at michigan state university have been exploring an area just below and above the earths surface called the critical zone this zone is essential to providing the conditions that sustain life the researchers called the microbes csp13 the microorganisms could be a key part of the process of purifying our water microbiologist james tiedje said that while layers of soil are responsible for much of the filtration of rainwater csp13 are also indispensable he said csp13 are the scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil they have a job to do to purify our drinking water

    dr tiedje and his team focused on the microbes living in the deep soil up to 200 metres beneath our feet he said the csp13 microbes remove harmful contaminants and detritus from the water supply he now wants to cultivate csp13 in his lab to find out more about their properties he believes they could be utilized to clean up pollution in the soil he said we dont know their capacities for metabolizing tough pollutants and if we could learn that we can help solve one of the earths most pressing problems the scitechdailycom website said understanding this newly found group could boost conservation efforts and help address climate change

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Scientistshaveunearthedapreviouslyunknownspeciesofmicrobesint
    heearthbeneathus.ResearchersatMichiganStateUniversityhavebee
    nexploringanareajustbelowandabovetheEarth'ssurfacecalledtheCri
    ticalZone.Thiszoneisessentialtoprovidingtheconditionsthatsustainli
    fe.TheresearcherscalledthemicrobesCSP1-3.Themicroorganismsco
    uldbeakeypartoftheprocessofpurifyingourwater.MicrobiologistJame
    sTiedjesaidthatwhilelayersofsoilareresponsibleformuchofthefiltrati
    onofrainwater,CSP1-3arealsoindispensable.Hesaid:"CSP1-3areth
    escavengerscleaningupwhatgotthroughthesurfacelayerofsoil."They
    haveajobtodotopurifyourdrinkingwater.DrTiedjeandhisteamfocuse
    donthemicrobeslivinginthedeepsoil,upto200metresbeneathourfeet.
    HesaidtheCSP1-3microbesremoveharmfulcontaminantsanddetritu
    sfromthewatersupply.HenowwantstocultivateCSP1-3inhislabtofin
    doutmoreabouttheirproperties.Hebelievestheycouldbeutilizedtocle
    anuppollutioninthesoil.Hesaid:"Wedon'tknowtheircapacitiesformet
    abolizingtoughpollutantsand,ifwecouldlearnthat,wecanhelpsolveon
    eoftheEarth'smostpressingproblems."Thescitechdaily.comwebsites
    aid:"Understandingthisnewlyfoundgroupcouldboostconservationeff
    ortsandhelpaddressclimatechange."

    Free writing

    Write about the lesson page for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We need to worry about how safe our water is to drink. 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. WATER PURIFICATION: Make a poster about water purification. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BOTTLED WATER: Write a magazine article about banning bottled water. 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 water purification. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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