The Reading / Listening - Likweli Monkeys - Level 6

Despite centuries of exploration, scientists continue to find incredible new species of wildlife. The latest discovery is a previously unknown monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring whoop. The primate was found in a rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is just the fifth new species of African monkey to be found in the past 75 years. Locals in the area call the monkey Likweli. Scientists have given it the scientific name Colobus congoensis. Anthropologist Kate Detwiler said: "The discovery of Colobus congoensis is both a scientific triumph and a sobering reminder that some of Earth's rarest creatures may vanish before the world even knows they exist."

Anthropologists say the Likweli is a different type of monkey. It has a glossy black coat, long fur, and a flowing tail. It also has stunning orange lips and facial markings. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said the Likweli has "distinctive skull, dental, and skeletal characteristics". These distinguish it from other known colobus monkeys. Study co-author Professor Christopher Gilbert concurred. He said: "We analyzed museum collections, examining skulls, pelts, and skeletal anatomy alongside specimens from known African colobus monkeys. Those comparisons allowed us to demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents a distinct species."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Likweli Monkeys - Level 4  or  Likweli Monkeys - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.sciencealert.com/an-entirely-new-species-of-monkey-has-been-living-in-the-congo-rainforest-this-whole-time
  • https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-orange-lipped-likweli-monkey-a-new-species-that-was-discovered-in-the-congo-rainforest-180989140/
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/16/science/new-monkey-species-likweli-scli-intl


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. MONKEYS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about monkeys. 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?
       exploration / scientists / species / wildlife / monkey / Congo / anthropologist / vanish /
       fur / tail / orange lips / skull / skeleton / professor / museum / anatomy / Africa
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. EXTINCTION: Students A strongly believe all countries should spend lots more money st stop species going extinct; Students B strongly believe disagree. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ANIMAL SOUNDS: What sounds do these animals make (in English) What do you think of them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Sounds in English

What I Think

Monkey

 

 

Frog

 

 

Chicken

 

 

Horse

 

 

Bee

 

 

Dog

 

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

  • Chimpanzee
  • Baboon
  • Howler monkey
  • Gorilla
  • Macaque
  • Orangutan
  • Spider monkey
  • Marmoset

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. exploration a. A person who studies people and human cultures.
      2. distinctive b. A great success or victory.
      3. whoop c. The act of going to new places to learn about them.
      4. anthropologist d. To disappear suddenly.
      5. triumph e. Easy to see as different from others.
      6. sobering f. To make a loud cry like a monkey; the loud cry a monkey makes.
      7. vanish g. Making you think seriously about something important.

    Paragraph 2

      8. glossy h. In a way that clearly proves something.
      9. facial i. Smooth and shiny.
      10. skeletal j. Related to the face.
      11. distinguish k. The study of the body and its parts.
      12. anatomy l. To see or show the difference between things.
      13. specimens m. Related to bones or the skeleton.
      14. conclusively n. Plants, animals, or objects collected for study.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Likweli is the first new monkey species to be discovered in centuries.    T / F
  2. The Likweli's sound is a deep roaring whoop.     T / F
  3. The Likweli was found high in the mountains above the tree line.     T / F
  4. An anthropologist said the discover of the monkey was sobering.     T / F
  5. The Likweli has very short fur.     T / F
  6. The Likweli's skull and skeleton are identical to those of other monkeys.  T / F
  7. An anthropologist found Likweli specimens in a museum.     T / F
  8. The Likweli is a distinct species.     T / F

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

  1. exploration
  2. species
  3. distinctive
  4. triumph
  5. vanish
  6. glossy
  7. characteristics
  8. concurred
  9. anatomy
  10. demonstrate
  1. shiny
  2. disappear
  3. show
  4. types
  5. agreed
  6. victory
  7. distinguishing
  8. structure
  9. research
  10. features

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

  1. Despite centuries of
  2. The latest discovery is a previously
  3. The primate was found
  4. Scientists have given it
  5. some of Earth's rarest creatures
  6. It has a glossy
  7. distinctive skull, dental, and skeletal
  8. We analyzed museum
  9. skeletal
  10. demonstrate
  1. anatomy
  2. may vanish
  3. collections
  4. unknown monkey
  5. black coat
  6. conclusively
  7. exploration
  8. the scientific name
  9. characteristics
  10. in a rainforest

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
creatures
previously
species
exist
exploration
triumph
whoop
scientific

Despite centuries of (1) _________________________________, scientists continue to find incredible new species of wildlife. The latest discovery is a (2) _________________________________ unknown monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring (3) _________________________________. The primate was found in a rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is just the fifth new (4) _________________________________ of African monkey to be found in the past 75 years. Locals in the area call the monkey Likweli. Scientists have given it the (5) _________________________________ name Colobus congoensis. Anthropologist Kate Detwiler said: "The discovery of Colobus congoensis is both a scientific (6) _________________________________ and a sobering reminder that some of Earth's rarest (7) _________________________________ may vanish before the world even knows they (8) _________________________________."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
anatomy
facial
distinguish
distinct
allowed
glossy
concurred
skull

Anthropologists say the Likweli is a different type of monkey. It has a (9) _________________________________ black coat, long fur, and a flowing tail. It also has stunning orange lips and (10) _________________________________ markings. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said the Likweli has "distinctive (11) _________________________________, dental, and skeletal characteristics". These (12) _________________________________ it from other known colobus monkeys. Study co-author Professor Christopher Gilbert (13) _________________________________. He said: "We analyzed museum collections, examining skulls, pelts, and skeletal (14) _________________________________ alongside specimens from known African colobus monkeys. Those comparisons (15) _________________________________ us to demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents a (16) _________________________________ species."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Despite centuries of exploration, scientists continue to find ______
     a.  incredible new specials
     b.  incredible news species
     c.  incredible new species
     d.  inedible new species
2)  a previously unknown monkey with distinctive orange lips and a ______
     a.  deep roaring whoop
     b.  deep roaring whip
     c.  deep roaring whopper
     d.  deep roaring hoop
3)  Scientists have given it ______
     a.  the scientifically name
     b.  the scientific named
     c.  the scientific naming
     d.  the scientific name
4)  The discovery of Colobus congoensis is both a scientific triumph and ______
     a.  a sober ring reminder
     b.  a sobering reminder
     c.  a sobering remainder
     d.  a so bearing reminder
5)  some of Earth's rarest creatures may vanish before the world even ______
     a.  knows they exists
     b.  knows they existing
     c.  knows they exist
     d.  knows they existence

6)  It has a glossy black coat, long fur, and ______
     a.  a flowing tail
     b.  a glowing tail
     c.  a blowing tail
     d.  a plowing tail
7)  It also has stunning orange lips ______
     a.  and face all markings
     b.  and facial markings
     c.  and facial mark-ins
     d.  and facial mark-ups
8)  These distinguish it from other ______
     a.  renown colobus monkeys
     b.  knowing colobus monkeys
     c.  known colobus monkeys
     d.  none colobus monkeys
9)  museum collections, examining skulls, pelts, and skeletal ______
     a.  anatomy alongside regimens
     b.  anatomy alongside special men
     c.  anatomy alongside specimens
     d.  anatomy alongside specimen
10)  demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents ______
     a.  a distinct species
     b.  an extinct species
     c.  a distinguish species
     d.  a diss tincture species

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Despite (1) _______________________________________________, scientists continue to find incredible new species of wildlife. The latest discovery is (2) _______________________________________________ monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring whoop. The primate was found in a rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is just the (3) _______________________________________________ of African monkey to be found in the past 75 years. Locals in the area call the monkey Likweli. Scientists have given it (4) _______________________________________________ Colobus congoensis. Anthropologist Kate Detwiler said: "The discovery of Colobus congoensis is both (5) _______________________________________________ and a sobering reminder that some of Earth's rarest (6) _______________________________________________ before the world even knows they exist."

Anthropologists say the Likweli is a different type of monkey. It has a (7) _______________________________________________, long fur, and a flowing tail. It also has stunning orange lips (8) _______________________________________________. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said the Likweli has "distinctive skull, dental, and skeletal characteristics". These (9) _______________________________________________ other known colobus monkeys. Study co-author Professor Christopher Gilbert concurred. He said: "We analyzed museum collections, (10) _______________________________________________, and skeletal anatomy alongside specimens from known African colobus monkeys. Those (11) _______________________________________________ to demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents (12) _______________________________________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. For how long does the article say there has been exploration?
  2. What kind of sound does the monkey make?
  3. How many new monkey species have been found in the past 75 years?
  4. Who called the new monkey Likweli?
  5. What did an anthropologist warn might happen to Earth's rarest animals?
  6. What kind of coat does the new monkey have?
  7. What colour does the article say the monkey's facial markings are?
  8. Who is Christopher Gilbert?
  9. Where were the skulls and pelts that researchers analyzed from?
  10. What did researchers conclusively demonstrate about the monkey?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  For how long does the article say there has been exploration?
a) dozens of years
b) centuries
c) decades
d) millennia
2) What kind of sound does the monkey make?
a) a sad long cry
b) a long laugh
c) a scary trumpet-like call
d) a deep roaring whoop
3) How many new monkey species have been found in the past 75 years?
a) 7
b) 6
c) 5
d) 4
4) Who called the new monkey Likweli?
a) locals
b) journalists
c) scientists
d) children
5) What did an anthropologist warn might happen to Earth's rarest animals?
a) They might end up in a museum.
b) They might vanish.
c) They might reproduce.
d) They might be put in zoos.

6) What kind of coat does the new monkey have?
a) a glossy black coat
b) a dull grey coat
c) a short-haired one
d) a warm one
7) What colour does the article say the monkey's facial markings are?
a) grey
b) white
c) orange
d) blue
8) Who is Christopher Gilbert?
a) a study co-author
b) an ape expert
c) a hunter
d) a zoologist
9) Where were the skulls and pelts that researchers analyzed from?
a) the wild
b) a zoo
c) the Internet
d) museum collections
10) What did researchers conclusively demonstrate about the monkey?
a) It was endangered.
b) It whooped.
c) It's a distinct species.
d) It's very intelligent.

Role play

Role  A – Chimpanzees
You think chimpanzees are the best primates. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their primates. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): orangutans, macaques or gorillas.

Role  B – Orangutans
You think orangutans are the best primates. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their primates. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): chimpanzees, macaques or gorillas.

Role  C – Macaques
You think macaques are the best primates. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their primates. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): orangutans, chimpanzees or gorillas.

Role  D – Gorillas
You think gorillas are the best primates. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their primates. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): orangutans, macaques or chimpanzees.

After reading / listening

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

'species'

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

    • and 'monkey'.

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

    • • 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:

    • centuries
    • latest
    • deep
    • call
    • triumph
    • exist
    • type
    • glossy
    • stunning
    • dental
    • analyzed
    • comparisons

    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 - Likweli Monkeys

    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 'monkey'?
    3. What do you think exploring rainforests is like?
    4. How does the discovery of a new species make you feel?
    5. What do you think of monkeys?
    6. How many more species are there left to discover?
    7. What do you know about the Democratic Republic of Congo?
    8. Would you like to be an anthropologist?
    9. How do you feel about different species vanishing?
    10. What's your favourite monkey and ape?

    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 'species'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How does the look of the Likweli sound?
    5. What are the differences between monkeys and apes?
    6. What surprised you about the new monkey in the article?
    7. What questions would you ask a monkey if it could talk?
    8. If you could spend one day as a monkey, what would you do?
    9. If you found a new monkey species, what would you name it?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the anthropologists?

    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)

    Despite centuries of (1) ____, scientists continue to find incredible new species of wildlife. The latest discovery is a previously (2) ____ monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring whoop. The (3) ____ was found in a rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is just the fifth new species of African monkey (4) ____ be found in the past 75 years. Locals in the area call the monkey Likweli. Scientists have given it the scientific name Colobus congoensis. Anthropologist Kate Detwiler said: "The discovery of Colobus congoensis is (5) ____ a scientific triumph and a sobering reminder that some of Earth's rarest creatures may vanish before the world even knows they (6) ____."

    Anthropologists say the Likweli is a different type of monkey. It has a glossy black (7) ____, long fur, and a flowing tail. It also has stunning orange lips and facial markings. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said the Likweli has "distinctive skull, (8) ____, and skeletal characteristics". These distinguish it from (9) ____ known colobus monkeys. Study co-author Professor Christopher Gilbert concurred. He said: "We analyzed museum collections, examining skulls, pelts, and skeletal anatomy (10) ____ specimens from known African colobus monkeys. Those comparisons allowed (11) ____ to demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents (12) ____ distinct species."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     exploration     (b)     explorative     (c)     exploratory     (d)     explores    
    (a)     unbeknown     (b)     knowingly     (c)     unknown     (d)     knowledgeable    
    (a)     primitive     (b)     primer     (c)     primate     (d)     primacy    
    (a)     so     (b)     for     (c)     that     (d)     to    
    (a)     both     (b)     all     (c)     neither     (d)     either    
    (a)     assist     (b)     exist     (c)     desist     (d)     exits    
    (a)     anorak     (b)     fleece     (c)     jacket     (d)     coat    
    (a)     dentist     (b)     dental     (c)     dentistry     (d)     dented    
    (a)     another     (b)     others     (c)     other     (d)     the others    
    (a)     a longing     (b)     sided     (c)     siding     (d)     alongside    
    (a)     monkeys     (b)     him     (c)     them     (d)     us    
    (a)     so     (b)     a     (c)     such     (d)     all

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Despite centuries of toepxrlnoai
    2. find nlbieceird new species of wildlife
    3. cediinvistt orange lips
    4. a deep roaring opwho
    5. The pamirte was found in a rainforest
    6. Earth's rarest screaeurt may vanish

    Paragraph 2

    1. tsigooasthorlpn say the Likweli is a different type
    2. iaaflc markings
    3. leltksea characteristics
    4. These dhsuitigsni it
    5. amnyato alongside specimens
    6. demonstrate eycciovlsnlu that

    Put the text back together

    (    )   allowed us to demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents a distinct species."
    (    )   and skeletal anatomy alongside specimens from known African colobus monkeys. Those comparisons
    (    )   and skeletal characteristics". These distinguish it from other known colobus monkeys. Study co-
    (    )   Anthropologists say the Likweli is a different type of monkey. It has a glossy black
    (    )   author Professor Christopher Gilbert concurred. He said: "We analyzed museum collections, examining skulls, pelts,
    (    )   coat, long fur, and a flowing tail. It also has stunning orange lips and facial
    (  1  )   Despite centuries of exploration, scientists continue to find incredible new species of
    (    )   given it the scientific name Colobus congoensis. Anthropologist Kate Detwiler said: "The discovery
    (    )   markings. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said the Likweli has "distinctive skull, dental,
    (    )   new species of African monkey to be found in the past 75 years. Locals in the area call the monkey Likweli. Scientists have
    (    )   of Colobus congoensis is both a scientific triumph and a sobering reminder that
    (    )   roaring whoop. The primate was found in a rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is just the fifth
    (    )   some of Earth's rarest creatures may vanish before the world even knows they exist."
    (    )   wildlife. The latest discovery is a previously unknown monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep

    Put the words in the right order

    1. continue   find   incredible   new   Scientists   species   to   .
    2. The   discovery   is   latest   monkey   previously   a   unknown   .
    3. a   Congo   found   in   primate   rainforest   The   was   .
    4. area   call   in   Likweli   Locals   monkey   the   the   .
    5. creatures   Earth's   may   of   rarest   Some   vanish   .
    6. a   Anthropologists   different   it's   monkey   of   say   type   .
    7. distinguish   it   known   monkeys   These   colobus   from   other   .
    8. analyzed   collections   He   museum   of   said   skulls   they   .
    9. alongside   anatomy   African   monkeys   Skeletal   specimens   from   .
    10. a   conclusively   Demonstrate  distinct   it   represents   species   that  .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Despite centuries of / off exploration, scientists continue to find incredible new species of wildlife. The latest discovery is a previously / previous unknown monkey with destructive / distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring whopper / whoop. The primate / primitive was found in a rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is just the fifth new species of African monkey to be found in the passed / past 75 years. Locals in the area call the monkey Likweli. Scientists have given it / them the scientific name Colobus congoensis. Anthropologist Kate Detwiler said: "The discovery of Colobus congoensis is either / both a scientific triumph and a sobering reminder that some of Earth's rarest creatures may varnish / vanish before the world even knows they existing / exist."

    Anthropologists say the Likweli is a / the different type of monkey. It has a glossy black coat, long fur / furry, and a flowing tail. It also has stunned / stunning orange lips and facial markings. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said the Likweli has "distinctive skull, dentist / dental, and skeletal characteristics". These distinguish it from other knowing / known colobus monkeys. Study co-author Professor Christopher Gilbert concur / concurred. He said: "We analyzed museum collections, examines / examining skulls, pelts, and skeletal anatomy side / alongside specimens from known African colobus monkeys. Those comparisons allowed them / us to demonstrate conclusively that Colobus congoensis represents / representative a distinct species."

    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)

    D_sp_t_  c_nt_r__s  _f  _xpl_r_t__n,  sc__nt_sts  c_nt_n__  t_  f_nd  _ncr_d_bl_  n_w  sp_c__s  _f  w_ldl_f_.  Th_  l_t_st  d_sc_v_ry  _s  _  pr_v___sly  _nkn_wn  m_nk_y  w_th  d_st_nct_v_  _r_ng_  l_ps  _nd  _  d__p  r__r_ng  wh__p.  Th_  pr_m_t_  w_s  f__nd  _n  _  r__nf_r_st  _n  th_  D_m_cr_t_c  R_p_bl_c  _f  C_ng_.  _t  _s  j_st  th_  f_fth  n_w  sp_c__s  _f  _fr_c_n  m_nk_y  t_  b_  f__nd  _n  th_  p_st  75  y__rs.  L_c_ls  _n  th_  _r__  c_ll  th_  m_nk_y  L_kw_l_.  Sc__nt_sts  h_v_  g_v_n  _t  th_  sc__nt_f_c  n_m_  C_l_b_s  c_ng__ns_s.  _nthr_p_l_g_st  K_t_  D_tw_l_r  s__d:  "Th_  d_sc_v_ry  _f  C_l_b_s  c_ng__ns_s  _s  b_th  _  sc__nt_f_c  tr__mph  _nd  _  s_b_r_ng  r_m_nd_r  th_t  s_m_  _f  __rth's  r_r_st  cr__t_r_s  m_y  v_n_sh  b_f_r_  th_  w_rld  _v_n  kn_ws  th_y  _x_st."

    _nthr_p_l_g_sts  s_y  th_  L_kw_l_  _s  _  d_ff_r_nt  typ_  _f  m_nk_y.  _t  h_s  _  gl_ssy  bl_ck  c__t,  l_ng  f_r,  _nd  _  fl_w_ng  t__l.  _t  _ls_  h_s  st_nn_ng  _r_ng_  l_ps  _nd  f_c__l  m_rk_ngs.  R_s__rch_rs  fr_m  Fl_r_d_  _tl_nt_c  _n_v_rs_ty  s__d  th_  L_kw_l_  h_s  "d_st_nct_v_  sk_ll,  d_nt_l,  _nd  sk_l_t_l  ch_r_ct_r_st_cs".  Th_s_  d_st_ng__sh  _t  fr_m  _th_r  kn_wn  c_l_b_s  m_nk_ys.  St_dy  c_-__th_r  Pr_f_ss_r  Chr_st_ph_r  G_lb_rt  c_nc_rr_d.  H_  s__d:  "W_  _n_lyz_d  m_s__m  c_ll_ct__ns,  _x_m_n_ng  sk_lls,  p_lts,  _nd  sk_l_t_l  _n_t_my  _l_ngs_d_  sp_c_m_ns  fr_m  kn_wn  _fr_c_n  c_l_b_s  m_nk_ys.  Th_s_  c_mp_r_s_ns  _ll_w_d  _s  t_  d_m_nstr_t_  c_ncl_s_v_ly  th_t  C_l_b_s  c_ng__ns_s  r_pr_s_nts  _  d_st_nct  sp_c__s."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    despite centuries of exploration scientists continue to find incredible new species of wildlife the latest discovery is a previously unknown monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring whoop the primate was found in a rainforest in the democratic republic of congo it is just the fifth new species of african monkey to be found in the past 75 years locals in the area call the monkey likweli scientists have given it the scientific name colobus congoensis anthropologist kate detwiler said the discovery of colobus congoensis is both a scientific triumph and a sobering reminder that some of earths rarest creatures may vanish before the world even knows they exist

    anthropologists say the likweli is a different type of monkey it has a glossy black coat long fur and a flowing tail it also has stunning orange lips and facial markings researchers from florida atlantic university said the likweli has distinctive skull dental and skeletal characteristics these distinguish it from other known colobus monkeys study coauthor professor christopher gilbert concurred he said we analyzed museum collections examining skulls pelts and skeletal anatomy alongside specimens from known african colobus monkeys those comparisons allowed us to demonstrate conclusively that colobus congoensis represents a distinct species

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Despitecenturiesofexploration,scientistscontinuetofindincrediblene
    wspeciesofwildlife.Thelatestdiscoveryisapreviouslyunknownmonke
    ywithdistinctiveorangelipsandadeeproaringwhoop.Theprimatewasf
    oundinarainforestintheDemocraticRepublicofCongo.Itisjustthefifth
    newspeciesofAfricanmonkeytobefoundinthepast75years.Localsinth
    eareacallthemonkeyLikweli.Scientistshavegivenitthescientificname
    Colobuscongoensis.AnthropologistKateDetwilersaid:"Thediscovery
    ofColobuscongoensisisbothascientifictriumphandasoberingreminde
    rthatsomeofEarth'srarestcreaturesmayvanishbeforetheworldevenk
    nowstheyexist."AnthropologistssaytheLikweliisadifferenttypeofmo
    nkey.Ithasaglossyblackcoat,longfur,andaflowingtail.Italsohasstunn
    ingorangelipsandfacialmarkings.ResearchersfromFloridaAtlanticUn
    iversitysaidtheLikwelihas"distinctiveskull,dental,andskeletalcharac
    teristics".Thesedistinguishitfromotherknowncolobusmonkeys.Stud
    yco-authorProfessorChristopherGilbertconcurred.Hesaid:"Weanal
    yzedmuseumcollections,examiningskulls,pelts,andskeletalanatom
    yalongsidespecimensfromknownAfricancolobusmonkeys.Thoseco
    mparisonsallowedustodemonstrateconclusivelythatColobuscongoe
    nsisrepresentsadistinctspecies."

    Free writing

    Write about the Likweli monkey for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We should spend more money in looking for new species.  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. MONKEYS: Make a poster about monkeys. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. NATURE: Write a magazine article about requiring all school children to spend time in forests. 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 monkeys. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your thoughts on monkeys. 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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