The Reading / Listening - Water Bears - Level 6

A new study has revealed that a tiny, water-dwelling creature is likely to live until the end of the Earth. The near indestructible tardigrade, also known as water bear, looks like a short caterpillar with eight legs. It is just one-tenth of a millimeter in size but has the physiological makeup to be able to survive in any extreme conditions. The microscopic water bear can survive without food for three decades. It can also exist in bitterly freezing temperatures of -272º Celsius and in furnace-like temperatures of 150ºC. Water bears can also survive the crushing pressure of deep oceans, the vacuum of outer space, nuclear war, global warming, or any other extreme meteorological event that would doom humans.

Scientists say water bears are so hardy and resilient that the only thing that would wipe them out for good is if the Sun boils all the Earth's oceans away. The study says this is likely to happen in several billion years from now. The new study states that complex life is extremely difficult to destroy and could exist on other planets. A researcher said: "Tardigrades are as close to indestructible as it gets on Earth, but it is possible that there are other resilient species examples elsewhere in the Universe." He added: "There is a real case for looking for life on Mars and in other areas of the Solar System. If tardigrades are Earth's most resilient species, who knows what else is out there?"

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Water Bears - Level 4  or  Water Bears - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.sciencenews.org/article/water-bears-will-survive-end-world-we-know-it
  • https://www.sciencealert.com/these-adorable-little-animals-will-survive-nearly-any-global-apocalypse
  • https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-05796-x


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. WATER BEARS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about water bears. 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?

       tiny / water-dwelling / caterpillar / survive / extreme / vacuum / global warming /
       resilient / oceans / destroy / indestructible / species / life on Mars / Solar System

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. DNA: Students A strongly believe humans should use the DNA of strong creatures to be stronger; Students B strongly believe this would be terrible.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. SURVIVE: How can we survive these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How we can survive

Difficulties

Global warming

 

 

Asteroid hit

 

 

Nuclear war

 

 

Alien attack

 

 

Freezing temperatures

 

 

Boiling oceans

 

 

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

6. TINY CREATURES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most interesting at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • ladybirds / ladybugs
  • mosquitos
  • fireflies
  • plankton
  • water bears
  • ants
  • fleas
  • silk worms

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Water bears do not actually live in water.     T / F
  2. A water bear looks like an eight-legged caterpillar.     T / F
  3. Water bears can live without food for thirty years.     T / F
  4. Water bears could survive a nuclear war.     T / F
  5. If the Sun boiled all the Earth's oceans, water bears would survive.     T / F
  6. A study says the Earth's oceans will boil in a billion years from now.     T / F
  7. A researcher said tardigrages are pretty close to being indestructible.     T / F
  8. The researcher said there is no point in looking for life on Mars.     T / F

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

  1. study
  2. likely
  3. survive
  4. vacuum
  5. event
  6. hardy
  7. complex
  8. indestructible
  9. case
  10. out there
  1. exist
  2. example
  3. emptiness
  4. tough
  5. immortal
  6. research
  7. in space
  8. occurrence
  9. elaborate
  10. probable

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

  1. a tiny, water-
  2. like a short caterpillar
  3. the physiological makeup to
  4. It can also exist in bitterly
  5. the vacuum
  6. water bears are so hardy
  7. the only thing that would wipe
  8. if the Sun boils all the
  9. as close to indestructible
  10. There is a real case for looking
  1. be able to survive
  2. for life on Mars
  3. freezing temperatures
  4. of outer space
  5. them out for good
  6. dwelling creature
  7. as it gets
  8. and resilient
  9. with eight legs
  10. Earth's oceans away

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
end
pressure
tiny
event
survive
vacuum
tenth
bitterly

A new study has revealed that a (1) ____________, water-dwelling creature is likely to live until the (2) ____________ of the Earth. The near indestructible tardigrade, also known as water bear, looks like a short caterpillar with eight legs. It is just one- (3) ____________ of a millimeter in size but has the physiological makeup to be able to survive in any extreme conditions. The microscopic water bear can (4) ____________ without food for three decades. It can also exist in (5) ____________ freezing temperatures of -272º Celsius and in furnace-like temperatures of 150ºC. Water bears can also survive the crushing (6) ____________ of deep oceans, the (7) ____________ of outer space, nuclear war, global warming, or any other extreme meteorological (8) ____________ that would doom humans.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
several
species
hardy
there
destroy
areas
oceans
indestructible

Scientists say water bears are so (9) ____________ and resilient that the only thing that would wipe them out for good is if the Sun boils all the Earth's (10) ____________ away. The study says this is likely to happen in (11) ____________ billion years from now. The new study states that complex life is extremely difficult to (12) ____________ and could exist on other planets. A researcher said: "Tardigrades are as close to (13) ____________ as it gets on Earth, but it is possible that there are other resilient (14) ____________ examples elsewhere in the Universe." He added: "There is a real case for looking for life on Mars and in other (15) ____________ of the Solar System. If tardigrades are Earth's most resilient species, who knows what else is out (16) ____________?"

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  a tiny, water-dwelling creature is likely to live until the ______
     a.  end off the Earth
     b.  end of the Earth
     c.  end of this Earth
     d.  end of the Earth's

2)  … but has the physiological makeup to be able to survive in ______
     a.  any extremely conditions
     b.  any extremity conditions
     c.  any extreme conditions
     d.  any extremes conditions

3)  It can also exist in bitterly freezing temperatures of -272º Celsius and in ______
     a.  furnace-liked temperatures
     b.  furnace-likes temperatures
     c.  furnace-liking temperatures
     d.  furnace-like temperatures

4)  Water bears can also survive the crushing pressure of deep oceans, the ______ space …
     a.  vacuums of outer
     b.  vacuum of otter
     c.  vacuums of otter
     d.  vacuum of outer

5)  or any other extreme meteorological event that ______
     a.  would doom humans
     b.  world doom humans
     c.  wood doom humans
     d.  wild doom humans

6)  Scientists say water bears are so hardy and resilient that the only thing that _______
     a.  would wipe that out
     b.  would wipe then out
     c.  would wipe there out
     d.  would wipe them out

7) complex life is extremely difficult to destroy and could exist ______
     a.  on other planets
     b.  on another planet
     c.  on other planet
     d.  on others planet

8)  Tardigrades are as close to indestructible ______ Earth
     a.  as it got on
     b.  ask it gets on
     c.  as it gets on
     d.  ask it get son

9)  There is a real case for looking for life on Mars and in other areas ______
     a.  of a Solar System
     b.  of the Sonar System
     c.  of the Solar System
     d.  of a Sonar System

10)  If tardigrades are Earth's most resilient species, who knows what ______
     a.  else is outer there
     b.  else is outing there
     c.  else is outed there
     d.  else is out there

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new study has (1) ___________________ tiny, water-dwelling creature is likely to live until the end of the Earth. The near indestructible tardigrade, (2) ___________________ water bear, looks like a short caterpillar with eight legs. It is just one-tenth of a millimeter in size but has the physiological makeup (3) ___________________ survive in any extreme conditions. The microscopic water bear can survive without food for three decades. It can (4) ___________________ bitterly freezing temperatures of -272º Celsius and in furnace-like temperatures of 150ºC. Water bears (5) ___________________ the crushing pressure of deep oceans, the vacuum of outer space, nuclear war, global warming, (6) ___________________ extreme meteorological event that would doom humans.

Scientists say water bears (7) ___________________ resilient that the only thing that would (8) ___________________ for good is if the Sun boils all the Earth's oceans away. The study says this is likely to happen in several billion years from now. The new study states that (9) ___________________ extremely difficult to destroy and could exist on other planets. A researcher said: "Tardigrades (10) ___________________ indestructible as it gets on Earth, but it is possible that there are other resilient species examples elsewhere in the Universe." He added: "There (11) ___________________ looking for life on Mars and in other areas of the Solar System. If tardigrades are Earth's most resilient species, who knows (12) ___________________ there?"

Comprehension questions

  1. When did the article say water bears are likely to live until?
  2. What did the article say water bears look like?
  3. How small are water bears?
  4. What are the lowest temperatures can water bears survive in?
  5. What kind of vacuum could water bears survive in?
  6. What could be the only thing to wipe out water bears?
  7. When did the article say the Sun would boil the Earth's oceans?
  8. Where did the researcher say other resilient species could exist?
  9. Where did the researcher say we should look for life?
  10. What did the researcher say was Earth's most resilient creatures?

Multiple choice quiz

1) When did the article say water bears are likely to live until?
a) the year 3000
b) forever
c) the end of Earth
d) another billion years

2) What did the article say water bears look like?
a) 8-legged caterpillars
b) tiny polar bears
c) a bear with eight legs
d) penguins

3) How small are water bears?
a) one-tenth of a micrometre
b) one-tenth of a millimetre
c) one-tenth of a centimetre
d) one-tenth of a nanometre

4) What are the lowest temperatures can water bears survive in?
a) -2272º Celsius
b) 150ºC
c) -22,200º Celsius
d) -272º Celsius

5) What kind of vacuum could water bears survive in?
a) a vacuum chamber
b) the vacuum in a cleaner
c) the vacuum of outer space
d) the vacuum in a flask

6) What could be the only thing to wipe out water bears?
a) disinfectant
b) the Sun boiling the oceans away
c) ants
d) wet wipes

7) When did the article say the Sun would boil the Earth's oceans?
a) in a billion years
b) the year 3000
c) in three million years from now
d) in several billion years from now

8) Where did the researcher say other resilient species could exist?
a) in the deep ocean
b) elsewhere in the Universe
c) in the middle of volcanoes
d) under the cushions of sofas

9) Where did the researcher say we should look for life?
a) on the Sun
b) on Mars and in other areas of the Solar System
c) in the Milky Way
d) in the sky

10) What did the researcher say was Earth's most resilient creatures?
a) tardigrades (water bears)
b) humans
c) cockroaches
d) worms

Role play

Role  A – Ants

You think ants are the most interesting creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their creatures aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): fleas, silk worms or fireflies.

Role  B – Fleas

You think fleas are the most interesting creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their creatures aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): ants, silk worms or fireflies.

Role  C – Silk Worms

You think silk worms are the most interesting creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their creatures aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): fleas, ants or fireflies.

Role  D – Fireflies

You think fireflies are the most interesting creatures. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their creatures aren't as interesting. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why):  fleas, silk worms or ants.

After reading / listening

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

'water'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'bear'.

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

    • hardy
    • several
    • difficult
    • close
    • case
    • else
    • until
    • tenth
    • three
    • also
    • deep
    • doom

    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 bears will survive until the Sun dies

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'water'?
    3. Why do you think the creatures are called water bears?
    4. Why do you think water bears are so resilient?
    5. How can water bears help humans?
    6. What extreme conditions have you been in?
    7. What do you think -272º Celsius feels like?
    8. What would the vacuum of space do to organisms?
    9. Will humans survive global warming?
    10. What do you think could doom humans in the future?

    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 'bear'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Do you think water bear DNA should be used in humans one day?
    5. What would the Earth be like if the oceans boiled?
    6. Is there life elsewhere in the Universe?
    7. How dangerous would it be for us if alien life came to Earth?
    8. What would you like to know about tardigrades?
    9. How resilient are you?
    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)

    A new study has revealed that a tiny, water-dwelling (1) ____ is likely to live until the end (2) ____ the Earth. The near indestructible tardigrade, also known as water bear, looks like a short caterpillar with eight legs. It is just one-tenth of a millimeter (3) ____ size but has the physiological makeup to be (4) ____ to survive in any extreme conditions. The microscopic water bear can survive without food for three decades. It can also exist in (5) ____ freezing temperatures of -272º Celsius and in furnace-like temperatures of 150ºC. Water bears can also survive the crushing pressure of deep oceans, the vacuum of (6) ____ space, nuclear war, global warming, or any other extreme meteorological event that would doom humans.

    Scientists say water bears are so hardy and resilient that the only thing that would wipe them out for (7) ____ is if the Sun boils all the Earth's oceans away. The study says this is (8) ____ to happen in several billion years from now. The new study states that complex life is extremely difficult to destroy and could exist on other planets. A researcher said: "Tardigrades are as close to indestructible (9) ____ it gets on Earth, but it is possible that there are other resilient species examples (10) ____ in the Universe." He added: "There is a real (11) ____ for looking for life on Mars and in other areas of the Solar System. If tardigrades are Earth's most resilient species, who knows what (12) ____ is out there?"

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     creative     (b)     creatures     (c)     critters     (d)     creature    
    2. (a)     at     (b)     from     (c)     for     (d)     of    
    3. (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    4. (a)     capacity     (b)     capability     (c)     able     (d)     ability    
    5. (a)     bitterly     (b)     bittern     (c)     bitters     (d)     bitten    
    6. (a)     outer     (b)     outcast     (c)     outwit     (d)     outstay    
    7. (a)     well     (b)     indifferent     (c)     bad     (d)     good    
    8. (a)     likely     (b)     liken     (c)     likelihood     (d)     liking    
    9. (a)     was     (b)     as     (c)     has     (d)     mas    
    10. (a)     whereas     (b)     nowhere     (c)     elsewhere     (d)     where    
    11. (a)     cash     (b)     caste     (c)     case     (d)     cast    
    12. (a)     which     (b)     else     (c)     that     (d)     way

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a tiny, water-dwelling rucaeert
    2. the chpsoyoillgia makeup to be able to survive
    3. in efcunar-like temperatures of 150ºC
    4. the crushing ersspeur of deep oceans
    5. the vaumcu of outer space
    6. any other extreme cglmtoooalreie event

    Paragraph 2

    1. hardy and neslireit
    2. in seavlre billion years from now
    3. loxecpm life
    4. mxeelerty difficult
    5. ewleeresh in the Universe
    6. as close to cdtteurensbiil as it gets

    Put the text back together

    (    )     of 150ºC. Water bears can also survive the crushing pressure of deep oceans, the vacuum of outer space,

    (    )     survive in any extreme conditions. The microscopic water bear can survive without food for three

    1  )     A new study has revealed that a tiny, water-dwelling creature is likely to live until the

    (    )     are Earth's most resilient species, who knows what else is out there?"

    (    )     good is if the Sun boils all the Earth's oceans away. The study says this is likely to happen in several

    (    )     Scientists say water bears are so hardy and resilient that the only thing that would wipe them out for

    (    )     decades. It can also exist in bitterly freezing temperatures of -272º Celsius and in furnace-like temperatures

    (    )     legs. It is just one-tenth of a millimeter in size but has the physiological makeup to be able to

    (    )     exist on other planets. A researcher said: "Tardigrades are as close to indestructible as it gets on Earth, but it is

    (    )     case for looking for life on Mars and in other areas of the Solar System. If tardigrades

    (    )     billion years from now. The new study states that complex life is extremely difficult to destroy and could

    (    )     nuclear war, global warming, or any other extreme meteorological event that would doom humans.

    (    )     end of the Earth. The near indestructible tardigrade, also known as water bear, looks like a short caterpillar with eight

    (    )     possible that there are other resilient species examples elsewhere in the Universe." He added: "There is a real

    Put the words in the right order

    1. tiny  live  dwelling  A   to  end   likely  water-  the  is  , until   creature  .
    2. short  like   The  caterpillar  water  with   bear  eight   looks   legs   a   .
    3. to   to   has   makeup   able   It   physiological   be   survive   the   .
    4. can  It  -272ºC   of  temperatures   freezing  bitterly   in   exist   also   .
    5. meteorological  humans  event  Any  that other  would  extreme  doom .
    6. would   out   The   that   them   good   thing   wipe   for   only   .
    7. is   likely   billion   to   years   happen   from   in   now   several   This   .
    8. to   Tardigrades   indestructible   are   as   as   it   close   gets   .
    9. resilient   Other   Universe   the   in   elsewhere   examples   species   .
    10. for   Mars   a   for   on   is   case   life   There   real   looking   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new study has revealed / revelation that a tiny, water-dwelling creature is likely / lively to live until the end of the Earth. The nears / near indestructible tardigrade, also known as water bear, looks like a short caterpillar with eight legs. It is just one-tenth of a millimeter in / on size but has the physiological makeup to be capability / able to survive in any extreme conditions. The microscopic / microscope water bear can survive without food for three decadence / decades. It can also exist / existence in bitterly freezing temperatures of -272º Celsius and in furnace-like temperatures of 150ºC. Water bears can also survive the crushing pressure of deep oceans, the vacuum / hoover of outer space, nuclear war, global warming, or any other extreme meteorological event that would gloom / doom humans.

    Scientists say water bears are so hardy / hardly and resilient that the only thing that would wipe them out for bad / good is if the Sun boils all the Earth's oceans away. The study says this is likely / liking to happen in several billion years from / for now. The new study states that complex life is extremely difficult to destroy / destruction and could exist on other planets. A researcher said: "Tardigrades are as close / closely to indestructible as / has it gets on Earth, but it is possible that there are other resilient species examples elsewhere / or else in the Universe." He added: "There is a real carton / case for looking for life on Mars and on / in other areas of the Solar System. If tardigrades are Earth's most resilient species, who knows what else is out there?"

    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)

    _ n_w st_dy h_s r_v__l_d th_t _ t_ny, w_t_r-dw_ll_ng cr__t_r_ _s l_k_ly t_ l_v_ _nt_l th_ _nd _f th_ __rth. Th_ n__r _nd_str_ct_bl_ t_rd_gr_d_, _ls_ kn_wn _s w_t_r b__r, l__ks l_k_ _ sh_rt c_t_rp_ll_r w_th __ght l_gs. _t _s j_st _n_-t_nth _f _ m_ll_m_t_r _n s_z_ b_t h_s th_ phys__l_g_c_l m_k__p t_ b_ _bl_ t_ s_rv_v_ _n _ny _xtr_m_ c_nd_t__ns. Th_ m_cr_sc_p_c w_t_r b__r c_n s_rv_v_ w_th__t f__d f_r thr__ d_c_d_s. _t c_n _ls_ _x_st _n b_tt_rly fr__z_ng t_mp_r_t_r_s _f -272º C_ls__s _nd _n f_rn_c_-l_k_ t_mp_r_t_r_s _f 150ºC. W_t_r b__rs c_n _ls_ s_rv_v_ th_ cr_sh_ng pr_ss_r_ _f d__p _c__ns, th_ v_c__m _f __t_r sp_c_, n_cl__r w_r, gl_b_l w_rm_ng, _r _ny _th_r _xtr_m_ m_t__r_l_g_c_l _v_nt th_t w__ld d__m h_m_ns.

    Sc__nt_sts s_y w_t_r b__rs _r_ s_ h_rdy _nd r_s_l__nt th_t th_ _nly th_ng th_t w__ld w_p_ th_m __t f_r g__d _s _f th_ S_n b__ls _ll th_ __rth's _c__ns _w_y. Th_ st_dy s_ys th_s _s l_k_ly t_ h_pp_n _n s_v_r_l b_ll__n y__rs fr_m n_w. Th_ n_w st_dy st_t_s th_t c_mpl_x l_f_ _s _xtr_m_ly d_ff_c_lt t_ d_str_y _nd c__ld _x_st _n _th_r pl_n_ts. _ r_s__rch_r s__d: "T_rd_gr_d_s _r_ _s cl_s_ t_ _nd_str_ct_bl_ _s _t g_ts _n __rth, b_t _t _s p_ss_bl_ th_t th_r_ _r_ _th_r r_s_l__nt sp_c__s _x_mpl_s _ls_wh_r_ _n th_ _n_v_rs_." H_ _dd_d: "Th_r_ _s _ r__l c_s_ f_r l__k_ng f_r l_f_ _n M_rs _nd _n _th_r _r__s _f th_ S_l_r Syst_m. _f t_rd_gr_d_s _r_ __rth's m_st r_s_l__nt sp_c__s, wh_ kn_ws wh_t _ls_ _s __t th_r_?"

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new study has revealed that a tiny water-dwelling creature is likely to live until the end of the earth the near indestructible tardigrade also known as water bear looks like a short caterpillar with eight legs it is just one-tenth of a millimeter in size but has the physiological makeup to be able to survive in any extreme conditions the microscopic water bear can survive without food for three decades it can also exist in bitterly freezing temperatures of -272º celsius and in furnace-like temperatures of 150ºc water bears can also survive the crushing pressure of deep oceans the vacuum of outer space nuclear war global warming or any other extreme meteorological event that would doom humans

    scientists say water bears are so hardy and resilient that the only thing that would wipe them out for good is if the sun boils all the earth's oceans away the study says this is likely to happen in several billion years from now the new study states that complex life is extremely difficult to destroy and could exist on other planets a researcher said "tardigrades are as close to indestructible as it gets on earth but it is possible that there are other resilient species examples elsewhere in the universe" he added "there is a real case for looking for life on mars and in other areas of the solar system if tardigrades are earth's most resilient species who knows what else is out there"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anewstudyhasrevealedthatatiny,water-dwellingcreatureislikelytol
    iveuntiltheendoftheEarth.Thenearindestructibletardigrade,alsokno
    wnaswaterbear,lookslikeashortcaterpillarwitheightlegs.Itisjustone-
    tenthofamillimeterinsizebuthasthephysiologicalmakeuptobeabletos
    urviveinanyextremeconditions.Themicroscopicwaterbearcansurvive
    withoutfoodforthreedecades.Itcanalsoexistinbitterlyfreezingtemper
    aturesof-272ºCelsiusandinfurnace-liketemperaturesof150ºC.Wat
    erbearscanalsosurvivethecrushingpressureofdeepoceans,thevacuu
    mofouterspace,nuclearwar,globalwarming,oranyotherextrememete
    orologicaleventthatwoulddoomhumans.Scientistssaywaterbearsare
    sohardyandresilientthattheonlythingthatwouldwipethemoutforgoodi
    siftheSunboilsalltheEarth'soceansaway.Thestudysaysthisislikelytoh
    appeninseveralbillionyearsfromnow.Thenewstudystatesthatcomple
    xlifeisextremelydifficulttodestroyandcouldexistonotherplanets.Ares
    earchersaid:"TardigradesareasclosetoindestructibleasitgetsonEarth
    ,butitispossiblethatthereareotherresilientspeciesexampleselsewher
    eintheUniverse."Headded:"ThereisarealcaseforlookingforlifeonMars
    andinotherareasoftheSolarSystem.IftardigradesareEarth'smostresil
    ientspecies,whoknowswhatelseisoutthere?"

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We need to put the DNA from water bears into our bodies to live longer. 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 water bears. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. WATER BEARS: Make a poster about water bears. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. WATER BEAR DNA: Write a magazine article about using the DNA of the water bear to help make humans stronger. 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 bears. Ask him/her three questions about them. 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

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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