STEP 1 | Reading | Read the following an academic subject.
Keystone Species
Some animals have disproportionate, yet positive, effects upon their environments for a number of reasons. These animals are referred to by scientists as keystone species. They receive this moniker because, just like the keystone is the crucial stone in an arch that keeps it from falling, without the presence of a keystone species, a particular habitat would be changed considerably, often for the worse. Animals can be keystone species for many reasons. The most prominent keystone species are predators, but other animals can positively change their habitats in other ways like changing the environment or spreading nutrients through their habitats.
STEP 2 | Comprehending 読解力テスト | Answer the following questions to make sure you understand the reading
1 What is a keystone species?
2 What is the importance of the word “keystone”?
3 What would happen to a habitat without the presence of a keystone species?
4 What is the main way in which animals serve as keystone species?
5 What are some other ways in which animals can be keystone species?
1 __________________________
2 __________________________
3 ____________________
4 ____________________
5 _________________________
Comprehending 解答例
1. A keystone species is an animal that has a greater than normal effect on its environment.
2. The keystone is the most important stone in an arch, so a keystone species is the most important animal in its environment.
3. A habitat would change in a negative way without its keystone species.
4. The major way animals serve as keystone species is as predators.
5. Other ways animals can be keystone species are by changing their environments and spreading nutrients in their areas.
▮ Listen
STEP 3 | Listening & Note Taking | Listen to a lecture about the same topic, and take notes.
スクリプト
We’ve talked about some of the animals in Africa and the roles they play in their environments, but let me tell you about the most important one. Are you ready? It’s … the elephant. Really. I’m serious. Actually, the elephant is a keystone species in its part of Africa. Here, let me explain it. First, elephants have prodigious appetites. Do you know how much they eat daily? They chow down about 500 pounds of vegetation. Wow. Thanks to elephants, the areas in which they live don’t get overrun with plants. Why is this important? Well, if elephants weren’t there, their habitat would be filled with vegetation, which would cause most other animal species either to migrate or simply become extinct. They wouldn’t be able to handle the resulting new environment. Since they eat lots, elephants also defecate a lot. Because elephants are somewhat nomadic, they spread nutrients for the soil to absorb, and, through their waste, they essentially plant seeds, which will grow up to be plants that other animals can feed upon. Clearly, then, elephants are crucial to their environment.
Q The professor describes the importance of elephants to their habitats. Explain how the elephant’s importance relates to keystone species.
STEP 4 | Organizing 解答の組み立て | Ask yourself the following questions and organize your ideas.
1 What is the keystone species in Africa?
2 What is the importance of elephants eating so much vegetation daily?
3 What is the importance of elephants defecating in various places?
4 How do keystone species relate to elephants?
▮ Speak
STEP 5 | Response 解答| Make your response using the above information
The professor begins by telling__________________________________ _________________________________ According to the lecturer,____ ____________In the reading, ___________________________________
___________________________This represents the idea of___________
Something else to remember is ___________________________________
解答例
1. Elephants are the keystone species in Africa.
2. Elephants eat vegetation and keep plants from overrunning the region, which makes for a comfortable environment for many animals.
3. When elephants defecate in different places, they provide the soil with nutrients, and they spread different plants’ seeds, which will grow and then feed other animals.
4. Without elephants, Africa would be a drastically different place, so this makes them a keystone species.
STEP 6 | Compare 比較 | Listen to a sample response, and compare it with yours.
Sample Response 模範解答
The professor begins by telling the students that the keystone species in Africa is the elephant. He states that a keystone species is defined as an animal that has an incredibly large effect on its environment. While the most common keystone species are predators, there are other ways in which animals can serve as a keystone species. This is the case of the elephant. To begin with, elephants eat around 500 pounds of vegetation a day. This keeps the forest from expanding too much, something which would inconvenience other animals to the point that they would either migrate from the region or merely die off. Also, when elephants wander and defecate, they enrich the soil and plant seeds that will become other plants and trees. Animals can then use these new plants as food sources.
STEP 1 | Reading | Read the following an academic subject.
Animal Domestication
Animal domestication is done by asserting dominance. In accordance to their natural instincts, wild animals follow the dominant member of their herd. So people domesticate them by assuming the role of the dominant member .
STEP 2 | Note Taking メモ取り | Take notes on the reading
① Animal domestication : done by asserting dominance
② Possible : because animal’s instinct is to follow dominant member
STEP 3 |Organizing 解答の組み立て | Answer the following question using the above information.
Q : According to the passage, how is animal domestication done?
A : People act like the dominant member of the herd. That way, the other animals will follow them.
▮ Listen
STEP 4 | Listening & Note Taking | Listen to a lecture about the same topic, and take notes.
メモ取り
① Feral horses : have instinct to follow dominant male
② Domestication : done by taking dominant status out of male
スクリプト
All right. .. Let’s take a look at feral horses that live in the wild. Feral horses live in herds and are led by the dominant male horse. In order to domesticate these animals, humans have altered this behavior by eliminating dominant males. This means that no horse is dominant.
▮ Speak
STEP 5 | Response 解答| Make your response using the above information
Q : The professor describes feral horses. Example illustrates the principle of domestication
Your Response
People domesticate horses by becoming the dominant member of the herd. This is possible because horses are animals that the principles of animal domestication can apply to.
STEP 6 | Compare 比較 | Listen to a sample response, and compare it with yours.
Feral horses live in herds. And people domesticate the horses by eliminating the dominant males and taking the dominant position. This process is in line with the principles of domestication. According to the principle, animal domestication can be done by assuming the role of the dominant member.
Some people think that government should spend as much money as possible on developing space technology for the exploration of the moon and other planets. Others think that this money should be spent on solving the basic problems of society on Earth. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Introduction
Society is often divided on major issues involving government spending. One group believes that we should spend as much money as possible on space exploration, while another group thinks that we should spend this money on solving basic social problems on Earth. I believe there are stronger reasons for spending on space technology because this leads to knowledge that will benefit society on Earth.
Body 1
Spending money on space technology can lead to better ways to produce food and clothing. Space travel requires special ways to preserve and store food for a long journey. Scientists also work on ways to grow vegetables and fruits in space so that astronauts can have fresh food. Scientists must develop new types of clothing made from new materials. Many of these new methods of food and clothing production also benefit people on Earth.
Body 2
Space exploration has led to important developments in communications technology. One of the first government projects in space technology was for satellite communications. Today, this technology benefits everyone who uses satellite television or telephones.
Body 3
The most important reason for spending money on space technology is that it promotes international cooperation. When the governments of several different countries work together on space projects, there is better communication between countries. The international space station is a good example of international cooperation that benefits everyone on Earth. Not only does it lead to scientific progress, but it also promotes international understanding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, several developments in space technology have already helped society on Earth. If we spend money on space programs, we may discover even greater knowledge that will improve our life and promote world peace.
解説
Introduction での主張(thesis statement) を言い換えて述べている
In conclusion, several developments in space technology have already helped society on Earth.
予言(prediction)又は推奨(recommendation)の表現
If we spend money on space programs, we may discover even greater knowledge that will improve our life and promote world peace.
Some people like to watch films. Others like to attend concerts. Which activity do you prefer to do? Give specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
STEP 1 |Organizing 解答の組み立て|Ask yourself the following questions and organize your ideas.
1 Do you prefer to watch films or attend concerts?
2 Why do you enjoy doing this activity?
3 What features of films or concerts are so attractive to you?
1 My preferred activity ____________________________________
2-1 First reason ___________________________________________
1.As for me, I prefer watching films to attending concerts.
2- 1. First of all, watching films is a very relaxing activity.
3- 1. They usually last around two hours, so, during that time, I can forget about what is going on in my life and get lost in the movie, especially if it is an action movie, which I love.
2-2. Secondly, I think of films as artwork, so I try to appreciate them as works of art when watching them.
3-2. When they come together successfully, like in Citizen Kane, for example, I realize I am watching something more than a movie.
解答例 B
1 I would say I prefer attending concerts rather than watching films.
2-1. One of the main reasons is that there are so many different genres of music I like.
3-1. In the past few months, I have attended concerts performed by musicians in three different genres, thereby enabling me to hear some of my favorite songs performed live.
2-2. Another reason why I like attending concerts is that the music is much better when I hear it performed live.
3-2. My family went to a classical music concert recently.Attending the concert in person was so much better than listening to the same music on a CD.
STEP 2 |Response 解答文作成| Make your response using the above information.
As for me, I prefer _______ One of the main reasons is ________________
STEP 3 |Speaking 解答| Now say your response out loud, and record your time. While you are speaking, do not look at the written response
Response time: 45 seconds Your speaking time: ___ seconds
STEP 4 | Compare 比較 | Listen to a sample response, and compare it with yours.
解答例 A films
As for me, I prefer watching films to attending concerts. First of all, watching films is a very relaxing activity. They usually last around two hours, so, during that time, I can forget about what’s going on in my life and get lost in the movie, especially if it’s an action movie, which I love. For example, no matter how many times I watch movies like Spiderman and Pirates of the Caribbean, I get lost in the stories and forget about the outside world. Secondly, I think of films as artwork, so I try to appreciate them as works of art when watching them. For example, the acting, camerawork, lighting, and many other aspects of a film are all important. When they come together successfully, like in Citizen Kane, for example, I realize I’m watching something more than a movie. This makes me appreciate watching the film even more.
解答例 B concerts
I’d rather travel in a group than alone. To begin with, traveling in a group is safer than traveling alone. If I were alone, I might have some problems, yet no one could help me, especially in a foreign country where I don’t speak the language. If I’m with a tour group, the leader almost always speaks the local language. In addition, traveling with a group can give you and your travel partners man shared experiences and lots of good memories from the trip. Since it’s more interesting to travel with others, you can get memories from your trip that will last a lifetime. That is why I prefer traveling with a group of people.
Some people think that government should spend as much money as possible on developing space technology for the exploration of the moon and other planets. Others think that this money should be spent on solving the basic problems of society on Earth. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
● Introduction
Society is often divided on major issues involving government spending. One group believes that we should spend as much money as possible on space exploration, while another group thinks that we should spend this money on solving basic social problems on Earth. I believe there are stronger reasons for spending on space technology because this leads to knowledge that will benefit society on Earth.
Body 1
Spending money on space technology can lead to better ways to produce food and clothing. Space travel requires special ways to preserve and store food for a long journey. Scientists also work on ways to grow vegetables and fruits in space so that astronauts can have fresh food. Scientists must develop new types of clothing made from new materials. Many of these new methods of food and clothing production also benefit people on Earth.
Body 2
Space exploration has led to important developments in communications technology. One of the first government projects in space technology was for satellite communications. Today, this technology benefits everyone who uses satellite television or telephones.
Body 3
The most important reason for spending money on space technology is that it promotes international cooperation. When the governments of several different countries work together on space projects, there is better communication between countries. The international space station is a good example of international cooperation that benefits everyone on Earth. Not only does it lead to scientific progress, but it also promotes international understanding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, several developments in space technology have already helped society on Earth. If we spend money on space programs, we may discover even greater
knowledge that will improve our life and promote world peace.
Some people think that government should spend as much money as possible on developing space technology for the exploration of the moon and other planets. Others think that this money should be spent on solving the basic problems of society on Earth. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Introduction (序論)
Society is often divided on major issues involving government spending. One group believes that we should spend as much money as possible on space exploration, while another group thinks that we should spend this money on solving basic social problems on Earth. I believe there are stronger reasons for spending on space technology because this leads to knowledge that will benefit society on Earth.
① 第1段落は、設問のトピックになります。
Society is often divided on major issues involving government spending.
② 次の段落は、設問にある文を解答者の言葉で言い換えています。
One group believes that we should spend as much money as possible on space exploration, while another group thinks that we should spend this money on solving basic social problems on Earth.
state that you disagree with a given statement; or
state which of two positions you hold on a given issue.
アウトライン(Outline) エッセイの本論を短くまとめる
アウトラインとは、これから書き出すエッセイの設計図のようなものです。
ブレインストーミングで書き出した理由と例・詳細を段落ごとに箇条書きにします。
ここでは、正確な文は必要ありません。 短く要点だけを書き出します。
アウトラインを書き出す前に、先ほど説明したthesis(あなたの意見)
は決まっていることが前提です。
ブレインストーミングで書き出したアイディア から2~4つの理由と例・詳細を
選びエッセイの本論(Body)として適切な順番に書き出していきます
それでは、実際の質問を使って、ブレインストーミング、Thesis, アウトライン
を書き出してみます。
▮ 質問
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teachers are responsible for motivating students to learn. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
● ブレインストーミング(Brainstorming)
Disagree-Student is responsible, not teacher
– self-motivated
– S not motivated, T can’t help
– People naturally want to learn
– my teacher – grade 5
– work/whole life
– learning – no teacher
● Thesis (主題文)
Although many people believe it is the teacher’s responsibility to motivate students to learn, students will not learn much unless they are self-motivated.