レッスンを予約する
Step 1
Read the Article
Read the article to understand the main idea.
記事を読んで、おおよその内容をつかみましょう。
Orcas use seaweed as grooming tools
Killer whales are known for intelligence and complex social lives. New research shows they also use tools in a special way. They use seaweed to groom each other.
Scientists saw this using drones over the Salish Sea. They watched whales use bull kelp for what they call “allokelping.”
The whales pick up the kelp and gently roll it between their bodies and another whale. This may help clean their skin and make their friendships stronger.
“Most animal tool use is for getting food,” said a marine biologist. “This is different because the kelp is used for social reasons.”
Social tool use is rare in wild animals. Some primates do it, but usually only in captivity. These whales do it freely in the wild.
Other sea animals like sea otters and dolphins also use tools. But killer whales modify the kelp before using it.
(Reuters)
Step 2
Check the Vocabulary and Phrases
Check the following vocabulary and phrases.
以下の単語やフレーズの発音、意味、使い方を確認しましょう。
intelligence
知能
The ability to learn, understand and think in a logical way about things; the ability to do this well
Her intelligence helped her solve the difficult problem quickly.
彼女の知性は難しい問題をすぐに解くのに役立ちました。
groom
きれいに整える
To clean the fur or skin of another animal or itself
The mother cat grooms her kittens to keep them clean.
母猫は子猫をきれいにするために毛づくろいをします。
primate
霊長類
Any animal that belongs to the group of mammals that includes humans, apes and monkeys
The gorilla is a primate that lives in the forest.
ゴリラは森に住む霊長類です。
captivity
捕らわれていること
The state of being kept as a prisoner or in a space that you cannot escape from
The panda was born in captivity at the zoo.
そのパンダは動物園で飼育されて生まれました。
modify
変更する
To change something slightly, especially in order to make it more suitable for a particular purpose
You can modify the recipe to make it less spicy.
辛さを控えるために、そのレシピを変更できます。
Step 3
Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the article.
理解度問題に挑戦しましょう。
Where did scientists observe the killer whales using seaweed as a tool?
What is the main purpose of the killer whales using bull kelp?
Step 4
Discussion
Share your opinions on the following questions.
以下の質問について、自分の考えを述べてみましょう。
Have you ever seen a killer whale?
What do you think of killer whales?
Which sea animal is your favorite and why?
Have you ever seen an animal use a tool?
How do you make a friendship stronger?