News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Identify a rescue action and distinguish an unknown cause from a reported outcome.
Pilot Whales Die on New Zealand Coast
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 2 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
What did helpers do for the living whales?
Correct answer: C — Kept them wet and helped two into the sea
Why: The text says helpers kept living whales wet and returned two to the sea.
Clue in the story: Local people and rescue workers tried to help. They kept the living whales wet and helped two back into the sea.
What is known about the reason the whales came ashore?
Correct answer: C — The reason is not known
Why: The text states that the reason is unknown.
Clue in the story: Many whales died. Euronews reported that the last four living whales also died. The reason the whales came ashore is not known.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Describe one action people took to help the whales and what the report says later happened to the last four living whales.
One possible answer: Helpers kept the living whales wet and helped two into the sea. Euronews reported that the last four living whales also died.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.
Grammar to discuss
A result with help + object
helped two back into the sea
Helped describes assistance. Two refers back to the whales; back into the sea describes where those animals were moved.