News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
Scientists Find a Possible Dwarf Planet
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.
Where is 2026 ED138 compared with Pluto?
Correct answer: A — Farther from the Sun
Why: The article says the object is farther from the Sun than Pluto.
Clue in the story: Scientists have found an object far away in our solar system. It is called 2026 ED138. It is farther from the Sun than Pluto. Scientists say it may be a dwarf planet.
Why do scientists need more observations?
Correct answer: B — To learn the object’s size
Why: The report says scientists need more observations to learn the object’s size.
Clue in the story: The Rubin Observatory announced the discovery on October 27. Scientists need more observations to learn its size. They cannot yet say for certain that it is a dwarf planet.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Describe where the object is and explain why scientists are not yet certain it is a dwarf planet.
One possible answer: 2026 ED138 is farther from the Sun than Pluto. Scientists need more observations to learn its size, so they are not yet sure it is a dwarf planet.
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.