News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Identify the observing tools and distinguish the observed epoch from the present.
Two Bright Objects Reveal Early Black Holes
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.
Which tools were used to find the pair?
Correct answer: B — Webb and Gemini North telescopes
Why: Both named telescopes appear in the first paragraph.
Clue in the story: Astronomers found two quasars close to each other using the Webb and Gemini North telescopes. A quasar is a bright region powered by gas falling towards a large black hole.
Which time does the second paragraph describe?
Correct answer: A — About 900 million years after the Big Bang
Why: The paragraph describes the past time represented by the arriving light, not the present state of the pair.
Clue in the story: We see this pair as it was about 900 million years after the Big Bang. Scientists are still studying how its black holes became so large so early.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Explain what powers a quasar and why this pair interests scientists.
One possible answer: Gas falling towards a large black hole powers a bright region called a quasar. We see this pair about 900 million years after the Big Bang, and scientists are studying how its black holes grew so large so early.
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
Looking back with as it was
as it was
As it was indicates a past state that we observe through old light. It does not claim the pair has stayed unchanged until today.