News by Levels · Level 3 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Compare differently defined animal counts and separate a rescue attempt from its outcome.
Last Surviving Whales Die After Ngawi Stranding
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.
How did the two reported counts differ?
Correct answer: A — 1News reported at least 30 believed dead; Euronews cited residents counting close to 50 animals
Why: The figures came from different sources and describe different counts, so they should not be treated as the same confirmed total.
Clue in the story: Reports gave different estimates for the number stranded. New Zealand broadcaster 1News said at least 30 were believed to have died, while Euronews reported that local residents counted close to 50 animals. The cause has not been established.
Why would “two whales were saved” overstate the reported outcome?
Correct answer: B — They were refloated, but were later reported among the animals that died.
Why: Refloated describes a rescue action, while the later report describes deaths. The action alone does not establish survival.
Clue in the story: Project Jonah medics worked with conservation staff, local Māori communities and volunteers to keep the surviving whales wet and cool. Two were refloated at high tide, but Euronews reported that they were among the last four survivors that later died.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Describe the rescue outcome and explain why a reader should be careful when comparing the two reported animal counts.
One possible answer: Two whales were refloated, but Euronews reported that they were among the last four survivors that later died. The counts came from different reports: one concerned at least 30 believed dead, while residents counted close to 50 animals.
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
Contrast with while
while Euronews reported that local residents counted close to 50 animals
While contrasts two reports here; it does not mean that their counts were taken at exactly the same time.