Ships and Whales: A Big Problem

Introduction

More big ships are traveling in the ocean. Now, more ships are hitting and killing whales in South Africa and Canada.

Main Body

Many ships now go around South Africa. They do this because there are fights in the Middle East. More ships mean more danger for blue whales and humpback whales. The whales cannot move fast enough to stay safe. In Canada, gas ships and ferries also hit whales. Some whales do not hear the ships. This is a big problem for the animals. Canada is trying to help. Some ships now move slowly. Ships must stay far away from killer whales. Some ships use new tools to find whales in the water.

Conclusion

Wars and new business make the ocean dangerous for whales. Some places now use slower speeds and new tools to save them.

Learning

πŸ‹ The 'Action' Secret

Look at how we describe things happening right now in the text:

  • Ships are traveling
  • Ships are hitting

The Pattern: Am/Is/Are + Action word with -ing β†’\rightarrow Something happening now.


πŸ› οΈ Word Swapping (Speed)

In English, we can change a word to show a different speed or level. Look at these two from the story:

  1. Slowly (How they move) β†’\rightarrow Ships move slowly.
  2. Fast (How they move) β†’\rightarrow Whales cannot move fast enough.

Quick Tip: Use Slowly or Fast after a movement word (like go, move, run) to tell us the speed.


πŸ“ Who? Where? Why?

The Logic: Person/Thing β†’\rightarrow Action β†’\rightarrow Place

  • Ships β†’\rightarrow go around β†’\rightarrow South Africa.
  • Ferries β†’\rightarrow hit whales β†’\rightarrow in Canada.

Simple Rule: In English, we usually put the Place at the end of the sentence.

Vocabulary Learning

more (adv.)
More means a greater amount or number.
Example:I would like more coffee.
big (adj.)
Big means large in size.
Example:The big dog wagged its tail.
ships (n.)
Ships are large boats that travel on water.
Example:The ships left the harbor at dawn.
traveling (v.)
Traveling means moving from one place to another.
Example:She is traveling to Canada next month.
ocean (n.)
Ocean is a large body of salt water.
Example:The ocean is very deep.
hitting (v.)
Hitting means striking with force.
Example:The ball was hitting the wall.
killing (v.)
Killing means causing death.
Example:The storm was killing many birds.
whales (n.)
Whales are large marine mammals.
Example:Whales swim in the sea.
south (adj.)
South is the direction toward the southern pole.
Example:We are heading south for the vacation.
africa (n.)
Africa is a continent in the southern hemisphere.
Example:Africa has many wildlife species.
canada (n.)
Canada is a country in North America.
Example:Canada has cold winters.
many (adj.)
Many means a large number.
Example:Many people came to the concert.
go (v.)
Go means to move or travel to a place.
Example:We will go to the market.
around (prep.)
Around means in the area surrounding.
Example:The children ran around the park.
do (v.)
Do means to perform an action.
Example:Please do your homework.
because (conj.)
Because is used to give a reason.
Example:I stayed home because it rained.
there (adv.)
There means in that place.
Example:There is a book on the table.
fights (n.)
Fights are conflicts or battles.
Example:The fights in the movie were exciting.
middle (adj.)
Middle means in the center.
Example:The middle of the road is wide.
east (adj.)
East is the direction toward the sunrise.
Example:The east side of the house has a garden.
danger (n.)
Danger means a risk of harm.
Example:The road is full of danger.
blue (adj.)
Blue is a color like the sky.
Example:She wore a blue shirt.
humpback (adj.)
Humpback means having a hump on the back.
Example:The humpback whale is a type of whale.
cannot (verb)
Cannot means is not able to.
Example:I cannot finish the work today.
move (v.)
Move means to change position.
Example:Please move the chair.
fast (adj.)
Fast means quick or rapid.
Example:The runner is very fast.
enough (adv.)
Enough means sufficient.
Example:I have enough time to finish.
stay (v.)
Stay means to remain in a place.
Example:Please stay here until I return.
safe (adj.)
Safe means free from danger.
Example:The bridge is safe to cross.
gas (n.)
Gas is fuel used for engines.
Example:The gas price is high today.
ferries (n.)
Ferries are boats that carry passengers.
Example:The ferries go across the river.
also (adv.)
Also means in addition.
Example:I like tea, and also coffee.
some (adj.)
Some means an unspecified number.
Example:Some people prefer coffee.
hear (v.)
Hear means to detect sound with ears.
Example:Can you hear the music?
animals (n.)
Animals are living creatures that are not plants.
Example:The zoo has many animals.
trying (v.)
Trying means attempting to do something.
Example:She is trying to learn French.
help (v.)
Help means to assist or support.
Example:Can you help me with this?
slowly (adv.)
Slowly means at a low speed.
Example:The turtle moves slowly.
must (modal)
Must means necessary or required.
Example:You must wear a helmet.
far (adj.)
Far means a great distance away.
Example:The house is far from the city.
away (adv.)
Away means not near.
Example:Put the book away on the shelf.
new (adj.)
New means recently made or discovered.
Example:She bought a new phone.
tools (n.)
Tools are instruments used for work.
Example:He uses tools to fix the car.
find (v.)
Find means to discover something.
Example:I can find the answer quickly.
water (n.)
Water is a clear liquid that covers oceans.
Example:Drink water every day.
wars (n.)
Wars are large armed conflicts between groups.
Example:Wars cause many problems.
business (n.)
Business means work or trade that makes money.
Example:He runs a small business.
make (v.)
Make means to create or produce.
Example:She can make a cake.
dangerous (adj.)
Dangerous means likely to cause harm.
Example:The road is dangerous at night.
places (n.)
Places are locations or areas.
Example:We visited many places.
speeds (n.)
Speeds are rates of moving.
Example:The car's speeds are high.
save (v.)
Save means to rescue or keep safe.
Example:They can save the fish.