Eilish Rothney, managing a nature reserve for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, discovered a massive wasp nest in her office. The nest, which was initially small, now measures approximately one meter. It has been built around a bookcase of ring binders.
The wasps created layers that Eilish describes as resembling exotic, colorful paper. Due to the wasps' presence, Eilish has been working from home to avoid any interference. She shares that the nest begins on the floor, spreads inside a box, and across bookshelves.
Anticipating the wasps’ natural departure in autumn, Eilish has decided to leave the nest undisturbed. In autumn, the wasps will leave, and the females will seek hibernation locations, leaving the worker wasps to die off.
Despite the disruption, Eilish enjoys observing the wasps and reassures others not to fear them. Her advice is to remain calm around wasps as they sense anxiety and might react defensively.
1. Have you ever seen a wasp nest or any unusual natural formation? 2. What do you know about wasps and their behavior? 3. How would you react if you discovered a wasp nest in your home or office? 4. Discuss any experiences you have had with insects during summer. 5. Why do you think some people are afraid of wasps?
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. Who found the wasp nest in her office?
Eilish Rothney found the wasp nest in her office.
2. How large is the wasp nest described in the article?
The wasp nest is approximately one meter in size.
3. Where was the wasp nest located in the office?
The wasp nest was built around a bookcase of ring binders.
4. Why is Eilish working from home?
Eilish is working from home to avoid interference from the wasps.
5. What is expected to happen to the wasps in autumn?
In autumn, the wasps will leave, and the females will seek hibernation locations.
6. How does Eilish advise people to behave around wasps?
Eilish advises people to remain calm around wasps.
7. What is Eilish's overall attitude towards the wasps?
Eilish enjoys observing the wasps and reassures others not to fear them.
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Rothney, managing a nature reserve for Norfolk Trust, discovered a massive wasp nest in her office. The nest, which was initially , now measures approximately one meter. It has been built a bookcase of ring binders. The wasps created layers that Eilish as resembling exotic, paper. Due to the wasps' , Eilish has been working from home to avoid any interference. She shares that the nest begins on the floor, spreads a box, and across . Anticipating the ’ natural in autumn, Eilish has decided to leave the nest undisturbed. In autumn, the wasps will leave, and the females will seek hibernation locations, leaving the worker wasps to die off. the , Eilish enjoys the wasps and reassures others not to fear them. Her advice is to calm around wasps as they sense anxiety and might react defensively.
💬 Discussion Questions:
1. Do you agree with Eilish's approach to leave the wasp nest undisturbed? 2. What are some strategies to remain calm around insects? 3. Have you ever worked from home? What did you like or dislike about it? 4. How do you feel about allowing wildlife to coexist in human spaces? 5. What other natural occurrences have you had to adapt to? 6. Discuss the importance of nature reserves and wildlife trusts. 7. How might Eilish's experience change if she was afraid of wasps? 8. What are some methods to safely remove insects without harm? 9. How do you think working in a nature reserve influences one’s perspective on wildlife? 10. Describe a time you felt anxious and how you managed it. 11. What would you do if you encountered an unusual nature occurrence? 12. How important is it to observe and understand nature in its own habitat?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
1. reserve
2. wasp
3. binders
4. exotic
5. interference
6. hibernation
7. disturbed
8. departure
9. reassurance
10. disruption
11. observe
12. sense
13. anxiety
14. react
15. defensively
Meanings
(A) Something that interrupts
(B) Leaving or going away
(C) To detect or be aware of
(D) Feeling of worry or nervousness
(E) Respond or act in a certain way
(F) Long sleep during winter
(G) In a protective or guarded manner
(H) A protected area for wildlife
(I) A flying insect that can sting
(J) Folders used for storing papers
(K) Comfort or confidence given
(L) A disturbance or problem
(M) To watch or monitor
(N) Bothered or interrupted
(O) Unusual and interesting
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What did Eilish Rothney discover in her office?
(a) A wasp nest
(b) A bird nest
(c) A large spider
(d) An ant colony
2. Where was the wasp nest built in Eilish's office?
(a) Inside a file cabinet
(b) Around a bookcase of ring binders
(c) Under her desk
(d) By the window
3. How does Eilish describe the layers created by the wasps?
(a) As plain and dull
(b) Like a honeycomb
(c) As wet and soggy
(d) Like exotic, colorful paper
4. Why has Eilish been working from home?
(a) She prefers working from home
(b) To avoid interference from the wasps
(c) It is too noisy at the office
(d) Her office is under construction
5. What will happen to the wasps in autumn?
(a) They will grow larger
(b) They will build a second nest
(c) They will leave the nest
(d) They will reproduce and increase
6. How should one behave around wasps, according to Eilish?
(a) Remain calm
(b) Shout and wave hands
(c) Run away quickly
(d) Try to catch them
7. Who is expected to seek hibernation locations?
(a) Worker wasps
(b) Eilish herself
(c) Female wasps
(d) The wasp queen
8. What is Eilish's general feeling towards the wasps?
(a) She is terrified of them
(b) She is indifferent to them
(c) She wants to get rid of them
(d) She enjoys observing them
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. She plans to leave the nest undisturbed until autumn.
2. In autumn, female wasps look for hibernation sites.
3. Eilish Rothney manages a zoo for Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
4. The nest was initially small before it grew.
5. The wasp nest is approximately ten meters in size.
6. Eilish describes the wasp nest layers as dull and colorless.
7. Eilish works from home to avoid the wasps in her office.
8. Eilish advises others to remain anxious around wasps.
Writing Questions:
1. Describe a time when you had to adapt to an unexpected situation.
2. How do you think working in nature can influence someone’s work style or personality?
3. Imagine you have discovered an unusual occurrence in your living space. What would you do?
4. Write about a time you learned something interesting about wildlife.
5. Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of allowing wildlife to remain in human spaces.
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