Scientists are urging people to see seagulls as “charismatic” rather than “criminal” and to learn to live alongside them. Seagulls are being forced into urban areas due to the loss of natural habitats and are coming into conflict with humans over food. However, experts argue that these birds should be respected for their intelligence and adaptability. They have learned to scavenge for food by observing older birds and have developed clever behaviors to obtain food from bins or directly from humans. Simple solutions to the problem include providing larger, more secure bins and educating people not to leave leftover food lying around.

The decline of gull populations in the wild is a growing conservation concern. The six main gull species in the UK are all declining and are either amber- or red-listed. A recent national survey of winter gulls aimed to assess the number and distribution of populations overwintering in the UK. The survey revealed that breeding gull populations have been declining, although there is limited data on the increase of gulls nesting on buildings. More data on winter gulls will be collected at the end of the year to develop better conservation strategies.

Seagulls are often seen as aggressive and a nuisance, especially during the breeding season. However, they are an important part of our natural world and have adapted to urban life due to human activities. They are intelligent birds that have learned to survive in urban areas by scavenging for food. By understanding their behavior and implementing simple solutions, such as secure bins and responsible food disposal, we can coexist with seagulls and appreciate their unique qualities.

In conclusion, seagulls should be seen as “charismatic” rather than “criminal” and we should learn to live alongside them. Their intelligence and adaptability have allowed them to survive in urban areas, but their populations are declining in the wild. By respecting their intelligence and implementing simple solutions, we can coexist with seagulls and contribute to their conservation.

Original news source: Seagulls ‘charismatic’ not ‘criminal’, say scientists (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a copy of the article. Instruct them to read the article and summarize the main points in a news report format. They should focus on the key information and present it concisely. After a set amount of time, have each group share their news summary with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a selection of vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper and put them in a hat or container. Divide the class into teams. One student from each team will come up and randomly select a word from the container. They must then silently act out or draw the word for their team to guess. The team that guesses correctly earns a point. Continue until all the words have been used or a set amount of time has passed. The team with the most points wins.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the class to form two lines facing each other. One line will be “agree” and the other line will be “disagree”. Read out a statement related to the topic of the article, such as “Seagulls should be seen as ‘charismatic’ rather than ‘criminal'”. Instruct the students to move to the agree or disagree line based on their opinion. Give them a few minutes to discuss their reasons with the person opposite them. Afterward, randomly select a few students to share their opinions and reasoning with the class.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask the class to think about the following question: “In what ways have seagulls adapted to urban environments?” Give them a few minutes to think about their response individually. Then, pair the students up and have them discuss their thoughts with their partner. Afterward, bring the class back together and have a few pairs share their ideas with the group.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and give each group a sheet of paper. Instruct them to create a pros and cons list about living alongside seagulls. They should consider both the positive and negative aspects of coexistence. After a set amount of time, have each group share their lists with the class and facilitate a discussion about the different perspectives.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why are seagulls being forced into urban areas?
2. How have seagulls learned to scavenge for food?
3. What are some simple solutions to the conflict between seagulls and humans?
4. Why is the decline of gull populations a conservation concern?
5. What did a recent national survey of winter gulls aim to assess?
6. What did the survey reveal about breeding gull populations?
7. Why are seagulls often seen as aggressive and a nuisance?
8. How can we coexist with seagulls and appreciate their unique qualities?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Scientists are urging people to see seagulls as “charismatic” rather than “criminal” and to learn to live alongside them. (1)______ are being forced into urban (2)______ due to the loss of natural habitats and are coming into conflict with humans over food. However, experts argue that these birds should be respected for their intelligence and (3)______. They have learned to (4)______ for food by observing older birds and have developed clever behaviors to obtain food from bins or directly from humans. Simple solutions to the problem include providing larger, more secure bins and educating people not to leave leftover food lying around.

The decline of gull populations in the wild is a growing (5)______ concern. The six main gull species in the UK are all declining and are either amber- or red-listed. A recent national (6)______ of winter gulls aimed to assess the (7)______ and (8)______ of populations overwintering in the UK. The survey revealed that breeding gull populations have been declining, although there is limited data on the increase of gulls nesting on buildings. More data on winter gulls will be collected at the end of the year to develop better conservation strategies.

Seagulls are often seen as aggressive and a nuisance, especially during the (9)______ season. However, they are an (10)______ part of our (11)______ world and have adapted to urban life due to human activities. They are intelligent birds that have learned to survive in urban areas by (12)______ for food. By understanding their behavior and implementing simple solutions, such as (13)______ bins and responsible food disposal, we can coexist with seagulls and appreciate their unique (14)______.

In (15)______, seagulls should be seen as “charismatic” rather than “criminal” and we should learn to live alongside them. Their intelligence and adaptability have allowed them to (16)______ in urban areas, but their populations are declining in the wild. By respecting their intelligence and implementing simple solutions, we can coexist with seagulls and contribute to their conservation.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. How do you feel about seagulls being forced into urban areas?
2. What is a simple solution to the conflict between seagulls and humans?
3. Do you think seagulls should be respected for their intelligence and adaptability? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if seagulls were considered a nuisance in your city?
5. Do you like observing seagulls and their behaviors? Why or why not?
6. What are some ways that humans can coexist with seagulls in urban areas?
7. How do you think seagulls have adapted to urban life?
8. Do you think seagulls should be protected as part of our natural world? Why or why not?
9. How would you feel if seagull populations continued to decline in the wild?
10. What are some unique qualities of seagulls that you appreciate?
11. How do you feel about the idea of implementing secure bins to help with the seagull problem?
12. Do you think educating people about responsible food disposal will make a difference in the conflict with seagulls? Why or why not?
13. How would you feel if seagulls were considered “charismatic” rather than “criminal” in your community?
14. What are some other animals that have adapted to urban areas due to human activities?
15. How do you think collecting more data on winter gulls will help with conservation strategies?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. charismatic
2. conservation
3. scavenging
4. adaptability
5. urban
6. conflict
7. intelligence
8. secure
9. nuisance
10. breeding
11. declining
12. strategies
13. aggressive
14. coexist
15. populations

Meanings:
(A) The process of producing offspring or multiplying
(B) Becoming less in number or intensity
(C) Ready or likely to attack or confront
(D) Something that is annoying or bothersome
(E) The act of preserving natural resources and the environment
(F) To live in harmony with others
(G) The ability to adjust to new conditions or environments
(H) Relating to or characteristic of a city or town
(I) Plans or methods developed to achieve a particular goal
(J) The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills
(K) Safe from danger or threat
(L) Searching for and collecting anything usable from discarded waste
(M) Having a compelling charm or appeal
(N) Groups or communities of a particular species living in a specific area
(O) A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why are seagulls being forced into urban areas?
(a) Loss of natural habitats
(b) Lack of food in the wild
(c) Human aggression towards them
(d) Migration patterns

2. How have seagulls learned to scavenge for food?
(a) By stealing from other animals
(b) By observing older birds
(c) By stealing from humans
(d) By searching for food in the wild

3. What is one simple solution to the conflict between seagulls and humans?
(a) Providing larger, more secure bins
(b) Removing all seagulls from urban areas
(c) Banning seagulls from accessing food sources
(d) Ignoring the presence of seagulls

4. Why is the decline of gull populations a conservation concern?
(a) Gulls are important for the ecosystem
(b) Gulls are becoming more aggressive
(c) All gull species are declining
(d) Gulls are causing damage to buildings

5. What did a recent national survey of winter gulls aim to assess?
(a) The impact of gulls on urban areas
(b) The number and distribution of gull populations overwintering in the UK
(c) The behavior of gulls during the breeding season
(d) The decline of gull populations in the wild

6. What is one potential conservation strategy for gulls?
(a) Removing gulls from urban areas
(b) Decreasing the availability of food for gulls
(c) Encouraging gulls to nest on buildings
(d) Collecting more data on winter gulls

7. Why are seagulls often seen as aggressive and a nuisance?
(a) They attack other bird species
(b) They damage buildings and property
(c) They steal food from humans
(d) They have adapted to urban life

8. How can we coexist with seagulls and contribute to their conservation?
(a) By removing all seagulls from urban areas
(b) By ignoring their presence and behavior
(c) By reducing the availability of food for seagulls
(d) By implementing simple solutions and respecting their intelligence

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Simple solutions to the conflict with seagulls include providing larger, more secure bins and educating people not to leave leftover food lying around.
2. The six main gull species in the UK are all declining and are either amber- or red-listed.
3. Breeding gull populations have been declining, although there is limited data on the increase of gulls nesting on buildings.
4. More information on summer gulls will be collected at the end of the year to develop better conservation strategies.
5. Seagulls have developed foolish behaviors to obtain food from bins or directly from humans.
6. Seagulls have learned to scavenge for food by observing younger birds.
7. Seagulls are being forced into urban areas due to the loss of natural habitats.
8. The increase of gull populations in the wild is a growing conservation concern.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What are some of the reasons why seagulls are being forced into urban areas?
2. How have seagulls learned to scavenge for food in urban areas?
3. What are some simple solutions that can help reduce conflicts between humans and seagulls?
4. Why is the decline of gull populations in the wild a conservation concern?
5. What steps can be taken to develop better conservation strategies for gulls?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Seagulls are being forced into urban areas due to the loss of natural habitats.
2. Seagulls have learned to scavenge for food by observing older birds and have developed clever behaviors to obtain food from bins or directly from humans.
3. Some simple solutions include providing larger, more secure bins and educating people not to leave leftover food lying around.
4. The decline of gull populations is a conservation concern because all six main gull species in the UK are declining and are either amber- or red-listed.
5. The recent national survey of winter gulls aimed to assess the number and distribution of populations overwintering in the UK.
6. The survey revealed that breeding gull populations have been declining, although there is limited data on the increase of gulls nesting on buildings.
7. Seagulls are often seen as aggressive and a nuisance because they can be territorial and protective during the breeding season.
8. We can coexist with seagulls and appreciate their unique qualities by understanding their behavior and implementing simple solutions, such as secure bins and responsible food disposal.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Seagulls
(2) areas
(3) adaptability
(4) scavenge
(5) conservation
(6) survey
(7) number
(8) distribution
(9) breeding
(10) important
(11) natural
(12) scavenging
(13) secure
(14) qualities
(15) conclusion
(16) survive
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. charismatic
Answer: (M) Having a compelling charm or appeal

2. conservation
Answer: (E) The act of preserving natural resources and the environment

3. scavenging
Answer: (L) Searching for and collecting anything usable from discarded waste

4. adaptability
Answer: (G) The ability to adjust to new conditions or environments

5. urban
Answer: (H) Relating to or characteristic of a city or town

6. conflict
Answer: (O) A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one

7. intelligence
Answer: (J) The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills

8. secure
Answer: (K) Safe from danger or threat

9. nuisance
Answer: (D) Something that is annoying or bothersome

10. breeding
Answer: (A) The process of producing offspring or multiplying

11. declining
Answer: (B) Becoming less in number or intensity

12. strategies
Answer: (I) Plans or methods developed to achieve a particular goal

13. aggressive
Answer: (C) Ready or likely to attack or confront

14. coexist
Answer: (F) To live in harmony with others

15. populations
Answer: (N) Groups or communities of a particular species living in a specific area
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why are seagulls being forced into urban areas?
Answer: (a) Loss of natural habitats

2. How have seagulls learned to scavenge for food?
Answer: (b) By observing older birds

3. What is one simple solution to the conflict between seagulls and humans?
Answer: (a) Providing larger, more secure bins

4. Why is the decline of gull populations a conservation concern?
Answer: (c) All gull species are declining

5. What did a recent national survey of winter gulls aim to assess?
Answer: (b) The number and distribution of gull populations overwintering in the UK

6. What is one potential conservation strategy for gulls?
Answer: (d) Collecting more data on winter gulls

7. Why are seagulls often seen as aggressive and a nuisance?
Answer: (c) They steal food from humans

8. How can we coexist with seagulls and contribute to their conservation?
Answer: (d) By implementing simple solutions and respecting their intelligence
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Simple solutions to the conflict with seagulls include providing larger, more secure bins and educating people not to leave leftover food lying around. (Answer: True)
2. The six main gull species in the UK are all declining and are either amber- or red-listed. (Answer: True)
3. Breeding gull populations have been declining, although there is limited data on the increase of gulls nesting on buildings. (Answer: True)
4. More information on summer gulls will be collected at the end of the year to develop better conservation strategies. (Answer: False)
5. Seagulls have developed foolish behaviors to obtain food from bins or directly from humans. (Answer: False)
6. Seagulls have learned to scavenge for food by observing younger birds. (Answer: False)
7. Seagulls are being forced into urban areas due to the loss of natural habitats. (Answer: True)
8. The increase of gull populations in the wild is a growing conservation concern. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧