LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERSCOCAINE FOUND IN BRAZILIAN SHARKS
Aug. 16, 2024
Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Animals; Breaking News; Controversial Issues; Crime and The Law; Environment and Nature; Ethics and Conduct; Trade; Animals and Plants; Nature; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old; 13-15 Years Old; Article Based
Publication date: 08/16/2024
In this lesson, students will look at the impact of drug pollution on marine life. The listening task is centered around the recent discovery that sharks off the coast of Brazil were found to contain cocaine. There is then a short text on the dangers of forever chemicals, known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), in which students are required to choose the correct preposition. The reading comprehension meanwhile looks at findings from the UK, in which marine life was found to have been heavily affected by recreational drugs. There are discussion points and vocabulary sections and throughout the lesson. (by Joey Vaughan-Birch)
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
- CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
- CLICK HERE to download/watch the video (MP4).
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Sharks with a shocking twist! Off the coast of Brazil, scientists have discovered something astonishing: cocaine in sharks. Yes, you heard that right. These Brazilian sharpnose sharks tested positive for cocaine, marking a groundbreaking discovery in marine science. Researchers from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil conducted a study to investigate the impact of drug pollution on marine life. Their findings - all 13 wild Brazilian sharpnose sharks tested positive for cocaine, with concentrations up to 100 times higher than ever reported in other aquatic creatures. The study involved dissecting sharks bought from local fishing vessels. Muscle and liver tissues were tested using advanced techniques to detect cocaine and its main metabolite, benzoylecgonine. Shockingly, the presence of cocaine was more prevalent in muscle tissue than in the sharks’ livers. This marks the first-ever study to find cocaine in free-range sharks. But how did this happen? Scientists believe the drug entered the ocean through smuggling operations. With large quantities of cocaine being dumped into the water around Florida, South, and Central America, marine life is becoming an unintended victim. In fact, just last year, the US Coast Guard seized over 14,100 pounds of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, valued at an astonishing $186 million. While the long-term effects of cocaine on sharks and other marine life are still unknown, this discovery raises serious concerns about the health of our oceans. It’s a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of human activities on our planet. As we learn more about the impact of pollutants on marine ecosystems, it’s crucial to take action to protect our oceans and their inhabitants.
Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/cocaine-found-in-brazilian-sharks. Accessed on August 16, 2024. © 2008–2024 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.
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