Animals & Environment
New Species of Walking Shark Discovered in Papua New Guinea
7 Jul 2026
NEW
Select
a Level
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead:
Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) A shark that can walk on land
b) A shark that flies in the air
c) A shark that sings a song
Ask:
(1) Do you like sharks?
(2) Can a fish walk?
VOCABULARY
Shark
(noun)
Walk
(verb)
Sea
(noun)
Fin
(noun)
Safe
(adjective)
New
(adjective)
A large fish with sharp teeth that lives in the ocean.
Example: The big shark swam quickly through the water.
To move forward on foot using legs.
Example: I like to walk in the park with my dog.
The large body of salty water that covers most of the Earth.
Example: We can see beautiful fish swimming in the blue sea.
A thin, flat part of a fish used for swimming or balance.
Example: The fish moved its small fin to change direction.
Not in danger or likely to be hurt.
Example: This quiet beach is a safe place for children to swim.
Recently created, discovered, or built.
Example: My brother bought a brand new bicycle yesterday.
Scientists found a new shark in the sea. This shark is very special. It can walk on the ocean floor! It lives in Papua New Guinea. It is a small fish. It grows to about one metre long. Most sharks swim fast, but this shark uses its four fins like legs. It walks slowly across the dark rocks and coral reefs. It loves to eat small crabs and worms. At night, it walks in shallow water. It can even stay out of the water for a short time to look for food. The local people call it the lazy shark because it moves slowly. This shark is safe and does not hurt humans. Scientists say it is the tenth type of walking shark. However, this beautiful shark has a very small home. We must protect its home so it stays safe in the future.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Would you like to see a walking shark in real life?
2. Why do you think this shark walks instead of swimming?
3. What other animals live in the sea?
4. Why do local people call this animal a lazy shark?
5. How can we keep ocean animals safe?
6. Do you think sharks are scary or interesting?
FILL IN THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: new, walk, fins, safe
Scientists found a _______(1) shark in the sea. This shark is very special. It can _______(2) on the ocean floor! It lives in Papua New Guinea. It is a small fish. It grows to about one metre long. Most sharks swim fast, but this shark uses its four _______(3) like legs. It walks slowly across the dark rocks and coral reefs. It loves to eat small crabs and worms. At night, it walks in shallow water. It can even stay out of the water for a short time to look for food. The local people call it the lazy shark because it moves slowly. This shark is _______(4) and does not hurt humans. Scientists say it is the tenth type of walking shark. However, this beautiful shark has a very small home. We must protect its home so it stays safe in the future.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this text?
a) Scientists found a special new shark that can walk using its fins.
b) Large sharks are dangerous and hunt at night in the ocean.
c) People in Papua New Guinea love to swim with big blue fish.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. The new walking shark is five metres long. T/F
2. This shark lives in Papua New Guinea. T/F
3. The special shark is dangerous to humans. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these sentences in the correct order from 1 to 3:
The shark hunts for crabs and worms in shallow water at night.
Scientists explore the sea and find a new species of walking shark.
Local people name the slow animal the lazy shark.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Shark
2. Walk
3. Sea
4. Fin
a) The large body of salty water on Earth
b) A thin, flat body part used by a fish to move
c) A large ocean fish with sharp teeth
d) To move forward on feet using legs
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the best word to complete the conversation:
1. Student A: Did you hear about the walking shark? Student B: Yes! It uses its fins to walk on the coral _______.
a) sky
b) reef
c) tree
2. Student A: Is it dangerous to swim near it? Student B: No, it is completely _______ and harmless.
a) safe
b) angry
c) loud
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence:
A) shark
B) can
C) walk
D) this
E) slowly
2.
A) fins
B) shark
C) has
D) the
E) four
ANSWER KEY
Section: Warm Up
Answer: a
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
(1) new
(2) walk
(3) fins
(4) safe
Section 2: Main Idea
Answer: a
Section 3: True or False
False
True
False
Section 4: Put Events in Order
2, 1, 3
Section 5: Vocab Match
1 - c
2 - d
3 - a
4 - b
Section 6: Discussion Builder
b
a
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
D-A-B-C-E (This shark can walk slowly.)
D-B-C-E-A (The shark has four fins.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
Student answers will vary.