Science & Technology
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20 Oct 2026
Could a Whale Really Swallow a Person?
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Section: Warm Up
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) A diver goes inside a whale.
b) A whale lives in a river.
c) A whale eats a small boat.
Ask:
(1) What big animals live in the sea?
(2) Do you like films about the sea? Why?
VOCABULARY
whale (/weɪl/, noun)
Meaning: A very big animal. It lives in the sea.
Example: I can see a whale in the blue sea.
diver (/ˈdaɪvə/, noun)
Meaning: A person who swims under the water.
Example: The diver has a mask and flippers.
squid (/skwɪd/, noun)
Meaning: A soft sea animal with ten long arms.
Example: The squid is swimming in the water.
mouth (/maʊθ/, noun)
Meaning: The part of your face you eat with.
Example: The whale has a very big mouth.
throat (/θrəʊt/, noun)
Meaning: The part inside your neck. Food goes down it.
Example: My throat is sore today.
deep (/diːp/, adjective)
Meaning: Going a long way down.
Example: The sea is very deep and dark.
gentle (/ˈdʒentl/, adjective)
Meaning: Kind and calm. Not rough.
Example: My dog is very gentle with my baby sister.
There is a new film. Its name is Whalefall. In the film, a diver is swimming in the sea. He sees a big sperm whale. The whale is very hungry. It is chasing a giant squid. The diver is near the squid. Oh no! The whale opens its big mouth. The diver goes inside the whale!
Is this true in real life? A scientist helps with the film. She says a very big sperm whale can do it. But most sperm whales are not that big. It is very, very rare.
Other big whales cannot do it. A fin whale is very long. But it has a thin throat. It eats tiny sea animals. A person does not fit inside.
Sperm whales eat big squid. They have a wide throat. They swim very deep in the dark sea. People cannot swim that deep.
Sperm whales are gentle with people. They do not hunt people. So, do not worry. This story is only in a film!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Section 8: Discussion Questions
1. Do you like whales? Why or why not?
2. What does a sperm whale eat?
3. Is a fin whale long or short?
4. Are you scared of whales? Why or why not?
5. What is your favourite sea animal?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: gentle | deep | throat | squid
Complete the article with the words from the Word Bank.
There is a new film. Its name is Whalefall. In the film, a diver is swimming in the sea. He sees a big sperm whale. The whale is very hungry. It is chasing a giant _______(1). The diver is near the squid. Oh no! The whale opens its big mouth. The diver goes inside the whale!
Is this true in real life? A scientist helps with the film. She says a very big sperm whale can do it. But most sperm whales are not that big. It is very, very rare.
Other big whales cannot do it. A fin whale is very long. But it has a thin _______(2). It eats tiny sea animals. A person does not fit inside.
Sperm whales eat big squid. They have a wide throat. They swim very _______(3) in the dark sea. People cannot swim that deep.
Sperm whales are _______(4) with people. They do not hunt people. So, do not worry. This story is only in a film!
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the story about?
a) A film about a whale and a diver. Is it real?
b) How to catch a big squid.
c) A whale that lives in a zoo.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
Read the sentences. Circle T (true) or F (false).
1. The diver is swimming in the sea. T/F
2. A fin whale has a wide throat. T/F
3. Sperm whales hunt people. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Number the events 1–3 in the order they happen in the story.
___ a) The whale opens its big mouth.
___ b) A diver is swimming in the sea.
___ c) The whale is chasing a giant squid.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. whale
2. diver
3. squid
4. mouth
5. gentle
a) the part of your face you eat with
b) a very big animal in the sea
c) kind and calm, not rough
d) a person who swims under the water
e) a sea animal with ten long arms
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the best word to complete each sentence. Then discuss your answer.
1. Sperm whales are ______ with people.
a) gentle
b) angry
c) small
2. A fin whale has a ______ throat.
a) wide
b) thin
c) pink
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put the parts in the correct order to make a sentence.
1. A) squid. / B) The whale / C) a / D) is chasing / E) giant
2. A) deep / B) in the sea. / C) Sperm whales / D) very / E) swim
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up
Think Ahead: a) A diver goes inside a whale.
Ask: Answers will vary.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
(1) squid
(2) throat
(3) deep
(4) gentle
Section 2: Main Idea
a) A film about a whale and a diver. Is it real?
Section 3: True or False
1. T
2. F
3. F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
1 – b) A diver is swimming in the sea.
2 – c) The whale is chasing a giant squid.
3 – a) The whale opens its big mouth.
Section 5: Vocab Match
1-b 2-d 3-e 4-a 5-c
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. a) gentle
2. b) thin
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. B-D-C-E-A: The whale is chasing a giant squid.
2. C-E-D-A-B: Sperm whales swim very deep in the sea.
Section 8: Discussion Questions (answers will vary; model answers)
1. Yes, I like whales because they are big and beautiful.
2. A sperm whale eats big squid.
3. A fin whale is very long.
4. No, I am not scared. Sperm whales are gentle with people.
5. My favourite sea animal is the whale because it is very big.
Thank you for your feedback!