Animals & Environment
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NEW
21 Sept 2026
Swiftiephylus taylorae (shown) is one of four newly described plant bug species named after influential singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Sarah Schroeder
Scientists Name New Beetle After Pop Star Taylor Swift
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 beetle with red legs
b) A new beetle named after a singer
c) A beetle that makes music
Ask:
(1) Do you like listening to pop music?
(2) Would you like an insect named after you?
VOCABULARY
beetle (/ˈbiː.təl/, noun)
Meaning: An insect with hard wings.
Example: Look at that tiny beetle on the green leaf!
scientist (/ˈsaɪən.tɪst/, noun)
Meaning: A person who studies nature and animals.
Example: The scientist looks at small bugs today.
forest (/ˈfɒr.ɪst/, noun)
Meaning: A large place full of trees.
Example: Many wild bugs live in the dark forest.
special (/ˈspeʃ.əl/, adjective)
Meaning: Not common or ordinary.
Example: Today is a special day for the young fan.
favourite (/ˈfeɪ.vər.ɪt/, adjective)
Meaning: The person or thing you like best.
Example: Taylor Swift is her favourite pop singer.
brown (/braʊn/, adjective)
Meaning: Having a colour like earth or chocolate.
Example: The tiny bug has small brown legs.
Scientists find a new insect in the forest. It is a tiny brown millipede beetle. It lives under big green leaves. It eats old wood and dirt. The bug is small, but it is very special.
Dr Derek Hennen is a clever scientist. He loves animals and nature. He also loves music. His favourite singer is Taylor Swift. He listens to her happy pop songs every day at work.
Dr Hennen wants to say thank you to the famous singer. So, he gives the bug a funny name. He calls it Nannaria swiftae. Now, Taylor Swift has a special bug! People are very happy about this fun news story. Bugs are very important for our green planet Earth.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) Which singer do you like best?
(2) Why are bugs important for our world?
(3) Would you like to work in a forest?
(4) What name would you give to a new beetle?
(5) Do you like looking for insects in the garden?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: beetle, favourite, forest, scientist
Scientists find a new insect in the _______(1). It is a tiny brown millipede _______(2). It lives under big green leaves. It eats old wood and dirt. The bug is small, but it is very special.
Dr Derek Hennen is a clever _______(3). He loves animals and nature. He also loves music. His _______(4) singer is Taylor Swift. He listens to her happy pop songs every day at work.
Dr Hennen wants to say thank you to the famous singer. So, he gives the bug a funny name. He calls it Nannaria swiftae. Now, Taylor Swift has a special bug! People are very happy about this fun news story. Bugs are very important for our green planet Earth.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this news story?
a) A scientist names a new beetle after a famous pop singer.
b) Taylor Swift goes to a forest to catch bugs.
c) Scientists build a big house for millipedes.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
(1) The new insect lives under green leaves. T/F
(2) Dr Hennen hates listening to pop music. T/F
(3) The bug is named Nannaria swiftae. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
( ) Dr Hennen chooses the name Nannaria swiftae for the bug.
( ) Scientists discover a new tiny millipede in the forest.
( ) Dr Hennen listens to his favourite music at work.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. beetle
2. scientist
3. forest
4. favourite
5. special
a) a person who studies nature
b) a small insect with hard wings
c) not ordinary or common
d) a large place with many trees
e) liked more than all others
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) A scientist is a person _______ studies nature.
a) who
b) where
(2) The tiny bug lives _______ old wood and leaves.
a) under
b) on top
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) A. lives / B. insect / C. small / D. forest / E. in the
(2) A. doctor / B. pop music / C. listens to / D. favourite / E. his
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: b) A new beetle named after a singer
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
(1) forest
(2) beetle
(3) scientist
(4) favourite
Section 2: Main Idea
a
Section 3: True or False
(1) T
(2) F
(3) T
Section 4: Put Events in Order
3, 1, 2
Section 5: Vocab Match
1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-e, 5-c
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) a
(2) a
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) C-B-A-E-D (Small insect lives in the forest.)
(2) A-C-E-D-B (Doctor listens to his favourite pop music.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
Student's own answers.
Thank you for your feedback!