Animals & Environment
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9 Oct 2026
Jonathan the giant tortoise, the oldest land animal at age 194, is seen on the island of St. Helena. St Helena Government
The 194-Year-Old Tortoise Reveals Secrets of Ageing
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 giant tortoise is almost two hundred years old.
b) Scientists found a magic potion on an island.
c) The tortoise can fly across the ocean.
Ask:
(1) What is your favourite animal in the zoo?
(2) How do you keep your body healthy and strong?
VOCABULARY
tortoise (/ˈtɔːtəs/, noun)
Meaning: A slow-moving land animal that has a hard shell on its back.
Example: The big tortoise walked slowly on the green grass.
island (/ˈaɪlənd/, noun)
Meaning: A piece of land that has water all around it.
Example: They live on a sunny island near the blue sea.
scientist (/ˈsaɪəntɪst/, noun)
Meaning: A person who studies how the natural world works.
Example: The scientist looked into the microscope to check the cells.
DNA (/ˌdiː en ˈeɪ/, noun)
Meaning: Tiny instructions inside every living body that make it unique.
Example: Scientists study DNA to learn secrets about animals.
cell (/sel/, noun)
Meaning: A very small building block of all living things.
Example: Every plant and animal is made of millions of tiny cells.
healthy (/ˈhelθi/, adjective)
Meaning: Being strong, well, and free from sickness.
Example: Eating fresh vegetables helps you stay strong and healthy.
Meet Jonathan. He is a very old tortoise. He lives on a sunny island named Saint Helena. Jonathan is one hundred and ninety-four years old. He is the oldest land animal in the entire world. People love him very much.
Recently, smart scientists wanted to know his big secret. Why does he live for so long? They took a small sample of his skin to look at his DNA. DNA is like a tiny instruction book inside every living body.
The scientists made a big surprise discovery. They looked at his tiny cells and energy parts. His cells look very young and fresh. They do not look old like other old animals. His body fights against getting tired or weak.
Jonathan likes to walk on the green grass. He eats fresh vegetables every single day. The friendly animal hears his keeper calling his name. He walks slowly towards the tasty food.
Scientists hope this study helps us understand how bodies grow and stay healthy. Jonathan is a very special reptile. He makes people happy every day.
A photo taken in 1882 when Jonathan (left) arrived in St. Helena. A.L. Innes
Jonathan (left) with another giant tortoise named David. Joe Hollins
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How old is Jonathan the tortoise?
2. Where does Jonathan live?
3. What do scientists study to find his secret?
4. What do Jonathan's cells look like?
5. What food does Jonathan like to eat?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: cell, DNA, island, tortoise
Meet Jonathan. He is a very old _______(1). He lives on a sunny _______(2) named Saint Helena. Jonathan is one hundred and ninety-four years old. He is the oldest land animal in the entire world. People love him very much. Recently, smart scientists wanted to know his big secret. Why does he live for so long? They took a small sample of his skin to look at his _______(3). DNA is like a tiny instruction book inside every living body. The scientists made a big surprise discovery. They looked at his tiny cells and energy parts. His cells look very young and fresh. They do not look old like other old animals. His body fights against getting tired or weak. Jonathan likes to walk on the green grass. He eats fresh vegetables every single day. The friendly animal hears his keeper calling his name. He walks slowly towards the tasty food. Scientists hope this study helps us understand how bodies grow and stay healthy. Jonathan is a very special reptile. He makes people happy every day.
Section 2: Main Idea
Choose the best main idea for the story:
a) Jonathan is a young dog who loves running fast.
b) Jonathan is a very old tortoise and scientists study his young-looking cells.
c) Jonathan lives in a cold snow mountain.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True and False
1. Jonathan lives on an island named Saint Helena. T/F
2. Jonathan is ten years old. T/F
3. Scientists discovered his cells look very young. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Number these events from 1 to 3 in the correct order:
____ Scientists take a small sample to look at his DNA.
____ Jonathan walks slowly on the green grass to eat food.
____ People celebrate Jonathan as the oldest land animal.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. tortoise
2. island
3. scientist
4. cell
5. healthy
a. A tiny building block of living things
b. Strong and free from sickness
c. A slow-moving animal with a shell
d. Land with water all around it
e. A person who studies nature
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. Jonathan is a very old _______ (a) cat / b) tortoise).
2. He eats fresh _______ (a) vegetables / b) rocks) every day.
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. Unscramble the sentence:
A) is / B) Jonathan / C) old / D) very / E) tortoise / .
2. Unscramble the sentence:
A) green / B) on / C) grass / D) walks / E) He / .
ANSWER KEY
Answer Key
Warm Up Answer: a) A giant tortoise is almost two hundred years old.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
(1) tortoise
(2) island
(3) DNA
(4) healthy
Section 2: Main Idea
b) Jonathan is a very old tortoise and scientists study his young-looking cells.
Section 3: True and False
1. T
2. F
3. T
Section 4: Put Events in Order
3, 2, 1 (Correct order: People celebrate... -> Scientists take... -> Jonathan walks...)
Section 5: Vocab Match
1 - c, 2 - d, 3 - e, 4 - a, 5 - b
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. b) tortoise
2. a) vegetables
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. Jonathan is a very old tortoise.
2. He walks on green grass.
Section 8: Discussion Questions
1. Jonathan is one hundred and ninety-four years old.
2. He lives on the sunny island of Saint Helena.
3. Scientists study his DNA and tiny cells.
4. His cells look very young and fresh.
5. Jonathan likes to eat fresh vegetables.
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