Animals & Environment
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1 Oct 2026
Credit: Getty
The World's Ten Most Dangerous Animals
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) Big bears live in trees.
b) Small insects can be dangerous.
c) Sharks eat sweet fruit.
Ask:
(1) Which dangerous animal do you fear the most?
(2) Why are some tiny creatures unsafe for humans?
VOCABULARY
dangerous (/ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs/, adjective)
Meaning: Can hurt someone or cause harm.
Example: Fire is dangerous to touch.
tiny (/ˈtaɪ.ni/, adjective)
Meaning: Very small in size.
Example: The tiny ant walks on the leaf.
illness (/ˈɪl.nəs/, noun)
Meaning: Being sick or having a disease.
Example: Eating clean food prevents illness.
protect (/prəˈtekt/, verb)
Meaning: To keep someone or something safe.
Example: Boots protect your feet in snow.
creature (/ˈkriː.tʃər/, noun)
Meaning: Any living animal or insect.
Example: A whale is a large sea creature.
harmful (/ˈhɑːm.fəl/, adjective)
Meaning: Causing damage or hurt.
Example: Dirty water is harmful to drink.
Many people think big wild animals are the most dangerous creatures on Earth. Lions and sharks have sharp teeth, but they do not hurt many people each year.
Surprising news shows that tiny insects are much more dangerous. The mosquito is actually the most harmful living creature for humans. Mosquitoes carry sick germs that cause serious illness when they bite.
Snakes and freshwater snails are also unsafe. Venomous snakes bite people in warm grass, and small snails carry tiny bugs in lakes. People get sick when they swim in dirty water or walk without shoes.
Scientists study these animals carefully. They want to help everyone stay healthy. You can protect your body by using insect cream, drinking clean water, and avoiding wild snakes in nature.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) What big animals do people think are dangerous?
(2) Why is the mosquito very harmful?
(3) Where do dangerous snakes like to live?
(4) How can you protect yourself from mosquito bites?
(5) Do you like visiting places with wild animals?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: illness, dangerous, creature, protect
Many people think big wild animals are the most _______(1) creatures on Earth. Lions and sharks have sharp teeth, but they do not hurt many people each year.
Surprising news shows that tiny insects are much more dangerous. The mosquito is actually the most harmful living _______(2) for humans. Mosquitoes carry sick germs that cause serious _______(3) when they bite.
Snakes and freshwater snails are also unsafe. Venomous snakes bite people in warm grass, and small snails carry tiny bugs in lakes. People get sick when they swim in dirty water or walk without shoes.
Scientists study these animals carefully. They want to help everyone stay healthy. You can _______(4) your body by using insect cream, drinking clean water, and avoiding wild snakes in nature.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this article?
a) Big sharks eat all the fish in the blue ocean.
b) Small insects and tiny creatures can be more dangerous than big animals.
c) People should never drink water or walk outdoors.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
(1) Lions and sharks hurt the most people every year. T/F
(2) Mosquitoes can carry germs that make humans sick. T/F
(3) Using insect cream helps keep your body safe. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Order the statements below from 1 to 3:
( ) Mosquitoes bite humans and spread sick germs.
( ) People think big animals like lions are the most dangerous.
( ) Scientists teach us how to protect our bodies from insects.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. dangerous
2. tiny
3. illness
4. protect
5. creature
a. Very small in size
b. Any living animal or insect
c. Can hurt someone or cause harm
d. Being sick or having a disease
e. To keep someone or something safe
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
(1) Mosquitoes are very small, but their bites can cause severe _______.
a) illness
b) happy
(2) Children wear special boots to _______ their feet from sharp stones.
a) protect
b) fly
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
(1) Unscramble the sentence parts:
A: most / B: mosquito / C: is / D: harmful / E: The
(2) Unscramble the sentence parts:
A: keep / B: boots / C: feet / D: Wear / E: safe / F: your
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: b) Small insects can be dangerous.
Section 1: (1) dangerous (2) creature (3) illness (4) protect
Section 2: b) Small insects and tiny creatures can be more dangerous than big animals.
Section 3: (1) False (2) True (3) True
Section 4: 2, 1, 3
Section 5: 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-e, 5-b
Section 6: (1) a (2) a
Section 7: (1) E-B-C-A-D (The mosquito is most harmful) (2) D-B-A-F-C-E (Wear boots keep your feet safe)
Section 8: Answers will vary. Example: (1) Lions and sharks. (2) It carries germs that cause illness. (3) In warm grass. (4) Use insect cream. (5) Yes, but only from a safe distance.
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