Animals & Environment
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NEW
20 Aug 2026
Warming Waters Bring Invasive Fish to the Mediterranean Sea
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) New fish are swimming into the Mediterranean Sea.
b) A large ship sank in the deep ocean.
c) Ice is forming on top of the water.
Ask:
(1) Have you ever been swimming in the sea?
(2) Do you know any types of fish that live in warm water?
VOCABULARY
sea
(noun)
warm
(adjective)
fish
(noun)
new
(adjective)
water
(noun)
change
(noun)
A large area of salt water.
Fish live in the deep sea.
Having a temperature that is comfortably high.
The warm water feels nice.
An animal that lives in water and swims.
A colourful fish swims in the sea.
Not existing before; recently made or discovered.
There are new animals in the water.
The clear liquid that falls as rain and fills rivers and seas.
We drink clean water every day.
To become different, or make something different.
Weather can change quickly.
The Mediterranean Sea is changing. The weather is getting hotter, and the sea water is getting very warm. Because the water is warm, many new fish are swimming into the sea. These new fish come through a long water path called the Suez Canal.
Some of these new animals are not safe. For example, the spotted puffer fish is dangerous to touch and eat. Another animal, called the lionfish, has sharp parts that can hurt people. These new fish eat the food of the local fish. Because of this, native fish are disappearing.
Local fishers are worried. They cannot find the normal fish that people like to buy and eat. Scientists say that climate change is causing this problem. When people burn coal and gas, the world gets warmer. Scientists want everyone to help protect the sea and its animals. We must learn about these changes to keep our oceans safe.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why is the Mediterranean Sea getting warmer?
2. How do the new fish arrive in the Mediterranean Sea?
3. Why is the spotted puffer fish dangerous?
4. How do local fishers feel about the new fish?
5. What can we do to help keep our oceans safe?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: change, fish, sea, warm
The Mediterranean _______(1) is changing. The weather is getting hotter, and the sea water is getting very _______(2). Because the water is warm, many new _______(3) are swimming into the sea. These new fish come through a long water path called the Suez Canal.
Some of these new animals are not safe. For example, the spotted puffer fish is dangerous to touch and eat. Another animal, called the lionfish, has sharp parts that can hurt people. These new fish eat the food of the local fish. Because of this, native fish are disappearing.
Local fishers are worried. They cannot find the normal fish that people like to buy and eat. Scientists say that climate _______(4) is causing this problem. When people burn coal and gas, the world gets warmer. Scientists want everyone to help protect the sea and its animals. We must learn about these changes to keep our oceans safe.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this story?
a) The Mediterranean Sea is getting warmer and new fish are entering.
b) People are building a new canal for large ships.
c) Fishers are catching more fish than ever before.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. The water in the Mediterranean Sea is getting colder. T/F
2. The lionfish has sharp parts that can hurt people. T/F
3. Local fishers are worried because native fish are disappearing. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in order (1-3):
____ New fish travel through the Suez Canal.
____ Climate change makes the sea water warmer.
____ Local fish disappear and fishers become worried.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. sea
2. warm
3. fish
4. water
5. change
a) To become different
b) A liquid that fills oceans
c) An animal that swims in water
d) A large area of salt water
e) Between cool and hot
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. The sea water is very _______ today.
a) warm
b) tree
c) book
2. Native fish are _______ because of new fish.
a) disappearing
b) flying
c) singing
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Put these parts in order:
1. A) is getting B) water C) warmer D) The sea E) every year.
2. A) through the B) New fish C) Suez Canal. D) swim into E) the sea
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer:
a) New fish are swimming into the Mediterranean Sea.
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
sea
warm
fish
change
Section 2: Main Idea
a) The Mediterranean Sea is getting warmer and new fish are entering.
Section 3: True or False
False
True
True
Section 4: Put Events in Order
b) Climate change makes the sea water warmer.
a) New fish travel through the Suez Canal.
c) Local fish disappear and fishers become worried.
Section 5: Vocab Match
1-d, 2-e, 3-c, 4-b, 5-a
Section 6: Discussion Builder
a) warm
a) disappearing
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
D - B - A - C - E (The sea water is getting warmer every year.)
B - D - E - A - C (New fish swim into the sea through the Suez Canal.)
Section 8: Discussion Questions
Student responses will vary.
Thank you for your feedback!