• ☐ ☐ ☐ an earthquake [n] - violent shaking of the ground
• ☐ ☐ ☐ strike [v] - happen
• ☐ ☐ ☐ far-right [adj] - very conservative, hardline
• ☐ ☐ ☐ mark [v] - commemorate, observe, signify
• ☐ ☐ ☐ satirical [adj] - mocking, ironic, humorous
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a species [n] - a type or kind of animal or plant
• ☐ ☐ ☐ matters [v] - is important, counts
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a chameleon [n] - a lizard or reptile that can change color [image]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a paperclip [n] - a metal or plastic clip that holds paper together [image]
• ☐ ☐ ☐ a whale shark [n] - the largest shark species in the world [image]

[n] - noun,  [v] - verb,  [phv] - phrasal verb,  [adj] - adjective,  [exp] - expression

1. An earthquake struck Taiwan.
   True
   False
   
   
2. So far, no casualties have been reported.
   True
   False
   
   
3. Jean-Marie Le Pen lived past the age of 100.
   True
   False
   
   
4. Charlie Hebdo was recently attacked by Islamist terrorist.
   True
   False
   
   
5. Charlie Hebdo is a magazine.
   True
   False
   
   
6. Biologists want to focus on protecting the smallest animals on earth.
   True
   False
   
   

Directions: Choose the correct preposition.

• An earthquake has struck near Mount Everest Ø in on of at about (in) the Chinese region Ø in on of at about (of) Tibet, killing more than 100 people.
• The French far-right leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has died Ø in on of at with (at) the age Ø in on of at with (of) 96.
• And Paris marks 10 years Ø in on of at since (since) the deadly Islamist attack Ø in on of at since (on) the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.
• We wanted to start the year off Ø in on of at with (with) hope and optimism.
• Every species matters, whether it is the chameleon the size Ø in on of to with (of) a paperclip all the way Ø in on of to about (to) a whale shark.
• We hear Ø in on of to about (about) new efforts to protect 10 weird and wonderful species.

1. How do you think the international community should react to natural disasters like the earthquake in Tibet?
2. What do you know about Jean-Marie Le Pen? What do you know about his daughter, Marine Le Pen?
3. Are there any famous families involved in politics in your country? How do you feel about them?
4. The Charlie Hebdo attack is remembered as a significant moment in recent history. How do you think societies can balance the right to free speech with the need for security?
5. What species in your country are endangered? Do you think your country's government should do more or less to protect these species?