B1 – Intermediate
Adrian Simancas enjoys rafting. One day, as he was kayaking through the sea in Chile, a huge humpback whale appeared from under the water and swallowed him. But, thankfully, only for a short moment.
He was very lucky to escape this very dangerous situation.
Read the article about a man who was swallowed by a humpback whale.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2502/250217-humpback-whale.html
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “engulf” mean? “The humpback whale engulfed Mr. Simancas in its mouth.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ’engulf’ in your own sentence.
- What does the phrase “no sooner — than” mean? “No sooner had the humpback gulped up Simancas than it spat him back out into the ocean.” Make a sentence using this structure.
- What does “fleeting moment” mean? “For a few fleeting moments, Adrian’s fate was in the jaws of the 40-ton [mammal].” Use this phrase in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your reaction to this news?
- If this happened to you, what would you do and/or think of?
- Have ever had an unfortunate/strange encounter/experience with an animal? Talk about it.
- Share your opinion on this, “Adrian said his close encounter with the whale would not stop him from future rafting trips.”.
- Talk about a situation where, for a few fleeting moments, your fate was in the hands of someone/something else.