LIFESPANS

   

    1. Do you know the expression lifespan (or life span)? The following collocations of the word
       span can help you:

              within the span of two decades       

   wingspan

   span of hands, arms, wings, aircraft, bridge, responsibility

   a bridge spanning the river

   his interests span almost everything

   

    2. Name one species with the longest lifespan and one with the shortest lifespan.

   

   

    3. Order the following species according to their lifespans.

   sequoia

   moth

   mouse

   bat

   shrew

   deep-sea clam

   bowhead whale

   mayfly

   

    4. How long do different organisms live. Have a guess. Match them with their particular
       lifespans.

   

   +-------------------------------------------------------+
   |3000 years                   |sequoia                  |
   |                             |                         |
   |220 years                    |moths                    |
   |                             |                         |
   |200 years                    |mice                     |
   |                             |                         |
   |38 years                     |bats                     |
   |                             |                         |
   |couple of years              |shrews                   |
   |                             |                         |
   |2 years                      |deep-sea clams           |
   |                             |                         |
   |a few months                 |bowhead whales           |
   |                             |                         |
   |            2 hours - 14 days|            mayflies     |
   +-------------------------------------------------------+

   

    5. What factors affect lifespans? Why do different organisms have different lifespans?

   

   

   

    6. Read part A of the text.

         a. Underline the key words.
         b. Try to create a hypothesis. Later, when reading the text, you will have the
            opportunity to compare your ideas with those presented by the scientists.

   

   

   

   

     c. Find the synonyms for very old

                                              longevity

   

    7. In the text various theories are mentioned. One of them is called ‘rate of living’ theory.

         a. Read part B1 and formulate the theory in one sentence.

   

   

     b. Find the synonyms for pace

                                                               slow

                                                         

    8. There are some exceptions to the theory in question.

         a. Read Part B2 and then hypothesize why birds and bats can live longer than other
            animals of their size.

   

   

     b. Listen to the recording (timing 16-17:24)  and fill in the information on birds, bats and
        shrews in the grid. Compare the answer with your partner.

   

     c. Listen to the following extract on bats (timing 19:45-21:40)  and decide whether the
        statements are true or false.

   §          Bats are not mammals. T/F

   §          The longevities of bats are three times higher than longevities of mammals that
   don’t fly.   T/F

   §          Hibernation over the winter is the main reason why bats live longer. T/F

   §          Tropical bats species don’t live so long. T/F

   

    9. Read part C on evolutionary theories of ageing and prepare questions for your partner.
       Swap the information.

   

   

   

   

   

   10. Listen to the (timing 13:48-16:00) (mayfly, mouse, mole) and complete the information into
       the grid.

         a. To check your answers read part D
         b.  In this part find the synonym for terrestrial

                                                        

   

   11. The last listening activity will help you finish the grid.  (clams, porcupines, termites,
       tigers, lions, humans). (timing 22:15)

   

   12. Are there any common features between the theories mentioned in the text and your
       hypotheses?

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   13. Humans live four times longer than animals of their size.

         a. What is the reason?

   

   

     b. Read part E to find the answer.

   

   

     c. Find the antonym to communal life.

   

   14. Translate

   délka života

   rychlý metabolismus

   pomalý metabolismus

   schopnost létat

   suchozemští živočichové 

   vodní živočichové

   uniknout dravcům

   communal life

   

   

   

       This is the oldest species.

        pinus aristata var. longaeva

   http://www.championtreeproject.org/

   http://www.conifers.org/pi/pin/longaeva.htm