Продолжаем нашу рубрику — чтение 8 класс английский-5. Узнаем занимательные факты со всего света. Итак, такое необычное существо — пиявка!
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Чтение 8 класс английский-5. Такое необычное существо — пиявка! -I
1. When we describe a creature, we usually start with the appearance. That’s why we started talking about eyes and jaws. Five pairs! And three mouths! But before, we used to draw a nasty slimy worm in our head — that’s how we imagine a leech.
2. We have also heard about the medicinal [mɪˈdɪs(ə)nəl] properties of leeches, and even know that treatment with leeches is called hirudotherapy [haɪərədəʊˈθerəpɪ]. I wonder if when a leech sucks, does it hurt or not? It would be painful, but the saliva of an insatiable bloodsucker contains painkillers, which eliminates possible unpleasant sensations. Treatment with leeches gives improvement and rejuvenation to the whole body as a whole, — metabolism [məˈtæbəlɪz(ə)m], blood circulation and immunity improve, — from the consciousness of which one thinks: should I sign up for a session or two? But there is one not optimistic fact that the Hirudo Medicinalis leech, which is just used for medicinal purposes, belongs to endangered animals and is even listed in the Red Book.
3. There are 32 brains in the tiny head of a leech. Or what is considered to be the brain. Probably, they are needed when vampire leeches are waiting for their prey in the pond.
4. Having drunk blood, a leech can increase tenfold, which is impossible for any living being at one meal.
5. A leech has 6 senses, just like a human! Well, almost like a human. Because they don’t have ears. And they perceive vibrations [vaɪˈbreɪʃn] for orientation [ɔːrɪenˈteɪʃn] in space. And it is also sensitive to music: the leech begins to waver when it hears pleasant musical sounds, and it freezes without movement when heavy rock music reaches it. Its thirty-two brains can’t stand it, probably.
Чтение 8 класс английский-5. Такое необычное существо — пиявка!
6. Leeches are usually small in size. But there is one of their species found in the Amazon, which reaches 45 centimeters. Here is such a beauty!
7. There are about 650 species of leeches. And only one of them is therapeutic [θerəˈpjuːtɪk]. The average statistical [stəˈtɪstɪkəl] leech lives for about a year (there are species, less often, that can live for several years – a record of 20 years). Having had enough, the leech can do without food for about a month. So it can eat 10-12 times in its whole life and calmly retire.
8. And about the most important quality of leeches – their property to stick with a death grip. It was believed that the leech itself feels where the patient’s sore spot is, but this is not the case. It sucks where it feels comfortable. As for its victims in natural conditions, then, perhaps, numerous brains help it here. It digs in where it is safe for it, and the selected «power source» cannot reach it and not get rid of it. If a leech has stuck to you, then it is clearly not therapeutic, and you should not indulge in the pleasure of a free treatment session. Don’t try to tear it away from you. It is enough to sprinkle a hungry «guest» with salt. Or to anoint with a liquid that has a pungent smell: leeches are very sensitive to odors.
Вопросы
What humorous comparison does the text use to describe a leech? And which specific features are exaggerated for comedic effect?
2. According to the text, what is the real creature being described despite the vampire joke?
3. How does the common mental image of a leech differ from the detailed biological features mentioned in the passage?
4. What is hirudotherapy? And what general improvements in the body does the text claim it can provide?
5. Why doesn’t a leech’s bite usually hurt? And what substance in its saliva is responsible for this? 6.
What conservation status does the Hirudo Medicinalis leech have? And where is it officially recorded?
7. How many “brains” does a leech reportedly have? And what might they be used for according to the text?
8. By how much can a leech increase in size after feeding? And how unusual is this among living beings?
9. How many senses does a leech have? And how does it compensate for not having ears?
10. How does a leech react to different types of music,? And what possible reason does the text jokingly suggest for this behavior?
11. What is the size of the largest known leech species? And where is it found?
12. How many leech species exist in total? And how many of them are used for therapeutic purposes?
13. What is the average lifespan of a leech, what is the recorded maximum? And how often can it typically feed during its life?
14. What mechanism allows leeches to attach firmly? And why is the belief that they target “sore spots” considered incorrect?
15. What practical methods does the text recommend to remove an attached leech? And why should one avoid simply tearing it off
Заключение
Дорогие ученики! Как вам понравился данный текст? Насколько он показался вам легким или трудным? Если информация была для вас занимательной, подписывайтесь на нас. Оставляйте свои комментарии и пожелания, если они у вас также возникли. Предыдущий материал — чтение, юные изобретатели, Блез Паскаль. Юные изобретатели — кто придумал шрифт для слепых. Чтение — юные изобретатели: кто придумал батут? А также смотрите дополнительный материал: подготовка к ОГЭ — монологическое высказывание — Досуг подростков. Телевидение в нашей жизни. Место, где я живу. Поддерживать себя здоровым. Чтение книг. Про интернет. Хобби в нашей жизни. Про каникулы. Средства массовой информации. Про школу. Проблемы экологии. Про молодежь. Интернет в нашей жизни. Олимпийские игры. Наука в нашей жизни. Иностранные языки в нашей жизни. Загрязнение окружающей среды. Иностранные языки в нашей жизни. Про путешествия. Выбираем профессию. Здоровый образ жизни в еде. Про образование. Защита окружающей среды. Спорт в России. Друзья в нашей жизни. Интернет для подростков.
И до встречи на следующем занятии! See you soon!