1. Asian tsunami kills 12,300, many more homeless The world's biggest earthquake in 40 years hit southern Asia on December 26, 2004, unleashing a tsunami that crashed into Sri Lanka and India, drowning thousands and swamping tourist isles in Thailand and the Maldives.

2. More than 12,300 people were killed and tens of thousands left homeless after a powerful undersea earthquake unleashed giant tsunami waves that crashed into the coasts of south and southeast Asia. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra early on Sunday was the biggest in 40 years. It triggered waves that reared up into walls of water as high as 10 meters (30 feet) as they hit coastlines in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. tsunami:[tsju: ’ na:mi] A very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption. magnitude: A measure of the amount of energy released by an earthquake, as indicated on the Richter Scale.

3. Asian tsunami kills 12,300, many more homeless The world's biggest earthquake in 40 years hit southern Asia on December 26, 2004, unleashing a tsunami that crashed into Sri Lanka and India, drowning thousands and swamping tourist isles in Thailand and the Maldives.

4. animals or plants endangered =? human beings are in danger Are we endangered?

5. What’s the meaning of the words? habitat adapt to die out take measures original

6. Are we endangered?

7. What’s the main idea of each paragraph? Paragraph 1: An environmental expert says that the way we are treating animals and the environment is threatening our existence – by endangering other animals and plants we may ourselves become endangered.

8. Paragraph 2 A species can become endangered if its habitat is destroyed or changed. Most species are able to adapt to small changes, but if the changes are too large or sudden, a species may become endangered.

9. Paragraph 3 We can help by learning more about the environment, by expanding and protecting habitats, and by reducing pollution.

10. animals or plants endangered =? human beings are in danger

11. What can we do for the endangered species and the environment?

12. Homework Write a short passage based on your discussion. By using the title “What can we do for the endangered species and the environment?”