Why Do Whales Sing? — B1-B2 Interactive English Lesson
Video lesson + interactive tasks with instant checking.
Glossary: Key Vocabulary
STAGE 1
Before watching, review the words that will help you understand the video.
- challenging — difficult, not easy
- odors — smells
- vocalization — sounds made with the voice
- vibrate — to move back and forth very quickly
- exhale — to breathe out
- lungs — organs in the chest for breathing
- inflatable — able to be filled with air
- resonate — to make sound echo and grow louder, like in a cathedral
- moans — long, low sounds of pain or sadness
- chirps — short, high sounds (like birds)
- mating season — time of year when animals look for partners
- evolve — to change gradually over time
Prediction: What Is the Video About?
STAGE 2
Using the new words, choose the most likely topic of the video.
1) What will the video most likely explain?
First Watch: Listening for Gist
STAGE 3
Watch the video once. Do not pause the video. Focus on the general idea.
1) Choose the best summary of the video.
Second Watch: Listening for Details
STAGE 4
Watch the video again. Focus on details. You may pause if necessary.
True / False
1) Sound travels about four times faster in water than in air.
2) Toothed whales, like orcas, are known for their complex songs.
3) Baleen whales have a U-shaped fold of tissue that vibrates to produce sound.
4) Whale songs are fixed and never change over time.
5) Male whales sing primarily during the mating season.
Multiple Choice
1) What helps whale songs travel up to thousands of kilometers?
2) Which whales are known to sing?
3) What is the U-fold?
4) Why do scientists believe male whales sing?
5) How do scientists listen to whale songs?
Vocabulary Practice
STAGE 5
Match Words and Pictures
TASK 1
Tap a word, then tap an image. Listen and pronounce.
Match Words and Definitions
TASK 2
Tap a word, then tap the correct definition.
Fill in the Gaps
TASK 3
Tap a word, then tap a gap. Wrong answers won't be placed. Tap a filled gap to clear it.
Spelling Challenge
TASK 4
Build the English words from letters. No repeats until all words are practiced.
Final Vocabulary Test
STAGE 6
Complete the final test. Navigate with buttons.