Wolves and Moose on Isle Royale

Introduction

Scientists studied animals on Isle Royale. There are more wolves now. There are fewer moose.

Main Body

Isle Royale is a big park in a lake. Scientists count the animals every winter. It was hard to visit the island recently. The weather was too warm for planes to land on the ice. There are 37 wolves now. This is a high number. Ten years ago, there were only two wolves. Now the wolf group is healthy again. There are only 524 moose. In 2019, there were 2,000 moose. Wolves eat many moose. This year, scientists saw no baby moose.

Conclusion

The wolves are doing well. The moose population is small. Scientists will study the animals again in the summer.

Learning

❄️ Comparing Now vs. Before

In the story, we see how numbers change. To reach A2, you need to show the difference between today and the past.

The Magic Switch: Is/Are → Was/Were

  • Now (Present): There are 37 wolves. (Plural/More than one)
  • Before (Past): There were only two wolves. (Plural/More than one)

Quick Guide for Your Own Sentences:

Current StatusPast Status
There is (1 thing) \rightarrowThere was (1 thing)
There are (2+ things) \rightarrowThere were (2+ things)

Example from the text: "There are only 524 moose" \rightarrow "In 2019, there were 2,000 moose."

Tip: Use 'were' whenever you talk about a group in the past!

Vocabulary Learning

park (n.)
park / public garden公園
Example:I went to the park yesterday.
lake (n.)
lake / body of water湖泊
Example:We had a picnic by the lake.
count (v.)
count / to number
Example:Please count the apples in the basket.
visit (v.)
visit / to go to see參觀
Example:I will visit my friend next week.
weather (n.)
weather / atmospheric conditions天氣
Example:The weather is very hot today.