Why Whales Are Dying

May 6, 2026, 15:04
EuropeEnvironment

Introduction

Many whales are dying or getting stuck on beaches in Europe and North America. This is a big problem for the ocean.

Main Body

A group of people tried to save a humpback whale named Timmy. They spent a lot of money. They put the whale back in the sea in Denmark. But scientists say the whale was too sick to live. The people and the scientists did not agree on how to help the whale. In the USA, a very big whale died in Washington. Many other whales died there last year. Scientists think the whales have no food. This happens because the ocean is getting warmer. Groups like WWF and Greenpeace say the ocean is not safe. People fish too much and use oil. This changes where whales live. One type of whale is very rare. Only 384 of them live in the ocean now.

Conclusion

Saving one whale is not enough. We must stop climate change to save all whales.

Learning

🌊 The 'Too' Rule

In the text, we see: "the whale was too sick to live."

When we use too + adjective, it means there is a problem. It is 'more than enough' in a bad way.

How to use it:

  • Too sick →\rightarrow cannot survive.
  • Too warm →\rightarrow the water is bad for whales.
  • Too much fish →\rightarrow (Wait! We say 'too much' for things we cannot count, like oil or money).

🛠️ Quick Words for Places

Look at how the text talks about locations:

  • In Europe / In the USA / In the ocean
  • On beaches

Rule of thumb: Use 'In' for big areas (countries, oceans) and 'On' for surfaces (sand/beaches).

Vocabulary Learning

many (adj.)
A large number of
Example:There are many whales in the ocean.
whales (n.)
Large marine mammals that live in the sea
Example:Whales travel long distances across oceans.
dying (v.)
To be in the process of death
Example:The whales are dying because of pollution.
stuck (adj.)
Unable to move or leave a place
Example:The whales are stuck on the beach.
beaches (n.)
Sandy or pebbly shoreline by the sea
Example:Many animals wash up on beaches.
ocean (n.)
A large body of salt water covering most of the Earth
Example:The ocean is home to many species.
group (n.)
A number of people or things together
Example:A group of scientists studied the whales.
people (n.)
Human beings in general
Example:People can help protect the environment.
tried (v.)
Attempted to do something
Example:They tried to rescue the whale.
save (v.)
To rescue or keep safe
Example:We need to save the animals from danger.
humpback (adj.)
Describing a type of whale with a hump on its back
Example:A humpback whale is a large species.
spend (v.)
Use money to buy or pay for something
Example:They spent a lot of money on the rescue.
money (n.)
Currency used to buy goods or services
Example:They raised money to help the whales.
put (v.)
Place something in a particular position
Example:They put the whale back in the sea.
back (adv.)
In the direction of the rear or previous position
Example:The whale went back to the ocean.
sea (n.)
A large body of salt water smaller than an ocean
Example:The sea is warm in summer.
scientists (n.)
People who study the natural world
Example:Scientists investigate why whales die.
say (v.)
To speak or express something
Example:The scientists say the whale is too sick.
sick (adj.)
Not healthy or feeling ill
Example:The whale was too sick to live.
live (v.)
To exist or survive
Example:We want the whales to live in the ocean.
agree (v.)
To have the same opinion
Example:The people and scientists did not agree.
help (v.)
To give assistance or support
Example:We can help by reducing pollution.
big (adj.)
Large in size or amount
Example:The whale is a big animal.
problem (n.)
An issue that needs to be solved
Example:The problem is the lack of food.
climate (n.)
The weather conditions in a place over a long time
Example:Climate change affects the ocean.
change (n.)
A difference from what was before
Example:The ocean is changing due to warming.
rare (adj.)
Not common or uncommon
Example:Some species of whale are rare.
stop (v.)
To cease or end
Example:We must stop the pollution.
enough (adj.)
Sufficient or adequate
Example:One whale is not enough to save all.
must (modal verb)
Indicates necessity or obligation
Example:We must protect the environment.