Charles Darwin: history's most famous biologist

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

To give up

To accuse ((someone) of (doing) something)

Likely

Gradually

Valuable

To suit (someone)

To exaggerate (something)

To be keen (on something/ someone)/ (to do something)

Breed

Despite

Enthusiastic

Branch

Witness

To carry out

Fellow

To be nothing short of…

An avid reader

To devote

To enrol

To stem (from something)

To fuel (something)

Widely held

Stiff opposition

To embark (on something)

Copious

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.         What was said about ‘Young Charles Darwin’?

2.         What was said about ‘The voyage of HMS Beagle’?

3.         What is the theory of natural selection?

4.         What was said about ‘Darwin’s pigeons’?

5.         What was said about ‘A shared discovery’?

6.         What was said about ‘On the Origin of Species’ and ‘Great Apes’?

7.         What was said about ‘Darwin and the tree of life’ and Darwin’s legacy?

8.         ‘Just like Darwin, I was obsessed with science, nature and the outdoors when I was younger’. Is this true for you?

9.         ‘I’m worried about how scientific knowledge related to genetics might be used in the future.’ Is this true for you?

10.       ‘If I had been in Darwin’s position, I wouldn’t have cared if Wallace had received all the credit for developing the theory.’ Do you agree?

11.       ‘I would have enjoyed the voyage of HMS Beagle.’ Is this true for you?

12.       Why do you think the Church of England was so opposed to what Darwin was saying?

13.       ‘It’s wrong to selectively breed animals.’ Do you agree?

14.       ‘Darwin’s ideas are dangerous.’ Do you agree?

15.       ‘I would love to visit Darwin’s old house and read ‘On the Origin of Species’.’ Is this true for you?

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