🎧 Listen to today’s story
📚 Key Words
| Word | Meaning | 中文 |
|---|---|---|
| Phenology | The study of how nature changes with the seasons. | 物候学 |
| Calendar | A chart showing the days, weeks, and months of the year. | 日历 |
| Cue | A signal or sign that tells something to happen. | 信号 |
| Temperature | A measure of how hot or cold something is. | 温度 |
| Climate change | The change in Earth’s weather, especially getting warmer. | 气候变化 |
| Bloom | When a flower opens and grows. | 开花 |
| Insects | Small animals with six legs, like bees or ants. | 昆虫 |
| Protect | To keep someone or something safe from danger. | 保护 |
📖 Read the story
Scientists study how plants and animals change every year. This science is called phenology. How do trees know when to grow leaves? They do not have calendars! Instead, they feel the warm sun and longer days. These are called cues. A cue is a sign from nature. Many animals follow these signs too. Some fish swim to new places when the water temperature changes. Birds fly to warm countries before winter starts. But now, our planet is getting hotter. This is called climate change. It can make flowers grow too early. This is bad for bees and other insects because they need flowers for food. If the flowers are gone, the insects might stay hungry. Scientists watch these changes carefully. They want to help protect animals and plants. Look at the trees near your house. Are they changing today? Understanding nature helps us keep our world safe.
✏️ Answer the questions
1. What is ‘phenology’?
- A.A type of tree with green leaves
- B.The study of how nature changes during the year
- C.A calendar that scientists use
- D.The way fish swim in the water
2. How do trees know when to grow new leaves?
- A.They look at a calendar
- B.They listen to the birds
- C.They feel the warm sun
- D.Scientists tell them
3. What do birds do before it gets cold in winter?
- A.They fly to warm countries
- B.They sleep in the trees
- C.They grow new feathers
- D.They look for more insects
4. What happens because of climate change?
- A.The planet gets colder
- B.Flowers might bloom too early
- C.Birds stay in the same place
- D.Trees stop growing leaves
5. Why is it a problem if flowers grow too early?
- A.Trees will not have enough space
- B.The weather will become too hot
- C.Insects might not have enough food
- D.Scientists cannot see them