Current Events Reading - Two-Year-Old Peanut Crowned 'World's Ugliest Dog'

Article Comprehension:

How many years has the 'World's Ugliest Dog' contest been around? 

The Worlds Ugliest Dog Competition has been going for 26 years.

How many contestants did it attract this year?
There was 29 dogs along with their doting owners that came to Santa Rosa, Californian.

How did this year's winner Peanut get his 'ugly' looks?

Peanut got his 'ugly' looks in a fire which caused peanut to have no lips, most of his eyelids and body hair. As a result, Peanut's eyes constantly water.

What is the organiser's main purpose for organising this unusual competition?

The organiser's main purpose for this unusual competition is that it is a great way to honour these Pooches, many of whom owe their unusual looks to human abuse. But most importantly, it raises awareness for their adoption by showing the world that physical detractions do not prevent dogs from becoming from loving pets. 

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Current Events Reading - Australia's Favorite White Humpback Makes A Rare Appearance

Article Comprehension:

What is so special about Migaloo?

Migaloo is special because they have the rare humpback whale in their sea. Also Migaloo is special because his name is aboriginal. Also Migaloo's colour is caused by a genetic skin condition called albinism. It is also special that Migaloo is 26-years-old because he will be alive for along time because Oskar Peterson from Australia's White Whale Research Center says they live for 80 years. Also that their body belong to the family of baleen whales which I find special.

Cite a few facts from the article that tell you how precious Migaloo is to the people of Australia.

Humpback adults do get to an impressive 39-52 feet in length and over 79,000 pounds in weight.
Boats and jet-skis have to keep a distance of at least 500 meters, while airplanes have to be more than 2,000 meters away from the mammal.

 

Why is Migaloo known as a 'hypo-pigmented' humpback? 

Migaloo is known as a ''hypo-pigmented humpback because Migaloo's colour is caused by a genetic skin condition called albinism, they have been unable to confirm it with scientific evidence. They therefore refer to him as a 'hypo-pigmented' humpback.

Is he the only one?
No he is not the only one because in September 2011, Alan Fewings and his family reported seeing a white calf amongst a pod of migrating whales, near Cid Harbor off the coast of North Queensland, the two may be related says the experts, but Migaloo Junior has not been seen since.

Critical Thinking Challenge:

Do you think Migaloo's special colour helps or hurts him from human predators? Why

I think Migaloo's special colour will not help because white can be seen easily seen in the sea/water because white is bright, but then I think his colour is good because the experts can find/see him is the water. Also if the predators do hurt him there is a big fine.

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Current Events Reading - Who Knew Corn Flakes Could Look So Good?

Article Comprehension:

1. What cereal does Rosado use to create her portraits?
Rosado used grains of corn flakes it hit her while she was eating breakfast.

2. Why does it take so long to create each masterpiece?

It takes long crushing the cereal to the right size. Rosado uses a pin to carefully shape the nose, eyes and mouth which would take a while to get it perfect. It also take long to place the corn flakes on the outline. It takes five hours to create.

3. Name some celebrities that have featured in her cereal art series. What kind of art did Rosando unveil in 2013? Some of the cereal artists are 'the king of pop', Michael Jackson, Reggae legend Bob Marley, R&B singer Alicia Keys, as well as, former Beatle, John Lennon. Rosado created a series of artwork that was made entirely from dirt, she wowed everyone.

Current Events Reading - 114-Foot Tower In Budapest Is The World's Tallest Lego Structure

Article Comprehension:

1. Where was the most recent tallest Lego structure built?
In front of the Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest.

2. Who built it?
The elementary students in Budapest collected a team of official Lego builders from Denmark to help them build one that would surpass the existing record holder - a 112-ft 11-inch tower which is built in front of the Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest.

3. What are the two requirements imposed by the Guinness World Records before a Lego tower can be eligible for inclusion?
You are not aloud to use adhesives and once the tower is finished you must take the wires out and let it stand up on it's on with out any support for it to be in the world record book.


4. Why does the author believe that a new Lego tower record will be attempted soon?
The author believes that because the record was broken/attempted 3 times in 2012.

Current Events Reading - Vegetarian Crocodiles? You Better Believe It!

Article Comprehension:

1. What is unusual about the reptiles that live at Nyanyana crocodile farm?

Something that is unusual about the 164,000 crocodiles are that they are vegetarians and they eat pellets that are mixed up with vegetables and meat. Also that is unusual is the crocodiles skin seems to be softer and more supple than those that eat meat. 

2. How did they turn this way?

When Zimbabwe in 2006 was undergoing and economic crises, the company found it impossible to find affordable meet to feed the 164,000 crocodiles that were raised in the farm. Desperate, they started feeding the reptiles with pellets.

3. What are the crocodiles being bred for?

The crocodiles are breaded for their skin, which is sold to European tanneries where it is transformed into leather and sold to fashion houses like Herms and Gucci to make expensive handbags, shoes and belts.

Current Events Reading - 13 Year Old Girl Conquers The Everest!

Article Comprehension:

What did Malavath do?
She climbed Mount Everest and became the youngest female to climb to the summit of the world's highest peak - Mount Everest.

Why does the author believe it is so admirable?
Because she is young and she did not give up even when she got sick she kept carrying on.

What did she have to do to get selected for the Mount Everest climb?
Malavath impressed the instructor Parmesh Kumar, with her determination and grift.

What happened when Malavath reached the advanced base camp?
Malavath was sent back to base camp after she experienced altitude sickness when she got to the advanced base camp set up at an altitude of 6,400 meters.

How long did it take the team to get to the summit?
It took them 52 days.

What does Malavath hope her achievement will do to help other people?
She hopes that her achievements will inspire underprivileged people and girls all over the world, to try achieve their dreams.

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