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Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
71 words
- Pellets can show if a colony is active.
- Scientists found a way to tell pellet age.
- They examined microbes that come from the pellets.
- Many of these microbes die quickly in air.
- When microbes die, their signals fade and change.
- Fresh pellets show different microbes than old pellets.
- Researchers measured microbe signals to see change.
- This could lead to a quick on-site test.
- A fast test can avoid unnecessary treatments.
Difficult words
- pellet — Small hard piece of animal waste or remains.pellets
- colony — Group of animals or organisms living together.
- microbe — Very small living thing, seen with a microscope.microbes
- signal — A sign or message that shows something.signals
- on-site — At the place where the work or test happens.
- treatment — Medical care or action to help a patient.treatments
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you want a quick on-site test that avoids treatments?
- Have you ever seen a test for microbes?
- Do you know what a colony is?
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