1. According to the article, are the dinosaurs we see in movies realistic? Why or why not?
    
   Answer: No, the dinosaurs we see in movies are not realistic. Some dinosaurs were small, some were colourful, and some even had feathers.
2. In your own words, what exactly is a fossil?
    
   Answer: Fossils are old bones that have been buried under the dirt or sand. They have been buried for so long under such pressure that they have turned to rock.
3. Which animals do scientists now consider dinosaurs to be the ancestor of? Why do they believe this?
    
   Answer: Scientists now believe that dinosaurs are the ancestor of birds. They think this because they have now discovered many fossils of dinosaurs with feathers.
4. How can studying fossils help us understand more about dinosaurs?
    
   Answer: Studying fossils of dinosaurs can help us learn about how old they were, how long ago they died, and what they looked like. This also can help us understand their genetic link to modern day animals.
5. The article talks about fossils from dinosaurs. What are some other fossils that might be found by scientists?
    
   Answer: Scientists have found fossils from many animal species throughout history. They have also found fossils of human civilizations, including from burials and natural disasters.
6. Fossils can tell us a lot of information about different plants, animals, and people. Other than the ideas mentioned in the article, what else could fossils tell us?
    
   Answer: (Answers may vary)

   Fossils can tell us many things, including how an animal died, how they acted during its lifetime, what they hunted or ate, or how big they were. Fossils from humans can tell us about their culture or beliefs, how they died, and so on.

Back to chapter

1. What is a green space? What are some examples of green spaces that the article mentions?
    
   Answer: A green space is a park or other natural area in a city. Some examples of green spaces that the article mentions include parks and rooftop gardens.
2. The article mentions some of the benefits that trees bring to urban areas. What are two of these benefits?
    
   Answer: Two benefits that trees bring to urban areas are that they help clean the air by filtering out toxins, and they help reduce noise pollution on busy streets.
3. Why do cities sometimes have higher temperatures?
    
   Answer: Cities sometimes have higher temperatures due to heat getting trapped in because of too many people, cars, and buildings in the city. This is called the urban island heat effect.
4. What does the article mean by noise pollution?
    
   Answer: Noise pollution refers to unwanted noise caused by high amounts of traffic, machines, people, and so on that we often hear in a busy city.
5. What are two ways that green spaces can help our mental health?
    
   Answer: Green spaces can help reduce our stress and anxiety, and they can help increase our memory, mental clarity, and focus.
6. In your opinion, what is the most important advantage of having parks and green spaces in cities? Use specific examples to support your answer.
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
   • reduce stress for people after work
   • improve the air quality in cities
   • keep the cities cool and more comfortable to live in
7. The article describes several ways that parks and green spaces are beneficial in urban areas. Can you think of any other advantages of having green spaces in cities?
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
   • provide a free place to exercise
   • they are a great place to meet people and socialize

Back to chapter

1. According to the article, is artificial intelligence something we need to be worried about?
    
   Answer: No, according to the article, it is not something we need to be worried about. It is a tool we use every day without realizing it.
2. What is an early form of AI mentioned in the article? When was it first used?
    
   Answer: An early form of AI mentioned in the article is spell check. It was first used in the 1970s and became common in the 1980s on personal computers.
3. In paragraph 5, it says that users enter prompts in ChatGPT. Explain the meaning of entering prompts in your own words.
    
   Answer: “Entering prompts” means telling AI what you want it to do or asking it a question. For example, I could enter the prompt, “Please make a photo of a student interacting with a computer.”
4. Name two ways that artificial intelligence is used in our everyday lives today, with examples from the article.
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
   • Checking spelling with spell check on a computer or other device
   • Labeling emails as spam or junk mail
   • Delivering content in social media
   • Entering prompts in generative AI like ChatGPT or Copilot
5. How does email use AI to determine whether an email is spam or important?
    
   Answer: If an email has been sent from somewhere that has received complaints, it is more likely for your email service to mark it as spam. Email services can even track which emails users don’t open, which allows AI to label those as spam in the future.
6. What is a disadvantage of using ChatGPT or Copilot, according to the article?
    
   Answer: According to the article, a disadvantage of using ChatGPT or Copilot is that it stops users from creating their own opinions. Also, it gives us only one perspective, unlike a Google Search.
7. In your opinion, is artificial intelligence a benefit to society or not? Why? Use specific examples from your life and experience to support your answer.
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
   • Grammarly to check wording, spelling, grammar, and tone
   • Spotify to select music we enjoy
   • Health apps encourage healthy behaviours and give us our health statistics
   • Ads are targeted to us so we are more likely to buy something
   • Using generative AI to write something for school hinders learning
8. Why is artificial intelligence not a replacement for humans, despite its growth?
    
   Answer: AI will never be able to match the art that we can create or the stories that we can tell.
9. In what ways do you think AI could be used in the future? Use your imagination!
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
   • It will help us choose our clothes and make-up according to our tastes, mood, weather, and the environment.
   • It will help us find patterns in new medicines
   • AI will create websites, videos, music, and more
   • It will find solutions for climate change

Back to chapter

1. What do the slang terms, “cool” and “lit” mean?
    
   Answer: The slang terms “cool” and “lit” mean that something is great.
2. According to the article, what group of people use slang?
    
   Answer: According to the article, teenagers often use slang.
3. What does the phrasal verb “pick up” mean in this sentence? “Next time you travel or pick up a new language, try to find out what kind of slang is popular in that area.”
    
   Answer: In this sentence, “pick up” means “learn.”
4. Do slang words change over time? Support your answer with an example from the article.
    
   Answer: Yes, slang words change over time. An example of a change in meaning for a slang word is “groovy.” It originally meant that a song’s rhythm, or groove, was okay, and with time it took on the meaning of “cool.” Today, it is rarely used. A second example is the word, cop. It was originally a word for police, and it was used as a noun. Now it can also be a verb meaning to get.
5. Why do people use slang? Support your answer with an example from the article.
    
   Answer: People use slang for group identity, especially among younger generations. For example, the word lit means cool among younger people.
6. What are some slang words from your home language? Is there a good way to translate them into English?
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
7. Is learning English slang important to you? Support your answer with two details or examples.
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.

Back to chapter

1. What percentage of Canadian adults lead mostly sedentary lifestyles?
    
   Answer: Over 80% of Canadian adults lead mostly sedentary lifestyles.
2. Why do many people avoid exercising, according to the text?
    
   Answer: According to the text, many people avoid exercising because they believe it takes a lot of energy, it costs money, it takes up a lot of time, and they lack motivation.
3. How does regular exercise affect our energy levels?
    
   Answer: Regular exercise helps to increase our energy levels, rather than decrease it.
4. What analogy is used to describe the motivation to exercise? In your opinion, is this an accurate analogy?
    
   Answer: The motivation to exercise is compared to pushing a rock down a hill. When the rock is at the top and not moving, it is heavy and difficult to push. Once it begins rolling down, it becomes much easier to move. Exercising is similar in that it is difficult to begin, but once you begin exercising regularly, it becomes much easier.
5. List some of the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise, as mentioned in the text.
    
   Answer: Weight loss, increased lifespan, reduced health complications, and a stronger immune system are some of the primary benefits of regular exercise. Additionally, people who exercise regularly experience increased energy levels, improved sleep quality, and enhanced mental focus.
6. In your opinion, what is the best type of exercise? Why?
    
   Answer: Answers will vary.
7. Can you think of any other benefits of regular exercise?
    
   Answer: Answers will vary.

Back to chapter

1. What does the verb “recharge” mean in this sentence? “[Introverts] can still enjoy the act of being social but often need alone time to recharge themselves.”
    
   Answer: In this sentence, the verb “recharge” means to get energy again.
2. According to the article, why do introverts seem shy and quiet?
    
   Answer: According to the article, introverts seem shy and quiet because they prefer to practise self-reflection and work through problems by themselves.
3. Why is it important to identify if people are introverts or extroverts?
    
   Answer: According to the article, it’s important to identify if people are introverts or extroverts because they have different strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these differences will help you achieve better relationships with people.
4. Why do extroverts work well in teams? Give two reasons from the article in your own words.
    
   Answer: Answers should include two of these reasons: extroverts are sociable; they enjoy the feeling of group work; they work well in teams; they are warm-hearted and optimistic; they are good at connecting with co-workers; and they do well in positions that have a lot of social interactions.
5. Why are introverts good at solving problems? Give two reasons from the article in your own words.
    
   Answer: Answers should include two of these reasons: Introverts are good at solving problems because they can commit to tasks; they are good at working independently; they work hard; they pay attention to details; they can find relevant and rational solutions; they can complete complex tasks and produce quality work.
6. Does the author of the article believe that extroverts are more successful at work than introverts? Support your answer with information from the text.
    
   Answer: No, the author does not believe that extroverts are more successful at work than introverts. The author indicates that introverts do well in jobs that allow them to be independent, while extroverts succeed in positions with social connections.
7. Are you more introverted or more extroverted? Why? Use information from the article to support your answer.
    
   Answer: Answers will vary. For example, I believe I am more extroverted because I get energy around other people. Also, I work well in teams both at work and at school. In addition, people tell me that I am very adventurous; I love travelling and experiencing new cultures.

Back to chapter

1. What is the main idea of the article? Please say it in your own words.
    
   Answer: Answers may vary. For example, Maslow’s theory places human needs in a hierarchy, and we need to meet each need in a step before we can focus on needs in the step above.
2. What are physiological needs? Give some examples.
    
   Answer: Physiological needs are needs of the human body. Some examples of bodily needs are food, water, and sleep.
3. What sorts of things are psychological needs?
    
   Answer: Psychological needs are anything we need for our mental health. All the needs in the five steps of Maslow’s hierarchy are psychological needs.
4. Maslow’s theory has a hierarchy of needs. What other hierarchies do you know, for example, at a business, at school, or in a family?
    
   Answer: Answers will vary. Here are two examples of hierarchies:
   1. A military hierarchy has Privates on the bottom step, Lieutenants and Captains in the middle, and Generals at the top.
   2. A second example of a hierarchy is in a business. The customer service representatives and specialists are at the bottom step, the managers and directors are in the middle, and the CEO or President is at the top.
5. How did Maslow create his hierarchy of needs? What did he base it on?
    
   Answer: Answers may vary. Abraham Maslow created his hierarchy of needs by observing people’s behaviour. He did not use sufficient data or scientific research. Instead, he created his hierarchy of needs by making assumptions.
6. Did Maslow’s theory change over time? Explain your answer.
    
   Answer: As Maslow aged, he adjusted his theory. The steps became less rigid, and he concluded that people might focus on higher steps in the hierarchy even before lower needs are met.
7. When do you change your mind? Give an example of a time that your perspective changed.
    
   Answer: Answers will vary. For example, after I had children, my perspective changed on how I viewed other people. I began to see others not so much as individuals but as a part of a family and as somebody’s child.

Back to chapter

1. What was the purpose of naming the area Greenland, according to Erik the Red?
    
   Answer: Erik the Red decided to name the area Greenland to make the new land sound attractive and habitable for new settlements.
2. How do you feel about the way Erik the Red named Greenland to attract settlers? Do you think it was an effective strategy?
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
3. What evidence did archaeologists find in the 1960s that confirmed Norse presence in North America?
    
   Answer: In the 1960s, archaeologists discovered a small Norse settlement in Newfoundland called L’Anse aux Meadows. The settlement consisted of eight buildings.
4. What was the suggested purpose of the L’Anse aux Meadows settlement according to anthropologists?
    
   Answer: Anthropologists believed that the L’Anse aux Meadows settlement was intended as a place to repair boats rather than as a permanent settlement.
5. What are your thoughts on the temporary nature of the L’Anse aux Meadows settlement? Why do you think it wasn’t intended to be permanent?
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
6. What items found at L’Anse aux Meadows indicate that women resided at the settlement? Use information in the article to support your answer.
    
   Answer: Some of the items found that indicate that women resided at the settlement include knitting needles, spindles, and a bronze fastening pin.
7. What impact do you think the Norse presence in North America had on the indigenous populations they encountered? Use ideas from the article to support your ideas.
    
   Answer: Answers may vary but should include the idea that the Norse presence negatively affected indigenous populations due to writings that mentioned Inuit captives and stolen kayaks.
8. What does the settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows suggest about Norse culture?
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.
9. What lessons do you think modern explorers and historians can learn from the Norse exploration and settlement patterns?
    
   Answer: Answers may vary.

Back to chapter