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Disappearing glaciers on a tropical island in Papua

Level
b1
Topic
environment

Read this at a different level:c1

High in the tropical mountains of Papua, there are peaks that have been covered in snow and ice for thousands of years. Although Papua is a tropical island, its highest mountains carry ancient glaciers. These glaciers are a surprising and remarkable sight.

For scientists, the glaciers hold great value. Researchers have studied the ice to learn about past climates and environmental change. The information inside the ice has helped them understand how our planet has changed over time. Even though the glaciers are difficult to reach, scientists have made the journey many times to collect data.

For local communities, the snowy peaks mean something different. The mountains have spiritual significance and are deeply connected to local identity. People who live nearby have always seen the peaks as sacred. This connection is an important part of their culture.

Sadly, climate change is causing the ice to disappear. The glaciers have been shrinking for many years, and researchers say the process is getting faster. If the ice disappears completely, scientists will lose a valuable source of information. Local communities will also lose something that is central to their way of life.

The situation in Papua is a clear example of what climate change can do. It affects both nature and culture at the same time. Many people hope that action on climate change will slow the melting before it is too late.

Highlighted sentences show the grammar focus structure.

Key Vocabulary

  • glacier

    /ˈɡleɪʃər/

    A very large, slow-moving mass of ice that forms over many years in cold mountain areas.

    The hikers stopped to take photos of the glacier before it came into view around the mountain bend.

  • remarkable

    /rɪˈmɑːrkəbəl/

    Something that is unusual or impressive enough to deserve attention and surprise.

    The young pianist gave a remarkable performance that left the whole audience speechless.

  • sacred

    /ˈseɪkrɪd/

    Considered very holy or deeply important for religious or spiritual reasons.

    Visitors are asked to remove their shoes before entering the sacred temple.

  • shrink

    /ʃrɪŋk/

    To become smaller in size or amount over time.

    My favourite wool jumper began to shrink after I washed it at the wrong temperature.

  • significance

    /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

    The importance or special meaning that something has for people or a situation.

    The teacher explained the significance of the 1969 moon landing to the class.

  • valuable

    /ˈvæljuəbəl/

    Very useful or important, or worth a lot of money.

    Learning a second language is a valuable skill that can help you find a better job.

Grammar Spotlight

Contrast Conjunctions — 'Although' and 'Even Though'

although / even though + clause, + main clause

When do we use it?

  • Use 'although' or 'even though' to connect two ideas that seem to contradict each other — one fact is surprising given the other.
  • Use 'even though' when the contrast feels especially strong or hard to believe — it adds extra emphasis to the unexpected fact.
  • The clause with 'although / even though' can come first or second in the sentence — both positions are correct.

How is it formed?

Although / Even though + surprising fact+, + main result or truth

'Even though' is stronger — it emphasises a bigger surprise

★Unexpected fact first, then the truth that follows.

See it in action

  1. Although Papua is a tropical island, its highest mountains carry ancient glaciers.

  2. Even though the glaciers are melting, scientists continue to study them every year.

  3. The mountain peaks are covered in snow, even though the surrounding jungle is hot and humid.

  4. Although reaching the glaciers is extremely difficult, many researchers make the journey.

Remember this

✗Although Papua is tropical, but its mountains have glaciers.
✓Although Papua is tropical, its mountains have glaciers.

'Although' and 'but' both show contrast — using both together is a double connector. Choose one or the other, never both.

✗Even though of the cold temperatures, the scientists stayed.
✓Even though the temperatures were cold, the scientists stayed.

'Even though' must be followed by a full clause (subject + verb), not a noun phrase. Use 'despite' before a noun phrase instead.

✗Although, the glaciers are melting, they still exist today.
✓Although the glaciers are melting, they still exist today.

Do not put a comma directly after 'although'. It connects directly to the next word with no pause.

Discussion Questions

  1. 1.

    Are there any mountains, rivers, or natural places in your country that people consider special or important? What makes them meaningful to people there?

  2. 2.

    Have you ever seen or experienced the effects of climate change where you live — for example, changes in weather, seasons, or nature? What have you noticed?

  3. 3.

    If a place that is important to your culture or community was in danger of disappearing, what would you do to help protect it?

Comprehension Questions

  1. 1.

    What do scientists use the glaciers in Papua to study?

  2. 2.

    Why are the snowy peaks important to local communities?

  3. 3.

    How is climate change affecting the glaciers?

  4. 4.

    Where are the glaciers described in the article located?

  5. 5.

    What do you think will be the biggest loss if the glaciers disappear completely — the scientific loss or the cultural loss? Why?

View answers for the comprehension questions
  1. 1.Scientists study the ice in the glaciers to learn about past climates and how the environment has changed over time.
  2. 2.The peaks have spiritual significance and are deeply connected to local identity. People who live nearby consider the mountains sacred and central to their culture.
  3. 3.Climate change is causing the glaciers to shrink, and researchers say the process is getting faster over time.
  4. 4.The glaciers are located high in the tropical mountains of Papua, on a tropical island.
  5. 5.This is an opinion question. A reasonable answer might say that both losses are serious: scientists would lose a valuable source of climate data, while local communities would lose something sacred and central to their way of life.

Test your knowledge

Question 1Fill-in-the-blank

After washing the sweater in hot water, it started to ____ and no longer fit properly.

Question 2Fill-in-the-blank

Winning the award had great ____ for her because she had worked very hard for many years.

Question 3Fill-in-the-blank

The old map was ____ to the team because it showed paths that were not on modern maps.

Question 4Fill-in-the-blank

The ancient site was considered ____ by the community, so visitors were asked to behave respectfully.

View answers for test your knowledge
  1. 1.shrink
  2. 2.significance
  3. 3.valuable
  4. 4.sacred

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