Learning English - Words in the News - Walrus seen in Scotland

Last updated at 14:46 GMT, Wednesday, 06 March 2013

Walrus seen in Scotland

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Report and vocabulary

Transcript:: Thousands of miles from home, a walrus dozes on a beach in Scotland's Orkney Islands.

It's been called a "once in a lifetime event" for a walrus to be spotted so far south of the Arctic Circle.

Nonetheless, the young male appeared to be in good health, and happy to be the centre of attention.

In the past, the animals were hunted for their blubber, ivory and meat, but now numbers are recovering.
dozes: sleeps lightly and for a short time, especially during the day
once in a lifetime event: something that is very special because it will only happen one time in a person's life
in good health: healthy
the centre of attention: the person or thing that people are most interested in and watch or listen to most
blubber: the thick layer of body fat which keeps sea mammals warm

Exercise

Use one of the words or phrases below to complete each of these sentences from news reports.
Note that you may have to change the form of a word to complete the sentence correctly.

dozes / once in a lifetime event / in good health / the centre of attention / blubber

1.
Pups weigh 14kg at birth but quickly gain the __________ they need because their mother's milk contains 60% fat.

2.
The children went to sleep, and as the wine had made us sleepy too, we all three went to our rooms to lie down and __________ until about four o'clock.

3.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "To host part of the Paralympic Torch Relay is fantastic news for our area and we hope that all our residents will join us in celebrating this __________".

4.
The Queen has left hospital in central London after being assessed for gastroenteritis symptoms. Buckingham Palace said the Queen, 86, was admitted as a precaution and was otherwise __________.

5.
He added: "Everyone just loves him. Basically he was __________ every night."