Listen&Learn: Charles Darwin

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

Learn about the scientist who formed the theory of evolution.

Pre-listening vocabulary

naturalist: someone who studies natural history
evolution: a theory that states that species change over time in order to survive
origin: where something came from
organism: a living being
unpopular: disliked by the public

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22 — 1.3MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20530″]

Discussion/essay questions

Why do you think so many religious people rejected the theory of evolution? Is it possible to believe in both religion and evolution?

Transcript

Charles Darwin was an English naturalist. He is known for forming the theory of evolution, a scientific explanation for the origin of life on Earth. Darwin was born in 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. In 1831, he got a job on a ship called the HMS Beagle, which was taking a five-year trip around the world. Darwin got to visit many countries and study different plants and animals. He started to form his theory while studying birds on the Galápagos Islands. In 1859, he published a book called On the Origin of Species, which stated that all life on Earth may have evolved from one organism. This theory was unpopular at the time, because society was very religious. However, over time, more people started to accept Darwin’s ideas. Darwin died in 1882, at age 73.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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29 comments

English Club Indonesia says:

Many religious people rejected the theory of evolution because the theory was seen as conflicting with their holy books. For example, in Christianity, it is stated that every living thing on earth is created by God as it is today. Of course, this is in stark contrast to Darwin’s theory. In Darwin’s theory, every creature has gone through a long process of evolution since the first organism existed on earth. This makes it almost impossible for religious people to accept this theory.
Zainab says:

l have a lot thanks
Reza says:

Thank you for sharing, so,I agree with Laercio.
correctmeifI'mwrong says:

I think it’s possible to believe in both religion and evolution because the two of it carried facts but as for Darwin it is just a theory. That’s all.
Adam says:

I have learned a lot than everybody else this is amazing
Lex Molina says:

Pwople did not believed Darwin Because they believed that man came from the dust as stated un the Bible. They did not accept the theory of evolution for that matter.
Nang Hlaing Hom says:

I love natural and wannabe like him.
Nay Thura Aung says:

…
Nur El Fareeha says:

I think so many religious people rejected the theory of evolution because it conflicts with their views of creation. No, it is not possible to believe in both religion and evolution because if you believe in evolution, means you don’t believe in God. In religion, mankind is a descendant from Adam and Eve, whereas in evolution theory, mankind evolved from apes. Moreover, evolution theory is just a theory which cannot be proven by facts.
CW says:

In my opinion,so many religious people rejected the theory of evolution because religious people only believe in God.They didn’t believe to theory because they think everything in the world was created by God.It is possible to believe in both religion and evolution.
Nur alyaa says:

I think many people religous rejected the theory of evolutionbecause they do not believe about the uncertain theories
Adilea nursara says:

I think religious person rejected the theory of evolution because it would say that they do not believe in a God by accepting the theory. I don’t think it’s possible to believe in both religion and evolution because it seemed to go against religious teachings that God made the Earth and created all living things.
Tay Jes Vie says:

It is because they prefer to believe in the existence of God and supertitious things.It can even make them addict.Yes,it is possible to believe in both religion and evolution.
Adilea nursara says:

I’m okay
Kate says:

this is very excited. Thank you
Oswaldo pena says:

That’s fine
Dula says:

I think more peoples like the miracles ..they dosen’t like true ..
Max says:

In my opinion,some religious people reject to accept the theory of evolution because they think it will make people don’t believe the existence of the God any more.To be honest,they really don’t need to worry about it,many famous scientist are religious people at same time they think the theory of evolution is right.Science and Religon is not compeletely contrary.
sia says:

In my opinion many religious people rejected the theory of evolution because they thought evolution denies god’s existence. It is possible to believe in both evolution and religion.
sia says:

all done
Mary Rose Pelerio says:

Religious people denied the theory of evolution because they only believe what the Bible says.
In my opinion, it is possible to believe in both religion and evolution as long as these two beliefs can provide facts and evidence that would solidify their claims.
shykryn says:

yay
David Osorio says:

I agree with Marina and Ariana.
Ariana Verdi Ovídio Vieira says:

I totally agree with Marina Kamalyan, the Darwin’theory doesn’t denies God’s existence.
Rafael Zornosa says:

I’m a religious person, however I believe that things can change with time, so it is hard to pick or accept on theory only. I think religion is based on faith.
Laércio says:

there are many religions in the world and among them some accept the evolution theory like true and others not.
Laércio says:

there are many religions in the world and both them some accept the evolution theory like true and others not.
The King Of Love From IRAN says:

Thank you for sharing,
Marina Kamalyan says:

In my opinion, many religious people rejected the theory of evolution because they thought evolution denies God’s existence. It is possible to believe in both evolution and religion.