Baarack the sheep - level B1

A sheep in Australia was found with a 35kg fleece. This is a bit less than the fleece of Chris, a record holding sheep.

The sheep, named Baarack, was found walking alone and was shorn to save his life. Merino sheep do not lose their fleece and need to be shorn every year. Baarack was found near Lancefield in Victoria and he survived by eating wild grass. When people found him he was underweight and couldn't see well because of the wool around his face.

Baarack was taken to the animal sanctuary where he had his fleece removed. It took rescuers almost an hour to accomplish the task.

Vocabulary

1. fleece
2. record holding
3. underweight
4. animal sanctuary
5. rescuers
6. accomplish

a) lifesavers
b) wool
c) shelter
d) slim
e) achieve
f) champion

Questions

1. Why was it important to shear Baarack?

2. How did Baarack survive?

3. Except for long fleece what were another Baarack’s problems?

1. Why was it important to shear Baarack?

2. How did Baarack survive?

3. Except for long fleece what were another Baarack’s problems?

Although Baarack's fleece could be used to produce 61 sweaters, it was not the heaviest. Chris, a Canberran sheep found in 2005, had a world record 41 kg fleece, twice his body weight. His wool would be enough to produce 72 sweaters or 574 pairs of socks.

Activity

Interactive Quiz

Check the answers

Speaking / writing

Choose a few questions:

1. Which animals need our help?

2. What is the difference beetween pets and farm animals?

3. How do people help pets?

4. How do people help farm animals?

5. Imagine that you work in an animal sanctuary. Which animal would you like to help and why?