Prehistoric Shark Tooth
WORKSHEET
Vocabulary
Fossil
The remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in rock.Hunter
A person who searches for something.Ancient
Very old, from a time long ago.Treasure
Something valuable or rare.Predator
An animal that hunts and eats other animals.Extinct
No longer in existence.Discovery
The act of finding something for the first time.Archaeologist
A person who studies ancient history by examining remains.Jaw
The bones that form the framework of the mouth.Sharp
Having a thin edge or point that cuts easily.
Grammar Points
Present Perfect Continuous
Used for ongoing actions that started in the past and continue now (e.g., "Elana has been searching for fossils for years").Relative Clauses
Used to add extra information (e.g., "The Megalodon, which lived 30 million years ago, was a powerful predator").Passive Voice
Used when the focus is on the action rather than who performs it (e.g., "The Megalodon is believed to have grown up to 19 metres long").Modals of Deduction (must, might, could, can’t)
Used for making logical guesses (e.g., "The shark must have been enormous").Comparative & Superlative Forms
Used to compare things (e.g., "The Megalodon was much larger than a great white shark").Future Continuous
Used for ongoing actions in the future (e.g., "Elana will be continuing her fossil hunts").
Activities
Activity 1
Writing
Instructions
Imagine you found a rare fossil while exploring. Write 4-5 sentences describing what you found, where you found it, and how you felt.
Activity 2
Match the Word to the Example
Instructions
Match the words on the left with an example on the right.
| Word | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. Fossil | A. A person who looks for ancient objects. |
| 2. Predator | B. The preserved tooth of an ancient shark. |
| 3. Extinct | C. The Megalodon, which no longer exists. |
| 4. Discovery | D. Finding a new type of shark tooth. |
| 5. Archaeologist | E. An animal that hunts and eats other animals. |
Activity 3
Vocabulary Matching
Instructions
Complete the sentences using the correct modal verb of deduction (must, might, could, can’t).
The Megalodon ______ have been one of the most powerful predators in history.
Elana ______ become a famous archaeologist in the future.
A shark tooth this big ______ belong to a great white shark—it’s too large!
Scientists ______ discover new fossils that tell us more about prehistoric sharks.
The Megalodon ______ still be alive today, because there is no evidence of it.
Questions
Where did Elana find her Megalodon tooth?
Why do people study fossils?
What is a predator? Can you name some examples?
TRANSCRIPT
Prehistoric Shark Tooth
NARRATOR:
Elana Rowlands is just 10 years old, but she’s already a fossil hunter. She spends her time exploring beaches searching for ancient treasures. Her greatest find so far? A tooth from the mighty Megalodon, a huge shark that lived 30 million years ago.
SOUNDBITE - Elana Rowlands:
“This one was from a shark that was about 15 metres long, I think from the lower jaw in the middle. This one I found on a beach in Florida called Stump Pass. They get to about 19 metres long.”
NARRATOR:
The Megalodon was a powerful predator and much larger than today’s great white sharks. It had huge jaws full of sharp teeth that could break through anything. But don’t worry—this ancient shark disappeared long ago.
SOUNDBITE - Emma Bernard:
“We think they probably grew to about 15 to 18 metres in length. So pretty big. About three times the size of a great white shark. Typically your average shark will have about 30,000 teeth over the course of a lifetime. They're definitely extinct because that's something I'm often asked.”
NARRATOR:
While the Megalodon may be gone, Elana’s search for its fossils keeps going.
SOUNDBITE - Elana Rowlands:
“When I find something like that, it's like just the best thing ever. So now I just love fossil hunting.”
NARRATOR:
Who knows what other amazing finds await this young fossil hunter? With her dreams of becoming an archaeologist, Elana’s journey of discovery is just beginning.