Tortoises And Turtles

What’s the difference between these reptiles?

turtle

Interesting Facts in Easy English

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

turtle: a marine-dwelling (fresh or saltwater) hard-shelled reptile; used in some regions as a generic word for turtles, terrapins, and tortoises
tortoise: a land-dwelling reptile with a dome-shaped shell
streamlined: features a design that allows air or water to pass by easily
glide: to move smoothly without effort
bask: to relax in the warmth and light
limb: arm or leg

Tortoises And Turtles

Many people are the words tortoise and turtle. This is partly due to regional differences. In British English, turtles and tortoises are two different , egg-laying reptiles. The main difference is their habitat. Turtles live mainly in the water while tortoises live mainly on land. Turtles have a streamlined shell that is ideal for gliding in the water. Turtles also have feet. Tortoises, on the other hand, are not good swimmers. They have dome-shaped shells and sturdy limbs for walking and digging on land. Just as turtles leave the water to bask in the sun or in the mud, tortoises enter the water to clean themselves. Terrapins are tortoise-like turtles that live in the water and on land. To add to the , in some North American regions, the word turtle is used for all three of these reptiles, while in Australia some use the word tortoise for freshwater turtles and turtle for sea turtles.

Comprehension Questions

What is a tortoise in British English?
Why is there confusion with the words tortoise and turtle?
What is a terrapin?

Discussion Questions: Do you agree that all tortoises are turtles, while not all turtles are tortoises? Why or why not?

show Answershide Answers

Subscribe to EnglishClub Podcasts

19 comments

Phuong Nhi says:

Is there a mistake ? Where is the audio ? I can’t find it anywhere
flores Yosselin (ENSFEP) says:

I think there are different types of turtles aquatic and marine and that they only change because of their habitac, but they deserve to be called turtles
Javier Goyri (ENSFEP) says:

I think that the name of the turtles or tortoise must have a characteristic after the word “tortoise” even if it is the English of another country.
For example, in some spiders or lizards after the name they have a small anatomical or environmental characteristic.
Ana Rojas (ENSFEP) says:

I agree that all turtles should be given the same name as Tortuga.
Since there are different types of turtles and each one of them is classified by its habitat.
Leyva Cristhian (ENSFEP) says:

I think that all tortoises are turtles but they have different habitat and different sizes.
De la cruz Yerin (ENSFEP) says:

I think that all turtles are similar by your denomination, but are different for their habitat and their traits physical that distinguish each of them.
Ramos Brianda (ENSFEP) says:

I believe that all turtles deserve to be named in the same way, the only thing that differentiates them is their habitat.
Olivares Rubi (ENSFEP) says:

Yes, I agree that all turtles are called turtles because each type of turtle has different characteristics, but they are turtles.
Valiente Salma (ENSFEP) says:

I think that the turtles and tortoises are different because the turtles a aquatic and the tortoises an aquatic and marine form and the others are semi terrestrial and fresh water form
Ortigoza Juan (ENSFEP) says:

I think that all have the name of turtle, although the turtles are also classified by type but they still have the same name.
García Kristal (ENSFEP) says:

There are different types of turtles, terrestrial and aquatic, but that does not mean that they are no longer turtles, they have different ways of living and their habitat is different, but that does not mean that they are not turtles.
Salazar Luis (ENSFEP) says:

No, I agree to say that all tortoise are turtles, because they have many regional differences, their habitat and although they are similar because they live in water and on land.
Hdz Laura (ENSFEP) says:

Yes, of course. I agree to think that all tortoises are turtles, maybe they have some differences like for example their habitat but they do not let of be tourtles.
jana magdy 6a says:

No Thanks
Mujtaba Hatim says:

I’m good
Cecy says:

And the audio files
Myriam García says:

Sorry for my previous mistakes in writing my comment. It’s a matter of managing the keyboard of my phone.
Thanks.
MYRIAM says:

Well, it’s a nice story, but the cloze exercise should be modified a little bit. As a teacher,I’ve been taught we should include just one cathegory words at a time otherwise we could lead our students to much confusion; especially if they’re young or beginners. For example, just nouns,just adjectives or verbos, etc. It will depends on the objective of the listening.
Besides, as a pre-listening task, we should
practise pronunciation of keywords first or give alernatives.
Anyway,without context,objectives or level of students is not easy to evaluate the activity.
Good text. Thanks.I’d love to have the podcast.
Mary says:

Thank you BUT where is audio file, please ?

Tortoises And Turtles

Interesting Facts in Easy English

19 comments

Leave a comment