Page 140 - English Grammar - 7

Answer the following questions based on your reading of the passage.

1. What is the function of camouflage in the animal world?
2. If a chameleon is on a green leaf, what colour do you think it would be?
3. Find out and write two sentences about an animal which uses mimicry to live its life.
4. What is the difference between camouflage and mimicry?

5. Write the meanings of the following phrases as they are in the passage.
a. hide or escape b. trap their prey c. fool a predator d. adaptation
e. blends into its surroundings

B. Read the following passage carefully.
Tropical rainforests are found near the equator. Living things are abundant in the rainforests.
There are thousands of species of animals, and even more kinds of plants. Their need for sun,
water and warmth are all met by the conditions of the rainforest. These conditions allow the
growth of an amazing amount and variety of plants, making rainforests a major source of
earth’s overall oxygen supply.
Tropical rainforests have layers of life. The uppermost layer is called the canopy. In this layer
mature, tall trees stretch out their branches and leaves, nearly blocking out the sun in some
places. Many animals live in this green, leafy habitat. You can find monkeys, tree frogs, and
many different species of birds. Below the treetops is a second layer, called the understorey.
The understorey is shaded by the canopy. Much sunlight does not reach the plants there.
Bushes and growing trees make up the understorey. It is home to birds, reptiles, and small
climbing animals. The third layer, i.e. the forest floor, is busy with life. Vines, shrubs, mosses,
ferns, flowers, and large predator animals such as jaguars can be found here. Small animals
burrow into the ground and some live in bushes. Leaf-cutter ants and other insects busily hunt
for food and water.

Answer the following questions based on your reading of the passage.
1. What is the canopy of the rainforest?

2. Name the animals found in the second layer of rainforest.
3. Imagine that you are in a rainforest (Sunderbans). Write in four lines what you would do.
Comprehension
4. Explain the third layer of rainforest.
5. Write another word for each of these.
a. widest b. species c. predator d. burrow
e. abundant f. stretch

C. Read the following passage carefully.
The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear
water in it. Some trees overshadowed the pond, and rushes and waterlilies grew at the deep
end. Over the hedge on one side, we looked into a ploughed field; and on the other, we looked
over a gate at our master’s house which stood by the roadside. At the top of the meadow was
a plantation of fir trees; and at the bottom, a running brook overhung by a steep bank.
Whilst I was young, I lived upon my mother’s milk, as I could not eat grass. In the daytime
I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. When it was hot, we used to stand by
the pond in the shade of the trees; and when it was cold, we had a nice warm shed near the
plantation.
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