IELTS Matching heading The Life Cycle of Butterflies

 Passage: The Life Cycle of Butterflies

Paragraph A
Butterflies undergo one of the most remarkable transformations in the animal kingdom. Their life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage has unique characteristics and functions, enabling the butterfly to survive and reproduce.

Paragraph B
The first stage begins when a female butterfly lays her eggs on the leaves of a host plant. The eggs are tiny and often difficult to see with the naked eye. They contain the developing embryo that will hatch into a larva, or caterpillar.

Paragraph C
The larval stage, commonly known as the caterpillar stage, focuses on growth. Caterpillars eat voraciously, consuming leaves and storing energy for the next stage of their life. During this time, they molt several times, shedding their skin to accommodate rapid growth.

Paragraph D
Once the caterpillar has grown sufficiently, it enters the pupal stage. During this period, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis, within which it undergoes metamorphosis. Inside the chrysalis, the body of the caterpillar is reorganized into a butterfly, a process that can take several days to weeks.

Paragraph E
Finally, the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. Its wings are initially soft but harden over time, allowing it to fly and search for nectar. Adult butterflies focus primarily on reproduction, finding mates, and laying eggs to begin the cycle anew.

Paragraph F
Environmental factors, such as temperature, availability of food, and presence of predators, can influence the survival and development of butterflies at each stage. Conservation efforts often focus on protecting habitats to ensure that butterfly populations remain stable.

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Questions: Match the headings (A–F) with the list of headings below

Headings:
i. Factors affecting butterfly survival
ii. Egg stage
iii. Adult butterfly stage
iv. Metamorphosis in the pupal stage
v. Introduction to butterfly life cycle
vi. Growth during the larval stage

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Answers:

• Paragraph A → v Introduction to butterfly life cycle
• Paragraph B → ii Egg stage
• Paragraph C → vi Growth during the larval stage
• Paragraph D → iv Metamorphosis in the pupal stage
• Paragraph E → iii Adult butterfly stage
• Paragraph F → i Factors affecting butterfly survival