Passage: Penguins – Adapted for Life in the Cold
Paragraph A
Penguins are flightless birds that live almost
exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with the greatest concentrations found
in Antarctica. They are highly adapted to aquatic life, with strong flippers
for swimming and streamlined bodies to reduce drag underwater.
Paragraph B
There are 18 recognized species of penguins,
ranging in size from the small Little Blue Penguin to the Emperor Penguin, the
largest of all. Different species occupy various habitats, from icy Antarctic
coasts to temperate islands, and their diets primarily consist of fish, squid,
and krill.
Paragraph C
Penguins have thick layers of feathers and
blubber, which help them retain heat in extremely cold conditions. Their
feathers are tightly packed and waterproof, allowing them to remain dry and
insulated while swimming in icy waters.
Paragraph D
Penguins are social animals that breed in
large colonies called rookeries. Breeding behavior includes elaborate courtship
rituals, vocalizations, and nesting on land. Both parents often share
responsibilities in incubating eggs and feeding chicks.
Paragraph E
Despite their adaptations, penguins face
several threats. Climate change affects sea ice availability, impacting feeding
and breeding. Predators such as leopard seals and skuas, as well as human
activities like overfishing and pollution, also pose risks to penguin
populations.
Paragraph F
Research has shown that penguins play an
important role in marine ecosystems. By consuming large quantities of fish and
krill, they help regulate prey populations, and their guano contributes
nutrients that support coastal and marine life.
Questions: Matching Information
Match
each statement (1–8) with the paragraph (A–F) in which the information is
found.
1.
Penguins
have a layer of blubber to maintain body heat.
2.
Breeding
colonies are called rookeries.
3.
Human
activities such as overfishing threaten penguins.
4.
Penguins’
diet mainly includes fish and krill.
5.
Penguins
are found mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.
6.
There
are 18 species of penguins with varying sizes.
7.
Penguins’
guano provides nutrients to ecosystems.
8.
Penguins
use flippers and streamlined bodies for swimming.
Answers:
1.
C – Adaptations to cold including
blubber are in Paragraph C.
2.
D – Breeding colonies (rookeries) are
described in Paragraph D.
3.
E – Human threats are mentioned in
Paragraph E.
4.
B – Diet information is in Paragraph B.
5.
A – Distribution in the Southern
Hemisphere is in Paragraph A.
6.
B – Number of species and size
differences are in Paragraph B.
7.
F – Ecological role of guano is in
Paragraph F.
8.
A – Swimming adaptations are in Paragraph
A.
Tips
for Matching Information:
- Look for specific
details like numbers, names, or behaviors.
- Statements
may be paraphrased, so pay attention to synonyms.
- Skim the
paragraph first, then scan for the key fact.
- Each
paragraph typically contains one or two main factual points.
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