Solution of English Grade IX || Unit 7 How do Animals Spend the Winter? || Ecology and Environment || Reading I

Unit 7

Ecology and Environment

How do Animals Spend the Winter?

Key points from the text:

- Animals have different ways of surviving the winter. Some migrate to warmer climates, while others stay in their home range and adapt to the cold weather.

- Migrating animals use a variety of cues to find their way, including the Earth's magnetic field, the stars, and the sun.

- Animals that stay in their home range may change their behavior or appearance to survive the winter. For example, some animals grow thicker fur or feathers, while others hibernate.

- Winter can be a challenging time for animals, but they have evolved a variety of strategies to survive.

A. Find the words from the text that have the following meanings.

a. a shop that sells food and other things used in homes- grocery

b. related to the regions around the North Pole- arctic

c. an underground passage- tunnel

d. to find the right way to deal with a difficult situation- navigate

e. a person who works on a ship as a member of the crew- sailor

f. to change behaviour in order to deal more successfully with a new situation- adapt

g. a very small green or yellow plant that spreads over wet surfaces, rocks, trees, etc.- moss

h. to gather closely together, usually because of cold or fear- huddle

B. Read the paragraphs A-E and match them to the suitable titles.

A - Migration to New Places

B - Adaptation to New Weather

C - Living in Underground Holes

D - Going into a Deep Sleep

E - Other Ways to Survive

C. Write True or False against the following statements.

a. Animals wear thick coats to protect themselves from the cold.

False

b. Flying in flocks helps birds protect themselves from the cold.

False

c. Birds do not travel far to avoid the cold.

False

d. Some animals collect extra food for winter.

True

e. Snow fleas hibernate in winter.

False

f. Cold water makes it difficult for some animals to breathe.

False

D. Answer the following questions.

a. Why do birds migrate in groups?

Birds migrate in groups because the trip can be dangerous. / Birds migrate in groups to protect themselves and increase their chances of survival during the journey.

b. What controls the migration cycle of birds?

Changes in the amount of daylight and the weather control the migration cycle of birds.

c. How do birds find the same place for migration each year?

Birds find the same place for migration each year by using the Sun, Moon and stars for direction.

d. Why do you think squirrels and mice huddle close together in winter?

I think squirrels and mice huddle close together in winter to try to stay warm. / Squirrels and mice huddle close together in winter to conserve body heat and stay warm.

e. How do animals maintain energy during hibernation?

Animals maintain energy during hibernation by eating extra food and storing it as body fat.

f. How do frogs, turtles and fish change their habitats to survive in winter?

In winter, frogs, turtles and fish hide under rocks, logs or fallen leaves. They may even bury themselves in the mud.

Grammar I

Conditional Type 1

B. Use the correct form of the verbs from the brackets to complete the sentences.

a. If you call me, I ……… (come).

will come

b. If you ……… (not leave), I'll call the police.

do not leave

c. Somebody ……… (notice) if you make a mistake.

will notice

d. If I see her, I ……… (tell) her to call you.

will tell

e. She ……… (be) very angry if you don’t apologise.

will be

f. They will be happy if we ……… (invite) them to the party.

invite

g. Will they pay any more if I ……… (work) harder?

work

h. If you don’t lock your bicycle, someone ……… (steal) it.

will steal

i. I ……… (lend) you some money if you promise not to waste it.

will lend

j. Unless you use your English, it ……… (not improve).

will not improve

k. You must study hard if you ……… (want) to join college.

want

Writing

B. Write paragraphs on the following topics in about 100 words.

Deforestation

Deforestation is the process of cutting down the number of trees in a given area. It can either be done by removing bush from an area through burning or cutting them down. Deforestation has several implications on its ecosystem and mankind at large. It leads to destruction of habitats for animals, reduction in carbon sinks which results in global warming and loss of timber resources. Deforestation also leads to dwindling biodiversity and shortage of natural resources as trees are essential for producing oxygen and preventing soil erosion. The destruction of forests affects many aspects of life, such as the environment, wildlife, and human health.

Endangered Animals

Endangered animals are those that are likely to become extinct in the near future. Rhinos, tigers, elephants, pandas are some of the examples of endangered animals. They may be at risk because of factors like habitat loss, hunting and invasive species. If plants and animals become endangered it leads to ecological imbalance. To protect such animals, we should educate people about them in their area, reduce pollution, support afforestation, pressurize government in protecting endangered species. Humans are mainly responsible for the extinction of many species on earth. Scientists are giving warning signs that human are also heading towards extinction.