Answer questions 26 to 31 based on the following passage.

1. The tiger, the largest cat in the world, is one of the most majestic animals on land and
is found only in Asia. It is also one of the most powerful mammals, yet it is on the brink
of extinction. In the 1900s, the tiger population was more than 100,000. Today, the
number has dwindled to less than 10,000 worldwide. Nepal has only 200 tigers, India
has about 4,000, while Malaysia has less than 500. The reason for the decline in
numbers is poaching.
2. Tigers are hunted not only by human beings but also by other predators such as
elephants, bears and large buffaloes. The only defence tigers have against their
enemies are their razor-sharp claws, their strong teeth and their sheer weight. The
weight of a tiger, which can range between 200 and 300 kilogrammes, can kill an 10
average sized human being.
3. Tigers have fascinated human beings for several reasons. For instance, marks on
their forehead resemble the Chinese character wang, which means king. Furthermore,
the markings on a tigers forehead and the stripes all over its body are like finger prints.
Experts can tell individual tigers apart by observing the markings and stripes closely.
This is because no two tigers have identical markings. The patterns of their stripes vary
immensely, especially from one sub-species to another. The Sumatran tiger has the
most stripes and markings while the Siberian tiger has the fewest. The stripes of a tiger
always run at right angles to its body and not along its bodyline. Otherwise, it would be
very conspicuous and find it impossible to camouflage itself.
4. These carnivorous beasts thrive well in areas of dense vegetation with ample sources
of water and large populations of hoofed animals. They instinctively avoid human beings
and only attack people if they are provoked, injured or unable to hunt for their usual
food.
5. Despite their prowess, tigers are unable to protect themselves from their greatest
threat human beings. These magnificent creatures have been hunted for hundreds of
years for sport as proof of ones strength and manliness, and for their skin. They have
also been trapped and poisoned by farmers to protect their livestock. As a result, the
Caspian, Javan and Bali tigers have become extinct. In many Asian countries, tigers are

killed for their precious claws. It is believed that wearing a talisman made of a 30 tigers
claw can protect its wearer. It is almost impossible to ascertain whether a tigers claw
has any supernatural powers, but what is certain is that many a tiger will lose its life so
that someone can profit from it.
6. Other than that, tigers have been hunted for their body organs, which are believed to
be a cure for many ailments. This superstition may have resulted from the connection
35 made with their masculinity and strength. This has resulted in massive poaching of
tigers for their whiskers, eyes, teeth, penises, liver and fat.
7. Hunting of tiger prey has also caused the number of tigers to dwindle. Tigers usually
feed on hoofed animals such as deer, wild boar and buffaloes. The hunting of these
animals by human beings has caused tigers to starve to death.
8. Serious action has to be taken to ensure the survival of this majestic creature.
Although the tiger has been labelled an endangered species and the sale of tigerrelated
products has been banned in many countries, these measures have backfired, with
illegal poaching of tigers for their fur, bones and other organs becoming rampant. Some
countries, such as India, have allocated millions of dollars to set up tiger reserves to
protect these animals but even these are not safe. Poachers completely wiped out wild
tigers in the Sariska Tiger Reserve in India. To ensure the survival of the tiger,
conservation efforts need to be improved to reduce threats to tigers. Efforts must also
be made to improve tiger habitats and to increase tiger prey populations so that they will
not starve to death in the wild. There must be more stringent controls on the demand for
tiger parts. When there is no demand, there will be no supply. To drive the message
home, poachers should be punished severely. Otherwise, they will not stop their illegal
activities.
26. From paragraph 1:
a) In which continent are tigers found?
___________________________________________

(1 mark)

b) Why is it surprising that the tiger is on the verge of extinction?

____________________________________________ (1 mark)

27.

a) From paragraph 2: How do tigers protect themselves against their enemies?

___________________________________________

(1 mark)

b) From paragraph 3: Why are the markings on a tiger important?

___________________________________________(1 mark)
28.
a) From paragraph 4: Provide evidence to show that tigers are only dangerous
when their well-being is at risk.
___________________________________________

(1 mark)

b) From paragraph 5: Find a word which means valuable.

___________________________________________(1 mark)
29. From paragraph 8: List two measures that have failed to protect the tiger from being
hunted.

a) _________________________________________(1 mark)

b) ________________________________________ (1 mark)
30. Do you think punishing poachers severely is a good measure to prevent the hunting
of tigers? Give a reason.
_____________________________ (2 marks)
31. Based on the passage given, write a summary on:
> the reasons tigers are becoming extinct.
> the measures that should be taken to protect them.

Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken
change the original meaning. Your summary must:
> be in continuous writing form (not note form)
> use materials from lines 26 to 54
> not be longer than 130 words including the 10 words given below.
Begin your summary as follows:
The tiger population has suffered a serious decline because tigers ...

not to