Name: ________________________________ Date: ___________________________________

English Comprehension
(A). Read the passage below.

Whales are the largest animals in the world, even larger than some species of
dinosaurs. Ironically, whales are among the gentlest creatures we know. There are
people who go through great lengths to help them.

One such case occurred in 1988, when three young whales were trapped in the sea. It
was close to winter and the sea had begun to freeze over. Whales are mammals that
require oxygen from the air, so the frozen ice was a great danger as it prevented them
from getting any air. All they had was a tiny hole in the ice for them to breathe
through. Volunteers from all over soon turned up to help these creatures. They cut
holes in the ice so as to provide more breathing holes for the whales. These holes
would also serve as guides for the whales so that they could swim to warmer waters.
This effort was a success although one whale drowned.

Although the whale is very huge, it is not hindered at all by its size when it is in water.
Whales have tails that end like flippers. With just a gentle flick, it can propel itself
forward. The skin of a whale is so smooth that it does not create any friction that can
slow the whale down. A whale's breathing hole is located on the top of its head, so it
can breathe without having to completely push its head out of the water. It is also thus
able to gulp its food down without breathing in any water. Whales are protected from
the cold seawater by body fat that is called blubber. This is so effective that a whale
can even get overheated in the cold temperatures of the sea.

Whales live in the ocean but in terms of behaviour, they are more similar to humans
than fish. They live in family groups and they even travel in groups when they have to
migrate from cooler to warmer waters. The young stay with their parents for as long
as fifteen years. Whales are known not to desert the ill or injured members; instead,
they cradle them. Moreover, female whales have very strong maternal instincts.

(A). Answer the following questions.

1. Why does the writer use the word “Ironically” in paragraph one?
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2. In your own words, explain the statement ‘There are people who go through great
lengths to help them’.
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3. Why were the frozen ice a danger to the three young whales?
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4. How did the volunteers help the three young whales?
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5. How do the following parts of a whale help it in the water?
(a). tail: ___________________________________________________________________________________
(b). skin : _________________________________________________________________________________
(c), breathing hole : ______________________________________________________________________
(d). blubber: ______________________________________________________________________________
6. Why does the writer say that whales are more similar to humans than fish? Give
any three reasons given in the passage.
(a). _________________________________________________________________________________________
(b). _________________________________________________________________________________________
7. According to the passage, what do whales do to the ill or injured?
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8. Do you think whales are gentles creatures? Give your reason(s).
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(B). Match the following definitions with the underlined words or phrases found in the passage.

1. the resistance of a surface to motion, as of an object ________________________

sliding or rolling over it

2. to change habitat or location ________________________

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 in a way that is ________________________
3. different from the result that would be expected

4. to leave behind even though it is one's duty to stay; ________________________

abandon

5. of, having to do with, or like a mother ________________________

6. to hold back or stop the progress of ________________________

7. to hold or rock in or as in a cradle ________________________

8. the cause of natural behaviour that is not learned in any ________________________

species

9. to quickly draw in a breath; to gasp ________________________

10. to cause to move forward; thrust, push, or drive ________________________

(C). Fill in the blanks with the underlined words or phrases found in the passage.
1. ____________________________, John, who is the smartest student in our class, was the
only student who failed the Science exam last semester.
2. The paddles ____________________________ the canoe through the water.
3. On a rainy day, there may not be enough ____________________________ to stop your car
quickly.
4. Catherine showers her children with ____________________________ love.
5. Every morning, my brother has to ____________________________ down his glass of milk
as he always wakes up late.
6. The pride of lions has to ____________________________ an injured lioness when she is
unable to hunt for food.
7. Geese ____________________________ to the south when the weather gets cold.
8. All his ____________________________ told him to stay near the car and wait for help.
9. Strong wind has ____________________________ the firemen in their efforts to put out
the blaze.
10. The two sisters take turn to ____________________________ their baby brother if their
mother is busy.

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 (D). Pick any five of the underlined words
or phrases from the passage. Construct sentences with the words or phrases that you
have chosen.

1. ______________________ : __________________________________________________________________
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2. ______________________ : __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________ : __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

4. ______________________ : __________________________________________________________________
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5. ______________________ : __________________________________________________________________
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