UNIVERSITE SIDI MOHAMMED BEN ABDALLAH Année 2019 – 2020

FACULTE DES SCIENCES –

DHAR EL MEHREZ – FES UNITE LANGUES ET COMMUNICATION
MASTER PROGRAM
PROF: FETTAH EL OAURDI
UNIT 5: READING

I-Reading comprehension text

Read the following text and answer the questions below!

Extinction
There are no more dinosaurs living on Earth. One time, there used to be dinosaurs that wandered the
Earth. About 65 million years ago, though, most scientists believe that all of the dinosaurs disappeared, as
well as most of the species that existed at that time. A species is a certain group of living organisms, like
dinosaurs, humans, birds, and many others. They believe the loss of the organisms occurred due to a large
asteroid colliding with Earth, which caused the extinction of many of the organisms.

Extinction means there is no longer a plant or animal species of a certain kind living anywhere in the
world. The species that becomes extinct has died out. The dinosaurs were one of those species, along with
others that died out 65 million years ago.

Extinction, though, usually occurs over a long period of time, but when it does happen at a faster rate, it
is called mass extinction.

There are also species that have become extinct when they lose the ability to adapt to changes in the
environment. For example, if the climate changes over a period of time, a certain animal or plant may not
be able to survive. Certain species also may not be able to survive if faced with new predators that may end
up wiping out the entire species. Finally, extinction could occur to a plant or animal if they no longer have
access to the food they need to live and survive. These types of extinction most often take place over a
much longer period of time compared to mass extinction, which can take place very quickly. Either way,
the species that become extinct do not return.

Humans can be the cause of extinction as well. There are several ways humans can cause the extinction
of a certain plant or animal species. Humans may overhunt wiping out an entire animal species, which
almost happened many years ago when the buffalo nearly became extinct. Humans were hunting them
down for food, fur, and for other reasons. The buffalo were dying faster than they could be replaced
through reproduction.

Humans may also be responsible for habitat destruction, which occurs when a plant or animal's
environment is destroyed by development or construction, such as destroying parts of a rainforest. Another
example is the moving of non-native species, into an area where they are not usually found. An example of
this type of extinction occurred to the dodo bird. The dodo bird died out because it became food for non-
native species such as pigs and cats, which were moved by humans into the dodo's habitat.

Today, blue whales are facing extinction due to humans overhunting them. The destruction of habitats,
changes in climates, and other factors may also threaten many plants and insects throughout the world.

The types of animals and plants at a risk of becoming extinct are called endangered species. When a
species is endangered, they may soon die out and no longer exist. Some endangered species today include
the giant panda, mountain gorilla, black rhino, tiger and many others.
 There will always be animals and plants that become extinct, but doing simple things like recycling,
saving energy, planting a garden or sponsoring an endangered animal can help prevent extinction of some
species in the world.

In summary, extinction can take place quickly like in a mass extinction, or may occur over a long period
of time. There are many reasons different species become extinct.

Questions

1) About how many millions of years ago did the dinosaurs become extinct?
A: 35 million

B: 45 million

C: 55 million

D: 65 million
2) Which of the following is a certain group of living organisms like birds, flowers, and many others?
A: Species

B: Endangered

C: Extinction

D: Native
3) When extinction occurs quickly over a very short period of time, it is called which of the following?
A: Final extinction

B: Endangered extinction

C: Species extinction

D: Mass extinction
4) Which of the following ways can a species become extinct?
A: Climate changes

B: New predators

C: Lack of food

D: All of the above

5) Which of the following became extinct due to a non-native species entering their habitat?
A: Dinosaurs

B: Dodo birds
 C: Buffalo

D: Giant pandas
6) Which of the following animal is in danger of extinction due to humans overhunting them?
A: Buffalo

B: Blue whales

C: Pandas

D: Dodo birds
II- Grammar Focus : Simple past and Past continous Exercices
Simple past or past continous

1. I (drive) my new car when I (have) an accident.

2. She (walk) down the street when she (trip) on the pavement.

3. They (not see) me because they (talk) to each other.

4. I (have) a shower so I (not hear) the phone.

5. We (walk) in the mountains when we (hear) a scream.

6. They (have) so much fun at the party that they (decide) to stay.

7. When the teacher (arrive) , they (play) in the classroom.

8. While I (have) a drink in the restaurant, I (see) an accident outside.

9. What (you / do) when the telephone (ring) ?

10. Why (you / run) when I (see) you the other day?