P6 ENGLISH

Comprehension
Answering questions based on an information report

Read the information report carefully and fill in the blanks with the information from the information
report.

Animals that live in the wild have to adapt to their harsh environment. In order to survive, their

physical characteristics have changed after many generations to enable them to find food and hide from

predators. There are several ways for animals to obtain food.

One way is through the use of poison. Besides snakes, spiders also expel venom which they use to

kill their prey. Not all spiders use their sticky webs to catch insects. The bird-eating spider which feeds on
crickets, lizards and sometimes mice uses the poison from its fangs to kill its prey. The spider’s efficient

hunting skills allow it to sneak up to its unsuspecting prey. It rears up its fangs and strikes the prey. The

prey is then hauled back to the spider’s den where it is consumed when the spider wishes to.

Another way for an animal to kill its prey is through the use of its strength. One such animal is the

anaconda which can be found in the Amazon River. The anaconda can move more quickly in water than on

land so it usually feeds on aquatic animals or animals that come near enough to the water. Unlike some other

snakes, the anaconda does not expel poison. Even its teeth are unable to tear its prey apart. Instead, when
the anaconda spots its prey, it will reach out and coil its body around the animal. Its vice-like grip allows

it to hold its prey so tightly that the animal will soon suffocate to death. Airflow and blood circulation will

be greatly restricted and the prey will die a slow death. Once the prey is dead, the anaconda will swallow

it whole, starting from its head. Frogs, turtles, rodents and even jaguars are part of the anaconda’s diet.

Besides stealth, killer whales also make use of sound and teamwork to find and kill their prey. When

they are hunting, killer whales move very quietly on the surface or below the water. By not making any

noise, they will be able to listen out for the splashes made by their prey. Although they are capable of

hunting on their own, they usually hunt in a pod of five to six. Once the whales are near enough to their

prey, often a seal, but sometimes even another whale, they will surround it. They then attack the prey’s
stomach. All the whales bite at the prey, consuming it on the spot.
P6 ENGLISH

Comprehension
Answering questions based on an information report

(a) How does a bird-eating spider get food?

1 up to its prey → 2 its poisonous fangs

→ 3 its fangs into its prey → 4 its prey

back to its den

(b) How does the anaconda hunt?

1 its body around its prey → 2 its prey

so tightly that it 3 to death → 4 its prey

whole

(b) 1. coils 2. squeezes 3. suffocates 4. swallows 4. hauls 2. raises 3. sinks Suggested Answers: (a) 1. sneaks
P6 ENGLISH

Grammar
Participles used as adjectives

Fill in each blank with the ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed’ form of the word provided in the box. Use each word once
only.

inflate alarm web frighten flood

1 The seal tried to escape from the killer whales, but it failed.

2 The pitcher plant has leaves which look like tubes.

3 Polar bears have feet that help them to swim.

4 Snakes can swallow their prey at an rate. They have to eat their prey before it
decomposes.

5 After the wet season, the capybara can usually be found on the rain forest floor.

Answers: 1. frightened 2. inflated 3. webbed 4. alarming 5. flooded

P6 ENGLISH

Grammar
Participles – providing more information about nouns

Fill in the blanks with suitable clauses. Use each clause once only.

covered with thick fur

blending with the leaves around it
transformed completely on the outside
changing its colour and shape to blend with its surroundings

1 , the praying mantis manages to capture insects

easily.

2 , the snow leopard is able to keep itself warm

in the high mountains.

3 , the flounder is often very difficult to spot.

4 The arctic fox, , makes it hard to spot in both

winter and summer.

outside
4. transformed completely on the 3. Changing its colour and shape to blend with its surroundings 2. Covered with thick fur Answers: 1. Blending with the leaves around it
P6 ENGLISH

Grammar
Participles – providing more information about nouns

Fill in the blanks with suitable clauses. Use each clause once only.

filled with water

pouncing on its prey
crushed by its predator
making a sound to attract the other beetles

1 , the tiger captured it before it was able to

escape.

2 The sac of the bladderwort, , prevents the

captured insect from escaping.

3 The insect, , is unable to escape.

4 , the Grobian beetle alerts them to the presence

of food.

Answers: 1. Pouncing on its prey 2. filled with water 3. crushed by its predator 4. Making a sound to attract the other beetles