Practice Your Skills

Reading Text 1 - Savanna Life

The savanna is a type of grassland ecosystem found in regions where there is not enough rainfall to support a forest but more rainfall than a desert. Savannas are located mainly in Africa, South America, India, and Australia. These vast, open landscapes are home to a wide variety of plants and animals.

The African savanna, for example, is famous for its remarkable wildlife. Many iconic animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes, and zebras live there. These animals are well-adapted to life in this environment. For instance, elephants use their large ears to cool themselves, while lions rest during the heat of the day and hunt at night. Animals in the savanna often travel in herds or packs for safety and to find food and water.

Plants in the savanna must also adapt to the environment. The most common type of vegetation is grass, but there are also scattered trees, such as acacias and baobabs. These trees are drought-resistant, meaning they can survive long periods without water. For example, the baobab tree stores water in its thick trunk to stay alive during the dry season. Fires are also common in savannas and help keep the ecosystem healthy by clearing dead plants and encouraging new growth.

Life in the savanna depends on seasonal changes. There are usually two main seasons: a wet season and a dry season. During the wet season, heavy rains cause rivers and lakes to fill, and plants grow quickly. The dry season, on the other hand, brings very little rain, making water and food harder to find. To survive, many animals migrate, traveling great distances to follow the rains and find food.

The savanna is not only important for wildlife but also for people. Many communities in Africa, for example, depend on the savanna for grazing cattle and growing crops. However, human activities, such as farming, deforestation, and hunting, are putting pressure on this delicate ecosystem. Conservation efforts are now being made to protect the savanna and ensure it can sustain life for future generations.

Questions

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

a) The savanna is only found in Africa.
b) The savanna has unique plants, animals, and challenges.
c) Rainforests have more wildlife than the savanna.
d) Farming is the biggest threat to the savanna.

2. What does the word "ecosystem" in line 1 most likely mean?

a) A type of weather
b) A community of living things and their environment
c) A large tree
d) A dry area

3. According to the passage, why do lions rest during the day?

a) To avoid the heat
b) To wait for the rains
c) To protect their young
d) To escape from other animals

4. What is the meaning of the word "adapted" in line 6?

a) Moved to a new place
b) Learned new skills
c) Changed to survive in a specific environment
d) Hunted in groups

5. Which plant is mentioned as being able to store water?

a) Acacia
b) Baobab
c) Grass
d) Cactus

6. Why are fires described as helpful in the savanna?

a) They provide warmth for animals.
b) They scare away predators.
c) They clear dead plants and promote new growth.
d) They bring more rainfall.

7. When does most plant growth occur in the savanna?

a) During the dry season
b) During the wet season
c) During the winter
d) During fires

8. What does the word "migrate" in line 15 mean?

a) To rest in one place
b) To store water
c) To move from one place to another
d) To travel during the wet season

9. Why are people mentioned in the passage?

a) To show how they depend on and affect the savanna
b) To explain how they hunt animals for food
c) To describe how they plant trees
d) To show how they avoid seasonal changes

10. What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

a) To teach readers about the dangers of hunting
b) To explain the importance of the savanna and its challenges
c) To persuade people to visit Africa
d) To compare different ecosystems