QUESTION
PAPER CODE 1/1/1
SECTION A (Reading) 15 Marks
1. Read the
passage given below: 8
(1) The hopping kangaroo is a familiar sight
in every snapshot relating to Australia. Members of the kangaroo family can be
as small as a rat or as big as a man. Kangaroos are found mainly in Australia,
Tasmania and New Guinea. Kangaroos which are big-footed marsupials that evolved
in Australia use their short front legs like arms. The man-sized kangaroos of
Australia are capable of speeding up to 88 km/hr for short distances, their
means of locomotion being their powerful hind legs, which carry them over the
ground in jumps of 9 m or more at a time.
(2)
Weighing around 70 kg they have an average lifespan of around six to eight
years and a maximum lifetime of 20 years. When bothered by predators kangaroos
often head for the water, standing submerged to the chest, and 2 attempting to
drown the attacker by holding him under water. Another defensive technique is
to get their back to a tree and kick at their adversary with their clawed hind
feet, sometimes with sufficient force to kill a man. Normally shy animals, they
alert other kangaroos to danger by beating on the ground with their hind feet.
This loud alarm signal carries over a long distance.
(3)
The tail is important for kangaroos. It holds them in balance and supports them
when they sit or fight against other kangaroos. The kangaroo uses its short
legs as arms. With them it scratches itself, cleans its fur and holds branches
when it eats leaves. Kangaroos are marsupials and the females carry newborns in
a pouch in front of their abdomens. The babies are born small and climb up into
the safety of the pouch. There for the next 225 days or so, they eat, sleep and
grow. Once they reach full development they leave the pouch. A young kangaroo
that leaves the pouch is called a 'joey'. To keep from getting too hot the
kangaroos take naps in the afternoon and do most of their grazing at night. But
the best stay-cool secret of these creatures is the spit bath ! Kangaroos drool
and lick saliva all over their faces and bodies to cool down.
1.1 On the
basis of your reading of the above passage, complete the following sentences
with appropriate words / phrases. 1×8=8
a) When followed by predators kangaroos
submerge __________________ and _____________ .
b) The powerful hind legs help kangaroos to
____________________.
c) Kangaroos are mainly found in Australia and
are ____________________ _____________.
d) They use their front legs to
____________________________________ ______________ .
e) Kangaroos warn others of danger by
_______________________.
f) The secret of kangaroos to stay cool is
______________________ .
g) They use
their tails to ______________________________ .
h) Before becoming 'joeys' the
young ones stay in the __________________ and ________________.
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