English first additional language
Grade 5
Wings
Module 2
Reading and comprehension
ACTIVITY 1
TO READ TEXT FOR PLEASURE [LO 3.6.1]
TO USE A DICTIONARY [LO 3.7.1]
TO PUT SENTENCES INTO CORRECT SEQUENCE / ORDER [LO 5.2.3]
TO USE THE PRESENT PASSIVE VOICE [ LO 6.2.3]
Read this extract carefully before answering the questions.
Nature is amazing – it has designed birds, animals, insects and plants in such a way that they can fly, glide or become air-borne!
In Discovering Flight by Dina Knoetze, the writer lists unbelievable facts about birds. She states that the peregrine falcon can reach a speed of 350 km per hour in a dive! She also states that the Arctic tern migrates from the Antarctic to the Arctic and bac – a distance of 40 000 km – every year. This is equal to flying around the world!
Did you know that feathers not only keep a bird warm, but they can spread out and move closer together to help the bird control its flight? The tail feathers are used like a rudder: they aid the bird in turning and twisting and changing speed.
Not only birds fly. A mammal which flies – and is not a bird – is the bat. Their wings are made of a thin skin, enabling them to twist and turn expertly in the air while flying. Insects – moths, dragon-flies, bees, butterflies and flies – can also fly. The flying squirrel leaps and glides to the ground from branches in trees. Fish can ‘fly’ – flying fish leap out of water to escape from enemies.
Do you understand?
Use your dictionary to find the proper meanings to these words:
- air-borne :
- enemy:
- rudder:
Answer the following simple questions.The sentences have been started in order to help you answer.
- What is the name of the book written by Dina Knoetze?
The book ____
- Which part of the bird helps it to twist and turn while flying?
The _____
- Which mammal can fly?
The mammal is _____
- This mammal’s wing is made of _____
- Name one kind of insect that can fly.
One kind of insect that _____
- Complete the sentence: A certain kind of fish can fly in order to _____
- True or False: The Arctic tern swims around the world each year. _____
- True or False: Only creatures that have feathers can fly. _____
CHALLENGE :
Think of a suitable title for this piece of reading.
Read the following extract carefully.
Hot-air balloons
Two Frenchmen, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier, designed the first hot-air balloon. They lifted off into the skies – and managed to stay aloft for 26 minutes!
This was an exciting experience for all prospective hot-air balloonists. However, this kind of flight had its limitations. Man could soar in a balloon, but was at the mercy of the wind and weather.
The design of the hot-air balloon was improved by adding a propeller and engine, and then by changing the shape. A cabin was placed underneath the improved cigar-shaped balloon for passengers and goods. These huge inventions were called airships. However, they were slow and could not change course quickly.
What was needed was a powered flight – using an engine -, propellers – to push the aircraft through the air – and wings to lift and control the aircraft. Wilbur and Orville Wright managed to design this new kind of flying machine, the Flyer, and it flew successfully for 12 seconds.