Class 9 English Unit 7: Reading I: How do Animals Spend the Winter?

 

Unit: 7 Ecology and Environment

Getting Started (8 Hours)

Let the students observe the different components of environment and discuss them about these different components and their role in environment.

a.      Atmosphere: The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth.

Role in the Environment: It protects life on Earth by blocking harmful solar radiation, regulating temperature, and providing essential gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide. It also plays a crucial role in weather and climate systems.

b.   Ecosphere: The ecosphere, also known as the biosphere, encompasses all living organisms and their interactions with the physical environment.

Role in the Environment: It includes all ecosystems and living beings, contributing to biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life. It supports and sustains life through processes like photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, and habitat provision.

c.   Hydrosphere: The hydrosphere encompasses all water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and groundwater.

Role in the Environment: It is vital for all forms of life, regulates climate, shapes geological features, and supports ecosystems. Water cycles through the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere, maintaining balance and supporting life processes.

d.     Lithosphere: The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Role in the Environment: It provides the foundation for terrestrial life, supports ecosystems, and influences the Earth's surface through processes like plate tectonics, which cause earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain formation.

e.   Biosphere: The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, including all living organisms and their physical environment.

Role in the Environment: It integrates the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere, supporting life through interactions and exchanges of energy and nutrients. It is essential for the sustainability of life on Earth, promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Reading I: How do Animals Spend the Winter?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFz2wXv9jrg 

Vocabulary

1.     ecology /ɪˈkɒlədʒi/ (noun) - study of organisms and their environment

2.     environment /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/ (noun) - surroundings in which organisms live

3.     grocery /ˈɡrəʊsəri/ (noun) - store selling food and household items

4.     migrate /maɪˈɡreɪt/ (verb) - move from one region to another

5.     trip /trɪp/ (noun) - journey or excursion

6.     flocks /flɒks/ (noun) - groups of birds or sheep

7.     controlled /kənˈtrəʊld/ (adjective) - regulated or managed

8.     arctic tern /ˌɑːktɪk ˈtɜːn/ (noun) - bird known for long migratory patterns

9.     navigate /ˈnævɪɡeɪt/ (verb) - plan and direct a course

10.       sailors /ˈseɪləz/ (noun) - people who work on ships

11.       termites /ˈtɜːmaɪts/ (noun) - insects that feed on wood

12.       adapt /əˈdæpt/ (verb) - adjust to new conditions

13.       weasels /ˈwiːzəlz/ (noun) - small carnivorous mammals

14.       snowshoe /ˈsnəʊʃuː/ (noun) - footwear for walking on snow

15.       moss /mɒs/ (noun) - small green plant growing in damp places

16.       rodents /ˈrəʊdənts/ (noun) - small gnawing mammals

17.       tunnels /ˈtʌnəlz/ (noun) - underground passages

18.       huddle /ˈhʌdəl/ (verb) - gather closely together

19.       frost-free /ˈfrɒst friː/ (adjective) - not affected by frost

20.       hibernate /ˈhaɪbəneɪt/ (verb) - spend winter in a dormant state

21.       heartbeat /ˈhɑːtbiːt/ (noun) - rhythmic beating of the heart

22.       breathing /ˈbriːðɪŋ/ (noun) - process of taking in air

23.       burrows /ˈbʌrəʊz/ (noun) - holes dug by animals for shelter

24.       dormant /ˈdɔːmənt/ (adjective) - in a state of rest or inactivity

25.       bury /ˈbɛri/ (verb) - place in the ground and cover

26.       absorbing /əbˈzɔːbɪŋ/ (adjective) - taking in or soaking up

A.   Find the words from the text that have the following meanings. (Answers only)

a.      a shop that sales food in other things used in homes: grocery

b.     related to the regions around the North Pole: Arctic

c.      an underground passage: tunnel

d.     to find the right way to deal with a difficult situation: navigate

e.      a person who works on a safe as a member of the crew: sailor

f.       to change behavior in order to deal more successfully with a new situation: adapt

g.     a very small green or yellow plant that spreads over wet surfaces rocks, trees, etc.: moss

h.     to gather closely together usually because of cold or fear: huddle

B.    Read the paragraph A to E and match them to the suitable titles. (Answers only)

Paragraphs	Titles
A	Migration to new places
B	Adaptation to new weather
C	Living in underground holes
D	Going into a deep sleep
E	Other ways to survive

C.    Write true or false against the following statements. (Answers only)

a.      Animals wear thick coats to protect themselves from the cold. False

b.     Flying in flocks helps birds protect themselves from the cold. False

c.      Birds do not travel for to avoid the cold. False

d.     Some animals collect extra food for winter. True

e.      Snow fleas hibernate in winter. False

f.       Cold water makes difficult for some animals to breath. True

D.   Answer the following questions.

a.      Why do birds migrate in groups?

Birds migrate in groups to save their lives from unfavorable weather.

b.     What controls the migration cycle of birds?

The migration cycle of birds is controlled by changes in the amount of daylight and weather.

c.      How do birds find the same place for migration each year?

Birds find the same place for migration each year by the help of their brain and earth's magnetic fields.

d.     Why do you think squirrels and mice hurdle close together in winter?

I think squirrel and mice huddle close together in winter to make them warm.

e.      How do animals maintain energy during hibernation?

Animals maintain energy during hibernation by eating extra food and storing it as body fat.

f.       How do frogs, turtles and fish change their habitats to survive in winter?

frogs, turtles and fish change their habitats to survive in winter by descending down to the bottom of lakes and ponds, hiding under rocks, logs or fallen leaves.

E.    What do people do to avoid cold weather? Discuss among your friends and develop a short paragraph on it.

To avoid cold weather, people often take several proactive measures. They wear multiple layers of warm clothing, including thermal wear, sweaters, coats, scarves, gloves, and hats to retain body heat. Many decide to stay indoors, using heating systems to maintain a comfortable temperature in their homes. Hot beverages like tea, coffee, or cocoa are popular choices to warm up from the inside. Some may use electric blankets or heating pads for added warmth during sleep. Additionally, engaging in physical activities such as exercise can help increase body temperature. When volunteering outside is necessary, people might shorten their trips and choose routes that offer some shelter from the wind.

Pronunciation

Pronounce these words about weather accurately following correct pronunciation and ask the students follow. Break down the words into syllables and highlight any specific sounds that may be challenging for students.

avalanche /ˈævəlɑːnʃ/     blizzard /ˈblɪzəd/                      breeze /briːz/

drought /draʊt/              Fahrenheit /ˈfærənhaɪt/            flurries /ˈflʌriz/

forecast /ˈfɔːkɑːst/          frostbite /ˈfrɒstbaɪt/                 humidity /hjuːˈmɪdəti/

precipitation /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S7DY2lgJlU&t=21s 

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