activity of text interpretation, aimed at students in the fifth year of elementary school, about the Caatinga. Are we going to get to know this unique biome in Brazil better? So, read the text carefully! Then answer the various interpretative questions proposed!
You can download this text comprehension activity in editable Word template, ready to print to PDF and also the activity with answers.
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SCHOOL: DATE:
PROF: CLASS:
NAME:
Read:
Anyone who sees the Caatinga in full drought immediately understands why this biome received a name that means white forest in Tupi-Guarani. There, wherever you look, you can only see a few leafless trees, with whitish trunks shining in the sun. The landscape looks desolate, but anyone who thinks that the Caatinga is poor in life is wrong.
On the contrary! This exclusively Brazilian biome has 178 species of mammals, 591 of birds, 177 of reptiles, 79 of amphibians, 241 of fish and 221 of bees! The Caatinga occupies an area of 844,453 km2, equivalent to 11% of the national territory. It encompasses the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Sergipe and the north of Minas Gerais.
The vegetation is fully adapted to the semi-arid climate and stony soil, typical of the region. These are plants with a great capacity to store water, with thorns instead of leaves and superficial roots – all to make the best possible use of the little moisture available. Mandacaru, xique-xique, barriguda, umbuzeiro, mastic, angico and carnaúba are some of the characteristic species of the region.
But do you think that the Caatinga is just dry? None of that! When it rains, the local nature is dressed in green, punctuated by many brightly colored flowers. Furthermore, close to the mountains, it is possible to find marshes, veritable oases rich in moisture and fertile soils.
Like other biomes, the Caatinga has suffered from deforestation, which already affects 46% of its area. Vegetation has been cut down to turn firewood or make way for pastures and plantations.
To reinforce the importance of preserving this very special biome, since 2004, April 28th is Caatinga Day.
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Question 1 – In "There, wherever you look, you can only see a few leafless trees, with whitish trunks shining in the sun.”, the highlighted term refers to:
Question 2 – Identify the passage that contains figurative language:
( ) “When it rains, local nature dresses in green […]”
( ) “[…] near the mountains, it is possible to find swamps […]”
( ) “The vegetation has been felled to turn firewood [...]”
Question 3 – According to the text, the Caatinga biome exists:
( ) only in Brazil
( ) mainly in Brazil.
( ) minority in Brazil.
Question 4 – According to the text, there are different species of animals in the Caatinga, with a greater number of:
( ) birds.
( ) fish.
( ) mammals.
Question 5 – The segment “The Caatinga occupies an area of 844,453 km2, equivalent to 11% of the national territory.” It is:
( ) a narration.
( ) a description.
( ) an argument.
Question 6 – The text reveals that Caatinga plants have “a great capacity to store water”. Why do they get it?
Question 7 – In the passage "As other biomes, the Caatinga has suffered from deforestation [...]”, the word underlined:
( ) indicates a cause.
( ) starts a comparison.
( ) introduces an example.
Question 8 – Underline the following word that establishes the purpose relationship:
“To reinforce the importance of preserving this very special biome, since 2004, April 28 is Caatinga Day.”
By Denyse Lage Fonseca
Graduated in Letters and specialist in distance education.
