Reading Comprehension Worksheet

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Read the text and answer the questions that follow. Choose a, b, c or d.
THE BONDS BETWEEN THEM

Gorillas have complex social groups which are family, but not so high that he could take the
remarkably similar to those of some humans. adult female’s place in the nest she had made.
They live in families, just like we do, and spend
their days eating and sleeping. They move When males reach a certain age, they distance
around the area they control eating a wide themselves from the group they grew up
variety of vegetation. Gorillas need to eat amongst and eventually leave to start their own
constantly in order to take in enough food to family. Females also leave family groups in
maintain their massive bodies. For instance, an order to start a family. They effectively ‘move out
adult male can weigh up to 200 kilos, so it needs of the family home'. However, they are likely to
a huge amount of food each day. To get all the stay in the same area. This may go some way to
food they require, gorillas must travel a lot. This explaining the peaceful and calm interactions
means that they often cover long distances in between gorilla groups. DNA testing has shown
search of different food sources. gorillas from an extended family stay in the same
region and are able to recognise each other.
Gorilla families vary in size and can have as Scientists have seen peaceful meetings between
many as thirty members. The leader of the group different families, with males, females and infants
is the oldest and, normally, the strongest male. interacting. When the gathering breaks up, the
He is responsible for protecting the family from families leave in the same group they arrived.
danger, and leads the group in communication Unfortunately, not all meetings are peaceful.
with other families. With each male, there may There have also been occasions when meetings
be several females and many babies. The female between different groups have led to violence
gorilla's job is caring for the baby and infant between male gorillas. However, more often than
gorillas. However, communication between fully not violence is avoided and nothing more than
grown males and their children is not rare. threatening looks and warning growls are
Other examples of social behaviour include the exchanged. The angry or calm nature of a
use of nests. Gorillas roam around an area and meeting often depends on the species of gorilla.
make a new nest each night. Scientists Mountain gorillas are less likely to meet in large
witnessed a mother gorilla make a nest for groups, as the males prefer to remain separate
herself and her babies in order to shelter from the from their extended families, whereas western
rain. When an older male gorilla came closer, the gorillas have been witnessed meeting in large
infants were moved in order to make space for groups with no signs of violent behaviour.
him. He was higher in social position in the
1. Why does moving around help gorillas with their eating needs?
a. They need a lot of food, so they have to keep moving to find enough.
b. They eat all the other animals in the area so they need to hunt in new places.
c. They like to vary their diet.
d. They need a lot of different food that can’t be found in the same place.
2. What is the male gorilla’s job in the family?
a. to look after the baby gorillas
b. to lead the family to new areas of food
c. to make sure the family is safe and cared for
d. to stop other male gorillas joining the group
3. What does being higher in social position in the group mean for male gorillas?
a. They get their nests made for them.
b. They can sleep in any nest they want.
c. They have more rights than some other gorillas.
d. They are more important than female gorillas.
4. What happens when a new gorilla family is formed?

a. They fight for parts of the land.
b. They stay close to their extended families.
c. They live on their own in a new area far away.
d . They end contact with members of their extended family.
5. What happens at meetings between different families of gorillas?
a. It depends on the relationship of the gorillas within each family.
b. They are always peaceful occasions.
c. There is always a fight.
d. It depends on the species of gorilla that meet.

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THE BONDS BETWEEN THEM

2. What is the male gorilla’s job in the family?

a. to look after the baby gorillas

b. to lead the family to new areas of food

c. to make sure the family is safe and cared for

d. to stop other male gorillas joining the group

4. What happens when a new gorilla family is formed?

5. What happens at meetings between different families of gorillas?

a. It depends on the relationship of the gorillas within each family.

b. They are always peaceful occasions.

c. There is always a fight.

d. It depends on the species of gorilla that meet.

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