predator and prey

Vocabulary and Reading Section

A. Read the following text without a dictionary, and try to get the message. Don’t worry if you don’t know some of the words.

Predator is the organism that feeds on another organism which is the prey. The predator is always bigger in size or possesses special features that are advantageous such as fangs, sharp claws, sharp eyesight, poisonous venom and others. The prey also usually possesses its own advantageous features to avoid predators such as the capability to run fast, fly, sharp eyesight, sharp hearing, horns and others.

In some animals, in order to avoid from being detected or eaten, these animals possesses features of other common other organisms which are avoided by predators. For example, the Monarch butterfly is poisonous and tastes bad for birds. The Viceroy butterfly is edible but looks very similar to a Monarch butterfly. Therefore, they are avoided by birds too. Such a phenomenon is called mimicry. Grasshoppers are green in color. This will make them blend in with the green background and can’t be easily overlooked by predators.

To be able to live successfully, an organism has to adapt itself to the environment that surrounds it. In the effort to adapt itself, the organism usually possesses special features of functions, behavior and structures. Fish can live in water because of the presence of the gills to make respiration possible. Cactus can live in the deserts successfully because of its long roots to reach for ground water, tiny leaves and waterproof cuticle to prevent evaporation. Camouflage is a common feature of organism in adapting themselves to their environment. Moth has the pattern and colors that fits into its background such as the wood. This way, its predator may overlook the moth thus ensuring the safety of the moth.

B. Find out the words from the text which have the same meaning as the words below.

1. have
2. get away from
3. the same as
4. creature
5. existence

Grammar revision

Change the following sentences into active form.

1. They are avoided by birds.
2. They can’t be easily overlooked by predators.
3. The prey is being eaten by the predator.
4. Grasshopper’s color is changed from brown into green.
5. The feather was flown by air.

Translation Section

Translate the following text.

The Stupid Donkey

A hungry lion slipped out of the forest into a barnyard one evening. When he saw a plump donkey, his mouth began to water. But just as he was ready to jump on the donkey, a rooster crowed. He was frightened, and so turned away into the forest again. “Hey, look at that cowardly lion,” the donkey brayed to the rooster. “I’m going to chase him.” And the donkey ran after the lion. “Wait!” the rooster shouted, “You don’t know that…” But it was too late. The lion had turned and killed the donkey. “Ah, my poor, stupid friend,” the rooster said as he watched the lion eating the donkey. “The lion wasn’t afraid of you, but of my crowing.”