Mia tightened the straps on her skis and stared down from the top of the mountain. Below her, the snowy slope twisted between tall pine trees, disappearing into the distance. The bright morning sun made the snow sparkle like thousands of tiny diamonds.

Although Mia had been skiing before, this was the steepest slope she had ever attempted. Her stomach fluttered as she listened to the wind whistling past her ears. For a moment, she wondered whether she should turn back.

Then Mia remembered the advice her instructor had given her: Stay calm, bend your knees and look where you want to go.

Taking a deep breath, Mia pushed herself forwards. At first, she moved carefully, making slow turns from side to side. Gradually, she began to pick up speed. The cold air rushed against her face as her skis glided smoothly over the fresh snow.

Suddenly, Mia heard a sharp crunch. Her skis had travelled over a patch of uneven ice, and she wobbled dangerously. Her arms stretched out as she fought to keep her balance. For a few seconds, everything seemed to happen in slow motion.

However, Mia remembered to bend her knees. She steadied herself and continued down the mountain. By the time she reached the bottom, her cheeks were rosy and she was breathing heavily.

A huge smile spread across her face. Mia looked back up at the mountain and knew that she was already looking forward to her next challenge.

1. Retrieval: What advice had Mia's instructor given her?
2. Inference: Why do you think Mia wondered whether she should turn back? Use evidence from the text to explain your answer.
3. Writer's choice of language: The writer says that the snow “sparkled like thousands of tiny diamonds”. Why do you think the writer used this comparison? What picture does it create in the reader's mind?

Monday 14th September

The Rainforest - Comprehension

Rainforests are some of the most fascinating and important habitats on Earth. They are found in warm parts of the world, particularly near the Equator. Rainforests are called this because they receive a large amount of rainfall every year.

A rainforest is made up of several different layers. The highest layer is called the emergent layer, where the tallest trees grow. Below this is the canopy, a thick layer of branches and leaves that acts like a roof over much of the forest. Underneath the canopy are the understorey and the forest floor, where much less sunlight reaches.

Rainforests are home to an incredible variety of living things. Monkeys, parrots, snakes, frogs and insects are just some of the animals that can be found there. Many rainforest plants and animals have adapted to their environment in special ways. For example, some animals use camouflage to hide from predators, while some plants have enormous leaves to collect as much sunlight as possible.

Rainforests are also extremely important for the whole planet. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen. Rainforests can also provide food, medicines and materials that people use.

Unfortunately, many rainforests are being destroyed through deforestation. Trees are cut down to make space for farming, roads and buildings. This can cause serious problems because animals lose their habitats and fewer trees are available to absorb carbon dioxide.

People around the world are working to protect rainforests. By reducing deforestation, protecting wildlife and using resources responsibly, we can help to ensure that these amazing habitats survive for future generations.

Questions

1. 1. Where in the world are rainforests mainly found?
2. 2. Why are rainforests given the name “rainforests”?
3. 3. What is the name of the thick layer of branches and leaves that acts like a roof?
4. 4. Name two animals mentioned in the text that live in rainforests.
5. 5. What does the word “adapted” mean in the sentence about plants and animals?
6. 6. How do some animals protect themselves from predators?
7. 7. Why might some rainforest plants have enormous leaves?
8. 8. What is deforestation?
9. 9. Give two problems that can be caused by deforestation.
10. 10. Why do you think it is important to protect rainforests for future generations? Use information from the text to explain your answer.