PRE-TEST: READING 2

Imagine looking straight into these jaws! They belong to a leopard seal, one of the top predators1 in the waters of the Antarctic. A leopard seal’s front teeth are sharp enough to tear apart its prey 2 in seconds. Usually, the seal hunts fish, squid, and penguins. Sometimes, according to some reports, it attacks people. The man behind the camera is wildlife photographer Paul Nicklen. Nicklen has spent much of his life exploring the Arctic. He is passionate about3 protecting polar regions and the animals that live there. He is especially interested in leopard seals. “Are they really so dangerous?” Nicklen wondered. The photographer decided to travel to the Antarctic to find out. Here is his story.

One day, I was standing on the boat when a very large female leopard seal swam by. I put on my diving gear and got my camera. I was frightened. My mouth was dry. At first, I couldn’t even move. But I knew it was time to get closer to this mysterious creature. I jumped into the freezing water. Immediately, the seal swam toward me. Then she put my entire camera— and much of my head—into her mouth. Thinking this must be a threat,4 I decided to stay very calm. “Was I going to be her next meal?” I wondered.

Although the seal was threatening me, I tried not to show any fear. After a few seconds, she let go of my head. She threatened me a few more times and swam away. Then she came back with a live penguin. The penguin was for me. Of course, I didn’t eat the penguin, and I think the seal was very disappointed. The seal thought I was just another large predator, I realized. The two most important things in a leopard seal’s life are eating and breeding.5 So perhaps this seal was worried about me—she didn’t want me to starve. She brought me several penguins. She even tried to show me how to eat them. The seal tried to push penguins into my camera—she thought the camera was my mouth! As a biologist, I understood that she was trying to feed me. But I think that she was really trying to communicate with me. By now, she didn’t seem very dangerous. She stayed by me and tried to feed me for four days. One time, she noticed another leopard seal come up behind me. She made a deep, threatening sound and scared the other seal away. She then took that seal’s penguin and gave it to me.

Those four days were the most incredible experience I ever had as a wildlife photographer. I got some amazing pictures. I also learned that animals do not always behave the way we expect. My relationship with this powerful and intelligent animal will stay with me forever.

What is the main theme of the text?

• The dangers of photographing wildlife in the Antarctic

• The behavior and interactions between leopard seals and humans

• The anatomy of a leopard seal's teeth

• The impact of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem

• The diet of Antarctic predators

What motivated Paul Nicklen to travel to the Antarctic?

• To study the migration patterns of Arctic animals

• To investigate the breeding habits of penguin

• To explore the behavior of leopard seals

• To document the effects of pollution on polar regions

• To observe the hunting techniques of leopard seals

How is the text structured?

• Descriptively, detailing the physical characteristics of leopard seals

• Through cause and effect, explaining the consequences of encountering a leopard seal

• Narratively, recounting Paul Nicklen's encounter with a leopard seal

• Chronologically, documenting Paul Nicklen's career as a wildlife photographer

• Comparatively, analyzing the behaviors of different Antarctic predators

According to the text, what is a significant characteristic of leopard seals?

• They primarily feed on seals.

• They are commonly hunted by humans for their fur.

• They are known for their friendliness towards humans.

• They possess sharp teeth capable of tearing prey apart.

• They are vegetarians.

What is implied about the leopard seal's behavior towards Paul Nicklen?

• It was primarily motivated by fear.

• It was an attempt to establish dominance.

• It was a form of communication and attempted feeding.

• It was a territorial response to an intruder.

• It was a display of affection.

What does the term "breeding" refer to in the context of the text?

• The act of hunting for prey

• The process of raising offspring

• The act of communicating with other seals

• The practice of protecting territory

• The search for a mate

What was the initial reaction of the photographer when the leopard seal approached him?

• Fear and hesitation

• Excitement and curiosity

• A sense of adventure and thrill

• Calmness and preparedness

• Confusion and disbelief

What did the leopard seal bring to Paul Nicklen during their encounter?

• Fish and squid

• Live penguins

• Seaweed and algae

• Rocks and pebbles

• Seals

What did Paul Nicklen learn about the leopard seal's intentions during their interaction?

• It viewed him as a potential threat and tried to intimidate him.

• It considered him as part of its social group and attempted to feed him.

• It wanted to play a game of chase and catch with him.

• It mistook him for another leopard seal and tried to assert dominance.

• It ignored him completely.

What does the text suggest about the relationship between Paul Nicklen and the leopard seal?

• They developed a mutual understanding and respect for each other.

• They engaged in a hostile confrontation throughout the encounter.

• They competed for resources in the Antarctic environment.

• They had conflicting interests regarding the protection of polar regions.

• They were indifferent towards each other.