The Young Arabian Leopard Quiz

He was a fierce Arabian leopard cub. So were his siblings. He was a carnivorous predator, born of a long line of hunters that ruled the Hajar Mountains. The first milk he drank was nourishment passed from gazelle to his mother after she had devoured it, and now, at a month old—his eyes open for just a week—he was already tasting meat for himself. It came half-digested from his mother’s stomach, torn from prey and regurgitated to provide suitable food for the five growing cubs who constantly tugged at her with hungry cries. Already, they were very demanding of her.

What does the word 'regurgitated' suggest about how the mother fed her cubs?

• She gave them fresh meat.

• She fed them grass and roots.

• She softened the food in her stomach first.

• She let them eat by themselves.

Answer explanation

The word 'regurgitated' indicates that the mother softened the food in her stomach before feeding it to her cubs, making it easier for them to digest, rather than providing fresh meat or allowing them to eat independently.

But even among this wild litter, he was the fiercest. His growls echoed louder across the cave. His angry cries, though small, shook the peace of their cave lair more than the others. He was the first to pounce on a sibling with a sharp swipe of his paw. The first to grab an ear, tug and growl, refusing to let go. His rages were short, but terrible. His movements were fast and, at times, cunning. And certainly, he gave their mother the most trouble—always crawling toward the mouth of the cave, always pushing the limits of the little world she tried to keep safe.

Choose three phrases that show how fierce or dangerous the leopard cub was becoming.

• His angry cries shook the peace of their cave lair

• Always crawling

• The first to pounce with a swipe

• She tried to keep safe

• The first to grab an ear

Answer explanation

The phrases "His angry cries shook the peace of their cave lair," "The first to pounce with a swipe," and "The first to grab an ear" all illustrate the cub's fierceness and danger, highlighting his aggressive behavior and impact on his environment.

He was a fierce Arabian leopard cub. So were his siblings. He was a carnivorous predator, born of a long line of hunters that ruled the Hajar Mountains. The first milk he drank was nourishment passed from gazelle to his mother after she had devoured it, and now, at a month old—his eyes open for just a week—he was already tasting meat for himself. It came half-digested from his mother’s stomach, torn from prey and regurgitated to provide suitable food for the five growing cubs who constantly tugged at her with hungry cries. Already, they were very demanding of her.

What phrase shows that the mother leopard was struggling to feed all her cubs?

• The bringer of meat

• Already, they were very demanding of her.

• Her warmth wrapped around him

• The cubs played beside her

Answer explanation

The phrase 'Already, they were very demanding of her.' indicates the mother's struggle to feed all her cubs, highlighting their constant need for nourishment and her challenge in meeting their demands.

But even among this wild litter, he was the fiercest. His growls echoed louder across the cave. His angry cries, though small, shook the peace of their cave lair more than the others. He was the first to pounce on a sibling with a sharp swipe of his paw. The first to grab an ear, tug and growl, refusing to let go. His rages were short, but terrible. His movements were fast and, at times, cunning. And certainly, he gave their mother the most trouble—always crawling toward the mouth of the cave, always pushing the limits of the little world she tried to keep safe.

In what ways was the grey-spotted cub fiercer than the others?

• He showed the most anger

• He had more spots than the others

• He bit the she-leopard's tail

• He was the first born

• He was the loudest growler

Answer explanation

The grey-spotted cub was fiercer than the others as he showed the most anger through his growls and aggressive behavior, making him the loudest growler in the cave, which disturbed the peace more than his siblings.

But even among this wild litter, he was the fiercest. His growls echoed louder across the cave. His angry cries, though small, shook the peace of their cave lair more than the others. He was the first to pounce on a sibling with a sharp swipe of his paw. The first to grab an ear, tug and growl, refusing to let go. His rages were short, but terrible. His movements were fast and, at times, cunning. And certainly, he gave their mother the most trouble—always crawling toward the mouth of the cave, always pushing the limits of the little world she tried to keep safe.

Find one word that shows the cub's anger isn't fully dangerous yet.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The word 'small' indicates that while the cub shows anger, it is not fully developed or dangerous yet. This suggests that his fierce behavior is still in its early stages and growing, lacking the full threat of a mature predator.

But even among this wild litter, he was the fiercest. His growls echoed louder across the cave. His angry cries, though small, shook the peace of their cave lair more than the others. He was the first to pounce on a sibling with a sharp swipe of his paw. The first to grab an ear, tug and growl, refusing to let go. His rages were short, but terrible. His movements were fast and, at times, cunning. And certainly, he gave their mother the most trouble—always crawling toward the mouth of the cave, always pushing the limits of the little world she tried to keep safe.

Find and copy one word that shows the cub behaved in a secretive or sneaky way.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The word 'cunning' indicates that the cub behaved in a secretive or sneaky way, suggesting he was clever and deceptive in his actions, particularly when crawling toward the mouth of the cave.

Though his eyes had only just opened, he already stared with surprising clarity and intensity. Long before he could see, he had learned through his nose and his paws. He knew his brothers and sisters by scent and the warmth of their soft bodies. He squabbled and played with them in a feeble, clumsy way with his throat rasping with the beginnings of a growl. He knew his mother by the smell of her fur, the gentle nudge of her body, and her soothing tongue that cleaned and comforted him. She was his world: a fount of warmth and liquid food.

Why was the mother described as a 'fount of warmth and liquid food'?

• She gave the cubs warm meat

• She licked the cubs to keep them clean

• She produced milk for the cubs

• She laid beside them to keep them warm

Answer explanation

The mother is described as a 'fount of warmth and liquid food' because she produces milk for the cubs, providing them with nourishment and comfort essential for their survival.

Though his eyes had only just opened, he already stared with surprising clarity and intensity. Long before he could see, he had learned through his nose and his paws. He knew his brothers and sisters by scent and the warmth of their soft bodies. He squabbled and played with them in a feeble, clumsy way with his throat rasping with the beginnings of a growl. He knew his mother by the smell of her fur, the gentle nudge of her body, and her soothing tongue that cleaned and comforted him. She was his world: a fount of warmth and liquid food.

What does the phrase 'feeble, clumsy way' suggest about the cub?

• He didn't like to play with his siblings

• He was still too weak to control his body

• He was too big to join in

• He had never seen his siblings before

Answer explanation

The phrase 'feeble, clumsy way' suggests that the cub is still too weak to control his body properly, indicating his inexperience and lack of coordination in play.

Most of the first month of his life had been spent sleeping. But now, he stayed awake longer, and began learning. His world was small and dim. He did not know it was gloomy, for he knew no other world. The walls of the cave were his entire landscape, and the only light he saw was at the entrance. Still, he was not troubled by the narrowness of his existence.

What did the Arabian leopard cub do for most of the first month of his life?

• He followed his father

• He hunted for food

• He slept

• He explored the mountain

Answer explanation

Most of the first month of the Arabian leopard cub's life was spent sleeping, as indicated in the text. This shows that he was not yet active or exploring his surroundings.

Most of the first month of his life had been spent sleeping. But now, he stayed awake longer, and began learning. His world was small and dim. He did not know it was gloomy, for he knew no other world. The walls of the cave were his entire landscape, and the only light he saw was at the entrance. Still, he was not troubled by the narrowness of his existence.

Which word best describes the cubs' cave in the mountains?

• Wide

• Glowing

• Dim

• Noisy

Answer explanation

The passage describes the cave as small and dim, indicating a lack of light. The correct choice, 'Dim', accurately reflects the environment the cub is experiencing, as he only sees light at the entrance.