Apdp_TKA enrichment 9

The Majestic Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is an apex predator and the world's largest living species of lizard, found only in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. A fully grown Komodo can reach lengths of up to 3 meters and weigh as much as 90 kilograms, though average wild specimens are usually smaller. Their rough, plated skin is a uniform dull brown or reddish-grey, providing excellent camouflage in the dry, savanna-like habitat they call home. Despite their massive size, they are surprisingly agile and can move quickly over short distances.

The Komodo Dragon’s hunting strategy is brutal and effective. They use their long, forked tongue to sample the air, which can detect prey from several kilometers away. Once an animal, such as a deer, wild pig, or even a water buffalo, is located, the Komodo relies on ambush. The true danger, however, lies in their saliva, which contains a potent cocktail of venom and bacteria. This venom is delivered through serrated fangs, causing massive blood loss and preventing clotting, eventually debilitating the prey even if it initially escapes. The Komodo then patiently tracks the wounded animal until it collapses.

Komodo Dragons face significant challenges to their survival. Classified as Endangered by the IUCN, their population is threatened by habitat loss due to climate change, which is projected to reduce the available nesting areas. Conservation efforts, which include protective laws and the monitoring of their small, isolated populations, are a vital global effort. Interestingly, female Komodo Dragons sometimes lay their 20 or so eggs in the abandoned nests of megapode birds, seeking protection for the next generation. Young Komodos spend their initial years living in trees to avoid being eaten by predators, including larger adult Komodos.

Question:

Which paragraph best describes the main character?

• Paragraph 1 (Focuses on size, appearance, scaly skin, and savanna habitat camouflage).

• Paragraph 2 (Focuses on hunting technique, fangs, venom, and the ability to scent prey).

• Paragraph 3 (Focuses on egg-laying process, juvenile years in trees, and conservation status).

• A combination of Paragraphs 1 and 3 (Covers appearance and reproductive behavior).

• The text has no single paragraph that describes it; the information is spread throughout.

The Majestic Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is an apex predator and the world's largest living species of lizard, found only in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. A fully grown Komodo can reach lengths of up to 3 meters and weigh as much as 90 kilograms, though average wild specimens are usually smaller. Their rough, plated skin is a uniform dull brown or reddish-grey, providing excellent camouflage in the dry, savanna-like habitat they call home. Despite their massive size, they are surprisingly agile and can move quickly over short distances.

The Komodo Dragon’s hunting strategy is brutal and effective. They use their long, forked tongue to sample the air, which can detect prey from several kilometers away. Once an animal, such as a deer, wild pig, or even a water buffalo, is located, the Komodo relies on ambush. The true danger, however, lies in their saliva, which contains a potent cocktail of venom and bacteria. This venom is delivered through serrated fangs, causing massive blood loss and preventing clotting, eventually debilitating the prey even if it initially escapes. The Komodo then patiently tracks the wounded animal until it collapses.

Komodo Dragons face significant challenges to their survival. Classified as Endangered by the IUCN, their population is threatened by habitat loss due to climate change, which is projected to reduce the available nesting areas. Conservation efforts, which include protective laws and the monitoring of their small, isolated populations, are a vital global effort. Interestingly, female Komodo Dragons sometimes lay their 20 or so eggs in the abandoned nests of megapode birds, seeking protection for the next generation. Young Komodos spend their initial years living in trees to avoid being eaten by predators, including larger adult Komodos.

Question:

Select all that apply: Group the mentioned animals (other than the Komodo Dragon) based on their habitat as ground prey and in trees as young Komodos.

• Ground Prey: Deer, Water Buffalo, Wild Pigs. Young in Trees: Juvenile Komodos.

• Ground Prey: Snakes, Lizards. Young in Trees: Megapode Birds.

• Ground Prey: Goats, Cows. Young in Trees: Deer.

• Ground Prey: Wild Pigs, Megapode Birds. Young in Trees: Adult Komodos.

• Ground Prey: Water Buffalo, Snakes. Young in Trees: Young Wild Pigs.

The Majestic Komodo Dragon

The Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is an apex predator and the world's largest living species of lizard, found only in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. A fully grown Komodo can reach lengths of up to 3 meters and weigh as much as 90 kilograms, though average wild specimens are usually smaller. Their rough, plated skin is a uniform dull brown or reddish-grey, providing excellent camouflage in the dry, savanna-like habitat they call home. Despite their massive size, they are surprisingly agile and can move quickly over short distances.

The Komodo Dragon’s hunting strategy is brutal and effective. They use their long, forked tongue to sample the air, which can detect prey from several kilometers away. Once an animal, such as a deer, wild pig, or even a water buffalo, is located, the Komodo relies on ambush. The true danger, however, lies in their saliva, which contains a potent cocktail of venom and bacteria. This venom is delivered through serrated fangs, causing massive blood loss and preventing clotting, eventually debilitating the prey even if it initially escapes. The Komodo then patiently tracks the wounded animal until it collapses.

Komodo Dragons face significant challenges to their survival. Classified as Endangered by the IUCN, their population is threatened by habitat loss due to climate change, which is projected to reduce the available nesting areas. Conservation efforts, which include protective laws and the monitoring of their small, isolated populations, are a vital global effort. Interestingly, female Komodo Dragons sometimes lay their 20 or so eggs in the abandoned nests of megapode birds, seeking protection for the next generation. Young Komodos spend their initial years living in trees to avoid being eaten by predators, including larger adult Komodos.

 

Question:

Summarize the text in three sentences using key ideas.

• The Komodo Dragon is the world's largest lizard with rough, plated skin. It uses serrated fangs and venom to hunt large prey. Conservation efforts are vital as they face the risk of extinction due to climate change.

• Komodo Dragons can run up to 20 km/h, but they prefer to ambush their prey. They consume deer and water buffalo on the ground. Their young have bright patterns that fade as they age.

• A female Komodo lays about 20 eggs in megapode nests. They use their forked tongues to locate prey from afar. Global efforts are failing to protect their habitat from poaching.

• They weigh up to 90 kg and are 3 meters long, and they are only found on a few islands in Indonesia. Their venom causes massive blood loss. Monitoring soil pH is key to ensuring the eggs hatch.

• Komodo Dragons are slow-moving reptiles in their savanna habitat. They are apex predators feared for their venomous bite. Habitat is protected by Indonesian law because of its ecological value.

A Week of Volunteering in Bali

I arrived in Bali on a warm Sunday afternoon, not for the beaches, but for a week-long commitment to marine conservation at a sea turtle protection project near Sanur. My orientation with Wayan, the program's coordinator, made it clear that our work was crucial. He stressed the importance of minimizing human interference, only intervening when necessary to protect the turtles from natural and human threats.

On Tuesday night, my involvement intensified. We were patrolling the beach when a massive Green Turtle, silent and ancient-looking, hauled herself out of the water. After an hour, she settled and began to lay her eggs. We watched from a respectful distance until she had returned to the sea. The next critical step was relocating the eggs to the protected hatchery, a meticulously managed area safe from predators and tidal surges. It was an exhilarating and humbling experience.

For the rest of the week, my days fell into a predictable, fulfilling rhythm. I was responsible for monitoring the hatchery, which involved taking temperature and humidity readings daily, as these factors determine the sex of the hatchlings. I also helped clear debris from the beach and educated a few curious tourists about the project's importance. It was manual labor, but every task felt purposeful, contributing directly to the survival of a vulnerable species.

The most profound moment came on Friday evening. The entire team gathered to oversee the release of 80 healthy Loggerhead hatchlings. Watching the tiny turtles scramble across the sand and disappear into the moonlight-kissed ocean filled me with a profound sense of accomplishment. That week in Bali didn't just change my perspective on turtles; it gave me a deeper commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship.

Question:

What is the main event mentioned in the second paragraph?

• Wayan's explanation of the importance of minimizing human interference.

• The evening release of 80 loggerhead turtle hatchlings into the ocean.

• The writer's arrival in Bali on Sunday afternoon.

• A large green turtle emerging from the sea to lay eggs and the subsequent relocation of the eggs to a protected hatchery.

• The routine of monitoring the hatchery and recording temperature and humidity.

A Week of Volunteering in Bali

I arrived in Bali on a warm Sunday afternoon, not for the beaches, but for a week-long commitment to marine conservation at a sea turtle protection project near Sanur. My orientation with Wayan, the program's coordinator, made it clear that our work was crucial. He stressed the importance of minimizing human interference, only intervening when necessary to protect the turtles from natural and human threats.

On Tuesday night, my involvement intensified. We were patrolling the beach when a massive Green Turtle, silent and ancient-looking, hauled herself out of the water. After an hour, she settled and began to lay her eggs. We watched from a respectful distance until she had returned to the sea. The next critical step was relocating the eggs to the protected hatchery, a meticulously managed area safe from predators and tidal surges. It was an exhilarating and humbling experience.

For the rest of the week, my days fell into a predictable, fulfilling rhythm. I was responsible for monitoring the hatchery, which involved taking temperature and humidity readings daily, as these factors determine the sex of the hatchlings. I also helped clear debris from the beach and educated a few curious tourists about the project's importance. It was manual labor, but every task felt purposeful, contributing directly to the survival of a vulnerable species.

The most profound moment came on Friday evening. The entire team gathered to oversee the release of 80 healthy Loggerhead hatchlings. Watching the tiny turtles scramble across the sand and disappear into the moonlight-kissed ocean filled me with a profound sense of accomplishment. That week in Bali didn't just change my perspective on turtles; it gave me a deeper commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship.

 

Question:

What is the main message the writer wants to convey?

• To convince readers to travel to Bali and enjoy its beaches.

• To explain the steps in a sea turtle conservation program, from patrolling to hatchling release.

• To draw a comparison between volunteering in Bali and in other parts of Indonesia.

• To inspire and communicate that volunteering can yield a profound sense of accomplishment and change one's life perspective.

• To give practical guidance on how to identify turtle nests at night.

A Week of Volunteering in Bali

I arrived in Bali on a warm Sunday afternoon, not for the beaches, but for a week-long commitment to marine conservation at a sea turtle protection project near Sanur. My orientation with Wayan, the program's coordinator, made it clear that our work was crucial. He stressed the importance of minimizing human interference, only intervening when necessary to protect the turtles from natural and human threats.

On Tuesday night, my involvement intensified. We were patrolling the beach when a massive Green Turtle, silent and ancient-looking, hauled herself out of the water. After an hour, she settled and began to lay her eggs. We watched from a respectful distance until she had returned to the sea. The next critical step was relocating the eggs to the protected hatchery, a meticulously managed area safe from predators and tidal surges. It was an exhilarating and humbling experience.

For the rest of the week, my days fell into a predictable, fulfilling rhythm. I was responsible for monitoring the hatchery, which involved taking temperature and humidity readings daily, as these factors determine the sex of the hatchlings. I also helped clear debris from the beach and educated a few curious tourists about the project's importance. It was manual labor, but every task felt purposeful, contributing directly to the survival of a vulnerable species.

The most profound moment came on Friday evening. The entire team gathered to oversee the release of 80 healthy Loggerhead hatchlings. Watching the tiny turtles scramble across the sand and disappear into the moonlight-kissed ocean filled me with a profound sense of accomplishment. That week in Bali didn't just change my perspective on turtles; it gave me a deeper commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship.

 

Question:

What do you think will happen next based on the last paragraph?

• The writer will continue to travel to different countries to compare various conservation programs.

• The writer will likely return to Bali to volunteer again or will become involved in marine conservation efforts elsewhere.

• The writer will apply for a full-time job as a project coordinator at the Sanur conservation program.

• The writer will shift away from marine conservation to focus on land-based environmental issues, such as deforestation.

• The writer will write a book about their Bali experience to raise funds for the conservation program.

A Week of Volunteering in Bali

I arrived in Bali on a warm Sunday afternoon, not for the beaches, but for a week-long commitment to marine conservation at a sea turtle protection project near Sanur. My orientation with Wayan, the program's coordinator, made it clear that our work was crucial. He stressed the importance of minimizing human interference, only intervening when necessary to protect the turtles from natural and human threats.

On Tuesday night, my involvement intensified. We were patrolling the beach when a massive Green Turtle, silent and ancient-looking, hauled herself out of the water. After an hour, she settled and began to lay her eggs. We watched from a respectful distance until she had returned to the sea. The next critical step was relocating the eggs to the protected hatchery, a meticulously managed area safe from predators and tidal surges. It was an exhilarating and humbling experience.

For the rest of the week, my days fell into a predictable, fulfilling rhythm. I was responsible for monitoring the hatchery, which involved taking temperature and humidity readings daily, as these factors determine the sex of the hatchlings. I also helped clear debris from the beach and educated a few curious tourists about the project's importance. It was manual labor, but every task felt purposeful, contributing directly to the survival of a vulnerable species.

The most profound moment came on Friday evening. The entire team gathered to oversee the release of 80 healthy Loggerhead hatchlings. Watching the tiny turtles scramble across the sand and disappear into the moonlight-kissed ocean filled me with a profound sense of accomplishment. That week in Bali didn't just change my perspective on turtles; it gave me a deeper commitment to marine conservation and environmental stewardship.

 

Question:

How did the story make you feel? Why?

• The story made me feel anxious because the turtles were constantly in danger from predators and tides.

• It made me feel indifferent because the writer’s language was too technical and lacked emotion.

• It made me feel inspired because the writer found a profound sense of purpose and commitment through their simple actions.

• I felt sympathetic for the writer, who had to perform hard manual labor on the beach every day.

• I felt worried because the writer did not specify the exact location of the hatchery, potentially exposing it to harm.

The Whisper of the Ancient Map

Elias was a humble fisherman living a simple life in the quiet coastal village of Blue Cove. He cast his nets daily and repaired them in the evenings, but inside him burned a restless discontent, a yearning for something more than the smell of salt and fish scales. This yearning was fueled by the old, fearful tales the villagers told—stories of mountain spirits and dangers lurking in the uncharted forest that rose steeply behind their homes.

One stormy afternoon, while mending a shredded net, Elias discovered a tightly rolled parchment scroll tucked inside a hidden pocket. It was not a fishing license or a forgotten receipt, but an ancient map, brittle and marked with cryptic symbols. In the heart of the deepest, darkest mountains, a crude 'X' was drawn. This discovery shattered his simple world. He told no one.

The next morning, determined and fiercely independent, Elias packed dried food, a compass, and his trusty machete. He ignored the fearful advice of his neighbors, who warned him of the mountain's wrath and the foolishness of seeking forgotten gold. The ascent was arduous, forcing him to rely on his wits and the ambiguous map. Days turned into nights. Finally, after a challenging climb, he found the location: a small, hidden cave.

Inside, there was no shining heap of gold or precious jewels, only a single, heavy stone tablet covered in the same strange symbols as the map. Elias sat down, disheartened, but as he ran his fingers over the cold stone, a profound sense of purpose washed over him. He realized the treasure was the journey itself and the knowledge it held. He still had no riches, but he carried a new, far greater challenge: the task of deciphering the symbols and uncovering their meaning.

Question:

What caused the main character to leave the village?

• The desire to seek a better life in the nearest big city.

• A threat from villagers who accused him of stealing their fishing nets.

• The discovery of an ancient map marked with an 'X' in the uncharted mountain forests.

• A need to prove himself to his neighbors who considered him an unimportant fisherman.

• An instruction from his ancestors through a dream asking him to journey to the mountain.

The Whisper of the Ancient Map

Elias was a humble fisherman living a simple life in the quiet coastal village of Blue Cove. He cast his nets daily and repaired them in the evenings, but inside him burned a restless discontent, a yearning for something more than the smell of salt and fish scales. This yearning was fueled by the old, fearful tales the villagers told—stories of mountain spirits and dangers lurking in the uncharted forest that rose steeply behind their homes.

One stormy afternoon, while mending a shredded net, Elias discovered a tightly rolled parchment scroll tucked inside a hidden pocket. It was not a fishing license or a forgotten receipt, but an ancient map, brittle and marked with cryptic symbols. In the heart of the deepest, darkest mountains, a crude 'X' was drawn. This discovery shattered his simple world. He told no one.

The next morning, determined and fiercely independent, Elias packed dried food, a compass, and his trusty machete. He ignored the fearful advice of his neighbors, who warned him of the mountain's wrath and the foolishness of seeking forgotten gold. The ascent was arduous, forcing him to rely on his wits and the ambiguous map. Days turned into nights. Finally, after a challenging climb, he found the location: a small, hidden cave.

Inside, there was no shining heap of gold or precious jewels, only a single, heavy stone tablet covered in the same strange symbols as the map. Elias sat down, disheartened, but as he ran his fingers over the cold stone, a profound sense of purpose washed over him. He realized the treasure was the journey itself and the knowledge it held. He still had no riches, but he carried a new, far greater challenge: the task of deciphering the symbols and uncovering their meaning.

 

Question:

What kind of person is the main character? Use evidence from the text.

• Shy and compliant, evidenced by his willingness to accept his humble fisherman's job without complaint.

• An impatient adventurer, evidenced by his action of immediately leaving the village the next morning without adequate preparation.

• Determined and independent, evidenced by his refusal to heed the villagers' advice and his willingness to undertake a difficult journey alone.

• Materialistic and greedy, evidenced by his belief that he would find gold or jewels inside the cave.

• An ancient history scholar, evidenced by his ability to identify the parchment scroll found in the net.

The Whisper of the Ancient Map

Elias was a humble fisherman living a simple life in the quiet coastal village of Blue Cove. He cast his nets daily and repaired them in the evenings, but inside him burned a restless discontent, a yearning for something more than the smell of salt and fish scales. This yearning was fueled by the old, fearful tales the villagers told—stories of mountain spirits and dangers lurking in the uncharted forest that rose steeply behind their homes.

One stormy afternoon, while mending a shredded net, Elias discovered a tightly rolled parchment scroll tucked inside a hidden pocket. It was not a fishing license or a forgotten receipt, but an ancient map, brittle and marked with cryptic symbols. In the heart of the deepest, darkest mountains, a crude 'X' was drawn. This discovery shattered his simple world. He told no one.

The next morning, determined and fiercely independent, Elias packed dried food, a compass, and his trusty machete. He ignored the fearful advice of his neighbors, who warned him of the mountain's wrath and the foolishness of seeking forgotten gold. The ascent was arduous, forcing him to rely on his wits and the ambiguous map. Days turned into nights. Finally, after a challenging climb, he found the location: a small, hidden cave.

Inside, there was no shining heap of gold or precious jewels, only a single, heavy stone tablet covered in the same strange symbols as the map. Elias sat down, disheartened, but as he ran his fingers over the cold stone, a profound sense of purpose washed over him. He realized the treasure was the journey itself and the knowledge it held. He still had no riches, but he carried a new, far greater challenge: the task of deciphering the symbols and uncovering their meaning.

 

Question:

How are the two characters similar and different?

• Similar: They both shared a livelihood as fishermen.

  Different: Elias believed in the map, while the villagers ignored it.

• Similar: They both resided in Blue Cove. Different: Elias sought adventure, while the villagers feared the forest and spiritual threats.

• Similar: They both wanted to find the treasure in the mountain.

  Different: Only Elias had the map.

• Similar: They both were known as very courageous people. Different: Elias insisted on going alone, while the villagers went in groups.

• Similar: They were both excited to start a new life. Different: Elias moved to the city, while the villagers stayed put.