Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions /complete the sentences that follow : A sparrow is a small bird which is found throughout the world. There are many different species of sparrows. Sparrows are only about four to six inches in length. Many people appreciate their beautiful song. Sparrows prefer to build their nests in low places-usually on the ground, dumps of grass, low trees and low bushes. In cities they build their nests in building nooks or holes. They rarely build their nests in high places. They build their nests out of twigs, grasses and plant fibers. Their nests are usually small and well-built structures. Female sparrows lay four to six eggs at a time. The eggs are white with reddish brown spots. They hatch between eleven to fourteen days. Both the male and female parents care for the young. Insects are fed to the young after hatching. The large feet of the sparrows are used for scratching seeds. Adult sparrows mainly eat seeds. Sparrows can be found almost everywhere, where there are humans. Many people throughout the world enjoy watching or viewing these delightful birds.
The sparrows are some of the few birds that engage in dust bathing. Sparrows first scratch a hole in the ground with their feet, then lie in it and fling dirt or sand over their bodies with flicks of their wings. They also bathe in water, or in dry or melting snow. Water bathing is similar to dust bathing, with the sparrow standing in shallow water and flicking water over its back with its wings, also ducking its head under the water. Both activities are social, with up to a hundred birds participating at once, and is followed by preening and sometimes group singing.
Answer the following questions briefly :
(a) The chief food for the adult sparrow is
(b) Sparrows live wherever
(c) The word, 'species' means
(d) Sparrows ...... in high places.
(e) take care of the young sparrows.
(f) Sparrows take bathe in
(g) Bathing for the sparrows is a
(h) Bathing is followed by and
Answers
Answer :
(a) The chief food for the adult sparrow is seeds.
The answer can be found in the line 'Adult sparrows mainly eat seeds.'
(b) Sparrows live wherever there are humans.
The answer can be found in the line 'Sparrows can be found almost everywhere, where there are humans.'
(c) The word 'species' means a group of organisms that have the same characteristics and can mate amongst themselves and produce fertile offspring.
Cambridge English Dictionary defines 'species' as 'a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other.'
(d) Sparrows rarely build their nests in high places.
The line 'They rarely build their nests in high places.' provides the answer.
(e) Both the male and female parents take care of the young sparrows.
The answer can be found in the lines 'Both the male and female parents care for the young. Insects are fed to the young after hatching.'
(f) Sparrows take bath in dust, in water, or in dry or melting snow.
The answer can be found in the lines 'The sparrows are some of the few birds that engage in dust bathing.' and 'They also bathe in water, or in dry or melting snow.'
(g) Bathing for the sparrows is a group/social activity.
The answer can be found in the line 'Both activities are social, with up to a hundred birds participating at once, and is followed by preening and sometimes group singing.'
(h) Bathing is followed by preening and group singing.
The answer can be found in the line 'Both activities are social, with up to a hundred birds participating at once, and is followed by preening and sometimes group singing.'