s l a Anim r e d n u
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Written by Susie Brown
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Animals under Threat
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Written by Susie Brown Cover images of a whale tail (top left); a California condor (middle left); a Leadbeater’s possum (bottom left); a pair of Somali wild ass (top right); a Sumatran tiger (bottom right) Images by Getty Images (cover middle left, Tom Brakefield cover top right and p10, AFP p2 middle and p13 top, Jason Edwards p14, p21, Joel Sartore p22); Tranz/Corbis (cover bottom left, p12, pp16–17); photonewzealand/Alamy (p2 top and bottom, pp4–5, pp8–9, p11, p13 bottom, p15, p19); Newspix/News Ltd (p6); AAP Image/Perth Zoo/Daniel Scarparolo (p7); Photolibrary (p20); iStockphoto.com (Klaus Larsen cover top left, Megan Lorenz cover bottom right, Juergen Sack pp4–7 background, Robert Bremec pp8–11 background, Ashley Whitworth pp12–15 background, Aldo Ottaviani pp16–19 background, Nicholas Roemmelt pp20–23 background); Photomontage (cover background, p1, pp2–3 background, p24 background) © 2009 Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. While every care has been taken to trace and acknowledge copyright, the publishers tender their apologies for any accidental infringement where copyright has proved untraceable. Published by Macmillan Education Australia Pty Ltd Level 1, 15–19 Claremont Street, South Yarra, Victoria 3141 www.macmillan.com.au Edited by Sarah Edwards and Adrian Bell Designed by Andrew Aguilar Printed in Hong Kong 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN: (pack) 978-1-4202-7894-1 ISBN: 978-1-4202-7763-0
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Animals under
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Threat
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Contents
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Endangered Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Endangered in Asia – Sumatran Tiger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Endangered in Africa – African Wild Ass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Endangered in Australia – Leadbeater’s Possum. . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Endangered in Antarctica – Blue Whale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Endangered in North America – California Condor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Back from the Brink?. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Glossary and Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Written by Susie Brown
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Endangered Animals
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Many kinds of animals are endangered. People class different kinds of living things by putting them into groups. These groups consist of individuals that can reproduce with each other. The groups are called species. Earth is home to 1,250,000 animal species. Today, many species are under threat. Some species no longer exist in the wild. Others face the threat of dying out altogether, or extinction. Some people think this is caused by human activities, such as hunting. Another problem is damage to the species’ habitat.
What Threats Do Endangered Animals Face?
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Hunting People may hunt animals for meat. They may use their body parts to make medicine, clothes, or jewellery. As people develop new tools, they can hunt larger numbers of animals. Sometimes, people illegally catch and sell rare species. This trade takes animals out of the wild.
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Habitat Loss As human numbers grow, people use more and more land. For example, people cut down forests for timber. They plant crops in grassland areas and drain wetlands. Each time people take over a habitat, there is less land for animals. Conflict with People There are many ways people can be a threat to animals. As well as hunting them or taking their habitat, people build structures or machines that can be a danger to animals. Colliding with powerlines or cars may hurt or kill an animal. Pollution, and other changes to the environment that people cause, may make animals sick.
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What Is Being Done?
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Thousands of groups around the world are working to protect wildlife. Efforts like this to protect species are called conservation. One such group is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It provides a list of the conservation status of thousands of species. This is called the IUCN Red List. The higher a species is on the IUCN Red List, the more at risk it is of extinction. This often means that people put more effort into trying to save it.
How Successful Are These Efforts?
The success of these conservation efforts varies. Some have been successful. For example, people saved the humpback whale from extinction. However, there are many more animal species at risk.
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The IUCN Red List
Extinct
Where Found
Tasmanian tiger
0 (last died in 1936)
Tasmania
Hawaiian crow
In 2002, fewer than 60
Hawaii (only bred in captivity)
Fewer than 100
Spain
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Extinct in the wild
Numbers Remaining
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Conservation Status Animal
Critically endangered Iberian lynx Snow leopard
4,000–6,500
Mountains of central Asia, Afghanistan, India, and China
Vulnerable
Indian rhinoceros
2,500
India and Nepal
Sa Endangered
Near threatened
Australian snubfin dolphin
Below 10,000
Ocean around north-eastern coast of Australia and south-western coast of New Guinea
Least concern
Humpback whale
Over 60,000 and increasing
All oceans
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Endangered in Asia – Sumatran Tiger Critically Endangered
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Sumatran tigers live in the forests of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. They are the smallest of all tiger species. The male tiger is about 204 cm long. It weighs The Sumatran tiger is one of several about 136 kg. The female tiger is about 198 cm long. It tiger species. weighs about 91 kg. For conservation, scientists must estimate how many members of a species still exist in the world. This is the species’ population. During the early 1900s, there were about 10,000 of these tigers on Sumatra. By 1978, there were only about 1,000. Their numbers are still going down. Today, scientists think there are fewer than 500 left.
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Sumatran Tiger Population
8,000
Where Sumatran Tigers Are Found
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Numbers of Sumatran tigers
9,000
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10,000
7,000
Key Habitat of Sumatran tigers
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6,000 5,000
4,000
Sumatra
3,000
0 km
Indonesia 500
2,000 1,000
4
1900
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1978
2009
Year counted
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What Threats Do They Face?
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Hunting People hunt Sumatran tigers for their body parts, such as claws, teeth, and skin. Illegal hunters like this are called poachers. They sell the body parts illegally. Sometimes, people use the parts to make traditional medicines.
Habitat Loss Sumatra has about 335,000 square km of habitat for the tiger. Only about 25 per cent of this is protected from development and logging. As a result, much of the tigers’ habitat is now gone.
The skin of a Sumatran tiger killed by hunters
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Conflict with People The loss of habitat has forced the tigers into areas where people live. Sometimes, they attack people and livestock. People have killed tigers in response.
People have cut down large areas of Sumatran forest.
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What Is Being Done?
These Sumatran tigers are part of a breeding program in Australia.
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The law in Indonesia now protects Sumatran tigers. However, at least 51 still die every year. At this rate, they could be extinct within a few years. People have started several programs to try to save the tigers – • The Sister Zoo Program works with Australia Zoo to reduce conflict between tigers and people. It also aims to help tiger numbers recover. It does this with a program of raising young animals and then returning them to the wild. This is called a breeding program. • The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program aims to move tigers away from areas where people live. • The Sumatran Tiger Project Team studies tigers to learn how they behave. It studies the way they interact with their habitat. • The Wildlife Conservation Society’s Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program focuses on protecting the tigers’ habitat. It tries to expand the habitat that already exists.
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How Successful Are These Efforts?
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Tiger Conservation and Protection units now patrol forests in Sumatra. They also work with people in local areas. They teach people about protecting tigers and their habitat. The Sister Zoo program between Indonesia and Australia gives several Sumatran tigers a safe home. In 2008, three new tiger cubs were born. These cubs will one day become part of the breeding program. These programs are all long-term schemes. It is too early to know if they will succeed. However, in 2007, there were hopeful reports. They said that conflict between people and the tigers had gone down by about 50 per cent. Also, poachers are being reported, caught, and punished.
Three Sumatran tiger cubs born in Australia in 2008 make their first appearance. 7
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Endangered in Africa – African Wild Ass Critically Endangered
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African wild asses are the wild ancestors of donkeys. They are about 2 m long. They weigh between 230 kg and 275 kg. They live in desert areas in north-east Africa. Many live in Ethiopia. Others live in Egypt, Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia. In the past, they were more widespread. Today they are found only in small, scattered groups. African wild asses live in areas with little water, such as hilly and stony deserts. They get most of their moisture from their food. They have large ears to keep them cool. Today, there are fewer than 600 of this species in the wild.
An African wild ass, ancestor of the donkey
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African Wild Ass Population 7,000
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Number of African wild asses
8,000
6,000
Key Habitat of African wild asses
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5,000
Egypt
4,000
3,000
Sudan
2,000
Eritrea
AFRICA
1,000
Ethiopia 1971 1983 2009 Year counted
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Where African Wild Asses Are Found
0 0
500 500
Somalia
0 km 1,000
1000 Miles 1000
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1500 Kilometres
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What Threats Do They Face?
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Hunting People hunt African wild asses for their meat and body parts. Sometimes, people use these body parts for medicine. Thanks to wars in Ethiopia and Somalia, many people have guns. This has resulted in even more of these animals being hunted. Habitat Loss In some areas, farming poses a threat to African wild asses’ habitat. The spread of farms has forced them to compete with farm animals for food. Farms also keep them away from water supplies.
Farms like this one, in Ethiopia, have taken African wild asses’ habitat.
A group of African wild asses grazing in the desert
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Conflict with People People have caught African wild asses and bred them with donkeys. Crossing animals of different species in this way is called interbreeding. This has taken many asses out of the wild.
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What Is Being Done?
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The law now protects African wild asses in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. However, the law can be hard to enforce. Poachers are still hunting them illegally. People still catch them and breed them with donkeys, or use them on farms. The IUCN has started an action plan. This aims to – • protect and manage the populations that are left. • teach local people about African wild asses and their habitat. • set up new areas of protected habitat, or reserves.
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In addition, scientists are studying African wild asses. They hope to learn the exact size of their population. They hope to find out more about the threats to the species and its habitat. They also aim to find out the numbers of animals that are the result of interbreeding. This information will help with conservation efforts.
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The IUCN hopes to preserve African asses in the wild.
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How Successful Are These Efforts?
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An African wild ass in the Yotvata Reserve
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People brought African wild asses to live on Yotvata Reserve in Israel. The reserve has breeding programs for at-risk desert animals. However, the African wild asses there are not yet ready to return to the wild. Other people have studied how African wild asses interact with their habitat. They have used the information to teach local people about these animals. Also, the local people are now helping with conservation efforts. This has helped to improve the conservation status of African wild asses. With conservation plans in place, people hope to increase the wild population of African asses to 2,500 animals. They hope to increase the captured population to 500 animals.
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Endangered in Australia – Leadbeater’s Possum Endangered
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Leadbeater’s possums are Australian marsupials. They are about 33 cm long, including a 15 cm tail. They weigh The Leadbeater’s about 100–160 g. The area where they are possum is the state found, their range, is small. They live in animal of Victoria. the Central Highlands of Victoria. They live in old-growth mountain ash forests. These possums live in the upper canopy of the forest. They need continuous forest to move from place to place. They are nocturnal. During the day, they shelter in holes in trees. Therefore, people rarely see Leadbeater’s possums. During the 1980s, there were about 5,000 Leadbeater’s possums. At the time, much of their habitat still existed. However, because of habitat loss, their numbers have gone down. In 2008, there were only about Where Leadbeater’s 2,000 of them left.
Possums Are Found
Key Habitat of Leadbeater’s possums
5,000
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Number of Leadbeater’s possums
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Leadbeater’s Possum Population 6,000
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4,000
AUSTRALIA
3,000
VICTORIA
2,000 1,000
0 km
500
1980 2009 Year counted
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What Threats Do They Face?
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Habitat Loss People have cleared and logged much of the possums’ forest habitat. People have cut down other trees as firebreaks. This has cut the possums’ habitat up into pieces. Possums need continuous tree cover to move from one area to another. They are also very territorial. Therefore, they cannot move between the separate pieces of their old habitat. This means they cannot breed with other groups of possums.
Firefighters prepare to cut a firebreak during the 2009 fires in Victoria.
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Conflict with People Tree-cutting by people has had a severe effect on the species. As well as taking away their habitat, the tree-cutting itself kills many possums.
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The logging industry has claimed much of the possums’ habitat.
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What Is Being Done?
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In Victoria, all possum species are protected under state law. In 1997, the state government began a recovery plan especially for Leadbeater’s possums. The plan aimed to improve the possums’ situation. It aimed to increase their numbers enough to change the status of the species from “endangered” to “vulnerable.” The plan also aimed to – • create reserves of mountain ash forest for the possums. • set up rules for logging to make sure the possums’ habitat is protected.
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Separately, a group known as Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum began a nesting box program. The Healesville Sanctuary, in Victoria, also began a captive breeding program.
A researcher removing possums from a nesting box
People are still trying to save Leadbeater’s possums.
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How Successful Are These Efforts?
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The Victoria fires of 2009 destroyed huge areas of Australia’s native forest.
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Today, the fate of Leadbeater’s possums is uncertain. In 2006, the last one at the Healesville Sanctuary died. There are no longer any possums in captivity. This means there is no longer a breeding program. In February 2009, fires swept through the forests of Marysville and Healesville, Victoria. Because their range is so small, these fires destroyed a huge amount of the possums’ habitat. It will take time to learn the effect of this on the possums. It is likely that the loss of habitat could change their status for the worse.
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Endangered in Antarctica – Blue Whale Endangered
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Blue whales are marine mammals. They are thought to be the largest mammals that have ever lived. Some large blue whales are about 30 m long. They can weigh about 180 tonnes. Before the 1900s, there were about 250,000 blue whales. They were found in oceans around the world. The largest population was in Antarctic waters. Over time, these numbers have steadily gone down. In 2002, it was thought that there were between 5,000 and 10,000 blue whales left worldwide. However, conservation efforts are having an effect. There are now between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales.
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Blue Whale Population 240,000 220,000
180,000
160,000
140,000
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Number of blue whales
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200,000
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260,000
120,000
100,000
A blue whale swimming off the coast of California, United States
80,000
60,000 40,000 20,000 16
1900
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2002
2009
Year counted
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What Threats Do They Face?
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Hunting People have hunted blue whales for their meat, oil, and the flexible plates from the mouth of krill-eating whales, called baleen. People used baleen for umbrella ribs and other things. Steam-driven whaling ships and explosive harpoons made it easier to hunt whales. Between 1930 and 1931, people killed almost 29,500 blue whales in Antarctica alone. Even when the demand for baleen dropped as it was replaced by plastic, whaling remained popular. Whaling carried on until most of the large whale species were almost gone. By the 1970s, the Antarctic blue whale population was only about .15 per cent of its original size.
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Habitat Loss Human activity is affecting the blue whales’ ocean habitat. In 2001, scientists found that the whales’ main food, krill, was being reduced. They believe this is because of the warming of Earth’s oceans and air, or global warming. They believe global warming is causing the ice caps to melt. It is leading to the krill’s main food supply, marine algae, being reduced. Because there are fewer algae, the krill population has gone down. Therefore, there is less food for blue whales.
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Conflict with People Hunting blue whales is now banned. However, their numbers fell so low before the ban was put into place that it will take years for them to recover. Increased fishing and shipping activities also pose risks. Getting entangled in fishing gear can also trap blue whales and drown them. Collisions with ships have caused whales serious injury or death. 17
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What Is Being Done?
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In 1946, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) was set up. It aimed to protect blue whales while allowing the whaling industry to develop. Then, in 1986, it banned all whaling for profit. However, people could still hunt whales for science. The IWC has also – • set up whale sanctuaries in the Indian Ocean in 1979 and the Southern Ocean in 1994. • helped the World Wildlife Fund to study the links between blue whales, krill, and global warming.
Whale Sanctuary Boundaries
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ARCTIC OCEAN
EUROPE
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NORTH AMERICA
m
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Key IWC whale sanctuaries
PACIFIC OCEAN
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
Sa
PACIFIC OCEAN
ASIA
INDIAN OCEAN AUSTRALIA SOUTHERN OCEAN
0 km 4,000
ANTARCTICA
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How Successful Are These Efforts?
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Despite these efforts, the blue whale population in Antarctica is still less than 1 per cent of its original size. Scientists believe that one of the reasons for this is because the whales reproduce very slowly. Disappearing krill is still a problem for the whales. This could continue to keep their population from increasing, as could illegal hunting. Therefore, the future of blue whales is still uncertain.
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Although blue whales are no longer hunted, other species, such as the minke whale, are still hunted.
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Endangered in North America – California Condor
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Critically Endangered
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California condors are the largest land birds in North America. They weigh about 10 kg. They are about 120 cm long. Their wingspan can stretch almost 3 m California condors from tip to tip. They have one of the longest life spans of any are part of the bird. vulture family. California condors live in the states of California, Utah, and Arizona in the United States. Some also live in north-western Mexico. Their habitat includes scrubland and forests. They use cliffs and large trees as nesting sites. During the twentieth century, the condor population fell rapidly. By 1985, the species was almost extinct. There were only nine condors left in the wild. Slowly, conservation efforts are helping them recover.
Where California Condors Are Found
500
Key Habitat of California Utah condors
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Number of California condors
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California Condor Population 600
20
400 300
200
California
Arizona
100
1985 2009 Year counted
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0 km
500
Mexico
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What Threats Do They Face?
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Hunting People hunted California condors for sport. They also hunted them for display in places such as museums. People also collected their eggs. Condors reproduce slowly. The females lay only one egg every two years. The loss of eggs is a serious blow to the condor population. Habitat Loss People have cleared a lot of the condors’ habitat. They have used some of the land for farms and housing. This is a major long-term problem for the condors.
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Conflict with People Condors have great wingspans and if they come into contact with powerlines, it can be fatal. Either the collision itself can kill them or if their wings touch two powerlines at once, they are electrocuted. The feeding habits of the condors may also cause problems for them. The condors feed on the carcasses of dead animals. If the animals have been shot with lead bullets, the lead is taken into the condors’ bodies. Over time, this poisons the condors.
Researchers have given this condor a number to help keep track of population numbers. 21
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What Is Being Done?
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In 1987, the California state government began a conservation program. It aimed to change the status of the species from “critically endangered” to “vulnerable.” The program aimed to – • capture all wild California condors for a breeding program. • pass a law to ban hunting with lead bullets in areas where condors live. • make sure that condors are released into areas away from powerlines. • protect the condors’ habitat. • teach people about condors and the importance of protecting them.
How Successful Are These Efforts?
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In 1985, there were only nine California condors in the wild. These birds were all captured for a breeding program. This program was successful. The numbers of California condors began to rise. Then, in 1992, some of the condors were released back into the wild. Today, this program continues. In 1994, the captive birds began getting special training. This training aimed to keep the birds away from powerlines and areas where people live. As a result, fewer birds have died because of powerlines. In addition, large areas have been set up for the condors to find food. Laws also stop hunters from shooting the birds and from using lead bullets. In 2009, the project is still underway. The numbers of California condors continue to rise. By May 2009, there were about 337 California condors. About half of these birds are living in the wild. The conservation project has brought condors back from the very verge of extinction.
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Back from the Brink?
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Animals on the brink of extinction can often be saved. However, it takes huge efforts from governments and local people. They have to prevent illegal hunting. They also have to make sure that the animals’ habitat is protected and any other threats removed. This is not always easy. It is, however, very important to save species from dying out. Every species has a role in the environment. When it disappears, the consequences are unforeseeable.
Endangered Species Status Report Animal
Length
Weight
Conservation Numbers Where Found Status Remaining
Population Trend
Sumatran tiger
Male: 204 cm
Male: 136 kg
Critically endangered
Sumatra, Indonesia
Decreasing
Female: 198 cm
Female: 91 kg
2 m long
230–275 kg
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African wild ass
Fewer than 500
Critically endangered
Fewer than 600
Eritrea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia.
Decreasing
Endangered
2,000
Victoria, Australia
Decreasing
100–160 g
Blue whale
30 m
180 tonnes
Endangered
10,000– 25,000
All oceans
Increasing
California condor
Body: 120 cm
10 kg
Critically endangered
337
California, Utah, and Arizona, Unites States and north-western Mexico
Increasing
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Leadbeater’s 33 cm possum (includes 15-cm tail)
Wingspan: 3m
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Glossary
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Index
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baleen – flexible plates from inside the mouths of krill-eating whales breeding program – a program in which young animals are bred and raised in captivity and then returned to the wild conservation – efforts to protect endangered wildlife extinction – when a species dies out entirely global warming – the current warming of Earth’s climate interbreeding – crossing animals of different, often related, species IUCN Red List – a list kept by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to record the situation of endangered species population – the number of existing individuals in a species range – the area over which all members of a species can be found reserves – areas of protected habitat set aside for animals
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desert(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9, 11 farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 21 fires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 15 forest(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 4, 5, 7, 12–15, 20 government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 22, 23 International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) . . . . . . 3, 10 International Whaling Commission (IWC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 logging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 13, 14 medicine(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 5, 9 ocean(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 16–18, 23 program(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7, 11, 14, 15, 22 scientists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 10, 17, 19
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Focus Comprehension Skill: Compare and Contrast Comparing and contrasting is finding out what is the same and what is different about events, objects, animals, or people.
Identifying Compare and Contrast in the Text In this text, you will look first for the similarities and then the differences. Make a grid. Use key words and phrases to write all the similarities and differences, with page references, in your workbook. You will have to work out some of the answers and write them in your own words.
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Modelling Read pages 4 and 8. Can you see that “critically endangered” is the first similarity between the Sumatran tiger and the African wild ass because they are in the same category? Now, read pages 5 and 9. Can you see that “People hunt them for body parts” and “They use them for medicine” are similarities? Can you see that the difference in habitat loss between the Sumatran tiger and the African wild ass is that one is caused by logging the forest and the other is caused by farming? Now, read pages 12, 13, 16, and 17. Find the two similarities between what is happening to the numbers of blue whales and Leadbetter’s possums and who is responsible for their habitat loss. Find differences in current numbers of the possums and whales and the reasons for their food reducing.
Supporting Read the first paragraph on pages 19 and 21. What do the blue whale and the California condor have in common in regard to reproducing? Now, find a difference in regard to problems with their food. Answers: Similar: both reproduce…; Different: Blue Whale: disappearing…; Condor: animals shot with…
Now, use the table on page 23 to find similarities and differences in the population trends and the numbers remaining. List the animals under two headings, Fewer than 1,000 and More than 1,000.
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Independent Practice In this section, you need to find all the answers yourself. Read pages 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 and compare and contrast the reasons for the species’ habitat loss. Now, read pages 7, 11, 15, 19, and 22. Note any similarities between how successful the efforts to save these animal species are. Read the rest of the book. As a class, discuss all the similarities and differences you recorded in your workbook.
Questions and Answers
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Write the answers to the following questions in your workbook. Discuss them as a class. 1. Find in the Text: Why can coming into contact with powerlines be fatal for condors? (page 21) 2. Work out the Answer: How many blue whales were there in the Antarctic by the 1970s? (page 17) 3. Judge for Yourself: Why is international cooperation important for conservation efforts?
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Organizing Information
1. R eread pages 5, 17, and 21 and find the threats that these animals face. Refer to the graphic organizer below to see how you might sort and record the information. Animal
Threats from Hunting
Habitat Loss
Conflict with Humans
Sumatran tiger
•_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
(page 5)
•_____________________ _______________________
_______________________
Blue whale
•_____________________ _____________________ •_____________________
(page 17)
•_____________________ _______________________
California condor
_____________________ •_____________________ •_____________________ _______________________ •_____________________ •_____________________
(page 21)
•_____________________
2. Now, complete Compare and Contrast BLM 1 and BLM 2 from the Teacher Notes.
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Compare and Contrast
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Main Idea
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve The Nelson Mandela Story Animals under Threat Soccer v Ballet
The Great Rainbow Hill Council Debate The Smith Family Diaries
Cause and Effect
It’s Just Not Right Save Our Planet!
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Fact and Opinion
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Bias and Prejudice
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Figurative Language
What’s Up? Changing Times Sports Mad Magazine The Highwayman
RA 10.5–11.5
Information Report
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