Meaning
Complete each definition with one of the following. Guess your answers, and then check them with a dictionary: pioneers, salt flats, shrubs, devoid of, burrows, searing, harsh, lodged, amphibians, precious.
1. Animals that can live both on land and in water are ___________.
2. are holes in the ground made by animals and in which
the animals live.
3. Intense heat that almost burns is
4. are flat areas covered with salt as a result of water that
had been there some time ago and then evaporated.
5. means severe and rough.
6. To be something means to be empty of.
7. are low bushes.
8. are the first settlers in a new or unknown land.
9. Rare and valuable metals such as gold and silver are
metals.
10. To be planted firmly or embedded is to be
Work with a partner to answer the questions. Use complete sentences.
What animal is an amphibian?
Other than a desert, what place looks like it is devoid of life?
What were some of the hardships faced by people who were pioneers?
What makes salt flats?
What are two precious gems?
Other than Death Valley what place has searing heat?
What are two animals that live in burrows?
What is a place that has harsh winters?
COMPREHENSION
SKIMMING
FOR MAIN IDEAS
Quickly read to find the main idea of each paragraph, and then circle the letter of the best answer.
1. The main topic of paragraph 2 is
a. the hardships a small group of pioneers suffered in Death Valley.
b. that people have always avoided Death Valley.
с that some places in Death Valley are covered with salt.
2. Paragraph 5 is mainly about the fact that
a. Death Valley is a place full of wildlife.
b. many kinds of reptiles live in Death Valley.
с the animals that live in Death Valley live on desert plants.
3. The main topic of paragraph 6 is
a. the Lake Mohave people were the earliest and only people who lived in Death Valley.
b. many peoples have learned to survive in Death Valley, с many native tribes live in Death Valley today.
4. The last paragraph is mainly about
a. the dangers of going to Death Valley today.
b. how nature has changed in Death Valley today, с what Death Valley is like for visitors today.
SCANNING FOR DETAILS
Reread the passage quickly to find questions. Then circle the letter of correct answer.
1. For the early pioneers, crossing Death Valley took as long as
a. one year.
b. six months.
с three months.
2. Rain in Death Valley causes
a. flowers to bloom.
b. minerals to form.
с animals to come out and hunt.
3. When prospectors found gold, it often caused
a. hardship for them.
b. the soil to be eroded, с a town to be created.
4. Death Valley got its name from
a. the natives who settled there.
b. a group of settlers who almost died there.
с prospectors who went there.
5. Death Valley is home to plants and animals that have
a. adapted to the environment.
b. been brought there by humans, с not been able to survive anyplace else.
6. Settlers could not drink from a lake in Death Valley because
a. it was salty.
b. it was empty.
c. they couldn't reach it.
7. The first people to live in Death Valley were the
a. Mesquite Flat people.
b. Lake Mohave people, с Shoshone natives.
8. Of all places in North America, Death Valley is the
a. highest.
b. driest.
с least populated.
9. The natives could survive in Death Valley because
a. they didn't stay there all year.
b. they brought food with them from the mountains.
с they knew the location of hidden water.
10. During the day most of the animals in Death Valley
a. hunt.
b. find shelter.
c. eat desert plants.
ORDERING EVENTS