Let's solve the reading comprehension questions based on the provided text about whales.
---
Text Summary:
Whales are the largest animals on Earth, living in oceans and coming in various sizes and types. The blue whale can be as long as two school buses. Whales are mammals, breathe air through a blowhole on their heads, swim and play, use their tails to splash and communicate, and migrate long distances for food and breeding.
---
Answers with Explanations:
1. What is the blowhole, and why is it important for whales?
-
Answer: The blowhole is an opening on top of a whale’s head that allows them to breathe air. It is important because whales are mammals and need to come to the surface to breathe, unlike fish that extract oxygen from water. Without the blowhole, they could not survive in the water.
-
Explanation: The text says, "they breathe air through a blowhole on top of their heads. This is crucial for them to survive in the water."
---
2. How do whales communicate with each other?
-
Answer: Whales communicate by using their tails to splash and make sounds.
-
Explanation: The passage states, "Whales love to swim and play, using their tails to splash and communicate with each other." While the text mentions splashing, it implies vocal communication (commonly known in real life), but based strictly on the text, we focus on "splashing" as the method mentioned.
---
3. What is the largest type of whale?
-
Answer: The blue whale is the largest type of whale.
-
Explanation: The text says, "Some, like the blue whale, can grow as long as two school buses!" This directly identifies the blue whale as one of the largest.
---
4. Why do whales migrate?
-
Answer: Whales migrate to travel thousands of miles from cold to warm waters in search of food and a suitable environment for breeding.
-
Explanation: The last sentence of the passage explains: "traveling thousands of miles from cold to warm waters in search of food and a suitable environment for breeding."
---
5. How are whales similar to humans?
-
Answer: Whales are similar to humans because they are both mammals.
-
Explanation: The text says, "Whales are mammals, just like us," which indicates a key similarity in biological classification.
---
✔ Final Answers:
1. The blowhole is an opening on top of a whale’s head used for breathing air. It is important because whales are mammals and must breathe air to survive in water.
2. Whales communicate by using their tails to splash and interact with each other.
3. The blue whale is the largest type of whale.
4. Whales migrate to find food and a suitable environment for breeding.
5. Whales are similar to humans because both are mammals.
---
This completes the reading comprehension task!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of printable reading comprehension grade 3.