Comprehension Passage

Read the passage, then answer the 5 questions that follow. Marking schemes are included.

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow

Deep in the green forests of central Kenya lives a small bird called the honeyguide. It is brown and grey and not very beautiful to look at. Yet this little bird has an amazing talent that has helped people for hundreds of years. The honeyguide knows exactly where wild bees hide their sweet honey high inside hollow trees and rocky cliffs.

When a person wants honey, the bird flutters from branch to branch, calling out in a special chattering voice. It waits for the person to follow, then flies a short distance ahead and waits again. In this clever way, the honeyguide leads the honey hunter straight to the hidden bees' nest, sometimes travelling far across the wide bush.

The honeyguide cannot break open the nest by itself, because its beak is too weak and the bees would sting it badly. So it depends on people to do the hard work. The hunter calms the bees with smoke, opens the nest, and takes the golden honey. In return, the honey hunter always leaves behind some wax and grubs for the helpful bird to eat.

This partnership shows how humans and animals can work together and both gain something good. The bird gets its favourite food, and the people get sweet honey for their families. Many communities treat the honeyguide with great respect and never harm it. They believe that an unhappy honeyguide might one day refuse to show them where the precious honey is hidden.

  1. Question 1

    1 mark

    How does the honeyguide lead a person to the bees' nest?

    A. It carries the person on its back.

    B. It builds a path of stones.

    C. It sings a sad song all night.

    D. It flutters ahead and calls in a special voice.

    (1 mark)

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  2. Question 2

    1 mark

    Why does the honeyguide need a person's help?

    A. Because its weak beak cannot break open the nest.

    B. Because it cannot see the honey.

    C. Because it is afraid of the forest.

    D. Because it is too lazy to fly.

    (1 mark)

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  3. Question 3

    1 mark

    The word 'partnership' as used in the passage means

    A. a fight between two enemies.

    B. a quiet place in the forest.

    C. a long and dangerous journey.

    D. working together for shared benefit.

    (1 mark)

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  4. Question 4

    1 mark

    Why do many communities never harm the honeyguide?

    A. Because it is a beautiful bird to watch.

    B. Because it cannot fly away.

    C. Because they fear it might stop showing them honey.

    D. Because its meat tastes bad.

    (1 mark)

    Marking scheme

    C. Because they fear it might stop showing them honey.

  5. Question 5

    1 mark

    Which is the BEST title for this passage?

    A. How to Climb Tall Trees

    B. The Dangerous Bees of Kenya

    C. The Clever Honeyguide Bird

    D. The Beautiful Forest Birds

    (1 mark)

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