Year 5 Reading Comprehension

Name:

Date:

📖 Read the Passage

Read the following passage carefully before answering the questions below.

The kākāpō is one of New Zealand's most unusual birds. It is the world's heaviest parrot, and unlike most parrots, it cannot fly. Instead, it uses its strong legs to climb trees and move around the forest floor at night. The kākāpō has a mossy green colour that helps it blend into the bush, making it hard for predators to spot.

For many years, kākāpō numbers dropped sharply because of introduced predators like rats, stoats, and cats. By the 1990s, there were fewer than 50 kākāpō left in the world. Scientists and conservation workers were deeply worried the bird might disappear forever.

Today, thanks to the hard work of the Department of Conservation (DOC) and many dedicated volunteers, kākāpō numbers are slowly growing. The birds are now protected on predator-free islands, where they can nest and raise their chicks safely. As of 2024, there are over 240 kākāpō alive — a hopeful sign for the future of this remarkable bird.

🔤 Part 1: Vocabulary & Language Choice

1. Vocabulary: Find the word in the passage that means "animals that hunt and eat other animals."

The word is: _______________________

2. Vocabulary: What does the word dedicated mean in the sentence "many dedicated volunteers"? Circle the best answer.

Tired and bored

Committed and hardworking

New and untrained

Loud and excited

3. Language Choice: The author describes the kākāpō's colour as "mossy green." Why do you think the author chose the word mossy rather than just green?

4. Author's Writing: The author ends the passage with "a hopeful sign for the future of this remarkable bird." What feeling is the author trying to leave the reader with?

Sadness and worry

Excitement and hope

Anger and frustration

Boredom and confusion

🧠 Part 2: Understanding & Inference

5. Understanding: List two reasons why kākāpō numbers dropped so much.

1. _____________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________

6. Understanding: How are kākāpō being protected today? Tick all that apply.

They are kept in zoos around the world

They live on predator-free islands

DOC and volunteers are helping them

They have learned to fly away from danger

7. Inference: The passage says kākāpō are active at night and have green colouring. What can you infer about how the kākāpō survives in the wild? Use evidence from the text.

8. Inference: Why do you think scientists chose islands rather than mainland forests to protect the kākāpō? (The text gives you a clue!)

✍️ Part 3: Summarising, Connecting & Personal Response

9. Summarising: Fill in the blanks to complete a summary of the passage.

The kākāpō is a _______________________ parrot from New Zealand that cannot _______________________. Its numbers dropped because of _______________________ like rats and stoats. Thanks to _______________________ and volunteers, there are now over _______________________ kākāpō alive today.

10. Connecting Ideas: Can you think of another animal in New Zealand (or the world) that has been endangered and needed help to survive? How is its story similar to the kākāpō's?

11. Supported Conclusion: Do you think the kākāpō will survive long into the future? Write your opinion and use at least one piece of evidence from the passage to support it.

12. Personal Connection: If you could help protect an endangered animal, what would you do? Explain your idea in 2–3 sentences.

📋 Answer Key (Teacher Reference)

Q1 – Vocabulary: Predators

Q2 – Vocabulary: Committed and hardworking ✅

Q3 – Language Choice: Accept answers that explain "mossy" gives a more vivid/specific image, suggesting a dull, textured green like moss — helping the reader picture exactly how the bird blends into the bush.

Q4 – Author's Writing: Excitement and hope ✅

Q5 – Understanding: Any two of: introduced predators (rats, stoats, cats); loss of safe habitat; no ability to fly away from danger. Accept reasonable responses supported by the text.

Q6 – Understanding: ✅ They live on predator-free islands | ✅ DOC and volunteers are helping them

Q7 – Inference: Accept answers that reference nocturnal behaviour helping it avoid being seen, and green colouring as camouflage — both are survival adaptations. Students should refer to text evidence.

Q8 – Inference: Islands can be kept free of introduced predators (rats, stoats, cats), which are the main threat mentioned in the passage. Accept well-reasoned responses.

Q9 – Summarising: … heaviest / flightless / fly / introduced predators (or animals) / DOC / 240 (accept close variations)

Q10 – Connecting Ideas: Open response. Accept any relevant endangered animal with a reasonable comparison (e.g., kiwi, tuatara, Hector's dolphin, giant panda). Look for a clear connection to human intervention or habitat protection.

Q11 – Supported Conclusion: Open response. Award marks for a clear opinion AND at least one piece of text evidence (e.g., numbers growing, predator-free islands, DOC involvement). Both "yes" and "not sure" are acceptable if well supported.

Q12 – Personal Connection: Open response. Look for a realistic idea expressed in 2–3 sentences. No single correct answer — assess engagement and clarity.