1. OCEAN VOICES - International School of · PDF file1. OCEAN VOICES Welcome to the first ... share this planet. International School of Madrid 2 FROM THE EDITOR OF ... These questions

International School of Madrid 1

1.

OCEAN VOICES

Welcome to the first ever edition of Wildtrack Magazine, a brand new magazine

about wildlife especially for young people. We know that young people take a keen interest in the natural world – this magazine offers you a new way of finding out more about some of the amazing plants and animals with which we share this planet.


FROM THE EDITOR OF WILDTRACK MAGAZINE

Each issue will take an in-depth look at a different kind of creature. You’ll find out just

how our behaviour can affect the lives of other living creatures, and what we think should be done to protect them. It’s our view that the more we can find out about creatures in their natural habitats, the more we can learn how to help them to survive in the wild.

We’ll bring you information, reports, maps, stories, photographs . . . just about anything which reminds us how wonderful the world of nature is.

In future editions you’ll be able to learn more about the feeding habits of the fruit bat, and also explore the mysterious underground world of the earthworm.

LDTRACK

INE


For this first edition, called Ocean Voices, we’re featuring one of the largest and most

extraordinary creatures on the planet – the whale. We’ve collected some fascinating and at times surprising information. Did you know, for example, that although whales live in the water, they are not fish? And some of the biggest types, like blue whales, grey whales and humpback whales, don’t even have teeth.

If you’re lucky enough to see a whale in the ocean it can be an unforgettable experience. Read Lucy Carter’s account of her trip and you’ll have a new ambition in life.

We haven’t forgotten that these amazing mammals are in need of protection, if they are to survive in the wild. Our survival guide gives details of why many types of whale are endangered, and what is being done to help them.

Prepare to be amazed as you join us on Wildtrack Magazine’s own whale watching journey – starting now!

Editor


James Field (SGA illustrator’s agents, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 5AP)

People travel great distances to watch whales in their natural environment. Lucy Carter is one of them. She went whale watching off the coast of Canada in 1999, and her first trip made a deep impression on her.

Editor

2. These questions are on From the Editor of Wildtrack Magazine

Choose the best word or group of words to fit the passage and put a ring around your choice.

1. This edition of Wildtrack Magazine is called

On theWhale Trail

OceanVoices

From theEditor

Whales inDanger

1 mark

2. The editor says that a future edition of Wildtrack Magazine will be about

whales foxes earthworms oceans

1 mark


3. Wildtrack Magazine is a magazine especially for

adults nature experts young people teachers

1 mark

4. Wildtrack Magazine has not been published before.

Find and copy a phrase which tells you this.

1 mark

5. Which of these statements best represents the editor’s views?

Tick one box.

People are more interesting than animals.

People are doing nothing to help whales.

All wildlife is extraordinary and fascinating.

Wildlife is only really interesting if you see it for yourself.

1 mark

6. The first paragraph on the third page tells you

what will bein the

next edition

where youcan seewhales

all aboutwhale

watching

some factsabout

whales

Put a ring around your choice. 1 mark


7. Give two different ways in which the editor encourages you to read the rest of the magazine.

1. ……………………………..……………………………………………..……..

………………………………………………………………………………………

2. …………………..………..……………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………… 2 marks

3. ON THE WHALE TRAIL

I wasn’t really sure what to expect. We had to put on waterproof suits before the boat left the dock – I felt rather like an intrepid explorer journeying into unfamiliar territory. Even the boat trip out to where the whales were last spotted was memorable – I can remember being dazzled by the sunlight on the water’s surface.

As we approached the area where the group of whales had last been sighted, the captain slowed the boat down and we looked right across the surface of the Pacific hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the creatures.

At first we seemed to be the only living things around apart from a few gulls screeching above us. Then suddenly, without a sound, something cut through the still surface of the water a short distance away. It travelled a few metres and then, silently, disappeared. I didn’t speak – just craned my neck and scanned the ocean for another sighting.


There was nothing to see for a few minutes, I even began to wonder if I had imagined it. Then, with no warning, the boat was rocked as 30 tonnes of grey whale launched itself out of the water and flew through the air. I was speechless – it was so much more spectacular than I had expected – bigger, louder, closer. I hadn’t really had time to take in what we’d just seen when several whales appeared simultaneously, two leaping clean out of the water, others just breaking the surface. I was drenched by the spray as they crashed back into the depths of the ocean.

© Konrad Wothe/Oxford Scientific Films

We watched them for an hour. I felt like an intruder in what was so clearly the whales’ territory – perhaps because they seemed so unaware of our presence. Even when the ocean was still and the captain assured us they had moved further out to sea, I was reluctant to return to the shore, hoping for one last chance to see these truly amazing creatures.

But as we approached land, I was increasingly glad that we hadn’t shared all their secrets. It was satisfying to know that some parts of the whales’ life below the ocean waves remained truly their own, untouched by human curiosity.

© David B Fleetham/Oxford Scientific Films


4. These questions are on On the Whale Trail

1. What did Lucy have to do before the boat left the dock?

Put a ring around your choice.

sit down put ona waterproof suit

takea photograph

look outfor whales

1 mark

2. Lucy’s account of whale watching is made up of five main events.

Number each stage of the trip to show the order in which they happen.

The first one has been done for you.

goes back to the dock

sees one whale swimming

sets off on the journey

sees several whales leaping

1 prepares for the journey

2 marks

3. In the first paragraph, Lucy feels as if she is at the start of an adventure.

Find and copy a word or phrase which tells you this.

1 mark


4. The author describes the whale and makes the event seem dramatic.

Explain how each of these phrases helps to make the description effective.

(a) There was nothing to see for a few minutes

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............................................................................................................. 1 mark

(b) I was speechless

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............................................................................................................. 1 mark

5. Why did the author choose the words launched and crashed to describe the whales’ movements?

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6. Towards the end of the trip, Lucy admits that she has a mixture of feelings about her experience.

Explain her different feelings.

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5. THE BLUE WHALE – MAKING A BIG SPLASH

The most amazing fact about the blue whale is that it is the largest creature that has ever lived on Earth. This means that it is even bigger than any of the dinosaurs. By the time it becomes a teenager, it is about 30 metres long and weighs more than 30 elephants.

James Field (SGA illustrator’s agents, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 5AP)


WHY BLUE? The blue whale is named after its blue-grey skin, which may have white-grey spots. The

underbelly may also have brown, yellow or grey specks.

BABY BLUE Blue whale calves are born tail first, near the surface of warm, shallow waters. At this early

stage they are about seven and a half metres long, and are able to swim just 30 minutes after birth. Blue whales live for 35 to 40 years, although it is thought that some survive until they are about 110 years old.

OPEN WIDE This enormous creature feeds mainly on some of the smallest creatures in the ocean, called

krill. Krill look like shrimps and are about the size of a small human finger. In the summer, the blue whale eats several million krill each day. In the winter, it travels to new feeding grounds in the search for krill.

Inside the blue whale’s gigantic mouth, there are no teeth. Instead, hundreds of stringy plates hang down from the upper jaw. They act like a giant sieve, filtering krill and other small creatures from the water. After every mouthful, the whale licks the plates with its giant tongue, swallowing everything that’s been trapped there. As the whale gulps in vast amounts of seawater, the loose throat skin expands like a huge balloon. Then, it closes its mouth and pushes out the water with its tongue.


RECORD BREAKERS As well as being the largest, blue whales are the loudest animals on earth. They repeatedly

make whistle-like sounds which can travel for many kilometres under water. The noise they make is much louder than an aeroplane, and so loud that it would be painful for humans to listen to, if they were too close by. These whale sounds are called songs, and may be used for locating large amounts of krill, and for communicating with other blue whales.

Information from The Big Blue Whale Book by L. M. King.

Many species of whale are endangered, which means that they could become extinct in the near future. Tim Stonely investigates the reasons.

Editor

6. These questions are on The Blue Whale

1.

The most amazing fact about the blue whale is that it is the largestcreature that has ever lived on Earth. This means that it is evenbigger than any of the dinosaurs. By the time it becomes a teenager,it is about 30 metres long and weighs more than 30 elephants.

OPEN WIDEThis enormous creature feeds mainly on some of the smallest creatures in the ocean, called krill. Krill look like shrimps and are about the size of a small human finger. In the summer, the blue whale eats several million krill each day. In the winter, it travels to new feeding grounds in the search for krill.

Inside the blue whale’s gigantic mouth, there are no teeth. Instead, hundreds of stringy plates hang down from the upper jaw. They

act like a giant sieve, filtering krill and othersmall creatures from the water. After everymouthful, the whale licks the plates with itsgiant tongue, swallowing everything that’sbeen trapped there. As the whale gulps invast amounts of seawater, the loose throatskin expands like a huge balloon. Then, itcloses its mouth and pushes out the waterwith its tongue.

T B WHE LUE HALE –MAKING A BIG SPLASH

a. Why is this paragraph in print?bold


WHY BLUE?The blue whale is named after its blue-grey skin, which may have white-grey spots. The underbelly may also have brown,yellow or grey specks.

BABY BLUEBlue whale calves are born tail first, near the surface of warm, shallow waters. At this early stage they are about seven and a half metres long, and are able to swim just 30 minutes after birth. Blue whales live for 35 to 40 years, although it is thought thatsome survive until they are about 110 years old.

RECORDBREAKERSAs well as being the largest, blue whales are the loudest animals on earth. They repeatedly make whistle-like sounds which can travel for many kilometres under water. The noise they make is much louder than an aeroplane, and so loud that it

would be painful for humans to listen to, ifthey were too close by. These whale soundsare called songs, and may be used forlocating large amounts of krill, and forcommunicating with other blue whales.Information from The Big Blue Whale Bookby L. M. King.

b. How does the bus help you to understand the information on these pages?

5 marks


2. Use the information to fill in this table of facts about the blue whale.

Two sections have been completed as examples.

colour blue / grey

35 – 40 years

length at birth

length as a teenager

usual life span

main food

3 marks


3. Look at the information in Open Wide.

Using this information, label what is shown in the diagram.

3 marks

4. The author compares the sound the blue whale makes to that of an aeroplane.

(a) How does this comparison help you to understand the information?

.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. 1 mark

(b) Find another comparison in the writing.

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............................................................................................................. 1 mark


7. WHALES IN DANGER – why?

Being hunted used to be the main threat to whales living in the wild. For many centuries, whales were wanted for their meat, oil and bones. In the 1980s, it was agreed that most hunting of whales should stop, because many species of whale were becoming endangered. This action has helped many species of whale to grow in number.

But whales still face other threats to survival, due to the way that humans are using the seas and oceans. One major problem is pollution. Large amounts of waste from factories have been dumped in some of our oceans, and sometimes oil spills into the seas.

Such activities can lead to the poisoning of whales and other sea creatures. Whales can also be harmed by careless fishing: they can become injured or entangled in the enormous fishing nets used to catch large amounts of fish.

Wildlife organisations throughout the world are helping everyone to realise how important it is to protect the whale, and treat the ocean with respect. By understanding more about why whales are in danger, we can continue to find ways to care for them, and increase their chances of survival.


Whales in danger GUIDE

Wildlife experts are carefully monitoring the numbers of different whale species, and identifying the dangers that they face.

Whales may be classified as endangered (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild, fairly soon) or vulnerable (facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, not too far ahead in the future). The table shows some examples.

TYPE OF WHALE MAIN THREATS

Humpback whale Disturbance from human activity, when the whales are feeding near coastlines.

Blue whale Illegal hunting

Grey whale Disturbance from human activity when the whales are feeding in shallow waters, and entanglement with fishing nets.

Northern right whale Entanglement with fishing nets, and collisions with ships

Fin whale Pollution in the ocean.

Pictures 1 - Mark Newman/FLPA - IMAGES OF NATURE with thanks to Jean Hosking Pictures 2-4 - FLPA - IMAGES OF NATURE with thanks to Jean Hosking Picture 5 - Robin Chittendon/FLPA - IMAGES OF NATURE with thanks to Jean Hosking


Type of whale Main threats

Imagine that an endangered whale could write a letter. What would the whale say? Young writer Louise Plater asked herself just this question. She imagined that she was a blue whale, and wrote this letter.

James Gritz – PhotoDisc

Editor

8. These questions are on Whales in Danger

1. Write down two ways in which people can help whales.

1.....................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

2. ...................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................... 2 marks


2. … treat the ocean with respect.

Explain what these words mean and why you think the reporter used them in this article.

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....................................................................................................................... 2 marks

3. (a) Why has some of the information about whales been presented as a table?

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Whales in danger GUIDE

Wildlife experts are carefully monitoring the numbers of different whale species, and identifying the dangers that they face.

Whales may be classified as endangered (facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild, fairly soon) or vulnerable (facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, not too far ahead in the future). The table shows some examples.

TYPE OF WHALE MAIN THREATS

Humpback whale

Blue whale

Grey whale

Northern rightwhale

Fin whale

Disturbance fromhuman activity, whenthe whales are feedingnear coastlines.

Illegal hunting

Disturbance from humanactivity when the whalesare feeding in shallowwaters, and entanglementwith fishing nets.

Entanglement withfishing nets, andcollisions with ships.

Pollution in the ocean.

(b) Why have these words been stamped across the pictures?

Give two reasons.

1.............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

2. ...........................................................................................................

............................................................................................................... 2 marks


9. Dear Humans,

I am a blue whale and I live in the Pacific Ocean. I am writing this letter to ask for peace in the world’s oceans on behalf of the creatures of the sea. For years we have lived among the tall sea plants that grow up from the sea bed. We have swum among the gentle waves as they lap against each rock.

You turn a peaceful sea into an angry sea. Now, the waves boil and swell in huge currents. As you dump piles of smelly oil into our clear water it becomes murky. Oil wraps itself cruelly in a coat around so many sea birds and fish. Oil sticks to their feathers and clings to their eyes and mouths.

It has poisoned them. It killed them. You killed them. You kill us whales too. You hunt us in big ships. You follow us. When you have us trapped between ships, you drop a net down. We are victims of you, just like the birds and fish are victims of oil. The sight of a net coming towards us fills us with alarm. Sheer panic overcomes us. We see no way out. The strong wires in the net press tightly against our bodies.


I have not experienced this myself. Luckily I am still alive and able to write this letter to you. Many of my friends, however, and family, have not been so fortunate. It is as much for them as for anyone else that I am asking you to stop doing this. You are driving us to extinction. Please, give us peace.

Yours beseechingly,

Blue Whale From Letters of Peace, collected by the Royal Mail and reproduced with permission

10. These questions are on Dear Humans

1. At the beginning of the letter, what reason does the writer give for writing?

....................................................................................................................... 1 mark


2. Here is a summary of the ideas in the letter.

Draw lines to match the paragraphs to the main ideas.

Draw one line to each box.

One has been done for you.

first paragraph

second paragraph

third paragraph

fourth paragraph

how humans haveaffected ocean life

the blue whale'srequest

the reason for writing

how whales feelabout human activity

2 marks

3. (a) What impression of the sea does the first paragraph of the letter give you?

.............................................................................................................

............................................................................................................. 1 mark

(b) In what ways is the second paragraph different?

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............................................................................................................. 2 marks


4. Both Whales in Danger and Dear Humans try to make you care about the dangers to whales.

Which do you think is more effective?

Explain your answer as fully as you can, referring to both texts.

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11. This question is about the whole booklet.

The editor’s comments appear all through the magazine to introduce different sections.

Do you think this is a good idea?

Yes No Yes and no

Explain your answer fully.

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....................................................................................................................... 2 marks

Documents

1. OCEAN VOICES - International School of · PDF file1. OCEAN VOICES Welcome to the first ... share this planet. International School of Madrid 2 FROM THE EDITOR OF ... These questions