Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions on it.
The black ant is indisputably one of the smallest visible insects on earth Except with aid of a very powerful microscope, it is difficult if not impossible to locate the eyes, the mouth the nostrils (if it ever has any) or any other part of the body. An air of mystery surrounds the existence of this little creature.
Have you ever taken time off your programme to watch these ants move in row? What gives them the sense of direction, we do not know. Indeed whoever sends them on an errand and how they even know their destination and the type of errand to run we are yet to be told. But they are an extremely well-organized lot.
Certainly, there are no defined routes for them on walls or trees, yet they move in an orderly manner. almost in a straight line. The beautiful thing about these insects is that even when their line of movement is disorganized. they soon regroup and connect themselves again end to end. If in the process. one of them is killed. they quickly recognize that fact from their various positions. Then. one sees them running helter skelter with a seeming insistence on getting at the comrade to confirm its death.
When this has been done, some of them run zigzag at a tremendous speed to alert the others on the route. Soon, they disappear completely. Later. as if everything were over and forgotten they reappear and form a new route and continue their movement transporting food or going on one errand or the other as before Bring your ears close to them and you hear nothing and you wonder what their means of communication could be. Perhaps, most surprising is their high sense of understanding the weather and the climate They are just like men in this area. They know when it is the rainy season and when the dry season comes. In fact, it is true to say that they prepare better for the future than man.
During the dry season. they file out to different places gathering food which they store underground. At the slightest sign of the approach of the rainy season. they all get into the hole and seal it up. Surprisingly. they re-emerge when the dry season sets in. And whoever tells them that the dry season has come we do not know. You can now see the sense in the injunction, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard. learn her ways and be wise."
(a) Why does the writer regard the black ant as one of the smallest insects on earth?
(b) Give reasons why the writer thinks that the way ants live is ' interesting'?
(c) (i) What is the writer's attitude towards the black ant? (ii) Quote an expression from the passage to support your answer.
(d) When this has been done " What does 'this' refer to?
(e) "The beautiful thing about these insects ..."
(i) What grammatical name is given to this expression
(ii) What is its function in the sentence?
(f)What quality of the wins implied in the last sentence of the passage?
(g) For each of the following words or phrases find another word or phrase that means the same and can replace it as it is used in the passage: (i) indisputably; (ii) row; (iii) helter skelter, (iv) a tremendous (v) area (vi) approach.
Comprehension Answers: The Black Ant
(a) Why does the writer regard the black ant as one of the smallest insects on earth?
He regards it so because it is so tiny that, except with the aid of a very powerful microscope, it is difficult if not impossible to locate its eyes, mouth, nostrils or any other part of its body.
(b) Give reasons why the writer thinks that the way ants live is 'interesting'.
He finds it interesting because, although nothing shows how they are directed, the ants move in an orderly, almost straight line without defined routes; when their line is disorganised they quickly regroup and connect end to end; when one of them is killed they recognise the fact, rush to confirm its death and alert the others; and they show a remarkable understanding of the weather, storing food during the dry season and sealing themselves underground before the rains.
(c) (i) What is the writer's attitude towards the black ant?
His attitude is one of admiration and wonder.
(ii) Quote an expression from the passage to support your answer.
"The beautiful thing about these insects is that even when their line of movement is disorganized, they soon regroup and connect themselves again end to end."
(d) "When this has been done" - What does 'this' refer to?
"This" refers to the ants running to get at their dead comrade in order to confirm its death.
(e) "The beautiful thing about these insects ..."
(i) Grammatical name: Noun phrase.
(ii) Function: It is the subject of the sentence.
(f) What quality of the ants is implied in the last sentence of the passage?
The last sentence implies the quality of industry or hard work (diligence and wisdom in preparing for the future), which the lazy sluggard is urged to learn from the ant.
(g) Words and their replacements as used in the passage:
- (i) indisputably - unquestionably / undeniably
- (ii) row - line / file
- (iii) helter skelter - in disorderly haste / confusedly
- (iv) tremendous - enormous / great
- (v) area - respect / field
- (vi) approach - coming / arrival
Comprehension Answers: The Black Ant
(a) Why does the writer regard the black ant as one of the smallest insects on earth?
He regards it so because it is so tiny that, except with the aid of a very powerful microscope, it is difficult if not impossible to locate its eyes, mouth, nostrils or any other part of its body.
(b) Give reasons why the writer thinks that the way ants live is 'interesting'.
He finds it interesting because, although nothing shows how they are directed, the ants move in an orderly, almost straight line without defined routes; when their line is disorganised they quickly regroup and connect end to end; when one of them is killed they recognise the fact, rush to confirm its death and alert the others; and they show a remarkable understanding of the weather, storing food during the dry season and sealing themselves underground before the rains.
(c) (i) What is the writer's attitude towards the black ant?
His attitude is one of admiration and wonder.
(ii) Quote an expression from the passage to support your answer.
"The beautiful thing about these insects is that even when their line of movement is disorganized, they soon regroup and connect themselves again end to end."
(d) "When this has been done" - What does 'this' refer to?
"This" refers to the ants running to get at their dead comrade in order to confirm its death.
(e) "The beautiful thing about these insects ..."
(i) Grammatical name: Noun phrase.
(ii) Function: It is the subject of the sentence.
(f) What quality of the ants is implied in the last sentence of the passage?
The last sentence implies the quality of industry or hard work (diligence and wisdom in preparing for the future), which the lazy sluggard is urged to learn from the ant.
(g) Words and their replacements as used in the passage:
- (i) indisputably - unquestionably / undeniably
- (ii) row - line / file
- (iii) helter skelter - in disorderly haste / confusedly
- (iv) tremendous - enormous / great
- (v) area - respect / field
- (vi) approach - coming / arrival
