Grasslands - Introduction

Grasslands - Introduction

Grasslands - Introduction
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 4 to 8
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	9.18

Vocabulary

challenging words:

seasonal, unbearable, cheetahs, environment, temperate, rhinoceros, ultimate, receive, dominate, savannahs, bison, rainfall, such, grassland, become, include

Print Grasslands - Introduction
edHelper.com subscriber options:

	Print Grasslands - Introduction (font options, pick words for additional puzzles, and more)
	Quickly print reading comprehension
	Print a proofreading activity

Feedback on Grasslands - Introduction

Leave your feedback on Grasslands - Introduction (use this link if you found an error in the story)

Grasslands - Introduction

¹     Grasslands are places where fast-running animals get to challenge themselves by surpassing their own records! Since there are almost no trees in grasslands, animals can run at their top speeds without worrying about bumping into any obstacles. Both cheetahs and ostriches, known for their swiftness, make grasslands their home. Other animals living in grasslands include zebras, giraffes, white rhinoceros, warthogs, grasshoppers, and vultures.

²     Like the name suggests, grasses dominate the landscape in grasslands. On average, grasslands receive about 25-50 inches of rainfall a year. If the place received more rain, it would be able to grow trees and become a forest. If the place received less rain, it would be a desert. At least one-fifth of the Earth's land area is grasslands. It can be found in every continent except Antarctica.

³     Grasslands can be divided into two groups: temperate grasslands and savannahs. Temperate grasslands have noticeable seasonal changes, while savannahs are warm all year round. For animals living in temperate grasslands (such as the American bison), winter is the most unbearable season because plants are either dead or buried under snow. For animals living in savannahs (such as the African elephant), the dry season is the ultimate nightmare. To survive in either environment, many grassland animals must travel for long distances to find food and water.

Copyright © 2008 edHelper