The Food Chain. In order to understand the food chain, there are some vocabulary words you should learn. Look at the words and definitions below.

Transcription

1 Non-fiction: The Food Chain The Food Chain In order to understand the food chain, there are some vocabulary words you should learn. Look at the words and definitions below. Producers Organisms that make their own food. For example: grass Consumers Animals that eat other animals or producers. Herbivores Animals that eat only plants, no meat. For example: zebras Carnivores Animals that usually eat meat. For example: lions Decomposers Organisms that break down deceased animals into tiny pieces that can be used by producers. For example: earthworms All food chains begin with a producer. A producer is usually a type of plant. That producer is then eaten by a consumer. There are usually two types of consumers, primary 1 and secondary 2. Herbivores are They eat plants. Carnivores, secondary consumers, often eat primary consumers. For example: a zebra (a primary consumer) eats grass (a producer). A lion (a secondary consumer) eats the zebra. When an animal or a plant dies, decomposers break down the animal or plant, returning nutrients back into the environment. These nutrients then feed the producers, which completes the cycle. 1 primary: first 2 secondary: second 1

2 Questions: The Food Chain Name: Date: 1. The author lists vocabulary words a. to give the reader more work. b. to help the reader understand the passage. c. to confuse the reader. d. from the most important word to the least important word. 2. What is the difference between the two types of consumers? a. Primary consumers eat plants. Secondary consumers often eat b. Secondary consumers eat plants. Primary consumers often eat c. Secondary consumers eat plants. Primary consumers often eat d. Primary consumers eat plants. Secondary consumers often eat 3. is an example of a carnivore. 4. is an example of an herbivore. 5. Which part of the food chain is responsible for breaking down dead animals into tiny pieces? a. Carnivores b. Herbivores c. Producers d. Decomposers 2

3 Questions: The Food Chain 6. In a typical food chain, what would happen after a primary consumer eats a producer? 7. What is an effect of decomposers breaking down animals and plants after they die? 8. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Nutrients from deceased animals and plants feed producers, completes the cycle of the food chain. a. after b. which c. because d. despite 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. In the savanna, when lions become hungry, they hunt for primary consumers such as zebras in order to get rid of their hunger. What? (do) What? hunt for primary consumers such as zebras Where? When (they become)? Why? 10. Vocabulary Word: environment: everything that surrounds living things and affects growth and health; the natural world. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: 3

4 Answers: The Food Chain Passage Reading Level: Lexile 620 Teacher Guide and Answers 1. The author lists vocabulary words a. to give the reader more work. b. to help the reader understand the passage. c. to confuse the reader. d. from the most important word to the least important word. 2. What is the difference between the two types of consumers? a. Primary consumers eat plants. Secondary consumers often eat b. Secondary consumers eat plants. Primary consumers often eat c. Secondary consumers eat plants. Primary consumers often eat d. Primary consumers eat plants. Secondary consumers often eat 3. is an example of a carnivore. 4. is an example of an herbivore. 5. Which part of the food chain is responsible for breaking down dead animals into tiny pieces? a. Carnivores b. Herbivores c. Producers d. Decomposers 4

5 Answers: The Food Chain 6. In a typical food chain, what would happen after a primary consumer eats a producer? Suggested answer: After a primary consumer eats a producer, that primary consumer will be eaten by a secondary consumer. 7. What is an effect of decomposers breaking down animals and plants after they die? Suggested answer: Decomposers break down animals and plants after they die, and it has the effect of returning vital nutrients back into the environment. 8. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Nutrients from deceased animals and plants feed producers, completes the cycle of the food chain. a. after b. which c. because d. despite 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. In the savanna, when lions become hungry, they hunt for primary consumers such as zebras in order to get rid of their hunger. What? lions (do) What? hunt for primary consumers such as zebras Where? in the savanna When (they become)? hungry Why? in order to get rid of their hunger 10. Vocabulary Word: environment: everything that surrounds living things and affects growth and health; the natural world. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary. 5