Comparing Two Texts on the Same Topic

Name: _______________________________

Date: _______________________________

Read both texts carefully, then answer the questions that follow.

Text A: Save Our Forests

New Zealand's native forests are under threat, and we must act now! Every year, thousands of hectares are lost to urban development and farming. Our beautiful kauri, rimu, and tōtara trees—some over 1,000 years old—are disappearing. These forests are home to unique species like the kiwi, kākāpō, and giant wētā that exist nowhere else on Earth. If we don't protect these precious ecosystems immediately, future generations will never experience the magic of walking through an ancient native forest. We owe it to our children to preserve this natural heritage. Join conservation groups, plant native trees, and support stricter protection laws before it's too late!

Text B: New Zealand's Forest Conservation Efforts

New Zealand has made significant progress in forest conservation over the past three decades. According to the Department of Conservation, approximately 38% of the country's land area is now protected in national parks and reserves. Native forest coverage has stabilised at around 6.7 million hectares. The government has implemented various initiatives, including the Predator Free 2050 programme, which aims to eliminate introduced predators that threaten native species. Community-led planting projects have resulted in over 25 million native trees being planted in recent years. While challenges remain, particularly regarding kauri dieback disease and ongoing habitat fragmentation, conservation scientists note measurable improvements in several native bird populations.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the main purpose of Text A?

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2. What is the main purpose of Text B?

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3. Identify one fact that appears in both texts.

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4. How does the tone of Text A differ from Text B? Give evidence from each text.

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5. Which text uses more emotive language? Give two examples.

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6. Which text provides more statistical information? List two statistics mentioned.

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7. If you were researching forest conservation for a school project, which text would be more useful and why?

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