Selection 5 GRADE 8

Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

THE GORILLA IS A “PAPER TIGER”

The gorilla is always pictured as a hulking monster of horror tales and nightmares. It
is supposed to delight in kidnapping young and winsome ladies, or tear up explorers’ limb
from body. Studies by zoologist, however, revealed that gorillas are among the gentlest and
most peaceable animals in and out of the jungle. They spend their lives looking for feeding
on tender plants and roots, taking long naps and harmlessly enjoying their quiet life.

A lady investigator of the National Geographic Magazine spent three years among
wild gorillas in Central Africa. During her more than 2000 hours of direct observation, the
gorillas did not exhibit any aggressive behavior. Once, when five towering gargantuans
approached to within five feet of her, she spread her arms wide and shouted, “Whoa,” and all
five gorillas scampered away. After a short while, the gorillas resumed their normal behavior.

Gorillas can grow to a height of 6 feet or over, and can weigh between 400 to 500 lbs.
A grown male gorilla is 10 to 15 times as powerful as a strong man, but it prefers to use its
immense power and menacing display of anger in avoiding, not seeking, trouble.

The gorilla performs a masterful bluffing act. It rips and hurls masses of underbrush,
slaps its chest like bongo drums, gives a cavernous show of teeth and horrific roars that scare
even the elephants and the lions. But all these are shows. The leader of the gorilla tribe
performs these acts in order that the members of its tribe may safely go on their way  it soon
follows them having “frightened” off all enemies.

The only enemy of gorillas is man. Gorilla tribes do not fight within the tribe even for
mates. The female gorilla makes her selection of a mate, and all other mates accept her
decision. The gorilla has no other enemies. The lion, the tiger, even the elephants avoid him.
Could we say that the gorilla is the real King of the Jungle?

No. of words: 340

 Selection 5 GRADE 8
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

THE GORILLA IS A “PAPER TIGER”

Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Why do gorillas roar, show off their teeth, and slap their chest?
A. To frighten and catch their enemies
B. To frighten others for self-defense
C. To frighten other animals and be accepted as a king of the jungle
D. Frighten small animals for their food
2. What have zoologists found out about gorillas?
A. Gorillas are dangerous.
B. Gorillas are gentle and peace loving.
C. Gorillas are hard to tame.
D. Gorillas are man-eaters.
3. What do gorillas fed on?
A. Smaller animals
B. Tender plants and roots
C. Other gorillas
D. People
4. How do gorillas usually pictured?
A. Gargantuans C. monsters
B. Hairy men D. male monkeys
5. How big can gorillas grow?
A. 2-3 feet high C. 5-6 feet high
B. 3-4 feet high D. 8 feet high
6. How strong are gorillas compared to man?
A. As strong as a man
B. Twice as strong as a man
C. Five times more powerful than man
D. Ten to fifteen times more powerful than a strong man
7. As a whole, what is the nature of gorillas?
A. Aggressive C. troublemaker
B. Peaceful D. tame
8. Which of the following is the only enemy of the gorilla?
A. Lion C. elephant
B. Tiger D. man
9. What is true about gorillas?
A. Gorilla tribes fight other tribes.
B. Gorillas fight over anything.
C. Gorilla tribes do not fight other tribes.
D. Gorillas have many jungle enemies.
10. What is the selection about?
A. The nature of gorillas
B. The importance of gorillas
C. How gorillas live
D. The physical features of gorillas
 Selection 5 GRADE 8
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

KEY

1. B
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. C
6. D
7. B
8. D
9. C
10. A