COMPREHENSION PARAGRAPH
CLASS 7th, 8th AND 9th
PRACTICE WORKSHEET
THE LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY
The life cycle of a butterfly is a fascinating process that includes four distinct stages : egg, larva
( caterpillar ), pupa ( chrysalis ) and adult butterfly. This process is known as metamorphosis. The cycle begins when a female butterfly lays eggs on the leaves of a plant. These eggs are often tiny and can be round, oval, or cylindrical.
After a few days, the eggs hatch and the larva, commonly known as a caterpillar, emerges. The caterpillar’s primary task is to eat and grow. It feeds on the leaves of the host plant and goes through several stages of growth called instars. As it grows, the caterpillar sheds its skin multiple times. This stage is crucial for storing energy for the next phase of the life cycle.
When the caterpillar has grown enough, it forms a pupa or chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar undergoes a remarkable transformation. Its body breaks down and reorganizes into the structure of an adult butterfly. This stage can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Finally, the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. At first, its wings are soft and crumpled, but after a few hours, they harden and the butterfly is ready to fly. The adult butterfly will then seek a mate to reproduce and the cycle begins anew.
The life cycle of a butterfly not only highlights the wonders of nature but also underscores the importance of each stage for the survival and reproduction of the species. Understanding this process helps in conserving butterfly habitats and supporting biodiversity.
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ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS :
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Q.1) What are the four stages of a butterfly’s life cycle ?
ANS: The life cycle of a butterfly includes four distinct stages : egg, larva ( caterpillar ), pupa ( chrysalis ) and adult butterfly.
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Q.2) What is the primary task of the caterpillar stage ?
ANS: The caterpillar’s primary task is to eat and grow.
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Q.3) What happens inside the chrysalis ?
ANS: Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar undergoes a remarkable transformation. Its body breaks down and reorganizes into the structure of an adult butterfly.
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Q.4) How long can the chrysalis stage last ?
ANS: Chrysalis stage can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
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Q.5) What does the adult butterfly do after emerging from the chrysalis ?
ANS: The adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. At first, its wings are soft and crumpled, but after a few hours, they harden and the butterfly is ready to fly.
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Q.6) Why is each stage of the butterfly’s life cycle is important ?
ANS: Each stage of the butterfly’s life cycle is important for the survival and reproduction of the species.
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Q.7) How might environmental conditions affect the duration of the chrysalis stage ?
ANS: Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity can affect the duration by either speeding up or slowing down the developmental process inside the chrysalis.
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Q.8) Why is it important to understand and conserve butterfly habitats ?
ANS: Conserving habitats ensures the survival of butterflies by providing necessary resources at each stage of their life cycle and supporting overall biodiversity.
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Q.9) Rewrite the following sentence n the past tense: “The adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis.”
ANS: “The adult butterfly emerged from the chrysalis.”
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Q.10) Why might a caterpillar shed its skin multiple times ?
ANS: The caterpillar sheds its skin multiple times as it is crucial for storing energy for the next phase of the life cycle.
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