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The colour of animals is by no means a matter of chance; it depends on many…

NIFT 2025 · Communication Ability and English Comprehension · 5 questions

The colour of animals is by no means a matter of chance; it depends on many considerations, but in the majority of cases the choice tends to protect the animal from danger by rendering it less conspicuous. Perhaps, it may be said that if colouring is mainly protective, there ought to be but few brightly coloured animals. There are, however, not a few cases in which vivid colours are themselves protective. The kingfisher, though so brightly coloured, is by no means easy to spot. The blue harmonizes with the water, and the bird looks almost like a flash of sunlight as it darts along the stream. Desert animals are generally the colour of the desert. Thus, neither the sparse trees nor the feeble undergrowth such as twigs and small branches provide even the slightest protection from their foes. Hence, a modification, requiring their colour blending with that of their surroundings, is absolutely necessary. Without exception, the upper plumage of every bird and also the skin of all snakes and lizards, is of one uniform sand colour. The next point is the colour of mature caterpillars, some of which are brown. This probably makes the caterpillar even more conspicuous among the green leaves than would otherwise be the case. Let us see, then, whether the habits of the insect can protect it. What would you do if you were a big caterpillar? Why, like most other defenceless creatures, you would feed by night, and lie concealed by day. So do these caterpillars. When the morning light comes, they creep down the stem of the food plant, and lie concealed among the thick foliage, dry sticks and leaves, near the ground, and it is obvious that under such circumstances the brown colour really serves as protection.

Question 1

Identify the incorrect statement from the passage:
  1. A. The kingfisher is a brightly coloured bird.
  2. B. It is by no means easy to see the kingfisher.
  3. C. The kingfisher looks like a flash of sunlight when it darts along the stream.
  4. D. The kingfisher has a green coloured ring around the neck.

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Question 2

What is the primary subject of the passage?
  1. A. The conservation of wildlife.
  2. B. The planting of more trees and vegetation.
  3. C. That the colouration of a bird or an animal is irrelevant.
  4. D. That the colour of birds and animals is mostly adapted to match the background of their environment.

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Question 4

After reading the passage carefully identify the incorrect statement.
  1. A. Caterpillars hide themselves under thick foliage in the daytime.
  2. B. Some of the caterpillars are brown and some are grey.
  3. C. The colour brown makes the caterpillar stand out in its natural habitat.
  4. D. Caterpillars feed by night.

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Question 5

After reading the passage carefully, select the correct answer to the following question. Why is 'colour blending' important for the desert animals?
  1. A. As the kingfishers are quick to dart into bushes.
  2. B. As the colour of the desert changes during daytime.
  3. C. As the sparse trees or feeble undergrowth offer little natural protection.
  4. D. As food and water are scarce in the desert.

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