Animals & Environment
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NEW
10 Oct 2026
The conservation organization African Parks bought the distressed rhino herd at a steep discount in 2023. The group plans to transport them to new homes across Africa and save the species from poachers for good.
Saving White Rhinos in South Africa
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Section: Warm Up
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Rhinos live in Africa and eat green grass.
b) Rhinos can fly high in the sky.
c) Rhinos wear warm winter coats.
Ask:
(1) Have you ever seen a real rhino at a zoo or on television?
(2) Why do you think animals like rhinos need our help?
VOCABULARY
rhino (/ˈraɪnəʊ/, noun)
Meaning: A very large wild animal with thick grey skin and horns on its nose.
Example: The big rhino ate fresh green grass in the field.
horn (/hɔːn/, noun)
Meaning: A hard, pointed part that grows on the head of some animals.
Example: Poachers try to take the rhino horn.
safe (/seɪf/, adjective)
Meaning: Protected from danger or harm.
Example: Rangers keep the baby animals safe in the park.
guard (/ɡɑːd/, noun)
Meaning: A person who watches over something to protect it.
Example: An armed guard walks near the sleeping animals.
grass (/ɡrɑːs/, noun)
Meaning: Short green plants that grow on the ground.
Example: The grey rhino loves to eat green grass.
help (/hɛlp/, verb)
Meaning: To give assistance or do something good for someone.
Example: We can help save endangered animals from dying out.
wild (/waɪld/, adjective)
Meaning: Living in nature, not kept by people in a house.
Example: Lions and rhinos live in the wild in Africa.
Rhinos are large grey animals. They live in Africa. Many white rhinos live in South Africa. Sadly, these amazing animals are in danger. People hunt them illegally for their horns. A rhino horn is made of keratin, which is just like human hair and fingernails. Bad poachers try to steal the horns to sell them for a lot of money. This illegal trade is very harmful and cruel.
Conservationists and brave park rangers work hard every single day to protect these magnificent creatures. They keep the rhinos safe in special wildlife reserves. Armed guards watch over the animals around the clock. Rangers track the rhinos across the open plains where they eat green grass. Volunteers travel from all over the world to support this important rescue mission. People also raise money to fund medical care and food. With so much love and teamwork, we can help save the white rhinos from vanishing forever.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What colour are rhinos in the story?
2. Where do many white rhinos live?
3. What do bad poachers want to steal?
4. Who watches over the animals day and night?
5. How can people around the world support this mission?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: grass | guard | horn | safe
Rhinos are large grey animals. They live in Africa. Many white rhinos live in South Africa. Sadly, these amazing animals are in danger. People hunt them illegally for their _______(1). A rhino horn is made of keratin, which is just like human hair and fingernails. Bad poachers try to steal the horns to sell them for a lot of money. This illegal trade is very harmful and cruel.
Conservationists and brave park rangers work hard every single day to protect these magnificent creatures. They keep the rhinos _______(2) in special wildlife reserves. Armed _______(3) watch over the animals around the clock. Rangers track the rhinos across the open plains where they eat green _______(4). Volunteers travel from all over the world to support this important rescue mission. People also raise money to fund medical care and food. With so much love and teamwork, we can help save the white rhinos from vanishing forever.
Section 2: Main Idea
Choose the best answer for the main idea of the story:
a) Rhinos like to play games in the water all day.
b) People are working hard to protect and save white rhinos in South Africa.
c) Farmers are planting tall trees for birds to build nests.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True and False
1. White rhinos live in South Africa. T/F
2. Rhino horns are made of gold and silver. T/F
3. Armed guards help protect the rhinos from poachers. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in the correct order (1 to 3):
[ ] Brave rangers and guards watch over the animals.
[ ] Bad poachers try to steal rhino horns for money.
[ ] People around the world raise money and send volunteers.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Rhino
2. Horn
3. Safe
4. Guard
5. Grass
a) Green plants that animals eat on the plains.
b) A large grey mammal with thick skin and horns.
c) Protected from danger and harm.
d) A sharp part on the head of some animals.
e) A person who watches over and protects someone.
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:
1. We must keep animals _______(1) [safe / loud] from harm.
2. The rhino eats green _______(2) [grass / ice] on the open plains.
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Unscramble the words to make a correct sentence:
1. A) live / B) South / C) Africa / D) in / E) Rhinos
2. A) protect / B) Guards / C) the / D) big / E) rhinos
ANSWER KEY
Answer Key
Warm Up Answer: a) Rhinos live in Africa and eat green grass.
Section 1 (Fill in the Gaps):
1. horn
2. safe
3. guard
4. grass
Section 2 (Main Idea): b) People are working hard to protect and save white rhinos in South Africa.
Section 3 (True and False):
1. True (T)
2. False (F)
3. True (T)
Section 4 (Put Events in Order):
2, 1, 3 (Bad poachers try... -> Brave rangers... -> People around the world...)
Section 5 (Vocab Match):
1 - b
2 - d
3 - c
4 - e
5 - a
Section 6 (Discussion Builder):
1. safe
2. grass
Section 7 (Sentence Unscramble):
1. Rhinos live in South Africa. (E, A, D, B, C)
2. Guards protect the big rhinos. (B, A, C, D, E)
Section 8 (Discussion Questions):
1. Rhinos in the story are grey.
2. Many white rhinos live in South Africa.
3. Bad poachers want to steal rhino horns.
4. Armed guards and rangers watch over the animals day and night.
5. People can support this mission by raising money, sending volunteers, and raising awareness.
Thank you for your feedback!