Dr. Dian Fossey: Renowned Primatologist and Conservationist
Students will read a passage about Dr. Dian Fossey and learn about her extensive efforts to study and protect the critically endangered mountain gorilla. Students will then answer questions about main ideas, vocabulary, and details.
Reading Comprehension Passage
Dr. Dian Fossey: Renowned Primatologist and Conservationist
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- primatologists
- waned
- secure
- habituation
- dispelling
- credential
- poachers
- legacy
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “She was considered one of the world’s foremost primatologists and animal conservationists”
a. scientists who study numbers b. scientists who study primates c. people who live with primates d. rainforest specialists
2) “Her interest in animals never waned though”
a. lessened; decreased b. increased or grew c. earned; became profitable d. mattered
3) “In 1966, Dr. Leakey was able to secure funding for Dian to return to Africa”
a. advertise; publicize b. increase or expand c. get or obtain d. save; set aside
4) “This process is called habituation”
a. hide or camouflage b. toleration; accustoming c. live with or reside d. practice; manner
5) “The coverage resulted in worldwide attention for the gorillas, dispelling myths about their aggressive behavior”
a. strengthening; increasing b. creating; inventing c. simplifying d. dismissing; eliminating
6) “the educational credential helped her secure additional funding”
a. qualification or achievement b. faculty; professors c. publication d. scholarship money
7) “Digit was killed by poachers”
a. earthen pits b. lumbermen; loggers c. illegal hunters d. predators; carnivores
8) “Her legacy is carried on through the conservation efforts of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International”
a. writings; journals b. base camp; headquarters c. funding d. a gift passed down; heritage