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Collective Nouns (Groups of animals)
Introduction:
Welcome to today’s English lesson, where we’ll be exploring the fascinating world of collective nouns for groups of common animals. In the course of this lesson, you will not only broaden your vocabulary but also gain insight into the colourful and imaginative language used to describe gatherings of creatures. Get ready to dive into the realm of animal groups, from a pride of lions to a murder of crows, and discover the rich tapestry of terms that add vibrancy and depth to our everyday conversations about the animal kingdom.
Discuss any new vocabulary:
List of collective nouns of animals:
1. A Parliament of Owls – A group of owls is sometimes called a “parliament” because owls are associated with wisdom and were thought to be especially wise by ancient Greek tradition. Owls are mostly nocturnal birds of prey and have excellent hearing and night vision abilities.
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Grammar Question:
1. In the sentence “A pride of lions was spotted roaming the savannah,” identify the collective noun and provide two synonyms for it.
2. A Pride of Lions – Lions form “prides” that often consist of related females, their offspring, and a small number of adult males. These social cats are the only ones that live in groups and collaborate while hunting or defending their territory.
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Grammar Question:
2. Choose the correct verb form for the following sentence: “A swarm of bees _________ (is/are) buzzing around the flowers.”
3. A Pod of Dolphins – Dolphins are known to be highly intelligent, communicative, and social animals that swim together in groups called “pods.” They use echolocation to find food and use synchronized movements to hunt fish or escape predators.
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Grammar Question:
3. Combine these two sentences using a relative clause: “We saw a gaggle of geese. The geese were swimming in the pond.”
4. A Murmuration of Starlings – VIDEO Starlings gather in massive flocks dubbed “murmurations.” These flocks can have thousands of birds that create intricate aerial displays, often to confuse and evade predators like hawks or falcons.
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Grammar Question:
4. Rewrite the following sentence in passive voice: “A colony of ants carried the leaf across the forest floor.”
5. A Troop of Monkeys – Monkeys usually live together in large social groups called “troops,” which vary in size depending on the species. These primates have strong bonds with their peers, groom each other regularly, and cooperate during the search for food.
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Grammar Question:
5. Correct any errors in subject-verb agreement in this sentence: “An array of tropical fish shimmer brightly within their coral reef habitat.”
6. A Colony of Bats – Bats form roosting groups called “colonies,” sometimes consisting of millions of individuals! They are nocturnal creatures that use echolocation for navigation and finding food (mostly insects or fruit, depending on the species).
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Grammar Question:
6. Identify and correct any misplaced modifiers in this sentence: “The scientist closely observed a watchful pod of dolphins with binoculars.”
7. A Swarm of Bees – Bees form large communities known as “swarms” or “colonies” with a single queen bee responsible for reproduction. Worker bees gather nectar from flowers to make honey, while male drones mate with the queen.
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Grammar Question:
7. Use an appropriate conjunction to join these two sentences: “I found a nest of mice, but I left them in peace. They didn’t pose any threat.”
8. A School of Fish – Fish often swim together in coordinated patterns called a “school.” Schooling offers various advantages such as protection from predators and increased foraging efficiencies.
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Now Write a question about a school of fish:
9. A Gaggle of Geese – Geese are often observed grouping together in a formation known as a “gaggle” when on land or water. In flight, they are called a “skein.” These social birds mate for life and communicate through a variety of distinct honks.
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Now Write a question:
10. A Horde of Locusts – Swarms of desert locusts are sometimes referred to as “hordes.” Locust swarms can devour entire fields, causing significant crop damage and severe famine in affected areas.
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Now Write a question:
11. A Bloat of Hippos – A group of hippos is humorously called “a bloat.” They are semi-aquatic African mammals that often spend the day sleeping or cooling off in rivers, lakes, or mud. Despite their size, hippos are incredibly fast runners and swimmers.
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Now Write a question:
12. A Crash of Rhinos – A “crash” is an apt name for a group of rhinos, considering their immense size and unpredictable nature. Rhinos have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
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Now Write a question:
13. An Army of Frogs – When frogs congregate in large numbers, they form an “army.” These amphibians have semi-permeable skin that can breathe underwater and on land.
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Now Write a question:
14. A Leash of Greyhounds – Packs of elegant racing dogs known as greyhounds are occasionally called a “leash.” These strong, sleek canines can reach top speeds over 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour).
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Now Write a question:
15. A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies – The term “kaleidoscope” captures the stunning visual display created by congregating butterflies. These delicate, winged insects play vital roles in pollinating flowers.
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Now Write a question: