Chapter 3: Using Context Clues (Native Fruits, Plants and Animals)

III. Using Context Clues (Native Fruits, Plants and Animals)

In this chapter, you will learn how to use context clues. Developing this skill is important, for it broadens your understanding of words and their meanings and teaches you to make connections with the hidden clues you find in text with content that can sometime prove very challenging to understand. Throughout this chapter, you will be introduced to 10 passages about native fruits, plants and animals. That said, all of the passages you will read are carefully designed to take you on an educational journey to expand your word bank, while maximizing your ability to use context clues to aid vocabulary expansion and growth.

Chapter 3

Coconuts Open matching workbook questions

On the tropical islands of the Bahamas, there are many coconut trees with long over-arching branches filled with coconuts swaying in the breeze. Some large, some medium, all filled with refreshing coconut water and jelly. When you travel around the islands, you will find coconut water vendors selling coconut water and jelly alongside the streets, you can purchase it by the cup or gallon, you can drink it at room temperature, or you can take it home to refrigerate it for a while. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll discover that coconuts are quite good to drink and the white pulps of jelly make a tasty snack. Coconuts have great health benefits, too. This is not hearsay. I tell you, it’s a fact. Some people drink the water to help lower their blood pressure, while others drink it to flush their kidneys or to regulate their diabetes.

All coconuts are not the same in colour. Depending on their stage of maturity, their outer skin can be green or brown. You can pick them from the tree or wait until the wind blows them down. The bark of the coconut along with the husk can be removed from the outer shell. Then, you can make a hole in the top with a sharp object, so you can pour the water out into a cup or put a straw inside the coconut and drink the refreshing beverage straight from the fruit.

The Guava Tree Open matching workbook questions

Growing up as a child, I can remember the guava tree on the other side of the fence. Unfortunately, its owner was mean, so I often picked the guavas when he was away at work. Of course, asking permission is always the right thing to do, but because I was denied so many times when I did, I felt that stealing the guavas would be the best way to teach that mean old man a lesson.

Well, let me tell you. Those guavas were some of the biggest and sweetest guavas I’ve ever tasted. Whenever I picked them, I took them to my neighbour, Maggie, who was quite the pastry chef. With the guavas, she made everything - guava duff, guava cake, guava pie, guava jam and more. Guess what? On a few occasions, I even took some of Maggie’s delicious pastries to the old mean man and his family next door. Hmm, I wonder what he thought while he ate her delicious confections.

Picking Plums Open matching workbook questions

Growing up, I always looked forward to those plum-picking adventures with my aunt, Barbara, and uncle, Eric, along with my cousins Jackie, Irene and Brenda. Those were really some unforgettable days. Usually, we would go on the weekends since school was closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Coco, Scarlet, June and Hog plums were such a delight to pick. They were some of my favourite plums. Many years ago, they used to be plentiful on the island. Gladstone Road, Coral Harbour, Carmichael Road and Clifton Pier used to be ideal plum-picking spots. Nowadays, the modernization on the island of Nassau have altered much of the landscape. What used to be acres of bushy land where countless plum trees were grown is now home to paved streets, residential homes and commercial businesses. Fortunately, people still have plum trees in their yards. Also, plum trees grow on some of the under-developed family islands. Oh, how I miss those fun-filled, good-old days.

Bush Medicine Open matching workbook questions

If you have an illness that prescription drugs can’t cure, consider trying some of these amazing home-grown healing plants found locally on the islands. My grand parents taught me so much about them. As a matter of fact, I benefited from many of their healing properties as a child, and now that I am an adult, I still do boil the variety of bush teas that my grand parents introduced me to during my childhood. Many of these bushes are good for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, influenza, fever, sinus, measles, chicken pox, joint pains, back aches, burns, kidney stones and even covid-19. Most Bahamians are familiar with Cerasee, fever grass, blue flowers, madeira bark, croton, gale-wind, aloe vera, kamalame and others.

Today, the bush medicine tradition must be encouraged if future Bahamians are to benefit from all of the natural cures and remedies found in the native plants grown in our very own backyards. More importantly, it is vital for us to pass on our knowledge about the hidden curative secrets found in these bush teas to future generations to ensure their lifelong preservation.

The Flamingo Open matching workbook questions

I am the national bird of The Bahamas as you are aware.

My species are endangered, so I must be protected and handled with care.

I live on a remote island, Inagua, my home.

Here, I grow and live in comfort at a conservation reserve, where I am free to roam.

I am a tall graceful bird with long legs, a long neck, and very expansive wings.

I am pink in color.

I am a rare bird, like no other.

I enjoy doing peculiar bird-like things.

I do not lay eggs as often as other birds do.

My young are far and few between.

One egg per year to be precise.

For years now, I have been one of the most preserved and protected birds, like none you've ever seen.

So when you see me, please don't try to catch me and put me in your pot.

If you're caught, the law won't go easy on you, no matter how much you desire to eat me on the hush.

So, let me soar and let me live, like other birds in flight.

Let me represent all young and old Bahamians.

My future rest in your hands.

Help me to live to see other generations all across this great Bahama land.

The Blue Marlin Open matching workbook questions

I am the national fish of The Bahamas that lives in the island sea.

I am a rather large fish, so the ocean is right for me.

I have a long sword-like bill and dorsal fins,

And my body is blue.

Although fishermen in The Bahamas desire to catch me,

It’s not the right thing to do.

You might find this surprising,

But female blue marlin fish are bigger than the males.

This is no joke.

It’s a well-known fact,

You should know in full detail.

My kind prefers warmer temperatures,

Like the warm waters in the Bahamian sea.

Not only is this an island paradise,

It’s the perfect place to be.

My diet consists of squid, tuna and mackerel,

And I like to dive down deep to catch my prey.

When feeding or mating,

I tend to get excited.

And my colours can quickly change.

I am a very strong fish.

And I won’t allow myself to be captured without a fight.

So when you decide to catch me,

Your fishing skills better outmatch my might.

The Bahama Parrot Open matching workbook questions

I am a lovely bird with a white head and a body that is mostly green. On the island of Abaco, is where I can be seen. Many like me can be found in the pine forest, at the national life conservation park. I make my nest in holes on the ground. you won’t find many other birds in the world who nests this way. This makes me unique, no doubt.

Unfortunately, I am an endangered species that need to be protected from extinction. When you see me, you will notice that I am a very small bird 12-13 inches long. I am quite agile with feet that are very strong and can hang up side down from trees. My diet consists of fruits, such as wild berries, guava and more. I lay two to four eggs which take 26 days to hatch. When hatched, young chicks are born blind, dependent and featherless. With my dwindling flock being four thousand or less in Abaco, if you don’t protect me now, I won’t be around for future generations of Bahamians to see. You need to take good care of my kind, for there is no other bird quite like me elsewhere in the world you could find.

The Northern Bahamian Rock Iguana Open matching workbook questions

I’m not your ordinary lizard.

I’m the rarest of its kind.

I live on Iguana island.

So, when you come to see me,

Bring some fruit to feed me if you don’t mind.

I’m brownish pink in colour.

I can grow up to four feet in length.

I have a very long life span,

But I’ve been an endangered species for years.

My population has now dwindled to less than 5000,

Which brings my heart to tears.

I hide in rocks along the shores.

And lay about a dozen eggs during early summer in shallow sand.

My eggs are leathery in texture

And should be left alone whenever discovered,

This I need you to understand.

After three months my eggs are hatched,

And a brand new me is born.

But my fascinating species continue to dwindle,

Rather hunt me to eat or sell me illegally,

Consider the wonderful treasure that I am

And allow me to live on.

Catching Crabs Open matching workbook questions

Black crabs, white crabs you take your pick. On the island of Andros you can catch them at night hiding in holes in bushes away from prying eyes. You can take a flashlight, a crocus sack and a stick and dig them out of their hiding places. When you pick them up to put them in the sack, be careful to hold the back of their bodies with your hand to avoid being bitten by their snapping biters. If you feel so inclined, you could clip their biters and fins off then, or you could do it at a later time.

During rainy season, land crabs come out of their holes to wash their spawn in nearby waters. This is the best time to catch them as you do not have to venture far out into the bushes. Imagine thousands and thousands of land crabs crawling across the streets, in your yards, on your rooftops and in your homes. What excitement! Admittedly, the unexperienced crab catcher is not so thrilled and rather fearful. However, your seasoned crab catcher would spring into action and scoop up those pesky but tasty and profitable creatures to be boiled in pots, baked in ovens, minced for salad or penned for future sales to crab-loving Bahamians in Nassau, where vendors sell them at Potter’s Cay Dock, Arawak Cay, various roundabouts or from their homes. According to their sizes, crabs can be sold for 25 to 35 dollars per dozen.

Catching Fish Open matching workbook questions

A hook, line, sinker and bait are all the things you need to catch some fish. Fish love the taste of worms, squids and soldier crabs, so you can use the appetizing critters as bait. In The Bahamas, fish is plentiful, on a good day, you can snag a good catch of fish while standing on the rocks at Clifton Pier, at the Potter’s Cay Dock or Yamacraw Beach in Nassau. If you happen to be visiting or living on one of the family islands, you can cast your line at any of the nearby beaches. When a fish takes the bait, you will feel something tugging gently at the fishing line. Before hauling in your catch, wait for the tugging to get stronger. At this point, make a gradual pull of the line, but make sure not to reel it in too quickly, so that you don’t lose your catch.

IV. Writing Summaries (Native Cultures and Local Pastimes)

In this chapter, you will learn how to summarize text. Developing this skill is vital to being able to write with conciseness and precision. As you read the 8 passages about native cultures and local pastimes, you will be challenged to demonstrate your ability to rewrite, retell and restate information by using lesser words to express the same ideas mentioned in the original content. In addition, the summary writing activities in this chapter will teach you the skill of expressing yourself effectively on paper, while maintaining vital elements in your writing.