Comprehension Passage: "The Leopard and the Crocodile" In the dense jungles of Karinga, a young leopard named Nia prowled through the thick underbrush, her golden eyes alert to every sound. The jungle was her kingdom, a vast expanse of towering trees, winding vines, and hidden streams. She had lived there her entire life, growing from a curious cub into a sleek, powerful hunter. One evening, as the sun dipped low and painted the riverbank in amber light, Nia crept down to the water’s edge in search of prey. There, half-submerged and motionless, lay Kato the crocodile—an ancient sentinel whose jagged back broke the surface like a row of dark teeth. The river was Kato’s domain, just as the trees were Nia’s. Yet tonight, their territories would meet. Nia watched from the shadows as Kato’s yellow eyes flickered open. Between them lay a steaming carcass—a recent kill carried downstream by the current. Hunger gnawed at Nia’s belly, but something held her back: Kato’s presence was too commanding, too still. The crocodile made no move to defend or devour; he simply observed, as if judging Nia’s every flick of tail and twitch of whisker. Carefully, Nia edged forward. Her body tensed, every muscle primed for the leap. But as she drew near, she noticed a long, jagged scar across Kato’s broad snout—an old wound, maybe from another predator or a fierce battle. Nia felt a pang of respect. Here was a creature who had survived countless struggles, who had learned patience in a world of need. She paused, remembering her mother’s lessons: hunt with precision, but never without purpose. At that moment, she realised this was not just about feeding herself—it was about acknowledging the crocodile’s silent wisdom. If Kato would not claim the carcass, perhaps it was not meant for another fierce struggle tonight. With a flick of her ears, Nia turned and melted back into the foliage, choosing to hunt elsewhere. She did not flee out of fear, but out of understanding: the jungle’s balance depended on knowing when to strike—and when to wait. As stars winked into the sky, the river flowed on, carrying the carcass downstream. Nia climbed a nearby boulder and sat in quiet contemplation. Across the water, Kato slid back into the depths without a ripple, his ancient eyes closing in trust that the night would bring more opportunities. In that shared silence, both predator and guardian honoured the unspoken laws of their world. Nia had tested her instincts and found them tempered by respect. The crocodile had claimed his territory and chosen mercy over waste. And in Karinga, life moved forward—one silent lesson at a time. IGCSE-Style Comprehension Questions 1. Contextual Understanding a. Where do Nia and Kato each claim as “their” domain? b. How does the description of the riverbank set the tone for their encounter? 2. Explicit Meaning What causes Nia to hesitate before taking the carcass? Cite two details from the text. 3. Implicit Meaning & Inference Why does the scar on Kato’s snout provoke respect in Nia? What does this reveal about her character development? 4. Character Motivation a. Beyond hunger, what motivates Nia’s final decision? b. Identify one phrase that hints at this deeper motivation. 5. Language Analysis The passage says Kato’s back “broke the surface like a row of dark teeth.” a. What effect does this simile create? b. How does it influence our perception of Kato? 6. Theme & Implicit Meaning How does this encounter illustrate the theme of balance in the jungle? Provide two examples from the passage that support this theme. 7. Structural Analysis Identify how the author uses sentence length or breaks at the moment Nia decides to leave. Why does this reinforce the significance of her choice? 8. Comparative Inference Compare Nia’s earlier instinct to pounce with her eventual action. How does this mirror a human ethical dilemma? Give one textual example. 9. Symbolism & Deeper Meaning What might the carcass symbolize in relation to both Nia and Kato—and by extension, to the reader? Explain with reference to the passage. 10. Critical Evaluation Using evidence from the text, predict how this lesson might affect Nia’s future hunts. What does her decision tonight suggest about her growth?
