Lesson: Descriptive Text – Animals
1. Introduction to Descriptive Text
Descriptive text is a kind of text that describes a particular person, place, or thing in
detail. In this lesson, we will learn how to describe animals. The purpose of
descriptive text is to give information about the characteristics, appearance, behavior,
and habitat of the animal.
2. Grammar Focus: Descriptive Language and Simple Present Tense
Descriptive texts commonly use the simple present tense because they describe
general truths or facts.
Structure of Descriptive Text:
Identification: Introduces the animal and what it is.
Description: Describes physical features, behavior, habitat, diet, and other
facts.
Common Grammar Features:
Adjectives to describe (e.g., big, furry, long, wild)
Simple present tense:
3. Supporting Story: "The Clever Dolphin"
Dolphins are smart and friendly animals. They live in the ocean but are not fish. They
are mammals because they breathe air through their lungs. Dolphins have smooth
grey skin and a long body. They use their fins to swim fast.
Dolphins like to play. Sometimes, they jump out of the water. They eat small fish and
squid. Dolphins live in groups and help each other. They can also learn tricks and
understand human commands.
Dolphins are loved by many people because they are intelligent and gentle. They are
often seen in aquariums and ocean parks. Some dolphins also help people who are lost
at sea.
4. Exercises
A. Fill in the Blanks (Use the correct words)
Word box: ocean – mammals – fish – groups – fast
Dolphins live in the __________.
1. They are not __________; they are __________.
2. Dolphins swim very __________.
3. They live in __________ and help each other.
B. Arrange the Words to Make Sentences
1. grey / has / dolphin / skin / smooth.
2. fish / squid / dolphins / and / eat.
3. are / animals / dolphins / friendly.
4. water / jump / sometimes / out / they / the / of.
C. Answer the Questions Based on the Story
1. Where do dolphins live?
2. What do dolphins eat?
3. Are dolphins mammals or fish?
4. How do dolphins behave in groups?
5. Why do people love dolphins?
D. Writing Practice
Write a short descriptive text about your favorite animal. Include:
1. Name of the animal
2. What it looks like
3. Where it lives
4. What it eats
5. Special things about the animal
Text 1: The Tiger
Description:
Tigers are known for their strength, agility, and solitary hunting habits. They live in
various habitats such as tropical forests, grasslands, and mangrove swamps, mostly in
Asia. An adult tiger can weigh up to 300 kilograms and can grow more than 3 meters
in length. They have sharp claws and strong jaws to catch and kill their prey, which
includes deer, wild boar, and other large animals. Tigers usually hunt alone, mostly at
night, using their excellent eyesight and hearing to track prey. Despite their fearsome
reputation, tigers are endangered due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Conservation
efforts are ongoing to protect this majestic animal.
Text 2: The Penguin
Description:
Penguins have a unique black and white feather pattern that helps them blend in while
swimming. Their short wings have evolved into flippers, which make them strong and
fast swimmers. Penguins spend much of their time in the ocean, hunting for fish,
squid, and krill. They live in large colonies and are very social animals. Male and
female penguins often share responsibilities, such as taking turns keeping eggs warm
and finding food. Penguins walk with short steps and sometimes slide on their bellies
across the ice. Although they look cute and funny, penguins are tough animals that
can survive in extremely harsh conditions. Some penguins can dive deep into the
ocean and stay underwater for several minutes.
Text 3: The Butterfly
Description:
Butterflies are gentle and light creatures that belong to the insect family. They have
four wings covered in tiny scales that come in many bright colors and patterns.
Butterflies use their long, tube-like tongue called a proboscis to drink nectar from
flowers. They are usually active during the daytime and are important pollinators for
many types of plants.
The life cycle of a butterfly is one of the most fascinating things in nature. It starts as
an egg, then hatches into a caterpillar. The caterpillar eats leaves and grows bigger
before forming a chrysalis, or pupa. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar transforms
into a butterfly, a process called metamorphosis. When it emerges, it spreads its wings
and begins its life as an adult.
Butterflies live in many places around the world, especially in warm areas. They
usually live for a few weeks to a few months, depending on the species. Some
butterflies migrate long distances to find food or escape cold weather. Because of
their beauty and peaceful nature, butterflies are often seen as symbols of change,
hope, and new beginnings.
English Vocabulary Part of Speech Meaning (Bahasa Indonesia)
Active Adjective Aktif
Aggressive Adjective Agresif, menyerang
Camouflaged Adjective Tersembunyi, tersamar dengan lingkungan
Colorful Adjective Berwarna-warni
Curious Adjective Penasaran
Dangerous Adjective Berbahaya
Endangered Adjective Terancam punah
Fast Adjective Cepat
Feathery Adjective Berbulu (seperti burung)
Fluffy Adjective Lembut dan berbulu
Friendly Adjective Ramah
Furry Adjective Berbulu lebat
Gentle Adjective Lembut, tidak kasar
Giant Adjective Raksasa, sangat besar
Hairy Adjective Berambut, berbulu
Intelligent Adjective Cerdas
Lazy Adjective Malas
Long Adjective Panjang
Nocturnal Adjective Aktif di malam hari
Playful Adjective Suka bermain
Powerful Adjective Kuat
Scaly Adjective Bersisik
Sharp Adjective Tajam
Short Adjective Pendek
Shy Adjective Pemalu
Slimy Adjective Licin dan berlendir
Slow Adjective Lambat
Spotted Adjective Bertotol
Striped Adjective Bergaris-garis
Tame Adjective Jinak
Tiny Adjective Sangat kecil
Wild Adjective Liar
Bark Verb Menggonggong
Buzz Verb Berdengung
Chirp Verb Berkicau
Climb Verb Memanjat
Crawl Verb Merangkak, merayap
Fly Verb Terbang
Graze Verb Merumput, makan rumput
English Vocabulary Part of Speech Meaning (Bahasa Indonesia)
Hibernate Verb Tidur panjang saat musim dingin
Hop Verb Melompat-lompat
Hunt Verb Berburu
Migrate Verb Bermigrasi
Roar Verb Mengaum
Scratch Verb Menggaruk
Sting Verb Menyengat
Swim Verb Berenang
Beak Noun Paruh
Claws Noun Cakar
Fang Noun Taring
Feathers Noun Bulu
Fur Noun Bulu hewan
Habitat Noun Habitat
Hooves Noun Kuku (pada hewan berkuku keras)
Horn Noun Tanduk
Mane Noun Surai (rambut di leher singa/kuda)
Paws Noun Kaki hewan (berbantalan)
Predator Noun Pemangsa
Prey Noun Mangsa
Scales Noun Sisik
Shell Noun Cangkang
Tail Noun Ekor
Tentacles Noun Tentakel
Trunk Noun Belalai (gajah)
Wings Noun Sayap
Elephant Gajah
Tiger Harimau
Lion Singa
Panda Panda
Dolphin Lumba-lumba
Giraffe Jerapah
Zebra Zebra
Kangaroo Kangguru
Penguin Penguin
Rabbit Kelinci
Bear Beruang
Monkey Monyet
Crocodile Buaya
Snake Ular
Horse Kuda
Wolf Serigala
Deer Rusa
Butterfly Kupu-kupu
Owl Burung hantu
Turtle Kura-kura
Eagle Elang
Frog Katak
Sheep Domba
Whale Paus
Bat Kelelawar