Comparing and Contrasting Nonfiction Texts

Comparing and Contrasting Nonfiction Texts

Read the passages carefully. Then, answer the questions that follow by comparing and contrasting the information presented in each text.

Passage 1: Arctic Foxes

Arctic foxes live in the cold, snowy regions near the North Pole. They have thick, white fur that helps them blend in with the snow and ice. This fur also keeps them warm in temperatures that can drop below -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Arctic foxes have small, rounded ears and short snouts to reduce heat loss. They mostly eat small animals like lemmings, voles, and birds. In the summer, their fur turns a brownish-gray color, and they might eat berries and insects too.

Passage 2: Red Foxes

Red foxes are found in many different habitats around the world, from forests to grasslands. They have reddish-brown fur, a white belly, and a bushy tail with a white tip. This coloration helps them hide in their surroundings. Red foxes are very adaptable and can live in both cold and warm climates. They have longer, pointed ears and a more slender snout than arctic foxes. Their diet is varied and includes rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, and fruits. They are known for being clever hunters.

1. What is one way arctic foxes and red foxes are similar?

2. What is one significant difference between the fur of an arctic fox and a red fox?

3. Arctic foxes live in   climates, while red foxes can live in both   and   climates.

4. Both arctic and red foxes are known to eat  , but arctic foxes also eat   and  .

Use the Venn diagram below to compare and contrast arctic foxes and red foxes. Write characteristics unique to each fox in the outer circles and shared characteristics in the overlapping middle section.