Comparing and Contrasting Nonfiction Texts

Comparing and Contrasting Nonfiction Texts

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

Passage 1: The Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world, stretching across much of North Africa. It covers an area of about 9.2 million square kilometers, making it almost as large as the United States. Temperatures in the Sahara can reach extreme highs, often exceeding 100°F (38°C) during the day, and dropping significantly at night. Rainfall is very scarce, with some areas receiving less than an inch of rain per year. Despite the harsh conditions, some plants and animals have adapted to survive here, such as cacti, scorpions, and various reptiles.

Passage 2: The Arctic Tundra

The Arctic Tundra is a vast, treeless plain located in the northernmost regions of the world, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is characterized by extremely cold temperatures, with winter averages well below freezing. The ground is often permanently frozen, a condition known as permafrost. While precipitation is low, the ground is often waterlogged in summer due to poor drainage and melting snow. Animals like polar bears, arctic foxes, and caribou, along with plants such as mosses and lichens, have developed unique adaptations to thrive in this frigid environment.

1. Identify one similarity between the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Tundra.

2. Identify one key difference between the climate of the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Tundra.

3. Both the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Tundra have  .

4. Unlike the Sahara Desert, the Arctic Tundra is characterized by  .

5. Both the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Tundra experience very high levels of rainfall.

6. Animals in both environments have adapted to extreme temperatures.

7. Use the Venn diagram below to compare and contrast the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Tundra.