Apply what you’ve learned to these new excerpts.
From What is a Desert? by Emilia Jackson
Deserts are often described as hot and dry, but only one of those is true all the time. There are hot deserts, but cold deserts exist as well. Some areas, such as parts of Greenland, can have winter temperatures as cold as –2 degrees Celsius! Deserts are defined as areas with very little rain and snow—less than 26 centimeters per year, on average. Although there is usually very little water available in deserts, many plant and animal species make these areas their home.
From Desert Adaptations by Diallo Abara
It may seem surprising that plants and animals can live in the desert. After all, plants and animals need water to survive, and the very definition of a desert is that it is a place with hardly any water. In addition, many deserts are extremely hot during the day. How do plants and animals survive in this harsh climate?
Both plants and animals have adaptations—either behaviors or parts of their bodies—that help them to live in the desert. For example, fennec foxes have large ears that allow heat to leave their bodies more easily. Camels store fat in their humps, which their bodies break down into food and water when those provisions are unavailable. Many small desert animals stay out of the hot sun during the day and come out to eat at night.
How is Jackson’s purpose different from Abara’s purpose?
Jackson provides information about desert climate, while Abara explains how animals can live in the desert.
Jackson gives details about the areas of the world where deserts are found, while Abara explains what a desert is.
Jackson explains how much precipitation falls in a desert, while Abara relates what animals need to survive.
Jackson describes winter desert temperatures, while Abara explains how daytime and nighttime temperatures differ.