Rulang Primary SchoolEnglish Department

Comprehension Worksheet (11)

Name: ___________________________ ( ) Marks: ________/ 10

Class : Primary 3 _______ Date : ___________

Read the following letter carefully and answer the questions that follow.

A tree’s protective outer covering is called the bark. It is tough, hard and

protects the soft, inner part of the tree.

A tree trunk grows from the inside out. Each year, a ring of new, soft wood

grows around the trunk, under the bark. This makes the trunk get thicker. The old,

hard bark cannot stretch as the tree gets thicker. The bark cracks, splits and then

crumbles away to make room for the new wood. That is why a tree’s bark always

looks rough, cracked and bumpy.

As the ring of new wood grows, the outer ring of the trees becomes the young

bark. A tree is always making new bark and shedding its old bark.

The beech tree, unlike some other trees, has a smooth bark. This tree grows

so slowly that its old bark just crumbles away, a little at a time.

1. What is the bark of a tree?

2. What is the function of the bark?

3. How does a tree trunk get thicker?

4. What happens to the bark as the tree ages?

5. Name one difference between a beech tree and other trees.

Answer Key

1. It is the tree’s protective outer covering.2. It protects the soft inner part of the tree.3. A ring of new, soft wood grows around the truck, under the bark, making the

tree trunk thicker.4. It becomes old and hard so it cracks, splits and then crumbles away to make

room for the new wood.5. The bark of the beech tree is smooth but the bark of the other tree is rough.