Sample Expository Text
Question: Write about an animal or bird which is common in your country. Planning Animal Opossum (Manicou) Size Same as small cat Lives 2–4 years Appearance Grey fur, black ears and eyes, pink nose, feet, tail Sharp teeth Characteristics Shy, not fierce Habitat Forests Diet Insects, snails, berries, fruit Interesting facts Sleep in daytime, hunt at night Use tail to help them climb trees Females carry babies in pouch for 2–3 months
Opossums Opossums are found in several Caribbean islands. Some people call them manicous. They are the same size as a small cat and they live for two to four years. Opossums have grey fur with black ears and eyes, and pink noses, feet and tails. Opossums have very sharp teeth, but they are not fierce animals. They are quite shy. Opossums often live in forests. They use their long tails to help them climb trees. They sleep in the daytime and hunt at night. They eat insects and snails. They also eat fruit, leaves and berries. Female opossums carry their babies in a pouch on the front of their bodies. The babies stay in their mother’s pouch until they are two to three months old.
Introduction
Appearance, characteristics
Habitat, diet
Opossums and their babies
• Remind students that they need to conduct research when they prepare to write an expository text. The notes at the top are the result of research into opossums. • Help students to see how the information is organised in paragraphs. Discuss the main idea of each paragraph.
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