Use the information about the Whale and Tiger shark
(Source: Unlock 3, Reading, Writing & Critical Thinking, Second Edition, Unit 1)
Whale Shark
Animal class: Chondrichthyes (fish), habitat: oceans, length: 5,5-10 m, weight: 18 tonnes, colour: white stomach, grey-blue back and sides with light spots, diet: plankton, krill, other very small animals, conservations status: endangered (will probably become extinct), behaviour towards humans: no recorded attacks.)
Tiger Shark
Animal class: Chondrichthydes (fish), habitat: oceans, length: 3-4,2 m, weight: 0,86 tonnes, colour: white stomach, grey-brown back and sides, diet: tuna, dolphins, turtles, conservation status: not currently at risk of extinction, behaviour towards humans: many reports of an attack on humans.
Task: Compare and contrast the two shark species. The introduction and conclusion paragraphs are given and written in Italics below:
Write two main paragraphs between the two paragraphs provided which focus on the two differences between the two species.
Use a topic sentence to introduce each main body paragraph.
Include information about the size, colour and weight of the two shark species.
Include information about the diet, behaviour and conservation status of the two shark species.
Use ‘and’, ‘or’, ‘but’, ‘whereas’, ‘neither’ and ‘both’ correctly.
The whale shark and the tiger shark
(The level of the following text is between B1 and B2)
The whale shark and the tiger shark are two of the many shark species found in the major oceans of the world. Both the whale shark and the tiger shark belong to the animal class Chondrichthyes. Both types of sharks have a large mouth, a divided tail and fins for swimming, including the large triangular fin which can often be seen above the surface of the water. On the other hand, these two types of shark are very different in their (1) physical characteristics, (2) diet, behaviour and conservation status.
The whale shark and the tiger shark differ significantly in size, colour, and weight. The whale shark is a massive fish with a length of 5.5 to 10 meters and an average weight of 18 tonnes, whereas the tiger shark is a comparatively smaller fish with a length of 3 to 4.2 meters and an average weight of 0.86 tonnes. Additionally, the whale shark has a distinct white stomach and grey-blue back and sides with light spots, whereas the tiger shark has a white stomach and grey-brown back and sides.
Furthermore, the two shark species differ significantly in their diet and behaviour. The whale shark is a filter feeder and eats plankton, krill, and other small animals, while the tiger shark is a carnivore and feeds on larger prey like tuna, dolphins, and turtles. Moreover, the behaviour of the two shark species towards humans is also different. The whale shark has no recorded attacks on humans and is known to be harmless, while the tiger shark has many reports of attacks on humans, making it a dangerous shark to encounter. In terms of conservation status, both species differ significantly as well. The whale shark is an endangered species, and its population is decreasing rapidly, making it a species that is at high risk of extinction. On the other hand, the tiger shark is not currently at risk of extinction. However, it is still important to monitor and conserve their population as they play a crucial role in the ocean ecosystem.
Overall, it is clear that the whale shark is a much larger animal, but it is a gentle giant, whereas the smaller tiger shark is a hungry meat eater. However, both animals play an important role in the ocean environment. For example, tiger sharks keep the oceans clean by eating dead whales and fish. In my opinion, people and nations need to cooperate to make sure we protect both of these important animal species.
(Alternative Concluding Paragraph: Overall, while the whale shark and the tiger shark belong to the same animal class, they are vastly different in their physical characteristics, diet, behaviour, and conservation status. It is crucial to protect both species and their habitats to ensure the balance of the ocean ecosystem. People and nations need to work together to conserve and protect these essential species to ensure their survival for future generations.)
Second alternative essay:
The whale shark and the tiger shark
(The level is between B1+ and C1)
The whale shark and the tiger shark are two of the many shark species found in the major oceans of the world. Both the whale shark and the tiger shark belong to the animal class Chondrichthyes. Both types of sharks have a large mouth, a divided tail and fins for swimming, including the large triangular fin which can often be seen above the surface of the water. On the other hand, these two types of shark are very different in their (1) physical characteristics, (2) diet, behaviour and conservation status.
The first major difference between the whale shark and the tiger shark is their size. The whale shark is much larger, measuring between 5.5 to 10 meters in length and weighing up to 18 tonnes, whereas the tiger shark is much smaller, measuring between 3 to 4.2 meters in length and weighing up to 0.86 tonnes. The whale shark’s size is attributed to its diet of plankton and small animals, which requires it to have a larger mouth to filter food. In contrast, the tiger shark’s diet consists of larger prey, such as tuna, dolphins, and turtles, which is why it has a more streamlined body shape to hunt its prey more efficiently. Additionally, the whale shark’s colouration is distinctive with a white stomach, grey-blue back and sides with light spots, while the tiger shark has a white stomach, and grey-brown back and sides. Despite their size, the whale shark is classified as endangered, while the tiger shark is not currently at risk of extinction.
The second major difference between the two species is their diet and behaviour. The whale shark is a gentle giant and feeds primarily on plankton, krill, and other very small animals. It is known to migrate long distances in search of food, and it is a filter feeder, sucking water through its gills and trapping food particles in its mouth. In contrast, the tiger shark is a carnivorous predator and feeds on a wide range of prey, including turtles, dolphins, and other fish. It has a reputation for being aggressive and has been known to attack humans, making it potentially dangerous to swimmers and surfers. However, it also plays an important ecological role in the ocean by consuming dead whales and fish, keeping the ocean clean. Both species have different diets and behaviours, but they play an important role in their respective ecosystems.
In conclusion, the whale shark and the tiger shark are two distinct shark species that differ in size, colouration, diet, behaviour, and conservation status. The whale shark is much larger and feeds on small prey, while the tiger shark is smaller and a carnivorous predator that feeds on larger prey. Despite their differences, both species play important ecological roles in the ocean, and it is crucial to protect them to maintain the balance of the ocean’s ecosystems. People and nations need to work together to ensure the conservation and preservation of these important animal species.
