Great white shark

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/great-white-shark

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Carcharodon carcharias
2. What is the conservation status?Vulnerable
3. What does a great white shark look like?A great white shark has a sleek, streamlined body that can grow up to 20 feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds. Its skin is covered in tiny, rough denticles that help it move smoothly through water. The shark has dark coloring on top and white underneath, which helps it hide from prey and predators.
4. How fast can a great white shark swim?Great white sharks can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) in short bursts, using their powerful tail and lift‑shaping pectoral fins.

Ovoviviparous: A mode of reproduction where eggs hatch inside the mother, and live young are born.
Apex Predator: An animal at the highest trophic level in its ecosystem, with no natural predators.
Dermal Denticles: Tooth-like scales covering shark skin, reducing drag and providing protection.