North Island

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

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/north-island

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. How big is North Island?113,729 km² (43,911 sq mi), making it the world's 14th-largest island
2. What is the capital of North Island?Wellington, located at the southwestern tip of the island
3. What is the māori name?Te Ika-a-Māui, translating to 'the fish of Māui'
4. What does the name "Te Ika-a-Māui" mean for the North Island?It is the Māori name for the island, meaning "Māui's fish," and comes from a legend where the god Māui pulled the island from the sea.
5. Why is the North Island known for volcanoes and hot springs?The island lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so it has many volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs that shape its landscape.

Indigenous: The original inhabitants of a place, with distinct cultures and traditions.
Pacific Ring of Fire: A horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Parliamentary Democracy: A democratic system where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is held accountable to the legislature (parliament).
Marae: A traditional Māori meeting ground, central to community life and cultural practices.