A ground hog is a small animal that digs and lives under the ground. It is also called the woodchuck. Ground hogs live in many parts of America. In the winter they hibernate like bears and some other animals.
There is a legend that says a few hundred years ago Europeans brought Ground Hog Day to America. They said that the ground hog wakes up from his hibernation on February 2. (February 2 is half way between winter and spring.) If he comes up from his hole and it is sunny, he will see his shadow and be frightened. If he
Some people believe this legend and they watch the sky on February 2. Many people are happy if it is cloudy on that day. They think spring will come soon. But most people think it is just a fun legend. What do you think?
Answer the following questions:
Do you believe in this legend?
Should we trust a ground hog for information about when spring begins?
What is the name of the town in the USA where Ground Hog Day is celebrated by many people?
What is the name of the most famous ground hog?
Vocabulary
to hibernate (verb)- to sleep through the winter.
hibernation (noun)- comes from hibernate (long sleep through the winter).
legend- old story that is told from parents to children, and children's children, and so on for many, many years.
shadow- darkness made where the light can't go through (when the sun shines you can see the dark outline of your body on the ground).
spring- one of the four seasons, the one that comes after winter and before summer.
Try to say the following sentence without making any mistakes…then try to say it faster!
”How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?”
