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Why Penguins Cannot Fly

A penguin swimming under the sea

Read about why penguins cannot fly in the air and how they move through water.

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Words to Know　読む前に知っておきたい言葉

You may want to read these words before you begin.

Word English explanation 日本語
penguina black-and-white bird that cannot fly but can swim very wellペンギン
bodyall of the physical parts of a person or animal体、身体
winga part of a bird’s body used to fly or move through water翼、羽
airwhat is around us and what people and animals breathe空気、空中
flyto move through the air飛ぶ
seaa large area of salt water海
boneone of the hard parts inside the body骨
birdan animal with wings, feathers and two legs鳥
stronghaving power; not easily broken or hurt強い、丈夫な
featherone of the light, soft parts that covers a bird’s body羽毛、鳥の羽

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Penguins are birds, but they cannot fly in the air. They have wings, but they use their wings in a different way. They use them to move through water.

A very long time ago, penguins could fly. They lived near the sea and went into the water to find food. Over many years, their bodies began to change. Their wings became short and strong. These new wings helped them move well in the water, but they were no longer good for flying in the air.

Most birds that fly have light bodies. Their bones are also light. This makes it easy for them to go up into the air. Penguins have heavier bodies and heavy bones. Their weight helps them go down under the water. It also helps them stay under the water when they look for food.

A penguin moves its wings up and down in the water. This is much like the way another bird moves its wings in the air. We can say that a penguin “flies” through the water. Some penguins can move very fast. They can go down a long way and stay under the water for many minutes.

Penguins eat fish and other small animals from the sea. They must be good in the water because they find most of their food there. Their strong bodies also help them live in very cold places. Many penguins have a lot of fat under their skin, and their feathers help keep water away from their bodies.

Penguins cannot fly in the sky, but this does not mean that they are poor birds. Their bodies are right for the life they live. They gave up flying in the air and became very good at moving through the sea.

Take a moment to think about what you read.

Optional: Check your understanding

You can answer these five quick questions, or skip them and choose another story.

1. What do penguins use their wings to do?

  1. Move through water
  2. Find food on land
  3. Keep their babies warm
  4. Fly high in the sky

2. Why do penguins have heavy bones?

  1. To help them run fast
  2. To help them go under the water
  3. To help them fly in the air
  4. To help them find their homes

3. How does a penguin move its wings in the water?

  1. From side to side
  2. Around and around
  3. Up and down
  4. It does not move them

4. Where do penguins find most of their food?

  1. In the sea
  2. In the air
  3. In trees
  4. Under the ground

5. What is the main idea of the reading?

  1. Penguins are not very good birds.
  2. Penguins want to learn how to fly.
  3. Penguins have bodies that are right for life in the water.
  4. Penguins can live only in very cold places.
Show answers
  1. A — Move through water
  2. B — To help them go under the water
  3. C — Up and down
  4. A — In the sea
  5. C — Penguins have bodies that are right for life in the water.

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