What does hibernation mean?
Word: Hibernation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Hibernation means a long, deep, sleep-like rest that some animals go into through the winter. Their breathing and heartbeat slow right down.
Synonyms: dormancy, winter sleep
How do you spell hibernation?
Syllables: hi - ber - na - tion
Tricky part: It starts with hi, not hy, and the middle part is ber, not bur.
Watch out for: hybernation, hiburnation
Memory tip: The Latin word hibernus means wintry. Copy its first five letters, h-i-b-e-r, and you will never start with hy or write bur.
Hibernation in a sentence
Example 1: Our science teacher showed us a video of a dormouse curled up in hibernation.
Example 2: Some frogs bury themselves in mud and stay in hibernation until the weather warms up.
Example 3: Many bats spend the cold months in hibernation inside caves.
Fun Fact
The Arctic ground squirrel can let its body temperature drop to about minus 3 degrees Celsius during hibernation without freezing.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
hibern_ _ _ _ _
a) ition
b) ation
c) etion
d) asion
Show answer
b) ation. The verb is hibernate, so its a and t stay and -ion is added.
Sound Check
In which word is 'tion' pronounced differently?
a) nation
b) hibernation
c) question
d) station
Show answer
c) question. Question says 'chun' at the end; the other three say 'shun'.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their meanings:
1. hibernation 2. habitat 3. herbivore a. a long winter rest b. an animal that eats only plants c. the natural home of an animal
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Show answer
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. Hibernation is about resting through winter, a habitat is where an animal lives and a herbivore eats plants.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) hibernation
b) camuflage
c) pollination
d) migration
Show answer
b) camuflage. Camouflage keeps the ou of its French spelling: cam-ou-flage.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these animals goes into hibernation?
a) the hedgehog
b) the cow
c) the eagle
d) the camel
Show answer
a) the hedgehog
2. What does hibernation mainly help an animal to do?
a) change the colour of its fur
b) save energy when food is scarce
c) grow taller and stronger
d) find a mate more quickly
Show answer
b) save energy when food is scarce
