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B1: King Cobras

Below is a B1 level English activity for kids. There is a small listening component that will compliment the reading part. Good luck and enjoy! 

Student Objectives

 

Objectives: Student will be able to use adjectives to describe the King Cobra. The student will be introduced to B1/B2 level English grammar structures such as Past Perfect and Past Perfect Continuous. 

 

Vocabulary 

- Adjectives

 

Grammar

- B1 level sentence structures such as Past Perfect & Past Perfect Continuous 

Examples:

Past Perfect: The King Cobra had ate the rodent. He'd ate the rodent = He (the King Cobra) had ate the rodent. 

Past Perfect: Continuous: The King Cobra had been eating since the dawn. 

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king-cobra-hood.webp

T

he king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest venomous snake in the world, known for its impressive size, unique hood display, and specialized diet of other snakes. Despite its fearsome reputation, it is generally reclusive and prefers to avoid human contact unless threatened or protecting its nest. 

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The King Cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world and can grow up to 18 feet long. It lives mainly in forests and swamps across South and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The King Cobra has skin that can be yellow, green, brown, or black, sometimes with lighter bands. It has a small, rounded head with large scales, and two hollow fangs in its upper jaw that inject venom to paralyze prey. Though venomous, it is generally not aggressive to humans unless threatened. 

One of the most interesting things about the King Cobra is that it is the only snake species whose females build nests for their eggs and protect them until they hatch. The King Cobra mainly feeds on other snakes and can inject enough venom in one bite to kill large animals like elephants. When it feels threatened, it can raise up to one-third of its body off the ground, spread the ribs on its neck to form a hood, and hiss loudly to scare predators away.

The King Cobra is very intelligent for a snake; it can change its hunting tactics depending on the situation. It lives in wet, humid environments like rainforests and mangroves, and it is good at moving quickly on land, in trees, and even swimming. Young King Cobras have dark skin with white or yellow stripes, which fade as they mature. Despite their dangerous venom, King Cobras usually avoid humans and only attack if cornered or during breeding season.

This snake’s strong defense is its hood, which is made by flattening bones and muscles in its neck area, showing big eye-like markings that scare off enemies. It also has excellent eyesight and can stand tall to see farther when threatened. The King Cobra is fascinating for kids because it combines size, strength, intelligence, and unique behaviors like nest-building that are rare among snakes

A Brief Introduction to the
King Cobra

King Cobra --- Image --- November 6 2025 --- GettyImages-1081539198-da2463161bca4538a0dd00

Describe the picture using adjectives. Example: The King Cobra is Venomous.

King Cobra Quiz for Kids

Directions: Read each question carefully. Choose the one best answer from the choices given and circle or mark the letter of your answer. Take your time to think about each question before answering. When you have finished, check your answers using the answer key

  1. What is the King Cobra known for?
    a) Being the longest venomous snake in the world
    b) Being the fastest snake on land
    c) Having the brightest colors
    d) Being the smallest snake

  2. Where do King Cobras mostly live?
    a) Deserts
    b) Forests and swamps in South and Southeast Asia
    c) Arctic tundras
    d) Oceans

  3. What colors can a King Cobra's skin be?
    a) Blue or red
    b) Yellow, green, brown, or black with lighter bands sometimes
    c) Only bright orange
    d) Pink and purple

  4. What is special about female King Cobras compared to other snakes?
    a) They build nests for their eggs and protect them
    b) They lay eggs in water
    c) They give live birth
    d) They do not lay eggs

  5. What do King Cobras mainly eat?
    a) Fruits and plants
    b) Insects
    c) Other snakes
    d) Fish

  6. What does a King Cobra do when it feels threatened?
    a) Plays dead
    b) Raises one-third of its body off the ground, spreads its hood, and hisses loudly
    c) Runs away quickly
    d) Jumps really high

  7. Why is the King Cobra's hood important?
    a) It helps the snake swim faster
    b) It is used to scare enemies by showing big eye-like markings
    c) It helps the snake dig underground
    d) It warns other animals they are friends

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King Cobra --- Cartoon Drawing --- November 6 2025 --- istockphoto-519268976-612x612.jpg

Answer Key

1 - a) Being the longest venomous snake in the world
2 - b) Forests and swamps in South and Southeast Asia
3 - b) Yellow, green, brown, or black with lighter bands sometimes
4 - a) They build nests for their eggs and protect them
5 - c) Other snakes
6 - b) Raises one-third of its body off the ground, spreads its hood, and hisses loudly
7 - b) It is used to scare enemies by showing big eye-like markings

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External Links: 

Verb Tenses: https://atusa213.wixsite.com/english-grammar/the-12-tenses-english

 

 

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