English 2016 paper 1 

The Dawn Chorus
In spring, as the days grow longer, birds burst into song around first light in a phenomenon known as the "dawn chorus." While birds sing throughout the day, at dawn they sing together to create an extraordinary symphony.

Early Birds
The dawn chorus begins about an hour before sunrise and may continue for another hour afterward. It can be heard from March through July, peaking in May, after the main arrival of summer-visiting birds.

Worm-eating birds, such as song thrushes, blackbirds, and robins, start singing earlier in the chorus than smaller, insect-eating birds like wrens and warblers. This sequence is thought to be related to the size of the birds' eyes. Birds with larger eyes can see better in low light, allowing them to start singing earlier.

Singing Together
Most of the dawn chorus is performed by male songbirds. They sing to defend their territories and attract mates. But why do they sing first thing in the morning? It’s believed that low light levels at dawn make it difficult for birds to forage for food, but it’s a good time to make noise while still avoiding predators. Additionally, the clear and still air at dawn allows their songs to travel farther.

The Songs
Birdsong is learned, not inherited. Within a few months, young birds develop a basic song, which they refine over the next year by listening to more experienced adults of their species. Some birds, such as the house sparrow, have only one song. In contrast, others, like song thrushes and nightingales, have several songs in their repertoire.

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The Nightingale
While most species of songbirds sing at dawn, nightingales are unique in also singing in the middle of the night, which is how they got their name. The name "nightingale," used for over a thousand years, means "night songstress." It is believed they sing at night because, being relatively plain birds, they do not rely on visual appearance to attract a mate. They have drab brown plumage with a slightly brighter chestnut-colored tail and a sandy underbelly.

Although unremarkable in appearance, the nightingale is highly admired for its beautiful, melodic songs. In the past, it was thought that females sang, but it is the male that is vocal. Unpaired males sing loudly through the night to attract a mate. The nightingales that sing at dawn are not serenading females but defending their territory. Once their eggs hatch, male birds reduce their singing to avoid drawing attention to the nest.

The nightingale’s exquisite song is especially noticeable at night when other birds are silent. This has made the nightingale a powerful romantic symbol for poets, writers, and composers throughout history, dating back as far as Homer. They represent nature’s profound beauty.

(a) What is the purpose of the sub-headings in the text The dawn chorus?

1st paragraph

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Male robins are distinct from other birds as they have a bright red belly.