Desert Life (Kangaroo Rat)
What desert covers much of Arizona and is home to the kangaroo rat?
Sonoran Desert
What covers sea ice in the Far North and is home to the polar bear?
the Arctic Ocean
In paragraph 3 of "Kangaroo Rat," what does nocturnal mean?
active mostly at night
What central idea do both passages share about animals?
animals have special features/adaptations that help them survive in harsh environments?
How does the kangaroo rat get the water it needs to survive without drinking?
from the seeds it eats
Why is the polar bear's fur oily
so it can shake off water and ice after a swim
In paragraph 4 of "Kangaroo Rat," what does moisture mean?
water
How do both authors show that animals need adaptations to survive?
showing how harsh or dangerous the animal's environment is
Why are kangaroo rats active mostly at night (nocturnal)?
to stay cool / avoid the daytime heat?
How does a thick layer of fat under its skin help a polar bear?
holding in body heat / keeping the bear warm
In paragraph 1 of "Brrrr! It's Cold!", what does frigid mean?
Very cold/icy
What text structure does the author use in Paragraph 4 of "Kangaroo Rat" when discussing panting and sweating?
comparison
Name two body features that help kangaroo rats jump far away from enemies.
large back legs and a long tail (for balance)
How do a polar bear's large paws act like snowshoes?
spreading its weight over a large surface to keep from falling through the ice
In paragraph 4 of "Brrrr! It's Cold!", what does buoyant mean?
able to float
These two key facts—where the kangaroo rat lives and how it escapes predators—are essential to include in a summary of the text.
"it lives in the desert" and "it jumps far away from enemies"
Why don't kangaroo rats pant or sweat like dogs or humans?
keep from losing moisture / to save water
What shape is a polar bear's body, and how does it help the bear in water?
larger at the bottom than at the top, which makes the bear buoyant / helps it float and swim?
What word refers to features or traits that help an animal survive in its environment?
adaptations (or special features)
What main detail from "Brrrr! It's Cold!" supports the idea that a polar bear's body keeps it warm in cold temperatures?
its thick fur / thick layer of fat under its skin