Main Idea
What happens just before the brightly colored leaves begin to fall?
Acorns start dropping to the ground.
Why did the author describe the sound of acorns falling?
To grab the reader’s attention and set the scene.
What can we infer about raw acorns from the story?
They are bitter and not safe to eat without preparation.
What genre is "Amazing Acorns"?
Nonfiction.
What does "prehistoric" mean in paragraph 2?
A time before people wrote down history.
Why were acorns important to the Pilgrims?
They helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter.
What is the author’s purpose in paragraph 4?
To explain why raw acorns are not safe for humans to eat.
Why do you think Native Americans buried acorns in swamp mud?
To make them taste less bitter.
What is a characteristic of nonfiction found in this story?
It provides facts about acorns and their uses.
What does the word “skyscraper” suggest about the acorn woodpecker’s storage tree?
It is tall with many small holes for acorns.
What does the author mostly focus on in the story?
How people and animals use acorns in different ways.
Why does the author mention Native American practices with acorns?
To show how acorns were used in history.
What can we conclude about acorn weevils?
They use acorns as a habitat and food source.
How does the story help readers learn new information?
It combines interesting facts with descriptive details.
What does "larvae" mean in the story?
The young stage of insects that eat the acorn’s nut meat.
Why are tannins important in acorns?
They protect acorns from insects.
What is the purpose of describing the acorn woodpecker?
To illustrate how animals use acorns for storage.
Why does the acorn woodpecker store so many acorns?
To save food for later.
Why is "Amazing Acorns" considered expository nonfiction?
It explains information about acorns without using a narrative format.
What are tannins?
Chemicals in acorns that make them bitter and protect them from insects.
What is the best summary of the selection?
Acorns drop from oak trees in the fall. People and animals have used them for food, shelter, and other purposes.
Why does the author end the selection with the sound of acorns falling?
To bring the story full circle and remind readers of acorns’ importance.
How do baby acorn weevils know it is time to leave their acorn?
The acorn falls to the ground.
What detail shows this story is informational?
It includes specific details about acorn uses and preparation.
What does the word “secure” mean in paragraph 4?
To place something where it will not move.