Bison + their Ecosystem
Mia watched a bison walk across the prairie. As it moved, seeds stuck to its thick fur. When the bison continued walking, some of the seeds fell onto the ground. Later, new plants grew from those seeds.
Why was the bison helpful to the prairie?
A. It ate all of the plants.
B. It helped spread seeds so new plants could grow.
C. It scared away other animals.
D. It built nests for birds.
B. It helped spread seeds so new plants could grow.
Noah was reading about the bald eagle. He learned that this bird became the national bird of the United States in 1792. It was chosen as a symbol of strength and freedom.
Why was the bald eagle chosen as the national bird?
A. It was the largest bird in the country.
B. It was the easiest bird to find.
C. It was a symbol of strength and freedom.
D. It lived in every state.
C. It was a symbol of strength and freedom.
Bison help the prairie in several ways. Their fur spreads seeds, their grazing clears land, and the holes they make can become homes for frogs and insects.
Which is the BEST main idea?
A. Bison are very large animals.
B. Bison help keep the prairie ecosystem healthy.
C. Frogs live in puddles.
D. Bison have thick fur.
B. Bison help keep the prairie ecosystem healthy.
First, Lily planted a seed. Next, she watered it. A few days later, a tiny plant appeared. Finally, the plant grew several leaves.
How is this passage organized?
A. Compare and contrast
B. Cause and effect
C. Sequence
D. Problem and solution
C. Sequence
The scientist studied biology to learn more about animals and plants.
The root bio means—
A. build
B. life
C. pull
D. water
B. life
A bison rolled around in the dirt and left a large hole in the ground. After it rained, the hole filled with water. Soon, frogs and insects began using the puddle as a place to live.
How did the bison's actions help other animals?
A. The bison gave them food.
B. The bison carried them to a new habitat.
C. The hole became a habitat for water-loving animals.
D. The bison protected them from hunters.
C. The hole became a habitat for water-loving animals.
In the early 1900s, farmers sometimes hunted bald eagles because they were worried about their chickens. At the same time, people were cutting down trees where bald eagles built their nests.
What were TWO problems facing bald eagles?
A. Hunting and habitat loss
B. Too much food and too many nests
C. Cold weather and rain
D. Lack of water and insects
A. Hunting and habitat loss
Bald eagles faced several threats. People hunted them, their habitats were destroyed, and DDT damaged their eggs. Later, laws and conservation programs helped protect them.
Which sentence would BEST summarize this passage?
A. Bald eagles are large birds with white heads.
B. Bald eagles faced threats, but people took action to protect them.
C. DDT was used to kill insects.
D. Bald eagles build nests in trees.
B. Bald eagles faced threats, but people took action to protect them.
People cut down many trees where bald eagles built their nests. Because there were fewer trees, bald eagles had fewer places to live.
What text structure does this passage use?
A. Sequence
B. Cause and effect
C. Compare and contrast
D. Description
B. Cause and effect
The workers will construct a new building near the park.
The root struct means—
A. life
B. move
C. build
D. animal
C. build
Long ago, Indigenous peoples living on the prairie depended on bison in many ways. They used bison meat for food, fur for clothing, and bones for tools. Bison were also an important symbol of their connection to the land.
What is the MAIN idea of this passage?
A. Bison were difficult animals to hunt.
B. Indigenous peoples used bison in many important ways.
C. Bison mostly lived in forests.
D. Indigenous peoples only used bison for food.
B. Indigenous peoples used bison in many important ways.
Scientists discovered that a chemical called DDT was harming bald eagles. It caused their eggshells to become thin and fragile. Many eggs broke before the chicks could hatch.
What happened because of DDT?
A. Bald eagles stopped building nests.
B. Bald eagles became larger.
C. Their eggshells became thin and fragile.
D. Their feathers changed color.
C. Their eggshells became thin and fragile.
Bison once lived across large areas of the prairie. Their numbers decreased because of hunting and habitat loss. Today, people are working to protect bison and help them return to natural habitats.
Which detail is MOST important to include in a summary?
A. Bison have short legs.
B. Bison are brown and hairy.
C. People are working to protect bison.
D. Bison have black hooves.
C. People are working to protect bison.
In 1972, DDT was banned. In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. Later, conservation groups continued protecting bald eagles.
Which clue BEST shows that this passage uses sequence?
A. It describes an animal.
B. It gives events in the order they happened.
C. It compares two animals.
D. It explains what something looks like.
B. It gives events in the order they happened.
The truck tracted the heavy equipment across the field.
The root tract means—
A. pull or drag
B. build
C. life
D. protect
A. pull or drag
Millions of bison once roamed across the prairie. Later, settlers hunted large numbers of bison. They also built homes and farms where bison had lived. By the early 1900s, only a few hundred bison remained.
Why did the number of bison decrease?
A. Bison stopped eating grass.B. People hunted bison and changed their habitat.
C. Bison moved into cities.
D. People stopped protecting bison.
B. People hunted bison and changed their habitat.
People wanted to help bald eagles survive. The government banned DDT and passed laws protecting threatened animals. Conservation groups also raised young eagles and released them into the wild.
Which statement BEST explains how people helped bald eagles?
A. They moved all bald eagles into zoos.
B. They protected eagles through laws and conservation programs.
C. They stopped eagles from building nests.
D. They gave farmers more land to hunt.
B. They protected eagles through laws and conservation programs.
The bald eagle population became very small. The government created laws to protect the birds. Conservation groups protected nests, raised young eagles, and restored habitats. Over time, the population increased.
Which is the BEST summary?
A. Bald eagles have nests and live in trees.
B. Bald eagles became endangered, but laws and conservation efforts helped their population recover.
C. Conservation groups raise young birds.
D. The government created a law in 1973.
B. Bald eagles became endangered, but laws and conservation efforts helped their population recover.
Farmers hunted bald eagles because they were worried about their chickens. As a result, fewer bald eagles remained.
What is the EFFECT in this passage?
A. Farmers had chickens.
B. Farmers hunted bald eagles.
C. Farmers were worried.
D. Fewer bald eagles remained.
D. Fewer bald eagles remained.
The family wanted some peace and quiet, so they found a quiet piece of land outside the city.
Which word means a part or portion of something?
A. Peace
B. Piece
C. Quiet
D. Family
B. Piece
Today, people are working to help bison return to their natural habitats. Some groups move bison to protected areas where they can safely graze and raise their young. Other groups protect land where bison can live.
What is the MAIN idea of this passage?
A. People are taking steps to help protect bison and their habitats.
B. Bison no longer need grasslands.
C. Bison are dangerous animals.
D. Most bison now live in cities.
A. People are taking steps to help protect bison and their habitats.
By 2007, bald eagles had been removed from the Endangered Species Act list. Their population had increased, and they could once again be found in many areas where they had lived in the past.
What does this information MOST strongly suggest?
A. The bald eagle population had recovered.
B. Bald eagles had disappeared completely.
C. People no longer cared about bald eagles.
D. Bald eagles could only live in one place.
A. The bald eagle population had recovered.
Bison and bald eagles both faced challenges caused by people. Bison lost habitat and were hunted. Bald eagles were hunted, lost habitat, and were harmed by DDT. People later took steps to protect both animals.
What is the BEST overall idea of these two passages?
A. People have always harmed animals.
B. Bison and bald eagles are the same kind of animal.
C. People can take action to help protect wildlife.
D. Wildlife cannot survive without humans.
C. People can take action to help protect wildlife.
Bison were once found across huge areas of prairie. Then, settlers hunted many bison and changed the land. Because of these changes, the bison population became very small. Later, people began protecting land and returning bison to natural habitats.
Which text structures are used in this passage?
A. Only compare and contrast
B. Only description
C. Sequence AND cause and effect
D. Only problem and solution
C. Sequence AND cause and effect
The bald eagle is a symbol for the United States, but it did not become the official national bird until 2024.
Why is the comma correctly placed after “United States”?
A. A comma always goes after the word “States.”
B. The comma separates two complete ideas joined by but.
C. The comma shows that “United States” is a proper noun.
D. The comma separates the subject from the verb.
B. The comma separates two complete ideas joined by but.