Vocabulary
What does “synthetic” most likely mean in the passage?
Man-made or artificial.
What is the main topic of the passage?
Spider silk and scientists trying to create it in the lab.
According to the passage, how does spider silk compare to steel?
It is stronger and more flexible than steel.
Why might soldiers or doctors want materials made from spider silk?
It is light, safe, and strong, which could protect soldiers or help heal patients.
How is the strength of spider silk mostly introduced in paragraph 1?
A through a story about the author’s interest in popular movies
B through a comparison to a fictional character’s superhero abilities
C through details of the material’s use in everyday objects
D through reference to the myths surrounding the material’s benefits
B through a comparison to a fictional character’s superhero abilities
R.3
In the phrase “stronger than steel,” what quality is being compared?
Strength and toughness.
Why do scientists want to study spider silk?
Because it is stronger and more useful than many human-made materials.
What detail shows that spider silk could be useful for humans?
It could be used for things like medical sutures or protective gear.
What can we infer about the future of technology if this research succeeds?
Materials will be safer, lighter, and more effective for many industries.
What does the phrase “on a smaller scale,” as used in paragraph 2, suggest about spider silk?
A Spider silk could be used to perform tasks requiring precision.
B The simpler uses for spider silk require limited skill.
C Some uses for spider silk are less important than others.
D Spider silk is most useful for large-scale projects.
A Spider silk could be used to perform tasks requiring precision.
R.4
Define “durable” using context clues.
Able to last a long time without breaking.
Summarize the passage in one sentence.
Scientists are studying spider silk because it’s stronger than steel and could be used to create new materials.
Cite one sentence that shows scientists are still experimenting.
“Scientists are still working on making enough synthetic silk.”
How might this invention affect everyday people?
People could wear stronger clothes, have safer cars, and better medical care.
For the project at the American Museum of Natural History described in paragraph 3, to what does the phrase “reel in the silk” refer?
A the effort it took to collect such a great amount of silk
B the length of time it took the spiders to produce the silk
C how difficult it was to find the necessary spiders
D how important it was to hire dedicated workers
A the effort it took to collect such a great amount of silk
R.4
What does “innovative” suggest about the scientists’ work?
Their work is creative and new.
How does the author connect spider silk to real-world uses?
By giving examples like medical stitches, bulletproof clothing, or ropes.
Which line suggests the challenges of making artificial spider silk?
“Spiders don’t produce enough silk, and farming them is nearly impossible.”
Why do you think the author chose the title Stronger Than Steel?
To show how amazing it is that something as thin as spider silk can beat steel.
The details in paragraph 7 mainly contribute to the article by showing
A the differences between production of silk by silkworms and spiders
B the impressive design of silkworm cocoons
C the metamorphosis of silkworms into moths
D the reason that silkworms are a good alternative to spiders
D the reason that silkworms are a good alternative to spiders
R.5
Find a word in the text that shows excitement or amazement.
Words like “remarkable” or “astonishing.”
What problem are scientists trying to solve with new materials?
Finding stronger, safer, and more flexible materials than steel or plastic.
Which example best shows the potential benefits of this discovery?
The idea that spider silk could make lighter, stronger body armor or medical threads.
What can we guess about how long it might take before this material is common?
It may take years since scientists are still experimenting.
How does the author present the challenge of raising spiders domestically?
A through descriptions of how spiders find food together
B through comparisons of the behavior of male and female spiders
C through situations that show why spiders cannot be kept together
D through explanations about why female spiders are special
C through situations that show why spiders cannot be kept together
R.3