Main Idea
1A. What is the main idea of the passage?
A) Killer whales are endangered and need our protection.
According to paragraph one, why are killer whales endangered?
Their population is decreasing.
10. What is the most likely reason the author included the graphic in the passage?
D) To highlight the popularity of killer whales
1B. Which detail from the passage supports the main idea of the passage?
A) Killer whales are facing a serious threat (paragraph 1)
What are killer whales officially known as?
Orcas
8. Based on information in the passage, the reader can conclude that -
C) without more knowledge, the killer whale population will continue to decline.
6. Decide whether the detail helps support the main idea in paragraph 3.
People hunt killer whales for sport.
It DOES support the main idea.
9. What is the best summary of paragraphs 3 and 4 of the passage?
A) The killer whale population is going down, and this is not good. Some people hunt them for fun, and things like oil spills hurt them and where they live. People are working hard to help them, but it's tricky because we don't know everything about where they live. Scientists are studying more to learn and keep them safe so we can make sure they stay around for a long time.
3. In what way does the information in paragraph 3 support the author’s argument for helping protect killer whales?
C) By showing that people are the reason killer whales are endangered
6. Decide whether the detail helps support the main idea in paragraph 3.
There are around 50,000 killer whales.
It DOES NOT support the main idea.
5. In paragraph 2, what does echolocation mean?
B) the process by which animals locate objects by emitting sounds
4. What is most likely the author’s purpose for writing this passage?
D) To highlight the importance of protecting killer whales
6. Decide whether the detail helps support the main idea in paragraph 3.
Oil spills harm their environment.
It DOES support the main idea.
2. Read the dictionary entry.
social /ˈsōSH(ə)l/ adjective
1. living in groups 2. connected to each other
3. friendly 4. to bring together
Which definition best matches the meaning of social as it is used in the passage?
Definition 1
7. How does the organizational pattern in paragraphs 3 through 4 help develop the author's claim about killer whales?
B) It explains problems that have resulted from the actions of humans.