Craft and Structure
How is the passage mainly organized?
A. Problem and solution
B. Cause and effect
C. Compare and contrast
D. Chronological order
A. Problem and solution
What's the main idea of paragraph 3?
A. People who visit manatees should focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about rules
B. Although many people enjoy seeing manatees up close, frequent human contact may harm the animals and it is better to observe them without interfering
C. Manatees behave differently depending on how many people are in the water with them
D. Snorkeling companies in Florida should be required to limit the number of visitors in order to protect tourism quality
B. Although many people enjoy seeing manatees up close, frequent human contact may harm the animals and it is better to observe them without interfering
Which sentence best supports the idea that observing manatees from a distance is better than touching them?
A. Pursuing a manatee while diving, swimming, or boating may inadvertently separate a mother and her calf. (paragraph 6)
B. “It’s the old idea of what one does is fine, but if the thousands of people that search for manatees each year wanted to touch… the pressure on the animals would be too much.” (paragraph 4)
C. “By quietly observing manatees, snorkelers will get a rare opportunity to see the natural behavior of these unique animals.” (paragraph 4)
D. “Maybe some day people visiting Florida’s warm-water springs and rivers may talk about the good old days…” (paragraph 5)
C. “By quietly observing manatees, snorkelers will get a rare opportunity to see the natural behavior of these unique animals.” (paragraph 4)
How does the author develop his position about people swimming with manatees?
The author develops his position about people swimming with manatees by including his personal experiences, other individual's perspectives and scientific concerns
How does the author develop his position about people swimming with manatees?
A. By arguing that swimming with manatees is safe as long as people are careful and respectful
B. By only describing his personal experience without including other viewpoints
C. By presenting multiple perspectives, including personal experience and scientific concerns, before concluding that manatees should be observed but not touched
D. By explaining that students learned more when they physically interacted with manatees
C. By presenting multiple perspectives, including personal experience and scientific concerns, before concluding that manatees should be observed but not touched
What is the big idea of paragraph 5? (big idea jot)
The big idea of paragraph 5 is that the experience of swimming with manatees made people appreciate and advocate for protecting them, and the author ultimately agrees that it is better not to touch or disturb them.
Which evidence best shows the author is conflicted about touching manatees?
A. “My excitement is tinged with guilt, though. I know I shouldn’t touch a manatee.” (paragraph 1)
B. “The naturalist part of me says, ‘Don’t touch,’ but to satisfy my human curiosity, I reach out.” (paragraph 1)
C. “I believe in the ‘no touch’ policy when it comes to wild animals.” (paragraph 1)
D. “I raise the issue with the fourth-graders after our snorkeling trip…” (paragraph 3)
B. “The naturalist part of me says, ‘Don’t touch,’ but to satisfy my human curiosity, I reach out.”
How does the author’s thinking about touching manatees change from the beginning to the end of the passage?
At the beginning of the passage, the author feels conflicted about touching manatees because he enjoys the experience, but he also feels guilt because he believes in a “no touch” rule for wild animals.
By the end of the passage, after considering student opinions and learning about the harm human interaction can cause, he agrees that it is better to observe manatees from a distance without touching them
Why does the author present both sides of the issue about swimming with manatees?
A. To confuse the reader
B. To show that the issue is complex and requires careful thought
C. To prove that touching manatees is harmless
D. To make the passage longer
B. To show that the issue is complex and requires careful thought
Which statement best summarizes the passage?
A. People who swim with manatees often form strong emotional connections that make them want to protect wildlife
B. Although interacting with manatees can be exciting, many experts believe human contact should be limited to protect the animals’ natural behavior and survival
C. Manatees are social animals that benefit from human presence in warm-water environments
D. The main purpose of snorkeling trips is to give students hands-on recreational experiences with marine animals
B. Although interacting with manatees can be exciting, many experts believe human contact should be limited to protect the animals’ natural behavior and survival
Which detail best explains why manatees might be harmed in colder water?
A. “Manatees are slow-moving mammals that gather in warm springs during winter months.”
B. “When manatees are in colder water, they expend valuable energy just to keep warm, leaving less energy for other body functions.”
C. “Pursuing a manatee while diving, swimming, or boating may inadvertently disturb them.”
D. “Some groups in Florida believe people should not be allowed to swim with manatees.”
B. “When manatees are in colder water, they expend valuable energy just to keep warm, leaving less energy for other body functions.”
Why did the author include paragraph 5?
The author included paragraph 5 to show that even though swimming with manatees is exciting and memorable, the love that people have for manatees especially after swimming with them, makes people want to advocate for them even more
What is the author’s tone throughout the passage?
A. Angry and frustrated
B. Insightful and Strong Minded
C. Thoughtful and reflective
D. Indifferent and uncaring
C. Thoughtful and reflective
What is the big idea of paragraph 6?
The big idea of paragraph 6 is that human interaction with manatees—especially touching or chasing them—can harm the animals by wasting their energy and disrupting their natural behavior.
Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that touching manatees can harm them?
A. “Many of the students loved snorkeling with manatees and described it as an amazing experience.”
B. “I reach out and scratch its belly, and the manatee makes clicking sounds.”
C. “Wild animals remain wild when man does not interfere with their behavior.”
D. “Some groups in Florida believe people should not be allowed to ‘swim with the manatees’ or touch them.”
C. “Wild animals remain wild when man does not interfere with their behavior.”
Reread paragraph 2
Why do some groups in Florida disagree about swimming with manatees?
One side believes people should not swim with or touch manatees because human contact can disturb their natural behavior, cause stress, and even put them at risk by making them use extra energy or leave safe warm-water areas. The other side, such as some snorkeling and diving companies, believes it is acceptable because it allows people to have a close, exciting experience with wildlife, it also is a great way for these companies to make money.
Why does the author include Kalli’s opinion?
A. To show that all students agree
B. To provide a different perspective that supports limiting interaction with manatees
C. To explain how snorkeling maybe be beneficial for humans and manatees
D. To criticize the field trip
B. To provide a different perspective that supports limiting interaction with manatees
What is the main idea of paragraph 6 (about colder water)?
A. Manatees prefer cold water
B. Cold water helps manatees conserve energy
C. Cold water can harm manatees by using up their energy
D. Manatees do not need much energy to survive
C. Cold water can harm manatees by using up their energy
Which evidence from the passage best supports the inference that Kalli changed her opinion because she realized human interaction can disturb manatees?
A. “Many of the students loved snorkeling with manatees. I hear reactions such as ‘Way cool!’ ‘Awesome!’” (paragraph 3)
B. “Even though it was fun for us, I don’t think people should be allowed to swim with manatees or touch them because it disturbs their peacefulness.” (paragraph 3)
C. “I raise the issue with the fourth-graders after our snorkeling trip…” (paragraph 3)
D. “I reach out and scratch its belly, and the manatee makes clicking sounds.”
B. “Even though it was fun for us, I don’t think people should be allowed to swim with manatees or touch them because it disturbs their peacefulness.” (paragraph 3)
What can you infer about why Kalli changed her opinion after snorkeling?
A. She recognized that the excitement of the experience did not outweigh the potential harm human contact could cause to manatees’ natural behavior and peaceful environment
B. She concluded that manatees are too rare to be seen by humans and should only be studied in classrooms
C. She believed that snorkeling companies exaggerate the importance of wildlife protection to discourage tourism
D. She felt pressured by the author to agree that touching manatees is wrong
A. She recognized that the excitement of the experience did not outweigh the potential harm human contact could cause to manatees’ natural behavior and peaceful environment