Of Feathers, Fat, and Freezing
The word accumulate comes from the Latin "cumulus," which means "a pile." What does ACCUMULATED in paragraph 9 mean?
a. lost
b. awakened
c. warmed
d. gathered
d. gathered
What does the imagery in lines 9 and 10 of the poem suggest about the speaker?
a. The speaker feels concerned about how quickly the day passes.
b. The speaker feels bothered by the dripping water.
c. The speaker feels relieved to see another type of bird.
d. The speaker feels encouraged by the change in weather conditions.
d. The speaker feels encouraged by the change in weather conditions.
What do BOTH the article and the poem describe?
a. Methods that chickadees use to stay warm
b. Ways that chickadees help each other survive
c. What chickadees must do without in harsh conditions
d. Changes that occur inside the bodies of chickadees
a. Methods that chickadees use to stay warm
What is the author's primary purpose in writing the article?
a. To provide information about the best locations for chickadees to live in order to survive.
b. To describe the ways chickadees have adapted to be able to stay alive in cold climates.
c. To communicate the problems chickadees encounter as a result of their small size.
d. To explain how the feathers of chickadees function in different environments.
b. To describe the ways chickadees have adapted to be able to stay alive in cold climates
The actions described in the first stanza (lines 1–4) suggest that the speaker is —
a. surprised
b. hardworking
c. carefree
d. greedy
b. hardworking
Which statement from the article is best supported by the poem?
a. "These friendly little birds are often seen at bird feeders throughout the winter." (paragraph 2)
b. “They are plump-looking critters, with black, white, and gray feathers, and they live year-round in the forests of North America, from Alaska through Canada and across the northern states.” (paragraph 2)
c. “Chickadees begin preparing for winter while the green leaves of summer are still on the trees.” (paragraph 8)
d. “Although fragile in many ways, the tiny black-capped chickadee shows how tough it really is by surviving the bitterly cold winters of northern North America.” (paragraph 11)
d. “Although fragile in many ways, the tiny black-capped chickadee shows how tough it really is by surviving the bitterly cold winters of northern North America.” (paragraph 11)
Which sentence best supports the idea that chickadees take action to keep their bodies warm at night?
a. "This means that sometimes there is well over a 100-degree difference between a chickadee's body and the air temperature only an inch away." (paragraph 3)
b. "Without any feathered insulation, heat would quickly be lost and much energy wasted in attempting to keep their toes as warm as the rest of their body." (paragraph 6)
c. "Since they don't have crops in which they can store food to eat later, they must eat enough each day to survive the long, 18-hour night." (paragraph 9)
d. "They do not roost together in flocks as some birds do, but spend the night alone." (paragraph 10)
c. "Since they don't have crops in which they can store food to eat later, they must eat enough each day to survive the long, 18-hour night." (paragraph 9)
The poet’s use of line length helps contribute to the poem’s —
a. change in tone
b. vivid imagery
c. rhythm
d. alliteration
c. rhythm
Which is an action in the poem that is NOT described in the informational article?
a. Storing food in tree bark
b. Allowing feet to become cold
c. Drinking water from icicles
d. Burning fat all night long
c. Drinking water from icicles
What is the best summary of the selection?
a. Chickadees may be small birds, but they are very strong and intelligent. Unlike other birds, chickadees do not migrate in the winter. Instead, they enjoy staying in cold climates such as Alaska, even though the temperature can be much colder than their bodies.
b. Chickadees are tiny birds that can be found in extremely cold climates. To stay warm, they rely on fluffing their feathers, eating lots of food, and using the nights for sleeping. They have found many ways to protect their bodies from becoming too cold.
c. When the winters grow colder, chickadees spend time fluffing their feathers. The colder it becomes, the more they fluff, so that sometimes they look like furry balls. By doing this, they are able to stay warm and protect their skin from the icy temperatures an inch away.
d. Many people have seen the tiny birds known as black-capped chickadees. Although these birds are only the size of a person’s thumb, they have very thick feathers. They also prepare by storing food so that they can survive during long winters.
b. Chickadees are tiny birds that can be found in extremely cold climates. To stay warm, they rely on fluffing their feathers, eating lots of food, and using the nights for sleeping. They have found many ways to protect their bodies from becoming too cold.
What does the repetition in line 6 and line 15 emphasize?
a. The speaker’s willingness to join other birds
b. The speaker’s confidence in surviving a harsh winter
c. The speaker’s cheerfulness when experiencing an unfamiliar situation
d. The speaker’s enjoyment of winter
b. The speaker’s confidence in surviving a harsh winter
The article is DIFFERENT from the poem in that the poem describes how the chickadee —
a. realizes that winter is coming
b. spends time collecting food
c. tends to become hungrier as it gets colder
d. becomes aware that winter is finally ending
d. becomes aware that winter is finally ending
If this selection were a fictional story about the daily life of a chickadee, what would the theme be?
a. Chickadees are complex creatures and need the right conditions to survive.
b. Though small, chickadees are tough.
c. Chickadees live life to the fullest.
d. Even in the right conditions, chickadees struggle to survive.
b. Though small, chickadees are tough.
The imagery in lines 3 and 4 of the poem creates a sense of —
a. loneliness
b. affection
c. acceptance
d. security
d. security
What do BOTH the informational article and the poem reveal about the chickadee?
a. It is more active in summer than in winter.
b. It is curious about its surroundings.
c. It is adapted to its environment.
d. It is capable of changing its body temperature.
c. It is adapted to its environment.