B2 Thinking About Information 1

Thinking About Information

Read each paragraph. Then use the word that best completes each sentence.

Maine Names

The state of Maine has a very long __________. Many of its towns are on the sea. Some of these are named for water animals. For example, one town is called Cape Porpoise. Two others are Seal Harbour and Swans Island.

Multiple Choice

The best word for the blank is

• name

• coast

• ocean

Mushrooms

Most plants make thier own food in order to live. Mushrooms do not. Mushrooms __________ by getting food from their surroundings. For example, a mushroom living on dead wood gets food material from that.

Multiple Choice

The best word for the blank is

• survive

• smell

• poison

A Windy Walk

Mr. Wilcox went out for his afternoon walk. It was later than usual. A sharp wind blew up and made him __________. Mr. Wilcox zipped up his jacket and put his hands in his pockets. Autumn was coming.

Multiple Choice

The best word for the blank is

• laugh

• fall

• shiver

Using Plants

Long ago, people used plants to make colourful dyes, They boiled plants in water. Different plants gave off different colours. For example, boiled acorns made a light brown, and beets made a bright pink. The skins from certain onions made an orange-coloured dye. Once the dyes were ready, people dipped wool or other cloth into them.

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word dyes must mean

• flag

• colourings

• foods

The Singing Bird

From her window, Mindy could see an old apple tree. Each morning a bird sang to her from a bough of the tree. Then the bird would hop to another branch and sing some more. Mindy was always sorry when she had to leave for school.

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word bough must mean

• branch

• song

• trunk

Gilbert Stuart

Gilbert Stuart was an artist. He lived during the early years of our country. Stuart often painted pictures of the famous people of his time. Perhaps his most famous portrait is of George Washington. Many copies have been made of this painting. Stuart also painted other American leaders, such as John Adams and James Madison.

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word portrait must mean

• a popular landscape

• past national leader

• picture of a person

Puppy Trouble

Buster is Dee’s new puppy. He is also Dee’s new problem. Buster is very loving, but he isn’t so good at learning. When Dee calls the puppy, Buster comes bounding over the gate and through Dad’s garden. Dirt flies and plants get crushed. “He’s not supposed to jump over the fence!” yells Dad. Dee is thinking about taking Buster to dog school.

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word bounding must mean

• walking

• leaping

• crawling

What a Lizard!

Have you ever seen a chuckwalla? This animal is a kind of lizard. The chuckwalla lives in deserts. In the spring and early summer, it eats desert flowers. If anything alarms the chuckwalla, it hides in between rocks. The frightened lizard pumps itself up with air. That way it cannot be pulled from its hiding place. When not eating or hiding, the chuckwalla sleeps up to seven months a year!

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word alarms must mean

• scares

• catches

• pulls

The Eyeglasses

Bev was upset. The eye doctor said she needed to wear glasses. Bev had a big scowl on her face as she tried them on. She wouldn’t even look in the mirror. Nothing her mother said made Bev feel better. Then her friend Joe came over. “Hey, cool glasses,” he said. “I want frames just like yours. ”Bev’s scowl turned into a smile.

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word scowl must mean

• grin

• stare

• frown

Going West

In the 1840s thousands of people travelled to the West. Many of these travellers followed the Oregon Trail. This route stretched from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon. It led over mountains and rivers. It crossed miles of flatland, too. Most families travelled along the route in wagons. It was a long and hard trip.

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word route must mean

• grin

• part of a plant

• part of a trail

To the Playground

Peter did not want to go to the playground. Tom did. Peter was older, and Tom couldn’t go without him. So Tom began to coax his brother. He talked about how much fun they would have. He offered to share his toys. He promised to let Peter have his pie at dinner. Finally, Peter gave in. The two boys went off to the playground.

Multiple Choice

In this paragraph, the word coax must mean

• make someone unhappy

• get mad and hurt someone

• get someone to do something