Cacti: Reading: Determining Central Ideas and Details

Cacti: Reading

Determining Central Ideas and Details

The Cactus: Paragraph One

• Cactuses, or cacti, are desert plants. They grow in dry places where other plants have trouble living. Their ability to store water keeps them alive. Cacti are also protected by sharp spines, or needles. These discourage animals from eating them.

Multiple Choice

1. What is the subject of this first paragraph?

• Cacti or Cactuses

• Desert Plants

• The spikes on a cactus

• The ability to store water

The Cactus: Paragraph Two

• There are about 1,650 species, or types, of cactus. These plants grow mainly in the dry areas of the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Mexico has the greatest number and variety of cacti.

Multiple Choice

2. What is the purpose of paragraph two?

• It is informing the reader about the colors of cacti.

• It is teaching the reader how to say "cactus" properly.

• It is letting the reader know where cacti grow.

• It is meant to show how large a cacti can grow.

The Cactus: Paragraph Three

• Cacti are succulent plants. This means that they have thick tissues that take up and hold large amounts of water. The stored water keeps them alive during dry periods. Unlike many plants, cacti do not have deep roots. Instead they have roots that spread out near the surface of the soil. This is important to their survival. These roots absorb water from a wide area during the few times it rains.

Multiple Choice

3. The cactus is described as a "succulent" type of plant. What does that mean?

• They are delicious to eat.

• They are covered in spikes.

• They are brilliant green in color.

• They have thick tissue that can hold lots of water.

The Cactus: Paragraph Four

• Cacti are known for their pointy spines. These grow in different patterns on the plant’s surface. Some cacti also have flowers and branches. Most do not have leaves. If a cactus has leaves, they are very small and fall off as the plant grows.

The Cactus: Paragraph Five

• Cacti come in many sizes. The cactus called the "prickly pear" grows in low bunches. The giant cactus known as the "saguaro" can be 50 feet (15 meters) tall. Its branches may be 2 feet (about 0.6 meter) thick.

The Cactus: Paragraph Six

• Most cacti grow in the ground. Some cacti, known as "epiphytes", grow on plants. Others may grow on hard things such as rocks.

Multiple Choice

4. After you have read paragraphs 4, 5, and 6, think about it. What is the main idea of those combined paragraphs?

• The article is telling about the styles of cactuses and how to grow one on your own.

• The article is telling the reader about the physical features of a cactus and how it grows.

• The article is telling about the cactus and the person who first grew it in America.

The Cactus: Paragraph Seven

• Cacti are often grown for decoration. Many unusual and beautiful varieties are prized as houseplants. In South America cacti are sometimes used as fences. Arizona has adopted the "saguaro" as its state flower.

  Some types of cacti are also grown for food. The egg-shaped fruit of the "saguaro" can be eaten. People also eat the fruit of the "prickly pear."

Multiple Choice

5. What is the main idea of paragraph seven?

• It is reminding the reader that a cactus can hold a great deal of water.

• It is describing the best planting methods.

• It is describing how to go about purchasing one.

• It is describing how a cactus may be used.

Saguaro

-A popular type of cactus grown in Arizona

Prickly Pear

-Known for its blossoms which may be eaten

Information provided by:

Britannica Kids

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/cactus/352894