STAAR Prep Reading

4th Grade Reading STAAR Review

Squirrels Using Snakeskin?

&

A Clever Use of Coconuts

Use “Squirrels Using Snakeskin?” to answer the following questions.

Multiple Choice

The author wrote this selection most likely to —

• inform readers of the differences between squirrels and snakes

• explain efforts to understand an unusual squirrel behavior

• encourage readers to investigate the activities of squirrels

• tell readers about a special squirrel and its diet

Multiple Choice

Paragraphs 2 through 4 are mainly about —

• a special protein that adult squirrels have in their bodies

• how female squirrels use snakeskin to protect themselves

• how fleas can be avoided by using the skin shed by rattlesnakes

• possible reasons that squirrels spread chewed snakeskin on their bodies

Poll

Would you rather never have ice cream or never have candy again for the rest of your life?

• no ice cream

• no candy

Multiple Choice

Clucas’s observations contribute to the understanding of why squirrels use snakeskin by —

• providing support for one of the theories presented by scientists

• proving that male squirrels are more aggressive than female squirrels

• suggesting that young squirrels do not know how to apply chewed snakeskin

  to themselves

• explaining why adult squirrels have a special protein in their blood

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 6, the word detects means —

• dislikes

• expects

• discovers

• ignores

Poll

Would you rather be able to slide down rainbows or jump on the clouds?

• rainbows

• clouds

Multiple Choice

Which of these is the best summary of the selection?

• Scientists have discovered that some squirrels chew rattlesnake skin and

  apply it to themselves. There are several possible explanations for this

  behavior. Barbara Clucas conducted a study using a group of squirrels and

  discovered that it is likely that female squirrels and young squirrels use the

  snakeskin as protection against rattlesnakes.

• Some squirrels have an unusual habit of chewing rattlesnake skin and

  applying it to their fur for protection. Scientists have discovered that adult

  squirrels do not need protection from rattlesnake venom. However, female

  and young squirrels chew and apply rattlesnake skin to their bodies.

• Scientists developed a few theories to explain why squirrels chew rattlesnake

  skin and apply it to their fur. Barbara Clucas studied squirrels to find the

  answer. She numbered each squirrel in the study by using black hair dye.

• Some squirrels are known to look for the skin that rattlesnakes leave behind

  when they shed. Once the squirrels find the skin, they chew it up, spit it out,

  and put it on their fur. Scientists wonder about this behavior and have some

  possible explanations for it.

Use “A Clever Use of Coconuts” to answer the following questions.

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 4, the word indicates means —

• suggests

• depends

• helps

• decides

Poll

Would you rather live without a tv or a computer?

• TV

• Computer

Multiple Choice

The fact that octopuses sometimes move coconut shells from one place to another is important because it suggests that octopuses —

• are more intelligent than some birds

• are able to plan for future needs

• relocate to new homes often

• may find other types of shells to use in the future

Multiple Choice

The purpose of this selection is to —

• compare octopuses with other animals that are also tool users

• describe an octopus that was hiding in a coconut shell

• provide readers with facts about the intelligence of octopuses

• encourage readers to learn more about interesting sea creatures

Poll

Would you rather have a head the size of a tennis ball or the size of a watermelon?

• tennis ball

• watermelon

Multiple Choice

The photograph is included with the selection most likely to —

• show how many arms an octopus has

• demonstrate how an octopus puts shell halves together

• show why octopuses need to hide from enemies

• illustrate how an octopus can fit inside a coconut shell

Use "Squirrels Using Snakeskin?" and "A Clever Use of Coconuts" to answer the following questions.

Multiple Choice

What is one difference between the types of animal behavior described in the two selections?

• Many animals use snakeskin for protection, but only octopuses are known to use shells to protect themselves.

• Squirrels have several ways of protecting themselves, but octopuses have

  only one way.

• Scientists understand why squirrels use snakeskin, but research is needed to

  understand why octopuses use coconut shells.

• Squirrels disguise themselves with scent, but octopuses hide from the view of

  their enemies.

Poll

Would you rather have grass for hair or a banana for a nose?

• grass for hair

• banana for a nose

Multiple Choice

One similarity between the two selections is that both discuss animals that —

• use things found in nature to remain safe

• need help from humans to survive

• protect their young

• are not aware of dangers in their environment

Multiple Choice

Which of these ideas is found in both selections?

• Animals have difficulty finding places to hide.

• Scientists have many ways of studying animals in their environment.

• Scientists are continuing to discover unique ways in which animals protect

  themselves.

• Tool users are the most intelligent animals.

Multiple Choice

Both selections suggest that scientists —

• are interested in studying only small animals

• do not completely understand some animal behavior

• have to use cameras to study animals

• do not spend much time observing animals in the wild

Poll

Would you rather visit a haunted castle or stay in an underwater hotel?

• haunted castle

• underwater hotel