Halloween Comprehension Informational Text

Word Meaning:

Vampire bats search for food at night. They drink the blood of other animals to survive, and prefer to feed from cows, horses, pigs, and birds. They do not really suck an animal's blood. A vampire bat will make a small cut with its teeth, and then lap up the blood using its tongue.

What does the underlined word mean?

• a place between the knees and torso

• a distance around a track

• to drink in small sips

• a section of a journey

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.RI.4.4

Cause and Effect

Scientists believe that running out of regular bat food caused vampire bats to adapt to a liquid diet. They developed very sharp front teeth. Heat sensors in their noses helped them find a perfect spot on an animal to feed. Bats now had a special "thumb" to help them fly away quickly.

Why did vampire bats begin to drink blood?

• They ran out of regular bat food to eat.

• They discovered they enjoyed the taste.

• They had a special sensor that helped them find blood.

• Fangs made drinking blood easier.

Drawing Conclusions

A Missouri family discovered their new home was infested with thousands of spiders. A pest control company was hired to spray inside and outside. Parts of some walls were opened up to remove the spiders. Nothing worked. The family had to move out.

What can you conclude about the spiders in the text?

• The spiders were bigger than regular spiders.

• Pest control poisons finally killed the spiders.

• The spiders were carried out of the house.

• Pest control poisons did not kill the spiders.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.8

CCSS.W.4.9A

Making Inferences

King Tut is a famous mummy. His tomb was discovered in 1922. An exhibition of some of the tomb's treasures was first seen in London in 1972. This show came to the United States in 1976. Millions of people came to see it.

Based on the text, which of the following is most likely true?

• King Tut didn't live very long.

• The King Tut Exhibition was very popular.

• More people came to see King Tut in London than in the United States.

• The most valuable treasures were in King Tut's tomb.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.3

Cause and Effect

The Egyptians believed that they would begin a new life after death. Because of this belief, rich people paid a lot of money to have their bodies turned into mummies. Mummies were buried in large tombs with things like furniture and food that could be used in a new life.

Why were mummies buried with furniture?

• The tombs were like giant storage sheds.

• No one wanted the furniture anymore.

• It was believed they would soon be living a new life.

• The rich people did not want to give away their furniture.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.4.3

CCSS.RI.4.8

Supporting Details

Some animal bones look like human bones. Raccoon paw bones are similar in shape to a child's hand. Bear paw bones look like an adult's hand. However, the animal bones are thicker and look fatter. Also, humans have a much larger thumb bone than a raccoon or a bear.

What is one way to tell an animal bone from a human bone?

• Animal thumb bones are much larger.

• The bones must be measured by an expert.

• You really cannot tell them apart.

• Animal bones are thicker and flatter.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.3

Main Idea

Carving a pumpkin is a Halloween tradition. First, cut a hole in the top and scoop out all the seeds. Second, draw the eyes and mouth on the pumpkin with a permanent marker. Third, cut out along the pattern with a sharp knife. Last, put a flickering LED light inside to make it look spooky.

Which of the following choices makes the best title for the text?

• How to Carve a Pumpkin

• How to Make Your Pumpkin Look Spooky

• Being Careful with sharp Knives

• The Traditions of Halloween

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.2

Compare and Contrast

October 31 is Halloween in the United States. November 1 is Day of the Dead in Mexico. Children in the United States wear costumes and go trick-or-treating to ask for candy. Children in Mexico dress up as skeletons and visit graves to honor the dead.

How can Halloween and Day of the Dead be compared?

• They are both celebrated in Mexico.

• Children ask for candy on both days.

• Children wear special clothing on both days.

• They are both celebrated in the same month.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.9

Making Inferences

Here are some fun facts about Halloween candy. People buy about 600 million pounds of candy each year to give to trick-or-treaters. More money is spent on chocolate candy than other kinds of sweets. Candy corn is the bestseller.

Based on information in this text, what can the reader infer about Halloween candy?

• Chocolate candy and candy corn are equally popular.

• A large amount of candy is given away on Halloween.

• Halloween candy is very heavy.

• Too much candy makes a person sick.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.4.2

Sequence

You can be a kid zombie on Halloween using an old shirt and pair of jeans. First, cut holes in the shirt and make jagged edges at the bottom. Then, rip the jeans and let threads hang down. Put some stain and dirt on the clothes. Last, get ready to put makeup on for a zombie face!

What should you do right after you get your zombie clothes dirty?

• Go trick or treating.

• Put more holes in your shirt and jeans.

• Put your face makeup on.

• Find another old shirt.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.3