Leaping Lizards (readworks passage)

The main idea of the article is that

• Jack Conrad is a paleontologist who studies plants and animals that lived long ago.

• The AMNH's exhibition of snakes and lizards is interesting and popular.

• Lizards, snakes chameleons, geckos and Gila monsters are all squamates.

• Darrel Frost is a herpetologist whose job is to study reptiles.

Which statement supports the main idea of the article?

• Startled onlookers watched a veiled chameleon climb a tree branch and change color.

• The public is really interested in scaly, slimy, things.

• Studying present-day squamates gives a glimpse into the biology

• All of the above.

Turtles and alligators

• have larger scales than squamates

• can change color to camouflage themselves

• are like squamates in only some ways

• cannot regulate their own body temperaturs

The main idea of the section called "New Discoveries" is that

• scientists study both present-day squamates and ancient fossils

• the Gila monster is a squamate that has not changed over a long period of time

• paleontologists are scientists who study fossils

• museum workers try to appeal to the public's tastes when they plan their exhibitions

Determine the meaning of the word "herpetologists" as it is used in the text.

• a person who studies camouflaging

• a person who studies frogs

• a person who studies reptiles and amphibians

• a person who studies fossils

Explain how a chameleon uses its ability to camouflage to its advantage.

• It conceals itself by changing its appearance.

• It unveils itself.

• The chameleon changes colors.

• It helps the creature hide from predators and curious museum-goers.

What is the main idea of the section "What's a Squamate?"

• To tell about different species.

• To explain what a squamate is.

• To tell how squamates lay eggs.

• Most squamates lay eggs, although some give birth to live young.

Which sentence from the text supports the main idea of the section "What's a Squamate?"

• Squamates comes from the Latin word for "scale" and is the scientific name for legged lizards

• Conrad is a paleontologist.

• There are 8,000 species or types of squamates.

• A fossil is the remains of an ancient plant or animal preserved in Earth's crust.