A Bird's-Eye View of Teamwork

From the information provided in the selection, the reader can conclude that birds.....

• prefer to fly in a V formation

• move faster than cyclists

• take on different roles within a formation

• are smarter than other animals

Read this sentence from paragraph 1.

"Or maybe you've spied a swooping flock that seems to float like a ribbon on the breeze."

The author uses this sentence to....

• explain to the reader how birds can fly

• offer a reason for a particular flight pattern

• help the reader visualize one type of flying pattern

• argue that this flying pattern is the most beautiful

The photographs are included to support which idea?

• Birds instinctively fly in particular formations.

• Birds consume less food when traveling with a flock.

• Birds are affected by wind resistance in flight.

• Birds are unable to fly solo over great distances.

Why do the brothers argue?

• Each one is trying to gain the attention of their father.

• They cannot agree on the type of arrangements to make for Princess Mayleen.

• They think that fighting is the best way to solve their problem.

• Each one thinks that his role is more important than that of the others.

Read this sentence from paragraph 6.

"He carried a fat bundle of tightly bound bamboo sticks as well as three individual sticks."

The bundle described in the sentence represents the....

• a strenght of a unified group

• frustration that Zhen feels with his sons

• brothers' lack of independence

• number of bouquets Zhen wants his sons to make

Which sentence from the folktale best shows that the brothers are stubborn?

• Zhen's oldest son Li, who tended the garden, was not satisfied.

• "You like competing brother against brother," Zhen said.

• When Zhen returned after two days, his sons had not completed a single flower arrangement.

• They exchanged puzzled looks.

What is one way that the selection and the folktake differ?

• The selection includes observations that the author recorded when gathering research, while the folktale presents actual events from a person's life.

• The selection persuades readers to learn more about a common event, while the folktale shows how different people react to a challenging situation.

• The selection provides factual details about a particular topic, while the folktale offers a lesson about how to solve a problem.

• The selection poses a question for readers to think about, while the folktale describes the steps necessary to complete a special task.

Which sentence from the selection best represents the message of the folktale?

• As the navigator, this bird becomes the new leader.

• The birds care for their fellow fliers through teamwork.

• One theory is that birds fly in certain formations to take advantage of the laws of nature.

• But saving energy is important for more than one reason.

One difference between the selection and the folktale is that the selection, working together is....

• necessary in order to make a profit

• done because it is demanded

• a way to gain the respect of others

• accomplished by instinct