The Amazing History of Dogs

Which of the following sums up a main idea of "How the Wolf Became the Dog?"

• Long ago, our human ancestors hunted with domesticated animals.

• Scientists are still learning about saber-toothed tigers.

• Egyptians turned their dogs into mummies.

• Over thousands of years, humans and dogs developed a special bond.

Which line from the article best supports the statement, "Over thousands of years, humans and dogs developed a special bond?"

• "Eventually, a new kind of creature had developed: the dog."

• "...something beautiful was born: the friendship between humans and dogs."

• "At that time, many animals- including the wolf- posed a threat to humans."

• "...humans put dogs to work in new ways."

What does morphed mean in the sentence, "This does not mean that a fierce wolf suddenly and magically morphed into a yapping Chihuahua with a pink bow"?

• changed

• slipped

• charged

• snuggled

Which phrase best describes the new breed of wolf that developed?

• larger and smarter

• smaller and meaner

• gentler and calmer

• tougher and fiercer

What is the main idea of "How America Went DOG Crazy"?

• Americans did not always provide good health care for their pets.

• Over time, Americans have developed a powerful connection with their pet dogs.

• Long ago, Americans did not own many dogs.

• Dogs worked on farms and in cities.

What causes humans and dogs to feel close to each other, according to new research?

• the need for working dogs

• the large number of dogs in the world

• a similarity between their bodies

• a special chemical in their brains

Which line from the article supports the answer to the evidence, "new research has found that humans and dogs feel close to each other due to a special chemical in their brains"?

• "This shows that dogs try to understand us."

• "Both the human's and the dog's brains release a chemical that makes them feel close."

• "Americans have embraced other pets too."

• "Today, nearly 50 percent of American families own at least one dog."

The authors of “How the Wolf Became the Dog” describe the lives of our early ancestors during the Ice Age as “a daily struggle for survival.”

Pick TWO pieces of text evidence that best support this description.

• “There were no nations yet, no cities or towns.”

• “Roman warriors marched into battle alongside enormous war dogs.”

• “At that time, many animals—including the wolf—posed a threat to humans.”

• “And so humans let these wolves stick around.”

• “Danger lurked everywhere—diseases with no cures, saber-toothed tigers with 11-inch fangs, elephant like mastodons with sword like tusks.”

The first article states, “As the centuries passed, the wolves living near humans continued to change.”

Choose TWO pieces of text evidence that best demonstrate how these wolves changed:

• “Scientists speculate that the first dog appeared between 15,000 and 38,000 years ago.”

• “Their bodies got smaller, their ears floppier.”

• “They became friendlier and more eager to please humans.”

• “This does not mean that a fierce wolf suddenly and magically morphed into a yapping Chihuahua . . .”

• “There are many mysteries.”

You can infer that owning a dog often leads to better emotional and physical well being.

Pick THREE pieces of text evidence from “How the Wolf Became the Dog” and “How America Went DOG Crazy” that best support this inference.

• “Studies show that dogs really do make our lives better.”

• “Dog owners tend to get more exercise; those daily walks make people healthier.”

• “But scientists are only now starting to understand the long history of dogs.”

• “Dogs can help kids with autism and other challenges cope with stress.”

• “Another study showed that when humans point to something, dogs look where we’re pointing.”