Cholla Cactus and Cactus Wren Questions

18. What is the main idea of the section titled “A Prickly Feast”?

• F. People sometimes roast the buds of certain types of cholla cactus.

• G. The cholla cactus attracts bees because of its pollen.

• H. People and animals eat parts of the cholla cactus.

• J. The fruit of the cholla cactus is quite juicy.

19. According to the article, rainwater is stored in the cholla cactus's--

• A. spines

• B. roots

• C. flowers

• D. stems

20. The author included the information in paragraph 1 to help the reader —

• F visualize a hot desert region

• G learn about people who live in extreme conditions

• H understand the kinds of plants that live in sandy soil

• J identify the ways in which animals survive in the desert

21 What do the subheadings in the article help the reader understand?

• A There are many different types of cholla.

• B The author is knowledgeable about desert animals.

• C The cholla can be used for different purposes.

• D Many animals live in severe environments.

22 Why does the cactus wren “like thorns in all directions”?

• F They offer cool shade from the desert heat.

• G They help keep intruders away.

• H They are a source of food for the young hatchlings.

• J They prevent the baby birds from moving around in the nest.

23 In lines 1 through 13, the poet contrasts the wren’s behavior with that of other desert animals to show that the wren —

• A feels comfortable in the heat of the desert

• B worries about the needs of other animals

• C makes noises that are more pleasant to listen to

• D copies the actions of other animals

24 Look at the dictionary entry for the word entrance.

entrance \ıen-tr n(t)s\ noun

1. permission to come into a

place 2. the act of coming in

3. the location or point for

coming in 4. the first appearance

of an actor in a scene

Which definition best fits the way entrance is used in line 25?

• F Definition 1

• G Definition 2

• H Definition 3

• J Definition 4

25 The photograph below the title represents which part of the poem?

• A Lines 1–7

• B Lines 8–13

• C Lines 14–22

• D Lines 25–30

26 The poet uses the word “stickery” in line 21 to help readers understand —

• F how animals are able to find an abandoned nest

• G where the wren sits on the cactus to sing in the afternoons

• H how much work the wren does to build a nest

• J why most animals would not want to touch the cactus

27 This poem is written from the point of view of a —

• A mouse

• B baby bird

• C mother bird

• D cricket