The Science of Hiccups

Which word from the text helps readers understand the meaning of the word spasm?

• lungs

• breathe

• twitch

• muscle

What causes you to breathe in?

• your muscle twitching

• your diaphragm tightening

• your diaphragm relaxing

• your muscles carrying signals from your brain

What do hiccups get their name from?

• flaps in your throat slamming shut

• the diaphragm’s sudden jerk upward

• a quick gasp of air being pushed out of your lungs

• the muscles relaxing too quickly

What is one theory about why baby mammals hiccup?

• Hiccups may be a way for them to drink more milk.

• Hiccups may be a way for them to breathe underwater.

• Hiccups may be a way for them to eat more food.

• Hiccups may be a way for them to get rid of extra air.

By studying amphibians, scientists think that hiccups may be a sign that the brain _______________.

• knows how to breathe on land and in water

• is reminding the body to get more carbon dioxide

• needs to send water to the gills

• is reminding itself how to breathe

According to the text, the exact cause of hiccups is __________________.

• unknown

• eating spicy foods

• drinking fizzy drinks

• eating too quickly

Why does holding your breath sometimes get rid of the hiccups?

• Your body has to work harder to get rid of carbon dioxide.

• Your body is distracted and forgets to hiccup

• Your body gets used to the hiccups, and you stop.

• Your body is able to close the throat flap.

Tricky tasks sometimes work to cure hiccups because it causes your ______________.

• diaphragm to jerk downward and stop the hiccups

• throat to slam shut, and this helps you breathe easier

• brain to get distracted and “forget” to hiccup

• lungs to pull in even more air and forces carbon dioxide out

Which word from the text helps readers understand how the author feels about hiccups?

• tricky

• confused

• mystery

• annoying

What was the author’s purpose for writing this book?

• to explain the best way to get rid of hiccups

• to describe what hiccups are and possible causes and cures

• to persuade readers to find a cure for hiccups

• to answer a question about the longest case of hiccups