Reading Final

Use “Of Feathers, Fat, and Freezing”(pp. 14–15) to answer. The word accumulate comes from the Latin cumulus, which means “a pile.” What does accumulated in paragraph 9 mean?

• Lost

• Awakened

• Warmed

• Gathered

Use “Of Feathers, Fat, and Freezing”(pp. 14–15) to answer. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing the selection?

• To provide information about the best locations for chickadees to live in order to survive

• To describe the ways chickadees have adapted to be able to stay alive in cold climates

• To communicate the problems chickadees encounter as a result of their small size

• To explain how the feathers of chickadees function in different environments

Use “Of Feathers, Fat, and Freezing”(pp. 14–15) to answer. Which sentence best supports the idea that chickadees take action to keep their bodies warm at night?

• This means that sometimes there is well over a 100-degree difference between a chickadee’s body and the air temperature only an inch away. (paragraph 3)

• Without any feathered insulation, heat would quickly be lost and much energy wasted in attempting to keep their toes as warm as the rest of the body. (paragraph 6)

• Since they don’t have crops in which they can store food to eat later, they must eat enough each day to survive the long, 18-hour night. (paragraph 9)

• They do not roost together in flocks as some birds do but spend the night alone. (paragraph 10)

Use “Of Feathers, Fat, and Freezing”(pp. 14–15) to answer. What is the best summary of the selection?

• Chickadees may be small birds, but they are very strong and intelligent. Unlike other birds, chickadees do not migrate in the winter. Instead, they enjoy staying in cold climates such as Alaska, even though the temperature can be much colder than their bodies.

• Chickadees are tiny birds that can be found in extremely cold climates. To stay warm, they rely on fluffing their feathers, eating lots of food, and using the nights for sleeping. They have found many ways to protect their bodies from becoming too cold.

• When the winters grow colder, chickadees spend time fluffing their feathers. The colder it becomes, the more they fluff, so that sometimes they look like furry balls. By doing this, they are able to stay warm and protect their skin from the icy temperatures an inch away

• Many people have seen the tiny birds known as black-capped chickadees. Although these birds are only the size of a person’s thumb, they have very thick feathers. They also prepare by storing food so that they can survive during long winters.

Use “Chickadee’s Song” (p. 16) to answer. What does the imagery in lines 9 and 10 of the poem suggest about the speaker?

• The speaker feels concerned about how quickly the day passes.

• The speaker feels bothered by the dripping water.

• The speaker feels relieved to see another type of bird.

• The speaker feels encouraged by the change in weather conditions.

Use “Chickadee’s Song” (p. 16) to answer. The actions described in the first stanza (lines 1–4) suggest that the speaker is —

• surprised

• hardworking

• carefree

• greedy

Use “Chickadee’s Song” (p. 16) to answer. The poet’s use of line length helps contribute to the poem’s —

• change in tone

• vivid imagery

• rhythm

• alliteration

Use “Chickadee’s Song” (p. 16) to answer. What does the repetition in line 6 and line 15 emphasize?

• The speaker’s willingness to join other birds

• The speaker’s confidence in surviving a harsh winter

• The speaker’s cheerfulness when experiencing an unfamiliar situation

• The speaker’s enjoyment of winter

Use “Chickadee’s Song” (p. 16) to answer. The imagery in lines 3 and 4 of the poem creates a sense of —

• loneliness

• affection

• acceptance

• security

Use “Chickadee’s Song” (p. 16) to answer. The rhythm and rhyme scheme used in the poem contributes to a mood of —

• gratefulness

• cheerful energy

• curiosity

• mutual respect