Ghostly New Creature/Tiptoeing Scientists Paired Info (STAAR)

Based on paragraphs 4 and 5 of the selection “A Ghostly New Creature,” what can be concluded about the study of newly discovered animals?

• Identifying a new species requires careful analysis of an animal.

• Scientists are searching constantly for unknown types of animals

• Studying ocean animals is easier than studying land animals.

• Most animal research is conducted by government agencies.

In the selection “A Ghostly New Creature,” the author includes the photograph of the octopod most likely to help the reader better understand —

• why the octopod lives so deep in the ocean

• how far the octopod can move without having fins

• why scientists named the octopod after a cartoon character

• how the octopod uses its suckers to grasp objects

What is the best summary of the selection “A Ghostly New Creature”?

• Government scientists were sent to Hawaii to study animal life in the Pacific Ocean. They watched video that was taken by an underwater vehicle. Watching the video from a ship and from land, they saw a ghostlike octopod. The scientists named the mysterious new specimen Casper after Casper the Friendly Ghost, an old cartoon character.

• Near Hawaii a research team studied the Pacific Ocean thousands of feet below the surface. The team members became excited when they saw a white octopod appear on their video. They had not expected to see this finless animal as it was found below 13,000 feet where there is little food to support its existence.

• Scientists made an exciting find in the waters near Hawaii. While mapping the ocean floor to study ocean life, scientists saw a mysterious octopod. It was so unusual that scientists decided they had discovered a new species. The octopod that scientists found was unique, suggesting there are still undiscovered species located in other parts of the world.

• Dozens of researchers observed a white octopod in the ocean near Hawaii. Octopods are a category of eight-armed animals that include the octopus. The researchers used an underwater vehicle as part of their studies and were surprised to see the unusual creature. Scientists doubt that they will be able to examine a specimen of this new type of octopod.

In the selection “A Ghostly New Creature,” which idea about the octopod best explains why the author includes the map?

• Octopods are found in many oceans throughout the world.

• The ghostly octopod is common only to the ocean area around Hawaii.

• Octopods are most commonly found near islands.

• The ghostly octopod was found near the Hawaiian Islands.

What can the reader conclude from Michael Vecchione’s comments throughout the selection “A Ghostly New Creature”?

• Vecchione is not interested in learning more about the new octopod.

• Vecchione is fascinated by the discovery of new species.

• Vecchione was the coordinator of the project that discovered the unknown creature.

• Vecchione was first to understand the significance of finding the new octopod.

Read the dictionary entry for the word screen- screen: \'skrēn\ v 1. to give shelter to 2. to guard from injury 3. to examine for a particular purpose 4. to shield from view Which definition best matches the way the word screening is used in paragraph 1 of the selection “Tiptoeing Scientists”?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Throughout the selection “Tiptoeing Scientists,” which idea about tiny frogs does the author highlight?

• Scientists are finding tiny frogs throughout the mountain ranges of the world.

• Researchers locate tiny frogs by their bold and unique coloring

• Tiny frogs can be very difficult for scientists to capture.

• Tiny frogs have poisonous skin that helps to protect them.

Based on information in the selection “Tiptoeing Scientists,” what can the reader conclude about the Brazilian frogs?

• They make their homes in the treetops.

• Their bright color makes them easy to locate among the leaves.

• Most of their diet consists of dead leaves.

• They have adaptations that help keep them from danger.

For what reason does the author include the photograph after paragraph 3 of the selection “Tiptoeing Scientists”?

• To prove that this species is the smallest of all frogs ever discovered

• To highlight the effectiveness of the frog’s natural camouflage

• To emphasize how small the frog is by comparing it to a familiar object

• To demonstrate that the frog has a unique call

In the selections “A Ghostly New Creature” and “Tiptoeing Scientists,” how are Michael Vecchione’s work and Marcio Pie’s work different?

• Vecchione uses high-tech equipment to observe animals, but Pie does not.

• Vecchione studies animals that can be difficult to find, but Pie does not.

• Pie is employed by a government agency, but Vecchione is self-employed.

• Pie conducts research about many kinds of animals, but Vecchione studies only octopods.