A Rite of Passage (and the Importance of Penguin Etiquette)

When describing the penguins, the author mostly focuses on their —

• concern for their baby chicks

• friendly and entertaining behavior

• ability to survive in their environment

• dependence on one another

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

In paragraph 4, what does the word notoriously mean?

• frequently traveled

• hard to locate

• recognized in a negative way

• viewed from a disrance

Answer explanation

“Recognized in a negative way” is the phrase that best matches the meaning of notoriously as it is used in paragraph 4. It is explained that the Drake Passage is known to be a “violent area of ocean” and “the roughest stretch of sea on the planet,” which can be considered negative qualities.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

Which sentence from the selection best conveys the author’s main message?

• But as mentally prepared as we were, we also had to be physically aware, as well.

  (paragraph 6)

• Every night aboard our safe and warm ship, we thought about what it takes to survive in

  Antarctica, an incredibly harsh place. (paragraph 19)

• Over the course of our visit, we came to respect and even revere the power of that sea.

  (paragraph 20)

• Both experiences were unforgettable, and one would not have been possible without the

  other. (paragraph 21)

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

The organizers of the expedition created “penguin etiquette” most likely to —

• The organizers of the expedition created “penguin etiquette” most likely to —

• minimize possible negative effects of visitors on the penguin habitat

• create awareness among the visitors about the challenges penguins face

• boost visitors’ chances of observing tens of thousands of penguins each day

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Based on the selection, what did the author most likely gain from his experience?

• An understanding of how animals survive in cold climates

• An interest in other journeys that involve physical challenges

• An awareness of the types of activities his daughter enjoys

• An increased respect for the power of nature

Answer explanation

The author most likely gained an increased respect for the power of nature. In paragraph 19, he expresses his respect for the penguins’ ability to “survive in Antarctica, an incredibly harsh place,” and in paragraph 20, he explains that he “came to respect and even revere the power of that sea,” referring to the Drake Passage.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

What is the best summary of this selection?

• When the author and his daughter win a trip to Antarctica, they board an icebreaker ship

  and travel through an area called the Drake Passage. During their time in Antarctica, they

  observe a penguin colony made up of tens of thousands of penguins. They must adhere to

  certain rules while they are there.

• Getting to Antarctica requires people to travel by ship through a rough area of the sea.

  After winning a trip to Antarctica to observe penguins, the author and his daughter make

  this difficult voyage. Once they arrive, they see thousands of penguins up close and know

  the trip was worth the suffering.

• The author and his daughter take a trip to Antarctica, where they have an opportunity to

  observe penguin behavior up close. They take photographs of the large penguin colony.

  Long after the trip, they still talk about the experience.

• After winning a contest, the author and his daughter travel to Antarctica and see

  penguins. Since there are no airports in Antarctica, they have to sail there through rough

  water. Once they arrive, they must take a helicopter from their ship over to the penguin

  colony.

Answer explanation

The best summary of the selection is presented in these sentences. The author’s journey to Antarctica and his experience with the penguins are both described, and the author’s message of “No pain, no gain” is restated.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

Which sentence from the selection best expresses the author’s enthusiasm during his observation of the penguins?

• Across the crunchy surface, we could see hundreds of penguins in the distance, watching

  us as we watched them. (paragraph 10)

• Penguins are extremely curious and not fearful of humans. (paragraph 11)

• We began the two-mile hike over the ice to the penguin colony. (paragraph 14)

• And I will never forget the penguin that, when I jokingly asked which way back to the

  helicopters, pointed a wing in the correct direction. (paragraph 18)

Answer explanation

The author’s enthusiasm during his observation of the penguins is best expressed in this sentence from paragraph 18. In this sentence, the author recalls an exciting and incredible moment when a penguin seemed to understand what he was saying.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.3

CCSS.RI.7.3

CCSS.RI.8.3

CCSS.RI.9-10.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

Read this sentence from paragraph 8.

"For the first time on our journey, we walked

out on deck and felt the sweet bite of the cold,

clean air on our faces."

The sensory language in this sentence best reveals the author’s —

• sense of relief and accomplishment at having arrived in Antarctica

• understanding of the extreme weather conditions in Antarctica

• frustration at having been kept in his cabin for most of the voyage

• feeling of anticipation to soon be interacting with the penguins

Answer explanation

The sensory language in this sentence reveals the sense of relief and accomplishment that the author felt. The “sweet bite of the cold, clean air” is used to suggest that, although cold air might be something to avoid, the author considered it positive because it meant that he was close to his destination.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4