READING - RIO GRANDE

According to the passage, why is the Rio Grande so important?

• It is a source of drinking water for most of the United States.

• It is the border of Texas and Mexico.

• It is the longest river system in the United States.

• It is known by two different names.

Answer explanation

In the first paragraph, the author writes that “what makes the Rio Grande so important is its location.” He or she adds that it is “the official border of Texas and Mexico.” This implies that its location as the border of Mexico and Texas is what makes the Rio Grande so important. Because of this, choice (B) is correct.

In paragraph 3, the author most likely writes that “downward is the best way of describing it too” to ....

• prove that the Rio Grande’s water levels have gone down recently

• argue that the Rio Grande has changed shape over the years

• highlight the fact that the Rio Grande flows south and from high elevations

• explain why the Rio Grande is known as the Rio Bravo down in Mexico

Answer explanation

In the third paragraph, the author states that “downward is the best way of describing” the flow of the Rio Grande. He or she then explains what he or she means by that, stating that the river extends south and also “starts in the mountains and gets lower and lower in elevation.” This means that the river moves downward on a map (from north to south) and also in elevation. Because of this, choice (C) is correct.

Based on its use in paragraph 4, the word furious most nearly means ....

• angry

• large

• twisted

• dry

Answer explanation

furious (adjective): very angry or mad. In paragraph 4, the author states that “bravo” translates as “furious” in English and adds that the name “Rio Bravo” “makes sense.” We can use context clues—hints from known words or phrases around the unknown word or phrase—to figure out what the word furious most nearly means. He or she explains that it makes sense as a name because the river “does seem to be angrier.” This suggests that furious is closest in meaning to angry, so choice (A) is correct.

According to the passage, the Rio Grande has endpoints in .........

• Texas and the Gulf of Mexico

• New Mexico and Colorado

• Texas and Mexico

• Colorado and the Gulf of Mexico

Answer explanation

To answer this detail question, we need to find the part of the passage that describes the location of the Rio Grande. This occurs in the middle section, the one labeled “Rio Grande Geography.” There, in paragraph 3, the author states that “the river starts in Colorado and extends downward to the Gulf of Mexico.” This means the river’s endpoints are Colorado and the Gulf of Mexico. It also means choice (D) is correct.

At the beginning of the passage, we learn that the Rio Grande is "one of the most important" rivers in America. Can you think of another important landform that exists where you live? What makes it so important?

In paragraph 5, the author explains that the Rio Grande is slowly going dry. What do you think would happen if the river ever went completely dry? Why? Explain your predictions below.

Based on the information in the passage, explain in your own words why the Rio Grande is “either the fourth or fifth longest river system in North America.” Why can’t we say with certainty that it is only the fourth longest and not the fifth longest, for example?

In the final paragraph of the passage, the author says that the Rio Grande is “a symbol of cooperation” between Mexico and the United States, but also recognizes that the river divides the two countries. Based on the passage and your outside knowledge, do you think the river is more uniting or dividing? How do you think the river symbolizes cooperation? How do you think it symbolizes division? Explain.