Spring DRP Practice

Human beings were once defined as "the animal that uses tools." People didn't think animals in the wild were able to use tools. That was before anyone had ____________ them. By carefully observing animals in their own habitats, scientists eventually discovered that several use tools.

• captured

• studied

• attacked

• trained

One such animal is the sea otter. This animal's favorite food is clams. But, they are hard to __________. Clams can close their shells so tightly that even a strong person might have difficulty prying them apart.

• clean

• find

• catch

• open

The sea otter has no problem opening clams. Floating on its back, the animal picks up a small, flat rock and places it on its chest. Then, the otter whacks the clam against the rock. This may be repeated several times. But, finally it _____________.

• rises

• breaks

• eats

• leaves

Some birds have also been seen using tools. Th Egyptian vulture eats huge ostrich eggs. They have ____________ shells. So to open one, the vulture drops stones on it until the thick shell cracks.

• smooth

• spotted

• tough

• delicate

Another bird that uses a tool is the woodpecker finch. Like a woodpecker, it eats bugs that hide under the bark of trees. Woodpeckers have narrow, pointed beaks that are perfect for poking into holes to get food. The finch is just the opposite. Its __________ is wide and short. To solve the problem, the finch uses a thin twig to pry insects out of the bark.

• bill

• nest

• body

• wing

Most animals will simply find a rock or stick to meet their needs. But, some animals not only use tools, they make them. Chimpanzees, for example, ____________ something. The animals may strip the leaves from a plant stem to make a pole. Then they use the pole to dig termites out of a hole in a log.

• destroy

• observe

• change

• attack

Chimpanzees in laboratories even build ladders. They don't use a ____________. But, they do pile up boxes to help them reach food stored up high. Chimps are able to understand a problem and make a tool to solve it.

• hammer

• canoe

• flashlight

• hose