Dingoes – Dangerous or Desperate? ELA BEST Practice

Part A – Based on the information in the article, what is most likely the author’s purpose in “Dingoes – Dangerous or Desperate?”

• to persuade people to adopt dingoes

• to explain a new method of training dingoes

• to inform farmers about a potential problem

• to explain both sides of the dingo issue

Part B - Which statement BEST supports the answer to Part A?

• The author believes that dingoes make excellent pets.

• The author discussed the danger to farm animals, and the decrease in food supply

• The author provides examples of dingoes that have been trained by farmers.

• The author cited several cases of sheep attacks by dingoes.

Part A - How do you suppose the Aboriginal people feel about recent events?

• They would be in favor of protecting the dingoes.

• They would be unaware of any problems with the dingoes.

• They would be in favor of hunting the dingoes to decrease their population.

• They would be angry at the dingoes for causing so much trouble.

Part B - Which detail from the article BEST supports Part A?

• “The dingo is a wild dog native to Australia.” (Paragraph 1)

• “Dingoes have lived in harmony with the Aboriginal people for thousands of years.” (Paragraph 2)

• “Many people think they are aggressive, but that simply isn’t true.” (Paragraph 4)

• “Because of the numerous complaints from farmers, bounties have been set up across several states.” (Paragraph 5)

What is the purpose of the graph in Paragraph 4?

• to turn public opinion away from the dingoes

• to provide information on public opinion

• to anger the farmers about the dingo problem

• to share ideas about saving the dingoes

Part A - What does the term, “three dog night” mean?

• It is so cold that it takes three dogs to help a person stay warm.

• It is so dangerous that it takes three dogs to protect a house.

• Dingoes are dangerous because they attack in threes.

• Dingoes are lucky because they travel in packs of threes.

Part B – Which detail from the article provides evidence for the answer to Part A?

• “They are a symbol of protection . . .” (Paragraph 2)

• “They serve as companions, physical protectors . . .” (Paragraph 3)

• “ . . . poverty causes a lack of bedding when temperatures drop” (Paragraph 3)

• “. . . a string of dingo attacks on their animals” (Paragraph 3)

Part A - Which statement includes TWO central ideas of the article?

• Dingoes are dangerous, and their population is rising

• Dingoes’ food sources are dwindling, and they are attacking the sheep population.

• Dingoes are breaking into homes, and they have been injured in these break ins.

• Dingoes have become extinct, and many people are upset about their extinction.

Part B – Drag and Drop the TWO details that BEST support the answer to Part A.

​ (a)  

​ (b)  

​ ​

• “some recent attacks on farm animals” (Paragraph 1
• “wildlife has greatly decreased the dingo food sup
• “some recent attacks on humans” (Paragraph 3)
• “They are shy animals, and a little bit skittish”
• “numerous complaints from farmers” (Paragraph 5)
• “It is all about education and compassion” (Paragr

“They are shy animals, and a little bit skittish.” What does the word, “skittish” mean?

• aggressive

• apprehensive

• famished

• lethargic