"The Cholla Cactus" and "Cactus Wren"

Use “The Cholla Cactus” to answer the following question.

What are the most likely reasons the author includes paragraphs 1 and 2 of the article “The Cholla Cactus”?

Select TWO correct answers.

• To connect the reader to the topic

• To argue for the protection of a species

• To explain how a cactus grows in the desert

• To provide a mental picture of the subject

• To show how animals survive in harsh climates

Which sentences from paragraphs 4 through 6 show that the cholla cactus is difficult to harvest?

Select the TWO correct answers.

• The desert bighorn sheep, for example, has learned to get water from the cholla cactus.

• The animal uses its large curled horns and its hooves to tear off pieces of a cholla and remove the spines.

• Bees enjoy the pollen of its colorful blooms.

• They roll the buds on a hard surface to remove the spines and then roast them slowly on an open fire.

• Cholla buds contain protein, calcium, and fibe —all of which are important to good health.

What is the main idea of the section titled “A Prickly Feast”?

• People sometimes roast the buds of certain types of cholla cactus.

• The cholla cactus attracts bees because of its pollen.

• People and animals eat parts of the cholla cactus.

• The fruit of the cholla cactus is quite juicy.

According to the article, rainwater is stored in the cholla cactus’s —

• spines

• roots

• flowers

• stems

The author included the information in paragraph 1 to help the reader —

• visualize a hot desert region

• learn about people who live in extreme conditions

• understand the kinds of plants that live in sandy soil

• identify the ways in which animals survive in the desert

What do the subheadings in the article help the reader understand?

• There are many different types of cholla.

• The author is knowledgeable about desert animals.

• The cholla can be used for different purposes.

• Many animals live in severe environments.

Use “The Cholla Cactus” to answer the following question.

Read the question carefully. Then record your answer in the box provided.

Based on paragraph 7 of the article “The Cholla Cactus,” why does the wood rat use the cholla cactus to build its nest?

Support your answer with evidence from the article.

Use “Cactus Wren” (pp. 16–17) to answer the following questions.

Why does the cactus wren “like thorns in all directions”?

• They offer cool shade from the desert heat.

• They help keep intruders away.

• They are a source of food for the young hatchlings.

• They prevent the baby birds from moving around in the nest.

In lines 1 through 13, the poet contrasts the wren’s behavior with that of other desert animals to show that the wren —

• feels comfortable in the heat of the desert

• worries about the needs of other animals

• makes noises that are more pleasant to listen to

• copies the actions of other animals

Which definition best fits the way entrance is used in line 25?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4