Language Live Unit 7 Whale Song Practice Reading Comprehension

What is the main idea of the passage "An Old Song"?

An Old Song Sailors have listened to whale songs for thousands of years. The songs fascinate us. Roger Payne is a scientist who studies whale songs. He wants to uncover the purpose of their songs. Until recently, scientists did not know that whales used songs to communicate. Slowly, they are realizing whale songs are messages, but they still don’t know what the different songs mean.

• Roger Payne is the only scientist studying whale songs.

• Whale songs have been a mystery to sailors and scientists for thousands of years.

• Whales use songs to navigate through the oceans.

• The passage focuses on different types of whale species.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What is the correct structure of a whale song as described in the passage?

Some whale songs have many parts. First, the most basic part of a whale song is an element. An element is one sound. Elements can be long groans. They can be low moans, roars, trills, cries, or snores. They can also be growls, whistles, or chirps. Whales emit different elements in a repetitive sequence to compose a phrase. Two to four different elements are repeated to create short sound strings called phrases. The last part of a whale’s song is the theme. Whales repeat the same phrases several times to sing a theme.

• A whale song is a single, continuous sound without variation.

• Whale songs are composed of elements, phrases, and themes, with each theme being a repetition of phrases.

• Whale songs are random collections of sounds without any specific order or repetition.

• Each whale song is unique and cannot be broken down into smaller parts.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which sentence best summarizes the passage about whale migration and singing?

Whales sing when they migrate. They leave the colder waters and swim to the warmer waters of the tropics. They sing as they migrate to warmer waters, and they sing again during their migration back to colder waters. During the early spring or late summer, some whales are silent, but others still sing.

• Whales only sing during early spring and late summer.

• Whales migrate from the tropics to colder waters without singing.

• Whales sing primarily when they are in the colder waters.

• Whales sing during their migration to and from warmer waters, with some continuing to sing in early spring or late summer.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

According to the passage, who sings the elaborate whale songs?

Not all whales sing. Only males sing the elaborate whale songs. A singing male often swims alone, staying underwater for a long time and remaining in a small area. He comes up to breathe every 8 to 15 minutes and then continues his underwater serenade.

• Both male and female whales sing equally elaborate songs.

• Only male whales sing the elaborate songs, often swimming alone.

• Only female whales are known to sing elaborate songs.

• Only female whales are known to sing elaborate songs.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What does the passage suggest about the purpose of whale songs?

Scientists continue to study whale songs and try to understand the different reasons they sing. It appears that whales sing for a variety of reasons. Scientists believe the songs are not just for entertainment. The songs communicate guidelines for a specific group of whales. The role of whale song is similar to that of bird song. It may be a signal for other whales to work together and stop competing. Scientists believe the songs are also used to attract females. They have observed females slapping the water with their fins in response to a male’s song. Without the songs, what would happen? Groups of whales could become separated during migration. Feeding and behavior would not be coordinated.

• Whale songs are purely for entertainment and have no other significant purpose.

• The primary purpose of whale songs is to communicate guidelines and facilitate coordination among a specific group of whales.

• Whale songs are used exclusively to attract females.

• Scientists are certain about all the reasons whales sing and have no further questions.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Match the following sentences as either the main idea or details.

• Detail

• He comes up to breathe every 8 to 15 minutes and then continues his underwater serenade.

• Main Idea

• Only males sing the elaborate whale songs.

• Detail

• A singing male often swims alone, staying underwater for a long time and remaining in a small area.

• Detail

• Not all whales sing.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Write a one sentence summary for this paragraph:

Every year, numerous bird species embark on a remarkable journey, migrating between their breeding and wintering grounds. This journey can span thousands of miles and involves crossing various terrains and climates. Birds migrate for various reasons, including searching for food, better weather conditions, and suitable breeding areas. Remarkably, they navigate using the sun, stars, and Earth's magnetic field. The main idea of this journey is that bird migration is an essential, instinctual behavior for survival, driven by the need to access resources and optimal breeding conditions that are seasonally available in different regions.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What is the main idea of the passage about bird migration?

Every year, numerous bird species embark on a remarkable journey, migrating between their breeding and wintering grounds. This journey can span thousands of miles and involves crossing various terrains and climates. Birds migrate for various reasons, including searching for food, better weather conditions, and suitable breeding areas. Remarkably, they navigate using the sun, stars, and Earth's magnetic field. The main idea of this journey is that bird migration is an essential, instinctual behavior for survival, driven by the need to access resources and optimal breeding conditions that are seasonally available in different regions.

• Birds navigate using the sun, stars, and Earth's magnetic field.

• Bird migration spans thousands of miles and crosses various terrains.

• The journey of bird migration is driven by the need to access resources and find optimal breeding conditions.

• Birds migrate primarily to find better weather conditions.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2