Play, Play Again

PART A: Read the sentences from paragraph 2 of the passage.

"And play is risky. Animals can break bones, pull muscles, or get bitten or scratched.

Why is play worth the risk?"

How does the author support the idea that play is worth the risk?

• by showing how play helps animals prepare to survive in their environment

• by showing how play teaches behaviors that help animals work together

• by showing how play trains animals to react to unexpected dangers

• by showing how play provides exercise that makes animals strong

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

PART B: Which detail from the passage supports the answer to Part A?

• "yanks it back and forth" (Paragraph 3)

• "leaping wildly in the air" (Paragraph 4)

• "rehearsing skills they'll need one day" (Paragraph 4)

• "monitor their behavior" (Paragraph 5)

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

Which sentence contains two main ideas from the passage?

• Some animals engage in risky play; goats prefer rugged play areas.

• Animals develop physical abilities in play; play increases their intelligence.

• Play is different for various animals; some animals play more than others.

• Large animals play more than small ones; prey animals play more roughly.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

PART A: Read the sentence from paragraph 3 of the passage.

"They're honing their skills for when they will run down, catch, and kill prey."

What does the word "honing" mean as used in paragraph 3?

• demonstrating, displaying

• identifying, recognizing

• improving, sharpening

• changing, reversing

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

PART B: Which phrase from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

• "try out different ways of doing things" (Paragraph 3)

• "the pup is rehearsing skills" (Paragraph 3)

• "animals constantly monitor their behavior" (Paragraph 5)

• "animals develop flexibility" (Paragraph 8)

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Which sentence describes a way that young prey animals play differently than young predators?

• Young prey animals injure themselves more often during play.

• Young prey animals jump and run around more during play.

• The play of young prey animals includes less role reversal.

• The play of young prey animals involves more creativity.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

PART A: Read the statement from paragraph 2 of the passage: "play is serious business." Which point is the author supporting with the statement?

• Play for animals is not filled with fun.

• Play helps animals learn to survive.

• Play can be very risky for some animals.

• Play helps animals communicate with one another.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

PART B: Which TWO sentences from the passage best support the author's point in Part A?

• "they are practicing skills they'll need later in life." (Paragraph 3)

• "This is why different kinds of animals play in different ways." (Paragraph 3)

• "Prey animals, such as elk, deer, or antelope, play differently." (Paragraph 4)

• "They dash about like crazy, leaping wildly in the air – twisting, turning twirling." (Paragraph 4)

• "But these animals are rehearsing skills they'll need one day to escape predators and avoid becoming dinner." (Paragraph 4)

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

PART A: Read the subheading from the passage. "Play puzzles scientists. Why do animals spend time and energy doing silly things that seem to have no purpose?"

How does the author answer the question?

• by providing descriptions of how animals play

• by providing examples of different animals that play

• by providing details of research studies on playing animals

• by providing explanations of how different types of play help animals

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

PART B: Which detail from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

• "Young predators, such as wolves, lions, and bears, play by stalking" (Paragraph 3)

• "Prey animals, such as elk, deer, or antelope, play differently." (Paragraph 4)

• "if it has had lots of practice regaining its footing in play, its misstep is less likely to spell disaster." (Paragraph 8)

• "Research shows that smarter animals spend more time playing." (Paragraph 9)

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1