Open Up - Grade 4 - ELA - Module 2 - End of Unit 1 Assessment

In this assessment, you will read a new informational text about animal defense mechanisms. Read the text and look at the diagrams carefully, and answer the questions that follow.Part I: Read “The Great Escape” and look carefully at the diagrams in the article (RI.4.10). Then write a short summary of the article (RI.4.2).“The Great Escape”If you startled a nine-banded armadillo, it might jump straight up into the air and then quickly run away. That response would probably surprise you, as well as unsuspecting predators! Nature has equipped animals with some fascinating ways to meet their survival needs. When faced with hungry predators, many animals will jump, fly, or even run on water to escape.When they feel threatened, springboks jump high in the air and raise the white crest of hair that runs along their backs. They take several consecutive stiff-legged jumps, lifting themselves above the herd. Springboks are wellknown for this odd behavior, called pronking, that seems to serve a number of purposes. From this high vantage point, a pronking springbok can determine the position of predators. Pronking alerts the herd that a predator may be nearby. It also sends a clear message to a predator: “I’m healthy and strong, and you can’t catch me!”Butterfly wings may seem delicate, but they are perfectly designed for fluttering away from a predator. Although it may appear that butterflies have only two wings, they actually have four wings. Two triangular forewings and two hindwings work together so butterflies can move quickly to dodge predators. Their irregular flying behavior makes them hard to catch. This helps them evade predators. Have you ever observed a butterfly being hunted by a bird? Then you know how quickly the butterfly can turn and escape the bird’s beak!The basilisk lizard uses its large feet and great speed to escape predators—by running on top of the water! Basilisk lizards live in trees near ponds and streams. When frightened by a predator, the lizard drops into the water. Basilisk lizards have long toes on their back feet and a fringe of skin that unfurls in the water. Air pockets form under the lizard’s feet. This allows it to run quickly across the surface of the water on its back legs. Startled predators are left far behind! These animals are full of surprises and are built for survival. They have special body parts and behaviors to help them evade predators—on land, in the air, and even in the water. Below, write a short summary of “The Great Escape.” Be sure to clearly state the main idea of the article and include important details (RI.4.2).

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RI.4.2

Read this sentence from the passage, look carefully at the diagrams in the article, and answer the questions that follow. (RI.4.4, RI.4.7, L.4.4b)Two triangular forewings and two hindwings work together so butterflies can move quickly to dodge predators.Which word is an antonym for, or means the opposite of, “hindwings”?

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RI.4.10

RI.4.4

L.4.4.b

RI.4.7

What does the prefix “hind” mean? What in the article makes you think so?

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RI.4.10

RI.4.4

L.4.4.b

RI.4.7

Which affix in the diagram above means “front”? What in the article makes you think so?

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RI.4.10

RI.4.4

L.4.4.b

RI.4.7

In Paragraph 3, the article states that the butterflies’ “irregular flying behavior makes them hard to catch. This helps them evade predators.” Below, underline two other words in Paragraph 3 that mean the same thing as “evade.” (RI.4.4, L.4.4a)Butterfly wings may seem delicate, but they are perfectly designed for fluttering away from a predator. Although it may appear that butterflies have only two wings, they actually have four wings. Two triangular forewings and two hindwings work together so butterflies can move quickly to dodge predators. Their irregular flying behavior makes them hard to catch. This helps them evade predators. Have you ever observed a butterfly being hunted by a bird? Then you know how quickly the butterfly can turn and escape the bird’s beak!

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L.4.4.a

RI.4.4

Read these sentences from the article and then answer the question below. (RI.4.4, L.4.4a)If you startled a nine-banded armadillo, it might jump straight up into the air and then quickly run away. That response would probably surprise you, as well as unsuspecting predators!What does the word “response” mean as used in this passage?

• written or spoken answer
• reaction
• responsibility
• danger

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L.4.4.a

RI.4.4

Read this sentence from the article and then choose the best dictionary definition for the word in bold. (RI.4.4, L.4.4c)From this high vantage point, a pronking springbok can determine the position of predators.What does the word “determine” mean as used in this passage?

• determine verb \di-'tər-mən\ to set limits to
• determine verb \di-’tər-mən\to conclude or ascertain following investigation and observation
• determine verb \di-’tər-mən\to firmly decide on a course of action
• determine verb \di-’tər-mən\to bring about; produce

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L.4.4.c

RI.4.4

How does the flying fish evade predators? (RI.4.7)

• It fills its body with water and then pushes the water out quickly, jetting away from predators.
• It stretches its fins and rises into the air.
• It swims in a zigzag pattern so the predator can’t catch it.

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RI.4.7

According to the article, which animals escape predators by going into the air? Circle all that apply. (RI.4.7)

• octopus
• monarch butterfly
• basilisk lizard
• flying fish

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RI.4.7

Which is larger, the monarch butterfly’s hindwings or forewings? (RI.4.7)

• hindwings
• forewings

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RI.4.7