Prime Time for Cicadas

Why do you think the author chose to use the words prime time in the title?

• to reveal her knowledge about prime numbers and cicada instincts

• to focus on the importance of the insect’s well-timed life cycle

• to highlight how researchers solved a puzzling mystery about the insect

• to emphasize that cicadas must emerge in the evening in order to survive

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Reread paragraph 3. The author’s word choice reveals her feelings about the cicada sound.

Part A: Which sentence best expresses her feelings?

• The sound is so fascinating that everyone should hear it.

• The sound is breathtakingly rhythmic and musical.

• The sound is both awful and annoying.

• The sound is dangerous enough to lead to hearing loss.

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Part B

Choose three words or phrases from paragraph 3 that best support the answer in Part A.

The next morning, thousands upon thousands of these black, winged insects, known

as cicadas, cover sidewalks, mailboxes, tree branches, and roofs across certain areas

of the United States. The loud throb of their alien-sounding, high-pitched screeches

fills the air. . . .

3 Answers!

• upon thousands

• loud throb

• alien-sounding

• high-pitched screeches

• fills the air

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Describe the tone of the article and how the author’s choice of words creates it. Cite at least

two specific words and phrases chosen by the author to support your answer.

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Based on the passage, what can be inferred about cicadas’ life cycles?

• Cicadas emerge every summer.

• Cicadas emerge only when they sense cold weather.

• Periodical cicadas emerge after a fixed number of years.

• Juvenile cicadas always emerge in the fall.

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Which detail from the text supports the idea that cicadas have unique life cycles compared to other insects?

• "The first signs are little holes in the ground."

• "Cicadas appear just once every 17 years, on the dot."

• "Thousands of black, winged insects cover tree branches."

• The loud throb of their alien-sounding screeches fills the air."

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What is the central idea of the passage?

• Cicadas are a common insect in the United States.

• Cicadas have long and complex life cycles that scientists are still studying.

• Cicadas' sounds are extremely loud and annoying.

• Cicadas only appear during the summertime.

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Which sentence best summarizes the reason cicadas wait so long to emerge?

• "Cicadas wait for warm weather to survive."

• "The cicada's long life cycle helps them avoid predators."

• "Waiting longer improves their chances of surviving extreme weather."

• "Cicadas prefer to emerge in the evening when it is cooler."

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How does the information in paragraph 13 help explain the timing of cicadas’ emergence?

• It shows that cicadas need to reach a certain age before emerging.

• It explains that soil temperature influences when cicadas emerge.

• It explains why cicadas emerge in the evening.

• It shows that cicadas are influenced by other insects in their environment.

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How does the author connect the cicadas' use of prime numbers with their survival?

• By explaining that prime numbers confuse cicadas' predators.

• By suggesting that prime numbers prevent overlapping generations.

• By showing that prime numbers influence when cicadas breed.

• By explaining that cicadas only emerge during prime-numbered years.

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