Puerto Rican Parrots

1. 1. What is the author’s purpose for presenting the information in paragraphs 23 through 25 using a problem-and-solution structure?

• a.To emphasize that the parrots were in danger.

• b.To explain how parrots became extinct

• c. To tell how Puerto Rico became a U.S. Commonwealth

• d.To show how a safe aviary was created where parrots could live and survive

2. 2. Why does the author present the ideas in paragraphs 17 through 20 using the cause-and-effect structure?

• a. To explain why the parrots nests were cut down.

• b. To show how different external factors contributed to the near extinction of parrots.

• c. To demonstrate that parrots had their nesting holes invaded by rats and bees.

• d. To tell where parrots made their nesting holes.

3. 3. What is the best summary of the selection Parrots Over Puerto Rico?

• a. Human activity and other enemies caused the parrots to become extinct. Forests where parrots made their nests were cut down. Black rats from the settlers’ ships climbed the tall trees and ate the parrots’ eggs and honeybees swarmed into the parrots’ nests. Birds called pearly-eye trashers tried to steal the parrots’ nesting holes. The parrots began to disappear from places where they have flown for millions of years. The flock became smaller and smaller. At one point, only 24 parrots lived in one part of the island.

• b. Christopher Columbus arrived in Puerto Rico and climbed the island for Spain. Soon many Spanish settlers were on the island planting crops and building houses and schools with wood, brick and stone. The Spaniards called the parrots cotorras.

• c. Human activity and other enemies caused the parrots to become extinct. Forests where parrots made their nests were cut down. Black rats from the settlers’ ships climbed the tall trees and ate the parrots’ eggs and honeybees swarmed into the parrots’ nests. Birds called pearly-eye trashers tried to steal the parrots’ nesting holes. The parrots began to disappear from places where they have flown for millions of years. The flock became smaller and smaller. At one point, only 24 parrots lived in one part of the island. Governments of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico worked together to save them. They created the Puerto Rican Recovery Program to save and protect the parrots. They created aviaries for parrots to live safely and raise their chicks. Scientists worked hard to keep the parrots healthy.

• d. Governments of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico worked together to save the parrots. They created the Puerto Rican Recovery Program to save and protect the parrots. They created aviaries for parrots to live safely and raise their chicks. Scientists worked hard to keep the parrots healthy.

4. 4. Which sentence best summarizes paragraph 42 of the text?

• “The newly released birds formed pairs, found nesting boxes, and raised their chicks.”

• “They lived on the island for millions of years, and then they nearly vanished from the earth forever.”

• “The captive -bred parrots had been trained to find food.”

• “But they are flying over Puerto Rico still, calling ,Iguaca! Iguaca!”

5. 5. What is the BEST main idea of the selection?

• a. Human activity and other enemies caused parrots to become extinct, but the governments of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico worked together to save them.

• b. Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States and Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens.

• c. Human activity and other enemies caused parrots to become extinct.

• d. The governments of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico worked together to save them.

6. 6. What is the main purpose of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program

• a. to protect and save Puerto Rican parrots

• b. to teach people about Puerto Rican parrots

• c. to keep as many parrots as possible in aviaries

• d. to show young parrots how the older ones behave

7. 7. The passage says that scientists used discarded feathers to rebuild a parrot’s wings that had been damaged. What does discarded mean?

• a. made by artists from the area

• b. valued highly because they are rare

• c. handled carefully in order to avoid breaking

• d. set aside because they were no longer wanted

8. 8. Which two main ideas does the passage mostly explore?

• a. the history of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican parrots

• b. the history of El Yunque and the parrots that live there

• c. the Taíno people and their effects on Puerto Rican parrots

• d. the attempts to capture San Juan and the parrots that live there