Mute Dancers: A Quiz

What is the heart rate of a hummingbird when it is frightened?

• 500 times a minute

• 1,200 times a minute

• 36 times a minute

• 1,000 times a minute

Answer explanation

When frightened, a hummingbird's heart rate can reach up to 1,200 times a minute, which is significantly higher than its resting rate. This rapid heartbeat supports its high-energy flight and quick responses.

Which text feature helps you predict that hummingbirds are often associated with resurrection in myths?

• The description of their heart rate

• The mention of American Indian myths and legends

• The explanation of their feeding habits

• The description of their migration patterns

Answer explanation

The mention of American Indian myths and legends directly connects hummingbirds to themes of resurrection, indicating their symbolic significance in those cultural narratives.

How does the author use metaphor in the text to describe the hummingbird's heart?

• "A small fury of iridescence"

• "A tiny drum roll"

• "A colossal effort"

• "A supernatural light show"

Answer explanation

The author uses the metaphor "A tiny drum roll" to convey the rapid, rhythmic beating of the hummingbird's heart, emphasizing its energy and vitality, which contrasts with the other options that do not capture this specific imagery.

What is the purpose of the author's use of personification in describing the hummingbird's flight?

• To emphasize their speed

• To highlight their beauty

• To illustrate their energy consumption

• To show their territorial nature

Answer explanation

The author's use of personification emphasizes the hummingbird's speed by attributing human-like qualities to its flight, making the rapid movement more vivid and impactful for the reader.

Analyze how the author's description of hummingbirds contributes to the mood of the text.

• It creates a sense of urgency and admiration.

• It evokes a feeling of sadness and despair.

• It generates a mood of tranquility and peace.

• It instills a sense of fear and danger.

Answer explanation

The author's vivid description of hummingbirds, with their rapid movements and vibrant colors, creates a sense of urgency and admiration, highlighting their beauty and the fleeting nature of life, thus enhancing the overall mood of the text.

What tone does the author use when describing the hummingbird's interaction with humans?

• Humorous

• Critical

• Sympathetic

• Indifferent

Answer explanation

The author uses a humorous tone when describing the hummingbird's interaction with humans, highlighting the amusing and lighthearted aspects of their encounters, which adds a playful element to the narrative.

What personal experience does the author connect to the behavior of hummingbirds?

• Observing hummingbirds in a garden

• Being attacked by hummingbirds

• Having hummingbirds mistake a red ribbon for a flower

• Nursing a hummingbird back to health

Answer explanation

The author connects their experience of hummingbirds mistaking a red ribbon for a flower to illustrate the birds' attraction to bright colors, highlighting their behavior and instincts in seeking out food sources.

How does the author relate the story of Jeanne Mackin to the broader theme of the text?

• By showing the fragility of hummingbirds

• By illustrating the connection between humans and nature

• By highlighting the dangers of urban environments

• By emphasizing the importance of conservation

Answer explanation

The author connects Jeanne Mackin's story to the theme by illustrating how human actions impact nature, emphasizing the interdependence between people and the environment.

What is the author's purpose in describing the Aztec myths about hummingbirds?

• To entertain the reader with historical anecdotes

• To explain the cultural significance of hummingbirds

• To criticize ancient beliefs

• To compare different bird species

Answer explanation

The author describes Aztec myths about hummingbirds to explain their cultural significance, highlighting how these birds were revered and symbolized important aspects of Aztec life, rather than merely entertaining or criticizing beliefs.

Explain the author's message about the relationship between hummingbirds and their environment.

• Hummingbirds are independent and do not rely on their environment.

• Hummingbirds are deeply connected to and dependent on their environment.

• Hummingbirds are a threat to their environment.

• Hummingbirds are indifferent to their surroundings.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that hummingbirds rely on their environment for food and habitat, showcasing their interdependence with flowers and ecosystems, which is essential for their survival.