The Importance of Insects in the Environment

Read the sentence from the text: “Dung beetles take on one of nature’s grossest jobs—they eat animal waste!” What does the word grossest most likely mean in this sentence?

• Funniest

• Dirtiest

• Smallest

• Cleanest

Read the sentence from the text: “Their waste, called castings, enriches the soil with nutrients, making it better for plants.” What does the word enriches most likely mean?

• Adds value to

• Removes nutrients from

• Grows plants

• Cleans soil

Read the sentence from the text: “Flies are drawn to decaying matter by using their tiny mouthparts to sponge up liquids.” What does the word decaying most likely mean?

• Fresh

• Spoiling

• Clean

• Frozen

Why does the author include details about flies regurgitating their food?

• To show why flies are disliked by people

• To explain how flies help clean the environment

• To prove that flies are fast-moving insects

• To describe how flies are similar to dung beetles

Based on the text, why are dung beetles considered “environmental champions”?

• They protect plants from harmful insects.

• They remove waste that could spread diseases.

• They prevent other insects from eating animal waste.

• They fertilize soil by eating organic material.

What is the main idea of the section Why Worms Are the Garden’s Gross Heroes?

• Worms move through the soil, eating dead leaves and organic material.

• Worms are slimy but important for gardening.

• Worms improve soil by enriching it with nutrients as they move through it.

• Worms live in gardens and are helpful to plants.

What is the main idea of the article Gross but Cool: The World of Creepy Crawlies?

• Many insects have disgusting habits, but they are important to the environment.

• Cockroaches are fast and can live without food for a month.

• Flies are drawn to garbage and regurgitate their food to digest it.

• Dung beetles eat waste, and worms improve soil health.

Why are dung beetles considered important to the environment? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Evaluate responses using AI:

OFF