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.