Bats

What does the word inaccessible mean in the sentence below from paragraph 2?

“As they rest during the day, concealed usually in the most inaccessible places

they can find, and are seen only upon the wing, their power of flight is their most

striking peculiarity in the popular mind, and it is perhaps no great wonder that by

many people, both in ancient and modern times they have been regarded as

birds.”

• not possible to escape

• present at night

• difficult to reach

• not visible on the surface

Which quote provides evidence to support the claim that the classification of bats

is complex?

• “Among the sounds which greet the ear of the wayfarer as the shades of

  evening deepen into night, one of the commonest is a rather faint chirping

  noise which comes mysteriously from overhead.”

• “On looking up in search of the source of this peculiar sound, we may see a

  small, dark, shadow-like creature sweeping to and fro with great rapidity.”

• “It is one of the curious groups of animals called bats, representatives of

  which are to be met with in all countries, always active at night or in the

  twilight, and presenting a remarkable general similarity of structure,

  although in some respects they may differ considerably in habits.”

• “Nevertheless, their hairy bodies and leathery wings are so unlike anything

  that we ordinarily understand as pertaining to a bird, that opinion was

  apparently always divided, as to the true nature of these creatures—‘a

  mouse with wings.’ ”

What does the word systematist mean in the sentence below from paragraph 2?

“Nevertheless, their hairy bodies and leathery wings are so unlike anything that

we ordinarily understand as pertaining to a bird, that opinion was apparently

always divided, as to the true nature of these creatures—‘a mouse with wings,’ as

Goldsmith called it once, according to James Boswell, is certainly a curious animal,

and very difficult to classify so long as the would-be systematist has no

particularly definite ideas to guide him.”

• one who creates an order of categories

• one who is considered an expert

• one who interprets the meaning of words

• one who studies animals

How does paragraph 3 contribute to the development of the idea of scientific

classification of bats?

• It explains why classifying any sort of animal is important to its

  preservation.

• It describes the specific characteristics that are used to classify bats as

  mammals.

• It describes the specific characteristics that are used to understand that bats

  are alive.

• It explains why classifying an animal as a mammal is better than classifying

  it as a bird.

How does the author distinguish bats from whales and dolphins in paragraph 3?

• by conveying how difficult it is to classify bats, whales, and dolphins

• by conveying how whales, dolphins, and manatees are considered fish

• by showing how bats, whales, and dolphins nurse their babies with milk

• by showing how the bat has more mammalian traits than whales and

  dolphins

Which statement reflects the author’s point of view about the bat's abilities?

• The author is puzzled as to why the bat is unable to be considered a bird.

• The author is dismayed by the bat’s comparison to a mouse.

• The author is fascinated that the bat can both walk and fly.

• The author is disturbed about the bat’s ability to fly noiselessly.

Which statement provides an objective summary of the text?

• Bats have been difficult animals to classify throughout history. A deeper

  understanding of the animals has led to to their categorization as mammals that can fly like birds.

• Bats have been studied extensively so that we can better understand their

  similarity to humans. This study is leading to treatments and cures for

  various diseases

• Bats are beautiful animals that are important to the global ecosystem.

  Efforts are being made to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

• Bats are dangerous, bloodthirsty predators that spread rabies. Homes should

  be safeguarded against their inhabitation.

How does the last sentence in paragraph 2 refine a key concept about bats?

"The likeness of the

bat to a winged mouse has made itself felt in the name given to the creature in many

languages, such as the “Chauvesouris” of the French and the “Flitter-mouse” of some

parts of England, the latter being reproduced almost literally in German, Dutch, and

Swedish, while the Danes called the bat a “Flogenmues,” which has about the same

meaning, and the Swedes have a second name, “Lädermus,” evidently referring to the

texture of the wings, as well as to the mouse-like character of the body."

• by describing how owls and bats fly at night

• by explaining the functions of a bat’s wings and its furry body

• by showing how a bat is different from both a mouse and a bird

• by illustrating how other languages have similar meanings for the word “bat”