The Platypus

Which of the following belongs in the Venn diagram?

• Lives in a burrow.

• Have spines made of keratin,

• Has webbed feet.

What features of The Weird and Wonderful Echidna and The Very Peculiar Platypus tell you that these are informational texts?

• The map, photographs, and captions

• The use of stanzas to organize the sentences

• Drawings of fictional characters

Which sentence helps the reader understand what the word “sense” means in paragraph 11?

• “The bill has sensors that pick up electrical signals from prey.”

• “Unlike a duck’s hard bill, a platypus’s bill is rubbery.”

• “Here is where the platypus’s extraordinary bill comes into play.”

What makes both the platypus and echidna unique animals?

• Both animals live in Australia

• Both animal are mammals but lay eggs

• Both animals carry their young in a pouch

Based on the selection, how does the author most likely feel about the platypus?

• The platypus is a dangerous animal.

• The platypus is endangered and we need to protect them.

• The platypus is a wondrous animal that has unusual adaptations.

Which sentence correctly uses the word “sense”?

• I haven’t seen my friends sense March.

• I paid seventy-five sense for the candy bar.

• Her sense of smell is wonderful.

Why do you think the author wrote this story?

• To persuade you to buy a platypus for a pet.

• To inform you of the unique characteristics of a platypus.

• To entertain you by telling you about how strange a platypus is.

In which part of the selection would the reader find information about the platypus’ bill?

• A Most Unlikely Mammal

• Ducklike Features

• Platypus Poison

The platypus has many traits that are shared with many different species of animals, how do all of the platypus’ traits help it to survive in its habitat?

In paragraph 5, the word “forages” is used. Using the context clues within the paragraph, the word forages means...

• The platypus likes to be in the water.

• Hunting for food.

• Insects are everywhere.