ELA 4th Grade A10 RST

Part A

What does the word "resilient" mean in the sentence?
"Cacti are some of the most resilient plants in the world, particularly in the deserts of North America."

• Weak and fragile

• Able to recover or withstand difficult conditions

• Rare and hard to find

• Small and delicate

Part B
Which statement from the article best supports the answer to Part A?

• “Cacti are perfectly suited to these dry regions.”

• “Cacti have evolved over millions of years to survive in harsh environments.”

• “Cacti can close their pores at night, reducing evaporation.”

• “Cacti support many other species.”

Part A
How do cacti conserve water in the desert?

• They store water in their flowers.

• Their spines help them cool down during the day.

• They store water in their stems and close pores at night.

• They grow deep roots to find underground water.

Part B
Which sentence from the article best supports the answer to Part A?

• “Their spines help reduce water loss by minimizing exposure to the sun.”

• “Cacti can also close their pores at night, reducing evaporation during the hot daytime temperatures.”

• “The cacti can survive long periods without rainfall.”

• “The cacti attract pollinators like bees and bats.”

How do cacti survive in the desert environment?

• By growing tall to capture more sunlight.

• By storing water in their thick, fleshy stems.

• By having deep roots that reach underground rivers.

• By relying on rainfall every day.