"How the Brazilian Beetles Got Their Coats" Quiz

What is the main message the author conveys in the story?

• It is impossible to always please everyone

• Everyone should understand his or her limitations

• Rewards can inspire greatness

• Appearances can often be deceiving

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TEKS.ELA.8.7A

What is most likely the author’s purpose for writing the selection?

• To explain why rats are disliked and have a dull, grey color.

• To educate readers about the Brazilian beetle’s beautiful colors

• To demonstrate the problem with judging others based on their appearance

• To insinuate that rats are inherently disgusting and sneaky

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TEKS.ELA.5.10

TEKS.ELA.6.9A

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TEKS.ELA.7.9B

What is the most likely reason the author includes the line: “Until this day, even in Brazil where the flowers and birds and beasts and insects have such gorgeous coloring, the rat wears a plain dull grey coat”?

• To suggest that rats have been punished for being arrogant

• To show the lasting consequences of the rat’s poor judgement

• To explain why Brazilian beetles are more beautiful than rats

• To illustrate how the rat fits in with the flora and fauna of Brazil

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TEKS.ELA.RI.3A

Which sentence best shows that the rat overestimates his abilities?

• One day a little brown beetle was crawling along a wall when a big grey rat ran out of a hole in the wall and looked down scornfully at the little beetle. (paragraph 2)

• The big grey rat ran to the end of the wall, wheeled around, and came back to the place where the little beetle was slowly crawling along at only a tiny distance from where the rat had left her. (paragraph 3)

• “Why, you talk just as if you thought you had a chance to win the race,” he said, when he could speak. (paragraph 9)

• Then he started to run more slowly but every time his heart beat it said, “Hurry up! Hurry up!” (paragraph 11)

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In what way does the rat’s bragging in paragraph two help develop the story's plot?

• It establishes the rat’s overconfidence, which eventually leads to his downfall

• It shows why the parrot dislikes the rat, causing him to award the coat to the beetle.

• It illustrates that the rat is faster than the beetle and parrot

• It demonstrates why the beetle is more deserving of the beautiful coat

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In what way does the parrot’s actions in paragraph 6 develop the plot?

• They illustrate the strong bond between the parrot and the beetle because they can both fly

• It creates conflict between the beetle and rat by offering a prize to the winner of the race

• They reveal the parrot’s hidden dislike for the rat because he is dull and arrogant

• They reveal the reason the parrot is able to change the color of another animal and why he is motivated to do so.

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TEKS.ELA.4.6B

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TEKS.MATH.6.5B

In what way do the parrot’s actions in paragraph 6 affect the rising action of the story?

• They give the beetle a reason to want a new coat.

• They present a tempting challenge to the rat and beetle.

• They encourage the rat and the beetle to trust the parrot.

• They indicate that the rat will learn a lesson from the parrot.

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TEKS.ELA.4.8C

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TEKS.ELA.8.7C

Why are the events in paragraph 11 important to the falling action of the story?

• The events foreshadow that the rat will win the race because he does not slow down

• The flashback reveals the beetle’s ability to fly, indicating she will win the race

• The events build suspense by revealing the rat’s doubts regarding his ability to win

• They establish the conflict between the rat and parrot because he is worried he will lose the prize

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TEKS.ELA.4.8C

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Part A: What is a major turning point in the selection?

• When the parrot awards the prize to the beetle

• When the rat brags about his speed

• When the beetle reveals she can fly

• When the rat receives his gray coat

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Part B: Which of the following lines from the passage best support your answers from Part A?

• “The little brown beetle drew out the tiny wings from her sides. ‘Nobody said anything about having to run to win the race,’ she replied, ‘so I flew instead.’”

• “Until this day, even in Brazil where the flowers and birds and beasts and insects have such gorgeous coloring, the rat wears a plain dull grey coat.”

• “One day a little brown beetle was crawling along a wall when a big grey rat ran out of a hole in the wall and looked down scornfully at the little beetle.”

• “‘I live next door to the tailor bird … and just to make the race exciting I’ll offer a bright colored coat as a prize to the one who wins the race. You may choose for it any color you like, and I’ll have it made to order.’”

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TEKS.ELA.RI.3A