Big Talkers

Why does the author include the information in paragraph 3?

• To explain how elephants use their trunks to smell.

• To describe the different sounds elephants make and how they are produced.

• To show how elephants use body language to communicate.

• To compare the ways elephants communicate with the ways humans communicate.

Answer explanation

The author includes this information to describe the different sounds elephants make and how they are produced, highlighting their unique communication methods.

The selection "Big Talkers" is mostly about —

• the different kinds of elephants that exist.

• how elephants use different methods to communicate.

• the daily lives of elephants in the wild.

• the importance of protecting elephants from predators.

Answer explanation

The selection "Big Talkers" focuses on how elephants communicate using various methods, making the correct answer about their communication techniques.

Look at the diagram below. What is the Effect?

Cause: Elephants make deep rumbles. —--------> __________EFFECT____________

What is a result of elephants making deep rumbles?

• Humans can hear the rumbles from miles away.

• Elephants can feel the vibrations through their feet.

• Elephants use their larynx to make the rumbles.

• Elephants make rumbles more often than any other sound.

Answer explanation

The correct effect is that elephants can feel the vibrations through their feet. This is a direct result of the deep rumbles they produce, allowing them to sense communication and environmental changes.

Which sentence best completes the diagram?

Cause: Elephants flap their ears and wag their tails. —---> ________EFFECT_________

What is a result of elephants flapping ears and wagging their tails?

• Effect: The elephants are warning of danger.

• Effect: The elephants are playing with each other.

• Effect: The elephants are showing they are happy.

• Effect: The elephants are communicating through smell.

Answer explanation

The correct effect is that elephants are showing they are happy. Flapping ears and wagging tails are behaviors associated with positive emotions in elephants, indicating joy rather than warning or communication.

In paragraph 5, the word "synchronized" means —

Context clues: "All the elephants" .... "focus all their attention"

• moving quickly.

• happening at the same time.

• making loud noises.

• hiding from predators.

Answer explanation

In paragraph 5, "synchronized" refers to the elephants focusing their attention together, indicating that their actions are happening at the same time, which aligns with the correct answer choice.

Which section explains how elephants use smell to communicate?

• Paragraph 2 - Sound

• Paragraph 4 - Body Language

• Paragraph 6 - Smell

• Paragraph 8 - Touch

Answer explanation

Paragraph 6 specifically discusses how elephants utilize their sense of smell for communication, making it the correct choice for understanding this aspect of their behavior.

Based on the selection, what is unusual about how elephants "hear" rumbles?

• They use their trunks to hear the rumbles.

• They use their feet to feel the vibrations.

• They use their ears to pick up the sounds.

• They cannot hear rumbles that are too loud.

Answer explanation

Elephants 'hear' rumbles unusually by using their feet to feel vibrations in the ground, allowing them to detect sounds over long distances, rather than relying solely on their ears.

What is the best summary of the selection?

• Elephants are large mammals that live in herds and communicate in many ways such as using sound, body language, smelling, and touch.

• Elephants make a variety of sounds, including rumbles, barks, and snorts.

• Elephants use their trunks for smelling, touching, and making sounds.

• Elephants are intelligent animals that can solve complex problems.

Answer explanation

The correct choice summarizes key aspects of elephants, highlighting their size, social behavior, and communication methods, which encompasses the main ideas presented in the selection.

After reading the passage, the reader can conclude that —

• elephants are the most intelligent animals on Earth.

• elephants communicate in more ways than most other animals.

• elephants are very similar to humans in their communication.

• elephants are endangered animals that need protection.

Answer explanation

The passage highlights the various ways elephants communicate, indicating their advanced communication skills compared to other animals. This supports the conclusion that elephants communicate in more ways than most other animals.

The author wrote this selection most likely to —

• persuade readers to donate money to elephant conservation.

• inform readers about the different ways elephants communicate.

• entertain readers with stories about elephants in the wild.

• compare and contrast elephants with other large mammals.

Answer explanation

The author focuses on the various ways elephants communicate, providing insights into their social interactions. This aligns with the choice to inform readers about elephant communication rather than persuading, entertaining, or comparing.