Big Talkers Questions

The prefix un- helps the reader know that the word unfamiliar in paragraph 8 means--

• A. partly known

• B. known together

• C. known in the past

• D. not known

Based on information in the selection, what is the most likely reason the author includes the photograph of the baby elephant standing close to its mother?

• A.  To suggest that the baby elephant is warning its mother that there is danger nearby

• B.  To show the reader what the baby elephant does to try to get its mother to play with it

• C.  To show the reader what the baby elephant does when it wants its mother to know it is hungry

• D.  To suggest that the baby elephant feels safe and protected when it is near its mother

How do the subheadings provide an overview of the selection?

• A.  They identify the ways elephants communicate.

• B.  They describe important roles in an elephant herd.

• C.  They tell why elephants need attention.

• D.  They compare ways that elephants find food.

Which sentence from the selection supports the idea that elephant herds try to guard themselves from danger?

• A.  But an elephant’s huge larynx produces very low sounds. (paragraph 3)

• B.  Some gestures—a twitch of an ear, a wag of the head—are so small that most people wouldn’t even notice them. (paragraph 4)

• C.  They think it may help the elephants focus all their attention on the sounds and smells around them. (paragraph 5)

• D.  If you ever wonder what an elephant is paying attention to, don’t watch its eyes. (paragraph 6)

Based on information in paragraph 4, what can the reader infer about elephants?

• A.  An elephant’s ears help the elephant communicate.

• B.  Elephants usually feel either happy or scared.

• C.  A large herd will rarely experience danger.

• D.  Scientists are confused by an elephant’s body language.

The author includes questions at the end of paragraph 6 most likely —

• A.  to show the details scientists want to learn about elephants

• B.  to show that an elephant’s most important sense is the sense of smell 

• C.  to show that elephants can identify members in their herd

• D.  to show that elephants gather information from different smells

In paragraphs 4 and 5, what key idea about elephants is best supported?

• A.  It includes activities elephants like to do during the day.

• B.  It shows how elephants use their bodies to “talk” to each other.

• C.  It describes the sounds elephants make to communicate together.

• D.  It tells the reader how important an elephant’s trunk is.

Based on the information throughout the selection, what can the reader conclude about elephants?

• A.  Elephants are not social animals and like to be alone.

• B.  Elephants have different ways to communicate with each other.

• C.  Elephants can only communicate with their trunks.

• D.  Elephants speak using different body languages when they are afraid.

What is the central idea of paragraphs 8 and 9?

• A.  Elephants use the sense of touch to communicate about how they are feeling with one another.

• B.  An elephant will use its trunk to shove another elephant when it's feeling aggressive.

• C.  Elephant calves stay close to their mother to feel safe.

• D.  Elephants only communicate with their bodies when they sense danger.

The author presents the ideas in the article using description most likely so that the reader will better understand–

• A.  what elephants look like

• B.  why elephants communicate with each other

• C.  how elephants communicate with each other

• D.  when elephants communicate with each other