3rd Grade ELA LEAP Life on a Mountain PartA/B

Part A: What does the word harsh mean as it is used in paragraph 1 of "Life on a Mountain"?

• difficult to bear

• located in a faraway region

• easy to manage

• long-lasting

Part B: Which two sentences from the article help readers understand the meaning of the word harsh as it is used in paragraph 1?

• “Strong winds whip across rocky cliffs and high-altitude meadows.” (paragraph 1)

• “It’s winter in the mountains, one of the most challenging environments on Earth.” (paragraph 2)

• “The mountain lion’s metabolism slows, and it survives on the energy it has stored.” (paragraph 4)

• “Its thick tail also helps keep it balanced while hunting in the snow.” (paragraph 10)

• “Mountain animals have learned to survive in these extreme conditions.” (paragraph 2)

Part A: The author of "Life on a Mountain" begins the article with the question: How do animals survive the rugged and cold mountain winters? Which answer to this question reveals the main idea of the article?

• Some animals have fur that changes color with the seasons, helping them hide from predators. Thick fur also keeps the animals warm.

• Animals like the mountain goat have thick coats of fur and a layer of fat, which protect them from the cold. The goat can shed the fat during the warmer months.

• Animals use more than one adaptation for surviving in cold environments. Different animals have different tactics to keep warm, hide from predators, and find food.

• Several animals have special fur or fat layers that keep them warm, even when they are in icy water.

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

• “But, for many animals, this place is home.” (paragraph 1)

• “Mountain animals have learned to survive in these extreme conditions with some remarkable adaptations.” (paragraph 2)

• “For some animals, being fat means staying alive.” (paragraph 6)

• “The mountain lion’s metabolism slows, and it survives on the energy it has stored.” (paragraph 4)

Part A: How do the section headings: ADAPTIVE SLEEPERS, INSULATED AND WARM, and WINTER COATS help readers better understand the information in the article?

• They help readers locate specific places where animals live.

• Their unusual titles show readers why animals have developed clever survival strategies.

• They divide the information about how animals adapt in different ways.

• Their descriptive titles help readers understand the challenges of living in the mountains.

Part B: Which two characteristics are typical of mountain animals discussed in the section ADAPTIVE SLEEPERS?

• Sleeping through the winter

• Covered with thick fur

• Using fat to stay warm

• Growing another coat

• Hiding in snow tunnels