Exploring Lake Natron's Wonders

What is the main idea of the passage "DANGEROUS LAKE"?

• Lake Natron is a popular tourist destination for swimming.

• Lake Natron is a dangerous but unique habitat for flamingos due to its toxic waters and harsh environment.

• Volcanoes are always dangerous to animals.

• Flamingos are the only birds that live in Africa.

Which descriptive phrase best helps the reader visualize the flamingos at Lake Natron?

• "They are very noisy birds."

• "They high-step through the shallow water on their spindly, bubble gum-pink legs."

• "The lake is in Tanzania."

• "The birds fly over the water."

What is the main reason Lake Natron’s waters are toxic?

• The lake is very deep.

• The volcano deposits salt and minerals into the lake.

• There are too many flamingos.

• The water is always cold.

Which detail from the text best supports the idea that Lake Natron is dangerous for most animals?

• "Millions of flamingos crowd the shores."

• "One sip can be deadly. Even some of the algae that grows there is poisonous to many animals."

• "The lake is in Tanzania."

• "A volcano is reflected in the lake’s glassy waters."

What adaptation helps lesser flamingos survive in Lake Natron?

• They can fly long distances.

• They have tough skin on their legs and special glands to filter out salt.

• They eat only fish.

• They sleep during the day.

Based on the passage, what can you infer about why few creatures live in Lake Natron?

• The lake is too crowded with flamingos.

• The toxic water and high temperatures make it uninhabitable for most animals.

• There is not enough food.

• The lake is too small.

Which sentence best summarizes why lesser flamingos are able to thrive at Lake Natron?

• They are the only birds that can fly over the lake.

• They are specially adapted to survive the lake’s toxic and hot environment.

• They build nests in trees.

• They avoid the lake’s water.

What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?

• To persuade people to visit Lake Natron.

• To inform readers about the dangers and unique wildlife of Lake Natron.

• To explain how volcanoes are formed.

• To describe the history of Tanzania.

Which of the following is an example of the author using vivid language to describe the setting?

• "Lake Natron is in Tanzania."

• "A towering volcano is reflected in the lake’s glassy waters."

• "Flamingos lay their eggs."

• "The water is hot."

Why might the author have included the detail about the flamingos’ special glands?

• To show that flamingos are smarter than other birds.

• To explain how flamingos can drink the lake’s salty water and survive.

• To suggest that all birds have these glands.

• To describe what flamingos eat.