Quiz on 'What the Octopus Knows' and 'Narwhals Are Real'

Read the dictionary entry.

capture \'kap-chər\ v

1. to take by force, especially in battle 2. to influence or hold the interest of 3. to take

possession of, as in a board game 4. to describe in an accurate way

Which definition most closely matches the meaning of capture as it is used in paragraph 3 of the excerpt from 'What the Octopus Knows'?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which statement best expresses the thesis of the excerpt from 'What the Octopus Knows'?

• Octopuses exhibit individuality and intelligence.

• Observers find that octopuses behave like mammals.

• Studies prove it is difficult to fully understand octopuses.

• Octopuses can be aggressive and destructive.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Read this quotation from paragraph 1 of the excerpt from “What the Octopus Knows.”

On a summer holiday by the sea, I found Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence

(1973) in my great-aunt’s bookcase.

The most likely reason the author includes this detail about reading the book is to -

• engage the reader by describing a relatable situation

• establish scientific credentials to inform others about octopuses

• introduce scientific evidence from a leading octopus researcher

• reveal to the reader the relevance of an ordinary incident

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

How is the excerpt from 'What the Octopus Knows' organized to develop the thesis?

• The excerpt classifies several expert observations into categories that reveal interesting characteristics of octopuses.

• The excerpt presents descriptions of a famous explorer and his observations to explain the benefits of scuba diving for viewing octopuses.

• The excerpt presents a chronological series of events to explain the narrator's personal perspective about octopuses.

• The excerpt introduces a cause-and-effect structure to illustrate the effect of human interactions on octopuses.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

The word plummets in line 33 of the poem 'Narwhals Are Real' indicates that the narwhal's pulse —

• becomes irregular

• drops rapidly

• recovers slowly

• becomes difficult to detect

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The three stanza breaks in lines 1 through 8 of the poem 'Narwhals Are Real' each interrupt a thought the speaker is expressing. How do these interruptions affect the reader?

• By encouraging the reader to respond to the idea expressed in the first part of each thought

• By calling attention to the unexpected completion of each thought

• By creating questions about the reliability of the speaker as a narrator

• By emphasizing the variety of emotions experienced by the speaker

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Read lines 3 through 6 of the poem “Narwhals Are Real.”

leading to

a week-long deep dive

of researching you, Narwhal,

horned and mystical depth dweller

Does the poet’s use of figurative language reveal that the speaker is dissatisfied with the outcome of a major effort?

• Yes

• No

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Read lines 3 through 6 of the poem “Narwhals Are Real.”

leading to

a week-long deep dive

of researching you, Narwhal,

horned and mystical depth dweller

Does the poet’s use of figurative language demonstrate that the speaker is highly skeptical about a claim?

• Yes

• No

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Read lines 3 through 6 of the poem “Narwhals Are Real.”

leading to

a week-long deep dive

of researching you, Narwhal,

horned and mystical depth dweller

Does the poet’s use of figurative language show that the speaker is strongly driven by curiosity?

• Yes

• No

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Read lines 3 through 6 of the poem “Narwhals Are Real.”

leading to

a week-long deep dive

of researching you, Narwhal,

horned and mystical depth dweller

Does the poet’s use of figurative language suggest that the speaker feels the search for facts resembles a search for prey?

• Yes

• No

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9