wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

The Science of Hiccups

Total questions: 11

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which word from the text helps readers understand the meaning of the word spasm?

a)

lungs

b)

breathe

c)

twitch

d)

muscle

2.

What causes you to breathe in?

a)

your muscle twitching

b)

your diaphragm tightening

c)

your diaphragm relaxing

d)

your muscles carrying signals from your brain

3.

What do hiccups get their name from?

a)

flaps in your throat slamming shut

b)

the diaphragm’s sudden jerk upward

c)

a quick gasp of air being pushed out of your lungs

d)

the muscles relaxing too quickly

4.

What is one theory about why baby mammals hiccup?

a)

Hiccups may be a way for them to drink more milk.

b)

Hiccups may be a way for them to breathe underwater.

c)

Hiccups may be a way for them to eat more food.

d)

Hiccups may be a way for them to get rid of extra air.

5.

By studying amphibians, scientists think that hiccups may be a sign that the brain _______________.

a)

knows how to breathe on land and in water

b)

is reminding the body to get more carbon dioxide

c)

needs to send water to the gills

d)

is reminding itself how to breathe

6.

According to the text, the exact cause of hiccups is __________________.

a)

unknown

b)

eating spicy foods

c)

drinking fizzy drinks

d)

eating too quickly

7.

Why does holding your breath sometimes get rid of the hiccups?

a)

Your body has to work harder to get rid of carbon dioxide.

b)

Your body is distracted and forgets to hiccup

c)

Your body gets used to the hiccups, and you stop.

d)

Your body is able to close the throat flap.

8.

Tricky tasks sometimes work to cure hiccups because it causes your ______________.

a)

diaphragm to jerk downward and stop the hiccups

b)

throat to slam shut, and this helps you breathe easier

c)

brain to get distracted and “forget” to hiccup

d)

lungs to pull in even more air and forces carbon dioxide out

9.

Which word from the text helps readers understand how the author feels about hiccups?

a)

tricky

b)

confused

c)

mystery

d)

annoying

10.

What was the author’s purpose for writing this book?

a)

to explain the best way to get rid of hiccups

b)

to describe what hiccups are and possible causes and cures

c)

to persuade readers to find a cure for hiccups

d)

to answer a question about the longest case of hiccups

11.

Extended Response: What is the sequence of events in how you breathe, and how do hiccups disrupt the sequence?

4 lines