EOG Practice - Inferencing - 6th Grade

For many years, both sailors and scientists suspected that a creature they called the giant squid lived in the ocean depths. Over the years, the evidence mounted, and in 2012 came solid proof: They filmed giant squids swimming in the ocean.

Before the 2012 video, nobody had answers to several significant questions about giant squids. How did they act in the wild? Were they hunters? Or did they just float in the water, eating what came their way? What purpose did their huge eyes serve? Thanks to the video, we have some answers. We know that the squid is a hunter that uses its large eyes to spot prey and avoid being eaten. But many fascinating mysteries about the creature still need solving. Will this important research continue?

Which evidence suggests that the author believes that scientists should keep researching the giant squid?

• For many years, both sailors and scientists suspected that a creature they called the giant squid lived in the ocean depths.

• "But many fascinating mysteries about the creature still need solving."

• "Will this important research continue?

• Squids are fascinating creatures.

For many years, both sailors and scientists suspected that a creature they called the giant squid lived in the ocean depths. Over the years, the evidence mounted, and in 2012 came solid proof: They filmed giant squids swimming in the ocean.

Before the 2012 video, nobody had answers to several significant questions about giant squids. How did they act in the wild? Were they hunters? Or did they just float in the water, eating what came their way? What purpose did their huge eyes serve? Thanks to the video, we have some answers. We know that the squid is a hunter that uses its large eyes to spot prey and avoid being eaten. But many fascinating mysteries about the creature still need solving. Will this important research continue?

Which sentence in the text explains why the squid was a mystery?

• Before the 2012 video, nobody had answers to several significant questions about giant squids.

• For many years, both sailors and scientists suspected that a creature they called the giant squid lived in the ocean depths.

• Squids are creatures that hide in the ocean.

• Will this important research continue?

A Scientist's Search for Bigfoot by Tesuo Fujii

Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum is an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology at Idaho State University. He specializes in primate foot structure—a category that includes apes, monkeys, and humans. His interests also include evaluating footprints that some claim are left by a mythical North American ape known as Bigfoot.

Meldrum’s laboratory houses more than 200 casts and artifacts relating to Bigfoot. Although he believes that some samples are hoaxes, others interest him, such as unidentified hair and

unique casts of muscle and foot-bone anatomy.

Which explains why Dr. Meldrum is most likely interested in the samples of unidentified hair and muscle?

• Meldrum’s laboratory houses more than 200 casts and artifacts relating to Bigfoot.

• He is trying to prove that Bigfoot is real.

• He knows that Bigfoot is real.

• He maybe wondering what new ape or primate he might discover.

Many anthropologists criticize Meldrum’s work. They feel he is trying to find an imaginary creature that exists only in folklore. Meldrum tells critics he is not saying that Bigfoot exists. He just believes there is enough evidence to justify scientific investigation.

Unsurprisingly, most anthropologists reject Meldrum’s evidence. Dr. David J. Daegling, a University of Florida anthropologist who thinks Meldrum’s methods of analyzing data are unscientific, sums up this feeling: “Meldrum’s evidence doesn’t look better on deeper analysis; it looks worse.”

Which sentence from the account best supports the idea that most scientists do not find value in investigating Bigfoot artifacts?

• “Many anthropologists criticize Meldrum’s work.”

• “They feel he is trying to find an imaginary creature that exists only in folklore.”

• “Meldrum tells critics he is not saying that Bigfoot exists.”

• “He just believes there is enough evidence to justify scientific

  investigation.”

Tales of Chupacabras by Cynthia Burnham

Legend tells of the chupacabra, a monster that sucks the blood of livestock. Chupacabra means “goat sucker” in Spanish. For many in the southwestern United States and Mexico, these tales are more than just stories; they have been accepted as fact. In Puerto Rico in 1995, hundreds of livestock fatalities were blamed on the chupacabra.

Some describe chupacabras as two-legged, lizard-like creatures with claws, spikes, and piercing red eyes. Others insist they are hairless, four-legged creatures that are part kangaroo, part dog, and part rat. Many similar beasts have been brought to labs for DNA testing, but most have been coyotes with mange, a disease that strips animals of fur.

Why do we want these mythical beasts to be real? Surely not because we want livestock to fall prey to vampires! Perhaps it is because of our natural desire to shed light on the unknown. Scientists constantly identify new life-forms.

A student makes the following claim about the author of “Tales of Chupacabras.” :

The author believes that chupacabras are imaginary even though she would like to think they exist.

Which sentence from the text best supports this claim?

• Chupacabra means ‘goat sucker’ in Spanish.”

• “Some describe chupacabras as two-legged, lizard-like

  creatures with claws, spikes, and piercing red eyes.”

• “Why do we want these mythical beasts to be real?”

• “Scientists constantly identify new life-forms.”

Tales of Chupacabras by Cynthia Burnham

Legend tells of the chupacabra, a monster that sucks the blood of livestock. Chupacabra means “goat sucker” in Spanish. For many in the southwestern United States and Mexico, these tales are more than just stories; they have been accepted as fact. In Puerto Rico in 1995, hundreds of livestock fatalities were blamed on the chupacabra.

Some describe chupacabras as two-legged, lizard-like creatures with claws, spikes, and piercing red eyes. Others insist they are hairless, four-legged creatures that are part kangaroo, part dog, and part rat. Many similar beasts have been brought to labs for DNA testing, but most have been coyotes with mange, a disease that strips animals of fur.

Why do we want these mythical beasts to be real? Surely not because we want livestock to fall prey to vampires! Perhaps it is because of our natural desire to shed light on the unknown. Scientists constantly identify new life-forms.

Which sentence from the text explains why the author thinks people want to believe in chupacabras?

• “Legend tells of the chupacabra, a monster that sucks the blood

  of livestock.”

• “Others insist they are hairless four-legged creatures that are

  part kangaroo, part dog, and part rat.”

• “Perhaps it is because of our natural desire to shed light on

  the unknown.”

• “For many in the southwestern United States and Mexico, these

  tales are more than just stories: they have been accepted as fact.”