Alex the Talking Parrot

What does the word "assistant" mean as it is used in paragraph 2?

• helper

• leader

• neighbor

• friend

Which sentence from the passage shows a cause and effect relationship?

• "But there is one parrot who speaks more than a hundred words and actually understands their meanings." (paragraph 1)

• "Teaching Alex to speak words that he understands has let Irene talk to him directly." (paragraph 3)

• "In this way, Irene is finding out what sorts of things Alex's brain can do." (paragraph 3)

• "He can also make comparisons, such as bigger or smaller and same or different, between objects." (paragraph 4)

Read this sentence from paragraph 4.

Alex can identify over forty kinds of objects, five different shapes, five materials, and seven colors, and he can use his knowledge to solve problems and answer questions.

What is the best meaning of the word "identify" as used in this sentence?

• feel

• look at

• pick up

• recognize

How does the photograph add to the information in the passage?

• It shows one way that Irene works with Alex.

• It shows that Irene does not talk with Alex.

• It shows that Alex is able to count objects.

• It shows the few objects that Alex cannot name.

Which part of the passage best shows how Alex feels about Irene?

• paragraph 9

• paragraph 10

• paragraph 17

• paragraph 18

Which detail best supports the main idea of the passage?

• Irene's parrot is named Alex.

• Alex can find a green object when asked.

• Irene sometimes puts Alex on her shoulder.

• Alex has a croaky parrot voice.