How the Brazilian Beetles Got Their Gorgeous Coats

Read the dictionary entry for the word draw.

draw \ˈdrô\ v 1. to go steadily or gradually 2. to sketch with lines 3. to pull from a holding place 4. to choose by chance

Which definition best matches the way drew is used in paragraph 13?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

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6.2B

Which sentence best shows that the rat overestimates his abilities?

• One day a little brown beetle was crawling along a wall when a big grey rat ran out of a hole in the wall and looked down scornfully at the little beetle. (paragraph 2)

• The big grey rat ran to the end of the wall, wheeled around, and came back to the place where the little beetle was slowly crawling along at only a tiny distance from where the rat had left her. (paragraph 3)

• “Why, you talk just as if you thought you had a chance to win the race,” he said, when he could speak. (paragraph 9)

• Then he started to run more slowly but every time his heart beat it said, “Hurry up! Hurry up!” (paragraph 11)

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6.6C

Which characteristic best identifies this story as a myth?

• The story uses impossible events to explain the origin of something natural.

• The story includes the actions and dialogue of several characters.

• The story includes a setting that is unoccupied by humans.

• The story takes place a very long time ago.

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6.8A

What is the best summary of the story?

• A rat runs out of a hole in a wall and meets a beetle. The rat shows the beetle how quickly he can run and makes fun of the beetle for walking slowly. A parrot who has heard the conversation flies up to them and suggests the rat and beetle have a race.

• A green and gold parrot sees a rat and a beetle having a conversation by a wall. The parrot flies over to them and suggests that the rat and beetle race to determine who is faster. The beetle flies to the top of a cliff and beats the rat, who is tired from running so far and fast.

• A rat brags about his speed to a beetle he sees crawling along a wall. A parrot hears them talking and suggests the rat and beetle compete to win a gorgeous coat, so the two animals race to the top of a cliff. Because she can fly, the beetle wins the race and earns the prize.

• A rat and a beetle meet a green and gold parrot. The parrot tells them the tailor bird will make a beautiful coat for whoever wins a race to a palm tree on a cliff. The beetle beats the rat in the race, and the parrot asks the beetle what colors she wants her coat to be.

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6.6D

What is the main message the author conveys in this story?

• Appearances can often be deceiving.

• Everyone should understand his or her limitations.

• Rewards can inspire greatness.

• It is impossible to always please everyone.

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6.9A

In what way do the parrot’s actions in paragraph 6 affect the rising action of the story?

• They give the beetle a reason to want a new coat.

• They present a tempting challenge to the rat and beetle.

• They encourage the rat and the beetle to trust the parrot.

• They indicate that the rat will learn a lesson from the parrot.

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6.7C

Based on the end of the story, what can the reader predict the rat will do?

• He will try to become friends with the beetle and the parrot.

• He will ask to race again because he feels the beetle won unfairly.

• He will recognize how he could have won the race by working harder.

• He will realize he was foolish to assume he was better than the beetle.

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6.5C