Big Ideas from Nature

Which word can be used to describe George de Mestral?

• careless

• strict

• imaginative

• inattentive

Tags

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.1

Which sentence best provides the main idea for the heading Nature Did It First?

• Designers often start with a problem.

• Nature has been making and testing designs for a long time!

• Watching bird wings gave them ideas on how to design airplane wings.

• The Wright Brothers built an airplane in 1903.

What is the relationship between the sentences in this paragraph? "The car’s frame is also similar to a fish’s skeleton. The metal frame is thick in some places and thinner in others, just like the fish’s bones. This saves on materials and puts strength where it is needed most."

• The sentences are comparing a fish skeleton to a car’s framework.

• The sentences are describing how inventors built the car’s framework.

• The sentences are explaining why the boxfish is such a great swimmer.

• The sentences are showing the steps the inventors took to research the fish skeleton.

Which sentence best describes the problem in the heading Master Movers?

• You can’t travel to Mars, but a robot can.

• The Jollbot can both jump and roll.

• Robots can explore places that are not safe for people.

• Robots can walk, but they still have to travel over dips and bumps.

Which sentence best describes the solution in the heading Master Movers?

• You can’t travel to Mars, but a robot can.

• The Jollbot can both jump and roll.

• Robots can explore places that are not safe for people.

• Robots can walk, but they still have to travel over dips and bumps.

What can readers infer from this passage of text? More than 200 years ago, an engineer was trying to drill a tunnel under a river. But each attempt failed. The walls kept falling in. Pick TWO answer choices.

• The weight of the water in the river caused the tunnel to fall apart.

• The engineer was not strong enough to support the tunnel.

• The shipworms were eating the walls of the tunnel, which caused it to fall.

• A highway is running through the Thames Tunnel.

Why does the author compare cars to locusts?

• Cars and locusts both move through the air very quickly.

• Cars and locusts both travel to different parts of the country.

• Cars and locusts both come in many different colors.

• Cars and locusts both move together in large groups.

Under which heading would you place this fact? Engineers also designed a building that has a spiral shaped roof. This shape was inspired by a snail. It helps to keep the building cool in hot summer temperatures.

• Nature Did It First

• Energy Savers

• Master Movers

• Mixing New Materials

Which sentence best summarizes this article?

• Inventors are working to build cars that can “see” other cars on the road.

• Scientists learned how to build machines by watching insects.

• Inventors can often find great ideas from nature.

• Biomimicry means copying designs from nature.

The author included two photographs to support each section of text. Explain why the author did this.