Bats

Which quote provides evidence to support the claim that the classification of bats is complex?

A. “Among the sounds which greet the ear of the wayfarer as the shades of evening deepen into night, one of the commonest is a rather faint chirping noise which comes mysteriously from overhead.”

B. “On looking up in search of the source of this peculiar sound, we may see a small, dark, shadow-like creature sweeping to and fro with great rapidity.”

C. “It is one of the curious groups of animals called bats, representatives of which are to be met with in all countries, always active at night or in the twilight, and presenting a remarkable general similarity of structure, although in some respects they may differ considerably in habits.”

D. “Nevertheless, their hairy bodies and leathery wings are so unlike anything that we ordinarily understand as pertaining to a bird, that opinion was apparently always divided, as to the true nature of these creatures—‘a mouse with wings.’ ”

How does the last sentence in paragraph 2 refine a key concept about bats?

A. by describing how owls and bats fly at night

B. by explaining the functions of a bat’s wings and its furry body

C. by showing how a bat is different from both a mouse and a bird

D. by illustrating how other languages have similar meanings for the word “bat”

How does paragraph 3 contribute to the development of the idea of scientific classification of bats?

A. It explains why classifying any sort of animal is important to its preservation.

B. It describes the specific characteristics that are used to classify bats as mammals.

C. It describes the specific characteristics that are used to understand that bats are alive.

D. It explains why classifying an animal as a mammal is better than classifying it as a bird

How does the author distinguish bats from whales and dolphins in paragraph 3?

A. by conveying how difficult it is to classify bats, whales, and dolphins

B. by conveying how whales, dolphins, and manatees are considered fish

C. by showing how bats, whales, and dolphins nurse their babies with milk

D. by showing how the bat has more mammalian traits than whales and dolphins

Which statement reflects the author’s point of view about the bat’s abilities?

A. The author is puzzled as to why the bat is unable to be considered a bird.

B. The author is dismayed by the bat’s comparison to a mouse.

C. The author is fascinated that the bat can both walk and fly.

D. The author is disturbed about the bat’s ability to fly noiselessly.

Which statement provides an objective summary of the text?

A. Bats have been difficult animals to classify throughout history. A deeper understanding of the animals has led to their categorization as mammals that can fly like birds.

B. Bats have been studied extensively so that we can better understand their similarity to humans. This study is leading to treatments and cures for various diseases.

C. Bats are beautiful animals that are important to the global ecosystem. Efforts are being made to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

D. Bats are dangerous, bloodthirsty predators that spread rabies. Homes should be safeguarded against their inhabitation.

What does the word systematist mean in the sentence below from paragraph 2? “Nevertheless, their hairy bodies and leathery wings are so unlike anything that we ordinarily understand as pertaining to a bird, that opinion was apparently always divided, as to the true nature of these creatures—‘a mouse with wings,’ as Goldsmith called it once, according to James Boswell, is certainly a curious animal, and very difficult to classify so long as the would-be systematist has no particularly definite ideas to guide him.”

• A. one who creates an order of categories

• B. one who is considered an expert

• C. one who interprets the meaning of words

• D. one who studies animals

What does the word inaccessible mean in the sentence below from paragraph 2? “As they rest during the day, concealed usually in the most inaccessible places they can find, and are seen only upon the wing, their power of flight is their most striking peculiarity in the popular mind, and it is perhaps no great wonder that by many people, both in ancient and modern times they have been regarded as birds.”

• A. not possible to escape

• B. present at night

• C. difficult to reach

• D. not visible on the surface