The Weird and Wonderful Echidna and The Very Peculiar Platypus

Directions: Choose the word or word group that has about the same meaning as the underlined word.

The echidna’s claws, skeleton, and muscles help it to burrow.

• run fast

• jump high

• dig a hole

• stand on its hind legs

Directions: Choose the word or word group that has about the same meaning as the underlined word.

The ring she received for her birthday was unique.

• colorful

• expensive

• pale

• unusual

Where do echidnas and platypuses live?

• Asia

• Europe

• Australia

• The Americas

Based on the selection, how does the author most likely feel about the platypus?

• The platypus is a dangerous animal.

• The platypus is endangered and we need to protect them.

• The platypus is a wondrous animal that has unusual adaptations.

Directions: Choose the word or word group that has about the same meaning as the underlined word.

The students focused on learning about the monotreme family.

• egg-laying fish

• egg-laying birds

• egg-laying reptiles

• egg-laying mammals

What makes both the platypus and echidna unique animals?

• Both animals live in Australia

• Both animal are mammals but lay eggs

• Both animals carry their young in a pouch

What makes monotremes different from almost all other mammals?

• They have fur

• They lay eggs

• They eat worms

• They roll into a ball

Which sentence helps the reader understand what the word “sense” means in paragraph 11?

• “The bill has sensors that pick up electrical signals from prey.”

• “Unlike a duck’s hard bill, a platypus’s bill is rubbery.”

• “Here is where the platypus’s extraordinary bill comes into play.”

Which sentence correctly uses the word “sense”?

• I haven’t seen my friends sense March.

• I paid seventy-five sense for the candy bar.

• Her sense of smell is wonderful.

In paragraph 5, the word “forages” is used. Using the context clues within the paragraph, the word forages means...

• The platypus likes to be in the water.

• Hunting for food.

• Insects are everywhere.