The Great Mantis Rescue

Part A

13.What is the lesson of the passage?

• Flying insects make the best classroom pets.

• Sharing one’s interests with others can be rewarding.

• It is important for students to listen to their teachers.

• One must follow many steps when catching insects.

Part B

14.Which quotation from the passage best supports the answer in Part A?

• He could barely believe it when Mrs. Beecher agreed to make the soon-to-be baby mantises their class project. (paragraph 2)

• We’re starting science class with journals today. Please copy the prompt from the board. (paragraph 3)

• Donald grinned and called out, ‘Richie, get some paintbrushes! Jennifer, start laying out white paper on the floor!’ (paragraph 16)

• Just like that, Donald had a new nickname, and with it came new opportunities to make friends. (paragraph 32)

Part A

15.Which choice describes Donald at the beginning of the passage?

• He is angry that no one in his class likes insects.

• He is hopeful that he will be liked by his teacher.

• He is unsure how to make friends with other students.

• He is eager to be the center of attention.

Part B

16.Which quotation from paragraph 2 best supports the answer in Part A?

• "Donald attempted to explain that the egg case of a praying mantis was not meant to be exciting, that the exciting part was when the eggs hatched."

• "Donald thought back to the day he found the egg case in his backyard and brought it into school."

• "He could barely believe it when Mrs. Beecher agreed to make the soon-to-be baby mantises their class project."

• "If the class pet were an insect, maybe Donald would finally have something to talk about with the other kids."

17. What does the phrase “lost cause” in paragraph 2 suggest about Donald?

• A. Donald wishes that he could find the missing eggs.

• B. Donald worries that there is little hope for the eggs to hatch.

• C. Donald thinks that the eggs may contain something other than mantises.

• D. Donald wonders if it is his fault that nothing has happened to the eggs.

18.What does paragraph 8 show about Becky?

• A. Becky knows that some insects are loud.

• B. Becky catches insects in her backyard.

• C. Becky has read many books about insects.

• D. Becky is startled by seeing the insects.

19.How do paragraphs 9-10 help the reader understand the passage?

• The paragraphs explain why Richie thinks the praying mantises are boring.

• The paragraphs explain why the praying mantises are all over the classroom.

• The paragraphs explain why the praying mantises take so long to hatch.

• The paragraphs explain why Donald brings the praying mantises to school.

20.What is the meaning of the phrase "take the lead" in paragraph 15?

• do the work all alone

• find a new way to do something

• guide others in how to act

• walk in front of other people

21.Read the sentence from paragraph 19.

"Soon the classroom was buzzing like a nest of carpenter bees."

What does the author mean by this sentence?

• The students are busy and working together.

• The students are building homes for the mantises.

• The students decide to study bees as well as mantises.

• The students make insect sounds as they work.

22.Which phrase from paragraphs 28-31 helps the reader understand the meaning of the word astounding?

• ...reading their answers aloud.

• ...couldn't believe the things he heard.

• ...help bugs and not just step on them.'

• 'Donnie did a good job...'