NWEA MAP Informational Text 10

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Could any of these mammals be more intelligent than man? Certainly the most common argument in favor of man's superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures, the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

It is clear from the passage that dolphins ----.

• don't want to be with us as much as we want to be with them

• are proven to be less intelligent than once thought

• have a reputation for being friendly to humans

• are the most powerful creatures that live in the oceans

• are capable of learning a language and communicating with humans

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

Dolphins are often admired for their intelligence and social behavior. They are known to help injured members of their group and even assist other species, including humans, in distress. Recent studies have shown that dolphins use a variety of sounds and body language to communicate, and their interactions suggest a high level of emotional and social intelligence. Despite these remarkable traits, humans have historically hunted dolphins and caused harm to their populations. This raises questions about the true nature of intelligence and superiority among species.

According to the passage, what does the writer imply about the relationship between humans and dolphins?

• Humans are superior to dolphins because of their advanced technology

• Dolphins' social behaviors make them more intelligent than humans

• The way humans treat dolphins challenges the idea of human superiority

• Dolphins are unable to communicate with each other effectively

• Humans and dolphins have identical forms of communication

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RL.4.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

Dolphins are regarded as the friendliest creatures in the sea and stories of them helping drowning sailors have been common since Roman times. The more we learn about dolphins, the more we realize that their society is more complex than people previously imagined. They look after other dolphins when they are ill, care for pregnant mothers and protect the weakest in the community, as we do. Some scientists have suggested that dolphins have a language but it is much more probable that they communicate with each other without needing words. Could any of these mammals be more intelligent than man? Certainly the most common argument in favor of man's superiority over them that we can kill them more easily than they can kill us is the least satisfactory. On the contrary, the more we discover about these remarkable creatures, the less we appear superior when we destroy them.

One can infer from the reading that ----

• dolphins are quite abundant in some areas of the world

• communication is the most fascinating aspect of the dolphins

• dolphins have skills that no other living creatures have such as the ability to think

• it is not usual for dolphins to communicate with each othe

• dolphins have some social traits that are similar to those of humans

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

The prefix trans- means "across," "over," or "through."

Using this knowledge, choose the answer that best defines the word transcontinental.

• in the county

• over the country

• across the continent

• across the planet

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

One of the meanings of the prefix in- is "not."

Using this knowledge, choose the answer that best defines the word indefinite.

• obvious

• exact

• certain

• unknown

Tags

CCSS.RF.3.3B

CCSS.RF.3.3C

CCSS.RF.3.3D

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A