Language Arts Reading Informational Text Unit Test 8A
1-Which nonfiction genre teaches the reader a process?
2-Use the paragraph to answer the question.
The platypus is an Australian mammal that is not easily classified. It is one of only two mammals (the other being the echidna) that bears young by laying eggs. In some respects, the platypus resembles a duck; both have webbed feet and bills. The platypus has a tail like a beaver’s and a furry body similar to an otter’s. Its unusual hybrid of body parts makes it well-suited for its largely aquatic life. The platypus uses its webbed feet to paddle through water, and its tail serves as a kind of rudder for steering. While underwater, the platypus uses its bill to scoop up bits of food, such as insects and shellfish, from the water’s bottom. The platypus also scoops up bits of gravel, which grind up the food, as the platypus is toothless. The platypus stores the food and gravel in its cheeks until it reaches the water’s surface. Once the platypus surfaces, it consumes its meal.
Which sentence describes the main idea?
3-Use the paragraph to answer the question.
It happens way too often: oil leaking from wells beneath the ocean or tankers spilling their cargo into the waves. One disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, called the Tyler spill, has been leaking hundreds of barrels of oil per day into the ocean for the past 14 years. While safety has not been made a priority, something can be done to clean up oil spills that does not involve pouring chemical cleanup agents into the already polluted waters. The question is, when will the oil industry embrace this effective, safe method?
Which sentence best summarizes the text?
1- The nonfiction genre that teaches the reader a process is known as instructional or procedural writing. This genre provides step-by-step instructions or guidance on how to perform a particular task or achieve a specific outcome. To identify this genre within a text, look for keywords such as "how to," "step-by-step," "process," or "instructions."
2- To identify the main idea of a paragraph or a passage, it is important to look for the sentence that conveys the central point or topic that the rest of the sentences support or discuss. In this case, the main idea of the paragraph is: "The platypus is an Australian mammal with unique characteristics and adaptations that enable it to thrive in its aquatic habitat." This main idea summarizes the key points mentioned in the paragraph, including the platypus' physical traits, feeding behavior, and its ability to store and consume food.
3- To summarize a text, it is essential to capture the main points or ideas discussed within the passage while maintaining the overall message or purpose. In this case, the best sentence that summarizes the text is: "The oil industry needs to embrace an effective and safe method for cleaning up oil spills instead of relying on chemical cleanup agents that further pollute the already polluted waters." This sentence captures the main idea of the text, which is calling for the oil industry to adopt a better approach to clean up oil spills without causing further harm to the environment.