Based on recent studies, Smilodons can be best described as what?
tigers
cats
elephants
lions
2
Smilodons became extinct about 10,000 years ago. What possible cause of this extinction was explained in the passage?
they were hunted by humans
disease that killed the Smilodon
climate change
competition over food from other hunters
3
Read the following sentences from the passage: “And their living prey was probably not very fast or large. The Smilodon used to wait for another animal to come close to them without realizing it before they would attack. The Smilodon would not run far for prey to eat, many times choosing small, slow, and possibly young ones - the children of other animals!”
Based on this information, what can be concluded?
Smilodons didn’t have to be sneaky to catch their prey.
Smilodons were not fast hunters.
Smilodons preferred to eat larger animals.
Smilodons had a hard time finding food.
4
Based on the passage, which of the following is true about the Smilodon?
They got along well with other Smilodons.
They were very aggressive animals.
They did not look very threatening.
They were located in one section of the Earth.
5
What is this passage mainly about?
why the Smilodon became extinct
the canine teeth of a Smilodon
an extinct mammal known as the Smilodon
climate change that occurred 10,000 years ago
6
The author ends the passage with the following paragraph: “Though they might not have been very smart or fast, they had those dangerous, long and sharp teeth, which made them one of the most feared creatures on the planet when they lived. If a person were to find one today, it would be hard to smile at a Smilodon!”
Why does the author end the paragraph with that specific sentence?
to inform the reader that Smilodons could be found living on Earth today
to emphasize that Smilodons had canine teeth
to indicate that although Smilodons looked scary, they were probably harmless
to emphasize how scary the Smilodon would be, and to entertain the reader with the word “smile” when talking about a Smilodon
7
Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.
Smilodons were probably not very fast or large ________ many times they hunted prey that was slow and small.
so
although
but
however
8
How did early humans affect the Smilodon’s food supply?
Answer
9
Explain how the Smilodon’s disappearing food supply may have been a result of climate change.
Answer
10
Some of the possible reasons that led to the extinction of the Smilodon affected the Smilodon indirectly. Use evidence from the text to support this statement.
Answer
1. cats
2. they were hunted by humans
3. Smilodons were not fast hunters.
4. They were very aggressive animals.
5. an extinct mammal known as the Smilodon
6. to emphasize how scary the Smilodon would be, and to entertain the reader with the word “smile” when talking about a Smilodon
7. and
8. Early humans hunted the Smilodon's prey, reducing their food supply.
9. Climate change may have caused changes in vegetation, which in turn affected the food supply of the Smilodon and their prey.
10. Climate change and competition over food from other hunters indirectly impacted the Smilodon's food supply, leading to their extinction.