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 a key detail that you could use in a summary?
(1 point)
Responses
The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.
The platypus has features similar to an otter and a beaver.
The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.
The platypus uses an interesting method to consume its meals.
The platypus lives in Africa.
The platypus lives in Africa.
The platypus is a mammal with many characteristics that make it unique.
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 identifies the central idea of the text?
(1 point)
Responses
There is no reason that oil spills occur as often as they do.
There is no reason that oil spills occur as often as they do.
The oil industry needs to work more more efficiently.
The oil industry needs to work more more efficiently.
The oil industry should focus on the fastest way to clean up oil spills.
The oil industry should focus on the fastest way to clean up oil spills.
There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.
There is a smart solution to the ongoing problem of oil spills the industry should use.
Many people believe a European named Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. However, Gutenberg’s press was actually building on inventions that appeared centuries earlier in China.
What is the connection between the ideas in these sentences?
(1 point)
Responses
comparison
comparison
cause and effect
cause and effect
problem and solution
problem and solution
contrast
contrast
A Buddhist book called The Diamond Sutra, printed around 868 C.E., is the oldest known printed book. It was printed using page-sized panels of wood blocks. These blocks were carved by hand with Chinese characters shown in reverse.
Which word or phrase describes the relationship between the ideas in the sentences?
(1 point)
Responses
cause and effect
cause and effect
contrast
contrast
description
description
problem and solution
description
All around the world, millions of people watch hundreds of new movies each year. Most people are aware that these movies have actors and actresses, directors, stunt doubles, and camera operators. But have you ever wondered how the crack of a bat in a baseball scene sounds so authentic even though the camera must be dozens of feet away?
Which word means the opposite of authentic as it is used in the paragraph?
(1 point)
Responses
fast
fast
fake
fake
boring
boring
real
fake
You may not think earthquakes and volcanoes can go together, but they are unlikely friends, creating sensations under the earth’s surface. Most earthquakes occur because of the movement of tectonic plates previously described. Sometimes earthquakes happen below a volcano. This happens because magma, which is hot molten rock beneath the earth’s surface, pushes on rock until it breaks the rock and seeps into it. Then, the magma builds more pressure until it leaks more magma into the crack. Little earthquakes happen each time the rock breaks and lets in more magma. These little earthquakes are too small to feel. They are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground.
What does the analogy "they are called harmonic tremors, perhaps because of their constant release of energy, like one long song played underground" from the paragraph mean?
(1 point)
Responses
The tremors from small earthquakes follow unpredictable patterns, unlike musical meter.
The tremors from small earthquakes follow unpredictable patterns, unlike musical meter.
When little earthquakes occur, they make sounds similar to music.
When little earthquakes occur, they make sounds similar to music.
Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.
Much like background music, little earthquakes tremor underground without much notice.
The same amount of energy is released by music and small earthquakes.