MCAS 2002, 3rd Grade English (ELA), Questions 32 to 36

There are two kinds of tree squirrels in the northern forests, but they don’t meet very often. Red squirrels, pictured below, are daytime squirrels. They spend the summer and fall building huge storage nests of seeds. In the winter, families cuddle together in a hollow tree and wrap their fluffy tails around themselves for warmth. Young red squirrels like to play games with their brothers and sisters. Favorite squirrel games are pinecone toss and hide-and-seek. The kits like to play chase and have climbing contests too.

Flying squirrels are nighttime squirrels. Their name is a little joke. Squirrels can’t really fly. They glide very well, though. Mother squirrel is the flight instructor and the leader of the family gliding games. The newborn babies aren’t old enough to begin lessons, but a six-week-old kit has already learned how to do loops and spirals.

Squirrel (Red Squirrel and Northern Flying Squirrel) Baby name: Kit Birthplace: Leaf-lined nest in a hollow tree Birth weight: Flying squirrel, 1/10 ounce; red squirrel, 1/4 to 1/2 ounce Adult weight: Flying squirrel, 5 ounces; red squirrel, 3 pounds Littermates: Flying squirrel, 1 or 2; red squirrel, an average of 5 but could be as many as 10 Favorite food: Babies drink milk; adults eat pine seeds, nuts, tree bark, and buds. Parent care: Babies are cared for by mother and live in a nest shared by a large family. Everybody cuddles together for warmth. Enemies: Flying squirrel’s enemies are owls, lynx; red squirrel’s are hawks, lynx, wolverine. In addition, both are prey of the pine marten, a kind of weasel. Home: Pine forests of the taiga* throughout the Arctic * taiga – evergreen forests of subarctic land

From ARCTIC BABIES Copyright © 1996 by Kathy Darling, Reprinted with permission from Walker & Company, 435 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014. All rights reserved.

Question #32

A. Both kinds of squirrels are very different from other animals.

B. Red squirrels and flying squirrels do not get along together.

C. Squirrels’ babies are cared for by the mother and live in a nest shared by the family.

D. Red squirrels and flying squirrels are alike and different.

Question #33

A. flying squirrels do not live in trees but red squirrels do.

B. red squirrels are daytime squirrels and flying squirrels are nighttime squirrels.

C. red squirrels and flying squirrels are bitter enemies.

D. red squirrels have time to play but flying squirrels have work to do.

Question #34

A. They like to do loops and spirals.

B. They only weigh 5 ounces when adults.

C. They cannot really fly.

D. They like to toss pinecones.

Question #35

A. In the winter for warmth and because they like to play chase.

B. Leaf-lined nest in a hollow tree.

C. Cuddled together in a hollow tree in the winter.

D. Favorite squirrel games are pinecone toss and hide-and-seek.

Question #36

A. give instructions for the care of both kinds of squirrels.

B. tell you basic facts about both kinds of squirrels.

C. describe how squirrels live.

D. make you interested in squirrels.