assignment_returnWorksheet: Explicit Comprehension
Standard(s): RI.3.1

What is the most poisonous creature on earth? Many people guess that the answer would be a snake, a jellyfish, a scorpion, or a spider. Actually, most scientists agree that the most venomous animal is a harmless-looking small golden frog. Called “terribilis,” the golden frog is so toxic that even touching it can be dangerous to humans. A single frog contains enough poison to kill 20,000 mice or ten people.

How many mice could be killed by the poison in one golden frog?

Everything in nature follows a pattern. Circles, lines, spirals, and angles are repeated to make a design or a pattern. Patterns in nature are not just pretty adornments. They do serve a purpose that has helped nature survive and flourish.

Have you ever taken a close look at a beehive? Well, not too close or you might get stung! The natural pattern in beehives is so perfect that it seems to be computer designed. The hives are made up of layers and layers of cells. Each cell has perfectly equal six sides or hexagons. Why would bees build six-sided cells, not circular or box shaped ones? That is because the bee is a genius at geometry and architecture! Six-sided cells use up every bit of space and allow bees to get maximum space for storing honey. Hexagons also use the least building material because all the six sides are common to other cells. The bees don’t waste space, material or effort. Aren’t they smart insects?

What sentence from the passage shows the shape of beehives?

Everything in nature follows a pattern. Circles, lines, spirals, and angles are repeated to make a design or a pattern. Patterns in nature are not just pretty adornments. They do serve a purpose that has helped nature survive and flourish.

The Ostrich

The ostrich is the largest bird in the world, but it cannot fly. Its legs are so strong and long that it can travel faster by running. Ostriches use their wings to help them to gather speed when they start to run. They also use them as brakes when they are turning and stopping.

Ostriches have been known to run at a rate of 96 kms an hour. This is faster than horses can run and as fast as most people drive cars.

These huge birds stand as tall as a horse and sometimes weigh as much as 135 kgs. In North Africa, they are often seen with other larger animals.The zebra, which is also a fast runner, seems to be one of their favorite companions.

Each ostrich egg weighs as much as two dozen chicken eggs, or one and a half kg. Ostrich eggs are delicious and are often used for food by people in Africa. The shells also are made into cups and ornaments.

In the above passage, what does the sentence, "ostriches stand as tall as a horse" mean?

Everything in nature follows a pattern. Circles, lines, spirals, and angles are repeated to make a design or a pattern. Patterns in nature are not just pretty adornments. They do serve a purpose that has helped nature survive and flourish.

Have you ever taken a close look at a beehive? Well, not too close or you might get stung! The natural pattern in beehives is so perfect that it seems to be computer designed. The hives are made up of layers and layers of cells. Each cell has perfectly equal six sides or hexagons. Why would bees build six-sided cells, instead of circular or box shaped ones? That is because the bee is a genius at geometry and architecture! Six-sided cells use up every bit of space and allow bees to get maximum area for storing honey. Hexagons also use the least building material because all six sides are common to other cells. The bees don’t waste space, material or effort. Aren’t they smart insects?

Why do bee hives have six-sided cells in them?