Reading 5

Reading 5
COMPREHENSION
Watching Birds
Bird watching is a serious hobby. People who bird-watch are sometimes called “birders.”
There are certain ways birders identify and track birds. These methods help birders figure out
what kind of bird they are watching. Birders also record a bird’s habits and behaviors.
No one knows the sights and sounds of nature quite like a bird watcher. By taking a quick
look at a small blur of brown, yellow, and white feathers, a birder can tell you what type of bird
it was. Birders must quickly process a lot of information on color, call notes, and even the shapes
of bills. They have to know what to look for when they see a strange bird. They must note its
shape, how it moves through a bush or tree, and the shape of its wings. This work helps to
develop great visual and hearing abilities among birders. In fact, birders are always more
observant than the average person.
To the beginning bird watcher, however, trying to identify even common birds can be
difficult. Many people give up before they ever actually begin. A small gray bird flashes up to
the top of a bush. Quick, grab your binoculars! Start flipping through your field guide. Take
another look at the bird. Flip back a page or two. Suddenly the bird is gone, but there is a
different one lower in the bush. It can be extremely frustrating!
However, for those people who stick with it, bird watching can be a very rewarding
experience. Birders learn many things about the birds they watch. For example, many birds have
elaborate markings on their feathers. By studying the markings on a single bird, birders can learn
a lot about what type of bird they are watching. Feathers can reveal how old a bird is and
whether it is male or female. Full-grown birds have fully grown feathers. Young birds often have
smaller, fine feathers, which are soft and fuzzy.
The most interesting birds that birders observe are predators. These birds survive by hunting
and eating other animals. Hawks, owls, and eagles are all predators with powerful wings and
keen eyesight.
Many birders simply watch birds as a hobby. However, their research is often valuable for
scientists who study birds. Many times, scientists will ask trained birders to observe birds on
their behalf. These birders are happy to help the scientists by recording the habits and behaviors
they see.
There are many clubs for birders around the United States. If you like watching birds and
spending time in nature, maybe this is the hobby for you!
Directions
Choose the item that best answers each question about the selection you just read. Circle
the letter next to the answer.
____ 1 Which of the following statements about bird watching is a fact?

A Bird watching is the most rewarding experience a person can have.
B A bird’s feathers can show if it’s fully grown.
C Bird watching is a more serious hobby than stamp collecting.
D Birders know the most about nature.
____ 2 Which of the following statements from paragraph 2 is an opinion?
F Birders must quickly process a lot of information.
G In fact, birders are always more observant than the average person.
H They have to know what to look for when they see a strange bird.
J This work helps to develop great visual and hearing abilities among birders.
____ 3 Which of the following statements about bird watching is an opinion?
A A bird-watching club is a place to begin studying birds.
B Birders pay attention to a bird’s habits.
C Bird watching is an extremely frustrating experience.
D Some birders help scientists.
____ 4 Which of the following statements from paragraph 5 is an opinion?
F The most interesting birds that birders observe are predators.
G These birds survive by hunting and eating other animals.
H Hawks, owls, and eagles are all predators.
J They have powerful wings and keen eyesight, which help these birds hunt.
____ 5 Why would a hawk need powerful wings and keen eyesight?
A They help it to fly very high at night.
B They help it to hunt and catch animals for food.
C They help it to eat berries from trees.
D They help it to find small seeds on the ground.
____ 6 What is the author’s purpose for writing this selection?
F to entertain readers with an amusing story about birds
G to inform readers about the hobby of bird watching
H to explain how to identify birds
J to persuade readers to help scientists
____ 7 Which of the following is a statement of fact?
A Most male and female birds do not have the same markings on their feathers.
B Young birds are easier to spot than adult birds.
C Predators are the most difficult birds to watch.
D It is impossible to tell a lot about a bird just from its appearance.
____ 8 According to the selection, why can bird watching be a frustrating experience?
F It is a very expensive hobby.
G It can be difficult to identify a bird quickly.
H It requires many hours out in the cold.
J There are few places to watch birds undisturbed.
Reading 5
Answer Section
1 ANS: B PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Informational Text 8. Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in
a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
2 ANS: G PTS: 1
3 ANS: C PTS: 1
4 ANS: F PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is
conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal
opinions or judgments. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 2. Determine a central idea of a text and
how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from
personal opinions or judgments.
5 ANS: B PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
6 ANS: G PTS: 1
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Literature 6. Explain how an
author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text. | G6_CCSS_Informational
Text 6. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed
in the text.
7 ANS: A PTS: 1
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
8 ANS: G PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is
conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal
opinions or judgments. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 2. Determine a central idea of a text and
how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from
personal opinions or judgments.

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____ 1 Which of the following statements about bird watching is a fact?

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