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Grade 4: ELA.Alex the Parrot

Last updated almost 3 years ago

12 questions

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Question 1

1.

Based on the passage, what first made Irene want to study parrots?

She studied birdsong while at Harvard.

She owned several birds while at Harvard.

She learned from a pet store owner that birds could talk.

She learned from a television show that birds use language.

Question 2

2.

Based on paragraphs 7–8, scientists studied other animals because they believed birds were

too wild.

too large.

too common.

too simpleminded.

Question 3

3.

In paragraph 20, “game” is in quotation marks to show that Alex

did not want others to play.

did not understand the rules.

did not realize he was learning.

did not want to play any longer.

Question 4

4.

Which of the following is the main idea of paragraphs 21 and 22?

Alex saw colors.

Alex liked fruits.

Alex tried new foods.

Alex learned new words.

Question 5

5.

Based on paragraph 24, which of the following best shows how well Alex could communicate?

He used only verbs.

He answered questions.

He named different foods.

He stated what he would like.

Question 6

6.

In paragraphs 29–31, the author repeats the word “or” mostly to show

the amount of time Alex wasted.

the order in which Alex did things.

the different ways Alex solved problems.

the different ways Alex acted when bored.

Question 7

7.

Based on the passage, what is the main lesson in the story about Clever Hans?

Some people will believe anything.

Things can be different than they appear.

Some people will learn from their mistakes.

Appearances are more important than facts.

Question 8

8.

Based on the passage, what does the author most likely believe about Alex?

He could actually understand language.

He was the only bird that talked to humans.

He was more intelligent than most humans.

He could really teach language to other birds.

Question 9

9.

Read the sentence from paragraph 2.

"They were only imitating, or "parroting," sounds they heard - or so most people thought.

What does the word parroting mean as it is used in the sentence?

copying

arranging

listening to

thinking about

Question 10

10.

Read the sentence from paragraph 6.

"The subject of animal communication drew Irene like a magnet."

Which meaning of the word drew is used in the sentence?

pulled toward

made a picture of

stretched away from

described something

Question 11

11.

Based on paragraphs 13 and 14, what does “a bumpy start” mean?

a fun beginning

a calm beginning

a boring beginning

a difficult beginning

Question 12

12.

This question is a text-based essay question. Write your essay in the space provided in your Student Answer Booklet. Your essay should:

- Present and develop a central idea.
- Provide evidence/details from the passage(s).
- Include correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Based on the passage, write an essay to explain how Alex changed as he spent more time with Irene. Be sure to use information from the passage to develop your essay.