A Continent of Ice” Before Answering Numbers 1 Through 5

UNIT 1 WEEK 3

Read the article “A Continent of Ice” before answering Numbers 1 through 5.

A Continent of Ice

Imagine a place with bone-chilling temperatures and blizzards so thick you cannot see your hand in front of your face. You try to perceive your surroundings, but all you see is endless ice. The nearest city is thousands of miles away. At the coast, huge ice shelves extend over the ocean. You might be able to see massive icebergs floating as you look toward the horizon. The place is Antarctica, a frozen continent surrounded by the Antarctic Ocean. Antarctica is located in the southern hemisphere of the globe. Daytime there lasts for six months, followed by six months of night. It is the coldest zone on Earth, and about 98 percent of the continent is covered with ice. Rocks and mineral resources lie under tons of ice. Even mountains are buried beneath enormous frozen layers. For example, if you stand at the South Pole—Earth’s most southern point—the ice beneath your feet is nearly two miles deep. The environment of Antarctica is extreme, and you might logically conclude that life could not exist there, but a surprising variety of plants, animals, and sea life make this frozen continent their home. About two percent of Antarctica is ice-free. Plant life can and does grow in these areas. The continent has only two kinds of flowering plants: a type of grass and an herb. Both grow on the west coast of a region called the Antarctic Peninsula. They can withstand the very cold, dry environment there, living at temperatures that would freeze other plants. Hardy plants called lichens and mosses can also survive in Antarctica’s coastal areas. These plants grow very close to the ground or along the surface of rocks. Algae and microscopic plants called diatoms live in the ocean surrounding the continent. Diatoms are made up of only one cell, but they are an important source of food for animal life in the ocean. The ocean around Antarctica is teaming with fascinating sea life. Tiny sea Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education creatures called krill form the basis of the Antarctic food chain. Krill feed on ocean plant life. In turn, squids, sea birds, and even several types of whales feed on krill. Baleen and blue whales actually migrate to the Antarctic Ocean each summer to feast on krill. Animals that do not eat krill still rely on it because smaller animals that do eat krill are one of their food sources.

GGOO OONN

Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Grade 6 25 UNIT 1 WEEK 3

A number of seals live around the Antarctic coast. Southern elephant seals depend on a diet of squid for survival, and they may dive to a depth of 400 meters in search of this food source! Other seals, like Weddell seals, live in holes or cracks in the ice. The seals crawl out of the holes to dive in the ocean in search of food. All of these Antarctic seals have thick layers of blubber to protect them from the freezing temperatures of the ocean. Antarctica is also home to many different species of birds, including albatrosses, cormorants, and gulls. Most of these birds migrate each year to the islands surrounding the continent. The islands are important to many of the birds’ life cycles. They are where the birds go to breed. Perhaps the most famous of the Antarctic birds is the penguin. Six different species of penguins live on the icy continent. Of these, the Emperor penguin is the largest, growing up to four feet tall. These penguins begin their breeding cycle in winter on the Antarctic coast. After a female penguin lays a single egg, her mate takes over, balancing the egg on his feet. The females go back to the ocean for up to two months to feed. Meanwhile, the males keep the eggs warm and safe. When the females return, they care for the newly hatched chicks. The male penguins are free to find food—for the first time in months! Penguins, seals, whales, lichens—all have adapted to life in Antarctica. They are able to survive in the Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education most extreme place on Earth. But even though it is extreme, Antarctica is far from desolate.

GGOO OONN

26 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Name: Date:

Now answer Numbers 1 through 5. Base your answers on “A Continent of Ice.”

1 Read the sentence from the article.

Antarctica is located in the southern hemisphere of the globe.

The word hemisphere includes the Greek roots hemi, meaning “half,” and sphero, meaning “sphere or ball.” What is a hemisphere?

A an area that is half of Earth

B a planet half the size of Earth C half an ocean that circles Earth D a continent that covers half of Earth

2 Which details from the article explain that the environment of Antarctica is extreme? Select three choices.

A Some plant life grows there.

B It has freezing temperatures. C It has a variety of animal life. D There are very heavy blizzards. E There are coastal areas around it. F It is almost entirely covered in ice. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

GGOO OONN

Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Grade 6 27 Name: Date:

3 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A: What is the main idea of the seventh paragraph of the article?

A Seals live all around the world. B Antarctica’s animals live on the coast. C There are different seals in Antarctica. D The animals in Antarctica depend on squid.

Part B: Which detail would best support the main idea of the paragraph?

A Animals live in Antarctica because it has a lot of ice. B Adelie penguins live farther south than most other penguins. C The temperature determines what type of animals live in Antarctica. D Crabeater seals are another seal variety swimming in Antarctic waters.

4 Read the excerpt from the article.

The islands are important to many of the birds’ life cycles. They are where the birds go to breed.

The origin of the word cycles is the Greek root cycl-, meaning “circle.” What type of cycle is being described in this excerpt?

GGOO OONN

28 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Name: Date:

5 Read the detail about the article.

The snow petrel, an Antarctic bird about the size of a pigeon, does not migrate long distances but moves north as winter sets in.

Circle the paragraph that the detail above would best support.

The ocean around Antarctica is teaming with fascinating sea life. Tiny sea creatures called krill form the basis of the Antarctic food chain. Krill feed on ocean plant life. In turn, squids, sea birds, and even several types of whales feed on krill. Baleen and blue whales actually migrate to the Antarctic Ocean each summer to feast on krill. Animals that do not eat krill still rely on it because smaller animals that do eat krill are one of their food sources.

Antarctica is also home to many different species of birds, including albatrosses, cormorants, and gulls. Most of these birds migrate each year to the islands surrounding the continent. The islands are important to many of the birds’ life cycles. They are where the birds go to breed.

Perhaps the most famous of the Antarctic birds is the penguin. Six different species of penguins live on the icy continent. Of these, the Emperor penguin is the largest, growing up to four feet tall. These penguins begin their breeding cycle in winter on the Antarctic coast. After a female penguin lays a single egg, her mate takes over, balancing the egg on his feet. The females go back to the ocean for up to two months to feed. Meanwhile, the males keep the eggs warm and safe. When the females return, they care for the newly hatched chicks. The male penguins are free to find food—for the first time in months! Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

Penguins, seals, whales, lichens—all have adapted to life in Antarctica. They are able to survive in the most extreme place on Earth. But even though it is extreme, Antarctica is far from desolate.

GGOO OONN

Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Grade 6 29 UNIT 1 WEEK 3

Read the article “Desert Life” before answering Numbers 6 through 10.

Desert Life

Imagine that you are standing in the middle of a great desert. With a telescope, you scan the land around you. Stretching out into the distance, you see nothing but sand, tumbleweeds, and strange-looking plants called cacti. Mountainous rock formations are scattered about in the distance. The sun blazes overhead, and the air is hot and dry. You are in the Sonoran Desert, which extends across the southwestern states of Arizona and California and into Mexico. Life in a Harsh Environment You take a drink from your canteen and remember that water is scarce in the desert. Suddenly a black cloud appears in the distance, and you must take cover! It is a dust storm, a cyclone of sand headed your way. High winds whip stinging sand through the air. Finally, the storm passes. How can anything survive in this harsh environment? A scientist studying in this desert would find a surprising variety of life to note in his or her log. The reason is that the Sonoran Desert gets more rainfall than most deserts. About 10 to 12 inches of rain fall on the desert each year. This is enough water to support more plant and animal species than any other desert on Earth. In addition, this desert has four distinct seasons. Temperatures range from summer highs over 100 degrees to as low as 32 degrees in winter. Plants and animals of the Sonoran Desert have adapted to the changing climate.

Desert Plants and Animals Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Cacti are abundant in the Sonoran Desert. The saguaro cactus, a tall plant with ribs that extend down its length, is probably the most well-known variety. Like other cacti, the saguaro has a shallow root system. When it rains, the roots are able to absorb as much water as possible, and quickly. The water is stored in the body of the plant. Storing water allows the cactus to survive the hot, dry environment. It also provides a source of water for animals that eat cacti. In the desert, water is precious and every drop is recycled. The desert is also home to several varieties of trees and shrubs. One example is the desert ironwood, which is the tallest tree in the Sonoran Desert. Its leaves form a canopy that provides a zone of shade and shelter to many desert animals.

GGOO OONN

30 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 UNIT 1 WEEK 3

Animals that live in the Sonoran Desert must adapt to its harsh conditions. The black-tailed jackrabbit, for example, uses its huge ears to survive. It can control the amount of blood that flows through its ears, which helps it absorb heat or cool off. Bighorn sheep have sharp eyesight and sturdy hooves that allow them to jump away from predators among the desert rocks. Some animals, such as the kangaroo rat, sleep in burrows during the day. They come out to feed at night, when it is cooler. And because they are cold-blooded, desert reptiles can adjust their body temperatures as the climate changes. The Desert Food Chain Every living thing in the Sonoran Desert is part of the desert food chain. Cacti and other desert plants form the base of the food chain. Rodents and birds such as doves and quail feed on the plants’ seeds. Insects that live around desert plants are another source of food. And jackrabbits, desert bighorn sheep, and pronghorns are among the animals that feed on desert wild flowers. Many of the smaller rodents and birds are preyed on by the meat-eating animals of the desert. Cactus owls and hawks circle in the desert air, watching for prey on which they can swoop down. Predators such as coyotes and mountain lions lurk in the desert brush. Even reptiles such as the Gila monster hide among the desert rocks, in search of birds’ eggs and small animals to eat. The Sonoran Desert might seem quiet and desolate at first glance, but it is home to hundreds of plants and animals that have adapted to this harsh environment. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

GGOO OONN

Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Grade 6 31 Name: Date:

Now answer Numbers 6 through 10. Base your answers on “Desert Life.”

6 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A: Read the excerpt from the article.

With a telescope, you scan the land around you. Stretching out into the distance, you see nothing but sand, tumbleweeds, and strange-looking plants called cacti.

The word telescope comes from the Greek roots tele- and scop-. Scop- means “to see.” What is the most likely meaning of tele-?

A far

B near C small D unusual

Part B: Why would someone use a telescope?

A to find something that is lost B to locate objects in the distance C to see the details of a small object D to break something into smaller parts Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education 7 Read the sentence from the article.

A scientist studying in this desert would find a surprising variety of life to note in his or her log.

The origin of the word log is the Greek root log-, meaning “word.” What does the word log mean in the sentence above?

A a written record B a tool for writing C a spoken account D a story to be told aloud

GGOO OONN

32 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Name: Date:

8 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B.

Part A: What is the main idea of the fourth paragraph?

A The saguaro cactus is found around the world. B There are many types of cacti found in deserts. C The saguaro cactus is suited to life in the Sonoran Desert. D Cacti can live in the desert because they do not need water.

Part B: Which detail from the paragraph best supports the main idea?

A The saguaro cactus can be tall. B The saguaro cactus is well-known. C The saguaro cactus is a type of plant. D The saguaro cactus stores water in its body.

9 Which text evidence supports the idea that every living thing in the Sonoran Desert is part of the desert food chain? Select two choices.

A Cacti are abundant in the Sonoran Desert. B Rodents and birds feed on desert plants and insects. C Bighorn sheep are able to jump away from predators. D The Sonoran Desert might seem quiet and empty at first. E Smaller rodents and birds are prey for meat-eating animals. F The desert ironwood provides shade and shelter for animals. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

GGOO OONN

Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Grade 6 33 Name: Date:

10 Choose the sentence that states the main idea of the article and write it in the chart. Then choose two sentences that support the main idea and write them in the chart.

Main Idea Supporting Details

Sentences: The desert has sand and tumbleweeds. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Cacti are a source of water for many desert animals. Cold-blooded desert animals can adjust body temperature. There are rock formations found in many parts of the desert. Life exists in the desert even though it is a harsh environment. There are summer temperatures and winter temperatures in the desert.

STOP

34 Grade 6 Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Name: Date:

Now answer Number 11. Base your answer on “A Continent of Ice” and “Desert Life.”

11 Identify a common main idea in “A Continent of Ice” and “Desert Life.” How is this main idea conveyed through the details in both articles? Support your answer with details from both texts.

Weekly Assessment • Unit 1, Week 3 Grade 6 35