Read this passage about Komodo Then answer the questions that follow. Komodo Dragons Komodo dragons are monitor lizards. Dragons are scary monsters in stories, legends, and movies. But have you ever wondered if they were real? Imagine heading out for a day of fishing from an island. You and the other fishermen see another island that looks like a good fishing spot. When you get near the island, you see creatures as big as your little fishing boat that look like Are Dragons Real? In 1912, a group of fishermen who went to Komodo Island had a scary experience just like the one described. They spotted creatures that looked like When they returned home, the men told their dragon stories. The stories did not get a lot of attention until fourteen years later. In 1926, the American Museum of Natural History sponsored a trip back to Komodo. The expedition confirmed that the fishermen s stories were true. The expedition studied the creatures and even brought two of them back alive. The creatures were called Komodo T 17 Grade 4: https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/reading/journeys2014/na/gr4/assessment_guide_se_9780547895543_/launch.html 1/5
What Do Komodo Dragons Look Like? A Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard. The males and females look alike, except that the males are larger. Grown male lizards are about 9 feet long and weigh about 300 pounds. Female lizards are about 7 to 8 feet long and weigh about 150 pounds. A Komodo dragon has a lizard-like head and a long neck. It has a long, forked tongue. It also has sharp teeth for hunting and eating. A Komodo dragon is a fast runner. Its legs are short and strong. It also has a very strong sense of smell and can smell food from several miles away. What Do Komodo Dragons Eat? Komodo dragons eat meat. They hunt eggs, small deer, and wild pigs. They hide in the grass and wait. Then they lean out and bite the animal. A Komodo dragon can bring down a water buffalo. It also eats the meat of dead animals. Although Komodo dragons are not known to hunt humans, they have killed a few people. Where Do Komodo Dragons Live? Komodo dragons live in the wild, mainly on four islands in the country of Indonesia. They dig small caves. They spend daylight hours in these caves or in the shade under bushes. Komodo dragons also live in zoos. The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has a pair of Komodo These two dragons have hatched more Now you can see Komodo dragons in many zoos in the United States. 18 Grade 4: https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/reading/journeys2014/na/gr4/assessment_guide_se_9780547895543_/launch.html 2/5
Read each item. Mark your answer on the answer document. 37. Why do Komodo dragons most likely spend their daylight hours in caves or in the shade under bushes? A. Komodo dragons hide so they are not attacked by other animals. B. Komodo dragons do not like bright sunlight. C. Komodo dragons need a great deal of sleep. D. Komodo dragons are found only in Indonesia. 38. According to selection Komodo Dragons, what event confirmed that dragons really existed? Using the selection, tell when this event happened. (Write your answer on the lines below.) 39. Why did the author write Komodo Dragons? A. to tell about an unusual lizard B. to show that lizards do not make good pets C. to compare fairy tale dragons and Komodo dragons D. to entertain with a scary story about a Komodo dragon 40. Read this sentence from Komodo Dragons. The expedition confirmed that the fishermen s stories were true. Which dictionary definition best defines confirmed in this sentence? A. did something the same way B. took part in a religious event C. made sure of an appointment D. made sure something was correct 41. You can conclude that many zoos get their Komodo dragons from A. people who trap them in the wild. B. a special farm that raises C. the American Museum of Natural History. D. eggs hatched by the two dragons at the National Zoo. 19 Grade 4: https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/reading/journeys2014/na/gr4/assessment_guide_se_9780547895543_/launch.html 3/5
42. Which of these is an opinion of the author of Komodo Dragons? A. A Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard. B. A Komodo dragon can bring down a water buffalo. C. Dragons are scary monsters in stories, legends, and movies. D. Although Komodo dragons are not known to hunt humans, they have killed a few people. 43. Komodo dragons are named for A. the food they eat. B. the zoo that captured them. C. the person who discovered them. D. the place where they were first found. 44. How are female Komodo dragons different from males? A. Female dragons are smaller. B. Female dragons only eat plants. C. Female dragons have long necks. D. Female dragons have a strong sense of smell. STOP 20 Grade 4: https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/reading/journeys2014/na/gr4/assessment_guide_se_9780547895543_/launch.html 4/5
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