Read the article Treasured Turtles before answering Numbers 1 through 5. UNIT 3 WEEK 5 Treasured Turtles Have you ever seen a sea turtle? Unlike their much smaller cousins on land, these turtles can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. The largest species, the leatherback, can be eight feet long! Nesting season in the United States extends from about March until October. A female turtle makes several nests in one season. At the appropriate time, when her eggs are ready, she drags her heavy shell onshore and digs a nest in the warm sand with her back flippers. She lays 50 to 150 eggs about the size of ping pong balls. Then, she covers them with sand and makes her way back to the sea. After about two months in the warm sand, the eggs hatch in the middle of the night. The babies, called hatchlings, climb out of the sand and are on their own. In the darkness, the two-inch-long hatchlings scurry across the beach and dash into the ocean, dodging birds, crabs, and other predators along the way. The hatchlings live in floating seaweed near shore for several years, and as the turtles grow, they move out to coastal waters. A sea turtle may live for 60 years or more. Streamlined and powerful, these turtles have graced our oceans for millions of years, but their days on Earth may be numbered. Six species of sea turtles swim in the waters surrounding the United States or nest on our beaches. Sadly, all six are threatened or endangered. Threatened means that a species is likely to become endangered. An endangered species may become extinct, disappearing forever. Sea turtles are protected by law in the United States. However, they still face many dangers. Every year, thousands of sea turtles are accidentally caught in fishing nets and drown. Wastes dumped into the ocean often contaminate and poison the waters where the turtles live. Many die after eating plastic or other trash, thinking it is food. Light pollution also threatens the hatchlings. Store lights, headlights, and street lights can confuse the newly hatched turtles. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5 Grade 6 149
UNIT 3 WEEK 5 Many people are working to protect the turtles. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps safeguard nesting beaches. The National Marine Fisheries Service helps to protect the water. Volunteer groups also patrol nesting beaches. In addition, these groups educate people about how lights affect the turtles. If you live near a beach or vacation there, find out whether it is a nesting location for sea turtles. If so, follow these tips to protect turtles: Do not leave beach furniture or other obstacles on the beach. Keep plastic bags and other trash off the beach and out of the water. Turn off lights near the beach. At night, cover windows. Do not disturb adult turtles, hatchlings, nests, or nest markers. Working together, we can help ensure that sea turtles will swim in our oceans and nest on our beaches for millions of years to come. 150 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5
Now answer Numbers 1 through 5. Base your answers on Treasured Turtles. 1 Read the sentence from the article. At the appropriate time, when her eggs are ready, she drags her heavy shell onshore and digs a nest in the warm sand with her back flippers. Which word means the opposite of appropriate? A late B simple C usual D wrong 2 Read the paragraph from the article. After about two months in the warm sand, the eggs hatch in the middle of the night. The babies, called hatchlings, climb out of the sand and are on their own. In the darkness, the two-inch-long hatchlings scurry across the beach and dash into the ocean, dodging birds, crabs, and other predators along the way. The hatchlings live in floating seaweed near shore for several years, and as the turtles grow, they move out to coastal waters. A sea turtle may live for 60 years or more. Based on the paragraph, what is true? A Sea turtles are in danger as soon as they hatch. B Sea turtles are carried to sea by crabs and birds. C Sea turtles are fed by their mother for a few years. D Sea turtles lay their eggs in the middle of the night. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5 Grade 6 151
3 Read the sentence from the article. Wastes dumped into the ocean often contaminate and poison the waters where the turtles live. Which word means the same as contaminate? A begin B control C deliver D pollute 4 Choose two details from the article that tell how people harm sea turtles. Write the details in the chart. How People Harm Sea Turtles Details: People use fishing nets in the ocean. People patrol sea turtle nesting beaches. People use many lights near nesting beaches. People have labeled sea turtles as endangered. People have created laws against hunting sea turtles. 152 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5
5 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A: What is the main idea of the article? A Sea turtles need our protection. B Sea turtles lead mysterious lives. C Sea turtles can teach people how to live. D Sea turtles depend on people to get to the sea. Part B: Which sentence from the article states the main idea? A Six species of sea turtles swim in the waters surrounding the United States or nest on our beaches. B C D An endangered species may become extinct, disappearing forever. If you live near a beach or vacation there, find out whether it is a nesting location for sea turtles. Working together, we can help ensure that sea turtles will swim in our oceans and nest on our beaches for millions of years to come. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5 Grade 6 153
UNIT 3 WEEK 5 Read the article In Your Own Backyard before answering Numbers 6 through 10. In Your Own Backyard Most people know that today, many species of animals are endangered. Some animal populations are so small that they may soon become extinct. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists about 400 endangered animals in the United States. In addition, hundreds more species are at risk of becoming endangered. Some animals have been hunted almost to extinction. More importantly, people have destroyed many animals habitats through draining, logging, and land clearing. Poor farming and ranching practices have also ruined habitats. Many people believe there is not much that one person or family can do to protect wildlife. They may think that wildlife protection is a job for scientists, zoos, and governments. They may also think that wildlife protection happens in national parks or far away in other countries. Although people worry about chimpanzees, condors, and pandas, they may not give much thought to wildlife at home. This is understandable. People do not want raccoons rummaging in their garbage or squirrels scampering in their attics. But neither do they want a world without butterflies, birds, amphibians, and insects. Some destructive practices have become so embedded in society that they are now part of our normal habits. What is more, these practices are happening right in our own backyards. Some people are now reconsidering what makes a perfect backyard. They are digging up their big lawns and replacing the grass with native trees and plants. They are also designing backyards as homes for animals. The right balance of plants can provide everything animals need food, shelter, clean water, and a place to raise their young. For example, some people are putting in evergreen trees, which have leaves yearround, to provide homes for animals. Other beneficial plants include trees and shrubs that grow fruits and nuts, providing food. Flowering plants invite birds and insects. A balanced backyard will soon abound with numerous bees, beautiful butterflies, helpful insects, and small animals. 154 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5
UNIT 3 WEEK 5 Both natural and human-made objects encourage animals to move into the backyard. Leaving dead, dying, or hollow trees in the yard may seem odd, but they become homes for hundreds of animals. Some people dig ponds and erect birdbaths that serve as a source of clean, fresh water for animals. They also attract aquatic animals. Near the pond, rocks piled in the sun can become a resting place for frogs and lizards. Another rock can serve as a spot for butterflies to warm up on a cool morning. Some people are not convinced they can do anything. They may speculate that they cannot help wildlife because they do not have backyards, but they are making a mistake. Animals live everywhere, not just in backyards. Anyone can pick up trash in the park and recycle cans and bottles. Anyone can turn lights off and conserve water. These small changes can be vital for the health of wildlife. By analyzing and changing a few daily habits, we can make room in the world for more than just people. Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5 Grade 6 155
Now answer Numbers 6 through 10. Base your answers on In Your Own Backyard. 6 Which sentence from the first paragraph explains why some animals are close to extinction? A Most people know that today, many species of animals are endangered. B Some animal populations are so small that they may soon become extinct. C The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists about 400 endangered animals in the United States. D More importantly, people have destroyed many animals habitats through draining, logging, and land clearing. 7 Read the paragraph from the article. Some people are now reconsidering what makes a perfect backyard. They are digging up their big lawns and replacing the grass with native trees and plants. They are also designing backyards as homes for animals. The right balance of plants can provide everything animals need food, shelter, clean water, and a place to raise their young. For example, some people are putting in evergreen trees, which have leaves year-round, to provide homes for animals. Other beneficial plants include trees and shrubs that grow fruits and nuts, providing food. Flowering plants invite birds and insects. A balanced backyard will soon abound with numerous bees, beautiful butterflies, helpful insects, and small animals. What is the main idea of the paragraph? A Planting trees saves wildlife. B Picking up trash helps protect wildlife. C Objects can provide shelter for wildlife. D Backyards can be healthy habitats for wildlife. 156 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5
8 Read the sentence from the article. Some destructive practices have become so embedded in society that they are now part of our normal habits. Which word means almost the same as embedded? A completed B enjoyed C established D prepared 9 Read the sentence from the article. Other beneficial plants include trees and shrubs that grow fruits and nuts, providing food. Fill in the chart. Write two synonyms of beneficial. Then write two antonyms of beneficial. Use the list below. Synonyms of Beneficial Antonyms of Beneficial Words: dangerous graceful helpful good harmful unhappy Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5 Grade 6 157
10 This question has two parts. First, answer part A. Then, answer part B. Part A:What is the main idea of the article? A A grassy lawn can be home to wildlife. B C D People can make changes that protect wildlife. People everywhere can create backyard habitats. Governments want to protect endangered wildlife. Part B: Which sentence from the article best states the main idea? A Although people worry about chimpanzees, condors, and pandas, they may not give much thought to wildlife at home. B Both natural and human-made objects encourage animals to move into the backyard. C Animals live everywhere, not just in backyards. D By analyzing and changing a few daily habits, we can make room in the world for more than just people. STOP 158 Grade 6 Approaching-Level Weekly Assessment Unit 3, Week 5