Making Meaning Grade 3
Unit 5
Exploring Nonfiction
Directions: Read the selection and answer the questions.
Groundhogs
Groundhogs
Groundhogs are rodents, like squirrels, mice, and rats. Groundhogslove to eat and eat and eat! Groundhogs eat plants and flowers. Theyalso love to eat fruits and vegetables.
Groundhogs dig burrowsunderground. Groundhogshibernate in their burrows inwinter. When they’re sleepingin their burrows, they staywarm and safe from danger.
In the spring, groundhogbabies are born. Babygroundhogs are called pups.They like to play games witheach other. Mother groundhogkeeps watch. If she seesdanger, she makes a loudnoise. When the pups hearthe noise, they dive back into the burrow. Safe and sound!
Mother groundhog protects her pup.
Making Meaning Grade 3
Unit 5
Exploring Nonfiction
Name ______Date ______
1Any of these words could describe groundhogs in the selection“Groundhogs.” Choose the word you think best describes groundhogsin the selection.
Busy Hungry Safe
Use two details from the selection to support your choice.
______
2In the selection “Groundhogs,” which idea does the authordiscuss last?
A. Groundhogs are born in spring.
B. Groundhogs burrow underground.
C. Groundhogs hibernate in winter.
Making Meaning Grade 3
Unit 5
Exploring Nonfiction
Directions: Read this selection, which goes with the selection youjust read. Then answer the questions.
The Burrowers
Watch your step!Beneath your feet, animals live, sleep, and eatin snug underground homes.
Prairie Dogs
Prairie dogs are squirrel-like animals. Theyoften dig holes across a big area and connectthe holes with tunnels and rooms. So theburrows become a town. The holes provide safehiding places from badgers, coyotes, and eagles.
Prairie dogs are about twelve inches high.Unlike dogs, they eat plants. They got theirname because their warning cry sounds likea bark.
Prairie Dogs
Earthworms
There are over one thousand different kinds ofworms known as earthworms. They live in loosesoil with rotting plants mixed in. Earthworms’color is often pale red or brown. Some are big, andsome are small.
Earthworms eat the tiny bits of food they findas they dig holes. This loosens the soil and helpsplants to grow. Some earthworms live ten years.
Earthworms
Badgers
American badgers live in the westernUnited States. Their homes are deepburrows dug into hillsides.
Badgers have black markings on theirfaces and backs. They are also very low tothe ground and have short legs. They usepowerful arms and sharp nails to dig intothe homes of other animals they eat.Gophers and mice are favorite meals.
Badger
3Which sentence states the most important idea in the selection “TheBurrowers”?
A. Underground creatures eat the same foods.
B. Many creatures live in homes underground.
C. Creatures that live underground bark as a warning.
4According to the selection “The Burrowers,” which sentence tells howearthworms and badgers are different?
A. Earthworms live in plants; badgers live in the easternUnited States.
B. Earthworms are red or brown; badgers have black markings.
C. Earthworms dig holes in hillsides; badgers dig holes inloose soil.
5Based on the selection “Groundhogs” and the selection “TheBurrowers,” what happens when prairie dogs and groundhogs knowthere is danger?
A. They play dead.
B. They attack the enemy.
C. They hide in their holes.
6 The author’s purpose for writing the selection “Groundhogs” mayhave been to tell the reader about animals that live underground.Use two details from “Groundhogs” that support this idea.
______
The author’s purpose for writing the selection “The Burrowers” mayhave
been to tell the reader about animals that live underground.Use two details from “The Burrowers” that support this idea.
______
Making Meaning Grade 3
Unit 5
Exploring Nonfiction
Reading Rubric
Grade: / 3 / Pilot Year: / 2004 / Released Year / 2005Passage Title: / Groundhogs / Strand and Target / IC13 / Sample Test Question Number: / 1
Any of these words could describe groundhogs in the selection “Groundhogs.” Choose the word you think best describes groundhogs in the selection.
Busy Hungry Safe
Use two details from the selection to support your choice.
0 points / No answers1 point / A 1-point response states or implies which words best describes groundhogs in the
selection, and provides one text-based detail to support the choice.
2 points / A 2-point response states or implies which word best describes groundhogs in the
selection, and provides two text-based details to support the choice.
Examples:
Busy: Groundhogs are making burrows. They are playing games.
Hungry: Groundhogs love to eat. They eat plants, flowers, fruits, and veggies.
Safe: Groundhogs sleep in their burrows. Mother groundhog keeps watch.
Text-based details may include but are not limited to:
Busy/Hungry/Safe:
A. They love to eat.
B. They eat plants/flowers.
C. They eat fruits/vegetables.
D. Make/dig burrows/holes.
E. They sleep in their burrows/stay warm.
F. They like to play games with each other.
G. In spring, groundhog babies are born.
H. Mother groundhog keeps watch/protects her pup.
I. If she sees danger, she makes a loud noise.
J. Pups dive back into burrow.
2In the selection “Groundhogs,” which idea does the authordiscuss last?1 points / Answer is A.
3Which sentence states the most important idea in the selection “TheBurrowers”?
1 points / Answer is B.
4According to the selection “The Burrowers,” which sentence tells howearthworms and badgers are different?
1 points / Answer is B.
5Based on the selection “Groundhogs” and the selection “TheBurrowers,” what happens when prairie dogs and groundhogs knowthere is danger?
1 points / Answer is C.
Grade: / 3 / Pilot Year: / 2004 / Released Year / 2005
Passage Title: / Groundhogs/The Burrowers / Strand and Target / IC19 / Sample Test Question Number: / 6
The author’s purpose for writing the selection “Groundhogs” may have been to tell the
reader about animals that live underground. Use two details from “Groundhogs” that
support this idea.
The author’s purpose for writing the selection “The Burrowers” may have been to tell
the reader about animals that live underground. Use two details from “TheBurrowers” that support this idea.
4 points / A 4-point response provides• one text-based detail from “Groundhogs” that tells the reader about animals that
live underground
• a second text-based detail from “Groundhogs” that tells the reader about animals
that live underground
• one text-based detail from “The Burrowers” that tells the reader about animals that
live underground
• a second text-based detail from “The Burrowers” that tells the reader about animals
that live underground
Example: Groundhogs dig burrows underground. Groundhogs hibernate in their
burrows in the winter. Prairie dogs dig holes that connect. Earthworms eat tiny bits of food as they dig holes
3 points / A 3-point response provides two text-based details from one selection and one text-based detail from the other selection that tell the reader about animals that live underground.
2 points / A 2-point response provides two text-based details from one selection or one text-based
detail from each of the two selections that tell the reader about animals that live underground
1 point / A 1-point response provides one text-based detail from one of the selections that tells
the reader about animals that live underground.
.
Text-based details may include, but are not limited to:
Groundhogs:
A. Dig burrows underground.
B. Hibernate in their burrows in winter.
C. Sleep in their burrows.
D. Pups dive into the burrow for safety.
The Burrowers:
AA. “Animals live, sleep, and eat in snug underground homes.”
BB. Prairie dogs dig holes across wide areas.
CC. Prairie dogs connect the holes with tunnels and rooms, forming towns.
DD. Prairie dogs hide from badgers, coyotes, and eagles.
EE. Earthworms live in loose soil/rotting plants.
FF. Earthworms eat the tiny bits of food they find as they dig holes.
GG. Badgers dig deep holes into hillsides.
HH. Badgers use powerful arms and sharp nails to dig into the homes of other animals
they eat.