Directions: Read the following informative passages and complete the Review questions that follow each passage.
Have you ever seen a black and white cow? It is a Holstein cow. It originated in Europe and was developed specifically in the Netherlands. This cow comes from two breeds. The Batavians and the Friesians, who were migrant European tribes, first bred these cows. Dairy breeders throughout the world began searching for a good milk cow. A Massachusetts dairy breeder purchased one of these cows from a Dutch sailor who was bringing cargo to Boston in 1852. The cow gave such good production of milk that the breeder purchased more cows. Holsteins soon became an established cow breed in the Americas.
The Holstein breed is easily identified with its black and white markings. It is known for its great milk production. This is very important to dairy farmers. These cows are big animals. A Holstein's calf weighs about 90 pounds at birth. An adult female Holstein weighs somewhere around 1,500 pounds. It stands as tall as 58 inches from the shoulder.
A female Holstein is productive for about six years. The Holstein cow can be bred as early as 15 months. The gestation of a Holstein cow is typically nine months. Most Holstein cows are able to deliver their calves with little assistance. Once the baby is born, it is kept in a calf stall where it is bottle-fed. The mother is able to produce gallons of milk.
Review Part A
Directions: Choose the best answer for each of the questions below.
1. What could be another good title for this reading passage?
a. "The Holstein's Diet"
b. "The Holstein's Habitat"
c. "The Life of a Holstein Cow"
d. "Indigenous Animals of the Netherlands"
2. Which paragraph explains the history of the Holstein?
a. first paragraph
b. second paragraph
c. third paragraph
d. none of the above
3. Locate the statement below that is a fact from the passage.
a. The Holstein cow is an adorable animal.
b. The Holstein cow is a nocturnal animal.
c. The Holstein cow is productive for approximately six years.
d. The Holstein's life cycle is short.
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THE SEA HORSE
Directions: Read the following informative passage and complete the Review questions.
The sea horse is found living in tropical and temperate waters all around the world. This unusual-looking fish resembles a horse, which is how it got its name. This sea animal is truly a fish. It has a dorsal fin on the lower body and a pectoral fin on its head. It also has gills. This intriguing fish is endangered because it is overly hunted. The sea horse is used as medicine in Asian countries. Over 20 million sea horses are used each year for this purpose. The sea horse can also be kept in an aquarium under the right conditions. But outside of their natural environment, most sea horses are not able to survive.
The sea horse is known for its peculiar looks, but it is also different in how it reproduces. The male sea horse is the one that becomes pregnant. It takes anywhere from ten days to six weeks for the baby sea horses to develop. At least a hundred babies are born at this time but only a few will mature to adulthood. One of the best ways the sea horse is able to survive is by hiding. A sea horse uses camouflage as a form of protection.
There are at least 30 different types of sea horses. They range in size from about an inch to a foot long. There are a variety of colors and patterns found on sea horses. Some are beige and brown while others are bright orange or purple. The sea horse's diet consists of krill, zooplankton, and other tiny animals.
Review Part B
Directions: Choose the best answer for each of the questions below.
1. Why does the author say that sea horses are interesting animals?
a. They eat krill.
b. They are related to the sea dragoon.
c. They have interesting looks and the males reproduce.
d. They are made up of mostly water.
2. What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
a. the diet of the sea horse
b. the enemies of the sea horse
c. the color of the sea horse
d. the reproduction of the sea horse
3. What is the meaning of the word 'temperate' in the first paragraph?
a. settled
b. unconcerned
c. bothered
d. moderate