Editorial Development: Bonnie Brook Communications

Auditory
Nerve
Cochlea
Hammer
Pinna
Stirrup
Anvil
(connects to the throat)
Visual Information
3458.indb 79
10/31/12 7:34 AM

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80
Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3458 • © Evan-Moor Corp.
WEEK 12
DAY 4
Name: 
READ THE PASSAGE
Read the passage and study the graph to learn how acid rain affects wildlife.
Acid Rain
The term “acid rain” describes any kind of 
precipitation that carries unusually high levels of 
nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids are often 
caused by industrial pollution, such as what coal 
releases when burned for electricity. 
Acid rain can be harmful for many forms of 
wildlife. The graph shows how much acid some 
animals that live in water can stand. The chemistry 
term 
pH
indicates the amount of acid in a body of 
water. The more acid there is, the lower the pH 
level. While lakes usually have a pH level of 6.0 or 
higher, acid rain causes the lakes to become more 
acidic, which lowers pH levels. Some animals can 
survive in very acidic water. Other animals are 
more sensitive and cannot tolerate as much acid.
SKILL PRACTICE
Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
 1. What is the lowest pH a perch can tolerate?
A 
4.0
B 
4.5
C 
5.5
D 
6.5
 2. Which of these animals can tolerate the
most acid?
A 
trout
B 
clams
C 
frogs
D 
mayflies
 3. A lake has a pH of 5.5. How many of the animals 
on the graph could survive in that lake?
A 
two
B 
three
C 
four
D 
seven