Editorial Development: Bonnie Brook Communications

SKILL PRACTICE
Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
 1. The first paragraph of the passage is mostly about 
.
A 
why the durian fruit smells so bad
B 
where the durian is found and what it looks like
C 
how the durian fruit is cooked and eaten
D 
how people overlook the durian’s smell to 
appreciate its taste
 2. How is the durian’s smell useful to it?
A 
It attracts animals that spread its seeds.
B 
It attracts humans who pay large sums for it.
C 
It repels animals that would eat it.
D 
It attracts insects that pollinate it.
 3. The third paragraph of the passage is mostly
about 
.
A 
growing the durian
B 
selling the durian
C 
banning the durian
D 
eating the durian
 4. Why are durian trees threatened? 
A 
The fruit’s odor causes people to refuse to
grow them.
B 
Animals eat the fruit, which prevents the trees 
from reproducing.
C 
The trees take a long time to mature.
D 
Deforestation is occurring where the
trees grow. 
STRATEGY PRACTICE
List one or two words you found confusing in the passage, and describe how
you figured out their meanings.
 
Main Idea and Details
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10/31/12 7:35 AM

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120
Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3458 • © Evan-Moor Corp.
Name: 
WEEK 19
DAY 2
READ THE PASSAGE
Look for details that support the main ideas in the passage.
The Dutiful Mob
Meerkats are animals with unique characteristics that make them very popular with lovers of wildlife. 
They are cute, foot-high, furry mammals with dark eye markings that can make them look like they are 
wearing sunglasses. The creatures are communal and live in southern parts of Africa in groups of five to 
30. These meerkat communities are called “mobs” or “gangs,” though being aggressive is not one of their 
primary characteristics. Meerkats have even had their own reality show on cable television. So, what 
makes the meerkat so interesting and appealing to humans?
Meerkats’ communal living situation is their most intriguing and unusual trait. They live in grass-lined 
burrows, which they take turns defending. Some meerkats stand upright at sentry duty, watching for 
predators like jackals and eagles, while others help build new burrows, tend the sick or wounded, look for 
food, or babysit the babies, called pups. About once an hour, the meerkats change tasks. Researchers 
have not yet figured out exactly what signals the change, but each meerkat takes a turn at each job. These 
animals are extremely social and will often groom one another or play in small groups. Their unique barks 
and chirps appear to be a kind of communication, although researchers have yet to crack the meerkat 
vocalization code.
While this communal life seems harmonious, the mob is ruled by a single dominant female, who will 
make sure that other females do not reproduce too quickly. This ensures that there will be enough food for 
all and that the mob’s resources will not be overtaxed. The dominant female may take physical action to 
keep the others in line, but her actions guarantee that her mob will continue to prosper.