★Combine Information From Sources
Grade 5 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence
Circle the answer.
Read this first
Two Texts About Monarch Butterflies
Text 1: The Long Trip South
Every fall, millions of monarch butterflies leave Canada and the northern United States. They fly south to the mountains of central Mexico. Some travel nearly 3,000 miles. No single butterfly has made the trip before, yet each one finds its way. The journey takes about two months. Monarchs often ride rising warm air so they can glide without flapping.
Scientists think monarchs use the sun as a guide. They also seem to sense Earth's magnetic field, the way a compass does. When they reach Mexico, they cluster on fir trees high in the mountains. So many gather that the branches bend under their weight. They rest there through the winter and fly north again in spring.
Text 2: A Garden Stop for Monarchs
Monarch caterpillars can feed on only one kind of plant, milkweed. Female monarchs lay their eggs on its leaves. Without milkweed, there would be no new monarchs.
In many places, milkweed has disappeared. Fields have been turned into roads, lawns and farms. For many years, scientists have measured the forest area that wintering monarchs cover in Mexico. That area has shrunk a great deal over time.
People are helping by planting milkweed in yards and school gardens. Adult monarchs also need flowers for nectar. That nectar gives them energy for their long flights. A garden with milkweed and fall flowers can help monarchs at every stage of life. Some schools grow milkweed from seed and give the young plants to families.
What does Text 1 mainly explain?
- how to plant a garden that helps butterflies
- how monarchs travel to Mexico each fall
- why milkweed is disappearing
What does Text 2 mainly explain?
- where monarchs rest during winter
- how monarchs find their way south each fall
- what monarchs need and how people help
Which detail appears only in Text 1?
- Adult monarchs drink flower nectar.
- Monarch caterpillars feed only on milkweed.
- Monarchs may use the sun as a guide.
Which detail appears only in Text 2?
- Monarchs rest on fir trees in winter.
- Females lay their eggs on milkweed.
- Some monarchs fly nearly 3,000 miles.
Text 1 says monarchs fly very far. What does Text 2 add that connects to this?
- Monarchs sense Earth's magnetic field to find their way.
- Nectar gives monarchs energy for long flights.
- Branches bend under the monarchs' weight.
What do both texts tell about Mexico?
- Milkweed grows only there.
- Monarchs spend the winter there.
- Monarchs lay their eggs there.
