Reading Standards for Informational Text > Explaining Events, Procedures, Ideas, or Concepts in Texts (CCSS.RI.4.3) Practice Test

Last fall, a hillside near Brook Creek was cleared of bushes to make room for a new path. Over the winter, heavy rains fell. Without roots to hold the dirt, the soil loosened and slid downhill. The water carried the loose soil into Brook Creek. By early spring, the creek looked brown instead of clear, and the water was not as deep in some places because mud piled up on the bottom. In response, volunteers planted native grasses to help hold the soil before the next storm.

Owls and hawks are both birds of prey, but they hunt in different ways. Hawks are daytime hunters. They soar in bright skies and spot mice and small birds with sharp eyesight. Owls usually hunt at night. Soft feathers help them fly silently so their prey cannot hear them coming. Both kinds of birds have hooked beaks and strong talons for catching and eating meat. While owls rely more on hearing in the dark, hawks depend on seeing movement in daylight. Even with these differences, both are skilled hunters.