Name Date Selection

Test

Read the paired passages in your Student Edition and choose the best answer to each question.

Animal Wisdom
by Nancy Wood

The Last Wolf

by Mary TallMountain

1 In “Animal Wisdom,” which line from the text best supports the idea that Turtle doesn’t like to rush?

A Line 1
B Line 3
C Line 5
D Line 22

2 In “Animal Wisdom,” which phrase best summarizes what people felt was missing after their creation?

F Defending the Earth

G Taking time to explore
H Noticing beauty in nature
J Resolving disagreements

3 In which line from “Animal Wisdom” does the poet use personification?

A Line 7
B Line 19
C Line 21
D Line 27

Grade 6 1 Selection Test

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Name Date Selection
Test

4 Which animal described in “Animal Wisdom” would be most likely to ease tension during a
disagreement? Explain your answer, citing evidence from the text.

5 What is the best summary of lines 27–28 in “The Last Wolf”?

A The narrator acknowledges that humans have caused the destruction.

B The narrator acknowledges that the wolves have caused the destruction.
C The narrator expresses grief over the loss of the city.
D The narrator expresses grief over the loss of the other wolves.

Grade 6 2 Selection Test

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Name Date Selection
Test

6 Which detail should be added to the summary of “The Last Wolf”?

The wolf howled as it ran through

the city.

It ran through the blocks of rubble

and destroyed buildings.

The wolf lay his head on the

blanket and looked up at the poet.

F The wolf loudly howled when entering the house.

G The wolf became lost in the city.
H The wolf searched through the rubble of a building.
J The wolf entered the house and searched room by room.

7 In “The Last Wolf,” an example of an onomatopoeia is —

A baying
B quiet
C snuffle
D muzzle

8 In “The Last Wolf,” which line from the poem provides the reader with a visual image?

F Line 3
G Line 6
H Line 16
J Line 20

Grade 6 3 Selection Test

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Name Date Selection
Test

9 What is the author’s purpose in both “Animal Wisdom” and “The Last Wolf”? Mark the box or boxes
that match the purpose to one poem or both poems.

Selection
Purpose
“Animal Wisdom” “The Last Wolf”
To demonstrate that animals have feelings

To present a theme of conservation

To show how humans have caused ruin

To provide a message of hope

10 What is one difference in the way humans are portrayed in “Animal Wisdom” and “The Last Wolf”?

F Humans are destructive in “Animal Wisdom” and constructive in “The Last Wolf.”
G Humans are controlling in “Animal Wisdom” and passive in “The Last Wolf.”
H Humans are struggling in “Animal Wisdom” and commanding in “The Last Wolf.”
J Humans are part of the solution in “Animal Wisdom” and part of the problem in “The Last Wolf.”

11 At the end of both “Animal Wisdom” and “The Last Wolf,” what common theme is shared?

A The separation between nature and humans

B The differences between nature and humans
C The destruction of nature and humans
D The need for unity between nature and humans

12 How do the themes of “Animal Wisdom” and “The Last Wolf” differ? Explain your reasoning using evidence
from the texts.

Grade 6 4 Selection Test

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Answer Key: Compare: Animal
Wisdom / The Last Wolf
Item Correct Depth of
Number Answer Knowledge
1 C 2
2 H 2
3 B 2
The eagle would be a peacemaker. The eagle is described in the poem as stating, “What’s missing is laughter so that
4 3
arguments can be resolved without rancor.”
5 A 2
6 J 2
7 C 2
8 G 2
9 To demonstrate . . . : both; To present . . . : both; To show . . . : “The Last Wolf”; To provide . . . : “Animal Wisdom” 3
10 J 2
11 D 2
The theme of “Animal Wisdom” is a message of hope and interdependence of humans and animals. The last stanza
states, “When they realized they had something in common with animals, people began saying the same things. They
12 2
defended the Earth together.” The theme of “The Last Wolf” is despair from human destruction as shown in the final
stanza—“Yes, I said. I know what they have done.”

Grade 6 Ti Answer Key

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