Bats in Peril
Students will read a passage about bats and learn about the key role they play in various ecosystems. They will also learn about the threats they face from White-nose syndrome and wind turbines. Students will then answer questions about facts and main ideas.
Reading Comprehension Passage
Bats in Peril
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- ecosystems
- eliminate
- critical
- pollinate
- roosts
- habitat
- hibernating
- deter
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) “They play a very important role in ecosystems around the world”
a. farming b. life cycles c. biological communities d. markets or economies
2) “They help eliminate pests for farmers”
a. remove; get rid of b. attract or encourage c. identify; recognize d. develop
3) “Nectar-eating bats and fruit-eating bats play a critical role in desert and tropical ecosystems”
a. unusual; different b. scolding or condemning c. secret; unknown d. very important or vital
4) “Nectar-eating bats help pollinate plants in these environments”
a. harvest or gather b. fertilize; deposit pollen c. destroy or pollute d. locate; find
5) “The colony roosts under the Congress Avenue Bridge”
a. flies often b. eats or feeds c. hunts; searches d. rests; lives
6) “Habitat loss is the biggest threat facing bats worldwide”
a. home territory or environment b. food c. hearing or sound d. communication
7) “This disease attacks bats while they are hibernating during the winter”
a. hunting or feeding b. moving; migrating c. sleeping; lying dormant d. having pups
8) “studying whether sound can be used to deter bats from flying near wind turbines”
a. move around; redirect b. capture or catch c. discourage or prevent d. vaccinate