Read the passage from “The Wild Horses of Assateague Island.” Then answer the
questions
Read the passage. Then answer the questions.
from “The Wild Horses of Assateague Island”
A National Treasure
1
The wild horses of Assateague Island are descendants of domesticated
animals brought to the island over 300 years ago. Horses tough enough to
survive the scorching heat, abundant insects, stormy weather and food quality
food found on this windswept barrier island have formed a unique wild horse
society. Enjoy their beauty from a distance, and you can help make sure these
extraordinary wild horses will continue to thrive on Assateague Island.
2
“My treasures do not click together or glitter. –They gleam in the sun and
neigh in the night.” –Bedouin proverb.
Where did they come from?
Were the horses shipwreck survivors…
3
Local folklore describes the Assateague horses as survivors of a shipwreck
DC -off
4ththe
Grade
Virginia coast. While this dramatic tale of struggle and survival is
popular, there are no records yet that confirm it.
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English Language Arts
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…or settlers’ horses?
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…or settlers’ horses?
4
5
6
During the 17th century free-roaming horses, cows, sheep and pigs caused
expensive crop damage to local farms. Farmers were required to pay taxes on
all mainland livestock and fence them in.
Like people of the 21st century, these resourceful coastal residents looked for
ways to avoid paying this tax. They turned to nearby Assateague Island with its
abundance of food, shelter and a natural “corral” made of water to solve their
problem.
It is likely that modern Assateague horses are descendants of those hardy
animals turned loose on the island to graze tax-free.
Living the wild life in Maryland
7
Assateague’s horses are uniquely adapted to survive on a barrier island. How
do they do it?
What do they eat?
8
The horses spend most of their time grazing on abundant but nutrient-poor
DC - 4th
Grade
saltmarsh cordgrass, saltmeadow hay and beach grass. The horses’ short
stature is a result of hundreds of years of adaptation to this low quality diet.
Genetically they are considered horses, even though they are now pony size.
9
The Assateague horses drink over twice the amount of water that
domesticated horses will due to their salty food supply. All that drinking
combined with a high salt diet contributed to their bloated appearance.
Where
they live
throughout the year?
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Language
Arts
Copyright 2014-2015 The Achievement Network Corp. All Rights Reserved.
Spring brings cool, rainy weather and fresh plant growth to the island. Many
of the horses live in the marshes close to their best food sources. Foals are
usually born in late spring and live with their mothers in a family group called
a “band.” Each band is usually made up of 2-10 mares, their offspring, and a
stallion.
11
Hot, humid, and full of insects, summer brings a new set of challenges. The
horses escape the mosquitoes and flies of the marsh by spending more time
on the beach and in the surf, letting the refreshing ocean breezes carry away
airborne pests. Cooler fall weather and fewer insects allow the bands to move
from the beaches back to the marshes and their abundant grasses.
12
The horses prefer to browse in shrub thickets during the damp, chilly, winter
season. Their thick, furry coats will protect them from ferocious winter winds
and the occasional snowstorm.
10
Do they receive veterinary care?
13
While action may be taken to end the suffering of a gravely ill, seriously
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Page 52
12
The horses prefer to browse in shrub thickets during the damp, chilly, winter
season. Their thick, furry coats will protect them from ferocious winter winds
and the occasional snowstorm.
Do they receive veterinary care?
While action may be taken to end the suffering of a gravely ill, seriously
injured, or dying horse, no measures are taken to prolong the lives of
Maryland’s wild horses. As with other species of Assateague wildlife, horses
that are sick or weak do not survive. This helps maintain a hardy, healthy
population of wild horses.
14
Virginia’s horses are privately owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire
Department and receive some veterinary care.
13
Where can you see the wild horses?
In Maryland
Maryland’s horses are owned and managed by the National Park Service.
are free-roaming wildlife and could be anywhere in the park. During the
DC - 4thThey
Grade
summer months many bands can be found on the beach. You can often see the
horses and other wildlife by driving slowly along park roads. The “Life of the
15
Forest” and “Life of the Marsh” trails are good places to look, especially during
spring, fall, and winter seasons.
16
Do not feed or pet the horses. Horses that learn to come up to the road are
and killed
by cars.
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Language
Arts
Copyright 2014-2015 The Achievement Network Corp. All Rights Reserved.
In Virginia
Virginia’s horses are privately owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire
Department and are fenced in large enclosures.
18
Look for the horses in the marshes along Beach Road and from the
observation platform on the Woodland Trail
17
Texts and photographs from “The Wild Horses of Assateague Island,” National Park Service, US Department of the Interior
From: Achievement Network DC: 4th Grade ELA
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Page 53
1. This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.
Part A
Read the sentence from the passage below:
Assateague’s horses are uniquely adapted to survive on barrier island.
What does the word adapted mean as it is used in the sentence? Highlight your
answer.
A. chosen because of a gentle manner
B. chosen to fit certain conditions
C. cared for because of harsh living conditions
D. colored in order to match the surroundings
Part B
Which sentence from “The Wild Horse of Assateague Island” best shows the meaning
of adapted as it is used in the article? Highlight your answer.
A. “Genetically they are considered horses, even though they are now pony
size.”
B. “Many of the horses live in the marshes close to their best food sources.”
C. “Foals are usually born in the late spring…”
D. “This helps maintain a hardy, healthy population of wild horses.”
2. Which statement provides the best explanation of why the Assateague horses have
survived on the barrier island for so long? Highlight your answer.
A. The townspeople have kept the horses as pets for many years.
B. The horses are protected when visitors drive cautiously.
C. The horses adjusted to the island.
D. The fire department provides the horses with some veterinary care.
3. Select three ways the horses solved the problems listed in the chart. Then select
three outcomes of the problems. Complete the chart be rewriting one phrase from
the article into each box of the chart.
List of phrases from the article:









Problem
salty grass
stormy weather
poor quality
food
“…spend most of their time grazing”
“…they are considered horses…”
“…they are not pony size”
“…drink over twice the amount of water…”
“…bloated appearance.”
“…cool, rainy weather and fresh plant growth”
“… live with their mothers in a family group”
“…prefer to browse in shrub thickets…”
“…thick, furry coats”
How the horses solve the
problem
The outcome for the horses
4. Which sentence best describes the author’s main idea in paragraph 11? Highlight
your answer.
A. Some times of year are harder for the horses than others.
B. The horses live in different areas based on the challenges of each time of
year.
C. Mosquitoes and flies are a main challenge for the horses.
D. In the fall, the horses live in the marshes because of the abundant grass.
5. Read the sentence from the passage below.
The “Life of the Forest” and “Life of the Marsh” trails are good places to
look, especially during spring, fall, and winter seasons.
What conclusion can be drawn about why the summer is not the best time to visit
these trails? Use evidence from the passage to support your answer.
Type your response here
6. How does the author mainly organize the information in “Wild Horses of
Assateague Island”? Highlight your answer.
A. by stating a question and then explaining the answer
B. by stating a point of view and then comparing ideas
C. by explaining the causes and effects of an event
D. by explaining events in the order that they happen
7. The author uses a word that means having a large amount of something. Circle the
word that is closest to that idea.
The wild horses of Assateague Island are descendants of domesticated
animals brought to the island over 300 years ago. Horses tough enough to survive
the scorching heat, abundant insects, stormy weather and food quality food found
on this windswept barrier island have formed a unique wild horse society. Enjoy
their beauty from a distance, and you can help make sure these extraordinary wild
horses will continue to thrive on Assateague Island.
Read the
titled
“Wild
Poniesthe
of Chincoteague.”
Then answer the questions.
Read
thearticle
passage.
Then
answer
questions.
Wild Ponies of Chincoteague
by Anika Brynn Jenkins
1
The last Wednesday and Thursday of every July are amazing days at
DC - 4th
Grade
Chincoteague (SHING-kuh-teeg). That’s pony-penning time on this island just
off the coast of Virginia.
2
The ponies normally live wild on nearby Assateague Island. To keep the
herd from getting too big, some new foals are sold each year at auction on
Chincoteague. To get there, the ponies are rounded up and herded across the
narrow channel between the two islands.
Wednesday Morning—Really Early!
DC - 4th Grade
My family and I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to drive to Chincoteague.
I was so excited, I jumped out of bed. The drive from out home in Virginia
Beach was just two hours, but it seemed like a week.
4
After we got there, we took a small boat into the channel. The weather was
wet and dreary, and I felt like an icicle as raindrops fell cold against my cheeks.
But in my mind I was dancing! All I could think was, It’s almost time for the
ponies to cross!
5
First I heard faint whinnying sounds drifting through the salty air. Then I
could see the ponies on the Assateague shore. The “Saltwater Cowboys” were
rounding them up. I loved the ponies at first sight! I wondered if they were
thinking, What’s happening? Where are we going?
6
The cowboys waited for a bit for the tide to change. Meanwhile, I imagined
The cowboys
a bitafor
the tide to change. Meanwhile,
myself flying6 through
thewaited
windforon
black-and-white
mare.I imagined
Oh, how I wished
myself flying through the wind on a black-and-white mare. Oh, how I wished
I could have a Ihorse
like
that!
allallof
sudden,
I aheard
a shout
from the
could have
a horse
like Then,
that! Then,
of aasudden,
I heard
shout from
the
crowd
on
the
Chincoteague
shore.
I
nearly
jumped
overboard
with
excitement!
crowd on the Chincoteague shore. I nearly jumped overboard with excitement!
The ponies were stepping into the channel.
The ponies were stepping into the channel.
3
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English Language Arts
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DC - 4th Grade
After the crossing, the ponies had a chance to rest. Some slept, and some of
the foals suckled their mothers’ milk. They were getting their strength back
for
next event.
7 the
Before
I knew it, pony heads were bobbing in the water. The swim across
DCthe
- 4th pony
Grade parade to the carnival grounds, where we would
10
That
would
be
the channel
didn’t
take long, but I wish it could have lasted a lifetime. It was so
watch
the
auction.
I
could
see a ferris
a roller coaster, but I kept
beautiful that I took a photograph
of wheel
it in myand
mind.
going. I wanted7 only
to see the ponies. The cowboys were herding them
Before I knew it, pony heads were bobbing in the water. The swim across
Goingright
to Town
the channel didn’t take long, but I wish it could have lasted a lifetime. It was so
down Main Street!
8
beautiful that I took a photograph of it in my mind.
8
10
After the
crossing,
Going
to Town the ponies had a chance to rest. Some slept, and some of
the foals suckled their mothers’ milk. They were getting their strength back
8
After the crossing, the ponies had a chance to rest. Some slept, and some of
for the next event.
the foals suckled their mothers’ milk. They were getting their strength back
next event.
That would be for
thethepony
parade to the carnival grounds, where we would
10
That would be the pony parade to the carnival grounds, where we would
watch the auction.
I could
a ferris
wheel
roller
coaster,
but I kept
watch the
auction.see
I could
see a ferris
wheeland
and aaroller
coaster,
but I kept
going.
I wanted
only
to see
the ponies.
Thecowboys
cowboys were
herding
them them
going. I wanted
only
to see
the
ponies.
The
were
herding
right down Main Street!
right down Main Street!
My sisters and I sloshed through the mud to get to the corral where the
ponies were held15 forMythe
auction. I couldn’t believe it when I got to pet a
sisters and I sloshed through the mud to get to the corral where the
brown-and-white foal
through
fence.
like
loveit when
itself!
was
ponies
were heldthe
for the
auction.ItI felt
couldn’t
believe
I got His
to pet coat
a
brown-and-white
foal
through
the
fence.
It
felt
like
love
itself!
His
coat
was
coarse and smelled like
a salty sea breeze. I was surprised that his nose felt
coarse and smelled like a salty sea breeze. I was surprised that his nose felt
so soft, like velvet. soI imagined
him
thinking,
Can ICan
goI go
home
you?
soft, like velvet.
I imagined
him thinking,
home with
with you?
20
I got
to ride a tame Chincoteague
When
I firstclimbed
climbed on, on,
a
20
Later, I got to ride
aLater,
tame
Chincoteague
pony. pony.
When
I first
a
shiver of excitement went down my spine. He was ready to go, and I wanted
shiver of excitementtowent
down
gallop away
withmy
him.spine. He was ready to go, and I wanted
15 gallop
My away
sisterswith
and Ihim.
sloshed through the mud to get to the corral where the
to
ponies were held for the auction. I couldn’t believe it when I got to petGOaON >
brown-and-white
foal
through the fence. It felt like love itself! His coat
English Language
Arts
Pagewas
59
coarse Copyright
and smelled
like aNetwork
salty
sea
I was surprised that his nose felt GO ON >
2014-2015 The Achievement
Corp. All
Rightsbreeze.
Reserved.
so soft, like velvet. I imagined him thinking, Can I go home with you?
English Language
ArtsI got to ride a tame Chincoteague pony. When I first climbed on, a Page 59
20
Later,
Copyright 2014-2015 The Achievement Network Corp. All Rights Reserved.
shiver of excitement went down my spine. He was ready to go, and I wanted
to gallop away with him.
15
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English Language Arts
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Page 59
Day of the Auction
12 DayThere
so
Auction
of the were
many people at the auction, I couldn’t see what was
happening. I had to stand on the tiptoes to get a glimpse of each foal that was
There were so many people at the auction, I couldn’t see what was
12
brought
out. But I could hear the bidding and the crowd going wild. When the
happening. I had to stand on the tiptoes to get a glimpse of each foal that was
price was
as high
as Iitcould
could
auctioneer
yelled,
Then
the another
wild. When
going“Sold!”
and the crowd
bidding
the the
heargo,
out. But
brought
another
Then
the auctioneer
it could
as high
price was
foal would
come
out,asand
thego,
bidding
wouldyelled,
start“Sold!”
all over
again.
again.
over
all
start
would
bidding
the
and
out,
come
would
foal
13
After it was over, we visited Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on
After it was over, we visited Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on
13
Assateague
Island.
There
tallgrasses,
grasses,
shady
trees,beaches,
sandy and
beaches, and
trees, sandy
shady
were tall
Therewere
Island.
Assateague
mosquitoes—lots
of of
mosquitoes.
I also
the corral
where
ponies stayed
stayed
poniesthe
where the
the corral
sawsaw
mosquitoes. I also
mosquitoes—lots
swim.
beforebefore
their their
swim.
Going Home
Going
Home
DC - 4th
Grade
14
14
On Friday morning, the ponies that weren’t sold at auction swam back
to
and looked
shore
Chincoteague’s
on the rocks
saw ponies
channel. I the
across themorning,
Friday
thatonweren’t
sold at
auction
swam
On
back
across the channel. I saw on the rocks on Chincoteague’s shore and looked to
GO ON >
Assateague. It’s a nice, peaceful place, I though. The ponies are lucky
to be
Page 60
English Language Arts
home where there’s grass to graze and land to roam.
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Copyright 2014-2015 The Achievement Network Corp. All Rights Reserved.
15
In the afternoon, I got to ride again. The pony was strong and spirited, and
English Language Arts
Page 60
I had to hold him back. Riding him is something I’ll always remember. And
Copyright 2014-2015 The Achievement Network Corp. All Rights Reserved.
how could I ever forget the gallant ponies swimming across the channel—their
hearts so full of courage and wildness!
Wild Ponies of Chincoteague Island by Annika Brynn Jenkins. Text (c) 2004 by National Wildlife Federation.
Use both “Wild Horses of Assateague Island” and “Wild Ponies of Chincoteague”
to answer questions
8. The authors of the two articles present information about wild horses and ponies
in different ways. Highlight one phrase from “Wild Horses of Assateague Island” and
one phrase from “Wild Ponies of Chincoteague” to show how each author presents
information.
How the Authors Present Information
From “The Wild Horses of Assateague From “Wild Ponies of Chincoteague”
Island”
A. By focusing on the single experience
of watching the ponies.
A. By focusing on the single experience
of watching the ponies.
B. By focusing on the information
provided by the National Park Services
about the horses.
B. By focusing on the information
provided by the National Park Services
about the horses.
C. By focusing on the description of the
ways the horses have learned to survive
in the harsh environment.
C. By focusing on the description of the
ways the horses have learned to survive
in the harsh environment.
9. According to both articles, what roles do both the horses and humans play in the
horses’ survival on Assateague Island? Use evidence from both articles to support
your answer.
Type your response here
10. After visiting the ponies at Chincoteague, the author of “Wild Ponies of
Chincoteague” wanted to know more about the ponies. Which details could she learn
from the article “The Wild Horses of Assateague” that she did not include in the
article that she wrote? Select all that apply.
☐ Every year some of the ponies are auctioned off to keep the population low.
☐ It is believed that the ponies were put on the island by farmers who didn’t want
to pay taxes.
☐ To get to the auction, ponies swim across the channel.
☐ The ponies live in different places during different seasons.
☐ The ponies are small because of hundreds of years of poor nutrition.
☐ The ponies have thick fur to protect them from the bad weather.
Use the article “Wild Ponies of Chincoteague” to answer questions 11 – 15.
11. This question has two parts. First answer Part A. Then answer Part B.
Part A
What does the phrase get a glimpse of mean as it is used in paragraph 12 of “Wild
Ponies of Chincoteague”? Highlight your answer.
A. take a look at
B. have an idea of
C. feel a thrill from
D. hear a noise from
Part B
Which detail from “Wild Ponies of Chincoteague” best shows the meaning of the
phrase get a glimpse of? Highlight your answer.
A. “…nearly jumped overboard with excitement.”
B. “I couldn’t believe it…”
C. “… I couldn’t see…”
D. “The auctioneer yelled, ‘sold!’”
12. This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.
Part A
Which statement best explains why the ponies travel from Assateague Island to
Chincoteague Island? Highlight your answer.
A. On Chincoteague Island there is more food for large numbers of ponies to eat.
B. On Assateague Island the poor weather is harmful to the ponies.
C. On Chincoteague Island there is better grass for the ponies to graze.
D. On Assateague Island there is limited space for large numbers of ponies to live.
Part B
Which sentence from “Wild Ponies of Chincoteague” best shows why the ponies
travel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island? Highlight your answer.
A. “To keep the herd from getting to big, some foals are sold each year at
auction…”
B. “The ‘Saltwater Cowboys’ were rounding them up.”
C. “Some slept, and some of the foals suckled their mothers’ milk.”
D. “They were getting their strength back for the next event.”
13. How does the author mainly organize the information in “Wild Ponies of
Chincoteague”? Highlight your answer.
A. by stating a problem and how it can be solved
B. by stating a point of view and then comparing ideas
C. by explaining the causes and effects of an event
D. by explaining events in the order that they happen
14. What conclusion can be drawn about the author’s feelings about the ponies? Use
details from the article to support your answer.
Type your response here.
15. Which conclusion about the author’s purpose is best supported by the passage?
Highlight your answer.
A. to explain how ponies are sold at auction
B. to describe an exciting experience she had with the ponies
C. to explain how humans interact with the ponies
D. to convince other people to see the ponies