4WGA Writing Georgia Milestones Student Booklet Informational Task: Desert Dwellers Grade
Read the Desert Dwellers passage set. PASSAGE 1: Icon of the American West By Eric Roberts The saguaro cactus (pronounced sah-wah-roh ) is the largest cactus in the United States. This plant is quite skilled in desert survival. Every part of the plant is specifically designed to survive in the tough conditions of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Images of these cacti are seen all throughout our lives as a symbol of American deserts. The cactus has a smooth and waxy surface. Spines pointing out of the plant s upright ribs protect it. The plant is a considerable size with barrel-shaped spikes. It resembles a tree trunk. Some develop arms with age and arch upwards. How the Saguaro Cactus Survives in the Desert The saguaro cactus thrives in the desert. It takes in water and holds it in its pleated-like ribs. These ribs increase in size when it rains and contract during the dry season. Since it does not often rain in the desert, the cactus consumes its stored water during a drought. Figure 1 Upper surface reflects the sun s rays. Thick, waxy skin reduces water loss. The cactus also has a fascinating root system. For a very tall and heavy plant, it has a shallow root system. The saguaro cactus has only one deep tap root (a central root from where smaller roots sprout). It only grows up to about three feet long. Large, fleshy stems store water. It also grows two sets of radial roots. A radial root is where nutrients are absorbed from the soil. One is a broad root system, about a foot long. Another smaller root system spreads Figure 2 equal to the height of the plant. The white, waxy blossom of the giant saguaro cactus was designated the state flower of Arizona in 1931. The saguaro cactus has a heavy structure made up of three features. These are woody tissues running up and down forming a cylinder, the fleshy tissue, and spines that cool the exterior skin. The spines insulate the cactus and deflect the harsh desert winds. A mature saguaro cactus blooms a crop of flowers around June. They are creamy white with yellow centers. They appear like a headdress on top of the arms and stems. Even the flowers are adept in surviving in the desert. The flowers only open during the cold nights. They are closed during the heat of the day. The saguaro cactus flower is Arizona s state flower. 1
PASSAGE 2: The Plant that is a Tree By Kimberly Bray The Joshua tree only grows in the southwestern United States specifically in the Mojave Desert in California. It is a tree-like species of yucca plant that can flourish in the harsh weather conditions of the region. The tree grows upward-reaching branches with needle-like evergreen leaves that are grouped in round clusters. The trunk is made up of thousands of soft cork-like fibers. The Joshua tree does not have annual growth rings like most other trees, which makes it hard to determine age. Joshua trees take many different shapes. Sometimes, they are full and bushy; other times, they are skinny and sparse. Figure 1 Joshua trees can grow up to 49 feet tall and about one to three feet in diameter. The Joshua tree is the largest of the yucca plant species. The Round clusters of the long, spiky leaves of the Joshua tree. plant matures in 50 to 60 years. It can live for hundreds of years; some have survived for 1,000 years! Figure 2: Some of the many variations of Joshua tree growth. The Joshua tree does not start to branch out until it blooms for the first time. They bloom from February to late April, but do not bloom every year. Blooming depends on rainfall at the proper time, and they also need a winter freeze to bloom. Along with flowering, the Joshua tree also bears egg-shaped fruit. Dry deserts do not often get rain. Therefore, the Joshua tree has a shallow root system. This allows it to absorb water faster when it is available. The leaves of a Joshua tree are Figure 3 thick and waxy, which allows them to reduce water loss. Dead leaves fold down to cover the branches and trunk. This allows water to flow down the trunk. Dripping water can then be absorbed by the roots. The Joshua tree has a distinct adaptation that allows it to survive. The Joshua tree and the yucca moth have a special relationship. The Joshua tree needs the moth s pollination of its flowers to reproduce and survive. The yucca moth larvae need to eat the seeds of the Joshua tree to survive. They depend on each other for a new cycle of life. Most yucca moths have white wings to blend in with the creamy blossoms of the yucca plants they pollinate. 2
GRADE 4 INFORMATIONAL TASK DESERT DWELLERS DIRECTIONS: You will read two different passages about plants with unique characteristics that allow them to survive in the desert. Then you will answer four questions and write an informational essay that explains how certain plants can survive in harsh desert climates. Before you begin the questions and essay, read the two passages: 1. Icon of the American West 2. The Plant that is a Tree As you read the passages, think about which details from each passage you might use in your informational essay. PART 1: QUESTIONS 1. Read this sentence from Passage 1. These ribs increase in size when it rains and contract during the dry season. What is the meaning of the word contract as it is used in this sentence? A. agree B. shrink C. employ D. develop 2. What information can the reader get from Figure 1 in Passage 2? A. The Joshua tree can live a long time. B. The Joshua tree can live in hot places. C. The Joshua tree is usually very light in color. D. The Joshua tree has odd looking branches and leaves. 3. Select ONE way the authors of Passage 1 and Passage 2 present their information in a SIMILAR way. A. Both include a description of the plant and a diagram. B. Both include a description of the plant and a drawing. C. Both include a description of the plant and how tall it is. D. Both include a description of the plant and how long it lives. 4. Describe at least ONE way the saguaro cactus and the Joshua tree can get the water they need in the desert heat. Use at least ONE detail from EACH text to support your answer. Write your answer in the space provided. Remember to clearly reference the texts. 3
PART 2: ESSAY You have read Icon of the American West and The Plant that is a Tree and have answered some questions about what you have read. Now write your informational essay in the space provided. WRITING TASK Desert plants have unique characteristics that allow them to survive in the harsh climate. Think about the ideas in the two passages, and then write an informational essay explaining how certain plants can survive in the harsh desert climates. Be sure to use information from BOTH texts in your informational essay. Write your answer in the space provided. Before you write, be sure to: think about ideas, facts, definitions, details, and other information and examples you want to use; think about how you will introduce your topic and what the main topic will be for each paragraph; develop your ideas clearly and use your own words, except when quoting directly from the passages; and be sure to identify the passages by title or number when using details or facts directly from the passages. Now write your informational essay in the space provided. Be sure to: introduce the topic clearly; use information from the two passages so that your piece includes important details; develop the topic in a clear order, with facts, definitions, and details related to the topic; use linking words to connect ideas; use clear language and vocabulary; have a strong conclusion; and check your work for correct usage, grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. 4