Reading Comprehension Skills & Strategies - Level 6

109

Na m e : ___ Date: _

Directions: Read the story. Then, follow the directions for Part I and Part II.

Reading Comprehension • Saddleback Educational Publishing ©2002 3 Watson, Irvine, CA 92618•Phone (888)SDL-BACK•www.sdlback.com

Part I. Fill in the bubble of the correct

answer.

1. How many rib bones does a human
   have?
   O 12
   O 24


2. What is another name for sternum?
   O vertebrate
   O breastbone


3. True or False? The larger the animal
   the more ribs it will have.
   O True
   O False


4. To what are floating ribs attached?
   O spine
   O nothing


5. What are the five lower pairs of ribs
   called?
   O true ribs
   O false ribs


6. Which of the following would not
   have ribs?
   O vertebrate
   O invertebrate


7. Which ribs are attached with
   cartilage?
   O the upper 3 sets of false ribs
   O the lower 2 sets of false ribs

Part II. On the diagram, color true ribs

blue, floating ribs red, and the remaining

false ribs green.

Ribs

Most vertebrates, or animals with backbones,

have ribs. Ribs are the sets of bones that

encase the soft organs of the chest, including

the heart and lungs. The number of ribs vary

with the type of animal. Some whales, for

example, have nine pairs of ribs, while a two-

toed sloth has twenty-four pairs. Humans

have twelve pairs of ribs.

In humans, all twelve ribs on each side of the

body are connected to the backbone, or spine.

The upper seven pair are also connected to

the sternum, or breastbone, in the front of the

body. These are called true ribs. The five lower

pairs are called false ribs. The upper three sets

of these are attached with cartilage. The

bottom two sets are called floating ribs

because they are only attached to the spine

and “float” unattached in the front.