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Na m e : ___ Date: _
Directions: Read the story. Write your conclusions on the lines below.Reading Comprehension • Saddleback Educational Publishing ©2002 3 Watson, Irvine, CA 92618•Phone (888)SDL-BACK•www.sdlback.com
Not that it would ever need to, but the South American electric
eel can discharge enough electricity to stun a horse—over 600
volts worth. That’s quite a shocker!
Though not as dramatic, other fish have electrical
shock abilities, too. The torpedo ray gives off an
average of 60 volts, but some species can
generate a healthy 200 volts—quite useful and
effective on both their predators and their prey.
Other animals may not have built-in “death rays,”
but all animals use electricity in some way. Don’t
think you have electric power? As you are reading this,
electrical impulses are hard at work in your brain and
nerves sending and receiving messages throughout
your body.- Based on this story, what can you conclude that all animals have in common?
__________________________________________________________________________________- If not horses, what do you think the electric eel uses its tremendous shock for?
__________________________________________________________________________________- Does the torpedo ray have any natural enemies? ___ How do you know?
__________________________________________________________________________________- What are two different possible meanings of “shocking” in this story?
__________________________________________________________________________________- What does “healthy” mean in the second paragraph? __
- Do you think the South American electric eel has the most powerful shock ability of all
animals? ________ Why or why not? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________