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Mangrove Forests: Reasons and Evidence in an Article worksheet preview

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Mangrove Forests: Reasons and Evidence in an Article

Grade 4 writing: read an original article about mangrove forests and use its facts to explain how the author backs a point with reasons and evidence.

Grade 4ELAInteractive · Printable

Aligned toW.4.9.b

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What’s included

  • Single worksheet
  • Auto-graded online
  • 1 Common Core standard
  • Printable answer key
  • 9 questions
  • Classroom-ready

Details

Format
Interactive · Printable
Grade
Grade 4
Subject
ELA
Question types
Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Matching, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer

About this worksheet

What students practice

  • Students match an author's reasons to the evidence that supports each one.
  • Students tell facts from opinions in an informational article.
  • Students write a paragraph that judges an author's evidence, citing two facts.

How to use

Have students read the article and its headings, then answer while looking back at the text. Use the last question as a short written response.

Curriculum

Common Core standard covered

W.4.9.b

Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research, applying grade 4 reading standards to them.

Preview

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Name Date

Mangrove Forests: Reasons and Evidence in an Article

Find the reasons and facts an author uses to make a point.

Read the article

Read the article. Notice the headings. You will use facts from it as evidence.

Mangroves: Trees with Their Feet in the Sea

1Along many warm coasts, where the land meets the ocean, grow some unusual trees called mangroves. Most trees cannot live with their roots in salty seawater, but mangroves grow right at the water's edge. A group of these trees growing together is called a mangrove forest. A mangrove forest may look like a muddy tangle of roots and branches. Even so, it is one of the most helpful places on the coast.

2Built for Salt and Mud
Mangroves have special ways to live where other trees cannot. Some kinds keep most of the salt from getting in through their roots. Other kinds get rid of extra salt through their leaves, and tiny salt crystals can sometimes be seen on top of those leaves. The mud around mangroves is soaked with water and has very little air in it. To get air, some mangroves grow roots that poke straight up out of the mud like rows of pencils.

3A Wall Against the Waves
Mangrove forests also protect the land behind them. During storms, strong waves rush toward the shore. The thick, tangled roots slow the waves down before they reach the land. The roots also catch mud and sand, so the shore does not wear away as fast. Scientists have found that coasts with mangrove forests often have less storm damage than coasts without them.

4A Nursery for Young Animals
The roots of a mangrove forest work like a nursery. Many baby fish, shrimp, and crabs hide among the roots, where large hunters cannot easily follow them. The shallow water there has plenty of food for the young animals. Once they are bigger, many of these fish swim out to deeper water. Birds also build nests in the branches above.

5Why Mangroves Need Help
In many places, people have cut down mangrove forests to make room for buildings, roads, and farms along the coast. When the trees are gone, young animals lose their hiding places, and the shore loses its wall against the waves. Today, some communities are planting young mangroves to help these forests grow back.

6Mangroves may not be as famous as some other trees, but they do big jobs. They stand strong in salty water, hold the shore in place, and give young sea animals a safe home. For all these reasons, mangrove forests are worth protecting.

Find the evidence

Look back at the article to find the reasons and facts the author uses.

1.
What is the author's main point, or opinion, in this article?
  • A. Mangrove forests are too muddy for animals to live in.
  • B. Mangrove trees grow best far away from the ocean.
  • C. Mangrove forests are very helpful and worth protecting.
  • D. Mangrove trees should be replaced with taller trees.
2.
The author gives reasons to support the main point. Match each reason to the evidence the author uses to support it.
  1. Mangroves can live in salty water.
  2. Mangroves protect the land.
  3. Mangroves give young animals a safe home.
  1. A. Baby fish and crabs hide where large hunters cannot easily follow.
  2. B. Some kinds get rid of extra salt through their leaves.
  3. C. People have cut down mangroves to make room for roads.
  4. D. The tangled roots slow storm waves before they reach the land.
3.
Claim: Mangrove roots help hold the soil of the coast in place.
Read paragraph 3. Underline the sentence that best supports this claim.

Mangrove forests also protect the land behind them.During storms, strong waves rush toward the shore.The thick, tangled roots slow the waves down before they reach the land.The roots also catch mud and sand, so the shore does not wear away as fast.Scientists have found that coasts with mangrove forests often have less storm damage than coasts without them.

4.
A fact can be checked. An opinion tells what someone thinks or feels. Sort these sentences about mangroves.
Mangrove forests are worth protecting.Many baby fish hide among mangrove roots.Some mangroves have roots that poke up out of the mud.A mangrove forest is one of the most helpful places on the coast.Some communities are planting young mangroves.Mangroves are more interesting than any other tree.
FactOpinion
5.
In paragraph 4, the author says the roots "work like a nursery." What does nursery mean in this article?
  • A. a safe place where young animals grow
  • B. a room where babies sleep at night
  • C. a store that sells young plants and trees
  • D. a school for children who are very young

Use the evidence

Use the headings and facts in the article to answer. Then write about the author's evidence.

6.
Under which heading should a reader look to learn how some mangroves get air?
  • A. A Wall Against the Waves
  • B. A Nursery for Young Animals
  • C. Why Mangroves Need Help
  • D. Built for Salt and Mud
7.
Read paragraph 2. Write the missing word from the article.

To get air, some mangroves grow roots that poke straight up out of the mud like rows of  .

8.
Why does the author include paragraph 5, "Why Mangroves Need Help"?
  • A. to explain how mangroves keep salt out of their roots
  • B. to show why mangrove forests need people to protect them
  • C. to describe the birds that build nests in the branches
  • D. to teach readers the steps for planting a mangrove tree
9.
Your turn: Does the author give enough reasons and evidence to show that mangrove forests are worth protecting? Write a short paragraph. Give your opinion, then use two facts from the article to explain it.

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