Trail Blazers

“Welcome to Algonquin Provincial Park. My name is Lien; I’ll be your guide today.” 1
Tyler watched as Lien attached a compass to the outside of her backpack and then slung
the bag over her shoulder.
“Hi,” she said, turning her head toward Tyler. “Have 2
you ever been to Algonquin before?”
“No,” he responded. 3
“Don’t worry,” Lien assured him, “I’ll teach the 4
entire group everything beginners need to know.”
Tyler turned to his dad, “This might be OK after all.” 5
His dad chuckled, pausing as Lien began to address 6
the group.
“In 1893 Algonquin Park was established as a wildlife sanctuary. In other words, 7
Algonquin is here to protect wildlife and allow many varieties of species to live in their
natural habitat.”
Tyler’s dad put up his hand and Lien nodded her head in acknowledgement. “What did 8
the wildlife have to be protected against?” he asked.
“The headwaters of the five major rivers in the park—which are home to many of the 9
animals here—needed to be protected from agricultural development. No farming can be
done in Algonquin, but the park has become a very important environmental research
centre,” she answered. “Shall we venture out?”
Lien’s question got the group of seven excited. They followed their guide. “Today we 10
will explore the Spruce Bog Trail. It is a one-and-a-half-kilometre trail and one of
14 shorter day trails we offer. As you become more experienced, you can try one of the
backpacking or overnight trails or a trail especially for skiing, biking or dog sledding.”
“Overnight?” Tyler’s curiosity had prompted him to ask. 11
Lien smiled and said, “The best times to observe wildlife are early in the morning and 12
late in the evening. Backpacking trips allow you to experience both prime times.”
He looked at his watch. It flashed 3:47 p.m. on his wrist. He was disappointed. “How 13
will we get to see anything today?”
“There is still activity during the day,” Lien explained as she bent down and reached into 14
her backpack. “There are also some great tools we can use and specific places we can

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look.” She triumphantly pulled a pair of black binoculars out of her bag and held them
over her head.
Tyler elbowed his dad and whispered, “Did we bring the pair we borrowed from 15
Mr. Brown?”
Tyler’s dad silently felt through their camping bag while Lien explained how important 16
it was to respect the animals and plants in the park and use binoculars to keep a safe and
respectful distance. He held the binoculars up and Tyler placed them to his eyes. He
spotted something: a bird in a nearby tree.
“Lien!” He was excited. He tried to keep his voice down so he would not scare the bird 17
away. “I think I found something.”
The other hikers looked into the trees where Tyler’s binoculars were pointed. 18
“That’s a Grey Jay you’ve spotted,” Lien told the group. “Grey Jays are very social birds, 19
often seen during the day. The Grey Jay is one of the few birds that stays in the park over
the winter. Algonquin is home to 272 species of birds.”
Lien waited until everyone in the group had 20
taken a turn looking at the bird through
binoculars, and then she led them down the
path to a bog. “Bogs, or any wet swampy areas,
are preferred homes to many species in
Algonquin.” She pointed to a fallen log on the
side of the bog closest to the group. “We’re lucky
enough to see turtles today,” she said.
“What about snakes? Are there any poisonous ones?” asked Tyler’s dad. 21
“There are nine species of snakes,” Lien replied. “Don’t worry, none are venomous.” 22
She sipped her water. “Make sure you stay hydrated,” she advised the group.
“Bogs are also home to creatures like salamanders, frogs and toads.” She motioned with 23
her hand for the group to continue down the path.
“Why is Algonquin important?” Tyler asked as he caught up to Lien. 24
Lien thought for a moment before she said: “Algonquin isn’t the same as a zoo. It’s 25
important to see nature and wildlife naturally. We can all learn from Algonquin; it’s vital
that we do and crucial that we protect nature and our wildlife to preserve the experience
for future generations.”
Tyler smiled. “I think I understand now.” 26

4
1 Why is farming not allowed in Algonquin Park?
a The area has too many rivers.
b The wildlife habitats may be altered.
c The many birds would destroy the crops.
d The different hiking trails would be blocked.

2 The information in paragraph 10 shows that Lien

a hikes the Spruce Bog trail daily.
b enjoys the overnight backpacking.
c is experienced at locating new trails in the park.
d is familiar with what Algonquin Park has to offer.

3 What does Lien suggest is the advantage of overnight backpacking trips in Algonquin Park?
a People can be on their own in the forest.
b All of the trails in the park are accessible.
c There is an opportunity to sleep in the woods.
d Animals can be seen when they are most active.

4 In paragraph 6, what does the word “address” refer to?

a the location of the park
b Lien speaking to the group
c the hikers asking questions
d Lien gathering up the hikers

5 In paragraph 12, what does the word “prime” mean?

a late
b first
c ideal
d early

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6 In paragraph 13, why is Tyler disappointed?
a Time is running out and the tour is almost over.
b There are too many animals for him to see in one day.
c It is already afternoon and he may not see many animals.
d Most of the trails are closed, so he cannot backpack overnight.

7 What information does Lien give the group about snakes?

a They will not be seen during the tour.
b They will not pose a threat during the hike.
c They are the most plentiful animals in the park.
d They are the least important animals in the area.

8 Why does Lien consider binoculars to be a great tool?

a Dangerous areas are easier to spot.
b Birds that are high in trees are more visible.
c Different types of animals are easier to locate.
d Animals can be observed without frightening them.

9 According to the text, why is it important to care for Algonquin Park?

a Birds will have a safe place for the winter.
b Animals will not be removed and placed in a zoo.
c Farmers will not be able to start farming the land in the park.
d People will be able to appreciate animals in their natural habitat.

a0 Why does Lien pause for a moment before speaking in paragraph 25?
a She is choosing her words carefully.
b She is waiting for the hikers to arrive.
c She does not want to frighten the animals.
d She does not know the answer to the question.

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aa Explain how the hikers’ questions are used to present information about the park. Use specific
examples from the text to support your answer.

as Explain how Tyler’s attitude toward the park changes throughout the text. Use specific examples from
the text to support your answer.

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ad A well-known person will be visiting your school. Write an announcement to read to your class that
includes important details about the visit.

Ideas for My Announcement

8
Write your announcement here. Remember to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.

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 Writing Multiple-Choice
af Choose the best opening sentence for the aj Choose the best order for the following
following paragraph. sentences to create a paragraph.
____________________________ Everyone (1) The project was challenging and I am
gathered around the table. Our favourite games proud of my accomplishments.
were piled in the centre. Bowls of delicious
(2) We spent last month learning about my
snacks were placed on the table. We were all
favourite topic, space and the solar system,
excited for the evening to begin.
in science.
a Board games are fun to play.
(3) Our project was to create a display that
b Movie nights are my favourite. highlighted at least three facts related to
space.
c Tonight was family games night.
(4) My display included a three-dimensional
d Popcorn and candy are tasty treats.
model of the Canadarm and an explanation
of how it works.
ag Choose the correct words to complete the a 2, 1, 3, 4
following sentence.
b 2, 3, 4, 1
________ it was raining, and the track was
c 3, 2, 4, 1
covered in mud, the race was called off
__________ the weather improved. d 3, 1, 2, 4
a After, until
b Since, until
c Because, so
d Although, if

ah Choose the word that combines the following

sentences correctly.
The many levels of the Canadian government
system can be difficult to understand. They
become clearer when you use a chart.
a since
b when
c because
d although

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 Birds Can Fly, Why Can’t I?

Before the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, invented the airplane, people tried everything
they could think of to fly like birds. Who was the first to fly? There are many stories. Who
knows? Maybe some of them are true…

1500 BCE

According to legend, King

Kai Kawus of Persia flew on a
golden throne carried by four
eagles. The king tied bits of meat
to poles attached to the throne. As
the hungry eagles tried to fly up
to the food, they carried the
throne up with them.

1500 CE Leonardo da Vinci wasn’t just a

painter and sculptor; he also invented flying machines.
He designed a helicopter based on the spinning propeller
principle. He also sketched parachutes and, our favourite,
ornithopters with
flapping wings.

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 1896

More isn’t necessarily

better—at least when it comes
to wings. Octave Chanute’s
Katydid, a glider with six pairs of
wings, flew only about 30 metres.
1783 But one of his double-decker
biplane gliders stayed in the air
The Montgolfier
for 14 seconds and flew a
brothers invented the hot-
record 109 metres.
air balloon in France. Before
thousands of onlookers, the
brothers launched a balloon
carrying the world’s first air 1903
passengers—a sheep, a Samuel Langley, a well-
rooster and a duck. known scientist, successfully flew a
powered aircraft in 1896. But his flyer was
only a 13.6 kilogram model. Langley later built
a passenger-carrying version that was ready in
1903. The plane was catapulted from a boat
twice, but dove straight into the icy water.
There was no third attempt. Just nine days
later, on December 17, 1903, the Wright
brothers flew.

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1 What is the purpose of the dates in the text?
a to tell where flight was first invented
b to describe the different flying inventions
c to provide background information about the inventors
d to show the progress in the invention of flight technology

2 When did Wilbur and Orville Wright invent the airplane?

a 1783
b 1896
c 1903
d 1930

3 How was Octave Chanute’s double-decker biplane an improvement over the Katydid?
a It could fly faster.
b It could fly farther.
c It could carry more people on board.
d It could stay in the air at a greater height.

4 What does the word “catapulted” mean as used in the text under “1903”?
a slid
b flown
c carried
d propelled

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5 Explain how the last two sentences of the first paragraph (“Who knows? Maybe some of them are
true…”) relate to the information in the text boxes. Use information from the text to support your answer.

6 Identify one characteristic that the inventors had in common and explain how it contributed to the
development of flying machines. Use information from the text to support your answer.

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7 It is the 16th century and you have arrived in North America by ship as part of an exploration team.
Write a letter to your family back home describing your experiences.

Ideas for My Letter

16
Write your letter here. Remember to check your spelling, grammar and punctuation.

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18
 Writing Multiple-Choice
8 Choose the sentence that is written correctly. a0 Which of the following is an incomplete
sentence?
a The crossing guard, Mr. Collins guides
the children across the street and keeps a Come here.
them safe.
b That made sense.
b The crossing guard Mr. Collins, guides
c Children should arrive early.
the children across the street and keeps
them safe. d Since I have forgotten my work.
c The crossing guard, Mr. Collins guides
the children across the street, and keeps
aa Choose the word that can be used as both a
them safe.
noun and a verb.
d The crossing guard, Mr. Collins, guides
a label
the children across the street and keeps
them safe. b badge
c separate
9 Put the following sentences in the best order to d categorize
make a paragraph.
(1) The principal walked on stage and smiled
at the waiting audience.
(2) The mats and benches were set out and
the students quietly took their seats.
(3) The students quickly filed into the
gymnasium.
(4) All eyes stared at him in expectation of
something wonderful.
a 2, 1, 3, 4
b 3, 2, 1, 4
c 1, 4, 3, 2
d 3, 1, 4, 2

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