Sunflowers

 

 A sunflower is a big, circular, yellow flower. It needs a lot of sun to grow. A sunflower is made up of many little flowers. The part in the center is made of one kind of flower. The petals around it are another kind of flower. 

We use sunflowers in different ways. One thing we do with them is look at them! Many people add them to gardens because they are so big, bright, and full of color. They can also be cut and brought inside. They will last a long time in a vase. A vase is a jar or other container that is used to hold flowers.

Also, sunflower seeds are good to eat. People love to eat them. So do animals such as birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. The seeds can be difficult to eat if they are still in their shells, though. A shell is a hard outer layer.

The seeds may be hard to eat, but they are good for you. They are full of protein. They also have a lot of oil in them. It can be squeezed out and collected in a container. Many people use the oil for cooking.

Sunflowers are pretty! They also give us and other animals food. Be careful of the stems, though. They are rough and can scratch you!

Comprehension Questions

1. What is a sunflower? 

1. a big, circular, yellow flower 
2. a big, triangular, red flower 
3. a small, circular, blue flower 
4. a small, triangular, purple flower 

2. What does the author describe in the second paragraph? 

1. the center of a sunflower 
2. different ways people use sunflowers 
3. animals that love to eat sunflower seeds 
4. food that is made with sunflower oil 

3. Sunflowers provide food to people and animals.

What evidence in the text supports this statement?

1. "Sunflowers are actually made up of lots and lots of tiny flowers." 
2. "We use sunflowers in different ways. One thing we do with them is look at them!" 
3. "They [sunflowers] will last a long time in a vase. A vase is a jar, bottle, or other container that is used to hold flowers." 
4. "People, birds, and other animals, including squirrels and chipmunks, love to eat sunflower seeds." 

4. Read these sentences from the text.

“We use sunflowers in different ways. One thing we do with them is look at them!”

Based on the information in this text, why might people look at sunflowers? 

1. because sunflower seeds are filled with protein 
2. because sunflower seeds have a lot of oil in them 
3. because sunflowers need a lot of sun to grow 
4. because sunflowers are bright and pretty 

5. What is the main idea of this text? 

1. Sunflowers are actually made up of lots and lots of tiny flowers. 
2. The stems of sunflowers are rough and scratchy. 
3. Sunflowers are pretty flowers that give people and animals food. 
4. Sunflower seeds can be difficult to eat if they are still in their shells. 

6. Read this sentence from the text.

"Sunflowers are actually made up of lots and lots of tiny flowers."

Why might the author have used the phrase "lots and lots" here? 

1. to call attention to how bright sunflowers are 
2. to call attention to the amount of flowers that make up sunflowers 
3. to call attention to how small the flowers that make up sunflowers are 
4. to call attention to how much sun sunflowers need to grow 

7. Read these sentences from the text.

“Sunflower seeds are good to eat. People, birds, and other animals, including squirrels and chipmunks, love to eat sunflower seeds. They can be difficult to eat if they are still in their shells, but they are filled with protein and are good for you!”

What does the word "they" in the last sentence refer to? 

1. people 
2. birds and animals 
3. squirrels and chipmunks 
4. sunflower seeds 

8. What do sunflower seeds have inside them? 

(written answer)

9. What do people use sunflower oil for? 

(written answer)

10. Read this sentence from the text.

“We use sunflowers in different ways.”

Explain what part of a sunflower might be most useful to people. Support your answer with evidence from the text. 

(written answer)