Below is a passage about cats as pets. Read the passage and think about whether or not you think cats make good pets. Then answer the prompt that follows.

Cats as Pets

Forget all the bad things you've heard about cats. They are not loners or stuck-up. They are not finicky eaters. Black cats don't bring bad luck.
The truth is that cats make terrific pets. In fact, they are the most popular pets in the United States. Cats are great companions, and they love human company. They are small enough to live comfortably in an apartment or small house, and they are very clean.
Cats need far less care than dogs. You won't have to walk your cat twice a day in the freezing cold or blistering heat. However, when you bring home a cat you are taking on a big responsibility. There's more to being a cat owner than just putting out food and water for your pet each day. It will be up to you to give your cat the care and love it needs. Responsible pet owners make time for their animals-even when they would rather be doing something else.
Think it over. Are you ready to do what it takes? A pet is a wonderful living thing; treat it accordingly.

Feline Fun

Just like you, cats don't like to be bored. Keep your cat happy and active with toys. Ping-Pong balls make good toys, and small plastic balls with bells inside are also favorites.
Cats love soft toy mice or birds, but avoid toys that have sharp edges or glued-on parts.
And make sure that any toys you buy won't break apart. Cats have been known to choke on small pieces and bells.

You can also find play things for your cat around the house. They love to pounce on balls of crumpled paper. They also like cardboard boxes, wooden thread spools, or just a big paper bag. Be creative and you'll save money.

Cat Naps

Cats sleep a lot. In fact, they spend about two-thirds to three-quarters of the day sleeping. That's more than any other mammal! No one really knows why, but any time, day or night, can be nap time for a cat.

W-4-2 and W-4-3: Response to Informational Text: "Cats as Pets"

5. Follow along as the passage is read to you. Then read the prompt in the box and follow the directions below.

Use the box below to organize your writing. You may fill it in before you write to plan your response, or you may fill it in after you write to check your response. What you write in this box will be included as part of your score.

Item Type: ER - response to passage

Grade Level: End of Grade 4

Alignment to GLE

W-4-2.1: In response to informational text, students show understanding of ideas/concepts by… Selecting appropriate information to set context/background

W-4-2.3: In response to informational text, students show understanding of ideas/concepts by… Connecting what has been read (plot) to prior knowledge, which might include other texts

W-4-3.1: In response to informational text, students make and support analytical judgments about text by… Stating and maintaining a focus (purpose) when responding to a given question

W-4-3.2: In response to informational text students, make and support analytical judgments about text by… Making inferences about events, characters, setting, or common themes

W-4-3.3: In response to informational text students make and support analytical judgments about text by… Using specific details and references to text to support focus

W-4-3.4: In response to informational text students make and support analytical judgments about text by… Organizing ideas, using transition words/phrases and writing a conclusion

Depth of Knowledge: Level 3 - Developing compositions that include multiple paragraphs; Using appropriate organizational text structures (e.g., proposition/support); Supporting ideas with details, examples, quotations, text references