Cats Up Close: teacher key

Cats, grade 4 edition, written for 4th grade. Why do cats purr? Cats purr when they are happy, but also when they are hurt or hungry. Look at how a cat sees, feels and lands, and how long cats live.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. What can happen when a kitten drinks its mother's milk?
   • It may purr (answer)
   • It will roar
   • It will sleep for a day
2. Which cats can purr, according to the book?
   • Lions
   • Cheetahs and pumas (answer)
   • No big cats
3. Why do cats' eyes glow in dim light?
   • A layer behind the retina bounces light back (answer)
   • Their whiskers shine
   • They have more cones
4. What do whiskers help a cat decide?
   • What to eat
   • How old it is
   • Whether it can squeeze through a space (answer)
5. How long do pet cats live on average?
   • About 2 to 4 years
   • About 12 to 14 years (answer)
   • About 40 years

Words

• purr: soft cat hum
• whiskers: cat face hairs
• retina: inside the eye
• breeds: kinds of cat
• dusk: early evening