Cicadas Reading Comprehension Questions - Summer Months Life Cycle and Feeding

Sep 30, 2026

Reading comprehension worksheet about cicadas, covering their appearance, loud summer songs, worldwide distribution, feeding habits, and defensive strategies. Questions ask students to identify correct multiple-choice answers about eye colors, predators that might eat them, where they live, what baby cicadas are called, and how they access sap. Additional sections classify statements as facts or opinions and mark true or false, focusing on cicada life cycle, underground nymph stage duration, and “play dead” behavior.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Questions on Cicada Facts

Multiple-Choice Questions (1-10)

Choose W or N Statements (11-27)

Fact or Opinion (28-37)

True or False (38-45)

Hey kids, let's dive into the world of an amazing insect, the cicada! These fascinating creatures have a unique look with their large, transparent wings and wideset eyes that come in a variety of colors. They are famous for the loud, distinctive songs they sing during the summer months. And did you know, cicadas can be found all over the world, from the Americas to Asia and Africa? Now that we've been introduced to these musical critters, let's explore what they munch on. Unlike some bugs, cicadas aren't the creepy, crawly type that invade your picnic, they prefer to sip on the sap from trees and plants. Using their beak-like mouthparts, they drill into tree trunks and roots to reach their favorite meal. So, no need to squirm, cicadas won't be interested in your sandwich! Speaking of eating, can you guess which animals might enjoy a cicada snack? Many animals, including birds, spiders, and even other insects, see cicadas as a tasty treat. But don't worry, these clever insects have a trick up their sleeve-they play dead to avoid becoming a meal! And when that doesn't work, their sheer numbers often overwhelm predators, ensuring that many of them survive to sing another day. Lastly, let's chat about the amazing life cycle of cicadas. After hatching from eggs, baby cicadas, called nymphs, burrow underground where they can live for many years, some species for as long as 17 years! When they finally emerge, they shed their skin, leaving behind an empty shell, and start their adult life. Isn't it amazing that a creature so small can live such a long and fascinating life, singing the songs of summer year after year? Solve each problem. Use the article to answer the question. 1) What colors can cicada eyes be? A. Just red B. Always blue C. Only black and white D. A variety of colors 2) Which animals might see cicadas as a tasty snack? A. Cows and horses B. Birds and spiders C. Lions and leopards D. Dogs and cats 3) Where can cicadas be found? A. Exclusively in Asia B. Only in Africa C. All over the world D. Just in the Americas 4) Where do cicadas live after hatching from eggs? A. In water B. Underground C. On tree branches D. In bird nests 5) What are baby cicadas called? A. Pupae B. Tadpoles C. Larvae D. Nymphs 6) Which months do cicadas sing their songs? A. Spring months B. Summer months C. Winter months D. Autumn months 7) What do cicadas like to munch on? A. small insects, mostly aphids B. Seeds and nuts C. Leaves and tree bark D. Sap from trees and plants 8) How do cicadas reach the sap in trees? A. Wait for the sap to drip out B. Fly to the tree tops C. Chew through the bark D. Drill into tree trunks and roots 9) How long can some species of cicadas live underground? A. Only a few months B. Up to 17 years C. One year D. Around 5 years 10) What do cicadas do to avoid becoming a meal? A. Make a loud noise B. Release a poison from their skin C. Play dead D. Release a smelly odor Determine if the statements is something the animal would say (W) or it it is not something the animal would say (N). 11) "When I find a tree I like, I use my mouthparts to drill into it, aiming to sip on as much sap as I can. " 12) "When it's time to grow, I shed my skin and leave behind an empty shell, just like acrab!" 13) "I have a neat trick to avoid danger- I play dead!" 14) "We prefer to eat fruits and vegetables. " 15) "Did you know that I hide underground for years as a baby cicada? Usually it'll be more than a decade, sometimes as long as 17 years!" 16) "We shed our skins every week. " |
Reading | [www.CommonCoreSheets.com Page 2 of 5](www.CommonCoreSheets.com Page 2 of 5) | 1-10
11-20 | 98 | 96 | 95 | 93 | 91 | 89 | 88 | 86 | 84 | 82 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | 80 | 79 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 71 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 17) "I'd rather dig into a fruit than a tree trunk. " 18) "Many animals, I mean m

FAQs

What do cicadas use to reach the sap in trees?

They drill into tree trunks and roots with their beak-like mouthparts to sip sap from trees and plants.

What are baby cicadas called?

Baby cicadas are called nymphs.

How do cicadas avoid being eaten?

They can play dead to avoid becoming a meal, and predators are often overwhelmed by their numbers.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by MrHarris58