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Why Does the Author Say That? is a free printable Grade 2 English worksheet on explaining how a reason supports a claim, aligned to Common Core standard RI.2.8. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions, 24 of them with different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 15 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. 24 of these 25 sets ask different questions — this skill does not have 25 questions to give. The rest reorder them, so no two pupils have the same paper in front of them.

Why Does the Author Say That?

RI.2.8

NameDate

Read the text, then answer the questions.

1.Read the text, then answer the questions.

How a Polar Bear Stays Warm

A polar bear lives where the sea freezes. It has three ways of keeping its heat in. Under its skin is a layer of fat up to eleven centimetres thick. Fat is a poor conductor, so heat does not pass through it easily. Above that is dense underfur, packed tight so cold water cannot reach the skin. On top are long guard hairs. Each one is hollow and clear, not white. They look white because they scatter the light, the way snow does. A polar bear is so well insulated that it can overheat if it runs too far.

  1. 1. How are the guard hairs connected to the bear looking white?
  2. 2. What does the author want to explain?
  3. 3. The author says fat keeps the bear warm. What reason is given?
2.Read the text, then answer the questions.

Inside a Fire Engine

A fire engine carries everything a crew might need, because there is no time to go back for anything. It holds about eighteen hundred litres of water. That sounds like a lot, but a hose can empty it in under three minutes, so the crew connect to a hydrant as soon as they can. Ladders are carried on the roof. The longest can reach a third-floor window. Inside are cutting tools for road accidents, breathing sets for smoke, and a thermal camera that finds a hot spot through a wall. The engine is red so that it is seen. The siren is for when being seen is not enough.

  1. 1. What does the author want to explain?
  2. 2. The author says the engine is red. What reason is given?
  3. 3. How is the tank of water connected to the hydrant?

LessonPrint · RI.2.8 · Set 15 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Why Does the Author Say That?

Set 15. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. The hairs are clear but scatter light, which makes the bear look white. 2. How a polar bear stays warm where the sea freezes. 3. Fat is a poor conductor, so heat does not pass through it easily.
  2. 2.1. Why a fire engine carries what it does. 2. So that it is seen. 3. The tank runs out in under three minutes, so the crew connect to a hydrant for more.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.2.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.