A Rare Kind of Squirrel
By Jacquie Durrell
Read the passage. Then answer the questions.
It was during our stay in Mamfe that we found a creature who became my particular favorite, a very rare kind of squirrel, who, because of her minute size, I called Small. Small soon ruled my life. She was a dear little thing, still blind and helpless, so she needed all the warmth and attention which I could give her. The most important thing was to construct a suitable nest which was also big enough to take a hot water bottle.
Eventually I found a small square biscuit tin in which I placed a hot-water bottle, covered with a cotton blanket, and then lined the whole thing with cotton-wool. Into this I put Small. It was rather like a carry-cot and I took it everywhere I went, for like all babies, Small had to be fed regularly and often, and also she fretted if I left her alone. To begin with her food consisted of a milk mixture which was administered to her with an eye-dropper.
She was never a problem child, and soon learned to cling to the dropper with her front paws while I controlled the flow and the rest between dropper-fuls in case she got wind. She soon grew into a very lovely squirrel with an orange head and neat black-rimmed ears, and her gingery body had a rich moss-green tinge, with a line of white spots running down each side; but it was her tail that was her true glory- long and thick, green on top and vivid orange underneath, which she kept curved over her back, the tip hanging over her nose. She was absolutely tame from the moment she opened her eyes, and I could do literally anything with her; she loved to be tickled, which would send her into a trance.
Answer the questions.
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
2. How do you know it is the main idea?
3. Underline the most important information in each paragraph.
4. Write a summary. Tell what is the most important.
