Extra! Extra! Backyard Birding Many schools, families, and young birders across the country participate in the "Great Backyard Bird Count." While not as long as a "Big Year," the "Great Backyard Bird Count" happens every year. It depends on birders and families across the country to watch feeders and other areas in their yards and count the number of birds they see. Unlike the "Big Year," the goal is not to see who can count the most birds. Instead, participants in this event work together to help bird experts get a good idea of how birds are doing. Participants are given checklists and enter their sightings on a website. Called a "citizen-science" project, this event is open to anyone, requires no travel, and happens every year over one weekend in February.

Part A:
Which of the following best states the main idea of the article "A Big Year"?

Fill in blank 1 using A, B, C, or D.
"Big Year" birders compete for honor, love, and record-setting.
"Big Year" birders get very competitive about seeing rare birds.
"Big Year" birders have a list of important birds to see.
"Big Year" birders compete to see more birds than others.

Part B:
Select one quotation from the text that supports your answer to Part A. Enter your selection in blank 2 using E, F, or G.
They can cover over 150 thousand miles to get numbers of sightings this high.
Most birders take great pride in their reputation and their abilities to see or hear and then identify a bird.
It is pretty hard to cheat your way to a record-breaking year, but in general, few are interested in cheating.

Select one quotation from the text that supports your answer to Part A. Enter your selection in blank 3 using H, I, or J.
Such rewards are in being able to commit a year of your life to doing something you love.
You don't have to be able to travel a continent to have a big birding experience though.
You will soon find looking at birds isn't such a strange way to spend your time.
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Answer for Blank 2:

Answer for Blank 3: