The Ride of His Life
When Jesse Senko was 12 years old, he had an experience that literally changed his life. Senko was snorkeling while on vacation in the Cayman Islands with his family when a large sea turtle swam near him. Senko naturally did what any 12-year-old boy would do and decided to grab the turtle and go for a ride. That turtle ride, in some ways, has never ended. People find their passions in many different ways. Senko found his passion while riding on the back of a turtle when he was just 12 years old.
Today, Senko is a conservation scientist at Arizona State University. He focuses his research and life’s work on marine resource sustainability. Can you guess what that includes? If you guessed sea turtles, you would be correct. In college, Senko majored in fisheries and wildlife science, and he also received a Master of Science degree in wildlife ecology. Much of the focus of his work is on saving endangered sea turtles.
Sea turtles help keep the ocean healthy, and thus their well-being affects the entire ecosystem. They provide a natural regulatory system for the environment. For example, sea turtles eat seagrass, which helps it grow properly, and their unhatched eggs provide nutrients for plant life to keep beaches healthy. Sea turtles also provide a home for small animals that attach to their shells.
Sea turtles are endangered because fishermen inadvertently catch them in their nets, which can cause the turtles irreparable harm. Senko came up with the idea to create solar-powered fishing nets so fishermen can readily see when they accidentally catch a sea turtle. Because the lights are solar powered, the fishermen do not have to maintain the lights or change the batteries. This technology has resulted in a 65 percent reduction in sea turtle catches thus far. Senko’s goal is a 100 percent reduction.
Question 1
Part A
What is a central idea of "The Ride of His Life"?
Responses
Senko’s ultimate goal is to save 100 percent of the sea turtles.
Senko’s ultimate goal is to save 100 percent of the sea turtles.
Senko’s career was shaped by an experience in his childhood.
Senko’s career was shaped by an experience in his childhood.
Senko has a unique job that helps the marine environment.
Senko has a unique job that helps the marine environment.
Senko wants to change the way fishermen catch fish.
Senko wants to change the way fishermen catch fish.
Question 2
Part B - Points depend on a correct response in Part A.
Which sentence from the text best shows the development of the central idea in Part A?
Responses
"This technology has resulted in a 65 percent reduction in sea turtle catches thus far."
"This technology has resulted in a 65 percent reduction in sea turtle catches thus far."
"Much of the focus of his work is on saving endangered sea turtles."
"Much of the focus of his work is on saving endangered sea turtles."
"Sea turtles help keep the ocean healthy, and thus their well-being affects the entire ecosystem."
"Sea turtles help keep the ocean healthy, and thus their well-being affects the entire ecosystem."
"Senko found his passion while riding on the back of a turtle when he was just 12 years old."
"Senko found his passion while riding on the back of a turtle when he was just 12 years old."
1 answer
Question 1 Part A:
The central idea of "The Ride of His Life" is:
Senko’s career was shaped by an experience in his childhood.
Question 2 Part B:
The sentence from the text that best shows the development of the central idea in Part A is:
"Much of the focus of his work is on saving endangered sea turtles."
1 answer
1 answer
1 answer
1 answer