Free printable reading comprehension passage about dogs. Print for offline use or test comprehension with the fun online quiz game. Recommended level: 3rd or 4th Grade and up
Driving Has Gone to the Dogs
Monty, the schnauzer, behind the wheel of a special Mini
Driving Dogs Pass Test In New Zealand
adapted from The Huffington Post, December 11, 2012
Want to go for a walk? Not these dogs.
Two New Zealand rescue dogs didn't melt under the pressure of live TV and passed their driving test on Monday, according to an Australian news report.
After two months of training, the dogs were strapped into cars and sent down a racetrack in what has been described as a world-first.
"The dog is doing all the driving," trainer Mark Vette said. "The dog starts the car, puts his paw on the brake, puts the car into drive, paw on the steering wheel, gas pedal on, and off he goes down the track."
The cars have handles on the steering wheel and special brakes and gas pedals to make sure the car doesn't go too fast.
The media reports that Porter, a 10-month-old bearded collie, and Monty, an 18-month-old giant schnauzer, were taught to drive by the New Zealand SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to show that shelter dogs are very smart and make great pets.
What kind of dog is Monty? collie golden retriever schnauzer schnauzer
Where did this news article first appear? Huffington Post New York Times National Geographic Huffington Post
When was this news article reported? December 1, 2012 December 11, 2012 February 11, 2013 December 11, 2012
How long was the dogs' training period? 5 weeks 2 months 6 months 2 months
What was the name of the dog's trainer? Harold Porter Mark Vette It doesn't say in the story. Mark Vette
The car driven by the dogs was exactly like a normal car. True False It doesn't say in the story. False
Only one dog passed the driving test. True False It doesn't say in the story. False
The special car was set up so the dogs could use the steering wheel with their paws. True False It doesn't say in the story. True
What does SPCA stand for? Society for Playing with CArs Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Society for the Prevention of Car Accidents Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Why were the dogs taught to drive a car? to test out a new steering wheel to prove that cars can be driven by anyone to prove that rescue dogs are smart and make good pets to prove that rescue dogs are smart and make good pets
