Main Idea
Inference
Reading Comprehension
Context Clues
Anything Goes
100
Getting a dog? Don't count out a mutt. Mutts are often free, where purebreds can cost thousands. Also, mutts might not be as handsome as purebred, but they're less likely to be nervous or snappy, and best of all, a mutt doesn't have a million copies of itself running around. A poodle is a poodle, but a must is a one of a kind. What is the main idea of the selection?
A. Purebreds are expensive and have bad qualities. B. Mutts definitely make the best pets. C. Mutts can be just as good, if not better than purebreds.
100
In colonial Salem, Massachusetts, if you were accused of witchcraft ,there were several ways to prove your innocence. People believed that witches could not drown, so they would push the "witch" underwater and hold him or her there. If the person drowned, then that proved that he or she wasn't a witch after all. However, the proof came at a high price, didn't it? What can the reader conclude was the high price?
A. The person would be proven innocent, but would be dead. B. The witch would always get away. C. The village would apologize to the person.
100
The Mississippi River was flooding. People who lived along its bank were worried about their safety, as well as their homes and belongings. How could they keep their families safe when the river was threatening to flood their homes? The only solution was to leave until the river went down. How did the author organize this passage?
What is " Problem and Solution"?
100
The Roman believed that gods could control people's emotions. For example, they believed that Cupid was the god of love. Cupid had wings and always carried a BOW and lots of arrows. The Romans thought Cupid made people fall in love by shooting them with one of his arrows. What does the word BOW mean in this paragraph?
A. a curved piece of wood with a string stretched along it B. to bend low at the waist C. a knot with loops and tails.
100
Clarke used his spare time at school to gather data for his project by making observations, asking questions of his classmates, and recording his findings. Clarke had gathered data on vegetables that students like to eat by SURVEYING his classmates. He even stood next to trash cans in the cafeteria to see which vegetable were left uneaten on the lunch trays. He documented his findings with colorful graphs and wrote a report with recommendations for the cafeteria manager. Which words from the story help the reader know what the world SURVEYING means in the paragraph?
A. asking questions of his classmates B. recording his findings C. making observations D. played with his friends.
200
Kiwi fruit was first sold in America as Chinese gooseberry. People didn't know what to think of the brown fuzzy fruit from New Zealand. And they weren't sure they wanted to buy something called a Chinese gooseberry. A fruit-seller noticed that it looked like a fat little bird called the kiwi. This fruit was renamed, and now it's very popular. What is the main idea of the selection?
A. A Chinese gooseberry is another name for kiwi fruit. B. The kiwi fruit got its name in an unusual manner. C. The kiwi fruit is popular in New Zealand.
200
Does anyone believe in witches anymore? Back in the 1600s, the colonist were afraid of witches. In Salem, Massachusetts, acting- or even just dressing- differently than your neighbors would make them suspect you were a witch. It's safe to say that not very many Salem villagers wanted to set new fashion trends! What can the reader infer about the people of Salem?
A. They were too poor for new clothes. B. People might think they were witches. C. They didn't want their neighbors to be jealous.
200
Alan loved his puppy, but she chewed on everything she could get her teeth on. She was especially bad when they left her alone for a few hours. They'd had her only a week. But she'd already chewed on Mr. Bautista's favorite chair, Mrs. Bautista's sandals, and Alan's homework. Which is NOT something the Bautista's should do to solve their puppy problem?
A. take the puppy to puppy training class B. provide the puppy with chew toys C. keep the puppy locked up in a cage
200
Folktales are stories that are handed down among the COMMON, or regular people of a culture. They can have both human and non-human characters. The humans often stand for one quality, such as greed. The non-humans might be genies, elves, or even talking animals. Folk tales are used to teach lessons about ordinary life. What does the word COMMON mean in this paragraph?
A. happening often B. ordinary, or regular; not special in any way C. shared by two or more people
200
By the time she was three, Matilda had taught herself to read by studying new papers and magazines that lay around the house. At the age of four, she could read fast and well and she naturally began hankering after books. The only book in the house was called Easy cooking. When she read this from cover to cover and learnt all the recipes by heart, she decided she wanted something more interesting. The reader can conclude that-
A. Matilda wants to be a cook. B. Matilda likes to read. C. Matilda's father wants her to watch TV. D. Matilda has a special gift.
300
Nike was the Greek goddess of victory. Her name actually means "victory" in Greek and is pronounced NEE-kay. Nike went to war with the Greeks and helped them win battles. She also led them to victory in other areas, including athletics. Today we know Nike best from a line of athletic products that has borrowed her name. What is the main idea of the selection?
What is "Nike was the Greek goddess of victory"
300
Jesse and Arandia were convinced that the old house was deserted. After all, no one had been seen coming in or out for the past year. At last, Arandia could no longer stand the suspense. She dared Jesse to solve the mystery simply by knocking on the door. When the two friends saw the frail, limping old man appear, they knew he was someone who needed help. What the can reader infer about the old man?
What is "He is too old and sick to go out on his own"
300
Someone left a note on Jocelyn's locker, but didn't sign it. Jocelyn was not there when her friends noticed it. "I think it's from Julian," Celeste said. "They are doing a project together for Mrs. Herrera's class." "Maybe its from Mrs. Morra," Manuel said. "No, its from me," a voice behind them said. They turned to see Jocelyn. "I left it to remind myself which locker is mine. They all look the same." The reader can conclude that the kids were having difficulty identifying the writing on the note because--
What is " The kids did not recognize Jocelyn's handwriting"
300
Before World War II, most woman stayed home while their husbands worked. But in 1942, millions of men were shipped overseas to fight the war. This left millions of jobs open- jobs that supplied the military with weapons, food, and clothing. Who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE? Women of course! Women took on the responsibility of providing for their family. What does "STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE" refer to?
What is "took on the responsibility"
300
Tattoos might be "in," but they can also be dangerous. Dirty needles are sometimes used to puncture the skin. These needles can spread deadly diseases. It is important for people to research tattoo parlors for their cleanliness. Because, being "in" could just mean being in the hospital. What is the main idea of the selection?
What is "Tattoos come with health risks."
400
Dracula may not be real, but vampire bats are, and they feed on blood! Most vampire bats live in South America. They usually hunt small mammals and birds. But occasionally they travel in swarms and attack cattle- and even humans! One of the most amazing facts about vampire bats is that some have a wingspan of 67 inches. That's a lot of bat! What is the main idea of the selection?
What is "Vampire bats are real and can be frightening."
400
Mr. Cole has a reputation for being the toughest teacher at Veterans Middle School. There was no telling what he would do. On his first day with Mr. Cole, David made sure to get to class early. His palms were sweaty and his heart was beating fast. Then he saw a smiling man coming toward him. He shook his hand and said, " Welcome. My class isn't easy, but if you work hard, you'll learn more than you ever thought possible. I guarantee it!" What can the reader infer about the type of teacher Mr. Cole is?
What is "Mr. Cole is tough and fair."
400
The shortcut required Alonso to pass through a parking lot where Marco begun to hang out. Marco was the notorious bully at school. "Hey!" Alonso heard from behind. Alonso stopped short. That was Marco's voice; there was no doubt about it. It was then that Alonso realized he had to stop running. He squared his shoulders and slowly turned around to face Marco, once and for all. What did Alonso realize when he heard Marco's voice?
What is "it was time to stand up for himself"
400
The suffix -ment means "time". Knowing this information, what does "merriment" mean?
What is "merry time, happy time, or a time when you are feeling merry?"
400
Brushing your teeth is very important. Some do not know the proper way to accomplish this task. First, you put a dime size amount of toothpaste on a toothbrush. Brush the top right side of your teeth, in a circular motion, all over the teeth. After 20 seconds, switch to the top left side of your teeth and repeat. Repeat four more times with the rest of your teeth. When done brushing, rinse your mouth clean with water. Make sure to clean the brush as well! You're finished! You now have beautiful, clean teeth. The author's main purpose for writing this is---
What is "to explain to the reader the proper way to brush your teeth"
500
The most serious polio patients suffered respiratory failure, and as early as the 1860s, inventors had experimented with apparatuses for artificial breathing. In 1928, Philip Drinker, and and Dr. Louis Agassiz Shaw, in Boston, first sued the term "iron lung" for their machine that varied pressure to aid polio victims' respiration. John Haven Emerson, who ran a machine shop at Harvard Square making medical and scientific instruments saw Drinker's and Shaw's device and imagined improvements, which he completed three years later. His respirator not only worked better, it sold for less than half price of the original "iron lung." Legal battles followed, but Emerson's designs prevailed commercially as the virus created a growing demand. What is the main idea of this selection?
What is "iron lung" was created to help polio patients breathe; Emerson took this idea and made it better.
500
When Jennifer heard a rustling noise outside her tent, she awakened instantly. It was her first time camping, and she wasn't quite sure what to do. She stayed still and didn't make a sound. All was still except for the strange noise- it went from growling, to sniffing, to chewing, to gulping! That's when Jennifer realized she had left the graham crackers for the s'mores right outside her tent's front flap. What can the reader conclude happened outside?
What is "A bear smelled the food and stopped to eat it"
500
Alondra opened the cupboard and looked behind the bag of flour and the baking soda. Nothing. This was ridiculous! "Edgar! Edgar! Get into this kitchen right now!" she yelled. "What's the problem?" Edgar asked with the air of distraction. "I'll tell you what the problem is," Alondra fumed. "Your chocolate addiction is the problem! Do you see that bowl of cookie dough? Does it look like anything's missing to you?" The reader can infer that Alondra is fuming because-
What is " Edgar always eats the chocolate chips"
500
"We have a big free-roaming area at the PRESERVE," Antle told the New York Post. "Sometimes lions and tigers are allowed to go out there and, lo and behold, one particular lion fell in love with one particular tiger and we had babies." What does the word PRESERVE mean in this paragraph?
What is " an area where plants, animals, minerals, etc, are protected" ?
500
Why does popcorn explode? A kernel of popcorn looks dry, but it actually has a little water inside. When the kernel is heated up, the water gets hot. This results in a little explosion, which causes the popcorn kernel to blow up. How does the author organize this passage?
What is "Cause and Effect"?
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