Vocabulary in Context
Read the sentence:
Although Marcus appeared reluctant to join the group, he eventually pulled up a chair and participated in the discussion.
What does reluctant most likely mean?
A. Excited and eager
B. Unwilling or hesitant
C. Confused and distracted
D. Proud of himself
B. Unwilling or hesitant
Read the passage:
Liam stared at the unopened textbook on his desk. He had spent the entire weekend playing video games instead of studying. When his teacher announced the quiz, Liam quietly put his head down.
What can the reader infer about Liam?
A. He is confident he will do well.
B. He forgot that there was a quiz.
C. He is probably worried about his performance.
D. He does not understand how to study.
C. He is probably worried about his performance.
Read the passage:
Many students believe that making mistakes means they are not good at something. However, mistakes can provide useful information. When students examine what went wrong, they can change their strategies and improve their understanding.
Which statement best expresses the central idea?
A. Students should try to avoid making mistakes.
B. Students should always ask teachers for help.
C. Mistakes can help students identify problems and improve.
D. Students learn best when they work independently.
C. Mistakes can help students identify problems and improve.
The wind howled through the empty streets. Dark clouds covered the moon, and branches scraped against the windows of the abandoned house.
What mood is created?
A. Peaceful
B. Joyful
C. Suspenseful and frightening
D. Exciting and humorous
C. Suspenseful and frightening
A text explains how tornadoes form, describes the conditions needed for them to develop, and provides information about how meteorologists track them.
What is the author's primary purpose?
A. To entertain B. To persuade
C. To criticize D. To inform
D. To inform
Read the sentence:
The scientist carefully examined the unusual plant, intrigued by the way its leaves moved toward the sunlight.
What does intrigued most likely mean?
A. Frightened
B. Bored
C. Very interested or curious
D. Disappointed
C. Very interested or curious
“Don't worry about the extra work,” Mr. Lee told his student. “I'll stay after school and help you understand it."
What can the reader infer about Mr. Lee?
A. He dislikes helping students.
B. He is impatient with struggling students.
C. He is willing to support his students.
D. He expects students to complete work without help.
C. He is willing to support his students.
Supporting Evidence
A passage explains that reading every day can improve vocabulary.
Which detail would be the strongest supporting evidence?
A. Some students enjoy reading fantasy books.
B. Libraries contain thousands of different books.
C. Students encounter unfamiliar words while reading and learn their meanings from context.
D. Many people prefer reading books to watching movies.
C. Students encounter unfamiliar words while reading and learn their meanings from context.
The author's article explains how recycling works, provides statistics about waste, and describes several ways communities can reduce the amount of trash they produce.
What is the author's tone most likely?
A. Informative
B. Humorous
C. Frightened
D. Sarcastic
A. Informative
Which text is most likely written primarily to persuade?
A. A biography explaining the life of an astronaut
B. An article explaining how thunderstorms develop
C. A letter arguing that schools should provide more outdoor learning opportunities
D. A story about a student who gets lost during a field trip
C. A letter arguing that schools should provide more outdoor learning opportunities
Read the sentence:
After hearing several different explanations, Jordan decided to mull over the problem before making a decision.
What does mull most likely mean?
A. Forget about
B. Solve quickly
C. Think about carefully
D. Explain to someone else
C. Think about carefully
Marcus studied for several hours before the science test. He reviewed his notes, completed practice questions, and asked his teacher about concepts he did not understand.
What will most likely happen next?
A. Marcus will probably feel more prepared for the test.
B. Marcus will probably forget everything he studied.
C. Marcus will probably decide not to take the test.
D. Marcus will probably stop studying completely.
A. Marcus will probably feel more prepared for the test.
Read the passage:
People often think creativity means suddenly having a great idea. However, creative thinking frequently involves making several attempts, noticing what does not work, and changing an approach. Inventors, artists, and scientists often improve their ideas through repeated trial and error. A failed attempt can provide information that helps someone develop a better solution.
Which statement BEST expresses the central idea?
A. Inventors and scientists are generally more creative than other people.
B. Creativity often develops through experimenting, learning from failure, and revising ideas.
C. People should avoid using ideas that have already failed.
D. Most creative ideas are developed after many years of practice.
B. Creativity often develops through experimenting, learning from failure, and revising ideas.
Of course, leaving your homework until 11:58 p.m. is a brilliant strategy. Nothing says “prepared” quite like frantically searching for a pencil while the clock counts down.
What is the author's tone?
A. Serious
B. Sarcastic
C. Concerned
D. Respectful
B. Sarcastic
Text Structure
First, place the seeds in a small container. Next, add soil and water. Finally, place the container near a sunny window.
What is the text structure?
A. Sequence B. Compare and contrast
C. Cause and effect. D. Problem and solution
A. Sequence
Read the sentence:
Although the first few attempts at the experiment were unsuccessful, the researchers remained persistent, carefully changing one part of the process each time they tried again.
What does persistent most likely mean as it is used in the sentence?
A. Uncertain about what to do next
B. Determined to continue despite difficulty
C. Curious about the results of an experiment
D. Careful to avoid making mistakes
B. Determined to continue despite difficulty
“It's fine,” Noah said, pushing the assignment toward his friend. “I definitely don't need another chance.”
What can the reader infer?
A. Noah is excited about the assignment.
B. Noah may be frustrated or disappointed.
C. Noah has already completed the assignment successfully.
D. Noah wants his friend to grade the assignment.
B. Noah may be frustrated or disappointed.
Read the passage:
Community gardens provide more than fresh vegetables. They give neighbors opportunities to work together, teach children about growing food, and turn unused areas into useful spaces. In some neighborhoods, residents have even organized classes and community events in their gardens.
What is the central idea?
A. Gardening is the best way for children to learn about food.
B. Community gardens are primarily places where neighbors grow vegetables.
C. Most neighborhoods have unused areas that should become gardens.
D. Community gardens can provide several benefits beyond growing food.
D. Community gardens can provide several benefits beyond growing food.
Sunlight streamed through the trees as birds chirped overhead. A cool breeze moved through the grass while families laughed nearby.
What mood is created?
A. Relaxed and cheerful
B. Nervous and tense
C. Lonely and mysterious
D. Angry and frustrated
A. Relaxed and cheerful
A writer describes several abandoned animals, explains the difficulties shelters face, and ends by encouraging readers to consider adopting animals from shelters.
What is the author's primary purpose?
A. To entertain readers with stories about animals
B. To inform readers about animal shelters only
C. To persuade readers to consider shelter adoption
D. To explain how animals behave in shelters
C. To persuade readers to consider shelter adoption
Read the sentence:
The coach's criticism did not deter Maya from practicing. Instead, she stayed after school and worked even harder.
What does deter most likely mean?
A. Encourage someone to continue
B. Cause someone to stop or avoid something
C. Help someone understand something
D. Remind someone of a previous mistake
B. Cause someone to stop or avoid something
Emma looked at the broken vase on the floor. She immediately glanced toward her little brother, who was standing nearby with his hands behind his back. Emma sighed and began picking up the pieces.
What can the reader most reasonably infer?
A. Emma knows her brother broke the vase.
B. Emma broke the vase herself.
C. Her brother is helping clean the vase.
D. Emma is angry because she dislikes the vase.
A. Emma knows her brother broke the vase.
A passage explains that preparing for a difficult task can increase confidence.
Which detail would BEST support this central idea?
A. The task took several hours to complete.
B. Students who practiced beforehand reported feeling more prepared when they began.
C. Some students preferred working with partners.
D. The teacher gave students several different choices.
B. Students who practiced beforehand reported feeling more prepared when they began.
Which statement is TRUE?
A. Tone is how the reader feels, while mood is how the author feels.
B. Tone and mood always mean exactly the same thing.
C. Tone is the author's attitude, while mood is the feeling created for the reader.
D. Mood can only be used when reading fiction.
C. Tone is the author's attitude, while mood is the feeling created for the reader.
Unlike traditional bicycles, electric bicycles contain a motor that assists the rider. Both types of bicycles can be used for transportation and exercise, but electric bicycles require a battery to operate.
What is the text structure?
A. Cause and effect
B. Compare and contrast
C. Problem and solution
D. Sequence
B. Compare and contrast