Main Idea or Theme
What is the theme of a story?
The theme is the lesson of the story.
The Earth is the third planet from the Sun and is the only known planet to support life. It has a diverse range of ecosystems, including deserts, forests, and oceans, that are home to millions of species. The Earth's atmosphere is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases that support life. It also has a natural satellite, the Moon, which orbits around it.
What is the Earth's atmosphere primarily composed of?
a. Nitrogen and oxygen
b. Carbon dioxide and helium
c. Oxygen and helium
d. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide
What is the Earth's atmosphere primarily composed of?
a. Nitrogen and oxygen
Shaking their head in disbelief, the parents were so disappointed when they saw the F on Skylar's report card. Based on the prefix dis-, the word disbelief means:
a. to believe again b. to have many beliefs
c. to not believe d. to move towards belief
The prefix dis- means:
c. to not believe
What is a simile?
A simile is a comparison of two things using like or as.
When James told the class about Chris riding on the roof of the car all the way to their Grandma’s house, the class broke into roars of laughter.
The phrase “broke into roars of laughter” means that the laughter:
a. came from different parts of the class.
b. was sudden and loud.
c. was frightening.
d. came from the car.
The phrase “broke into roars of laughter” means that the laughter:
b. was sudden and loud.
What is the main idea of a text?
The main idea of a text is what the text is mostly about.
Read the paragraph and answer the question that follows:
Lions and tigers are both big cats, but they have some differences. Lions usually live in groups called prides, while tigers prefer to live alone. Tigers have striped fur, and lions have tan coats and a mane if they are male. Both animals are strong hunters and live in the wild.
Which text structure is used in this paragraph?
a. Cause and effect
b. Chronological order
c. Compare and contrast
d. Problem and solution
Which text structure is used in this paragraph?
c. Compare and contrast
It takes less than a minute for the vehicle to transform from an airplane to a car. Based on the prefix trans- what does the word transform mean?
a. above b. change c. between d. move
The prefix trans- means:
b. change.
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a comparison of two things that do not use like or as.
The Camping Trip
“I wish I could be out in the woods with my friends right now,” Sam thought to himself. He and his friends had planned a camping trip with their parents, but Sam couldn’t go. He had to stay home because he was sick with a bad cold.
That evening, Sam’s mother came into his bedroom. “I have a surprise,” Mom said. Sam glumly followed her to the basement and saw that she had set up a tent. “I’m sorry you had to miss the trip,” Mom said. “I thought we could have our own indoor adventure.” Mom and Sam spent the evening on sleeping bags in the basement. They watched a nature program on television and talked about their favorite things to do outdoors. After dinner, Mom even made s’mores for dessert.
Sam was still sorry to have missed the trip, but he and Mom had their own fun camping indoors.
What lesson does Sam learn in the passage?
a. It is important to rest when you are sick.
b. Good planning is important for a fun trip.
c. Friends should try to help each other.
d. Even bad days can include fun adventures.
What lesson does Sam learn in the passage?
d. Even bad days can include fun adventures.
For a full, healthy, and useful life, sports are as important and necessary as work. They help us mentally, physically, and emotionally, and help us develop a healthy outlook towards life. Sports are very useful as a diversion of the mind. Most sports require skill and good judgment. Players not only develop their bodies but also their minds. Players must acquire the art of playing a game.
According to the passage, why are sports important?
a. Sports help people mentally, physically, and emotionally.
b. Sports do not require any special skills.
c. Sports require players to develop their bodies only, not their minds.
d. Sports are not useful.
According to the passage, why are sports important?
a. Sports help people mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth, standing at 29,032 feet (8,848 meters) above sea level. It is located in the Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and China. Mount Everest is a popular destination for climbers, but it is also a dangerous one. The extreme altitude, weather conditions, and lack of oxygen make it a challenging climb. Despite the risks, many people attempt to reach the summit each year, drawn by the mountain's majestic beauty and the challenge it presents.
According to the passage, which of the following is not a reason that Mount Everest is a difficult climb?
a. The mountain is extremely tall.
b. The weather conditions are dangerous.
c. There are lots of dangerous animals.
d. There is very little oxygen on the mountain.
According to the passage, which of the following is not a reason that Mount Everest is a difficult climb?
c. There are lots of dangerous animals.
When I was three years old, my family took a vacation and drove across the United States. I don't remember too many things that happened. The things I do remember are vague.
What does the word vague mean? Use context clues.
a. not clear or lacking details
b. very detailed and specific
c. strong and mighty
d. easy to remember
What does the word vague mean?
a. not clear
What is the meaning of the idiom below?
My mother was over the moon when I told her I won the writing contest.
a. The mother is on the moon.
b. The mother is very happy with the child.
c. The mother likes the brightness of the moon.
d. The mother is upset with the child.
What is the meaning of the idiom "over the moon"?
b. The mother is very happy with the child.
Sarah woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside her window. She stretched and smiled, excited for the day ahead. After breakfast, she put on her shoes and grabbed her backpack, ready to head to the park to meet her friends. As she stepped outside, the sun warmed her face, and everything felt perfect.
Which text structure is used in this paragraph?
a. Chronological/Sequence order
b. Compare and contrast
c. Cause and effect
d. Problem and solution
Which text structure is used in this paragraph?
a. Chronological/Sequence order
Dogs and wolves are part of the same animal family. Both animals have strong senses of smell and are loyal to their packs. But dogs and wolves are quite different when it comes to people. Dogs are used to living with people and get along well with them. In fact, dogs have been called "man's best friend." Wolves, on the other hand, cannot live with humans. Wolves prefer to live in the wild, where they can hunt for their food. Clearly, dogs belong with people, while wolves do not.
What is the central idea of the passage?
a. Wolves and dogs are members of the same animal family, so they have many things in common.
b. Wolves would rather live in caves and like cold weather.
c. Dogs are better suited to living with people than wolves are.
d. Dogs are better-looking than wolves.
What is the central idea of the passage?
c. Dogs are better suited to living with people than wolves are.
But where does the water from the snowman go? The ground acts like a sponge and soaks up the water. As the water seeps into the ground, it finds lots of things that are thirsty. The water might find grass roots, flower bulbs, or tree roots.
So that’s the snowman’s year-round gift — water!
Without water, we wouldn’t have colorful flowers to look at in the spring. Without water, we wouldn’t have soft, green grass to run barefoot on in the summer. Without water, we wouldn’t have strong, tall trees to climb in the fall.
Water helps all of these things grow. The snowman’s gift lasts all year.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the statement: A snowman is still useful even after it melts?
a. “The snowman gets smaller and smaller as it melts, until we can’t see it at all.”
b. "As the snowman melts, it turns into water."
c. "When they get warm, the crystals change from ice into water."
d. “As the water seeps into the ground, it finds lots of things that are thirsty.”
Which sentence from the passage best supports the statement: A snowman is still useful even after it melts?
d. “As the water seeps into the ground, it finds lots of things that are thirsty.”
You've probably seen a rainbow in the sky after a summer storm, but have you ever seen a moonbow? Moonbows happen when moonlight passes through water droplets. The light bends and splits into colors.
A moonbow isn't a common event. This exciting phenomenon usually only occurs when the moon is full, bright, and low in the sky. There must also be rain or mist in the air.
What is the meaning of phenomenon as used in the passage?
a. something loud or upsetting
b. something unusual or remarkable
c. something unimportant or silly
d. something old or ancient
What is the meaning of phenomenon as used in the passage?
b. something unusual or remarkable
Lena sat quietly at her desk, staring at the blank page in front of her. The pencil seemed to beg her to pick it up. Outside, the morning sun smiled through the window, lighting up her notebook with a soft glow.
Which sentence from the paragraph shows personification?
a. Lena sat quietly at her desk, staring at the blank page.
b. The pencil seemed to beg her to pick it up.
c. The morning sun smiled through the window.
d. Both B and C
Which sentence from the paragraph shows personification?
d. Both B and C
---------
b. The pencil seemed to beg her to pick it up.
c. The morning sun smiled through the window.
Tommy was excited to spend the weekend at his grandpa's farm. As soon as he arrived, Grandpa handed him a shiny red apple and said, "Let's go meet Old Bessie."
Tommy followed Grandpa to the barn, where he saw the biggest cow he had ever seen. Old Bessie had large, gentle eyes and a shiny coat of fur. Grandpa explained that Old Bessie had been on the farm for as long as he could remember and was like a part of the family.
Later that day, Tommy helped Grandpa feed the animals and collect eggs from the chickens. As the sun began to set, they sat on the porch, eating homemade apple pie and watching the stars twinkle in the night sky.
Question:
How does the author make you feel about Old Bessie?
a. By describing her large size and shiny coat, the author makes you feel intimidated by Old Bessie.
b. By explaining that Old Bessie is like a part of the family, the author makes you feel connected to and fond of Old Bessie.
c. By mentioning Tommy's excitement, the author makes you feel indifferent towards Old Bessie.
d. By describing the barn, the author makes you feel curious about Old Bessie's surroundings.
How does the author make you feel about Old Bessie?
b. By explaining that Old Bessie is like a part of the family, the author makes you feel connected to and fond of Old Bessie.
My daddy is a tiger
My mother is a bear
My sister is a pest,
Who messes with my hair.
And even though my home,
Is like living in a zoo.
I know my family loves me,
And will take care of me too.
1. What is the author trying to say in this poem?
a. The authors’ family is like a bunch of animals living in a zoo.
b. Even though the author’s family is crazy, they will still take care of each other.
c. The author’s family is too crazy to care about each other and do not get along.
d. The author’s family is unpredictable and has no family at all.
1. What is the author trying to say in this poem?
b. Even though the author’s family is crazy, they will still take care of each other.
The 1904 Olympic Marathon
The 1904 Olympic Games were the first Olympics held in the United States—in St. Louis, Missouri. One event in the Olympics was the marathon. A marathon is a very long running race. In 1904, the marathon length was 24.9 miles. That year, the Olympic marathon had many problems.
The marathon was run on a hot August afternoon. The race course was covered in dust, which made it hard for the runners to breathe. The runners could get water in only two places. More than half of the runners quit the race. Three hours and twenty-eight minutes after the race began, Thomas Hicks crossed the finish line as the winner of the 1904 Olympic marathon!
Which two pieces of evidence does the author use to support the idea that the 1904 marathon was very challenging?
a. “. . . the first Olympics held in the United States. . . .” (paragraph 1)
b. “One event in the Olympics. . . .” (paragraph 1)
c. “The race course was covered in dust. . . .” (paragraph 2)
d. “. . . runners could get water in only two places.” (paragraph 2)
e. “. . . after the race began. . . .” (paragraph 2)
Which two pieces of evidence does the author use to support the idea that the 1904 marathon was very challenging?
c. “The race course was covered in dust. . . .” (paragraph 2)
d. “. . . runners could get water in only two places.” (paragraph 2)
When Bessie Coleman decided to become a pilot, she had to travel to France to get her license. No flying schools in the U.S. were willing to teach an African American woman. But she earned her license in 1921 and soon became well known for her skills. She began performing stunts at air shows. People called her "Brave Bessie." She thrilled crowds with daring maneuvers like figure eights and loop the loops.
What is the meaning of maneuvers as used in the passage?
a. A plan that will not work
b. A vehicle that goes very fast
c. A part of an airplane
d. A movement that requires skill
What is the meaning of maneuvers as used in the passage?
d. A movement that requires skill
Read the paragraph and answer the question that follows:
Jessica looked out the window and sighed. The rain had been falling all day, and her baseball game was canceled. She slumped onto the couch and stared at her glove, wishing the sun would come back.
What answer best describes the tone of this paragraph?
a. Joyful and energetic — the character is full of excitement.
b. Calm and peaceful — the character is feeling relaxed and at ease.
c. Disappointed and gloomy — the character feels let down by the weather.
d. Nervous and uncertain — the character is unsure of what will happen next.
What answer best describes the tone of this paragraph?
c. Disappointed and gloomy — the character feels let down by the weather.
Excerpt from Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Heidi, climbing on a chair, took down the dusty book from a shelf. After she had carefully wiped it off, she sat down on a stool.
“What shall I read, grandmother?”
“Whatever you want to,” was the reply. Turning the pages, Heidi found a song about the sun, and decided to read that aloud. More and more eagerly she read, while the grandmother, with folded arms, sat in her chair. . . . When Heidi had repeated the end of the song a number of times, the old woman exclaimed: “Oh, Heidi, everything seems bright to me again and my heart is light. Thank you, child, you have done me so much good.”
Heidi looked enraptured at her grandmother’s face, which had changed from an old, sorrowful expression to a joyous one.
1. What does enraptured mean?
a. Feeling bored and uninterested
b. Feeling extremely happy and delighted
c. Feeling angry or upset
d. Feeling tired and sleepy
2. How did Heidi affect her grandmother's demeanor in the story?
a. Heidi's reading encouraged her grandmother's spirits.
b. Heidi kept singing until she annoyed her grandmother.
c. Heidi's grandmother became saddened as Heidi read to her.
d. Heidi's grandmother was upset because Heidi wanted to stop reading.
1. What does the word enraptured mean?
b. Feeling extremely happy and delighted
2. How did Heidi affect her grandmother's demeanor in the story?
a. Heidi's reading encouraged her grandmother's spirits.