Fiction
Read the paragraph.
When Ava entered the talent show, her hands trembled and her voice was barely audible. After taking a deep breath, she began to sing. By the end of the song, she was performing with confidence.
What does audible mean?
A. beautiful
B. able to be heard
C. difficult to understand
D. unusually loud
B. able to be heard
Mangrove trees have tangled roots that form a natural barrier. The roots reduce the force of waves and help protect the shoreline from erosion.
What does barrier mean in this paragraph?
A. something that provides protection
B. a plant that grows quickly
C. an animal’s shelter
D. a deep area of water
A. something that provides protection
Which sentence is written correctly?
A. Yesterday, Mia bringed her lunch to school.
B. Yesterday, Mia brang her lunch to school.
C. Yesterday, Mia brought her lunch to school.
D. Yesterday, Mia brings her lunch to school.
C. Yesterday, Mia brought her lunch to school.
I tried to balance the tray as I carried the drinks across the crowded room.
What does balance mean in this sentence?
A. the amount of money still owed
B. to compare two ideas
C. to keep something steady
D. a device used to measure weight
C. to keep something steady
For each question, teams rewrite the sentence. Award points for each successful revision.
The dog ran.
Add details that explain where, how, and why the dog ran.
The frightened dog raced across the muddy field to escape the loud thunder.
Carlos placed the broken picture frame behind a stack of books. When his mother entered the room, he quickly stood in front of the shelf.
What can the reader infer about Carlos?
A. He wants to surprise his mother.
B. He is proud of fixing the frame.
C. He does not want his mother to see the damage.
D. He is searching for a book.
Which detail best supports the inference?
A. Carlos was standing in his room.
B. Carlos hid the frame behind the books.
C. His mother entered the room.
D. The shelf held several books.
C. He does not want his mother to see the damage.
B. Carlos hid the frame behind the books.
Honeybees carry pollen from one flower to another. This process allows many plants to produce fruits and seeds. Apples, strawberries, cucumbers, and almonds are some of the foods that depend on pollinators. Without honeybees and other pollinators, farmers would have difficulty growing many important crops.
What is the central idea of the paragraph?
A. Honeybees produce several kinds of food.
B. Honeybees play an important role in growing many crops.
C. Farmers prefer to grow fruits instead of vegetables.
D. Pollen is a type of seed produced by honeybees.
B. Honeybees play an important role in growing many crops.
Which sentence uses quotation marks and commas correctly?
A. “Please close the gate” Dad called.
B. “Please close the gate,” Dad called.
C. “Please,” close the gate Dad called.
D. Please close the gate, “Dad called.”
B. “Please close the gate,” Dad called.
I stared at the diving board. The other swimmers seemed far below me. My knees shook, but I remembered how hard I had practiced. I closed my eyes, counted to three, and jumped.
What can the reader infer about the narrator?
A. The narrator is nervous but determined.
B. The narrator has never seen a pool.
C. The narrator wants to leave immediately.
D. The narrator is angry with the other swimmers.
What evidence supports the inference?
A. The narrator is nervous but determined.
The narrator’s knees shake, showing nervousness, but the narrator still counts to three and jumps.
Delete
The enormous, huge elephant walked slowly at a slow pace toward the water.
The enormous elephant walked slowly toward the water.
Elena practiced the piano every afternoon. Some songs were difficult, and she frequently played the wrong notes. Instead of quitting, she slowed down and practiced each section separately. After several weeks, Elena performed the entire song without making a mistake.
What key idea is developed in the paragraph?
A. Musical instruments are difficult to play.
B. Regular practice can help someone improve.
C. People should only perform easy songs.
D. Piano lessons should be short.
B. Regular practice can help someone improve.
.
Which TWO details best support the central idea that honeybees are important to crop production?
A. Honeybees carry pollen between flowers.
B. Honeybees live together in colonies.
C. Many foods depend on pollinators.
D. Some honeybees leave the hive during the day.
E. Honey can be used to sweeten food.
A. Honeybees carry pollen between flowers.
C. Many foods depend on pollinators.
Which sentence correctly combines the ideas?
Lena wanted to ride her bike. Dark clouds covered the sky.
A. Lena wanted to ride her bike dark clouds covered the sky.
B. Lena wanted to ride her bike, dark clouds covered the sky.
C. Lena wanted to ride her bike, but dark clouds covered the sky.
D. Lena wanted, to ride her bike but dark clouds covered the sky.
C. Lena wanted to ride her bike, but dark clouds covered the sky.
I wanted to make the poster myself, but my cousin Lila insisted on helping. At first, I became frustrated whenever she suggested changing something. Then Lila showed me how to arrange the pictures so the information was easier to understand. I realized that her ideas could make our poster better.
What conflict does the narrator experience?
A. The narrator cannot find the pictures.
B. The narrator does not want to share the work with Lila.
C. Lila refuses to finish the poster.
D. Lila does not understand the assignment.
How is the conflict resolved?
B. The narrator does not want to share the work with Lila.
The narrator recognizes that Lila’s ideas can improve the poster.
Combine
Maya studied the map. Maya found the shortest trail. Maya led the group.
After studying the map, Maya found the shortest trail and led the group.
Malik wanted to finish the science project immediately, but Jonah wanted to test their model several more times. Malik complained that Jonah was wasting time. Jonah explained that additional tests could help them find problems before the presentation. After one final test revealed a loose wire, Malik admitted that Jonah had been right.
How does the conflict affect the relationship between Malik and Jonah?
A. It causes Malik to leave the project.
B. It helps Malik understand the value of Jonah’s careful approach.
C. It convinces Jonah to stop testing the model.
D. It prevents the boys from completing their work.
B. It helps Malik understand the value of Jonah’s careful approach.
Read the details.
Which detail is least important to the key idea that solar energy is a useful energy source?
Some solar panels are dark blue or black.
Which sentence uses a comma correctly?
A. Although the trail was muddy we continued hiking.
B. Although, the trail was muddy we continued hiking.
C. Although the trail was muddy, we continued hiking.
D. Although the trail, was muddy we continued hiking.
C. Although the trail was muddy, we continued hiking.
Put these events in the correct order.
Rearrange
We ate our sandwiches after reaching the park, and first we packed our lunches.
First, we packed our lunches. After reaching the park, we ate our sandwiches.
Malik wanted to finish the science project immediately, but Jonah wanted to test their model several more times. Malik complained that Jonah was wasting time. Jonah explained that additional tests could help them find problems before the presentation. After one final test revealed a loose wire, Malik admitted that Jonah had been right.
Which sentence best summarizes the passage about Malik and Jonah?
A. Malik and Jonah worked on a science project with a loose wire.
B. Jonah tested a model while Malik watched him work.
C. Malik disagrees with Jonah’s careful approach but changes his mind when Jonah’s testing helps their project.
D. Two students had to give a science presentation.
C. Malik disagrees with Jonah’s careful approach but changes his mind when Jonah’s testing helps their project.
Sea turtles spend most of their lives in the ocean, but females return to land to lay their eggs. They dig nests in the sand and cover the eggs before returning to the water. After hatching, the young turtles crawl toward the ocean. Bright lights near beaches can confuse the hatchlings and lead them away from the water. Some coastal communities turn off unnecessary lights during nesting season to help protect the turtles.
Write a two-sentence summary that maintains the meaning and logical order of the paragraph.
Female sea turtles lay and cover their eggs in nests on beaches before returning to the ocean. After the eggs hatch, some communities reduce beach lighting so the young turtles can safely find the water.
Which sentence is written correctly?
A. We read the novel “Charlotte’s Web.”
B. We read the novel Charlotte’s Web.
C. We read the chapter A New Friend.
D. We read the poem “Dreams.”
B. We read the novel Charlotte’s Web.
What message is developed through the narrator’s experience with Lila?
A. Working alone is always more efficient.
B. Posters should contain many pictures.
C. Listening to another person’s ideas can improve a project.
D. Family members often disagree.
C. Listening to another person’s ideas can improve a project.
Improve Word Choice
The bird went across the sky.
The eagle soared gracefully across the sky.