Vocabulary
Greek and Latin Roots
Literary Comprehension
Informational Comprehension
Mixed Media/ Compare and Contrast
100
Look at the word vary in the passage below.
Have you ever wondered why shells come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors? They vary based on the needs of the creatures they protect. Most often, seashells are the exoskeletons of animals like snails, clams, and oysters. The exoskeleton covers these animals' soft, slimy bodies. Snails need shells that let them crawl around. But clams and oysters need shells to keep their whole body protected. What is the meaning of vary as used in the passage?
a. create value
b. change or show a difference
c. wait or take a long rest
b. change or show a difference
100
The root scrib means write or draw. What does the word transcribe mean?
a. to write down what is said
b. to fix what is broken
c. to walk across a bridge
d. to speak to someone
a. to write down what is said
100
Which point of view does the narrator use in the passage?One Sunday afternoon after dinner, about a week after John's bicycle was smashed, he and Roger rode out to the Centerville dump. They liked to go to the dump once in a while to see if there was any interesting trash.
a. first person
b. second person
c. third person
c. third person
100
Look at these details from a paragraph about the same topic:
Table Mountain in South Africa is home to more than twenty types of snakes.
Two rare types of frogs live on Table Mountain.
Table Mountain has lots of birds, such as falcons and owls.
Choose the main, or central, idea that ties all the details together.
a. both snakes and birds live on Table Mountain.
b. South Africa's Table Mountain is full of animal life.
c. Tortoises and lizards are both found on Table Mountain.
b. South Africa's Table Mountain is full of animal life.
100
Complete the rhyme scheme.
The people along the sand (A)
All turn and look one way (B)
They turn their back on the land (__)
They look at the sea all day (__)
AA
AB
BB
CD
AB
200
The word vary means "change or show a difference." If a story varies each time your mother tells it, what does she do?
a. She reads the story to a group of people.
b. She uses funny voices when she tells it.
c. She does not tell it the same way twice.
c. She does not tell it the same way twice.
200
Look at the roots below. Which one means the study of something?
a. logy
b. bio
c. tele
d. geo
a. logy
200
Read the story.
Mavis leaned low over her horse's neck as they thundered across the finish line. "Well done!" Sir Eustace called. "That's enough for today. "Mavis tugged the reins, circling around. She shook her head and told Sir Eustace she wanted to practice again, even faster.Sir Eustace laughed. "You're plenty fast enough to pass the test tomorrow," he said."I know. But . . . my dad will be there," Mavis said hesitantly."Ah," Sir Eustace said, suddenly understanding. "Didn't he set the record for the riding test when he was a student?"When Mavis nodded, Sir Eustace laughed. "In that case, go again. I'm sure you can go faster."
Why is Mavis most likely practicing so hard for the riding test?
a. She feels nervous that she won't be as good as her father.
b. She's afraid her horse will forget the course tomorrow.
c. She secretly hopes to beat Sir Eustace in a race.
a. She feels nervous that she won't be as good as her father.
200
Read the text.
Different animals are good at guarding in different situations. Some people own dogs to guard their homes. Dogs can bark a warning when strangers (or mail carriers) show up. Dogs are well suited for life in city homes. However, if you live in the country, you might prefer a donkey instead. That's especially true if you have sheep, pigs, or horses to protect. Donkeys can fight off coyotes and wolves better than many dogs. A donkey is easier to care for, too. It can just eat the grass in the pasture with the other animals.
Which text structure does the text use?
a. compare and contrast
b. descriptive
c. sequential
d. problem and solution
a. compare and contrast
200
Look at this sentence:
Baseball games draw a lot of people to Springfield Park.
Select the definition of draw that the sentence uses.
draw:
1. to make a picture with a pen, pencil, or crayon
2. to pull something up
3. to bring in or attract
3. to bring in or attract
300
Complete the sentence with the correct homophone.
In an especially memorable moment of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew land on an ___ full of one-eyed, man-eating giants called Cyclopes.
a. aisle
b. I'll
c. isle
c. isle
300
What does the word audio mean?
a. sound that you can hear
b. something that you can break
c. light that you can see
d. talking to someone on a phone
a. sound that you can hear
300
Review the story.
Mavis leaned low over her horse's neck as they thundered across the finish line."Well done!" Sir Eustace called. "That's enough for today."Mavis tugged the reins, circling around. She shook her head and told Sir Eustace she wanted to practice again, even faster.Sir Eustace laughed. "You're plenty fast enough to pass the test tomorrow," he said."I know. But . . . my dad will be there," Mavis said hesitantly."Ah," Sir Eustace said, suddenly understanding. "Didn't he set the record for the riding test when he was a student?"When Mavis nodded, Sir Eustace laughed. "In that case, go again. I'm sure you can go faster."
Complete the sentence to support the inference.
You can guess that Mavis feels nervous that she won't be as good as her father because ________________.
a. she laughs when Sir Eustace reminds her that her father set the record
b. she finishes the ride quickly and tells Sir Eustace that she won't pass the test
c. she insists on practicing more and tells Sir Eustace her father will be there
c. she insists on practicing more and tells Sir Eustace her father will be there
300
Review the text.
Different animals are good at guarding in different situations. Some people own dogs to guard their homes. Dogs can bark a warning when strangers (or mail carriers) show up. Dogs are well suited for life in city homes. However, if you live in the country, you might prefer a donkey instead. That's especially true if you have sheep, pigs, or horses to protect. Donkeys can fight off coyotes and wolves better than many dogs. A donkey is easier to care for, too. It can just eat the grass in the pasture with the other animals.
How does the compare-contrast structure support the author's purpose?
a. It lists the steps farmers should take when deciding whether to get a dog or a donkey.
b. It explains how dogs and donkeys are useful guard animals with different strengths.
c. It explains why it's easier to train dogs to be guard animals than it is to train donkeys.
d. It describes the steps for teaching a dog or a donkey to become a skilled guard animal.
b. It explains how dogs and donkeys are useful guard animals with different strengths.
300
Read the passage.
There it was again! Abigail pressed her ear against the wall and listened. Scrape-scrape-scrape. A chill ran down her spine. What was that noise? She wished she hadn't agreed to babysit Stanley."Could you see what that is?" Stanley asked. Stanley hugged himself and shut his eyes.Abigail took a deep breath and threw open the kitchen door. Scrape-scrape-scrape. Stanley's dog, Spot, was pushing his empty food dish across the tile floor.Abigail chuckled, then fed Spot.
Based on the passage, compare and contrast Abigail and Stanley.
a. Both Abigail and Stanley are brave.
b. Both Abigail and Stanley are uneasy but Abigail also shows that she is brave.
c. Abigail is brave but Stanley feels uneasy.
d. Stanley feels uneasy while Abigail is brave.
b. Both Abigail and Stanley are uneasy but Abigail also shows that she is brave.
400
Which word is a synonym of hill?
a. mound
b. basin
c. ocean
d. house
a. mound
400
What does the word biotechnology mean?
a. technology based on the use of living things
b. technology based on the use of water from the ocean
c. technology based on the use of light from the sun
d. the study of life
a. technology based on the use of living things
400
The following texts both describe delivering mail.
This text is from the point of view of Stacy, a mail carrier:
The weather today is perfect, so I roll down the window of the delivery van to let in the breeze. My mail delivery route takes me near the shore, so I spend the whole day breathing the wonderful ocean air. I wave to the people on the beach as I drive past.
This text is from the point of view of Russell, another mail carrier:
My route takes me through a neighborhood right along the beach. It's so beautiful when the weather is nice, but I'm always stuck delivering the mail. The rest of the world seems to be swimming, playing volleyball, or just enjoying the sun.
How is Russell's point of view different from Stacy's?
a. Russell makes delivering mail in good weather sound less pleasant.
b. Russell describes the difficulties of delivering mail in bad weather.
c. Their points of views are the same.
d. Russell and Stacy are siblings.
a. Russell makes delivering mail in good weather sound less pleasant.
400
Read the text.
Fresh vegetables and friendly neighbors can transform empty lots into beautiful gardens. These green spaces make our towns better places to live. Gardens produce fresh, healthy food. And growing your own food means you don't have to buy it. In fact, families can save hundreds of dollars each year when they grow their own food. Kids learn science skills when they work in gardens, too. When students help plants grow from seeds into adults, they learn about what plants need in order to live and grow. Finally, gardens help people feel more connected with their neighborhoods. Gardens turn unused lots into welcoming spaces where neighborhood families can meet and get to know one another. Together, these reasons show why gardens are great for neighborhoods!
What is the author's purpose and main message in this text?
a. The author wants to persuade readers that more neighborhoods should have gardens.
b. The author wants to inform readers about the vegetables that you can grow each season.
c. The author wants to inform readers that learning about science is easier in nature than in classrooms.
d. The author wants to persuade readers that home grown vegetables are healthier than store bought.
a. The author wants to persuade readers that more neighborhoods should have gardens.
400
The following text is about two boys, Bud and Jerry, who are going to new foster homes. Select the best detail to show Jerry is alarmed at the idea of living with three little girls.
a. "Now that the school year has ended, you both have been accepted in new temporary-care homes starting this afternoon!"
b. Jerry asked the same thing I was thinking. "Together?"
c. She said, "Why, no. Jerry, you'll be in a family with three little girls..."
d. Jerry looked like he'd just found out they were going to dip him in a pot of boiling milk.
d. Jerry looked like he'd just found out they were going to dip him in a pot of boiling milk.
500
Which word is an antonym of anxious?
a. suspect
b. calm
c. scared
d. tired
b. calm
500
What does the word portfolio mean?
a. a large machine you use to print words onto posters
b. a large machine you use to shred papers
c. a large, flat case you use to carry papers
d. to carry a box
c. a large, flat case you use to carry papers
500
What is the meaning of you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar?
a. words are more powerful than physical force
b. you can get what you want more easily by treating people well
c. honey is good for you
d. vinegar is nasty
b. you can get what you want more easily by treating people well
500
Read a text about non-English words.
English is a rich language with thousands and thousands of words. Still, we don't have an exact word for everything. For example, have you ever not wanted help because you didn't want to bother someone? There's no English word for this feeling, but in Thai, it's called greng-jai. In fact, there are many foreign words that don't match up to English words. Luckily, we can simply put two or more English words together. Of course, the more English words we know, the easier it is to explain ourselves. This is one reason it's so important to have a good grasp of English.
Read a second text about non-English words.
Many languages have words without exact English matches. One example is the German word schadenfreude. Schadenfreude is a feeling of joy that a person feels about another person's problems. There is no English word for this interesting idea. Of course, we don't need a term for every single idea. We can try to describe what we mean with English words instead. However, this can be difficult and awkward. It's sometimes better simply to adopt the foreign words. That's what happened with schadenfreude; English speakers gradually started using it like it was a native word. Now the term even appears in English dictionaries.
Compare the details that were included in both texts.
Who would likely agree that using non-English words helps English speakers understand each other better?
a. the author of Text 1
b. the author of Text 2
c. both authors
d. neither
b. the author of Text 2
500
Read the drama. Then answer the question.
The Broken Trophy
Characters:
Mia — captain of the robotics team
Jordan — Mia’s younger brother
Dad — watching from the audience
(Backstage before the school competition. A large trophy sits on a table.)
Jordan: (reaching toward the trophy) Wow, Mia, your team could really win this today!
Mia: Don’t touch it! Coach said we’re supposed to leave everything exactly where it is.
Jordan: I was only looking at it.
(Jordan steps backward and bumps the table. The trophy crashes to the floor.)
Jordan: I—I didn’t mean to!
Mia: (staring at the broken pieces) The judges will see this before the competition even starts. Coach is going to blame me.
Jordan: Maybe we can hide it until after the contest.
Mia: Hide it? That would just make things worse.
(Dad enters quickly after hearing the noise.)
Dad: What happened here?
(Jordan lowers his head and stays silent.)
Mia: (after a pause) The trophy fell while Jordan was standing near the table.
Jordan: No, it was my fault. I backed into the table. Mia told me not to touch anything.
Dad: Telling the truth takes courage. We’ll explain what happened and help clean this up.
(Mia picks up a broken piece of the trophy and smiles slightly at Jordan.)
Question
How does Jordan change from the beginning of the drama to the end?
A. He becomes more frustrated because Mia accuses him unfairly.
B. He changes from careless to responsible by admitting the truth.
C. He learns that winning the competition is more important than honesty.
D. He becomes confident after Dad promises to replace the trophy.
B. He changes from careless to responsible by admitting the truth.