Themes/Moral/ Lessons
Talia took piano lessons. She really wanted to learn so she was always on time. The trouble was that Talia never practiced. She didn't understand why she never got better. Then one week, she practiced every day. Her teacher was amazed at how much she had learned.
What lesson does the story teach?
Be ready for anything.
Practice helps you learn.
Trying is what is important.
Practice helps you learn.
Lee held on to the back of his little sister's bike. Lee thought Min seemed ready to ride by herself. He let go, but Min stopped and fell over.
"Keep moving your feet," Lee said. Min tried it again, and this time it worked!
Which sentence tells what happens in the story?
Min likes to go bike riding with her brother.
Lee helps his little sister learn to ride a bike.
Min will never ride a bike without help.
Lee helps his little sister learn to ride a bike.
"Dad!" Tala called to her father with a frown. "My blueberry muffin batter is all mixed and ready, but we're out of blueberries!"
Dad walked into the kitchen and looked at the clock. "Well, the farmers market is open for another hour."
Tala's frown turned into a bright smile. "I'll get my shoes on."
How do Tala and her dad solve the problem?
They go pick blueberries.
They go shopping for blueberries.
They make muffins without any blueberries.
They go shopping for blueberries.
There once was a man named Paul. He lived in the mountains of West Virginia. He called many small animals his friends. Deer, rabbits, and beaver visited his back door. He liked to feed them from tiny bowls on his windowsill. His cat Sophie liked to sit in the window and watch them eat.
One day a loud knock came on his door. He opened the door, and a family of squirrels had brought gifts for him. These gifts were nuts, fruit, and vegetables. He thanked the squirrels for their gifts and asked them to come in to share the gifts.
When Paul turned to go into his cabin, the squirrels scampered away into the forest. Paul wondered why the squirrels were so kind to him.
Who is a major character in the story?
deer
Paul
beaver
Sophie
Paul
What is important to include when telling your reader about how your bedroom looks?
your favorite games to play at a sleepover
the colors of your sister's carpet, walls, curtains, and doors in her bedroom
the colors of your carpet, walls, curtains, and doors in your bedroom
what your bedroom will be like when you grow up.
the colors of your carpet, walls, curtains, and doors in your bedroom
Writers always have a/an _____ in mind, when writing their stories.
audience
color
book
question
audience
here was a new boy in Ginny's class. At recess, Ginny noticed that he was standing all by himself. She imagined how hard it would be to switch schools. The first thing she'd want would be a friend. She went up to the boy and said, "Hi, I'm Ginny."
What lesson does this story teach?
Learn the rules at a new school quickly.
Treat others like you would want to be treated.
Finish all your work before you play.
Treat others like you would want to be treated.
Alice sat on the grass eating an apple. She saw a line of ants nearby. She put a piece of apple near the ants. They crawled over it. Alice hoped they were having lunch too.
Which is the best summary of the story?
Alice sits outside and eats an apple.
Alice gives part of her apple to some ants.
Ants are crawling in a line on the ground.
Alice gives part of her apple to some ants.
The Circus
I have a lot of fun at the circus. My family usually goes together. Before we find our seats, we get lots of snacks. My dad likes to get peanuts. He always saves some to eat during the elephants' act. Then we pretend we're elephants eating peanuts. Going to the circus is one of my family's favorite things.
The Deep Sea
My dad and I like to sit on the porch on summer evenings. We look up at the stars. We can see the shadows of the tall trees moving in the breeze. We pretend we are under the sea, looking up at the sea plants floating in the waves.
How are these two stories alike?
Both talk about characters who like animals.
Both are about someone pretending with their dad.
Both take place on a warm day in the summertime.
Both are about someone pretending with their dad.
Jalal sat on the side of the pool watching his big brother finish his long swim. Omar swam every day. And every day, Jalal timed him. Jalal was so proud of Omar. His brother was working hard and getting stronger. Jalal was sure Omar would win the swimming race.
How does Jalal feel while watching his brother?
proud
strong
kind
proud
Gil looked at the calendar in the hall outside his classroom. There would be another show at school this week. Last week, people did tricks on bicycles. This week, people were coming to play drums. Gil was looking forward to this week.
Where does the story take place?
on the playground at Gil's school
outside Gil's classroom at school
in Gil's bedroom at his house
outside Gil's classroom at school
What is the best audience for a report on the changes that should be made in the library?
friends
family
school staff
your babysitter
school staff
Linh walked along the riverbank. She stopped at a bench and looked around. “Wow! Look at all this trash someone left!” Linh thought. Linh knew this trash could get into the water and hurt the animals. “I have to do my part,” she thought. So she bent over and started cleaning up.
What is the lesson in this story?
We should always carry some trash bags with us.
We need to put our trash away from the river.
We can all help keep the earth clean.
We can all help keep the earth clean.
Ryan was writing a thank-you note to his uncle. He wanted his uncle to know he really liked the skates. They were a very special gift. As soon as he finished the note, Ryan was going to try them out.
What happens in the story?
Ryan receives a special gift from his uncle.
Ryan writes a note thanking his uncle for skates.
Ryan's uncle is going to teach him to skate.
Ryan writes a note thanking his uncle for skates.
Lupe hoped Grandma would be home. On Saturdays, Grandma sometimes went out. But Lupe and Mom got onto the crowded elevator. It moved slowly, stopping on each floor, while Lupe thought about Grandma. Finally, they reached the fifth floor, and Lupe knocked hard on Grandma's door. Grandma was home!
How is Lupe's problem solved?
Grandma is home.
The elevator is slow.
Grandma goes out.
Grandma is home
The story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" is about a young girl who sneaks into the house of the three bears while they are out. When the bears come home, they find things in a mess. They finally find Goldilocks asleep in Baby Bear's bed.
In the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," which character is not a supporting character?
Mama Bear
Papa Bear
Goldilocks
Baby Bear
Goldilocks
Mrs. Owens was driving to town in a heavy rain. She came to a place where a deep puddle spread across the road. Slowing down, she noticed a stopped car far off the road. It was her friend Maura's car. Maura stood beside her car, waving for help.
Why is the rain important in the story?
It makes Maura wave for help beside her car.
It makes it hard for Mrs. Owens to drive to town.
It makes Mrs. Owens slow down so she sees the car.
It makes Mrs. Owens slow down so she sees the car.
There was once a great baseball player named Babe Ruth. He struck out a lot more than most players. But he didn't care. He just kept trying and swinging hard. And it worked. He hit a lot of home runs. That is why people say he is one of the best players ever. He just kept trying no matter how much he failed. That's something you should do too, no matter what you are doing.
Which sentence tells you the purpose of this story is to try to help readers?
That's something you should do too, no matter what you are doing.
That is why people say he is one of the best players ever.
He struck out a lot more than most players.
That's something you should do too, no matter what you are doing.
Farah was reading when her little sister Leyla ran in. “Let’s play!” Leyla squealed.
“No! Get out!” Farah shouted.
Farah’s dad entered the room. “Farah, Leyla just loves being with you.”
Farah knew her dad was right. Leyla was just being sweet. “I’m sorry, Leyla. I shouldn’t shout at you.”
What lesson does this story teach?
Listen to your parents.
Sisters can make good friends.
Be kind when you speak to others.
Be kind when you speak to others.
ten looked through her e-mail. She noticed a message from her cousin. She opened the e-mail and read it. Her cousin had some great news. She would be coming to visit Kirsten this summer.
Which is a summary of the story?
Kirsten is going to think of fun things to do with her cousin.
Kirsten gets an e-mail saying her cousin is coming to visit.
Kirsten looks through her e-mail and reads a message.
Kirsten gets an e-mail saying her cousin is coming to visit.
Lamar raced around the corner on his bike. He was pedaling fast because he didn't want to be late for his piano lesson. The bike's front tire hit a rock. Lamar thought, "Not a flat!" but the bike kept rolling. Then Lamar saw his piano teacher's house. He was going to be on time.
What is Lamar's problem?
He doesn't know where his teacher lives.
He doesn't remember how to fix his flat tire.
He doesn't want to be late for his piano lesson
He doesn't want to be late for his piano lesson
Shen’s best friend, Polly, was sad. She’d lost her favorite toy, a red airplane. Shen understood how Polly felt because he also had a toy he loved. It was a silver car with fast wheels. Shen gave his sad friend his toy car to play with. He felt good when it made Polly smile.
Why does Shen give Polly his car?
He thinks cars are better than airplanes.
He wants to cheer up his friend.
He lost his other toys.
He wants to cheer up his friend.
Greg and James went camping in the woods by a lake. They found a perfect fishing spot in the shade and dropped their lines in. They fished for hours and listened to the radio. They knew they would soon have fish for a delicious dinner.
Which tells about the fishing spot?
It has a tent and a place for cooking.
It is a place in the ocean to go fishing.
It is a shady spot by a lake in the woods.
It is a shady spot by a lake in the woods.
Sadie always looked for the cat in the morning, and he was never in his bed. This morning, he was sleeping on the sofa. She picked him up, and he meowed happily. Sadie smiled and shook her head. The cat was always asleep somewhere, but never ever where he belonged. He might be in a chair or curled up on the floor. Once, he was even sleeping in a cupboard.
What is the purpose of the paragraph?
to persuade readers to get a cat for a pet
to inform readers with facts about cats
to entertain readers with a story about a cat
to entertain readers with a story about a cat
"The Bundle of Sticks" by Aesop
An old man called his children to give them some advice. He held out a bundle of sticks and said to his oldest, "Break it." The son tried and tried but could not break the sticks. The other children also tried. None of them could break the sticks. "Untie the bundle," said the father. "Each of you take one stick."
After his children had each taken a stick, the old man said, "Now break them." Everyone holding a stick was able to break it.
What lesson was the father trying to teach his children?
Know how to break sticks.
Share with your family.
Learn to work together.
Learn to work together.
Place to Grow
Sacks of seeds
Are what Tommy needs,
For today he plants his flowers.
The dirt is spread,
Covering the flower bed.
Tommy has worked for hours.
Knees fall to the ground.
Tommy forms a dirt mound.
He completes the first long row.
With a pat, pat, pat,
The mound goes flat.
Now Tommy's seeds have a place to grow.
What is the last thing Tommy did?
spread the dirt
made a small mound
got a sack of seeds
patted the mound
patted the mound
Lara and Sam were making their lunches for school. They both wanted a turkey sandwich, but there was only enough turkey for one person. Lara said, "I know. I'll make a turkey sandwich. You make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We'll cut them both in half, and take a half from each sandwich."
"I like that idea," Sam said and got out four pieces of bread.
How does Lara solve their problem?
She decides to have peanut butter and jelly instead of turkey.
She finds a way for each to have part of the sandwich they want.
She thinks of a plan where they must share the work of making lunches.
She finds a way for each to have part of the sandwich they want.
The Bundle of Sticks
by Aesop
An old man called his sons to give them some advice. He held out a bundle of sticks, and said to his oldest son, "Break it." The son tried and tried but could not break the sticks. The other sons also tried. None of them could break the sticks. "Untie the bundle," said the father, "and each of you take one stick." The old man said, "Now, break." Each stick broke. "You see my meaning," said the father.
Which sentence would be included in a paragraph describing the characters of this story?
The sons could not talk.
The father was very, very old
The youngest son broke the sticks.
The sons were foolish.
The sons were foolish.
Mother looked at the branches heavy with apples. Here in New England, they would soon have a cold snap. Like most families in the 1700s, they grew most of their food. It was important that none go to waste. "Caleb, come help me gather the fruit," Mother called.
The story takes place _____.
on a farm today in the South
today in New England
in New England in the 1700s
in New England in the 1700s
Ichiro had a pretty good day at school. First, he learned there are bridges in the world that are miles and miles long. Then he read about the bridges in his town. He was a little disappointed that none of them were very long. Next, he went to music class and listened to a musician play the fiddle. After that, it was time for history, Ichiro's favorite class.
What is the author's purpose?
to explain what happens in Ichiro's day
to inform about the world's long bridges
to persuade people to learn about history
to explain what happens in Ichiro's day