Elements of Plot
Learn the setting, meet the main characters, and find out what the story will be about
Exposition
National parks protect natural environments and wildlife. Visitors can explore trails, observe animals, and learn about nature. Park rangers help maintain the parks and educate visitors. Protecting these areas ensures that future generations can enjoy them.
Which sentence best summarizes the paragraph?
A. National parks protect nature and wildlife while allowing visitors to explore and learn, and they are preserved so future generations can enjoy them.
B. Visitors to national parks can explore trails, see animals, and learn from park rangers about nature.
C. Park rangers help maintain national parks and teach visitors about the environment and wildlife.
D. National parks are important places where people can visit and learn about animals and the environment.
A. National parks protect nature and wildlife while allowing visitors to explore and learn, and they are preserved so future generations can enjoy them.
Read the paragraph.
Dogs make excellent pets for many families. They are loyal, can be trained easily, and often provide companionship. Many people enjoy taking their dogs on walks or playing with them outside.
What is the author’s primary purpose?
A. To explain how to train a dog step-by-step
B. To persuade readers to adopt a dog by listing benefits
C. To inform readers about the history of dogs
D. To entertain readers with a funny story about dogs
B.
Lena found a wallet on the sidewalk. She looked inside and saw money and an ID. Even though she wanted to keep the money, she returned the wallet to its owner.
What is the theme of this passage?
A. Finding lost items can be exciting
B. It is important to be honest even when it is difficult
C. Money is more important than doing the right thing
D. People often lose their belongings
B. It is important to be honest even when it is difficult
A word that sounds like or means the same thing as its name. A sound or noise.
Onomatopoeia
When is the conflict introduced?
Usually early on in the story. In the rising action, the conflict is shown.
Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills. It also conserves natural resources and saves energy. Many communities encourage recycling by providing bins and collection services. By recycling, people can help protect the environment.
Which of the following best summarizes the paragraph?
A. Recycling reduces waste in landfills and helps conserve resources, and communities support it by providing services that encourage people to protect the environment.
B. Many communities provide recycling bins and collection services to help people recycle more often.
C. Recycling helps save energy and resources while reducing the amount of trash in landfills.
D. People can protect the environment by recycling and using the services provided in their communities.
A. Recycling reduces waste in landfills and helps conserve resources, and communities support it by providing services that encourage people to protect the environment.
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to help the environment. By recycling paper, plastic, and glass, people can reduce waste and conserve resources. Communities that recycle often have cleaner environments and healthier ecosystems.
Which answer best identifies the author’s purpose AND provides supporting evidence?
A. To entertain, because the author tells an interesting story about recycling
B. To inform, because the author gives facts about how recycling helps the environment
C. To persuade, because the author tries to convince readers that recycling is important and beneficial
D. To describe, because the author explains what recycling bins look like
C. To persuade, because the author tries to convince readers that recycling is important and beneficial
Marcus was nervous about trying out for the basketball team. He practiced every day after school, even when he felt like giving up. In the end, he made the team and felt proud of his hard work.
Which answer best states the theme AND provides supporting evidence?
A. Practice is boring, because Marcus had to work hard every day
B. Hard work leads to success, because Marcus kept practicing and eventually made the team
C. Basketball is an important sport, because Marcus tried out for the team
D. It is scary to try new things, because Marcus felt nervous
Hard work leads to success, because Marcus kept practicing and eventually made the team
Jane sat in awe as stars danced across the night sky.
Personification
The part of the story that reveals or suggests an outcome
The resolution
Learning to play a musical instrument can be challenging at first. Students must practice regularly to improve their skills. Over time, they gain confidence and enjoy performing for others. Playing music can also help students develop focus and discipline.
Which paragraph best summarizes the selection?
A. Learning an instrument can be difficult at the beginning, but students improve with practice over time. As they continue practicing, they gain confidence and begin to enjoy performing. In addition, playing music helps students develop focus and discipline. These benefits make learning an instrument a valuable experience.
B. Students who play instruments often perform for others and enjoy sharing their music. They spend time practicing and learning new songs. Performing can be exciting and rewarding. Many students like being part of musical groups.
C. Practicing regularly is important for students who want to improve their musical skills. Without practice, it is difficult to get better. Students must spend time learning and repeating skills. Practice is the key to success in music.
D. Music classes give students opportunities to learn instruments and perform. Some students enjoy these activities more than others. Teachers help guide students as they learn. Music can be a fun subject in school.
A. Learning an instrument can be difficult at the beginning, but students improve with practice over time. As they continue practicing, they gain confidence and begin to enjoy performing. In addition, playing music helps students develop focus and discipline. These benefits make learning an instrument a valuable experience.
Imagine walking into a park filled with trash instead of green grass and trees. This could become reality if people do not take care of the environment. By picking up litter and reducing waste, you can help keep parks clean and beautiful.
What is the author’s purpose, and which technique is used to support it?
A. To inform, using facts and statistics about pollution
B. To entertain, using humor and storytelling
C. To persuade, using a vivid image and a call to action
D. To describe, using detailed physical descriptions only
C. To persuade, using a vivid image and a call to action
A young girl moves to a new school and feels lonely at first. Over time, she makes friends by being kind and helping others.
Which statement best expresses the theme of the passage?
A. Moving to a new school
B. Friendship
C. Being kind to others can help you build friendships
D. Schools can be difficult places
C. Being kind to others can help you build friendships
1. "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse." What kind of figurative language is this?
2. Why does the author use this?
You must answer both.
Hyperbole.
To exaggerate how hungry the person is.
The events and complications begin to resolve themselves. The reader knows what has happened next and if the conflict was resolved or not.
The falling action
Bees play an important role in the environment by pollinating plants. Without bees, many crops would not grow, and food supplies would decrease. However, bee populations are declining due to pollution and habitat loss. Scientists are working to protect bees and restore their habitats.
Which paragraph best summarizes the selection?
A. Bees are small insects that help pollinate plants in the environment. They move from flower to flower collecting pollen. This process helps plants grow and produce food. Bees are an important part of nature.
B. Bees are essential for pollination, which helps crops grow and supports food supplies. However, their populations are decreasing because of pollution and habitat loss. Scientists are working to solve this problem by protecting bees and restoring their environments. These efforts are important to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
C. Pollution and habitat loss are causing problems for many animals, including bees. Scientists are studying ways to improve habitats and reduce pollution. These changes could help many species survive. Protecting the environment is important for the future.
D. Bees live in hives and work together to collect pollen and make honey. They are known for their organized behavior and teamwork. Many people are interested in learning about how bees live. Bees are fascinating insects to study.
B. Bees are essential for pollination, which helps crops grow and supports food supplies. However, their populations are decreasing because of pollution and habitat loss. Scientists are working to solve this problem by protecting bees and restoring their environments. These efforts are important to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Volcanoes are openings in Earth’s surface that release lava, ash, and gases. Scientists study volcanoes to better understand how they work and to predict eruptions. This information can help protect people living near volcanoes from danger.
How does the author develop the purpose of this passage?
A. The author only entertains by describing volcanoes in an exciting way
B. The author informs readers by explaining what volcanoes are and why scientists study them
C. The author persuades readers to visit volcanoes by making them sound interesting
D. The author mainly tells a personal story about living near a volcano
B. The author informs readers by explaining what volcanoes are and why scientists study them
Two friends, Ava and Mia, both wanted to win a science competition. Ava studied and prepared her project carefully, while Mia rushed and didn’t put in much effort. Ava won the competition, and Mia realized she needed to work harder next time.
How do the characters’ actions help develop the theme?
A. They show that science competitions are difficult to win
B. They show that winning is based only on luck
C. They show that effort and preparation lead to success, while lack of effort can lead to failure
D. They show that friends should always compete with each other
C. They show that effort and preparation lead to success, while lack of effort can lead to failure
John was an ox as he rolled the boulder up the hill
Metaphor
Solar energy is becoming more popular as a source of power. It comes from the sun and can be used to generate electricity. Many homes now use solar panels to reduce energy costs. Although solar panels can be expensive to install, they can save money over time.
Which paragraph best summarizes the selection?
A. Solar energy comes from the sun and is used to create electricity. Many homes are beginning to use solar panels to take advantage of this energy source. Solar panels can help reduce energy costs for homeowners. This makes solar energy a useful option for many people.
B. Solar panels are expensive to install, and many people are concerned about the cost. Some homeowners choose not to use them because of this expense. Others still install them because they want to save money. The cost of solar panels is an important factor to consider.
C. Solar energy is becoming a more widely used source of power because it can generate electricity and reduce long-term energy costs. Although solar panels may require a high initial investment, many homeowners choose them for future savings. This energy source is gaining popularity as people look for alternatives to traditional power. Overall, solar energy provides both benefits and challenges for users.
D. Many homes now use solar panels, and they can be seen on rooftops in different neighborhoods. Solar panels collect energy from the sun during the day. People who use them often want to lower their energy bills. Solar energy is becoming more common in some areas.
C. Solar energy is becoming a more widely used source of power because it can generate electricity and reduce long-term energy costs. Although solar panels may require a high initial investment, many homeowners choose them for future savings. This energy source is gaining popularity as people look for alternatives to traditional power. Overall, solar energy provides both benefits and challenges for users.
Many students believe that school uniforms limit their ability to express themselves. However, studies show that uniforms can reduce distractions and improve focus in the classroom. Schools that require uniforms often report fewer behavior problems and a stronger sense of community.
What is the author’s primary purpose, and what is a secondary purpose?
A. Primary: Entertain; Secondary: Inform about school rules
B. Primary: Inform; Secondary: Describe student opinions
C. Primary: Persuade readers that uniforms are beneficial; Secondary: Inform using supporting facts
D. Primary: Describe uniforms; Secondary: Entertain with examples
C. Primary: Persuade readers that uniforms are beneficial; Secondary: Inform using supporting facts
After failing her first test, Sofia felt discouraged and wanted to quit. However, she decided to ask for help and study harder. Over time, her grades improved, and she became more confident in her abilities.
Which answer best identifies the theme and explains how it develops in the passage?
A. Failure is embarrassing, because Sofia did not do well on her first test
B. Asking for help is important, because Sofia needed support from others
C. Perseverance leads to growth, because Sofia continued working hard after failure and improved over time
D. School is challenging, because Sofia struggled with her grades
C. Perseverance leads to growth, because Sofia continued working hard after failure and improved over time
Comparing something to another thing using like or as.
simile