Informational Text Questions
The term “Emerald Isle” is synonymous with Ireland and its rolling hills and valleys of green. But how did Ireland come to be known as the Emerald Isle? Ireland’s greenery certainly had a lot to do with it, but there's more to the story and it began with a poet. Ireland was first called the “Emerald Isle” in William Drennan’s poem, "When Erin First Rose".
Which key idea is being developed with this excerpt?
A. Ireland is known has the “Emerald Isle”.
B. William Drennan wrote a poem about Ireland.
C. William Drennan’s poem about Ireland was called, “When Erin First Rose.”
D. Ireland became known as the “Emerald Isle” through its greenery, and an Irish poem.
D. Ireland became known as the “Emerald Isle” through its greenery, and an Irish poem.
Mrs. Watson kept reminding Byron to do his homework. “I know, I know!” was Byron’s constant reply. The next day Mrs. Watson got a note from Byron’s teacher, explaining that Byron missed all of his homework assignments for the quarter. Byron was then grounded, so he couldn’t go to a party with his best friend, Burt.
Which is the BEST theme?
A. Friendship
B. A young boy forgets to do his homework.
C. Sometimes parents are too strict.
D. It is important to live up to your responsibilities.
D. It is important to live up to your responsibilities.
King Edward VIII decided to abdicate his throne in favor of his son.
What does “abdicate” mean?
A. to pursue
B. to share
C. to step down from
D. to talk about
C. to step down from
(1) Gloria was excited to meet her new cousin. (2) Vincent arrived on April 12th kicking and screaming. (3) “I’m so excited!” yelled Gloria. (4) “The sun is smiling on me today! (5) I’ve got a new, adorable cousin to love!”
Which sentence has an example of personification?
Hands Across America was a public event on Sunday, May 25, 1986, in which approximately 6.5 million people held hands for fifteen minutes in an attempt to form a continuous human chain across the United States. Many participants donated ten dollars to reserve their place in line.
What is the central idea of this excerpt?
A. Hands Across America was fun.
B. Hands Across America was very inexpensive.
C. Hands Across America was an attempted show of unity.
D. Hands Across America occurred on May 25, 1986.
C. Hands Across America was an attempted show of unity.
Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour.
What is the main idea of this poem?
A. Green is associated with nature.
B. Flowers are beautiful in the spring.
C. A garden is filled with flowers and plants.
D. Enjoy the beauty of nature while it lasts.
D. Enjoy the beauty of nature while it lasts.
Marge and her best friend Mary sauntered down the rode. What does it mean to “saunter”?
A. to walk slowly with a cheerful attitude
B. to run at top speed
C. to compete against another person
D. to skip and hop with joy
A. to walk slowly with a cheerful attitude
(1) Beth quickly handed out the math papers for Mrs. Jackson. (2) Tim frowned when he saw his lower-than expected grade. (3) Tanya smiled as wide as a river when she noticed her grade. (4) The last paper was Kimberley’s. (5) She was a ray of sunshine when she left the classroom.
Which sentence reveals a simile, NOT a metaphor?
Sentence 3
Educational volunteers work without pay in elementary, middle and high school classrooms. Their work is difficult, but very rewarding. Teachers are very grateful for their volunteers. Most schools have openings for this type of work.
Which is the BEST summary of this excerpt?
A. Volunteering for schools is fun.
B. Volunteers are needed at every school.
C. Educational volunteers work in elementary school classrooms.
D. Educational volunteers work hard and are greatly appreciated.
D. Educational volunteers work hard and are greatly appreciated.
Brian was born right before The Great Depression. He managed to escape an orphanage and was on a mission to find his father. He met a number of interesting people during his adventure, and finally located his father. Although it took him a while, his father was eventually very grateful to have his son in his life again.
Which is the best theme?
A. A boy finds his father.
B. A boy was born before the Great Depression and lived in an orphanage.
C. The importance of family.
D. The importance of working hard and staying in school.
C. The importance of family.
Mary had a compassionate response when she heard about Ben’s situation.
What does “compassionate” mean?
A. Angry
B. Jealous
C. Sympathetic
D. Loud
C. Sympathetic
The drugstore was losing money every quarter. Most employees were already looking for other jobs. Eric’s suggestion about a three-day sale was just a Band-Aid for the problem. The company needed a solution that would work.
What is emphasized with the metaphor in this excerpt?
A. Eric’s cheerful attitude.
B. The interest in the store.
C. The uselessness of Eric’s solution.
D. The new jobs that the workers were looking for
C. The uselessness of Eric’s solution.
“It is a matter of shame that in the morning the birds should be awake earlier than you.”
Which idea is being introduced with this quotation?
A. Birds wake up too early.
B. Don’t waste the day.
C. Birds wake people up in the morning.
D. Don’t criticize others.
B. Don’t waste the day.
Phil did not make the basketball team. Although upset, he didn’t give up. He shot hoops every day after school. On the weekends, he joined neighborhood games. His father practiced with him and gave him tips. The next year, he made the team!
What is the theme?
A. Basketball is fun.
B. Work hard to reach goals in life.
C. Everyone should make the team.
D. Be careful what you wish for.
B. Work hard to reach goals in life.
The population, always sparse in the desert and steppe regions, was warned of the upcoming dust storm.
What does “sparse” mean in this sentence?
A. curious
B. small
C. resistant
D. idealistic
B. small
The garden was a wonderland. The bees played hide and seek as they buzzed in and out of the flowers. The children stayed outside for hours, enjoying everything the garden had to offer.
What is emphasized with the personification in this excerpt?
A. The excitement of the children
B. The movement of the bees
C. The sound of the bees
D. The game the children were playing
B. The movement of the bees
(1) Touching a snail holds no danger because they aren't poisonous. (2) If you like to eat them, however, you can't just pick up a garden snail and cook it. (3) Snails ingest dangerous chemicals, such as pesticides and snail bait, as they move through flower beds looking for food. (4) This is why they aren’t always good to eat.
Which sentence contains details about why you should be careful about eating snails?
A. Sentence 1
B. Sentence 2
C. Sentence 3
D. Sentence 4
C. Sentence 3
(1) Jeremy’s main goal during summer vacation was to beat his father at chess. (2) Jeremy’s father was a very good chess player. (3) Jeremy practiced night and day and read everything he could about winning this game. (4) Finally, on the last day of summer break, he beat his father. (5) He jumped with joy! (6) His father congratulated Jeremy on his win.
Which sentence represents the climax?
Sentence 4
Mr. Benjamin interviewed Billy for the position of landscaper. He then told his boss he found Billy impressive.
What does “impressive” mean?
A. to be late
B. to be unqualified
C. to be talkative
D. to be admired
D. to be admired
What is the type of figurative language in the sentence below and what is the meaning of it?
My parents rolled out the red carpet for our visiting relatives.
It is an example of an idiom and it means that the parents gave the relatives special treatment.