Vocabulary
Maya was reluctant to step onto the stage. She felt nervous about speaking in front of everyone. Her teacher encouraged her to take a deep breath and begin.
What does reluctant most likely mean?
A. excited to do something
B. unsure or unwilling to do something
C. ready to help someone
D. proud of an accomplishment
B. Unsure or unwilling to do something
Beavers and otters both live near rivers and ponds, but they are different in many ways. Beavers build dams and spend much of their time eating plants. Otters, on the other hand, are excellent swimmers that eat fish and other small animals. Both animals have webbed feet that help them move through the water.
What text structure does the author use?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Problem and Solution
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Chronological Order
C. compare and contrast
Every year, sea turtles face many dangers in the ocean. Some turtles accidentally eat plastic bags because they look like jellyfish. Others become trapped in fishing nets or are hurt by boats. People are working to protect sea turtles by cleaning beaches, removing trash, and creating safer areas for them to lay their eggs.
What is the central idea of this passage?
A. Sea turtles sometimes eat plastic bags.
B. Fishing nets can be dangerous for sea turtles.
C. Sea turtles face dangers, but people are working to protect them.
D. People clean beaches where sea turtles lay their eggs.
C. Sea turtles face dangers, but people are working to protect them.
Last spring, students at Oak Hill Elementary decided to create a garden behind their school. They planted tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, and several kinds of flowers. The students took turns watering the plants and removing weeds. By the end of the season, they harvested fresh vegetables and donated some of them to a local food pantry.
Which answer best summarizes the passage?
A. Students planted tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce in their school garden.
B. Students at Oak Hill Elementary created and cared for a garden, then shared some of the vegetables with their community.
C. The students donated vegetables to a local food pantry.
D. The students worked in the garden because they wanted to grow flowers.
B: Students at Oak Hill Elementary created and cared for a garden, then shared some of the vegetables with their community.
The old bridge looked fragile. Its wooden boards were cracked, and several pieces were missing. The town decided to build a new bridge because the old one could easily break.
What does the word fragile most likely mean?
A. very strong
B. easily broken
C. very expensive
D. difficult to cross
B: easily broken
The hikers were exhausted after climbing the steep mountain. Their legs felt tired, and they stopped several times to rest. When they reached the campsite, they quickly sat down.
What does exhausted most likely mean?
A. very tired
B. very hungry
C. very excited
D. very cold
A. Very Tired
Many students at Oak Elementary were leaving their classroom books at home. As a result, they sometimes did not have anything to read during independent reading time. The teacher came up with a solution. She created a classroom library where students could choose a book to read each day.
What text structure does the author use?
A. Chronological Order
B. Problem and Solution
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Cause and Effect
B. Problem solution
Bees are small insects, but they play an important role in nature. As bees move from flower to flower, they carry pollen between plants. This helps many fruits, vegetables, and other plants grow. Without bees and other pollinators, many of the foods people eat would be much harder to produce.
What is the central idea of this passage?
A. Bees fly from flower to flower.
B. Bees are important because they help plants grow and produce food.
C. People eat many different fruits and vegetables.
D. Bees are small insects that carry pollen.
B. Bees are important because they help plants grow and produce food.
Before refrigerators were invented, people had to find other ways to keep food from spoiling. In some places, people stored food underground or packed it in snow and ice. Later, inventors developed machines that could keep food cold for long periods of time. Refrigerators made it much easier for families to store fresh food safely.
Which answer best summarizes the passage?
A. People once used snow and ice to keep food cold.
B. Refrigerators are machines that keep food cold.
C. Before refrigerators, people used different methods to keep food cold, but refrigerators eventually made storing fresh food easier and safer.
D. Inventors created refrigerators after people began storing food underground.
C: Before refrigerators, people used different methods to keep food cold, but refrigerators eventually made storing fresh food easier and safer.
Many people enjoy growing their own vegetables, but gardens can take a lot of work. Gardeners must choose a sunny location, prepare the soil, and plant their seeds. They also need to water the plants regularly and remove weeds. By following these steps, gardeners can grow fresh vegetables at home.
What text structure does the author mainly use?
A. Compare and Contrast
B. Cause and Effect
C. Problem and Solution
D. Chronological Order
D: Chronological Order
The small village was abundant with fresh fruits during the summer. Farmers brought baskets filled with apples, peaches, and berries to the market. There was more than enough fruit for everyone.
What does abundant most likely mean?
A. difficult to find
B. expensive to buy
C. plentiful or available in large amounts
D. ready to be thrown away
C. Plentiful or available in large amounts.
First, Mia planted a small tomato seed in a pot. Next, she watered the soil and placed the pot near a sunny window. A few days later, a tiny green sprout appeared. After several weeks, the plant grew taller and began producing yellow flowers.
What text structure does the author use?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Compare and Contrast
C. Problem and Solution
D. Chronological Order
D. Chronological Order
Living in the desert can be challenging because there is very little water. Some animals, such as camels, can survive for long periods without drinking. Other desert animals come out at night when the temperature is cooler. These special adaptations help desert animals survive in a hot, dry environment.
What is the central idea of this passage?
A. Camels can survive for a long time without drinking water.
B. Desert animals often come out at night.
C. Deserts are hot and dry places.
D. Desert animals have adaptations that help them survive in a harsh environment.
D. Desert animals have adaptations that help them survive in a harsh environment.
One afternoon, Carlos noticed a small puppy wandering near his neighborhood park. The puppy had no collar, so Carlos asked nearby adults if they knew where it belonged. He then called the number on a sign at the park that reported lost pets. Later that evening, the puppy's owner arrived and was very happy to find it. Carlos was glad that he had helped the puppy get home.
Which answer best summarizes the passage?
A. Carlos found a puppy near the park.
B. Carlos helped a lost puppy return to its owner by asking for help and contacting the lost-pet service.
C. The puppy did not have a collar when Carlos found it.
D. The puppy's owner was happy when the puppy was found.
B: Carlos helped a lost puppy return to its owner by asking for help and contacting the lost-pet service.
Owls have several features that help them hunt at night. Their large eyes allow them to see in low light. Their excellent hearing helps them locate animals even when they cannot see them. Special feathers also allow many owls to fly quietly while approaching their prey.
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Owls have large eyes that help them see at night.
B. Owls use several special features to help them hunt at night.
C. Owls use their hearing to locate animals.
D. Owls have special feathers that help them fly quietly.
B: Owls use several special features to help them hunt at night.
Jordan was perplexed when he saw the strange puzzle. He studied the pieces carefully but could not figure out how they fit together. After several minutes, he asked his sister for help.
What does perplexed most likely mean?
A. confused
B. excited
C. angry
D. confident
A. confused
A heavy storm moved through the town during the night. Strong winds knocked down several trees, and the branches blocked some roads. Because the roads were blocked, many people had trouble getting to work the next morning.
What text structure does the author use?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Chronological Order
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Problem and Solution
A. Cause and Effect
The students at Pine Hill Elementary wanted to help their community. They decided to turn an empty area behind their school into a garden. Students planted tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and flowers. They worked together to water the plants and pull weeds. Later, they donated some of the vegetables to a local food pantry.
What is the central idea of this passage?
A. Students at Pine Hill Elementary planted tomatoes and peppers.
B. The students created a garden that helped both their school and community.
C. The students had to pull weeds and water the plants.
D. The vegetables were donated to a food pantry.
B. The students created a garden that helped both their school and community.
Rainbows can appear when sunlight passes through tiny drops of water in the air. When sunlight enters a water droplet, the light bends and separates into different colors. The colors can then be seen as an arc across the sky. Rainbows are most often visible when the sun comes out while rain is still falling.
Which answer best summarizes the passage?
A. Rainbows are usually seen after it rains.
B. Sunlight bends when it enters a water droplet.
C. Rainbows form when sunlight passes through water droplets, causing the light to separate into colors that can appear as an arc in the sky.
D. Rainbows have many different colors that can be seen across the sky.
C: Rainbows form when sunlight passes through water droplets, causing the light to separate into colors that can appear as an arc in the sky.
For hundreds of years, people have used dogs to help with different jobs. Some dogs help farmers by herding animals, while others help people who are unable to see. Dogs can also work with search-and-rescue teams to find people who are missing. Their intelligence and ability to learn make them useful helpers in many situations.
Which answer best summarizes the passage?
A. Dogs can help farmers herd animals.
B. Dogs are intelligent animals that can learn many tricks.
C. Dogs have helped people with many different jobs because they can learn and perform useful tasks.
D. Search-and-rescue dogs can find people who are missing.
C: Dogs have helped people with many different jobs because they can learn and perform useful tasks.
The kitten was cautious as it explored the unfamiliar room. It slowly moved around the furniture and stopped to listen to every sound. It did not want to get too close to anything it did not recognize.
What does cautious most likely mean?
A. noisy and playful
B. careful to avoid danger
C. eager to move quickly
D. unable to make a decision
B. careful to avoid danger
Some desert plants have special features that help them survive in a dry environment. Cacti have thick stems that store water for long periods of time. Their sharp spines also protect them from animals. Because these plants can store water, they are able to survive even when there is very little rain.
What text structure is mainly used in this passage?
A. Problem and Solution
B. Cause and Effect
C. Chronological Order
D. Compare and Contrast
B. Cause and Effect
Honeybees have several ways of communicating with one another. When a bee finds a good source of food, it can perform a special movement called a waggle dance. The dance gives other bees information about the direction and distance of the food. Bees can also use sounds and scents to communicate inside the hive.
What is the central idea of this passage?
A. Bees use dances, sounds, and scents to communicate with one another.
B. A waggle dance tells bees where to find food.
C. Bees live together inside a hive.
D. Bees use scents to help other bees find food.
Wetlands are home to many different plants and animals. They also help protect nearby communities by absorbing extra water during heavy rains. However, some wetlands have been damaged by construction and pollution. Communities are working to protect these areas by reducing pollution, restoring damaged wetlands, and creating protected spaces for wildlife.
Which answer best summarizes the passage?
A. Wetlands are home to many plants and animals.
B. Construction can damage wetlands.
C. Wetlands provide important benefits, but some are threatened, so communities are working to protect and restore them.
D. Communities are creating protected spaces for wildlife.
C: Wetlands provide important benefits but some are threatened, so communities are working to protect and restore them.
When a large amount of trash is left in a park, it can cause several problems. Animals may eat the trash or become trapped in it. Plastic and other waste can also wash into nearby streams when it rains. To help solve these problems, communities can provide more trash cans and organize clean-up events.
What text structure does the author mainly use?
A. Problem and Solution
B. Compare and Contrast
C. Chronological Order
D. Cause and Effect
A: Problem and Solution