Look at the picture. Tell me at least three things you see happening in the cafeteria right now

present progressive verbs (eating, cleaning, walking) and nouns (tray, table, lunch)
Because the chemical was so volatile, the students had to keep the container sealed tight and away from any heat to prevent it from suddenly changing or exploding.
What does volatile mean?
A. Extremely cold or frozen
B. Likely to change rapidly or unpredictably
C. Very heavy and difficult to move
D. Completely safe to touch with bare hands
B. Likely to change rapidly or unpredictably
Read the paragraph: "The library is a quiet place where people go to learn. Some people go there to find books for school projects, while others sit in comfy chairs to read the morning newspaper. Many students use the library computers to do research or type up their homework. It is a space designed for everyone to focus and study."
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Libraries have computers for students to use.
B. Reading the newspaper is a popular library activity.
C. The library provides many resources for learning and focus.
D. How to borrow books from a library shelf.
C. The library provides many resources for learning and focus.
Sentence: "The forecast predicted a beautiful sunny day; however, a sudden thunderstorm forced the class to move the party indoors."
What does the word "however" show in this sentence?
A. It shows that two things are happening at the exact same time.
B. It shows a contrast or an unexpected change between two ideas.
C. It shows that the second idea is a result of the first idea.
D. It provides an example of a type of weather.
B. It shows a contrast or an unexpected change between two ideas.
CLAIM: In the school's monthly reading challenge, the number of books read increased for every grade level compared to the grade before it."

Not Supported: The 4th-grade students read fewer books than the 3rd-grade students, so the number did not increase every time.
What are they doing with the blue liquid?

Precision in vocabulary (pouring, mixing, beaker) and the ability to follow a "point to" instruction.
"The explorer’s journey was perilous; he had to cross jagged mountains during a blizzard and navigate a river filled with sharp rocks and crashing waves."
What does perilous mean?
A. Full of danger or risk
B. Very exciting and fun
C. Boring and repetitive
D. Quick and easy
A. Full of danger or risk
Read the paragraph: "Honeybees are very busy insects. They spend their days flying from flower to flower to collect nectar. Back at the hive, they work together to turn that nectar into honey and build wax cells to store it. They also have a special dance to tell other bees where to find the best patches of flowers."
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. How honeybees use dances to communicate.
B. The different jobs honeybees do to help their hive.
C. Why honey is sweet and healthy to eat.
D. The best types of flowers for bees to visit.
B. The different jobs honeybees do to help their hive.
Sentence: "The student forgot to charge his laptop overnight; consequently, the screen went black right in the middle of his final presentation."
Which word is the best definition for "consequently" as used above?
A. Instead
B. Also
C. As a result
D. Finally
C. As a result
Claim: "The temperature in the city got colder every single day throughout the week."

Not Supported: The temperature increased on Tuesday and Friday, so it did not get colder every day.
Where is the student who is reading a book, and what are the two students in the middle of the yard doing?

Prepositions of place (under the tree) and describing action (playing catch/throwing a ball).
"The rainfall was meager this year, so the students noticed that the soil remained dry and the plants barely grew an inch all spring."
What does meager mean?
A. Plentiful and abundant
B. Very loud or noisy
C. Lacking in quantity or thin
D. Colorful and bright
C. Lacking in quantity or thin
Read the paragraph: "The giant panda has several physical traits that help it survive in the mountains of China. It has a thick, woolly coat that keeps it warm in the cold, damp climate. Its large molars and strong jaw muscles help it crush tough bamboo stems. Even its 'extra thumb' helps it hold onto bamboo while eating."
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Pandas live in the mountains of China.
B. How a panda’s body helps it live in its environment.
C. Bamboo is the main food source for giant pandas.
D. Why pandas have extra thumbs.
B. How a panda’s body helps it live in its environment.
Sentence: "The city decided to build a new public park downtown; furthermore, they planned to add a community garden and a splash pad for children."
What is the function of the word "furthermore" in this sentence?
A. To show a disagreement between the city and the citizens.
B. To add more information or related details to the first idea.
C. To explain what time the park opens.
D. To show that the park was built a long time ago.
B. To add more information or related details to the first idea.
Claim: "More students chose Math as their favorite subject than any other subject shown."

Supported: The Math section is the largest slice of the pie chart at 40%.
The librarian is busy. Describe what she is doing and what the student at the desk is doing.

putting away books and researching a new topic on the computer
"The student tried to corroborate her claim about the solar system by finding two other books and a scientific website that said the exact same thing."
What does corroborate mean?
A. To forget important information
B. To confirm or give support to a statement
C. To draw a picture of something
D. To argue against an idea
B. To confirm or give support to a statement
Read the paragraph: "To make a perfect sandwich, you must follow several steps. First, choose fresh bread and spread a thin layer of condiment like mustard or mayo on each slice. Next, stack your protein and cheese evenly so the sandwich doesn't fall apart. Finally, add crisp lettuce or tomatoes last to keep the bread from getting soggy. Following this order ensures a delicious lunch."
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. The specific order of steps needed to make a good sandwich.
B. Why lettuce and tomatoes are healthy.
C. How to choose the best type of bread at the store.
D. A list of different condiments people like to eat.
A. The specific order of steps needed to make a good sandwich.
Sentence: "The scientist carefully measured the liquids in the beaker; meanwhile, her assistant recorded the temperature changes in a notebook."
What does the word "meanwhile" tell the reader?
A. One event happened much later than the other.
B. The two events are happening at the same time.
C. The assistant is making a mistake.
D. The temperature is getting colder.
B. The two events are happening at the same time.
Claim: "The school has more Jump Ropes in their inventory than Basketballs and Soccer Balls combined."

Supported: There are 25 Jump Ropes, and 12 + 8 equals 20, so 25 is greater than 20.
Look at the line of students. What is the student at the very front of the line doing, and what is the student at the back doing?

Use of ordinal language (front/back) and identifying specific social actions (waving, boarding).
"After the heavy thunderstorm, the playground was inundated with water, leaving the slide and the swings sitting in the middle of a giant lake."
What does inundated mean?
A. Completely dry or thirsty
B. Decorated with bright colors
C. Overwhelmed or flooded
D. Hidden from view
C. Overwhelmed or flooded
Read the paragraph: "Recess is an important part of the school day for many reasons. It gives students a chance to exercise and move their bodies after sitting in a classroom. It also allows children to practice social skills, like taking turns and playing fair during games. Most importantly, it gives the brain a break so students can focus better when they return to their lessons."
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Students should play tag during their break.
B. Why teachers need a break during the day.
C. The benefits of having recess during the school day.
D. How to take turns on the playground equipment.
C. The benefits of having recess during the school day.
Sentence: "The basketball team practiced their free throws for two hours; similarly, the volleyball team spent the afternoon working on their serves."
What relationship does "similarly" create between the two teams?
A. It shows that the teams are competing against each other.
B. It shows that both teams are doing a comparable or similar action.
C. It shows that the basketball team is better than the volleyball team.
D. It shows that the practice was very easy.
B. It shows that both teams are doing a comparable or similar action.
Claim: "Sunlight has a positive effect on the height a plant can grow."

Supported: The plant with sunlight grew significantly taller (12cm) than the plant without sunlight (4cm) by Week 4.