Context Clues/Academic Vocabulary
The lake was so tranquil that the surface looked like glass. Not a single ripple disturbed the water, and everything was calm and quiet.
Question:
What does the word tranquil most likely mean?
A) Busy
B) Noisy
C) Peaceful
D) Confusing
What is C) Peaceful?
Passage:
The classroom was as quiet as a sleeping cat when the teacher began the test.
Question:
Which type of figurative language is used in this sentence?
A) Personification
B) Simile
C) Metaphor
D) Hyperbole
What is B) Simile
Main Idea
Many people think honeybees only make honey, but they also help plants grow by carrying pollen from one flower to another. Without bees, many fruits and vegetables wouldn’t exist.
Question:
What is the main idea of this passage?
A) Bees are dangerous insects.
B) Bees make honey and help plants grow.
C) Bees live in hives with other insects.
D) Bees should stay away from flowers.
What is B) Bees make honey and help plants grow
Plot and Conflict (RL.6.5)
The crowd in the gym fell silent as Alex stepped up to the free-throw line. His team was down by one point, and this was his final chance to win the game. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and released the ball.
Question:
Which type of conflict is shown in this passage?
A) Character vs. character
B) Character vs. nature
C) Character vs. society
D) Character vs. self
What is D) Character vs. self
Theme (RL.6.2)
“The Climb”
I slipped upon the rocky trail,
My hands grew scraped and sore.
But each step up, though slow and hard,
Revealed a view worth climbing for.
Question:
What is the central theme of this poem?
A) Success always comes easily.
B) The hardest climbs bring the best rewards.
C) Nature can be dangerous and unpredictable.
D) People should avoid challenges.
What is B) The hardest climbs bring the best rewards
The scientist made an observation, which means she carefully watched the experiment to collect information.
Question:
What does the word observation mean in this passage?
A) A quick guess
B) Careful watching to gather details
C) A sudden surprise
D) A personal opinion
What is B) Careful watching to gather details?
Passage:
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying secrets across the yard.
Question:
What does the personification in this sentence help the reader imagine?
A) The wind is alive and gentle.
B) The wind is very loud.
C) The trees are talking to each other.
D) The yard is empty and silent.
What is A) The wind is alive and gentle
Citing Text Evidence (RI.6.1)
Emma was nervous about giving her first speech in front of the class. Her hands trembled, and her voice shook at first, but by the end, she stood tall and smiled as her classmates clapped.
Question:
Which sentence from the passage best shows Emma’s confidence grew?
A) Her hands trembled.
B) Her voice shook at first.
C) She stood tall and smiled as her classmates clapped.
D) She was nervous about giving her first speech.
What is C) She stood tall and smiled as her classmates clapped
Character Development (RL.6.3)
Jada sat staring at the blank canvas. She had already thrown away three sketches that morning. Her brother peeked in and said, “You’re not going to get it right if you give up every time.” Jada sighed, picked up her pencil, and began again.
Question:
What does this passage show about Jada’s character?
A) She gives up easily and refuses to try again.
B) She is willing to keep trying even when frustrated.
C) She does not care about art anymore.
D) She wants her brother to finish her drawing.
What is B) She is willing to keep trying even when frustrated
Structure and Tone (RL.6.5)
“First Snow”
Softly falling, cold and bright,
Covering streets in winter’s white.
Children laugh and run outside,
Joy and wonder can’t be denied.
Question:
Which best describes the tone of the poem?
A) Gloomy and tense
B) Playful and cheerful
C) Serious and reflective
D) Lonely and distant
What is B) Playful and cheerful
The students were diligent, working steadily and carefully until every math problem was solved.
Question:
What does the word diligent mean as used in the sentence?
A) Lazy and distracted
B) Hard-working and careful
C) Nervous and unsure
D) Quick but careless
What is B) Hard-working and careful
Passage:
The city was a jungle—busy, noisy, and full of hidden paths.
Question:
What does the metaphor “The city was a jungle” suggest about the city?
A) It is peaceful and quiet.
B) It is wild and full of activity.
C) It is covered in plants and trees.
D) It is dangerous at night only.
What is B) It is wild and full of activity
Author’s Purpose
Every year, tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them, which can make them sick. We can all help by recycling and using reusable bags.
Question:
What is the author’s main purpose?
A) To entertain readers with a funny story
B) To inform readers about sea turtles
C) To persuade readers to protect the environment
D) To describe the beauty of the ocean
What is C) To persuade readers to protect the environment
Point of View & Perspective (RL.7.6)
When the teacher announced a group project, Ryan groaned. He preferred working alone because others never did their share. But later that week, his group surprised him — everyone had completed their part on time, and they even added creative touches.
Question:
How does Ryan’s perspective change by the end of the passage?
A) He decides that group work is unfair.
B) He realizes teamwork can lead to success.
C) He still dislikes working with others.
D) He decides to let others do all the work.
What is B) He realizes teamwork can lead to success
Figurative Language (RL.7.4)
“Time’s River”
The river rushes on and on,
It never stops to rest.
Like time, it moves past everything,
A traveler on a quest.
Question:
What does the poet compare time to in the poem?
A) A quiet forest
B) A flowing river
C) A mountain peak
D) A running animal
What is B) A flowing river
Unlike his outgoing sister, James was introverted, preferring quiet evenings reading at home instead of noisy parties.
Question:
What does the word introverted mean as used in the passage?
A) Shy and reserved
B) Outspoken and loud
C) Energetic and social
D) Nervous and afraid
What is A) Shy and reserved
Passage:
Her mind was a library, each thought a book waiting to be opened.
Question:
What does this metaphor suggest about the girl’s mind?
A) It is full of organized and thoughtful ideas.
B) It is quiet and empty.
C) It is focused only on one subject.
D) It is confusing and unorganized.
What is A) It is full of organized and thoughtful ideas
Theme and Inference (RL.8.2, RL.8.1)
After losing the championship, Mia sat quietly while her teammates left the field. Their coach said, “What matters is how we move forward.” The next day, Mia gathered her team to start practicing again.
Question:
Which statement best expresses the theme of this passage?
A) Winning is the most important goal.
B) True leadership means encouraging others after failure.
C) Team sports are always competitive.
D) Practice is not needed once the season ends.
What is B) True leadership means encouraging others after failure
Theme and Inference (RL.8.2)
When the storm destroyed the town library, volunteers from all over helped rebuild it. A few months later, the new library opened, filled with donated books and smiling faces.
Question:
Which theme is best supported by this passage?
A) Hard work always leads to wealth.
B) Reading is the most important skill.
C) A community becomes stronger when people work together.
D) Disasters can’t be prevented.
What is C) A community becomes stronger when people work together
Tone and Theme (RL.8.2, RL.8.4)
“After the Storm”
The rain has stopped; the air is still,
The world feels clean and new.
Through clouds that fade, the sunlight spills—
A promise breaking through.
Question:
Which statement best describes the theme of this poem?
A) Storms are unpredictable forces of nature.
B) Even after hardship, hope and renewal can follow.
C) Rainstorms destroy everything they touch.
D) The weather can quickly change a person’s mood.
What is B) Even after hardship, hope and renewal can follow
After the long hike, Marcus felt exhausted. His legs ached, and he could barely keep his eyes open.
Question:
What does the word exhausted most likely mean?
A) Angry
B) Hungry
C) Tired
D) Excited
What is C) Tired?
Passage:
I told you a million times to clean your room!
Question:
What type of figurative language is used, and what is its effect?
A) Simile – to compare two different rooms
B) Hyperbole – to exaggerate frustration
C) Metaphor – to describe the room as dirty
D) Personification – to make the room come alive
What is B) Hyperbole – to exaggerate frustration
Text Structure
Running and swimming are both great exercises. Running strengthens your legs and lungs, while swimming works nearly every muscle in your body. However, swimming is easier on the joints because the water supports your weight.
Question:
Which text structure does this passage use?
A) Cause and effect
B) Compare and contrast
C) Problem and solution
D) Sequence
What is B) Compare and contrast
Plot Structure (RL.8.5)
In the beginning, Naomi refuses to enter the talent show because she’s afraid of performing. Halfway through the story, her best friend encourages her to sing. In the end, Naomi wins first place and realizes courage comes from facing fear.
Question:
How does the plot develop the theme of courage?
A) Naomi’s decision to face her fear leads to personal growth.
B) Naomi ignores her friend and regrets it.
C) Naomi becomes more fearful as the story continues.
D) Naomi loses the talent show but doesn’t care.
What is A) Naomi’s decision to face her fear leads to personal growth
Theme and Inference (RL.7.2)
“The Choice”
She stood before two winding roads,
Each hidden by the trees.
She took the one less traveled by,
And walked with shaky knees.
Question:
What is the theme of the poem?
A) Choosing your own path takes courage.
B) Always follow the crowd for safety.
C) Forest paths are confusing.
D) It’s best to wait for others to decide.
What is A) Choosing your own path takes courage