Central Idea-Text Structure
Koko the Gorilla
In 1971, a gorilla named Koko was born in a zoo in San Francisco. She became very sick, which worried the zookeepers. To help Koko, a scientist took care of her, and she began to recover. Unlike wild gorillas, Koko grew up around people. When she was six months old, the scientist started teaching her American Sign Language, which uses hand and arm movements called signs to express needs and feelings.
Koko learned signs through practice. For example, to teach her the sign for "food," the scientist showed her food while making the sign and guiding Koko's fingers. Eventually, Koko began using signs on her own, including asking for a pet kitten. She raised several kittens, and news of her caring nature spread, making her famous.
Koko appeared in magazines and on television, helping raise awareness about protecting gorillas in the wild. Throughout her life, she learned about a thousand signs, expressing her thoughts and feelings to scientists. Thanks to Koko, we gained a better understanding of gorillas and their needs.
How did living with a scientist affect Koko's development? Choose all correct answers.
A. Koko learned to live in the wild.
B. Koko preferred solitude over companionship.
C. Koko received medical care and thrived.
D. Koko learned sign language.
C. Koko received medical care and got better.
D. Koko learned sign language
Read the sentence:
The weather was unpredictable, so we decided to bring our umbrellas just in case.
Think about the prefix un-. What is the meaning of unpredictable as it is used above?
A. certain
B. easy
C. not able to be predicted
D. clear
C. not able to be predicted
"There was a large fish in the pelican’s beak."
Now read the thesaurus entry.
beak (bēk) noun
Meaning 1: the hard pointed part of a bird's mouth Meaning 2: a large nose
Which word from the thesaurus entry best matches the way beak is used in the sentence?
A. Mouth
B. Large
C. Noise
D. Noun
A. Mouth.
Read the sentence.
The night sky was as dark as coal.
What does the simile "as dark as coal" tell readers about the night sky?
A. The night sky is very bright.
B. The night sky is very colorful.
C. The night sky is very dark.
D. The night sky is very cloudy.
C. The night sky is very dark.
A Home for Butterflies
The third graders at Willow Elementary School in Texas are excited to learn about butterflies. Their teacher, Mr. Thompson, explained that butterflies are facing a problem: they are running out of food because flowers are disappearing due to new roads and buildings. To help, the class decided to create a butterfly garden filled with flowers to provide food for butterflies like the monarch and black swallowtail.
To start their garden, the students researched which butterflies live nearby and what plants they need. They learned that monarch caterpillars love milkweed, while black swallowtail caterpillars prefer parsley and dill. After finding the best sunny spot in the schoolyard, they planned where to plant flowers and set up puddle stations for butterflies to drink water. Now, they are ready to plant their garden and welcome butterflies to their school.
What is the main purpose of the article?
A. to provide instructions for planting a butterfly garden
B. to explain the importance of flowers in the ecosystem
C. to describe the different species of butterflies in Texas
D. to inform readers about the challenges butterflies face and how a school is helping
D. to inform readers about the challenges butterflies face and how a school is helping
Read the passage and answer the question.
Recycling is an important way to help the environment. When we recycle materials like paper, plastic, and glass, we reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Recycling also helps to save energy and decreases pollution. By making the effort to recycle, we can all contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations.
Question:
What is the central idea of this passage?
A. Recycling is difficult and takes a lot of time.
B. Recycling helps the environment by reducing waste and conserving resources.
C. Many people do not recycle at all.
D. Recycling only benefits certain materials.
B. Recycling helps the environment by reducing waste and conserving resources.
Read the sentence:
The students listened attentively to the teacher’s instructions.
Think about the suffix -ly. What is the meaning of attentively as it is used above?
A. in a careless way
B. in an attentive way
C. in a loud way
D. without interest
B. in an attentive way
Shawn made a swift decision to take home the kitten that he found in the street.
Now read the thesaurus entry.
swift (adj.) quick, ready, short, flying
Which word from the thesaurus entry best matches the way swift is used in the sentence?
A. quick
B. ready
C. short
D. flying
A. quick
The leaves danced in the breeze.
What does the personification "danced in the breeze" tell readers about the leaves?
A. The leaves are moving gracefully.
B. The leaves are falling quickly.
C. The leaves are stuck in place.
D. The leaves are turning yellow.
A. The leaves are moving gracefully.
A Home for Butterflies
The third graders at Willow Elementary School in Texas are excited to learn about butterflies. Their teacher, Mr. Thompson, explained that butterflies are facing a problem: they are running out of food because flowers are disappearing due to new roads and buildings. To help, the class decided to create a butterfly garden filled with flowers to provide food for butterflies like the monarch and black swallowtail.
To start their garden, the students researched which butterflies live nearby and what plants they need. They learned that monarch caterpillars love milkweed, while black swallowtail caterpillars prefer parsley and dill. After finding the best sunny spot in the schoolyard, they planned where to plant flowers and set up puddle stations for butterflies to drink water. Now, they are ready to plant their garden and welcome butterflies to their school.
What is Mr. Thomson's tone when he explains the problem that the butterflies are facing?
A. He is upset that the garden does not have the right flowers.
B. He is worried that the butterflies will have no place to live.
C. He is excited that the school has so many butterflies.
D. He is surprised that there are 5 butterflies in the window.
B. He is worried that the butterflies will have no place to live.
Koko the Gorilla
In 1971, a gorilla named Koko was born in a zoo in San Francisco. She became very sick, which worried the zookeepers. To help Koko, a scientist took care of her, and she began to recover. Unlike wild gorillas, Koko grew up around people. When she was six months old, the scientist started teaching her American Sign Language, which uses hand and arm movements called signs to express needs and feelings.
Koko learned signs through practice. For example, to teach her the sign for "food," the scientist showed her food while making the sign and guiding Koko's fingers. Eventually, Koko began using signs on her own, including asking for a pet kitten. She raised several kittens, and news of her caring nature spread, making her famous.
Koko appeared in magazines and on television, helping raise awareness about protecting gorillas in the wild. Throughout her life, she learned about a thousand signs, expressing her thoughts and feelings to scientists. Thanks to Koko, we gained a better understanding of gorillas and their needs.
What is the central idea of Paragraph 2?
A. Koko was a gorilla that lived in a zoo.
B. Koko was born in San Francisco.
C. Koko had many kittens as pets.
D. Koko learned to communicate using sign language.
D. Koko learned to communicate using sign language.
Read the sentence below.
I went to the closet and came back with a needle, thread, and patches.
Kayla wants to add the word square to the sentence to tell more about one of the things in the sentence. Which use of the word square makes the most sense?
A. I went to the square closet and came back with a needle, thread, and patches.
B. I went to the closet and came back with a square needle, thread, and patches.
C. I went to the closet and came back with a needle, square thread, and patches.
D. I went to the closet and came back with a needle, thread, and square patches.
D. I went to the closet and came back with a needle, thread, and square patches.
Read the sentence.
The students looked bewildered, so the teacher tried to explain again.
Now read the thesaurus entry.
bewildered adj. surprised, giddy, dizzy, confused
Which word from the thesaurus entry best matches the way bewildered is used in the sentence?
A. surprised
B. giddy
C. dizzy
D. confused
D. confused
The classroom was a zoo, with students talking and moving around everywhere. It felt chaotic and lively.
Identify the metaphor used in the sentences. Then explain what the metaphor tells readers about the classroom environment.
A. The metaphor is "was a zoo," and it tells readers that the classroom is chaotic and lively.
B. The metaphor is "talking and moving around," and it tells readers that the classroom is chaotic and lively.
C. The metaphor is "felt chaotic," and it tells readers that the classroom is busy.
D. The metaphor is "students," and it tells readers that there are many kids in the classroom.
A. The metaphor is "was a zoo," and it tells readers that the classroom is chaotic and lively.
Which sentence from the story best supports the idea that Mr. Thomson is worried that the butterflies will have no place to live?
A. Every day, new roads and buildings are being built. This means less space for flowers to grow and less food for butterflies.
B. I remembered seeing orange butterflies with black spots near the school.
C. We learned that these beautiful insects have a problem.
D. We will make the puddle stations by digging small holes and covering them with sand.
A. Every day, new roads and buildings are being built. This means less space for flowers to grow and less food for butterflies.
A Home for Butterflies
The third graders at Willow Elementary School in Texas are excited to learn about butterflies. Their teacher, Mr. Thompson, explained that butterflies are facing a problem: they are running out of food because flowers are disappearing due to new roads and buildings. To help, the class decided to create a butterfly garden filled with flowers to provide food for butterflies like the monarch and black swallowtail.
To start their garden, the students researched which butterflies live nearby and what plants they need. They learned that monarch caterpillars love milkweed, while black swallowtail caterpillars prefer parsley and dill. After finding the best sunny spot in the schoolyard, they planned where to plant flowers and set up puddle stations for butterflies to drink water. Now, they are ready to plant their garden and welcome butterflies to their school.
Why did the author include information about the butterflies, such as plants they need for food and to live in?
A. to describe how the class prepared for their butterfly garden
B. to share the different types of butterflies they learned about
C. to explain why butterflies are important for the environment
D. to discuss how butterflies help flowers grow
A. to describe how the class prepared for their butterfly garden
Original Sentence: I would be more happy if it were sunny outside!
What change should be made in the sentence?
A. Change more happy to happier.
B. Change more happy to most happy.
C. Change more happy to more happier.
D. No change is needed.
A. Change more sweet to sweeter
Read the sentence.
The cat had to flee after it fell into the fish tank and became soaking wet.
Now read the thesaurus entry.
flee verb fly, vanish, dash, avoid
Which word from the thesaurus entry best matches the way flee is used in the sentence?
A. fly
B. vanish
C. dash
D. avoid
C. dash
The children ran through the field, laughing and playing. They moved like the wind, quick and carefree.
Identify the simile used in the sentences. Then explain what the simile tells readers about the children.
A. The simile is "ran through the field," and it tells readers that the children are enjoying nature.
B. The simile is "quick and carefree," and it tells readers that the children are not worried about anything.
C. The simile is "laughing and playing," and it tells readers that the children are having fun.
D. The simile is "like the wind," and it tells readers that the children are fast and full of energy.
D. The simile is "like the wind," and it tells readers that the children are fast and full of energy.
The Journey of a River
Rivers are essential to life on Earth. They provide water for drinking, irrigation for crops, and habitats for various plants and animals. The journey of a river begins in the mountains, where melting snow and rainwater collect to form small streams. These streams flow downhill, merging together to create larger rivers.
As rivers travel, they carve through landscapes, creating valleys and canyons. They can change their course over time, influenced by weather, erosion, and human activity. Along the way, rivers encounter obstacles such as rocks and fallen trees, causing them to create beautiful waterfalls or gentle rapids.
Rivers also play a crucial role in ecosystems. They support fish populations, provide drinking water for wildlife, and help maintain the balance of local environments. As they flow into oceans or lakes, rivers carry nutrients that support diverse marine life.
Understanding the journey of a river is important for conserving water resources and protecting natural habitats. By learning about rivers, we can appreciate their beauty and significance in our world.
What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?
A. to entertain readers with stories about rivers
B. to inform readers about the journey and importance of rivers
C. to persuade readers to stop using water from rivers
D. to compare rivers with other bodies of water
B. to inform readers about the journey and importance of rivers
Read the passage and answer the question.
Recycling is an important way to help the environment. When we recycle materials like paper, plastic, and glass, we reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Recycling also helps to save energy and decreases pollution. By making the effort to recycle, we can all contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations.
What is the text structure of this passage?
A. Order & Sequence
B. Problem & Solution
C. Compare & Contrast
B. Problem & Solution
Original Sentence:
“What is they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.
What is the correct way to write the following sentence?
A. “What are they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.
B. “What is they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.
C. “What was they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.
D. No change is needed.
A. “What are they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.
Read the sentence.
The owner was in a dither when his cat escaped through the open door.
Now read the thesaurus entry.
dither noun babble, panic, confusion, flip
Which word from the thesaurus entry best matches the way dither is used in the sentence?
A. babble
B. panic
C. confusion
D. flip
B. panic
Read the sentences from the passage.
The storm clouds rolled in, turning the sky a dark gray. The lightning flashed like a camera, illuminating the night.
Identify the simile used in the sentences. Then explain what the simile tells readers about the lightning.
A. The simile is "turning the sky a dark gray," and it tells readers that the storm is intense.
B. The simile is "like a camera flash," and it tells readers that the lightning is bright and sudden.
C. The simile is "storm clouds rolled in," and it tells readers that the storm is approaching quickly.
D. The simile is "illuminating the night," and it tells readers that the lightning makes the darkness less scary.
B. The simile is "like a camera," and it tells readers that the lightning is bright and sudden.
Why did the author write the story about Koko the Gorilla?
A. to make people want their own gorilla
B. so we can be happy that Koko found a good home
C. to teach us more about gorillas who share the Earth with us
D. she is sad that Koko died
C. to teach us more about gorillas who share the Earth with us