Vocabulary
Read the first sentence of paragraph 6 of the article:
Sadly, bee populations are decreasing in some areas.
Which word means the opposite of decreasing as it is used above?
Correct Answer: B. growing
Why it's correct: In this sentence, "decreasing" means becoming smaller or fewer. The opposite of becoming smaller or fewer is becoming larger or more numerous, which is what "growing" means.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. vanishing: "Vanishing" means disappearing completely, which is a more extreme form of decreasing.
C. shrinking: "Shrinking" is a synonym for decreasing, not an antonym.
D. fading: "Fading" means gradually disappearing or becoming less noticeable, which isn't a direct opposite of decreasing in number or size.
Read the sentence from paragraph 5 of the article.
They work tirelessly, as busy as a human in a rush hour, to keep their hive and our planet healthy.
What does the phrase "as busy as a human in a rush hour" help readers understand about the bees?
Correct Answer: B. Bees work very hard and are constantly active.
Why it's correct: The simile compares the bees' tireless work to the intense activity of a human during rush hour, a time when people are hurrying and occupied with many tasks. This helps the reader understand that bees are also constantly working and very busy.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. Bees often get stuck in traffic like humans: This is a literal interpretation of the simile and is not accurate. The comparison is about the level of activity, not actual traffic.
C. Bees move very quickly from one place to another: While bees do move quickly, the simile emphasizes the continuous and demanding nature of their work rather than just their speed.
D. Bees can get stressed and tired like busy humans: The simile focuses on the high level of activity, but it doesn't explicitly state that bees experience stress or tiredness in the same way humans do.
Read the sentence from paragraph 7.
The lamb learned quickly and was soon a sure-footed climber on the artificial rock structures in her enclosure, leaping and balancing with ease, like a tiny mountain goat.
The author compares the lamb to a tiny mountain goat. What does this tell the reader about the lamb?
Correct Answer: B. The lamb is good at climbing and balancing.
Why it's correct: Mountain goats are known for their ability to climb steep and rocky areas and keep their balance. By comparing the lamb to a tiny mountain goat who moves "with ease," the author helps the reader understand that the lamb is also skilled at climbing and has good balance.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. The lamb is often found living near mountain goats: The comparison doesn't give us information about where the lamb lives, only how it moves.
C. The lamb eats the same food as mountain goats: The comparison is about movement, not what the lamb eats.
D. The lamb makes sounds similar to mountain goats: The comparison focuses on how the lamb moves, not the sounds it makes.
What is the theme of the poem "A Bee's Day"?
Correct Answer: B. Bees work hard collecting food from flowers and live in a community.
Why it's correct: The poem describes the bee flying to flowers for nectar and pollen ("sweet nectar stories waiting to unfold," "dusty treat," "pollen clinging"). It also mentions the bee returning to the hive ("Back to the hive, your cozy abode") and communicating with other bees ("A dance you do for sisters near"). This shows the bee's hard work and its life within a community.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. Bees are often lonely and work by themselves: The poem mentions "sisters near" and returning to the hive, suggesting a community, not loneliness.
C. Bees only care about making honey for themselves: The article explains that bees help flowers grow, benefiting the whole ecosystem, not just themselves. This understanding can inform our reading of the poem.
D. Bees are noisy insects that bother people in their backyards: While bees do buzz, the poem focuses on their work and doesn't portray them as a nuisance. The sound in the poem ("Buzz!") is a form of communication.
What is the correct way to write this sentence?
You can find information about bees on (the internet or in books).
Correct Answer: A. You can find information about bees on the internet (or in books).
Why it's correct: Think of the parentheses like little helpers that add extra information. This sentence is mostly about finding bee info on the internet. The "(or in books)" part is like a little bonus idea – another place you could look. We put it in parentheses to show it's extra, but it still makes sense with the main part of the sentence.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(B) You can find information about bees on the internet or (in books): This sounds a little funny because it puts the "or" right next to "internet" and then has the extra idea in parentheses. It's like saying, "You can find it online or (maybe in a book)."
(C) You can find information about bees (on the internet or in books): This puts too much of the sentence in the parentheses. The main idea is where you find the information, and "on the internet" is the first main place.
(D) You can find information about bees on (the internet) or in books: This makes it sound like you find it on just the internet, or you find it in books, but not that "in books" is another way besides the internet.
Read the sentence from paragraph 5.
These impressive animals are prevalent in the high-altitude regions of North America.
Think about the prefix "pre-". What does the word "prevalent" suggest about how often these animals are seen?
Correct Answer: D. They are seen often in many places.
Why it's correct: The prefix "pre-" contributes to the meaning of "prevalent" as being widespread or commonly occurring over a large area. Therefore, if bighorn sheep are "prevalent" in a region, they are seen often in many places throughout that region.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. They are seen only rarely: "Prevalent" means the opposite of rarely seen.
B. They are seen sometimes: While they might be seen sometimes, "prevalent" implies a greater frequency and wider distribution.
C. They are seen in large numbers: While prevalence can sometimes correlate with large numbers, the primary meaning relates to widespread existence rather than just quantity.
(9) Just a few months prior, no one could have predicted the fate of the small, abandoned lamb. Little did they know, she would evolve into an important voice for the wildlife of the park. In the human world, a voice can represent opinions and advocacy for important issues.
What does the repeated use of the word voice in paragraph 9 show about the author's perspective on the lamb, Echo?
Correct Answer: B. It emphasizes the idea that Echo represents and advocates for other wild animals.
Why it's correct: By repeatedly calling Echo a "voice," the author is using the word in a figurative way. It suggests that Echo, through her story and how people can observe her, helps to communicate the importance of bighorn sheep and wildlife conservation. She becomes a symbol or representative, speaking for her species without literally talking.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. It suggests the author believes Echo can literally speak to humans: The passage doesn't imply that Echo can talk. The word "voice" is used as a symbol.
C. It highlights the sounds that bighorn sheep typically make in the wild: While bighorn sheep do make sounds, the repeated use of "voice" in this context is about representation, not their actual vocalizations.
D. It indicates the author thinks Echo's story is not important: The repeated use of "voice" actually emphasizes Echo's significance as a representative and a reminder of conservation efforts.
Read the following description:
“First, the ingredients are gathered and measured. Next, they are mixed together in a bowl. Finally, the batter is poured into a pan and baked in the oven for 30 minutes.”
Which text structure does this passage use?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Chronological/Sequence
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Problem and Solution
Correct Answer: (B) Chronological/Sequence
Why it’s correct: The passage lists steps in the order they occur—from gathering ingredients to baking—showing a sequence of events.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A): Cause and Effect shows why something happens and its results.
(C): Compare and Contrast shows similarities and differences.
(D): Problem and Solution presents an issue and how to solve it.
One of the themes of the article is that young animals need help to learn how to survive. Which details from the article support that theme?
Select TWO correct answers.
(A) By the afternoon, since the lamb’s mother could not be located, park rangers carefully brought her to their facility. (paragraph 1)
Correct Answers: (C) and (E)
Why it's correct:
(C) The dedicated staff there provided round-the-clock care until she was strong enough to eventually join a foster mother. (paragraph 2): This shows that the young lamb needed constant human care to survive after being separated from her mother, highlighting her reliance on others.
(E) Lamb 23-B had no natural mother to teach her these essential skills initially, so the foster ewe instinctively took on the role, demonstrating important behaviors such as foraging for food, navigating rocky slopes, using her strong legs for climbing, and even practicing quick escapes. (paragraph 7): This directly illustrates how the lamb needed an adult figure (the foster ewe) to teach her the necessary skills for survival.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A) By the afternoon, since the lamb’s mother could not be located, park rangers carefully brought her to their facility. (paragraph 1): This shows the initial rescue, but doesn't directly focus on the learning of survival skills.
(B) Bighorn sheep lambs need to nurse frequently in their early weeks to gain enough weight to survive the harsh mountain environment. (paragraph 2): This describes a basic need for nourishment, but not the learning of complex survival behaviors.
(D) Lambs stay with their mothers for about six months. During this time, they learn crucial survival skills from their mothers. (paragraph 6): While this supports the theme, the question asks for details about this specific lamb and her experience of needing help due to the absence of her natural mother.
What is the correct way to write this sentence?
Luckily for the bees many people are planting more flowers.
Correct Answer: (B) Luckily for the bees, many people are planting more flowers.
Why it's correct: The word "Luckily" is an introductory adverb. Introductory adverbs are usually followed by a comma to separate them from the main part of the sentence. The phrase "for the bees" modifies "luckily" and together they act as the introductory element.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A) Luckily, for the bees many people are planting more flowers: Placing a comma after "luckily" but not after "bees" creates an awkward pause and incorrectly separates "for the bees" from the word it modifies.
(C) Luckily for the bees many people, are planting more flowers: Placing a comma after "people" incorrectly separates the subject ("people") from the verb ("are planting").
(D) Luckily for the bees many people are planting, more flowers: Placing a comma before "more flowers" creates an unnatural pause and doesn't follow standard comma rules.
Select the correct word to complete the sentence:
It was __________ to see so many bees working together in the hive.
Correct Answer: (C) admirable
Why it's correct: The word "admirable" means deserving respect and approval. It is the correctly spelled word that fits the context of finding the bees' teamwork impressive.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A) admireable: This is a common misspelling, often including an extra "e."
(B) admireible: This misspelling incorrectly swaps the "a" and "i."
(D) admirabble: This misspelling includes an extra "b."
What is the author’s viewpoint in the article "Little Echo of the Mountains"?
Correct Answer: C. They feel like the little lamb is special and that it's important to protect animals in the wild.
Why it's correct: The person who wrote the story seems to really care about the lamb. They use words that make us feel sorry for her when she's lost and happy when she's rescued. They also talk about how we need to take care of animals and their homes.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. They are really interested in what kind of animal a bighorn sheep is: The story does talk about what kind of sheep it is, but that's not the main point.
B. They are mostly talking about how hard it is for park rangers to take care of animals.: The story mentions the park rangers, but it's more about the lamb.
D. They think it's bad when people try to help wild animals.: The story shows that helping the lamb was a good thing.
Read the following paragraph:
“Although both wolves and dogs belong to the canine family and share traits like sharp teeth and keen hearing, wolves live in the wild, hunt in packs, and have thick fur to withstand cold climates, while dogs have adapted to living with humans, eat a variety of prepared foods, and display diverse breeds and temperaments.”
Which text structure does this passage use?
A. Chronological/Sequence
B. Problem and Solution
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Cause and Effect
Correct Answer: (C) Compare and Contrast
Why it’s correct: The passage highlights similarities (both are canines with sharp teeth and keen hearing) and differences (wolves live in the wild; dogs live with humans and vary in breeds), which is characteristic of compare and contrast structure.
Read the following passage:
“Though Sarah’s painting was not the most colorful or the biggest, she was proud of it. She had worked on it every day, taking her time to get each detail just right. To her, the true value of the painting was not in its size or brightness, but in the effort and care she put into creating it.”
What is the theme of this passage?
A. The importance of hard work and effort
B. The value of competition
C. The need for approval from others
D. The excitement of new beginnings
Correct Answer: (A) The importance of hard work and effort
Why it’s correct: The passage focuses on how Sarah takes pride in her work because of the time and effort she put into it, showing the theme of valuing hard work over outward appearance or competition.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(B): The passage does not mention competition, only personal pride in her work.
(C): There is no mention of needing approval from others; the focus is on Sarah’s pride in her own effort.
(D): The passage is not about new beginnings, but about the value of effort in completing a task.
What is the correct way to write this sentence?
The worker bee, carrying a heavy load of pollen flew back to the hive.
Correct Answer: (B) The worker bee, carrying a heavy load of pollen, flew back to the hive.
Why it's correct: The phrase "carrying a heavy load of pollen" is a nonessential participial phrase. It adds extra information about the worker bee but isn't crucial to understanding the main action (the bee flew back to the hive). Nonessential phrases like this are set off with commas.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A) The worker bee carrying a heavy load of pollen, flew back to the hive: This incorrectly places a comma after the participial phrase but not before it, making it seem essential.
(C) The worker bee carrying a heavy load of pollen flew, back to the hive: This comma creates an awkward pause before the prepositional phrase "back to the hive."
(D) The worker bee carrying, a heavy load of pollen flew back to the hive: This comma incorrectly separates "carrying" from its object "a heavy load of pollen."
This young female had been separated from her mother for several hours, so she required immediate attention to ensure her well-being.
Which word means the same as required as it is used above?
Correct Answer: B. needed
Why it's correct: In the sentence, "required immediate attention" means that the lamb had a necessity for immediate care due to being separated from her mother for several hours. The word "needed" expresses this same sense of necessity or essentiality.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. requested: "Requested" implies asking for something, but it doesn't necessarily mean it was essential for survival or well-being. The lamb's situation went beyond a simple request.
C. wished: "Wished" expresses a desire or hope for something, but it doesn't convey the urgency or necessity implied by "required" in this context.
D. suggested: "Suggested" means to put forward an idea or course of action for consideration. It doesn't carry the meaning of something being essential or demanded by the circumstances.
Read the following sentence from a story:
“The wind howled through the trees like a pack of wolves on the hunt.”
Which literary device is the author using in this sentence, and how does it enhance the mood of the passage?
A. Onomatopoeia
B. Hyperbole
C. Simile
D. Personification
Correct Answer: (C) Simile
Why it’s correct: A simile directly compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.” Here, the wind is compared to wolves, which creates an ominous, tense mood by evoking the idea of a dangerous hunt.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A): Onomatopoeia imitates sounds (e.g., “buzz,” “clang”).
(B): Hyperbole is an exaggeration for effect.
(D): Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human things.
Read the following paragraph:
“Because the heavy rains continued for days, the low-lying fields flooded, forcing farmers to leave their crops unattended and delaying the harvest until the waters receded.”
Which text structure does this passage use?
A. Chronological/Sequence
B. Cause and Effect
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Problem and Solution
Correct Answer: (B) Cause and Effect
Why it’s correct: The passage explains that the heavy rains (cause) led to flooding fields, unattended crops, and a delayed harvest (effects), clearly showing a cause-and-effect relationship.
Read the following passage:
“As the sun began to set, Jack thought about the many challenges he had faced throughout the day. Yet, with every problem he solved, he felt stronger and more confident. By the time he reached home, he realized how much he had grown, not just in skill, but in patience and resilience.”
What is the theme of this passage?
A. Overcoming obstacles leads to personal growth
B. The importance of winning over others
C. The struggle to fit in with peers
D. The rewards of material success
Correct Answer: (A) Overcoming obstacles leads to personal growth
Why it’s correct: The passage highlights Jack's reflection on how facing challenges made him feel stronger and more confident, showing that overcoming obstacles leads to personal growth and development.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(B): The passage focuses on personal growth, not winning over others.
(C): There is no mention of fitting in with peers, just facing personal challenges.
(D): The passage focuses on personal growth, not material rewards or success.
Read this sentence:
The little bee knew it was its turn to bring nectar back to the hive, but it wasn't shore where the best flowers were.
What is the correct way to write the underlined word in the sentence?
Correct Answer: (B) sure
Why it's correct: The underlined word "shore" is a homophone, meaning it sounds like another word but has a different meaning and spelling. In this sentence, the bee is unsure of the location of the flowers, so the correct word is "sure," which means certain or confident.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A) shore: "Shore" refers to the land along the edge of a sea, lake, or river, which doesn't fit the context of the sentence.
(C) shure: "Shure" is a misspelling of the word meaning certain.
(D) No change is needed: The underlined word is used incorrectly and needs to be changed to "sure."
Read the sentence from paragraph 4 of the article.
The worker bees advocate for the best flower patches with special dances and smells, letting other bees know where the good food is.
Think about the Latin root "voc." What does the word "advocate" suggest the worker bees are doing?
Correct Answer: C. They are strongly recommending or calling attention to the best flower patches.
Why it's correct: The Latin root "voc" relates to calling or voice. In this context, when bees "advocate" for flower patches, they are using their "voice" (through dances and smells) to strongly suggest or call attention to where the best food sources are for the other bees.
Why other choices are incorrect:
A. They are making loud buzzing sounds to attract attention: While bees do buzz, "advocate" implies a more specific form of communication that conveys information about the flowers' quality, not just general attention.
B. They are showing or pointing out the location of the flowers: While their dances and smells do show location, "advocate" adds the idea of a recommendation or highlighting the value of those patches.
D. They are having a quiet conversation with the other bees: "Advocate" suggests a more persuasive form of communication than a quiet conversation.
Read the following excerpt from a narrative:
“Maria tiptoed across the creaky wooden floorboards, each step sending a shiver of dread up her spine as the moonlight painted ghostly shapes on the walls.”
Which literary device is the author employing, and what effect does it have on the reader’s experience?
A. Alliteration
B. Imagery
C. Irony
D. Flashback
Correct Answer: (B) Imagery
Why it’s correct: Imagery uses descriptive language that appeals to the senses. In this excerpt, words like “creaky,” “shiver of dread,” and “ghostly shapes” create vivid sensory details, immersing the reader in a tense, eerie atmosphere.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A): Alliteration repeats initial consonant sounds (e.g., “creaky” and “floorboards” do not share an initial sound).
(C): Irony involves a contrast between expectation and reality, which isn’t present here.
(D): Flashback interrupts the sequence of events to show an earlier moment, which doesn’t occur in this excerpt.
Read the following passage:
“The rainforest faces shrinking habitats, poaching, and climate change. To address these issues, conservationists have established protected reserves, enforced anti-poaching laws, and launched reforestation programs.”
Which text structure does this passage use?
A. Problem and Solution
B. Cause and Effect
C. Chronological/Sequence
D. Descriptive
Correct Answer: (A) Problem and Solution
Why it’s correct: The passage presents problems facing the rainforest (shrinking habitats, poaching, climate change) and then outlines solutions (protected reserves, laws, reforestation), fitting the problem-and-solution structure.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(B): Cause and Effect explains reasons and results, but here the focus is on solving problems, not just causes.
(C): Chronological/Sequence lists steps in order, which isn’t the main focus.
(D): Descriptive simply describes a topic without organizing by problem and solution.
Read the following passage:
“Lena walked through the crowded street, watching people rush by without noticing one another. Despite being surrounded by so many, she felt a deep sense of loneliness, as if no one truly understood her. But in that moment, she realized that she didn’t need others to define her happiness; she could find peace within herself.”
What is the theme of this passage?
A. The search for happiness in material possessions
B. The feeling of loneliness in a busy world
C. Finding inner strength and peace
D. The importance of fitting in with others
Correct Answer: (C) Finding inner strength and peace
Why it’s correct: The passage emphasizes Lena's realization that true happiness comes from within, not from relying on others, highlighting the theme of finding inner strength and peace.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A): The passage does not mention material possessions or their role in happiness.
(B): While Lena feels lonely, the main focus is on her realization of inner peace rather than just the feeling of loneliness.
(D): The passage shows Lena finding happiness alone, not through fitting in with others.
Read this sentence:
Inside the hive were three kinds of bees the queen, the workers, and the drones.
What is the correct way to write the underlined part of the sentence?
Correct Answer: (D) bees: the queen
Why it's correct: A colon (:) is used to introduce a list of items that are explained or listed after an independent clause (a complete sentence). In this sentence, "Inside the hive were three kinds of bees" is a complete thought, and what follows is a list of those three kinds of bees. Therefore, a colon is the correct punctuation mark to use.
Why other choices are incorrect:
(A) bees, the queen: A comma is generally used to separate items in a list, but not to introduce the list after an independent clause in this way.
(B) bees; the queen: A semicolon is used to join two closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list that already contains commas. It's not the correct punctuation to introduce a list here.
(C) bees. the queen: A period ends a sentence. While "bees" could end a sentence, the following words are clearly part of the same thought and should be connected with a colon to introduce the list.