Theme Detectives
A character keeps trying to solve a difficult puzzle even after failing several times.
What theme is best supported?
A. Intelligence is more important than effort
B. Persistence can lead to success
C. Puzzles are frustrating
D. Friends should help each other
B. Persistence can lead to success
Passage
Maya stepped onto the stage and looked at the crowd. Her hands shook slightly, and she took a deep breath before speaking. She kept glancing at her notes as she began her presentation.
Question
Which detail best supports the claim that Maya is nervous?
Her hands shook slightly.
The desert climate is extremely arid, and very little rain falls during the year.
Question
What does arid most nearly mean?
A. Cold
B. Dry
C. Windy
D. Rocky
B. Dry
A passage explains why a flood happened and what happened because of it.
What text structure is the author using?
Cause and effect
An article tries to convince readers to recycle.
Purpose?
Persuade
A girl learns to appreciate her family after spending time away from home.
Question:
What theme is most likely?
You may not appreciate something until it’s gone.
Passage
The storm clouds grew darker, and the wind pushed the trees from side to side. A loud crack of thunder echoed across the field. Soon heavy rain began to fall.
Question
Which detail best supports the claim that the storm is getting stronger?
The wind pushed the trees side to side.
The wind howled through the empty streets as the storm approached.
Question
What does the word howled suggest?
A. The wind was loud and powerful
B. The wind was quiet
C. The wind stopped suddenly
D. The wind was warm
A. The wind was loud and powerful
A passage tells events in the order they happened.
What text structure is the author using?
Chronological order
A passage explains how volcanoes form.
Purpose?
Inform
A boy lies to avoid trouble, but his lie causes bigger problems later.
Question:
What theme is best supported?
Honesty is important.
Passage
The town recently opened a museum displaying artifacts from the early settlers. Each year, the town also holds a festival celebrating its founding. Many residents volunteer to preserve historic buildings downtown.
Question
Which detail best supports the claim that the town values its history?
Residents volunteer to preserve historic buildings
Passage
The athlete showed great endurance during the marathon, continuing to run even after many runners had stopped.
Question
What does endurance most nearly mean?
B. Strength to keep going
A passage explains a problem and how people solved it.
What text structure is the author using?
Problem and solution
A funny story about a mischievous dog.
Purpose?
Entertain
A character helps a stranger even though no one is watching.
What theme is supported?
A. Helping others shows kindness
B. Strangers are dangerous
C. People should mind their business
D. Rewards are important
A. Helping others shows kindness
Passage
Jordan practiced the violin every evening, even when his friends were outside playing. Sometimes he repeated the same section of music dozens of times until he played it perfectly.
Question
Which detail best supports the claim that Jordan is determined?
Jordan practices every evening.
The scientist carefully analyzed the results of the experiment before writing her report.
Question
What does analyzed mean?
A. Studied carefully
B. Ignored
C. Destroyed
D. Shared
A. Studied carefully
A passage explains how two animals are similar and different.
What text structure is the author using?
Compare and contrast
An article explains why students should exercise more.
Purpose?
Persuade
A team loses several games but continues practicing together.
What theme does this show?
Teamwork and perseverance can overcome challenges.
Passage
At first, only two students had heard the rumor about the canceled field trip. By lunchtime several students had texted their friends. By the end of the day almost everyone in the school believed the story.
Question
Which detail best supports the claim that rumors spread quickly?
By the end of the day almost everyone believed it.
Once the evidence was discovered, the conclusion seemed inevitable.
Question
What does inevitable most nearly mean?
A. Impossible
B. Certain to happen
C. Temporary
D. Confusing
B. Certain to happen
A passage explains how pollination works step by step.
What text structure is the author using?
Sequence or step-by-step
A biography describes the life of Harriet Tubman.
Purpose?
Inform