Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Reading Skills

100

What's the difference between the main idea & supporting details?

a) The main idea is what a passage is about, & supporting details are smaller pieces of information that help it.
b) The main idea is the most important idea of a passage, & supporting details are pieces of information that have nothing to do with it.
c) The main idea is what you think about a topic, & supporting details are what the author thinks about the topic.
d) The main idea is a quote, & supporting details are other quotes that agree with it.

a) The main idea is what the passage is about, & supporting details are smaller pieces of information that help it.

200

"It had been raining for seven years; thousands upon thousands of days compounded and filled from one end to the other with rain, with the drum and gush of water, with the sweet crystal fall of showers and the concussion of storms so heavy they were tidal waves come over the islands." (All Summer in a Day)

Why do you think the author uses repetition & imagery?

a) To make you laugh
b) To paint a picture of a different world
c) To persuade you that rain is not a big deal
d) All of the above

b) To paint a picture of a different world

300

When writing an answer to a text-dependent analysis question (a question about one or more of the passages you read), which step is not necessary?

a) answer the question in complete sentences
b) use examples or quotes
c) compare the passages to books you've read
d) explain your ideas fully

c) compare the passages to books you've read

400

When figuring out possible themes of a text, which approach(es) can be helpful?

a) think about the problem & solution in the plot of the story
b) think about how the characters interact with each other
c) think about what the author is trying to say
d) all of the above

d) all of the above

500

He had his dream, and all through life,
Worked up to it through toil and strife.

These are the first 2 lines of the poem "He Had His Dream". What can you predict about the rest of the poem?

a) It will probably be about family.
b) It will probably have a theme of struggle.
c) It probably won't rhyme.
d) It will probably be about a boy's childhood.

b) It will probably have a theme of struggle.

Writing Skills

100

Which would make this sentence correct?

Were confident that middle school students will ace the test.

a) change "Were" to "We're"
b) change "confident" to "confidante"
c) change "students" to "student's"
d) change the period to a question mark

a) change "Were" to "We're"

200

What are the 3 kinds of essays you might be asked to write on the PSSAs?

a) narrative, plays, poetry
b) narrative, newspaper article, biography
c) argument, information, narrative
d) advertisement, argument, analysis

c) argument, information, narrative

300

What's the correct order of steps to take when you're starting an essay?

a) read the question, organize ideas, brainstorm ideas, highlight key words
b) brainstorm ideas, highlight key words, organize ideas, read the question
c) read the question, highlight key words, brainstorm ideas, organize ideas
d) organize ideas, highlight key words, read the question, brainstorm ideas

c) read the question, highlight key words, brainstorm ideas, organize ideas

400

What kind of essay is this question asking you to write?

Imagine that someone became a positive role model for others. Think about what this person might have done to become a positive role model. Consider other people who might have been involved. Write a story for your teacher that tells how someone became a positive role model for others. Consider story elements (for example, character, setting, and plot) as you develop your piece.

a) argument
b) information
c) narrative
d) text dependent analysis

c) narrative

500

The bee hummingbird would be an amazing creature at any size; however, it will always be known for its size, which was quite small.

Which verb needs to be changed and how?

a) change "would be" to "will be"
b) change "will always be" to "was"
c) change "was" to "is"
d) no change needed

c) change "was" to "is"

Vocabulary

100

Synonyms mean the __________, while antonyms mean __________.

a) the opposite; the same
b) the best; the worst
c) the worst; the best
d) the same; the opposite

d) the same; the opposite

200

The prefix "trans" is used in many words: "transport", "translate", "transition". What does it mean?

a) before
b) after
c) across or through
d) not

c) across or through

300

Which strategy could you use when you come to a word you don't know?

a) Think if the word is similar to other words you know
b) Use prefixes, suffixes or roots
c) Use context clues
d) All of the above

d) All of the above

400

After scoring zero goals in twenty-seven games, he finally decided he was completely inept at soccer.

What does the word "inept" mean?

a) incompetent
b) brilliant
c) athletic
d) helpful

a) incompetent

500

The class was boisterous during the activity, but everyone settled down quickly when it was time to read.

What's the best antonym for boisterous?

a) curious
b) hyper
c) lively
d) calm

d) calm

Math

100

Solve for x: 2x-5=1

a) 2
b) 3
c) 6
d) 10

b) 3

200

Which of the following shapes is not a polygon?

a) triangle
b) trapezoid
c) oval
d) rectangle

c) oval

300

Which pair are NOT equivalent expressions?

a) 3x-5x = -4x+2x
b) 3x+5x = 2(4x)
c) 3x+5x = 4x+2x+2x
d) 3x(5x) = 2x(4x)

d) 3x(5x) = 2x(4x)

400

Michelle's goal is to read 6 books every 3 months. How many months will it take Michelle to read 24 books?

a) 4
b) 8
c) 12
d) 18

c) 12

500

1,978 + 988 + 87 + 9 = approximately...

a) 1,500
b) 3,000
c) 4,500
d) 5,000

b) 3,000

Science

100

What's the best definition of a hypothesis?

a) an educated guess about what might happen in an experiment
b) a conclusion you draw after performing an experiment
c) the independent variable in an experiment
d) the trials you repeat in an experiment

a) an educated guess about what might happen in an experiment

200

Which statement best describes a dominant gene?

a) It is the gene that produces mutations.
b) It is the gene that produces desirable traits.
c) It is the gene that masks a recessive gene.
d) It is the gene that is masked by a recessive gene.

c) It is the gene that masks a recessive gene.

300

Which is a renewable source of energy?

a) coal
b) natural gas
c) oil
d) wind

d) wind

400

Which question about the Schuylkill River can best be answered through scientific inquiry?

a) How many species of fish are present in this river?
b) Will this river be a fun place to visit?
c) Will fishing be a popular sport on this river in five years?
d) How much money should be spent to manage this river?

a) How many species of fish are present in this river?

500

A chef puts room-temperature pasta into a pot of boiling water. Which of the following best describes what happens to the temperatures of the water and the pasta?

a) the water heats up and the pasta cools down
b) the water and the pasta both cool down
c) the water and the pasta both heat up
d) the water cools down and the pasta heats up

d) the water cools down and the pasta heats up