PSSA Strategies
Reading
Writing
Math
Vocabulary
100
The night before the PSSA you should: A: stay up all night B: get a good night's sleep C: study until 2:00 A.M. D: watch a movie
What is B: Get a good night's sleep
100
Read the sentence from the passage. The eruption blasts the bits into the air while they are still hot, and they cool as separate particles, forming a fine dust. What does the word particles mean as used in the passage? A.warm gas B.watery clouds C.tiny pieces D.round spots
What is C: tiny pieces
100
Which detail from the passage best shows that Marisa is good at solving problems? A. She enjoys reading mystery books. B. She is able to figure out the message on the mirror. C. She makes a new friend on the first day of school. D. She knows how to write a secret message using lemon juice.
What is B: She is able to figure out the message on the mirror
100
There are 4 tables in Cleo’s classroom. She puts 2 packages of crayons on each table. Each package has 8 crayons. Cleo finds the total number of crayons on the tables by multiplying 4 × 2 × 8. Which expression shows another way Cleo could find the total number of crayons on the tables? A.4 + 2 + 8 B.4 × 8 + 2 C.2 × 4 × 8 D.2 × 4 + 8
What is C: 2 x 4 x 8
100
Read the sentences from the passage. On the morning of September 3, 1999, I saw a huge plume of ash shoot from the volcano. The mushroom-shaped cloud rose to a height of more than three miles. Which word from the sentences best helps the reader know the meaning of the word plume? A.huge B.shoot C.cloud D.height
What is C: cloud
200
If you don't know the answer to a question you should: A: ask the teacher to read it to you B: throw the test out the window C: guess D: eliminate the incorrect answers
What is D: eliminate the incorrect answers
200
Read the sentences from the passage. His mom liked to wrestle and play, which provided enough playtime for awhile. But when Cowboy turned three, he began searching for younger playmates. What point is the author making with the details in these sentences? A.Bear cubs are very active and need to play. B.Mother bears take good care of their cubs. C.Mother bears are very protective of their cubs. D.Bear cubs are too busy to play games.
What is A: Bear cubs are very active and need to play
200
Why is it important to tape the journal cover onto the journal? A. to make sure the journal can be seen by other hikers B. to make sure the cover stays attached during the hike C. to help make the journal look more attractive D. to help keep the journal pocket-sized
What is B: to make sure the cover stays attached during the hike
200
Joey has 27 toy cars. He puts an equal number of cars on each of the 3 shelves in his room. He uses division to find the numbers of cars on each shelf. Which number sentence shows a way Joey could find the number of cars on each shelf? A.3 + ? = 27 B.3 × ? = 27 C.3 + 27 = ? D.3 × 27 = ?
What is B: 3 X ? = 27
200
The meaning of the suffix “-ly” helps the reader know the word “loudly” means A.in a loud way. B.one who is loud. C.less loud. D.not loud.
What is A: In a loud way
300
If you want to check a division problem you should: A: check with addition B: check with subtraction C: check with multiplication D: check with division
What is C: check with multiplication
300
Read the sentence from the passage. By summer’s end, he had rounded up ten bear buddies who hung out together year after year. What does the phrase “rounded up” mean? A.ignored B.changed C.gathered D.watched
What is C: gathered
300
Which detail from the passage shows that Marisa has a sense of humor? A. “This must be my mystery—to find a hidden message, . . .” B. “Well, what did I expect? . . . A big sign written in red crayon?” C. “Find the message in the mirror.” D. “Think mystery, . . .”
What is B: "Well, what did I expect?... A big sign written in red crayon?"
300
There are 6 ponies for children to ride at the fair. In one hour, the ponies gave a total of 42 rides. Each pony gave the same number of rides. The equation below shows how to find the number of rides (__ ) each pony gave. 42 ÷ 6 = Which equation shows another way to determine how many rides ( __ ) each pony gave? A.42 – __ = 6 B.6 + __ = 42 C. __÷ 42 = 6 D.6 × __= 42
What is:D 6 X __= 42
300
The suffix “-less” helps the reader know that the word “clueless” means A.made of clues. B.without clues. C.one who has clues. D.state of having clues
What is B: without clues
400
While you are reading the passage you should: A: take a nap B: solve with a math problem C: highlight key words D: highlight the entire passage
What is C: highlight key words
400
Read the sentences from the passage. “You can include notes on the date of the hike, weather conditions, where you are going, and a diagram of the landscape.” “You can also add photographs from your hike—like the chipmunk that chattered at you while you ate lunch, and your family members when they jumped into the creek.” Which point is the author making with the evidence in these sentences? A. A journal is a good place to ask questions thought of during a hike. B. Notes on weather can help to predict when to go on the next hike. C. A journal can be used to record favorite memories of a hike. D. Sketches of animals will help determine where to go on the next hike.
What is C: A journal can be used to record favorite memories of a hike
400
What best explains why Step 1 for making a hiking journal directs the reader to cut the paper “six inches wider and six inches taller” than the notebook? A. The extra paper gives more room to draw on the journal. B. The extra paper creates a place for a pen to be kept with the journal. C. The extra paper gives more room to write in the journal. D. The extra paper allows it to be folded over the edges of the journal.
What is D: the extra paper allows it to be folded over the edges of the journal
400
The number of houses in each of three cities is shown below. • City 1 has 49,508 houses. • City 2 has 650,279 houses. • City 3 has 124,908 houses. What is the total number of houses in all three cities rounded to the nearest thousand? A. 820,000 B. 823,000 C. 824,000 D. 825,000
What is D:825,000
400
The meaning of the root “photo” helps the reader know that the word “photograph” means A. a picture taken with color. B. a picture taken in the heat. C. a picture taken in the cold. D. a picture taken with light
What is D: a picture taken with light
500
When you are finished with your test for the day, you should FIRST A: hand in your test B: check your work C: talk with your neighbor D: read a book
What is B: check your work
500
Read the sentence from the passage. “But she hadn’t even read a whole sentence from her book before a voice next to her made her jump.” What does the phrase “made her jump” mean? A. She dove off. B. She stood up. C. She was amused. D. She was startled.
What is D: She was startled
500
In Step 4 of the directions for making a hiking stick, why does the author tell the reader to “be careful” when decorating the hiking stick? A. The bark needs to be cut off with scissors. B. Carving is usually done using a sharp object. C. The leather strip can burn the hands. D. Bears are drawn to some patterns more than others.
What is B: Carving is usually done using a sharp object
500
Peter, Ingrid, and Anna collect posters. Peter has 14 posters. Ingrid has 6 more posters than Peter. Anna has 3 times as many posters as Ingrid. How many posters do Peter, Ingrid, and Anna have altogether? A. 46 B. 76 C. 94 D. 104
What is C: 94
500
Which word is a synonym for permission? A. money B. advice C. leather D. consent
What is D: consent
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