Main Idea & Theme
Mia had always been afraid to ride her bike without training wheels. Every time she tried, she wobbled and fell. "I'll never learn!" she said, ready to give up. But her older brother, Jake, encouraged her. "Keep trying, Mia! You just need practice." Mia took a deep breath and got back on her bike. She fell a few more times, but each time, she stood up and tried again. After a few days of practice, she finally rode all the way down the sidewalk without falling. "I did it!" she cheered.
What is the theme of this passage?
A) It is fun to ride a bike.
B) Listening to your brother is important.
C) Never give up, even when something is hard.
D) Always wear a helmet when riding a bike.
C) Never give up, even when something is hard.
Tyler was excited to visit his grandmother's house. First, he packed his bag with clothes and toys for the trip. Next, he said goodbye to his parents and hopped into the car with his aunt. The drive took about an hour, and Tyler was looking out the window the whole time. Finally, they arrived at his grandmother's house, and Tyler ran to the door to see her.
Which of these happened BEFORE Tyler saw his grandmother?
A) Tyler packed his bag with clothes and toys.
B) Tyler ran to the door to see his grandmother.
C) Tyler looked out the window during the drive.
D) Tyler said goodbye to his parents.
A) Tyler packed his bag with clothes and toys.
Max had been looking forward to going to the park all day. As soon as school ended, he grabbed his backpack and rushed home, eager to spend time with his friends. However, when he arrived, he saw that his mom was standing at the door with a worried look on her face. "Max, we have to go to the doctor's office for your checkup," she said. Max frowned, feeling disappointed, but he didn't argue. He understood that it was important, even though he was sad about missing the park.
What does Max do when he realizes he cannot go to the park?
A) He argues with his mom.
B) He feels sad but doesn't complain.
C) He starts packing his bag for the park.
D) He decides to go to the park anyway.
B) He feels sad but doesn't complain.
The eagle soared high above the mountains; its wings spread wide as it glided through the sky without flapping.
What does the word soared most likely mean?
A) Fell quickly
B)Moved slowly
C) Rose high and flew gracefully
D) Stayed low to the ground
C) Rose high and flew gracefully
Beavers are amazing builders. They use their sharp teeth to cut down small trees and branches. Then, they carry the wood to a river or stream to build a dam. The dam blocks the water and creates a pond, which becomes the beaver's home. These ponds help other animals too, providing a safe place for fish and birds.
Which fact about beavers BEST shows why they are good builders?
A) Beavers live in ponds.
B) Beavers use their teeth to cut down trees and branches.
C) Beavers help other animals by making ponds.
D) Beavers swim in rivers and streams.
B) Beavers use their teeth to cut down trees and branches.
Sea turtles have lived in the ocean for millions of years. They spend most of their time in the water, using their strong flippers to swim long distances. Female sea turtles come to the beach to lay eggs in the sand. Today, many sea turtles are in danger. Pollution, trash in the ocean, and fishing nets can harm them. People are working to protect sea turtles by keeping beaches clean and helping baby turtles reach the water safely.
What is this passage MOSTLY about?
A) How sea turtles swim in the ocean
B) The dangers sea turtles face and how people can help
C) Why sea turtles lay eggs on the beach
D) The different types of turtles in the ocean
B) The dangers sea turtles face and how people can help
The first successful steam engine was created by James Watt in the 1770s. Before this invention, people relied on water and wind power to run machines, but these sources were not always reliable. James Watt's steam engine was powered by boiling water, which created steam to turn wheels and machines. This new source of energy helped factories operate more efficiently. Because of Watt's invention, steam engines became important in trains and boats, changing transportation forever.
Which event happened first?
A) James Watt created the first successful steam engine.
B) Steam engines helped factories operate more efficiently.
C) People relied on water and wind power to run machines.
D) Steam engines became important in trains and boats.
C) People relied on water and wind power to run machines.
Sophie had always been afraid of the dark. She would leave a light on in her room and never go near the attic, where shadows seemed to move. One evening, during a thunderstorm, the power went out. Sophie's parents weren't home, and she was alone. At first, she sat in her room, too afraid to move. But after a few minutes, she decided to face her fear. She grabbed a flashlight and slowly walked toward the attic. When she reached the door, she took a deep breath and opened it. To her surprise, there was nothing scary inside, just some old boxes. Sophie smiled, realizing her fear had been worse than reality.
Which word best describes Sophie's feelings at the beginning of the story?
A) Excited
B) Confused
C) Afraid
D) Brave
C) Afraid
Tom was curious about the old, mysterious house at the end of the street. He decided to visit and find out what was inside.
What does the word curious most likely mean?
A) Afraid to explore
B) Wanting to know more
C) Excited to leave
D) Worried about danger
B) Wanting to know more
Noah sat on the soccer field, tying his shoes. Today was the big game, and he was supposed to play forward. But his best friend, Mateo, had been practicing hard and really wanted a chance to play that position.
Coach blew the whistle, calling the team over. Noah took a deep breath. He knew he had been chosen for forward, but he also knew how much it would mean to Mateo. When Coach asked if everyone was ready, Noah spoke up. "Coach, can Mateo play forward today? I think he deserves a turn."
What decision does Noah make?
A) He decides to sit on the bench during the game.
B) He asks the coach to let Mateo play forward instead of him.
C) He chooses to play a different sport.
D) He tells the coach he doesn't want to play soccer anymore.
B) He asks the coach to let Mateo play forward instead of him.
Honeybees are important insects that help plants grow. As they fly from flower to flower, they collect pollen and spread it to other plants. This process, called pollination, helps fruits and vegetables grow. Without bees, many plants would not be able to make food. Unfortunately, the number of honeybees is getting smaller because of pollution and loss of habitats. People can help by planting flowers and protecting the places where bees live.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A) Bees make honey for people to eat.
B) Bees help plants grow by spreading pollen.
C) Bees like to fly from flower to flower.
D) People should not be afraid of bees.
B) Bees help plants grow by spreading pollen.
Maya was excited to get home after school. She put her backpack in her room and went straight to the kitchen for a snack. After eating an apple and some crackers, she sat down at the table to do her homework. She worked hard on her math problems, and then she took a break to read a chapter from her favorite book. By the time her parents got home, Maya had finished her homework and was ready to play outside.
What did Maya do after she got home from school?
A) She played outside with her friends.
B) She worked hard on her math problems.
C) She ate an apple and some crackers.
D) She put her backpack in her room.
C) She ate an apple and some crackers.
During the school talent show, Emma had practiced her dance routine for weeks. But when it was her turn to perform, her nerves got the best of her. She forgot the steps and stood frozen on stage. The audience waited quietly, but Emma felt embarrassed.
Then, she remembered what her dance teacher had told her: "If you forget the moves, just keep going." Emma took a deep breath, smiled, and continued with the dance. By the end, she was back in rhythm and finished with confidence.
Why does Emma keep dancing after she forgets the steps?
A) She wants to impress the audience.
B) She wants to make her teacher proud.
C) She wants to go home.
D) She is determined to finish her performance.
D) She is determined to finish her performance.
Maria was diligent in her studies, making sure to complete her homework on time and review every lesson carefully.
What does the word diligent most likely mean?
A) Lazy and disorganized
B) Careful and hardworking
C) Quick and careless
D) Forgetful and distracted
B) Careful and hardworking
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world. They can run up to 70 miles per hour, but only for short distances. Their long legs and lightweight bodies help them move quickly. Cheetahs use their speed to chase animals like gazelles and antelopes.
Once they get close, they use their sharp claws to catch their prey.
Which sentence from the passage BEST shows why cheetahs are fast?
A) "Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world."
B) "They can run up to 70 miles per hour, but only for short distances."
C) "Cheetahs use their speed to chase animals like gazelles and antelopes."
D) "Their long legs and lightweight bodies help them move quickly."
D) "Their long legs and lightweight bodies help them move quickly."
Liam stared at the high diving board, his stomach twisting in knots. He had always wanted to jump, but the thought of falling scared him. His friends cheered from below, "You can do it, Liam!" He took a deep breath and climbed the ladder. At the top, he looked down at the water far below. His heart pounded. After a moment, he closed his eyes and jumped. The cool water splashed around him as he landed. When he came up for air, his friends clapped and cheered. Liam grinned. He had faced his fear, and it felt amazing!
Which sentence explains what happens in the passage?
A) Liam is afraid of jumping off the diving board but does it anyway.
B) Liam learns how to swim in the pool.
C) Liam decides never to go near the water again.
D) Liam teaches his friends how to dive.
A) Liam is afraid of jumping off the diving board but does it anyway.
In 1969, Apollo 11 made its historic journey to the Moon. The spacecraft launched from Earth on July 16, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. After several days in space, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit. On July 20, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history by stepping onto the Moon's surface, while Michael Collins stayed aboard the command module.
Armstrong famously said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." The mission returned to Earth safely on July 24, bringing back important samples from the Moon.
Which event happened before the astronauts stepped onto the Moon?
A) The astronauts returned to Earth.
B) Apollo 11 launched from Earth.
C) Armstrong said, "That's one small step for [a] man."
D) The spacecraft entered lunar orbit.
B) Apollo 11 launched from Earth.
Ella loved to bake, but she had never made anything as complicated as a three-layer cake. When her mom asked her to bake a cake for her grandmother's birthday, Ella hesitated. She didn't want to mess up, but she was determined to try. She spent the afternoon gathering all the ingredients and carefully following the recipe step by step.
When it came time to frost the cake, Ella's hands began to shake. The frosting wasn't spreading smoothly, and some of the layers seemed uneven. She stepped back and looked at the cake, feeling unsure of herself. But then, she remembered the words of her grandmother: "The best cakes are made with love, not perfection." With renewed confidence, Ella was determined to make the cake as special as possible.
What will Ella most likely do next?
A) She will give up and ask her mom to finish the cake.
B) She will continue frosting the cake and finish it.
C) She will stop baking and make a different dessert.
D) She will ask her grandmother for help.
B) She will continue frosting the cake and finish it.
The leaf drifted down from the tree, spinning in the air before landing softly on the ground.
What does the word drifted most likely mean?
A) Dropped suddenly
B) Stayed in one place
C) Rose high into the sky
D) Moved slowly without control
D) Moved slowly without control
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. It connects San Francisco to Marin County, California. The bridge was completed in 1937 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. It is painted bright orange to help ships see it through thick fog. Today, thousands of cars cross the Golden Gate Bridge every day, making it an important part of transportation in the area.
Why is the Golden Gate Bridge painted bright orange?
A) To help ships see it in foggy weather
B) To make it look more beautiful
C) To match the color of the sky
D) To make it stronger
A) To help ships see it in foggy weather
Emma loved to paint, but she never let anyone see her artwork. "What if they don't like it?" she worried. One day, her teacher announced an art contest at school. Emma wanted to enter, but she was nervous. Her best friend, Ava, encouraged her. "Your paintings are beautiful! You should share your talent." After thinking about it, Emma decided to enter. A week later, she saw her painting hanging in the hallway with a big blue ribbon. She smiled, realizing that sharing her work had been worth the risk.
What did the author want you to learn from this passage?
A) Painting is easy for everyone.
B) It is fun to enter contests.
C) Friends should always agree with each other.
D) You should believe in yourself and share your talents.
D) You should believe in yourself and share your talents.
In the early 1900s, many people lived in cities with poor sanitation. Garbage was often thrown onto the streets, and there were no systems in place to clean it up. This led to the spread of diseases, like cholera, that affected many people. In 1854, Dr. John Snow discovered that cholera was spread by contaminated water. He used a map to show the locations of cholera outbreaks and traced them back to a contaminated water pump in London. After this discovery, the city cleaned up its water supply, and the number of cholera cases dropped dramatically.
Which event happened before the city cleaned up its water supply?
A) Dr. John Snow discovered that cholera was spread by contaminated water.
B) Garbage was thrown onto the streets.
C) The number of cholera cases dropped.
D) Dr. John Snow used a map to trace cholera outbreaks.
A) Dr. John Snow discovered that cholera was spread by contaminated water.
Lena woke up early on Saturday morning with a big smile on her face. She had promised her little brother, Tim, that they would go to the park together. Tim had been asking for days, and Lena was excited to keep her promise. However, when she stepped outside, she noticed it was raining heavily. Lena thought about going back inside, but then she remembered how much Tim was looking forward to it. She ran inside, grabbed an umbrella, and said, "Come on, Tim! Let's go splash in the puddles!" Tim cheered, and they both had a fun, wet adventure in the rain.
Why does Lena go to the park even though it's raining?
A) She doesn't want to disappoint her brother.
B) She likes playing in the rain.
C) She promised to meet her friends there.
D) She enjoys running in the rain.
A) She doesn't want to disappoint her brother.
The butterfly fluttered from flower to flower, its wings moving quickly up and down as it searched for nectar.
What does the word fluttered most likely mean?
A) Stayed still
B) Moved slowly
C) Moved gently and quickly
D) Flew far away
C) Moved gently and quickly
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, are known for inventing the first successful airplane. Before their flight in 1903, most people thought flying was impossible. The brothers spent years studying how birds glide through the air and testing different wing shapes. They built a small engine and attached it to their airplane, called the Flyer. On December 17, 1903, Orville flew for 12 seconds in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Even though it was a short flight, it proved that controlled air travel was possible. Their invention changed transportation forever.
Why did the Wright brothers study how birds glide?
A) They wanted to become bird watchers.
B) They were trying to build wings for people to wear.
C) They wanted to understand how flight works.
D) They needed to write a book about birds.
C) They wanted to understand how flight works.