Reading Skill Review

Context Clues

100

Everyone in the world is afraid of something. Instead of having just one phobia, or fear, at a time, most people have many fears simultaneously. People may be scared of bugs or spiders, water or flying. Sometimes, people have reasons for their fears. An assault may make someone scared of strangers on the street, even years after the attack. Other times, there is no reason for the fear. A person with a strong fear of bugs may spend large amounts of money to exterminate every insect in the house, even though all of them are less dangerous than the poison! 

 In the passage above, what is the meaning of assault? 

 A. an animal 

 B. a storm 

 C. an attack 

 D. a test

What is an attack?

200

Everyone in the world is afraid of something. Instead of having just one phobia, or fear, at a time, most people have many fears simultaneously. People may be scared of bugs or spiders, water or flying. Sometimes, people have reasons for their fears. An assault may make someone scared of strangers on the street, even years after the attack. Other times, there is no reason for the fear. A person with a strong fear of bugs may spend large amounts of money to exterminate every insect in the house, even though all of them are less dangerous than the poison! 

In the passage above, what is the meaning of simultaneously? 

 A. a group of people 

 B. at the same time 

 C. one at a time 

 D. large or important

What is at the same time?

300

Everyone in the world is afraid of something. Instead of having just one phobia, or fear, at a time, most people have many fears simultaneously. People may be scared of bugs or spiders, water or flying. Sometimes, people have reasons for their fears. An assault may make someone scared of strangers on the street, even years after the attack. Other times, there is no reason for the fear. A person with a strong fear of bugs may spend large amounts of money to exterminate every insect in the house, even though all of them are less dangerous than the poison! 

 In the passage above, what is the meaning of phobia? 

 A. poisonous spider or bug 

 B. strong fear or anxiety 

 C. job or responsibility 

 D. dream or desire

What is a strong fear or anxiety?

400

Everyone in the world is afraid of something. Instead of having just one phobia, or fear, at a time, most people have many fears simultaneously. People may be scared of bugs or spiders, water or flying. Sometimes, people have reasons for their fears. An assault may make someone scared of strangers on the street, even years after the attack. Other times, there is no reason for the fear. A person with a strong fear of bugs may spend large amounts of money to exterminate every insect in the house, even though all of them are less dangerous than the poison! 

 In the passage above, what is the meaning of exterminate? 

 A. escape 

 B. kill 

 C. enjoy 

 D. help

What is to kill?

500

Alfred Nobel invented dynamite. He was, however, a pacifist who felt bad about the destructive power that he created. He established the Nobel Prize as an award for outstanding achievement in physics, chemistry, medicine, peace, literature, and economics. Looking at the context, what is the definition of pacifist? 

 A. a cruel, violent person 

 B. an inventor of explosives 

 C. a very famous scientist 

 D. a person against violence

What is a person against violence?

Author's Purpose

100

Joe had been fishing for over two hours without a single bite. Suddenly there was a nibble at the end of his fishing line. He stood up on the boat and leaned out too far. Just then there was a sharp yank on the line. Joe fell overboard and landed head first into the water. Joe and his friends laughed and laughed. 

The author's purpose is to.....

A. Persuade

B. Inform

C. Entertain

What is Entertain

200

Judy Glen's amazing Wrinkle Remover cream will make you look younger in thirty days or less. This remarkable cream has special ingredients to make your wrinkles disappear. The cost for a thirty day supply is $ 25.99. Send your check to P.O.Box 00002, Shelton, CA 74836 

The author's Purpose is to...

A. Persuade

B. Inform

C. Entertain

What is Persuade

300

Thomas was not happy one little bit. His sister, Susan was making honor roll again. His parents would allow her to do anything she wanted to do. Thomas was not making honor roll this time and he was not going to be allowed to do all the things he wanted to do. Poor Thomas! He would just have to study harder and get back on the honor roll. 

The author's purpose is to....

A. Persuade

B. Inform

C. Entertain

What is Entertain

400

Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867 in Pepin, Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls. She met and married Almanzo James Wilder in 1885. She published many books based on her travels to the west. Her writing became the basis for the " Little House" series She died in 1957. 

That author's purpose is to....

A. Persuade

B. Inform

C. Entertain

What is Inform

500

HAMSTERS FOR SALE: Braxton Pet Store, Northwood Mall: We have a large selection of hamsters for sale this week. They are interesting pets and you will enjoy having one. They are only $ 17.99 this week. Come and buy yours today! 

The author's purpose is to...

A. Persuade

B. Inform

C. Entertain

What is Persuade

Inferences

100

Howie finished multiplying the fractions and turned in his worksheet. Mr. Green was making the class sit quietly until the bell. Twenty more minutes were left. Howie watched the clock as the hands moved slowly toward three o’clock. He groaned as he put his head on his desk but jerked back up when Mr. Green’s voice suddenly broke the silence. “Okay, class! I have your tests graded. Overall, I’m very pleased with how you all did. Some of you, however, need to study a bit harder,” Mr. Green said as he passed out the papers. Howie had studied every night for a whole week. He was positive that he had made an A. Mr. Green came and placed his test facedown on his desk. Howie turned it over excitedly, but his grin quickly turned to a frown. As he stared at his grade, a huge knot formed in his stomach. 

Why does Howie groan and put his head on his desk? 

A. He is upset about his bad grade. 

 B. He feels sick after taking a test. 

 C. He is bored after finishing his work. 

 D. He does not want to talk to his teacher.

What is He is upset about his bad grade?

200

"You always want to do what I do, Polly thought. She sighed and leaned over to talk to her sister eye-to-eye. 'You're too little to run a business like me. You just have to sit quietly and watch.' " 

 What does the paragraph above suggest? 

 A. Polly wants to help her little sister. 

 B. Polly needs to learn to run a business. 

 C. Polly thinks her sister is annoying. 

 D. Polly likes to play with her sister.

What is Polly thinks her sister is annoying?

300

Mr. Killian's class could be heard from the lobby of the school. His students laughed at his jokes and funny voices. A couple students were walking by his door and stopped to see what was happening. Mr. Killian wanted his students to like reading great novels. To make them interesting, he would sometimes act out the books using funny props and voices. The students paid attention in his class and even made good grades on his tests. He also gave each student individual attention and made each feel special. When he walked down the hall, Mr. Killian was greeted with smiles and high fives. Even the other teachers had nothing but nice things to say about Mr. Killian. 

 Based on the passage, which generalization can the reader make? 

 A. Many students like Mr. Killian's teaching style. 

 B. Most teachers like to make funny jokes in class. 

 C. English is the most exciting class in all schools. 

 D. No one likes to read long novels in English class.

What is Many students like Mr. Killian's teaching style?

400

Last night, someone broke all the windows of the empty Kizer building. This is the fourth building in Farrell Square to be damaged at night. The old neighborhood has seen better times. In the past, it was the center of activity in the city. People could go to the park, go shopping, or catch a movie. Now, the screen of the old theater is covered in graffiti. Many of the old shops are now abandoned. The park is overgrown with weeds. 

 What generalization can the reader make about Farrell Square today? 

 A. Many people work in the Kizer building. 

 B. Most people want to live near the park. 

 C. No one takes care of that part of town. 

 D. The kids see many movies at the theater.

What is No one takes care of that part of town?

500

What is Sleep Talking? Sleep talking is a common activity people do while sleeping. People make sounds or speak during sleep without being aware of it. Sleep talking can happen at any stage of sleep. People with anxiety disorders or fever are known to talk in their sleep. Sometimes, people with other sleep disorders like sleep walking or shortness of breath while sleeping also talk in their sleep. More children are known to sleep talk compared to adults. Usually, sleep talking goes away in children when they hit puberty. Children who sleep walk may continue to sleep talk as well. While some sleep talkers carry on conversations, others only moan or make sounds. Lack of sleep is known to increase sleep talking. Other factors that increase sleep talking are stress and anxiety. People with irregular sleep habits might talk in their sleep. Researchers say eating a heavy meal before bedtime creates discomfort that might cause sleep talking. 

What can the reader tell about people who sleep talk? 

A. They will remember everything they said while sleeping. 

 B. They are most talkative when they are in deep sleep. 

 C. They feel least stressed or anxious while sleep talking. 

 D. They do not know that they are talking in their sleep.

What is They do not know that they are talking in their sleep?

Main Idea

100

Killer whales are sometimes called the "wolves of the sea." They are predators; they need to eat other animals to live. Like wolves, they work together in groups. If you're a porpoise or a big fish, a killer whale looks mean because it wants to eat you. If you're a killer whale, then you hope that the porpoise or big fish doesn't get away. If it does, then you have to go hungry. 

 What is the main idea of the paragraph? 

 A. Killer whales chase big fish. 

 B. Killer whales are harmless. 

 C. Killer whales are predators. 

 D. Killer whales live in groups.

What is Killer whales are predators?

200

Do you know where to find Italy on a map? Italy juts out from the European continent. It sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea. It is shaped like a high-heeled boot. The toe is pointed to the island of Sicily. Other important islands to its west are Sardinia, Corsica, and Elba. To the north are France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Some countries lie to the east. They are across the Adriatic Sea. Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina are found across the water. 

 Which sentence from the passage supports the idea that Italy is surrounded by water? 

 A. It is shaped like a high-heeled boot. 

 B. The toe is pointed to the island of Sicily. 

 C. Do you know where to find Italy on a map? 

 D. It sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea.

What is It sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea?

300

The ring you sometimes see around the sun or moon is called a halo. It is believed to be caused by the scattering of sunlight by tiny ice crystals very high in the sky. High clouds of ice crystals in the sky are called cirrus clouds or cirrostratus if they form a layer. These often form in front of warm fronts that bring rain. That means a halo around the sun or moon is often a warning that rain may come. 

 The passage is mainly about 

 A. the reasons the sun rises. 

 B. how halos are formed. 

 C. a warning that rain may come. 

 D. warm fronts that bring rain.

What is how halos are formed?

400

The solar system is made of our Sun and everything that travels around it. Our solar system is elliptical. This means it is shaped like an egg. The Sun is in the center of the solar system. Our solar system is always moving. Eight planets and their moons orbit the Sun. Comets, asteroids, and other space objects also move around the Sun. The Sun is the biggest object in our solar system. It has more than 99% of the solar system's mass. Astronomers think the solar system is over 4 billion years old. 

 Which would be the best title of the passage? 

 A. Comets and Moons 

 B. Eight Planets 

 C. The Solar System 

 D. The Sun's Mass

What is The Solar System?

500

Come hear Granger Smith at Wildcats Stadium on April 8 from 5-7 p.m. Granger is a Lake Highlands High School graduate who is a rising country music star. Smith is best known for his top ten single "Don't Listen to the Radio." Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy the show. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Proceeds go to benefit the cheerleading squad and drill team. 

 What is this passage mainly about? 

 A. a benefit concert at the high school 

 B. a rally against listening to the radio 

 C. a drill team contest at the school 

 D. a graduation concert at the stadium

What is a benefit concert at the high school?

Cause & Effect

100

Pinch is to pain

Cause = Pinch

Effect = Pain

200

I ate all my lunch because I was hungry.

Cause = Hungry

Effect = Ate lunch

300

I run everyday, now I am losing weight.

Cause = Run Everyday

Effect = Losing Weight

400

The dog wags his tail when he's happy.

Cause = Dog is happy

Effect = Wags tail

500

He got checked out of school early since he had a dentist appointment.

Cause = Dentist Appointment

Effect = Checked out of school early