Mystery
Main Idea
Inferences
Mystery
100

Before Taylor was born, his father climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, a famous mountain in Africa. Taylor wanted to climb it when he was a little older. Taylor was now in 8th grade. His father said if his grades were good and his parent teacher conference went well he would take him that summer. Taylor worked extra hard that year getting all A’s on his final report card.  

What is the theme?

 if you work hard it will pay off

100

Rock, Paper, Scissors is sometimes used to reach a decision. Two players count to three as they pound one fist into the other, and then each extends a hand in the shape of one of three symbols: scissor (twofinger “V”), paper (flat hand), or rock (closed fist). These rules determine the winner: 1) scissor cuts paper; 2) paper covers rock; 3) rock breaks scissor.  

 Which of these is a detail from the text? 

any detail

100

The Rodriguez family takes a vacation in a different state every year. Last summer they went to Florida. “I think the beach is the best place on earth,” Tara said. “It’s so beautiful!” Brian started to speak, “my favorite part is building…” “I love how warm it is and how the sun feels,” Allison interrupted.  

We can assume that Brian was about to say…

sand castles

100

I look in the mirror at the beginning of each day, and ask myself what mask I should place on my face today. No not the sad one it's too revealing, I don't want to show the world my true feelings. For the mask that you can see camouflages the true me.  It's my public face that I remove each night, when I bare my soul the mirrors light. It's the one meant for only my eyes to see it speaks of all my history. It tells of my youth and girlish ways, my adolescence and my young woman’s dreams. It tells of good times of which I had my share of love lost and pain so hard to bear. So I choose my mask so carefully, to cover the face that was given to me, the one that was meant for only my eyes to see. 

What can you infer based on the poem? a. The author believes we hide our true emotions. b. The author wears a mask. c. The author is sad. d. The author is shy.

a. The author believes we hide our true emotions

200

You’ve probably heard the saying “the early bird gets the worm.” I never really understood the meaning. Who would want a worm? But, a week ago I experienced it. My friend Juan and I found out that our favorite band was playing a free concert in Town Square. We made a plan to show up at 10am.  The concert would begin at 6pm. Our goal was front row seats. Juan brought snacks and I brought blankets. We were the first ones there, had an amazing time hanging out all day in the sun, and got front row seats. We were the early birds and got the “worm” front row seats!  

 Why did the author include the saying “The early bird gets the worm?”

to let the reader make a connection between the saying and character’s experience

200

Rock, Paper, Scissors is sometimes used to reach a decision. Two players count to three as they pound one fist into the other, and then each extends a hand in the shape of one of three symbols: scissor (twofinger “V”), paper (flat hand), or rock (closed fist). These rules determine the winner: 1) scissor cuts paper; 2) paper covers rock; 3) rock breaks scissor.

What is the main idea?

To explain how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors

200

Many schools are making their students’ health a top priority. They are making changes. Vending machines that once held junk food and sugary treats now offer more healthy options. You will no longer see sodas or candy bars, but water and granola bars. Schools hope these small changes will inspire students to make healthier choices and prevent children from gaining too much weight.  

23. It is likely that…

 a. Soda does not contain sugar.

 b. These new choices are welcomed by students.  c. Students cannot afford vending machine snacks.

 d. Soda and candy are unhealthy choices.

Soda and candy are unhealthy choices

200

Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the American people on September 29, 1967 about the war in Vietnam. At this time many Americans were concerned about our involvement with the war. Johnson addressed their concerns. Many lives had been lost in this ongoing war. However, Johnson asked America, “what if we leave and let Communism spread? Could we really take that risk?” Johnson believed we should fight now to minimize the current conflict and not let it grow and carry over into future generations.  

President Johnson tried to influence Americans to believe…..

 a. many lives had been lost in the war b. that communism is bad c. in the war in Vietnam d. they are needed in Vietnam

in the war in Vietnam

300

You’ve probably heard the saying “the early bird gets the worm.” I never really understood the meaning. Who would want a worm? But, a week ago I experienced it. My friend Juan and I found out that our favorite band was playing a free concert in Town Square. We made a plan to show up at 10am.  The concert would begin at 6pm. Our goal was front row seats. Juan brought snacks and I brought blankets. We were the first ones there, had an amazing time hanging out all day in the sun, and got front row seats. We were the early birds and got the “worm” front row seats!

Which answer best fits with the theme of the story

If you plan ahead and arrive early you will be at an advantage

300

In 1849, gold was discovered in California. At that time California only had 14,000 people. The dream of striking it rich caused thousands to head west. However, very few actually found gold. Most people struggled to survive in their new home. In 1855, the Gold Rush was over. By that time almost half a million people lived in California.  

 What is this paragraph mainly about? 

Gold Rush 

300

Many schools are making their students’ health a top priority. They are making changes. Vending machines that once held junk food and sugary treats now offer more healthy options. You will no longer see sodas or candy bars, but water and granola bars. Schools hope these small changes will inspire students to make healthier choices and prevent children from gaining too much weight.

What important message is the author trying to get across? 

a. All students need to eat healthier food

b. Schools play an important role in helping students become more healthy

c. All public schools need to offer better food choices 

d. Vending machines cause kids to gain too much weight

Schools play an important role in helping students become more healthy

300

Erin loved her middle school art class. She enjoyed letting her creative side come out. It was the only time in the day where she truly felt like herself. It was the only time she had choices. On top of that, Mrs. Smith her art teacher, was such an amazing artist!  Her watercolor paintings looked so real. Erin was going to love this year and learn so much from Mrs. Smith. 

From the author’s point of view we learn that Erin… a. loves to draw b. enjoys her middle school art class c. is in middle school d. Mrs. Smith is the best art teacher Erin has ever had

b. enjoys her middle school art class

400

It was finally summer vacation. Brian would be able to go over to his friend’s house to play video games and stay up late into the night. Brian ran downstairs and said, “Bye mom, I’m going over to Tom’s house.” Just as Brian opened the front door his mom came down the hallway. “Brian,” she said, “did you clean your room?” “But Mom, its summer!” Brian gave his mom his best sad face, but she was not going to change her mind.  Brian marched back up stairs.” I guess summer vacation will have to wait a few more minutes,” Brian said to himself as he began picking up clothes off his bedroom floor.  

Summarize the story below….

who

what

where

when

why

400

Great White Sharks can be 20 feet long and weigh around 4,000 pounds. They have special sensors in their noses that help them find prey. Great White Sharks can also swim at very high speeds, and sometimes even jump right out of the water to catch their prey! They prefer to eat seals and dolphins, but they’ll attack any warmblooded creature, including humans. 


What is the main idea?

Characteristics of sharks

400

Facebook is a commonly known website for social networking. Do you know about its beginning? Facebook was founded on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with a few of his Harvard roommates. They started the site so students could keep in touch with each other online. Facebook became so popular they opened the network to other colleges and then nationwide users. They continued to grow in popularity.  Now, 10 years later, Facebook has over 1.2 billon users. 37. 

This passage suggests

a.Facebook quickly became popular

 b. Facebook is only for college students 

c. Facebook is the best way to stay in touch with your friends

 d. Facebook is slowing down in popularity

Facebook quickly became popular

400

Erin loved her middle school art class. She enjoyed letting her creative side come out. It was the only time in the day where she truly felt like herself. It was the only time she had choices. On top of that, Mrs. Smith her art teacher, was such an amazing artist!  Her watercolor paintings looked so real. Erin was going to love this year and learn so much from Mrs. Smith. 

What point of view is the paragraph told from? 

a. Erin’s 1st person point of view 

b. 1st person  c. 3rd person d. 3rd person omniscient

 3rd person omniscient

500

Vote for me, Jason Miller 7th grade class president. I believe I will make an awesome president! Who’s tired of the cafeteria menu? And Sloppy Joes? Well, as class president I’ll make sure your voice is heard. Also, as a member of the basketball team I’ll work hard to start fundraisers so we can finally get those new uniforms we’ve been hoping for. Finally, I’m a nice guy and that will make working with me a whole lot easier. Vote for me, Jason Miller 7th grade class president.   

Which of the following is an opinion expressed in the passage?

 I’m a nice guy

500

George Washington is best known for being our first president. He laid the foundation for the great country we live in today. Before he took on this important role, he was a leader in many other ways. He was an officer in the French and Indian war, in 1775 he became the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and he presided over the Constitutional Convention. All of these important experiences helped mold Washington into the man he became as our president.

What is the main idea?

Washington led our country in many different roles

500

Facebook is a commonly known website for social networking. Do you know about its beginning? Facebook was founded on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with a few of his Harvard roommates. They started the site so students could keep in touch with each other online. Facebook became so popular they opened the network to other colleges and then nationwide users. They continued to grow in popularity.  Now, 10 years later, Facebook has over 1.2 billon users. 

We can infer that…. 

a. Facebook will lose users 

b. Facebook will continue to gain users 

c. Facebook will stay the same

 d. Facebook will close down

 Facebook will continue to gain users 

500

 I look in the mirror at the beginning of each day, and ask myself what mask I should place on my face today. No not the sad one it's too revealing, I don't want to show the world my true feelings. For the mask that you can see camouflages the true me.  It's my public face that I remove each night, when I bare my soul the mirrors light. It's the one meant for only my eyes to see it speaks of all my history. It tells of my youth and girlish ways, my adolescence and my young woman’s dreams. It tells of good times of which I had my share of love lost and pain so hard to bear. So I choose my mask so carefully, to cover the face that was given to me, the one that was meant for only my eyes to see. 


In the poem the author compares her face to a mask. What is this an example of? a. Personification b. A simile c. A Metaphor

A Metaphor

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