Theme/Central Message
Ben was a fisherman who loved to catch fish on the big, blue lake. One day, his neighbor told him, “Always tie your fishing net tightly to the boat.” Ben nodded but soon forgot.
That morning, Ben caught a lot of fish! Excited, he threw his net back into the water without tying it. As Ben rested in his boat, a strong wind came and pulled the net far away.
When Ben woke up, his net was gone! He searched everywhere but couldn’t find it.
What is the theme or central message of the passage?
A. Hard work always pays off.
B. Always listen to good advice.
C. Fish are hard to catch.
D. Take a nap when you feel sleepy.
B. Always listen to good advice.
The Grand Canyon is a massive gorge located in the state of Arizona, USA. It stretches for 277 miles and is one of the most famous natural wonders in the world. The canyon was formed over millions of years as the Colorado River slowly carved through layers of rock. The walls of the Grand Canyon reveal colorful rock layers that tell the story of Earth’s history. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists, with millions of visitors coming each year to hike, take photos, and admire the breathtaking views.
What is the main idea of the passage?
A. The Grand Canyon is an important river in Arizona.
B. The Grand Canyon is a popular tourist attraction with a rich history.
C. The Grand Canyon was formed quickly by the Colorado River.
D. The Grand Canyon is too dangerous for visitors to explore.
B. The Grand Canyon is a popular tourist attraction with a rich history.
As the seasons change and autumn arrives, the days become shorter, and the temperature begins to drop. These changes cause trees to stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment in their leaves. Without chlorophyll, the yellow and orange pigments that were already in the leaves become visible. In some trees, like maples, red pigments form as well. This colorful transformation is a sign that the tree is preparing for winter by slowing down its growth and conserving energy. The colorful leaves will eventually fall to the ground as the tree enters its dormant phase for the colder months.
What causes leaves to change color?
A. The leaves grow larger in the fall.
B. Trees stop making chlorophyll when days get shorter and cooler.
C. The leaves are damaged by strong winds.
D. Animals eat the green parts of the leaves.
B. Trees stop making chlorophyll when days get shorter and cooler.
A butterfly begins its life as an egg. Next, it hatches into a tiny caterpillar, which eats and grows. After that, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis around itself, where it transforms into a butterfly. Finally, the butterfly emerges, ready to start the cycle again by laying eggs of its own.
Which text structure does the text use?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Chronological Order/Sequencing
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Problem and Solution
B. Chronological Order
Emma scattered crumbs on the ground near the bird feeder. Her mother had told her that the crumbs would entice the birds to come closer. Soon, a group of sparrows fluttered down and began pecking at the crumbs.
What is the meaning of entice as used in the passage?
A. Frighten
B. Call
C. Attract
D. Teach
C. Attract
One summer day, a hardworking ant was gathering food for winter. Nearby, a grasshopper was lying in the shade, singing and relaxing.
“Why are you working so hard?” the grasshopper asked. “There’s plenty of food now. You should rest!”
The ant replied, “Winter will come soon, and there won’t be food then. I need to prepare.”
The grasshopper laughed and ignored the ant’s warning. All summer, the ant worked, and the grasshopper played.
When winter arrived, the grasshopper was cold and hungry, while the ant had plenty of food to eat. The grasshopper realized too late that it’s better to prepare for the future.
What is the theme or central message of the passage?
A. Hard work and preparation pay off.
B. Singing is more fun than working.
C. Friends should share their food.
D. Ants are smarter than grasshoppers.
A. Hard work and preparation pay off.
Helen Keller was an American author and activist who overcame incredible challenges. She lost her sight and hearing due to an illness when she was a young child. Despite this, Helen learned to communicate with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan. Anne taught Helen to spell words into her hand, allowing her to understand and use language. Helen went on to graduate from college and write books about her experiences. She also worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities, becoming a symbol of determination and perseverance around the world.
What is the main or central idea of the passage?
A. Helen Keller was the first teacher for people with disabilities.
B. Anne Sullivan was more important than Helen Keller.
C. Helen Keller became famous for teaching children.
D. Helen Keller overcame her disabilities and worked to help others.
D. Helen Keller overcame her disabilities and worked to help others.
Every year, as winter approaches, many birds leave colder regions and travel to warmer places. This migration is caused by the changes in weather and food availability. As the weather gets colder, food becomes harder to find in the northern regions, where insects and plants start to die off. The birds instinctively know that they need to find a better place to survive. So, they travel to warmer climates, where food is plentiful and the temperature is more comfortable. Some birds travel thousands of miles to reach their winter homes, and they return to their original nesting areas when spring arrives, signaling the end of their migration.
What causes birds to migrate?
A. Birds want to explore new areas.
B. Birds need to escape from predators.
C. Birds prefer flying in warm weather.
D. Winter weather makes it hard to find food.
D. Winter weather makes it hard to find food.
Pollution harms the environment in many ways. For example, trash in oceans can injure or kill sea creatures. Air pollution from cars and factories causes breathing problems for people. In addition, pollution can damage plants and make it harder for them to grow.
Which text structure does the text use?
A. Cause and Effect
B. Problem and Solution
C. Description
D. Chronological Order
A. Cause and effect
Lila accidentally spilled a can of paint on the floor. She tried to mop it up, but the bright blue stain was stubborn and wouldn’t fade. “This is going to be a challenge to remove,” she said with a sigh.
What is the meaning of stubborn as used in the passage?
A. Difficult to deal with
B. Quick to disappear
C. Unimportant
D. Easy to clean
A. Difficult to deal with
One autumn, a fox found a hollow tree filled with ripe berries. “What a treasure!” the fox said. “I’ll save these berries for winter when food is scarce.”
The fox decided to keep his discovery a secret. He visited the tree every day, taking just a few berries to eat.
One day, a deer saw the fox near the tree. “What are you hiding?” the deer asked.
“Nothing!” the fox lied, worried the deer would eat the berries.
Weeks later, winter came, and the fox returned to the tree, ready to enjoy his hidden berries. To his shock, the tree was empty! Squirrels had found the berries and taken them all.
The fox sighed. “If I had shared, at least I wouldn’t be hungry now. Keeping everything to myself didn’t help at all.”
What is the lesson of the passage?
A. Keeping secrets helps you in the long run.
B. Animals should always gather extra food.
C. Foxes are not good at hiding things.
D. Sharing with others can be rewarding.
D. Sharing with others can be rewarding.
On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made history with the first powered flight. Their airplane, called the Wright Flyer, lifted off the ground in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The flight lasted only 12 seconds, but it marked the beginning of human flight. The Wright brothers had worked for years to design and build their airplane. They tested many ideas and overcame challenges to achieve their dream. This event changed transportation forever, leading to the development of modern airplanes that connect people around the world.
What is the main or central idea of the passage?
A. The Wright Flyer could only stay in the air for a short time.
B. Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, is a great place to fly airplanes.
C. The Wright brothers invented the airplane and changed transportation.
D. The Wright brothers built the fastest airplane in history.
C. The Wright brothers invented the airplane and changed transportation.
Heavy rain over a period of days can lead to floods, especially in areas where the ground is already soaked. When it rains continuously, the water has nowhere to go. Rivers and streams become full, and the water spills over their banks. This happens because the ground can no longer absorb all the water that is falling from the sky. In urban areas with lots of concrete, the water cannot soak into the ground at all, making flooding even worse. Floods can damage homes, wash away roads, and cause destruction to crops and property. Once the rain stops and the water has time to drain away, the area begins to dry out, but it can take days or even weeks for the floodwaters to fully recede.
What causes floods to happen?
A. Too much rain makes rivers and streams overflow.
B. The weather becomes too cold for water to flow.
C. The ground dries out after a storm.
D. Rivers and streams disappear after heavy rain.
A. Too much rain makes rivers and streams overflow.
Apples and oranges are both popular fruits, but they have some differences. Apples can be red, green, or yellow, while oranges are always orange. Apples are crisp and can be eaten raw or cooked, while oranges are juicy and usually peeled before eating. However, both fruits are healthy and contain important vitamins.
Which text structure does the text use?
A. Cause and effect
B. Sequencing
C. Problem and solution
D. Compare and contrast
D. Compare and contrast
The garden had been neglected all summer. Thick vines began to invade the flower beds, winding their way around the plants. By the time Jenna noticed, the vines had nearly smothered her favorite roses.
What is the meaning of invade as used in the passage?
A. To grow out of control
B. To enter forcefully
C. To leave quickly
D. To protect carefully
B. To enter forcefully
In a quiet meadow, a small rabbit named Willow lived with her family. One day, a fierce fox appeared, prowling near the burrow. The other rabbits hid, but Willow stayed outside, trembling but determined to protect her family.
The fox crept closer, his sharp eyes fixed on Willow. Instead of running, Willow hopped toward a pile of dry leaves. She began jumping and kicking, sending the leaves flying into the air.
The fox paused, startled by the commotion. “What’s going on here?” he thought. Seeing the flying leaves and Willow’s bold movements, he grew nervous and backed away.
When the fox was gone, Willow’s family came out of the burrow. “You were so brave!” they said. Willow smiled.
What is the theme of the passage?
A. Being courageous can help you face your fears.
B. Rabbits should always hide from danger.
C. Big problems need big solutions.
D. Foxes are afraid of loud noises.
A. Being courageous can help you face your fears.
In 1773, American colonists protested against British taxes by staging the Boston Tea Party. At the time, Britain was taxing goods like tea, even though the colonists had no representation in the British government. To show their anger, a group of colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded British ships in Boston Harbor. They dumped over 300 chests of tea into the water. This event was a key moment leading to the American Revolution, as it showed the colonists’ determination to stand up for their rights.
What is a supporting detail for the main idea, The Boston Tea Party was an important protest by colonists against British taxes?
A. “They dumped over 300 chests of tea into the water.”
B. “Boston Harbor was an important port for trade.”
C. “At the time, Britain was taxing goods like tea.”
D. “The colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans.”
A. "They dumped over 300 chests of tea into the water."
When people overfeed animals, it can lead to health problems. For example, overfeeding a pet dog can cause obesity, making it harder for the dog to move and stay active. Overfeeding fish in a tank can lead to dirty water because extra food builds up, creating harmful waste. In farm animals, overfeeding can result in unhealthy weight gain and can cause breathing problems. Additionally, animals that are overfed may develop diseases like diabetes or heart problems. Overfeeding can also disturb the natural balance of ecosystems, as animals that are too full may reproduce less or damage their habitats.
What is the effect of overfeeding animals?
A. It helps animals grow quickly.
B. Animals become stronger and healthier.
C. Animals become less active and gain unhealthy weight.
D. Animals stop reproducing.
C. Animals become less active and gain unhealthy weight.
Many animals around the world are in danger of becoming extinct. This happens because of habitat loss, hunting, and pollution. However, people are working to solve these problems. Wildlife reserves protect animals by giving them safe places to live. Laws have been passed to stop illegal hunting, and organizations are cleaning up polluted areas to restore habitats. By taking these steps, we can help save endangered species.
How is the text in the passage organized?
A. The author uses chronological order to put the steps of saving endangered species in order.
B. The author uses cause and effect to show the effect of saving endangered species.
C. The author uses problem and solution to show the problem of many endangered species and provide some ways these species can be helped.
D. The author uses compare and contrast to find similarities between endangered species and species that are safe.
C. The author uses problem and solution to show the problem of many endangered species and provide some ways these species can be helped.
Sophie knew she had to finish her homework, but she kept putting it off. By the time she started, it was already midnight, and she was racing against the clock to get it done.
What does the phrase “racing against the clock” mean as used in the passage?
A. Fixing a broken clock
B. Running in a race
C. Trying to finish quickly before a deadline
D. Forgetting the time
C. Trying to finish quickly before a deadline
Liam loved the tall clock in his family’s living room. Its steady ticking made the house feel cozy. One day, the clock stopped working. Liam stared at the clock, frustrated. “I wish it would fix itself,” he muttered.
His grandfather heard him and smiled. “Why don’t you try fixing it yourself, Liam? I can help you.”
Liam hesitated. “What if I make it worse?”
“You won’t know until you try,” his grandfather replied.
Together, they opened the clock’s back panel. Liam carefully adjusted gears, tightened screws, and wound the clock’s spring. At first, nothing happened. But after one final turn of the key, the clock began to tick again.
Liam beamed with pride. “I did it!” he said.
His grandfather nodded. “Remember, Liam, solving problems takes effort and patience. Giving up never fixes anything.”
Which quotation from the passage supports the central message that "patience and effort can help solve challenges"?
A. "Together, they opened the clock’s back panel."
B. "“Why don’t you try fixing it yourself, Liam? I can help you.”
C. “Remember, Liam, solving problems takes effort and patience. Giving up never fixes anything.”
D. "Liam loved the tall clock in his family’s living room."
C. “Remember, Liam, solving problems takes effort and patience. Giving up never fixes anything.”
Rosa Parks is remembered as a courageous woman who helped spark the Civil Rights Movement. On December 1, 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. At the time, segregation laws required Black passengers to sit in the back and give up their seats to white passengers if the bus was full. Rosa’s quiet but brave act of defiance led to her arrest. Her actions inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a protest that lasted over a year and brought national attention to the fight for equality.
What is a supporting detail for the main idea, Rosa Parks played a key role in the Civil Rights Movement?
A. “Buses in Montgomery were large and crowded.”
B. “She refused to give up her seat to a white passenger.”
C. “The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted for over a year.”
D. “Segregation laws required Black passengers to sit in the back.”
B. "She refused to give up her seat to a white passenger."
When trees are cut down, it can have many effects on the environment. First, cutting down trees can lead to soil erosion, where the soil washes away, making it hard for plants to grow. Second, fewer trees mean less clean air because trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Without trees, there is more pollution in the air. Additionally, cutting down trees can destroy homes for animals like birds and squirrels. Without trees, these animals lose their homes and food sources. In the long term, large-scale deforestation can contribute to global warming by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
What is the effect of cutting down trees?
A. The air becomes cleaner because there are fewer trees.
B. It causes soil erosion and destroys homes for animals.
C. Trees grow faster when fewer are cut down.
D. Fewer animals become extinct.
B. It causes soil erosion and destroys homes for animals.
There are many ways to save water at home. First, turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Second, fix leaky pipes or taps quickly. Another way is to collect rainwater to use for watering plants. Finally, only run the dishwasher when it’s full to avoid wasting water.
How is the text in the passage organized?
A. The author uses sequencing or chronological order to provide the steps you must take to save water at home.
B. The author uses cause and effect to show what saving water can result in.
C. The author uses problem and solution to show the problem of using too much water and how you can stop using too much.
D. The author uses compare and contrast to find similarities between people who use just enough water and those who use too much.
A. The author uses sequencing or chronological order to provide the steps you must take to save water at home.
As the thunder rumbled and lightning flashed outside, Alex stayed as cool as a cucumber. While others were worried, he read a book by the fire.
What does the phrase “cool as a cucumber” mean as used in the passage?
A. Feeling cold
B. Acting silly
C. Feeling scared
D. Staying calm and relaxed
D. Staying calm and relaxed