Vocabulary
Read the following sentences: The Sahara desert was arid, receiving very little rain throughout the year. It was very hot where very few people lived.
What does arid mean as it is used above?
A. windy
B. dry
C. cold
D. rocky
Answer: B. dry
An informational article contains a photograph with a caption underneath it.
What is the main purpose of the caption?
A. tell the central idea of the entire article
B. explain what is shown in the photograph
C. define every unfamiliar word
D. tell the order events happened
Answer: B: explain what is shown in the photograph
First, firefighters cleared dry branches from the area. Next, they created a barrier around the forest. Finally, they checked the area for remaining flames.
What text structure is used?
A. compare and contrast
B. sequence
C. cause and effect
D. problem and solution
Answer: B. sequence
An author writes:
Community gardens give families fresh food and create beautiful spaces for neighbors to enjoy.
What is the author's perspective toward community gardens?
A. positive
B. negative
C. uncertain
D. uninterested
Answer: A. positive
Bees carry pollen from flower to flower. This helps plants produce fruits and seeds. Many crops people eat depend on pollinators like bees.
What is the central idea?
A. Bees live in large groups.
B. Bees play an important role in helping plants reproduce.
C. Flowers come in many colors.
D. Farmers grow fruits and vegetables.
Answer: B: Bees play an important role in helping plants reproduce.
After hiking for hours, the explorers were weary and stopped to rest and drink lots of water.
Which word is closest to the meaning of weary?
A. excited
B. confused
C. tired
D. worried
Answer: C. tired
A book about hurricanes has the following headings:
How Hurricanes Form
Tracking the Storm
Preparing for Landfall
How do these headings help the reader?
A. They show the reader the major topics in each section.
B. They explain the definitions of difficult words.
C. They tell where the author found the information.
D. They compare hurricanes with other storms.
Answer: A
Hurricanes and tornadoes both have powerful winds. However, hurricanes form over warm ocean water and may last for days, while tornadoes usually form over land and often last only minutes.
What text structure is used?
A. sequence
B. cause and effect
C. compare and contrast
D. problem and solution
Answer: C. compare and contrast
Although training a service dog takes time and patience, these remarkable animals can provide valuable assistance to people.
What is the author's perspective about service dogs?
A. They cause more problems than they solve.
B. Their training isn't worth the effort.
C. They provide important help despite the work required to train them.
D. Most people should train their own service dogs.
Answer: C: They provide important help despite the work required to train them.
Bees carry pollen from flower to flower. This helps plants produce fruits and seeds. Many crops people eat depend on pollinators like bees.
What is the central idea?
A. Bees help plants produce food.
B. Bees often live in large groups.
C. Flowers grow in many places.
D. Farmers depend on good weather in order for bees to pollinate.
Answer: A: Bees help plants produce food.
Volcanologists monitor the volcano by checking its activity every day, in order to help prepare citizens to evacuate.
What does monitor mean as it is used in the sentence?
A. create something
B. carefully observe something
C. move something
D. repair something
Answer: B. carefully observe something
Imagine a bar graph titled Average Rainfall by Month:
What idea does the graph BEST show?
A. September receives no rainfall.
B. July receives the most rainfall of the four months.
C. Rainfall increases every month.
D. June and August receive the same rainfall.
Answer: B: July receives the most rainfall of the four months.
Several trails in the park were covered with litter. Park leaders placed recycling and trash bins along the trails and organized monthly cleanup days.
What text structure is used?
A. problem and solution
B. description
C. sequence
D. compare and contrast
Answer: A. problem and solution
An author describes a wildlife rescue center by explaining how workers treat injured animals, return healthy animals to the wild, and educate visitors.
Which perspective is MOST supported?
A. Wildlife rescue centers provide valuable help to animals.
B. Wildlife rescue centers should only care for small animals.
C. Wildlife rescue work is mostly entertaining.
D. Wildlife rescue centers are unnecessary.
Answer: A: Wildlife rescue centers provide valuable help to animals.
Central Idea: Weather satellites help scientists study and predict dangerous storms.
Which detail BEST supports this central idea?
A. Some satellites travel around Earth.
B. Satellites help scientists track storms.
C. Scientists study weather around the world in order to warn people about storms.
D. Hurricanes form over warm ocean water.
Answer: B: Satellites help scientists track storms.
After the storm, residents worked to restore the damaged park. They replanted trees, repaired benches, and cleaned the walking trails.
What does restore mean?
A. return something to good condition
B. study something carefully
C. protect something from danger
D. completely replace something
Answer: A. return something to good condition
An article explains that different layers of a rainforest receive different amounts of sunlight.
A diagram labels:
Emergent Layer → Canopy → Understory → Forest Floor
How does the diagram help the reader understand the article?
A. It explains why rainforests receive heavy rainfall.
B. It shows where the different layers are located in relation to one another.
C. It explains the steps needed to protect a rainforest.
D. It compares rainforest plants with desert plants.
Answer: B: It shows where the different layers are located in relation to one another.
Heavy rain fell for several days. As a result, the river rose above its banks and flooded nearby roads.
Which structure does the author use, and why?
A. sequence, to show the steps for measuring rainfall
B. cause and effect, to show how the heavy rain led to flooding
C. problem and solution, to show how residents stopped the rain
D. comparison, to show how rivers are different from roads
Answer: B. cause and effect, to show how the heavy rain led to flooding
An author believes that protecting wetlands is important.
Which detail would BEST develop this perspective?
A. Wetlands can be found in many parts of the world.
B. Some wetlands contain muddy soil.
C. Wetlands provide habitats for wildlife and help absorb floodwater.
D. Scientists have studied wetlands for many years.
Answer: C. Wetlands provide habitats for wildlife and help absorb floodwater.
Read the passage:
Each spring, volunteers travel to beaches where sea turtles build nests. They mark the nests so visitors do not accidentally step on them. Volunteers also watch for newly hatched turtles and help keep their path to the ocean clear. These efforts give young turtles a better chance of survival.
Which TWO details BEST support the central idea that volunteers help protect sea turtles?
A. The volunteers visit beaches in spring.
B. They mark nests so visitors do not step on them.
C. Sea turtles build nests on beaches.
D. They help keep the hatchlings' path to the ocean clear.
E. Volunteers enjoy spending time outdoors.
Answers:
B: They mark nests so visitors do not step on them.
D. They help keep the hatchlings' path to the ocean clear.
The word current has multiple meanings.
Read the sentence: Scientists measured the current to determine how quickly the ocean water was moving.
Which meaning of current is used in the sentence?
A. happening at the present time
B. a flow of water in a particular direction
C. a flow of electricity
D. information that is recently updated
Answer: B. a flow of water in a particular direction
Sea Turtle Nest Data
Number of Sea Turtle Nests Recorded
2015: 120 nests
2018: 185 nests
2021: 260 nests
2024: 340 nests
Which idea is BEST supported by the data above?
A. Sea turtles build their nests in different locations.
B. Volunteers began studying sea turtles in 2015.
C. The number of sea turtle nests increased over time.
D. Sea turtles usually return to the same beach.
Answer: C: The number of sea turtle nests increased over time.
Plastic trash often washes into the ocean, where it can harm sea animals. To address this problem, some communities organize beach cleanups and reduce the use of single-use plastics.
The author uses problem and solution. How does this structure contribute to the author's purpose?
A. It explains the order in which ocean animals eat.
B. It shows how two ocean environments are alike.
C. It identifies an environmental concern and explains ways people are addressing it.
D. It explains why plastic was invented.
Answer: C. It identifies an environmental concern and explains ways people are addressing it.
Restoring coral reefs requires years of careful research. Scientists raise young coral, study water conditions, and attach healthy coral to damaged reefs. Although the process can be difficult, restored reefs can once again provide habitats for many ocean animals.
Part A: What is the author's perspective toward coral reef restoration?
A. It requires too much work to be useful.
B. It is challenging but worthwhile.
C. Scientists know very little about it.
D. It causes problems for ocean animals.
Part B: Which detail BEST develops that perspective?
A. Scientists study water conditions.
B. Coral reefs are found in oceans.
C. Restored reefs can once again provide habitats for many ocean animals.
D. Scientists raise young coral.
Part A Answer:
B: It is challenging but worthwhile.
Part B Answer:
C. Restored reefs can once again provide habitats for many ocean animals.
Wildlife bridges are built over busy highways to give animals a safer way to cross. Cameras have recorded deer, bears, and other animals using the bridges. In some areas, researchers have found fewer animal-vehicle collisions after crossings were built. Scientists continue monitoring the bridges to learn how well they protect wildlife.
Which statement BEST expresses the central idea?
A. Cameras help researchers observe wildlife and other pretty things.
B. Highways often cross animal habitats and provide harm to our earth.
C. Wildlife bridges can make crossings safer.
D. Many animals travel near busy highways.
Answer: C