Recount stories/Central Message
Main Idea
Describe characters in a story
text’s illustrations
connections between sentences and paragraphs
text features and search tools
Compare and contrast
100
Cactus Facts
A cactus is a special type of plant that is known for its ability to live in extremely dry environments, such as deserts. Most cacti (the plural form of cactus) have thick, fleshy stems that help them store water. They also have sharp spines that can hurt you if you touch them. These are to protect them from animals that want to eat them. Cacti come in all different sizes. Some of them can grow to be over 60 feet tall! Others can be less than one inch in height. Almost all cacti have short roots. This is so that they can soak up water from the surface quickly after it rains.
Problem
Which of these is the main idea of the passage?
- A
A cactus can live in very dry environments such as deserts.
- B
Although cacti may look different, they have the same important parts.
- C
Some cacti can grow to be very tall, over 60 feet.
- D
Some cacti can be very small, less than one inch tall.
- B
Although cacti may look different, they have the same important parts.
100
Cactus Facts
A cactus is a special type of plant that is known for its ability to live in extremely dry environments, such as deserts. Most cacti (the plural form of cactus) have thick, fleshy stems that help them store water. They also have sharp spines that can hurt you if you touch them. These are to protect them from animals that want to eat them. Cacti come in all different sizes. Some of them can grow to be over 60 feet tall! Others can be less than one inch in height. Almost all cacti have short roots. This is so that they can soak up water from the surface quickly after it rains.
Problem
Look at the picture. Which statement can be made based on the plants shown?
- A
All cacti have pointy stems.
- B
Some cacti have multiple stems while others have one.
- C
All cacti have rounded stems.
- D
Some cacti have bark around their trunks, like trees.
- B
Some cacti have multiple stems while others have one.
100
Stanford Marshmallow Experiment
- In 1972, a psychologist did a now famous study in Stanford University. The study is called Stanford Marshmallow Experiment. Walter Mischel did the study with children.
- A child was offered a choice of one reward he or she could have right away or two small rewards if he or she waited. The wait time was 15 mins. The researcher would explain the reward to the child and leave the room. The reward was either a marshmallow or a pretzel stick, whichever the child wanted. While some children waited for two small rewards, some children took the one small reward right away.
- Mischel made some predictions for children who could wait for two rewards. Him and other researchers claimed these children had better SAT scores, higher degrees, and more better results in life. The experiment was about how much children could control their wishes. It was about getting a reward right away or waiting for a bigger reward.
- We see the power of waiting for a bigger reward every day in life. Waiting to play after doing homework can help with schoolwork and grades. Waiting to eat a dessert after finishing the meal will help eat more healthy food and less sweet food.
Problem
Paragraph 4 of the passage supports paragraph 2 by showing that some
- A
children can see positive effects of waiting for reward
- B
adults have a hard time eating healthy food
- C
children want reward right away like dessert
- D
adults can see the reward of waiting for dessert
A
children can see positive effects of waiting for reward
100
Tips on Friendship
- Has anyone ever sat down with you and told you how to be a good friend? Maybe you are already a good friend and you do not even know it. Let us learn about how to be a good friend. The ideas are simple and easy.
- Talk, listen, and share
It is easy to talk to a friend. Talk about what you have in common. Remember to give your friend a turn to talk as well. Listen to what your friend has to say. - Praise
A little praise goes a long way. When your friend does something well, praise him or her. It will feel so good. - Use your manners
You can be truly yourself with your friends. However, you have to use your manners and be polite. Say please and thank you. - Be helpful
Do things for your friends. Try to be helpful without keeping a score. Being a nice person is the best way to be a good friend. - Be respectful
Respect your friend as well as the things you borrow from your friends. Take care of the books, toys, or anything your friend has lent you. The same rule applies for being a good sibling.
Problem
The information in the section “Use your manners” adds to the information in the rest of the passage by showing how
- A
being polite to friends is important
- B
good friends praise each other
- C
good friends listen to each other
- D
showing respect to friends’ things is important
- A
being polite to friends is important
200
Want to be the President of the U.S.?
- America is the land of dreams. You can be anything you want to be when you grow up. You can even be the president of the country. There are three important rules you need to know.
- Age Limits
You must be at least 35 years old to be the president of the U.S. There is no maximum limit. Ronald Reagan was 77 when his term ended. - Residence
You must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. “Residence” means the act of living or working in one place for a long time. The U.S. must be your home. - Citizenship
You must have been born in the U.S. In addition, at least one of your parents must be a citizen of the U.S.
George Washington
The First President
of the U.S.
Problem
What is the main idea of this passage?
- A
A person needs to be at least 35 to be the president.
- B
In America, you can be anything you want.
- C
There are three rules to be the president of the U.S.
- D
A resident lives in one place for a long time.
- C
There are three rules to be the president of the U.S.
200
The Color Wheel 
- A color wheel is a picture used to organize the basic colors. The three basic colors are red, blue, and yellow. These are called the primary colors. When two primary colors are mixed equally, the new color is called a secondary color. Secondary colors are purple, green, and orange. Other colors are formed by mixing more colors together. You can also add white or black to these colors to make them lighter or darker.
- Colors that are directly across from each other are called complementary colors. This means they can be used together to provide contrast. For example, purple and yellow are complementary colors. There are many other ways to use the color wheel!
Problem
What does the image above tell you about the secondary colors?
- A
They appear directly across from the color that forms them.
- B
They appear between the two primary colors that form them when mixed together.
- C
There are two secondary colors on the color wheel.
- D
There are six secondary colors on the color wheel.
Submit Answer
- B
They appear between the two primary colors that form them when mixed together.
200
Ways to Learn
- There are different ways in which people learn. Some learn best by what they see and remember. For example, notes, diagrams, drawing, or doodles help them learn. For them, just hearing information might not work as well.
- Some like to listen for information. They remember by talking about what they have learned. Working in groups and repeating information to themselves helps them learn better.
- Another way of learning is by reading and then writing to remember. Such learners like to read, then write what they learned. They also like knowing where the information comes from. They enjoy doing projects.
- Still others like learning by doing. They move about while learning. They like to use their hands to explain things. Also, they like to touch or make things to understand how those things work.
- Knowing how you learn best can help you become a better student. It might also help you enjoy learning more.
Problem
What is the connection between the sentences in the fourth paragraph?
- A
The sentences tell the steps of learning by moving.
- B
The sentences show examples of one way of learning.
- C
The sentences show what causes using hands to learn.
- D
The sentences compare one style of learning with another.
- B
The sentences show examples of one way of learning.
200
- All yams are sweet potatoes. Not all sweet potatoes are yams. In other words, a yam is just one type of sweet potatoes. A yam is also a root that you can eat. It often comes to the U.S. from the Caribbean. It has rough, thick and scaly skin. It is often pale white on the inside.
- The name “yam” is thought to have come from Jamaican nyaams or Portuguese inhame. Yams can grow to be much bigger than sweet potatoes. Unlike sweet potatoes, yams must be completely cooked to be safely eaten. A sweet potato can be white, orange or purple. It has a smoother, thinner skin compared to a yam.
Growing a Sweet Potato
What you need
Glass jar
Water
Sweet potato
Pot
Toothpicks
Soil
What to do
1. Stick 3 or 4 toothpicks into a sweet potato.
2. Place them so they will rest on the rim of the glass jar.
3. Fill the jar with enough water to cover only the bottom of the sweet potato.
4. Set the jar in a sunny place, like a windowsill.
5. Check the jar every day. Add water to cover the bottom of the sweet potato.
6. Wait 2-3 weeks. You will see roots and leaves.
7. Remove the sweet potato from the jar.
8. Plant the sweet potato in a pot with soil. Cover the sweet potato with soil. Leave the leaves exposed.
9. You have a sweet potato plant. Water it, and watch it grow.
Problem
The words in bold in the second section of the passage
- A
tell the reader the words are in a foreign language
- B
tell the reader more about each section
- C
use the most difficult words in the passage
- D
direct the reader to a Web site
Submit Answer
- B
tell the reader more about each section
300
Want to be the President of the U.S.?
- America is the land of dreams. You can be anything you want to be when you grow up. You can even be the president of the country. There are three important rules you need to know.
- Age Limits
You must be at least 35 years old to be the president of the U.S. There is no maximum limit. Ronald Reagan was 77 when his term ended. - Residence
You must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years. “Residence” means the act of living or working in one place for a long time. The U.S. must be your home. - Citizenship
You must have been born in the U.S. In addition, at least one of your parents must be a citizen of the U.S.
George Washington
The First President
of the U.S.
Problem
Which detail, if added, would support the main idea of the passage?
- A
Alexander Hamilton, though not a president, is on 10-dollar bill.
- B
You cannot be a president more than two times.
- C
Many presidents of America were once lawyers.
- D
George Washington is on one-dollar bill.
- B
You cannot be a president more than two times.
300
What is a Tortoise?
Some turtles are able to live on land and in the water. Their bodies are made for crawling, digging, and swimming. Some turtles even have fins instead of legs. However, a tortoise is a turtle that spends all its time on land. Tortoises are not made for swimming. They have four legs with claws for digging in the sand or dirt. Their shells are rounded and hard. If a tortoise is placed into a body of water, it could drown.
Problem
What can you see in the picture that lets you know what kind of turtle it is?
- A
The turtle has fins for swimming and a flat shell, so it is a turtle.
- B
The turtle has a flat shell and big claws for digging, so it is a sea turtle.
- C
The turtle has legs with claws for digging and a rounded shell, so it is a tortoise.
- D
The turtle has a soft shell and a long tail, so it is a tortoise.
Submit Answer
C
The turtle has legs with claws for digging and a rounded shell, so it is a tortoise.
300
- You can do your part in saving the planet in easy ways. You can do this every day.
- Remember to turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth. Some families waste 35,000 liters of water each year just by running the tap while brushing.
- In addition, turn off electronic gadgets when you are not using them. Remember to switch off or unplug computers, television, stereo, etc. This could cut electricity use by 10 percent. That is a lot.
- Try to walk, bike, or ride public transportation when you can. Driving or riding in a car everywhere is not necessary. Remember to be safe while doing so.
- Another easy thing to do is to reuse your own bags. Try not to use plastic bags when you shop. These are some ways you can give back to your planet.
Problem
Which statement from the passage shows that the problem in paragraph 1 can be solved?
- A
"Some families waste 35,000 liters of water each year just by running the tap while brushing" (paragraph 2)
- B
"You can do this every day." (paragraph 1)
- C
"Remember to turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth." (paragraph 2)
- D
"Remember to be safe while doing so." (paragraph 4)
C
"Remember to turn off the tap while cleaning your teeth." (paragraph 2)
300
The Lows of Roller Coasters
- Are you afraid of getting on roller coasters? Don’t feel bad. Many people are afraid of riding roller coasters and other rides. The fear is strong if the rides are really high. Some people may feel afraid, nauseated, dizzy, and unsafe. There is more than one reason for the fear.
- Fear of heights
Most roller coasters seem high. It is hard to see how the rides are supported. There are free-falls, and some drops seem uncontrolled. The people already afraid of heights can be very afraid of roller coasters. - Fear of closed spaces
Some people are afraid of restraints, like straps in rides. In addition, some are afraid of feeling trapped. In roller coasters, people with such fears may be terrified. - Vertigo
Vertigo is a type of dizziness. People feel like they are moving or the objects around them are moving while they are still. Roller coasters can cause vertigo in some people. - Fear of vomiting
Some people have motion sickness. They are more likely to throw up during or after a roller coaster ride. Fear of vomiting worries for some people if they want to ride roller coasters. - Bad experience
One bad ride can ruin roller coaster for some people. They may have had a bad ride or have seen someone in a bad ride. That is enough for some to never want to ride the roller coaster again. - People have gotten over their fears of roller coaster. With help, you can too.
Problem
How do the paragraph headings help the reader understand the text?
- A
The different reasons people may have a fear of roller coasters
- B
The ways people take care of feeling dizzy when they are still
- C
The ways people can get over their fear of roller coasters
- D
The reason most people are afraid of closed spaces
- A
The different reasons people may have a fear of roller coasters
400
- Fewer than 11% of schools in the U.S. have recess. It means that millions of kids do not get to play for at least 20 minutes in school. These kids are missing out. Kids learn to interact differently with friends when they play. They behave differently in class or during recess. They are more on their own and have to make their own decisions while playing. Knowing one should not push another kid is different from actually not pushing another kid while playing. Recess means time to practice what kids have learned at home and in class. Parents and teachers should let more kids in the U.S. have recess time.
Problem
Which of these is a main idea of the passage?
- A
Recess may be the only time some kids in the U.S. get any play time.
- B
Parents and teachers in the U.S. need to play with children more.
- C
There are some things that kids learn from playing with other kids.
- D
Kids in the U.S. are missing out on benefits because of too little to no recess time.
D
Kids in the U.S. are missing out on benefits because of too little to no recess time.
400
Wind
Problem
The caption under the diagram in the selection explains—
- A
the picture is about cloud coverage.
- B
what a stormy weather looks like.
- C
how to predict the weather of the week.
- D
what the temperature of the day is.
- A
the picture is about cloud coverage.
400
Learn How to Be Assertive
- Assertive means bold and confident. Someone assertive is both bold and confident. It is a good quality to have. If children are assertive, they stand up for themselves. They cannot be easily bullied. Being bold does not mean hurting someone’s feelings. It means sharing your ideas and feelings while respecting others. Children can have opinions and share them. Assertive children share opinions that others may not like. They disagree with someone politely. Assertive children can do the following:
- Know their feeling
- Feel they can control themselves
- Speak up for themselves or others
- Avoid and deal with bullying
- Politely disagree
- Work with others in difficult situations
- Say “no” when they need to
- Feel confident
- With practice, children can learn to be bold and confident. If parents and grown-ups behave this way, children can learn from example. When children are assertive, they can better take care of themselves. They can also handle different situations better.
Problem
How are the ideas in the bullet points connected?
- A
They show the different things assertive children can do.
- B
They describe why assertive children are not bullied.
- C
They compare children who are assertive and those who are not.
- D
They explain the reason children want to be assertive.
- A
They show the different things assertive children can do.
400
A myth: The Right-brained or the Left-brained
- Do you like math/science or art? Do you like one area more than the other? Have you heard the term left-brained person or the right-brained one? The phrase is about the right half or the left half of the brain. It means one half of the brain is stronger than the other. People may refer to someone who likes logic and math to be left-brained. Some may call people who love the arts and language the right-brained type.
- The myth
People have different likes and dislikes. The reason is not one half of a person’s brain. There are many reasons why a person is the way he or she is. A recent research studied images of the brain. It did not find that one half of the brain is stronger than another. - The problem with the myth
The idea on which the myth is based is incorrect. People need to be creative to solve math problems. Math is not just about logic. Also, people use logic and pattern to create art. Art also uses logic and planning. - The science behind the myth
The left and the right side of the brain perform different tasks. The right side of the brain is the center of language and problem-solving. The left side of the brain is the center of spatial tasks. Spatial means related to space or position of things. Although the myth started with some science, it is not accurate.
Problem
The key words in italics tell the reader about
- A
a link to a Web site about a research.
- B
what each paragraph is about.
- C
important ideas in the passage.
- D
what the diagram is about.
- C
important ideas in the passage.
500
A myth: The Right-brained or the Left-brained
- Do you like math/science or art? Do you like one area more than the other? Have you heard the term left-brained person or the right-brained one? The phrase is about the right half or the left half of the brain. It means one half of the brain is stronger than the other. People may refer to someone who likes logic and math to be left-brained. Some may call people who love the arts and language the right-brained type.
- The myth
People have different likes and dislikes. The reason is not one half of a person’s brain. There are many reasons why a person is the way he or she is. A recent research studied images of the brain. It did not find that one half of the brain is stronger than another. - The problem with the myth
The idea on which the myth is based is incorrect. People need to be creative to solve math problems. Math is not just about logic. Also, people use logic and pattern to create art. Art also uses logic and planning. - The science behind the myth
The left and the right side of the brain perform different tasks. The right side of the brain is the center of language and problem-solving. The left side of the brain is the center of spatial tasks. Spatial means related to space or position of things. Although the myth started with some science, it is not accurate.
split-brain study In 1940s, doctors made a discovery. In some patients, they removed the part of the brain that connects the two halves. The patients had some trouble in a few functions. That showed the two halves of the brain connected to different tasks. 
Two halves of the brain
Problem
Which sentence supports the main idea of the passage? (Select two.)
- A
There are many reasons why a person is the way he or she is.
- B
Do you like math/science or art?
- C
The phrase is about the right half or the left half of the brain.
- D
Although the myth started with some science, it is not accurate.
- E
The left and the right side of the brain perform different tasks.
- A
There are many reasons why a person is the way he or she is.
- D
Although the myth started with some science, it is not accurate.
500
A myth: The Right-brained or the Left-brained
- Do you like math/science or art? Do you like one area more than the other? Have you heard the term left-brained person or the right-brained one? The phrase is about the right half or the left half of the brain. It means one half of the brain is stronger than the other. People may refer to someone who likes logic and math to be left-brained. Some may call people who love the arts and language the right-brained type.
- The myth
People have different likes and dislikes. The reason is not one half of a person’s brain. There are many reasons why a person is the way he or she is. A recent research studied images of the brain. It did not find that one half of the brain is stronger than another. - The problem with the myth
The idea on which the myth is based is incorrect. People need to be creative to solve math problems. Math is not just about logic. Also, people use logic and pattern to create art. Art also uses logic and planning. - The science behind the myth
The left and the right side of the brain perform different tasks. The right side of the brain is the center of language and problem-solving. The left side of the brain is the center of spatial tasks. Spatial means related to space or position of things. Although the myth started with some science, it is not accurate.
split-brain study In 1940s, doctors made a discovery. In some patients, they removed the part of the brain that connects the two halves. The patients had some trouble in a few functions. That showed the two halves of the brain connected to different tasks.
Two halves of the brain
Problem
What does the picture say that the passage does not say?
- A
The halves of the brain are called hemispheres.
- B
There are left- and right-brained people.
- C
There are two sides or halves of the brain.
- D
The two halves of the brain are a myth.
- A
The halves of the brain are called hemispheres.
500
A myth: The Right-brained or the Left-brained
- Do you like math/science or art? Do you like one area more than the other? Have you heard the term left-brained person or the right-brained one? The phrase is about the right half or the left half of the brain. It means one half of the brain is stronger than the other. People may refer to someone who likes logic and math to be left-brained. Some may call people who love the arts and language the right-brained type.
- The myth
People have different likes and dislikes. The reason is not one half of a person’s brain. There are many reasons why a person is the way he or she is. A recent research studied images of the brain. It did not find that one half of the brain is stronger than another. - The problem with the myth
The idea on which the myth is based is incorrect. People need to be creative to solve math problems. Math is not just about logic. Also, people use logic and pattern to create art. Art also uses logic and planning. - The science behind the myth
The left and the right side of the brain perform different tasks. The right side of the brain is the center of language and problem-solving. The left side of the brain is the center of spatial tasks. Spatial means related to space or position of things. Although the myth started with some science, it is not accurate.
split-brain study In 1940s, doctors made a discovery. In some patients, they removed the part of the brain that connects the two halves. The patients had some trouble in a few functions. That showed the two halves of the brain connected to different tasks.
Two halves of the brain
Problem
Paragraph 3 of the passage supports paragraph 2 by showing that the myths
- A
are false based on experiments
- B
are popular because of movies
- C
are not accurate for many reasons
- D
are well-known among doctors
- C
are not accurate for many reasons
500
A myth: The Right-brained or the Left-brained
- Do you like math/science or art? Do you like one area more than the other? Have you heard the term left-brained person or the right-brained one? The phrase is about the right half or the left half of the brain. It means one half of the brain is stronger than the other. People may refer to someone who likes logic and math to be left-brained. Some may call people who love the arts and language the right-brained type.
- The myth
People have different likes and dislikes. The reason is not one half of a person’s brain. There are many reasons why a person is the way he or she is. A recent research studied images of the brain. It did not find that one half of the brain is stronger than another. - The problem with the myth
The idea on which the myth is based is incorrect. People need to be creative to solve math problems. Math is not just about logic. Also, people use logic and pattern to create art. Art also uses logic and planning. - The science behind the myth
The left and the right side of the brain perform different tasks. The right side of the brain is the center of language and problem-solving. The left side of the brain is the center of spatial tasks. Spatial means related to space or position of things. Although the myth started with some science, it is not accurate.
split-brain study In 1940s, doctors made a discovery. In some patients, they removed the part of the brain that connects the two halves. The patients had some trouble in a few functions. That showed the two halves of the brain connected to different tasks.
Two halves of the brain
Problem
Which section from “A myth: The Right-brained or the Left-brained” discusses how the scientists did a study in some patients?
- A
The sidebar
- B
A myth: The Right-brained or the Left-brained
- C
The caption
- D
The myth
A
The sidebar