Text Structure
Saving Water
Many places around the world have a problem: they are running low on clean water. People use a lot of water every day, and sometimes it gets wasted. One solution is to turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Another solution is fixing leaky sinks quickly so water doesn’t drip away. Communities can also save water by using sprinklers less often. These simple actions can help make sure everyone has enough clean water.
A. Cause/ Effect
B. Problem/ Solution
C. Description
D. Sequence
B. Problem/ Solution
Choose the future tense verb to complete the sentence:
The students ___ a project about bees next week.
A. finish
B. finishes
C. will finish
D. finished
C. will finish
Read the dictionary entry for the word fair.
fair \fer\ adjective
following the rules
light in color
a place with rides and games
average or okay
Which definition best matches the word fair as it is used in the following sentence:
Our class went to the fair and rode the Ferris wheel.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
C. 3
The scientist examined the fossils to learn about ancient animals.
The word fossils most likely means:
A. Remains of plants or animals from long ago
B. Pieces of rock
C. Tiny seeds
D. New animals being born
A. Remains of plants or animals from long ago
Bees and Pollination
Bees are important insects because they help flowers grow. They collect nectar from flowers and carry pollen on their bodies. When bees move from one flower to another, the pollen spreads. This process helps plants make seeds and fruits. Without bees, many plants would not survive.
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Bees are dangerous insects.
B. Bees help plants grow by spreading pollen.
C. Flowers are colorful and beautiful.
D. Some plants do not need water.
B. Bees help plants grow by spreading pollen.
Frogs and Toads
Frogs and toads are both amphibians, but they have some differences. Frogs usually have smooth, wet skin, while toads have dry, bumpy skin. Frogs often live near ponds or streams, but toads can live in drier places. However, they also have many similarities. Both lay eggs in water, and both can jump to move around. Frogs and toads may look different, but they share many traits that help them survive in nature.
A. Problem/ Solution
B. Description
C. Compare/Contrast
D. Cause/ Effect
C. Compare/ Contrast
Choose the present tense verb to complete the sentence:
The frog ___ near the edge of the pond.
A. will jump
B. jumps
C. jumped
D. jumping
B. jumps
Read the dictionary entry for the word spring.
spring \spring\ noun
the season after winter
a place where water flows from the ground
a metal coil that bounces
a sudden jump
Which definition best matches the word spring as it is used in the following sentence:
We picked flowers in the warm spring and brought them home.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
The river overflowed after the heavy rain, flooding nearby fields.
The word overflowed most likely means:
A. Drained slowly
B. Filled too much and spilled over
C. Became very cold
D. Changed color
B. Filled too much and spilled over
Salmon Migration
Salmon begin their lives in rivers where they hatch from eggs. As they grow, they travel downstream to the ocean. They live in the ocean for several years, growing larger. When it is time to lay eggs, salmon return to the rivers where they were born. This journey helps salmon continue their life cycle.
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Salmon migrate between rivers and the ocean to lay eggs.
B. Salmon eat insects in the river.
C. Salmon swim quickly to escape predators.
D. Rivers are full of fish.
A. Salmon migrate between rivers and the ocean to lay eggs.
How a Pumpkin Grows
A pumpkin grows in several steps. First, a small seed is planted in warm soil. After a few days, a sprout pushes up through the dirt. Next, the sprout grows into a leafy green vine that spreads across the ground. Yellow flowers bloom on the vine, and soon tiny green pumpkins begin to form. As time passes, the pumpkins grow larger and turn bright orange. Finally, they are ready to be picked and used for cooking or decoration.
A. Cause/ Effect
B. Sequence
C. Description
D. Problem/ Solution
B. Sequence
Choose the future tense verb to complete the sentence:
The class ___ the rainforest on their field trip tomorrow.
A. will explore
B. explored
C. explores
D. exploring
A. will explore
Read the dictionary entry for the word bright.
bright \brīt\ adjective
giving off a lot of light
very colorful
smart
cheerful
Which definition best matches the word bright as it is used in the following sentence:
The bright stars twinkled above us in the night sky.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
The rainforest is full of dense vegetation, with tall trees and thick vines covering the ground.
The word dense most likely means:
A. Thin and spread out
B. Easy to walk through
C. Wet and muddy
D. Thick and crowded together
D. Thick and crowded together
Desert Animals
Deserts are very dry places with hot days and cold nights. Many animals hide in burrows during the heat of the day. At night, they come out to find food and water. These behaviors help them survive in the harsh desert environment. Desert animals have special adaptations to live where there is little water.
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Deserts are full of sand.
B. People cannot live in deserts.
C. Desert animals have special adaptations to survive.
D. Desert animals are very fast.
C. Desert animals have special adaptations to survive.
The Rainforest
A rainforest is a warm, wet place filled with amazing plants and animals. The trees in a rainforest are tall and grow close together, creating a roof of leaves called a canopy. Bright flowers, giant ferns, and thick vines grow everywhere. Many animals live here, including colorful parrots, noisy monkeys, and slow-moving sloths. The rainforest is full of life, and every creature has a special job that helps the ecosystem stay healthy.
A. Sequence
B. Problem/ Solution
C. Description
D. Compare/ Contrast
C. Description
Choose the present tense verb to complete the sentence:
The pumpkin seed ___ slowly in the warm soil.
A. will grow
B. grew
C. grows
D. growing
C. grows
Read the dictionary entry for the word stand.
stand \stand\ verb
to be on your feet
to be in a certain position
to last or endure
to allow something
Which definition best matches the word stand as it is used in the following sentence:
The tall lamp will stand in the corner of the room.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
B. 2
Engineers built a dam to control the flow of water and prevent flooding.
The word control most likely means:
A. Destroy
B. Allow
C. Direct or manage
D. Ignore
C. Direct or manage
Pumpkin Growth
A pumpkin grows from a tiny seed planted in the soil. The seed sprouts and a small vine begins to grow. Leaves appear and yellow flowers bloom on the vine. Tiny green pumpkins start to form where the flowers were. Over time, the pumpkins grow large and turn orange, ready to be harvested.
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Pumpkins can be orange or green.
B. Pumpkins are fun to carve.
C. Pumpkins grow in several steps from seeds to mature fruit.
D. Pumpkins are eaten during fall.
C. Pumpkins grow in several steps from seeds to mature fruit.
Why Bees Are Important
Bees play an important role in nature because they help plants grow. When bees visit flowers to collect nectar, pollen sticks to their bodies. Then, when they fly to the next flower, the pollen spreads. This causes plants to make seeds and new fruits. Without bees, many plants would not grow well, and animals that eat those plants might not have enough food. That’s why bees are so important to the environment.
A. Cause/ Effect
B. Problem/ Solution
C. Description
D. Sequence
A. Cause/ Effect
Choose the future tense verb to complete the sentence:
The two teams ___ their final game on Saturday.
A. play
B. played
C. will play
D. playing
C. will play
Read the dictionary entry for the word charge.
charge \chärj\ verb
to ask for a price
to run toward something
to put power into a device
to accuse someone
Which definition best matches the word charge as it is used in the following sentence:
The children watched the bull charge across the field.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
B. 2
During migration, many birds travel thousands of miles to find warmer climates.
The word migration most likely means:
A. Singing loudly
B. Building nests
C. Moving from one place to another
D. Looking for food nearby
C. Moving from one place to another
Rainforest Layers
Rainforests are full of tall trees, thick vines, and many colorful animals. Plants and animals live in different layers of the forest. The forest floor is dark but has plants that can grow in low light. The understory has shrubs and small trees that provide food and shelter. The canopy is made of tall trees where birds, monkeys, and other animals live.
What is the central idea of the passage?
A. Rainforests have many layers that support plants and animals.
B. Rainforests have only tall trees.
C. Animals in the rainforest are all colorful.
D. Rainforests are always rainy.
A. Rainforests have many layers that support plants and animals.