Authors Claim
Word Relationships
Prefixes and Suffixes
Context Clues
Vocabulary Base Words
100

Owning a pet makes people happier. A recent study looked at the facial pictures of pet owners on social media. It gave the emotions on the human faces a score from 0 to 100. The results showed that owning a pet increased happiness by about 22%. This could be due to the companionship pets give people. People who aren’t lonely are happier. Pets also make people more active. This makes them healthier. People with pets tend to have lower blood pressure, heart rate, and heart disease risk than people without pets. Health leads to happiness too. Animals have been shown to calm stress, fear, and anxiety in humans. If you’re looking to be happier, get a pet.


What is the author’s claim?

a. Pet ownership makes people more responsible.

b. Pets are expensive to own.

c. Owning a pet makes people happier.

d. Getting a dog will make you happy.

c. Owning a pet makes people happier.

100

Frank the hound dog was always up for an adventure. Every day, he woke up early in the morning. He would go explore his neighborhood. One day, as he was wandering around, he came across something interesting. It was a hole in the ground that led to a secret tunnel! Frank decided to investigate. As he walked deeper and deeper into the tunnel, he heard strange noises. He was getting a little scared, but he kept going. Finally, Frank reached the end of the tunnel. He found himself in an entirely different place! There were trees everywhere and a stream with fresh water. Frank was so excited! He ran and played in all the grass. He chased butterflies and squirrels. He drank the fresh stream water. Frank explored every inch of this new world. It was the best day ever for Frank!

What is the meaning of ‘hole’ in the sentence, “It was a hole in the ground that led to a secret tunnel!”?

a. What you try to get a golf ball into

b. All of something

c. A small or unpleasant place

d. An opening in something solid

d. An opening in something solid

100

How do you think the teacher felt in the following

sentence:

The teacher gave the student a look of

disapproval when she disobeyed.


a. The teacher was happy.

b. The teacher was excited.

c. The teacher was sad.

d. The teacher was angry.

d. The teacher was angry.

100

The superhero always works hard to win

the fight against his rival. The bad guys

would not win!

What is an antonym for the word rival?

a. A friend

b. A bully

c. A boss

d. A plant

a. A friend

100

Complete the following sentence with the best word

choice:

A biography is the story of the ______ of a real person.


a. career

b. life

c. family

d. pets

b. life

200

Are you forest bathing? You should be. Forest bathing is spending time in nature. Forest bathing is a Japanese practice. It is not a power hike on uphill trails. It’s a slow-paced stroll through the woods. Forest bathers take the time to notice wildlife. They breathe deeply. They enjoy being outside. Forest bathing has many benefits. Forest bathing has been scientifically proven to increase immunity. This helps avoid illness. It decreases the risk of cancer and heart attack. Walks in nature give you more energy, help you sleep better, and boost your mood. You are guaranteed to feel better after a good forest bath.

Which evidence does the author supply to support the claim that you should be forest bathing?

a. The author lists the benefits of forest bathing to your health.

b. The author provides examples of different ways to forest bathe.

c. The author includes quotes from famous forest bathing experts.

d. The author gives suggestions of where to forest bathe.

a. The author lists the benefits of forest bathing to your health.

200

The mermaid had never seen such a beautiful dolphin before. She swam closer to it. They began to talk to each other in their own language of squeaks, clicks, and body movements. While they were different kinds of creatures, they still shared the same playful spirit. The two quickly became best friends. They played together in the ocean each day. If the mermaid was sad or lonely, she looked for her finned friend who always cheered her up. Every day was a new adventure as they explored the deep sea. Over time, their bond grew stronger and stronger. The dolphin and mermaid made a promise that no matter what happened, they would always be best friends. They would never betray the other. The story of their friendship was shared throughout the ocean. It was a reminder that friendship can bring all creatures together.

What is an example of antonyms used in the above?

a. Promise, betray

b. Language, squeaks

c. Friend, cheered

d. Friendship, together

a. Promise, betray

200

Complete the following sentence with the correct

phrase:

At the end of each day, the teacher ________ the

students’ desks to kill all the germs.


a. disinfects

b. reorganizes

c. rearranges

d. imports

a. disinfects

200

Before we leave the picnic area, we have to

dispose our trash in the garbage cans so

animals do not get our garbage.

What is the meaning of dispose?

a. Fill

b. Stuff

c. Pack

d. Throw away

d. Throw away

200

How are calligraphy and photography similar?

a. They are the same thing.

b. They both involve pen and paper.

c. They are both a form of art.

d. They are not similar in any way.

c. They are both a form of art.

300

It is important to search for new planets in space. Those planets could support life. Planets could orbit a stable star (like the sun) and have liquid water. Padi Boyd is an American astrophysicist who works for NASA. She says we could learn if we are alone in the universe. This could change the way we think about ourselves. We’ll know if Earth isn’t the only place where life exists. We could also learn more about how planets that have life are formed. We could study what they are made of. We don’t want to miss a chance to change human history... and our future.

What is the main reason the author claims that it is important to search for new planets?

a. We could become famous for discovering new planets.

b. We could answer the question “Are we alone in the universe?”

c. We could learn more about Earth by finding new planets.

d. We could live on these new planets if something happens to Earth.

b. We could answer the question “Are we alone in the universe?”

300

Blueberries are a nutritious treat. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This makes them an excellent choice for a snack or as part of a meal. Not only are blueberries healthy, but you can enjoy them in many ways. You can add them to cereal, yogurt, smoothies, and salads, or just eat them as they are. Many people enjoy them in muffins and pies too. They also make a great topping for ice cream, pancakes, or waffles. Blueberries are very easy to grow. If you take care of them, you can get many blueberries from a single bush. They like acidic soil, lots of sunlight, and regular watering. Blueberries can be grown in containers or in the ground. They grow best in areas with cooler temperatures. With a little effort, you can have your own delicious and healthy blueberries all summer long!

Which detail helps you understand the meaning of the word nutritious?

a. Blueberries are very easy to grow.

b. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

c. If you take care of them, you can get many blueberries from a single bush.

d. They do best in areas with cooler temperatures.

b. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

300

Why might someone be acting sneaky?


a. They are planning a surprise party.

b. They are being honest and open.

c. They want to help someone in need.

d. They are trying to solve a difficult problem.

a. They are planning a surprise party.

300

Mason noticed glass fragments on the floor

next to the overturned table. The lamp had

broken and made a mess.

Fragments means:

a. Lights

b. Pieces

c. Bulbs

d. Breakables

b. Pieces

300

The percussion instruments in the symphony made me want to stand up and dance!


Use the above sentence to determine in which way a symphony is most enjoyed by the audience.


a. The audience listens to the symphony.

b. The audience dances to the symphony.

c. The audience draws the symphony.

d. The audience becomes a musician in the symphony.

a. The audience listens to the symphony.

400

Playing sports is good for children. It helps children keep a healthy weight. The CDC reports that the rate of obesity for children and teens has risen to 22% since the COVID-19 pandemic. Becoming active with a sport could help to lower this rate. Sports also improve mental health. Sports boost how children feel about themselves. They also reduce stress and anxiety. Social skills are developed while playing sports too. Children have to practice teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. Studies have also shown that students who play sports do better in school. Sports are fun experiences as well.

What evidence does the author supply to support the claim that playing sports offers many benefits to children?

a. The author lists the many benefits of playing sports.

b. The author talks about personal experiences with playing sports.

c. The author gives examples of different sports to play.

d. The author includes quotes from school sports coaches.

a. The author lists the many benefits of playing sports.

400

The use of nail polish was believed to have started around 3000 B.C. People in China and Egypt used things in nature to make it. Beeswax, egg whites, gelatin, and vegetable dyes were used to make color that could be put on fingernails. Ancient Greeks and Romans did something similar to get color on their nails. Over time, the ingredients and ways of making nail polish changed. It became more complicated. In the 1800s, people made nail polish by mixing nitrocellulose with special colors and paint. This invention was the first step in making the nail polishes that are used today. People today still try out new colors, designs, and brands to make their nails look beautiful. Nail polish has become much better over the years. It's an important part of the beauty world!

Which word or short phrase would best replace the underlined word in the sentence “It became more complicated”?

a. Easier to make

b. Faster to make

c. Boring to make

d. Harder to make

d. Harder to make

400

Yvonne had to quickly change after she accidentally

__________ the dress she was going to wear to the

party.


a. dirty

b. dirtily

c. dirtied

d. dirted

c. dirtied

400

The teacher said to accumulate as many

examples of pinecones as they could find out

at recess for their science lesson.

What is an antonym for accumulate?

a. Gather

b. Label

c. Throw away

d. Look at

c. Throw away

400

How might a microphone and symphony go together?

a. A microphone might be used so the audience can

hear the symphony better.

b. A symphony might be used so the audience can

hear the microphone better.

c. A microphone might be used so the audience can

draw the symphony.

d. A symphony might draw a microphone.

a. A microphone might be used so the audience can

hear the symphony better.

500

Friends improve your life. They can help during good and bad times. Friends give comfort. They also challenge each other to improve. Having friends makes people feel like they belong. Studies have shown that people with strong friendships are 50% more likely to survive. Other studies reveal that you’re less likely to get a cold when you have friends. Loneliness is linked to a weaker immune system. Friends can make you more successful because you develop communication. With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why it’s important to have friends.

Which sentence best states the author’s claim in this text?

a. Friendships can last a lifetime.

b. Making friends is a good skill to have.

c. Some people are too busy for friends.

d. Friends make your life better.

d. Friends make your life better.

500

Sigfrid the Troll was getting ready for a daring adventure. He wanted to find the enchanted forest. He had heard tales of fairies that lived in the depths of the forest. Sigfrid wanted to find out if the stories were true. Sigfrid started on his adventure. He trekked through the forest for four days. After a few weeks, Sigfrid finally reached the end of the forest. What he found there was unlike anything he had ever seen before. There were fairies, goblins, and even other trolls living together peacefully. He had discovered the enchanted forest! Sigfrid was overjoyed with his discovery. He quickly became friends with those living in the forest. Sigfrid decided to make the enchanted forest his new home. He wanted to stay there as long as possible. He quickly settled in and began his new life in the enchanted forest. Sigfrid was now part of an amazing adventure that he would remember for the rest of his life.

Which homophones were used in the text above? Click all that apply.

a. Started, end

b. For, four

c. Tales, stories

d. There, their

b. For, four

d. There, their

500

The flowers were ___________ arranged in the vase.


a. beautifully

b. beautified

c. beautiful

d. beautifulling

a. beautifully

500

Arachnids, or eight-legged insects, are joint-

legged animals that include spiders, ticks, scorpions, and more.

What is a synonym for arachnid?

a. Scorpions

b. Spiders

c. Eight-legged insect

d. Animals

c. Eight-legged insect

500

In what way might a biologist and a microscope be related?


a. A biologist might draw a microscope.

b. A biologist might look at living organisms under a microscope.

c. A biologist might need a vacation from a

microscope.

d. A biologist might use a microscope to do research

with.

b. A biologist might look at living organisms under a microscope.