Main Idea
Text Structures
Test Strategies
Character Traits
Context Clues
100

Inside the volcano, there are hot liquid rocks called magma. It becomes lava when it comes out of the volcano. The lava that flows out of some volcanoes can reach up to 1100 degrees. It’s hot enough to burn you and in some cases, it can kill you. Other than lava, gases coming out of the volcano are poisonous to us. 

What is the main idea? 

a. Volcanoes are really dangerous.

b. Lava is hot. 

c. Gases emitted from volcanoes are poisonous.

a. Volcanoes are really dangerous.

100

Do you have a dog or cat residing at your home? If the answer is yes, be sure to keep onions out of your pet’s reach. Onions contain an ingredient called thiosulfate. While this ingredient is perfectly safe for humans, it is toxic to cats and dogs. Thiosulfate weakens a cat or dog’s red blood cells. If your pet consumes enough onions, the red blood cells can even burst! As you can see, the accidental ingestion of onions by your dog or cat can result in worrisome consequences.

Do you have a dog or a cat... Cause & Effect

100

When taking NJSLA how many times should you read a passage? 

A minimum of 2 times

100

Katie and her grandmother sat down at the table to eat lunch. "Well, it took some discussion, but I think I managed to make a lunch that you will eat," said Grandma. "Grandma, I can't eat this. You put butter on my crustless ham sandwich, and my potato chips are touching my applesauce!” replied Katie. 

Which character trait best describes Katie? Explain why. 

A- indecisive 

B- picky

C- comical 

D- frustrated 


B- picky

100
Sam felt ELATED when he found out that he was going to Disney World. 

Happy, excited 

200

Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animals in the world? They are unique in other ways, too. For one thing, they sleep only about 20 minutes each day, and usually not more than five minutes at a time. (They have to remain alert for predators.) Also, every giraffe’s coat is unique, and varies in color from white to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live. 

The main idea of this passage is: a. Giraffes don’t sleep very much. b. Giraffes are unique animals. c. There are many animals in the world. d. No animal is taller than a giraffe.

b. Giraffes are unique animals.

200

Let’s face it... onions have a less-than-stellar reputation. However, there are a handful of instances where onions have made it into the spotlight.If you’ve seen any of the Shrek movies, you can probably picture the onion-shaped carriage that Shrek and Fiona use for travel. You might also remember Shrek telling Donkey that ogres are like onions...they have many layers. Holes, a Newbery-award winning book by Louis Sachar which later became a hit movie, also features onions. In the book, the main characters, Stanley and Zero, would not have survived if they hadn’t found a stash of onions to eat.Have you heard of “The Onion Song” by Marvin Gaye? It was released in 1969, and it became so popular in Great Britain that it reached #9 on the singles chart. If books, songs, and movies continue to feature onions in a positive light, perhaps someday onions will have the good reputation they deserve.

Let’s face it... onions have less than stellar reputations. Description


200

What does each letter of RACE Strategy Stand for?

R- restate

A- Answer

C- Cite Evidence

E- Explain

200


Mark walked into the house and set his shopping bags on the counter. There was a lump of regret settled deep in his stomach. "Did you get your new baseball cleats?" asked Mom. "Yes, but I also bought a new bat, glove, and two shirts. Now that I think about it, though, I didn't need those other things. I just wasted all of my birthday money," Mark answered, shaking his head. 

Which character trait best describes Mark? Explain Why. 

A- cruel 

C- impulsive

B- considerate 

D- pessimistic 





C- impulsive

200

A boxer is quite AGILE. They are quick on their feet. 

coordinated, swift, moving light on their feet.

300

Eric gripped the bat in his hands. His palms were sweaty but he took a deep breath as he stepped up to the plate. He had to score a run or his team would lose the game. When the pitcher threw a fastball, Eric’s reflexes took over and he heard the “Crack!” of the bat hitting the ball. His heart raced with excitement as he ran to first base. He was safe! 

The main idea of this passage is: A. Eric plays baseball. B. Eric scores a homerun. C. How to play baseball. D. Eric overcomes his nerves and makes it to first base.

D. Eric overcomes his nerves and makes it to first base.

300

Cutting an onion can be an extremely unpleasant experience. In fact, it is so awful that it often results in eyes that sting like bees, and tears streaming down the cook’s face. Have you ever wondered what causes this undesirable outcome, and how you can avoid it? Slicing the onion releases sulfuric acid into the air. This sulfuric acid reacts with the moisture in a person’s eyes and results in the tearful reaction. There is a simple solution to this common problem. Cut the onion under a stream of running water. This will prevent the sulfuric acid from reacting with your eyes’ moisture. If you follow this tip, you will likely have a positive onion-cutting experience without the tears.

Cutting an onion can be an extremely unpleasant experience. Problem & Solution


300

When preparing for an NJSLA essay what should you be doing as you read?

Taking notes 

300

"Yum! I love Grandma's sugar cookies," Daniela told her twin brother, Devon. "Me, too. It stinks that there are only six cookies for each of us," said Devon. "Hey, I have an idea! Let's tell Melissa that they fell on the floor, so Mom had to throw them away. If she falls for the lie, we can divide her six cookies, and we'll each end up with nine!" suggested Daniela. 

Which character trait best describes Daniela? 

A- inventive 

B- optimistic 

C- trustworthy 

D- devious



D- devious

300

The Queen looked REGAL in her bejeweled crown & silk robe. 

Flashy,royal,kingly, fancy

400

Hurricanes are large, intense storms that begin over the ocean, where they gather heat and energy from the water. Hurricanes move slowly toward land, usually moving 10-20 miles per hour for more than one week. The most dangerous part of the hurricane is the storm surge, when it reaches land and causes flooding. Wind and waves also contribute to the damage caused by these surges. 

The main idea of this passage is: a. Hurricanes are dangerous storms. b. Hurricanes begin over the ocean. c. One type of storm is called a hurricane. d. Hurricanes are dangerous from other storms.

a. Hurricanes are dangerous storms.

400

Onions have been around for a long time. In fact, scientists agree that onions were likely a staple in the prehistoric diet. Onions are known to have existed in Egypt in 3500 BC. To the ancient Egyptians, onions symbolized eternity, and many pharaohs were buried alongside onions. The ancient Greeks also believed in the power of onions. In fact, in the first century AD, a Greek physician convinced several Greek athletes that onions had a medicinal property that would make them stronger. As a result, the majority of athletes who participated in the first Olympic Games ate several pounds of onions, drank onion juice, and rubbed onions over their bodies. In the Middle Ages, onions were prescribed to alleviate headaches and to prevent hair loss. They were also acceptable forms of payment for goods and services. They were even commonly given as wedding gifts! Today, onions are primarily used to add flavor to our foods. Furthermore, all evidence indicates that they will continue to exist far into the future.

Onions have been around for a long time. Sequence

400

When preparing for NJSLA what tool should you use to get rid of wrong answers?

The Eliminator Tool

400

"I know you didn't do it on purpose, Mom, but it's a shame that you dropped the sugar cookies Grandma made for us, and they all had to be thrown away," Melissa said to her mother. "What are you talking about? I didn't throw away the sugar cookies. In fact, I found them hidden behind the cereal in the cupboard," said Mom. Melissa looked at her mom. "What? I don't understand." "I think the twins played a trick on you," explained Mom. 

Which character trait best describes Melissa? Explain Why.

A- gullible

B- manipulative 

C- dependable 

D-timid 



A- gullible

400

The meal given to me on the airplane was quite MEAGER. It didn't look like it would fill me up. 

small, not filling, insufficient 

500

Wilbur and Orville Wright were brothers who were inventors, even from a young age when they built kites and bicycles. Many people credit the Wright Brothers with designing and building the first successful airplane. In 1903, their first flight only lasted 12 seconds, but it continues to inspire people all over the world to learn about science and math, to work hard to realize their dreams, and to use imagination to achieve success. 

The main idea of this passage is: A. The Wright Brothers worked hard. B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people. C. Inventors build kites and bicycles. D. The first flight was in 1903.

B. The Wright Brothers were inventors who have inspired many people

500

If the tears often caused by cutting an onion aren’t bad enough, the action also typically results in hands that reek of onions hours after the onion-slicing occurred. The next time you cut an onion and your hands stink, try this trick that many cooks swear by. Find a piece of stainless steel- perhaps a sink or a large spoon- and rub your hands against it for about one minute. The sulfur molecules react with the chromium in the stainless steel, and become neutralized. As a result, the smell vanishes!

If the tears often caused by... Problem & Solution


500

During NJSLA, you are asked to determine the theme of a text. What is the definition of theme?

Moral or lesson of a text 

500

The tomcat stretched lazily and then licked his paw. "I'm taking off for a bit," he told his son. "You're going to search for some milk, aren't you? Can I come along?" his son asked. “I'm thirsty, too." "Not today," the tomcat answered. He had no intention of introducing his son to the porch step where the farmer's wife set out a bowl of milk for him as soon as the sun was at its highest point in the sky. If he came, I'd have to share my milk. No way!! 

Which character trait best describes the tomcat? Explain why.

A- generous 

B- greedy

C- loyal 

D- stubborn 

B- greedy

500

Everyone has a cellphone these days, house seem OBSOLETE, or no longer needed or used. 

out-of-date, old