Main Idea
The Busy Beaver
Beavers are amazing animals! They are known for building dams in rivers and streams. They use their strong teeth to cut down trees and branches. Then, they carry these materials to the perfect spot and build a dam. These dams create ponds where the beavers can build their homes, called lodges. The ponds also help other animals by providing a place to drink and find food. Beavers are very busy animals, always working to build and maintain their homes and the environment around them.
Question 1: What is the main idea of this passage?
a) Beavers are cute and furry animals.
b) Beavers build dams to create ponds for their homes and help other animals.
c) Building dams is hard work for beavers.
d) Beavers eat trees and branches.
b) Beavers build dams to create ponds for their homes and help other animals.
Making a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
First, get out two slices of bread. Next, spread peanut butter on one slice. Then, spread jelly on the other slice. After that, put the two slices together. Finally, cut the sandwich in half. Now you have a tasty treat!
Question 1: What is the third step in making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich according to the passage?
a) Get out two slices of bread.
b) Spread peanut butter on one slice.
c) Spread jelly on the other slice.
d) Put the two slices together.
c) Spread jelly on the other slice.
The heavy rain poured down all day. What was the effect?
a) The sun shone brightly.
b) The flowers in the garden wilted.
c) There were large puddles in the street.
d) People went for picnics in the park.
c) There were large puddles in the street.
The old pirate told a fabulous tale of buried treasure and daring adventures on the high seas. The children listened with wide eyes. What does the word "fabulous" most likely mean?
a) true
b) boring
c) amazing
d) short
c) amazing
The rain pounded on the roof like a drum. This sentence uses which type of figurative language?
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Personification
d) Hyperbole
b) Simile
The Mystery of the Missing Crayons
Sarah looked all over her desk. Her favorite box of crayons was gone! She checked under her books and inside her pencil case, but they weren't there. Then, she remembered playing with her little brother, Tom, earlier. She went to the living room and saw Tom happily coloring a picture. Next to him was a familiar-looking box. Sarah smiled. The mystery of the missing crayons was solved!
Question 2: What is the main idea of this passage?
a) Sarah couldn't find her pencil case.
b) Tom likes to color pictures.
c) Sarah lost her crayons and then found out her brother had them.
d) Sarah was angry at her little brother.
c) Sarah lost her crayons and then found out her brother had them.
Planting a Seed
Lily wanted to grow a flower. First, she dug a small hole in the soil. Then, she placed a seed in the hole. After that, she covered the seed with soil. Next, she watered the soil gently. Finally, after a few weeks, a little sprout appeared.
Question 2: Which of these happened before Lily watered the soil?
a) A sprout appeared.
b) She covered the seed with soil.
c) She dug a small hole.
d) She placed the seed in the hole.
b) She covered the seed with soil.
Maria studied hard for her spelling test. What was the effect?
a) She decided to play outside.
b) She felt tired from reading.
c) She got a good grade on the test.
d) Her friend shared their lunch with her.
c) She got a good grade on the test. (Cause: studying hard, Effect: good grade)
The little girl felt jubilant when she opened her birthday presents. Her face was bright with a big smile. What does the word "jubilant" most likely mean?
a) tired
b) sad
c) joyful
d) confused
c) joyful
The sun smiled down on the beachgoers. This sentence gives the sun a human action. What is this type of figurative language called?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Personification
d) Alliteration
c) Personification
Growing a Sunflower
First, you need a sunflower seed. Plant it in soil and water it regularly. Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight. Soon, a small sprout will appear. As it grows, it will develop leaves and a tall stalk. Finally, a big, bright yellow flower will bloom. If you leave the flower, it will eventually produce more seeds. Growing a sunflower is a fun way to see the cycle of a plant's life.
Question 4: What is the main idea of this passage?
a) Sunflowers are tall and yellow.
b) Sunflower seeds are small and brown.
c) The passage describes the steps involved in growing a sunflower from a seed.
d) It is important to water plants every day.
c) The passage describes the steps involved in growing a sunflower from a seed.
The Little Bear's Morning
The little bear woke up in his cozy den. Then, he stretched his arms and legs. Next, he followed his mother out into the forest. After that, they looked for berries to eat. Finally, the little bear felt happy after his yummy breakfast.
Question 3: What did the little bear do right after he stretched his arms and legs?
a) He woke up in his cozy den.
b) He looked for berries to eat.
c) He followed his mother out into the forest.
d) He felt happy after his yummy breakfast.
c) He followed his mother out into the forest.
The wind blew very strongly. What was the effect?
a) The leaves on the trees turned red and yellow.
b) The kite flew high up in the sky.
c) The ice cream truck came down the street.
d) Children laughed and played in the snow.
b) The kite flew high up in the sky.
The speaker tried to elucidate his point by giving several clear examples. He wanted everyone to understand his idea. What does the word "elucidate" most likely mean?
a) confuse
b) explain
c) forget
d) hide
b) explain
My backpack weighs a ton! This sentence uses exaggeration for effect. What is this type of figurative language called?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Personification
d) Hyperbole
d) Hyperbole
The Importance of Exercise
Our bodies need exercise to stay healthy and strong. When we exercise, our muscles get stronger, and our hearts work better. Exercise also gives us more energy to play and learn. There are many fun ways to exercise, like running, jumping, swimming, and riding a bike. Even dancing and playing tag count as exercise! It's important to find activities you enjoy so you can stay active and healthy.
Question 3: What is the main idea of this passage?
a) Running is the best way to exercise.
b) Exercise makes our muscles tired.
c) Exercise is important for our health and there are many fun ways to do it.
d) Playing tag is a silly way to exercise.
c) Exercise is important for our health and there are many fun ways to do it.
Building with Blocks
Michael wanted to build a tall tower. First, he put a large block on the bottom. Then, he carefully stacked smaller blocks on top. Next, he added a long, flat block across the middle. After that, he put a triangle-shaped block on the very top. Finally, his tower was complete!
Question 4: What did Michael do after he stacked smaller blocks on top of the large one?
a) He put a large block on the bottom.
b) His tower was complete.
c) He added a triangle-shaped block on top.
d) He added a long, flat block across the middle.
d) He added a long, flat block across the middle.
Michael forgot to water his plant. What was the cause?
a) The plant grew tall and strong.
b) The plant's leaves started to turn brown and droop.
c) The plant produced many colorful flowers.
d) The plant attracted butterflies to the window.
b) The plant's leaves started to turn brown and droop. (Effect: wilting leaves, Cause: forgetting to water)
The old house was dilapidated, with broken windows and peeling paint. It looked like no one had lived there for many years. What does the word "dilapidated" most likely mean?
a) colorful
b) sturdy
c) run-down
d) enormous
c) run down
Which of the following sentences uses a metaphor?
a) The baby's skin was as smooth as silk.
b) The detective was a sly fox.
c) The popcorn danced in the hot oil.
d) The joke was so funny, tears streamed down my face.
b) The detective was a sly fox.
The Amazing Monarch Butterfly
Monarch butterflies are known for their incredible journey. Every fall, millions of these orange and black butterflies fly thousands of miles south to warmer places for the winter. They travel from Canada and the United States all the way to Mexico or parts of California. This long trip is called migration. In the spring, the butterflies fly back north to lay their eggs. It takes several generations of butterflies to complete the entire round trip.
Question 5: What is the main idea of this passage?
a) Monarch butterflies are orange and black.
b) Monarch butterflies lay their eggs in the spring.
c) Monarch butterflies undertake a long migration south for the winter and back north over several generations.
d) Mexico and California have warm winters.
c) Monarch butterflies undertake a long migration south for the winter and back north over several generations.
Baking Cookies
First, mix the butter and sugar in a bowl. Then, stir in the eggs and vanilla. Next, add the flour and baking soda. After that, drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet. Finally, bake the cookies in the oven until they are golden brown.
Question 5: What is the last step in baking cookies according to the passage?
a) Mix the butter and sugar.
b) Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
c) Stir in the eggs and vanilla.
d) Bake the cookies in the oven until they are golden brown.
d) Bake the cookies in the oven until they are golden brown.
he baker put too much sugar in the cake batter. What was the effect?
a) The cake tasted delicious and everyone wanted more.
b) The cake didn't rise properly and was very sweet.
c) The baker decided to add more flour to the batter.
d) The cake had a light and fluffy texture.
b) The cake didn't rise properly and was very sweet. (Cause: too much sugar, Effect: dense and very sweet cake)
The artist used a vibrant palette of colors to paint the sunset. The oranges, pinks, and purples were bright and eye-catching. What does the word "vibrant" most likely mean?
a) dull
b) pale
c) lively and bright
d) dark and shadowy
c) lively and bright
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. This sentence uses the repetition of the "p" sound. What is this literary device called?
a) Simile
b) Metaphor
c) Alliteration
d) Personification
c) Alliteration