Text Evidence
1. Character Traits in the Story: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Tommy was nervous about the school play. He had never been on stage before, and his palms were sweaty. But when the curtain opened and the audience clapped, he stood tall and smiled. By the end of the play, Tommy was proud of himself for being brave."
What is one trait of Tommy based on the passage? Use text evidence to support your answer.
One trait Tommy has is being brave even though he was nervous at first. I know this because the text says "But when the curtain opened and the audience clapped, he stood tall and smiled. By the end of the play, Tommy was proud of himself for being brave."
1. Identifying the Rising Action: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Max had always dreamed of climbing the tallest mountain in his town. One day, he decided to make his dream come true. He packed his backpack, grabbed a map, and set off on his adventure. As he walked, the weather grew colder, and the path became steeper. He wasn't sure if he could make it to the top, but he kept going."
What is the rising action in this story?
A) Max decided to climb the mountain.
B) Max reached the top of the mountain.
C) Max packed his backpack and started walking.
D) Max wasn’t sure if he could make it to the top, but he kept going.
D) Max wasn’t sure if he could make it to the top, but he kept going.
Explanation:
The rising action involves the series of events that build tension in the story. In this case, Max’s doubt about making it to the top and his decision to keep going creates the rising action.
1. Character Interaction and Change: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Emma and her little brother, Max, were building a fort out of pillows in the living room. At first, Max kept knocking down the walls, but Emma patiently rebuilt them each time. After a while, Max realized Emma wasn't going to get angry, so he stopped knocking the fort over and started helping her instead."
How did Emma’s actions toward Max change his behavior?
A) Max became more patient and stopped knocking the fort over.
B) Max became angry because Emma was rebuilding the fort.
C) Emma decided to stop building the fort with Max.
D) Max wanted to finish the fort alone.
A) Max became more patient and stopped knocking the fort over.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with shades of pink, orange, and purple. The trees stood silhouetted against the colorful backdrop, their branches gently swaying in the cool evening breeze."
How does the author use imagery in this passage?
A) To describe the sound of the evening breeze.
B) To show how the colors of the sky change during sunset.
C) To describe the temperature of the evening air.
D) To show the movement of the trees in the wind.
B) To show how the colors of the sky change during sunset.
Explanation: The author uses vivid imagery to describe the colors of the sky during sunset (“shades of pink, orange, and purple”), which helps the reader visualize the scene and understand the beauty of the moment.
Read the paragraph below, then answer the question.
"One day, I went to the park to play. I was really excited because it was sunny and warm. My friends and I played soccer for hours. We laughed and had so much fun. Afterward, we had ice cream to cool off."
What is the best way to revise this paragraph to add a clear introduction, transitions, and conclusion?
A) "One day, I went to the park. It was sunny and warm. I had fun playing soccer with my friends. Afterward, we had ice cream."
B) "One sunny day, I went to the park. First, we played soccer, then we had ice cream afterward. It was a perfect day."
C) "I went to the park to play one day. My friends and I had a great time. We played soccer, and afterward, we had ice cream."
D) "It was sunny. I played soccer with my friends at the park. We had ice cream."
B) "One sunny day, I went to the park. First, we played soccer, then we had ice cream afterward. It was a perfect day."
Explanation: Option B has a clear introduction ("One sunny day, I went to the park"), transitions ("First, we played soccer, then we had ice cream"), and a conclusion ("It was a perfect day"), which makes the paragraph structured and coherent.
2. Setting and Mood: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"The sky was dark and stormy. The wind howled through the trees as lightning flashed across the sky. Inside the house, Sarah sat by the window, nervously watching the storm grow stronger."
Which sentence from the passage helps create a mood of fear? Use text evidence to support your answer.
The sentence, "The wind howled through the trees." helps create a mood of fear because it describes how the wind sounds making it a fearful mood.
2. Identifying the Climax: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"The storm raged on, and as the boat was tossed by huge waves, Carlos felt his heart pounding. Just as the boat was about to capsize, Carlos reached out, grabbed the rope, and pulled himself to safety. He had made it through the worst of the storm."
What is the climax of the story?
A) The storm raged on.
B) Carlos grabbed the rope and pulled himself to safety.
C) Carlos felt his heart pounding.
D) The boat was tossed by huge waves.
B) Carlos grabbed the rope and pulled himself to safety.
Explanation:
The climax is the turning point, where the most intense moment of the story happens. In this case, Carlos pulling himself to safety is the moment of greatest action and tension.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Jake and his friend Liam were walking to school together. Jake noticed that Liam was quieter than usual. When Jake asked if something was wrong, Liam admitted he was nervous about an upcoming test. Jake told him, 'Don’t worry! You’ve studied hard, and you’ll do great.' Liam smiled and felt more confident after hearing Jake's encouraging words."
How did Jake’s words influence Liam?
A) Liam became more nervous about the test.
B) Liam felt more confident and less nervous.
C) Liam stopped worrying about the test entirely.
D) Liam decided not to take the test.
B) Liam felt more confident and less nervous.
Explanation: Jake's encouraging words helped Liam feel better about his upcoming test, which shows how Jake’s support changed Liam’s emotions and reduced his nervousness.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"The night was as dark as the deepest ocean, with only a sliver of moonlight shining through the clouds."
What is the purpose of the simile in this passage?
A) To describe how cold the night felt.
B) To compare the darkness of the night to the vastness of the ocean.
C) To show how bright the moonlight was.
D) To explain how quiet the night was.
B) To compare the darkness of the night to the vastness of the ocean.
Explanation: The simile “as dark as the deepest ocean” helps readers understand how intense and complete the darkness of the night is by comparing it to the vast, mysterious depth of the ocean.
Read the sentence below, then answer the question.
"I was walking to the store, I saw my friend Tim, he was with his dog, I said hi to him, then we talked."
Which revision improves sentence structure and clarity?
A) "I was walking to the store and saw my friend Tim, who was with his dog. I said hi to him and then we talked."
B) "Walking to the store, I saw Tim with his dog, and I said hi, we talked."
C) "I was walking to the store when I saw my friend Tim with his dog, then I said hi to him, and we talked."
D) "I walked store to, Tim saw my friend I was with his dog said I talked."
A) "I was walking to the store and saw my friend Tim, who was with his dog. I said hi to him and then we talked."
Explanation: Option A is the clearest and most coherent. It combines the ideas into well-structured sentences and adds appropriate connectors ("and," "who") to ensure clarity and improve sentence flow.
3. Identifying the Main Idea: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most famous natural wonders in the world. It is home to thousands of species of fish, plants, and other sea creatures. The reef is made up of more than 2,900 individual reefs, stretching over 1,400 miles off the coast of Australia."
What is the main idea of the passage? Use text evidence to support your answer.
The main idea of the passage is the reef being home for many sea creatures. I know this because the text says, "It is home to thousands of species of fish, plants, and other sea creatures."
3. Identifying the Falling Action: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"After the storm passed, Carlos sat on the shore, catching his breath. The sky began to clear, and he could see the calm sea ahead. He looked back at the boat, which had somehow survived the storm."
What is the falling action in this story?
A) Carlos grabbed the rope.
B) The sky began to clear, and the sea became calm.
C) Carlos sat on the shore and caught his breath.
D) The storm raged on.
B) The sky began to clear, and the sea became calm.
Explanation:
The falling action shows the events that happen after the climax, leading toward the resolution. The clearing sky and calm sea indicate that the danger has passed and the story is winding down.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Sophia was new to the school and didn’t know anyone. She sat alone at lunch every day, feeling shy. One day, Lily invited Sophia to join her group of friends. Sophia was hesitant at first, but she agreed. After a few weeks, Sophia started to enjoy lunchtime more and even made new friends."
How did Lily’s invitation affect Sophia?
A) It made Sophia feel even more shy.
B) It helped Sophia start making new friends.
C) It caused Sophia to leave the school.
D) It made Sophia sit alone more often.
B) It helped Sophia start making new friends.
Explanation:Lily's invitation to join her group of friends helped Sophia overcome her shyness and eventually made new friends, showing a positive change in her social life.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"The soft sound of the silent sea soothed Sam as he sat on the shore."
What is the purpose of the alliteration in this sentence?
A) To emphasize how quiet and peaceful the sea is.
B) To describe how loud the sea sounds.
C) To explain the feeling of the sand on Sam’s feet.
D) To show how fast the waves are moving.
A) To emphasize how quiet and peaceful the sea is.
Explanation: The repetition of the "s" sound in "soft," "silent," and "soothed" is an example of alliteration. It highlights the peaceful, calming atmosphere of the sea, creating a soothing mood for the reader.
Read the draft below, then answer the question.
"I went to the library yesterday. I was looking for a book. The library was busy. There were many people. I found the book I wanted. I checked it out and left."
How can this draft be revised to improve its coherence?
A) "Yesterday, I went to the library to find a book. It was busy, but I managed to find the one I wanted and check it out."
B) "I went to the library. It was busy. I found the book I wanted. There were many people."
C) "The library was busy. I checked out my book. I went to the library yesterday to find a book."
D) "I went to the library. It was busy and I checked out a book. There were many people."
A) "Yesterday, I went to the library to find a book. It was busy, but I managed to find the one I wanted and check it out."
Explanation: Option A improves coherence by logically connecting ideas into a smooth narrative. It introduces the purpose of the visit early ("to find a book"), uses transitions ("but"), and clearly explains the events in a more fluid way.
4. Cause and Effect: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"When the snowstorm began, everyone rushed inside to stay warm. The snow piled up so high that they couldn't go outside to play. The roads were too dangerous, and school was canceled the next day."
What is the effect of the snowstorm in the passage? Use text evidence to support your answer.
The effect of the snowstorm in the passage is school was canceled the next day. The text states, "The roads were too dangerous, and school was canceled the next day."
4. Identifying the Resolution: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Finally, the storm passed, and the sun began to shine again. Carlos stood up and walked back to his home, feeling proud of how he had handled the challenge. He knew he would be more prepared the next time he faced a storm."
What is the resolution in this story?
A) Carlos felt his heart pounding.
B) The sun began to shine again.
C) Carlos walked back to his home, feeling proud.
D) Carlos grabbed the rope.
C) Carlos walked back to his home, feeling proud.
Explanation:
The resolution shows how the conflict is resolved and the characters return to a sense of normalcy. Here, Carlos feels proud and heads home, indicating the end of the story.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Marcus had always been afraid of dogs, but his cousin Mia had a puppy named Scout. At first, Marcus kept his distance, but Mia patiently introduced him to Scout, explaining how friendly the dog was. Slowly, Marcus became more comfortable and started petting Scout. By the end of the day, Marcus was playing fetch with the puppy."
How did Mia’s actions change Marcus’s feelings toward dogs?
A) Mia’s actions made Marcus more afraid of dogs.
B) Marcus stayed afraid of dogs even after meeting Scout.
C) Marcus became comfortable around dogs and started enjoying playing with Scout.
D) Marcus decided he didn’t like Scout at all.
C) Marcus became comfortable around dogs and started enjoying playing with Scout.
Explanation: Mia’s patience and the way she introduced Marcus to Scout helped him overcome his fear of dogs. By the end of the day, Marcus was comfortable enough to play with the puppy.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"The clouds were fluffy cotton candy floating across the blue sky, soft and sweet to look at."
What is the purpose of the metaphor in this passage?
A) To show how the clouds were thick and heavy.
B) To explain that the clouds were difficult to see.
C) To compare the clouds to something light and fluffy to show how pleasant they looked.
D) To describe the temperature of the sky.
C) To compare the clouds to something light and fluffy to show how pleasant they looked.
Explanation: The metaphor “clouds were fluffy cotton candy” compares the softness and lightness of the clouds to cotton candy, helping the reader visualize the pleasant, gentle nature of the sky.
Read the draft below, then answer the question.
"The storm was coming. I was worried. I looked outside. It was very dark. I decided to go inside."
Which revision adds transitions to improve the flow of the paragraph?
A) "The storm was coming, so I was worried. Looking outside, I saw that it was very dark, and I decided to go inside."
B) "The storm was coming. I was worried. It was dark outside. I went inside."
C) "I decided to go inside. The storm was coming."
D) "The storm was coming, and I was worried, very dark outside. I decided to go inside."
A) "The storm was coming, so I was worried. Looking outside, I saw that it was very dark, and I decided to go inside."
Explanation: Option A uses transitions like "so" and "and" to connect the ideas and make the paragraph flow more smoothly. This revision improves the structure and coherence of the writing.
5. Making Inferences: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Lena looked at the clock and sighed. She had been waiting for her friend at the park for over an hour. It was getting late, and she was starting to feel worried. Just as she turned to leave, she saw her friend running toward her, apologizing for being late."
What can you infer about Lena's feelings while waiting for her friend? Use text evidence to support your answer.
I can infer Lena's is feeling worried while waiting for her friend. The text states, "It was getting late, and she was starting to feel worried."
5. Analyzing Plot Elements: Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"Sarah had been training for the school talent show for months. The night before the performance, she felt nervous but excited. As she stepped onto the stage, her mind went blank, but she remembered her practice and sang the song perfectly. After she finished, the crowd erupted in applause."
Which plot element is described when Sarah steps onto the stage and feels nervous but then remembers her practice?
A) Rising Action
B) Climax
C) Falling Action
D) Resolution
A) Rising Action
Explanation:
The rising action includes the events leading up to the climax. Sarah's nervousness and the tension before performing are part of the rising action, which builds up to the climax of her performance.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
"After their argument, Ava and Lily didn’t speak to each other for a whole week. Both were upset, but neither knew how to apologize. Finally, Ava decided to talk to Lily. 'I’m sorry I yelled at you,' Ava said. 'I was frustrated, but that wasn’t right.' Lily smiled and replied, 'I’m sorry too. Let’s not let this come between us again.' After that, the two of them became even closer friends."
How did Ava and Lily’s interaction change their relationship?
A) They became more distant after apologizing.
B) They argued again, and their friendship ended.
C) They forgave each other and became even closer friends.
D) They stopped talking to each other after the argument.
C) They forgave each other and became even closer friends.
Explanation: After both Ava and Lily apologized and forgave each other, their relationship grew stronger, and they became closer friends, showing the positive effect of their interaction and reconciliation.
Give me an example of simile, metaphor, personification, idiom and hyperbole.
simile-compare two things using like or as
metaphor-compare two things without like or as
personification- give human abilities to things
idiom-words you don't literally mean
hyperbole-exaggeration
Read the sentence below, then answer the question.
"The food was good, and I liked it a lot."
Which revision improves word choice and makes the sentence more descriptive?
A) "The food was delicious, and I really enjoyed it."
B) "The food was good and very tasty."
C) "The food was okay, and I thought it was good."
D) "The food was fine, and I thought it was good."
A) "The food was delicious, and I really enjoyed it."
Explanation: Option A improves word choice by using stronger, more descriptive words ("delicious" and "really enjoyed"), which makes the sentence more vivid and engaging.