Summary
During her volunteer shift at the library, Zara noticed that books kept disappearing from the mystery section. She started leaving notes inside the empty spaces on the shelves. A week later, someone wrote back — it turned out another volunteer was secretly borrowing them early for book club.
Which sentence must be included in a summary of this passage?
A) Zara discovered who was taking the mystery books from the library.
B) Zara’s favorite genre was mysteries.
C) The library had a book club that met every Thursday.
D) The missing books were mostly detective stories.
A) Zara discovered who was taking the mystery books from the library.
The dog was ecstatic, or thrilled, to see its owner come home.
What does ecstatic mean?
A) Angry
B) Sad
C)Thrilled
D) Calm
C) Thrilled
Read the passage and determine the theme.
In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. At five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.
What is the theme of this passage?
A. If things get too hard just quit.
B. You need to be short to be successful
C. Michael Jordan is an inspiration to all
D. Never give up. Persistence pays off.
D. Hard work and persistence pay off.
Tyler found the dusty box on a shelf in the garage. Inside was a medal with the words “For Bravery” etched on it. “Dad, whose is this?” he asked.
His father looked at it for a long moment before saying, “It was your grandfather’s.” Tyler noticed the way his dad held the medal, his thumb brushing over the letters like he was remembering something.
What can you infer about Tyler’s dad?
A) He doesn’t care about the medal.
B) He feels proud and emotional about his father’s bravery.
C) He plans to sell the medal.
D) He forgot who the medal belonged to.
B) He feels proud and emotional about his father’s bravery.
I reached for the blue paint, but the cup tipped, spilling all over the table. Everyone gasped. My teacher hurried over with paper towels, but I just stared at the mess spreading across my project.
Which best describes the point of view?
A) First-person point of view of the student
B) Third-person point of view of the teacher
C) First-person point of view of the teacher
D) Third-person omniscient narrator
A) First-person point of view of the student
When the snowstorm began, most people in the small mountain town stayed indoors. Anna noticed that her neighbor, Mr. Gray, hadn’t collected his mail or turned on his porch light all day. Worried, she bundled up, grabbed her sled, and trudged through the deep snow to his cabin. Inside, she found him sitting by a cold fireplace — his power had gone out, and he was too weak to get help. Anna hurried home to call for help, and soon, neighbors arrived with blankets and food. By morning, the storm had passed, and Mr. Gray was safe and warm again.
Which sentence must be included in a summary of this passage?
A) The storm ended by the next morning.
B) The mail had been piling up outside Mr. Gray’s house.
C) Mr. Gray’s fireplace had gone cold.
D) Anna helped rescue her neighbor during a blizzard.
D) Anna helped rescue her neighbor during a blizzard.
The nocturnal animal, such as an owl, stays awake during the night.
What does nocturnal mean?
A) Sleeps all day
B) Active at night
C) Scared of light
D) Lives in trees
B) Active at night
When the new group chat started, everyone in 5th grade seemed to be in it except Kara. She found out when a friend accidentally mentioned a joke she hadn’t seen. That night, she stared at her phone, typing and deleting messages to ask about it.
The next day, Mia came up to her at recess. “I told them to add you. It wasn’t right.” Kara smiled, pretending it didn’t still sting, but it did—just a little less now.
What’s the best theme?
A) Friends should stand up for each other.
B) Phones cause too much drama.
C) You shouldn’t care what other people think.
D) It’s better to ignore your friends when they hurt you.
A) Friends should stand up for each other.
When Jonah opened his locker, a small note fell out:
“Thanks for what you did yesterday.” He looked around, but no one was nearby. He smiled a little and tucked the note into his backpack beside the extra sandwich he’d packed that morning.
What can you infer Jonah did yesterday?
A) He gave someone food or helped them in some kind way.
B) He wrote a secret message to a friend.
C) He forgot his lunch.
D) He got in trouble for sharing.
A) He gave someone food or helped them in some kind way.
Jaden called out the rules, tossing the ball high in the air. From the bench, Ms. Rivera watched as the students argued about whose turn it was. She smiled — it was the same argument every recess.
Which best describes the point of view?
A) First-person point of view of Jaden
B) Third-person point of view of the teacher
C) Third-person omniscient narrator
D) Second-person point of view
B) Third-person point of view of the teacher
Ever since Mateo was little, he loved to take apart gadgets just to see how they worked. His parents often found him surrounded by pieces of broken radios and clocks. One summer, the heat in his neighborhood became unbearable, and he noticed how many people couldn’t afford air conditioning. He started experimenting with cardboard boxes, small fans, and ice packs to make a simple cooling device.
After a few tries, it worked — a portable “mini air cooler” that could run on batteries. When a local newspaper wrote about his invention, people from other cities began asking how to make their own.
Which sentence must be included in a summary of this passage?
A) Mateo often broke his family's radios and clocks.
B) Mateo invented a low-cost cooling device to help people stay cool during the summer.
C) The newspaper published a story about Mateo’s design.
D) Mateo used ice packs to test different versions of his project.
B) Mateo invented a low-cost cooling device to help people stay cool during the summer.
Read the passage then answer the question Once a man checked out a book from a library. He neglected to return it. The book was finally returned by his great-grandson 145 years later. Although the fine came $2,264, the great grandson did not have to pay it.
In this paragraph neglected means:
a. failed
b. hurried
c. borrowed
d. remembered
Double the value: What part of speech is the word neglected noun/ verb/ adjective/ adverb?
a. failed/ verb
Ethan’s volcano project didn’t erupt. He had practiced all week, but when the judges stopped by, nothing happened. He wanted to walk away, but his partner, Lila, just laughed and started scooping the baking soda back in. “Let’s try again.” The second time, foam bubbled over the sides—right onto the judge’s clipboard. Ethan froze, but the judge smiled. “Good recovery,” she said. Later, Ethan realized Lila never once blamed him. She’d just kept going.
What’s the best theme?
A)When things go wrong, let someone else do it for you.
B) Keep trying even when things don’t go as planned.
C) Judges only care about results.
D) It’s easier to blame someone else for mistakes.
B) Keep trying even when things do not go as planned.
Josh woke up early on Saturday morning and looked outside the window. The sun was out and it was hot. His dad called to Josh and said, “It is a perfect day, don’t forget to bring a towel!” Josh grabbed a towel and they left the house.
Where do you think Josh and his dad were going?
A) Soccer practice
B) Grocery store
C) Ice rink
D) Pool
D) Pool
I twisted the compass in my hand, hoping it would point back toward camp. The sun was already sinking behind the trees, and my stomach growled.
Maybe next time, I’d actually stay with the group.
Which best describes the point of view?
A) Third-person omniscient narrator
B) Third-person point of view of the hiker
C) First-person point of view of the hiker
D) First-person point of view of the group leader
C) First-person point of view of the hiker
Jayden was walking home from school when he noticed a phone lying on the sidewalk. The screen was cracked, and it kept buzzing with messages. Jayden wanted to take it home and play a few games, but he remembered his teacher’s talk about honesty. Instead, he brought it to the police station nearby. Later that evening, the phone’s owner sent a thank-you note and a small reward.
Which summary best fits the passage?
A) Jayden found a lost phone on the sidewalk and decided to take it home to play games before returning it later that week.
B) Jayden found a phone, wanted to be honest, and turned it in to the police station even though he was tempted to keep it.
C) Jayden discovered a phone on his walk home, ignored it, and kept walking because he didn’t want to get in trouble.
D) Jayden found a phone, decided to take it apart to see how it worked, and accidentally broke it even more.
B) Jayden found a phone, wanted to be honest, and turned it in to the police station even though he was tempted to keep it.
Unlike his timid brother, Max loved to speak in front of the class.
What does timid mean?
A) Confident
B) Shy
C) Funny
D) Brave
B) Shy
The art teacher posted all the entries on the wall. Liam’s painting looked fine—until he saw Ava’s next to it. Hers looked like it belonged in a museum. When she won first place, everyone clapped, including Liam. After class, Ava walked up to him. “Your colors were awesome,” she said. He smiled. “Yours too.” On his way out, he stopped to look at his painting again. It didn’t win, but it still felt like his.
What’s the best theme?
A) Art is only good if others like it.
B) Competitions aren’t fair.
C) It’s important to win something every once in a while.
D) You can be proud of your work even if you’re not the best.
D) You can be proud of your work even if you’re not the best.
Lisa carefully examined the bug sitting on the leaf. She noticed that it had six legs and a hard shell. Lisa had never seen a bug like this before. She grabbed her magnifying glass and camera.
What can you infer about Lisa?
A. She is helpful.
B. She is afraid of bugs.
C. She is very curious.
D. She likes to play soccer.
C. She is very curious.
Max watched the door, tail thumping. Every car that passed made his ears perk up. He didn’t know exactly when his family would be home, but he was ready the second they were.
Which best describes the point of view?
A) Third-person point of view of the dog
B) First-person point of view of the dog
C) Third-person omniscient narrator
D) First-person point of view of the owner
A) Third-person point of view of the dog
At the school play, Tara froze in the middle of her scene. The audience went silent, and her stomach twisted. She wanted to run off stage, but she took a deep breath and remembered her friend’s advice to keep going. She improvised a few lines until she remembered the script again. The crowd clapped loudly when she finished.
Which summary best fits the passage?
A) Tara performed perfectly in her school play and received a standing ovation from the audience.
B) Tara forgot her lines during the school play, stayed calm, and finished strong while the audience cheered.
C) Tara refused to be in the school play because she didn’t want to speak in front of a crowd.
D) Tara lost her voice during rehearsal, so her teacher gave her a smaller part in the play.
B) Tara forgot her lines during the school play, stayed calm, and finished strong while the audience cheered.
The commotion in the hallway made it hard to concentrate.
What does commotion mean?
A) Silence
B) Noise and confusion
C) Excitement
D) Movement
B) Noise and confusion
The library was closing, and Ella was still at the table, tracing her fingers over the cover of The Secret Garden. She had promised Mrs. Peterson she’d return it last week. It wasn’t that she forgot—she just didn’t want to give it back yet. That night, she slipped it into her backpack and brought it back the next morning before school opened. When the librarian found it in the drop box, she smiled, whispering, “Good choice.” Ella smiled, too. Sometimes keeping a promise is quiet work.
What’s the best theme for this story?
A) Librarians are understanding people.
B) Books are meant to be shared.
C) Doing the right thing is important even when no one is watching.
D) Rules are meant to be broken sometimes.
C) Doing the right thing is important even when no one is watching.
Abbie has her backpack on her bed. She is packing for a trip. She lays out a waterproof jacket and rain hat, extra socks, a flashlight, compass, binoculars, and water bottle. She hunts for extra batteries and decides to bring her camera. She checks on her sleeping bag.
Where are Abbie and her parents are going?
A) Beach
B) Camping
C) Lake
D) Niagara Falls
B) Camping
From the sidelines, Coach Rivera crossed her arms and squinted into the sun. Her team was down by one goal, but she could see the focus in their eyes. They were tired—but not done.
Which best describes the point of view?
A) First person point of view of the referee
B) First-person point of view of a player
C) Third-person omniscient narrator
D) Third-person point of view of the coach
D) Third-person point of view of the coach