Context Clues
Determine the meaning of the word, "boisterous."
The town meeting was usually quiet, but tonight the atmosphere was boisterous. Neighbors were shouting over one another, clapping loudly, and stomping their feet in disagreement
A. Boring
B. Formal and organized
C. Rowdy and noisy
D. Unusually quiet
C. Rowdy and noisy
(and full of energy)
As the rain poured down, Noah glared out the window at the muddy backyard. His little sister, Lily, dropped a box of board games at his feet, her eyes wide with hope. "Can we play one, Noah? Please?"
Noah sighed, crossing his arms tight against his chest. "I was supposed to be at soccer practice today, Lily. Board games are for little kids." He turned his back to the window, feeling like the entire day was ruined over a little rain.
1. How does Noah’s perspective about the rainy day differ from Lily’s perspective?
A. Noah views the rain as a frustrating disappointment, while Lily sees it as an opportunity to have fun together.
B. Noah believes the rain will clear up quickly, while Lily worries they will be stuck inside all weekend.
C. Noah feels excited about playing indoor games, while Lily is upset about missing soccer practice.
D. Noah thinks the weather is too dangerous to play, while Lily wants to go outside and play in the mud.
A. Noah views the rain as a frustrating disappointment, while Lily sees it as an opportunity to have fun together.
Maya froze as Leo pointed to a broad animal print in the dirt. "Panther," he whispered. Maya’s heart hammered against her ribs, and she stepped back toward the thick brush. Kneeling lower, Leo pointed to dry leaves blown into the center of the track. "Relax," he said softly. "It’s hours old. Whatever made it is miles away." Seeing the dry leaves resting inside the pad mark, Maya took a slow breath as the panic left her chest.
1. Which sentence provides the best summary of the passage?
A. Maya and Leo discover a broad animal print in the dirt and decide to track the panther through the thick brush.
B. Maya becomes frightened after seeing a panther track, but calms down when Leo shows her evidence that the panther is gone.
C. Leo teaches Maya how to identify panther prints by looking for dry leaves blown into the center of the track.
D. Maya panics while out in the woods with Leo because she believes a panther is hiding nearby in the thick brush.
B. Maya becomes frightened after seeing a panther track, but calms down when Leo shows her evidence that the panther is gone.
Read this sentence:
“Trees multiply by making seeds.”
Based on the meaning of the Latin root "multi," what does the word multiply mean?
A. to make one
B. to make many
C. to make smaller
D. to make a measurement
B. to make many
Elena hesitated at the edge of the creaky stage, clutching her violin tightly against her chest. The bright spotlight blinded her, and the whisperings of the packed auditorium sounded like a roaring wave. Her hands trembled so much she almost dropped her bow.
Then she caught her teacher’s approving nod from the wings. Taking a deep breath, Elena closed her eyes and drew the bow across the strings. As the first pure notes filled the quiet room, her fear melted into music.
1. How does the setting of the crowded stage contribute to the plot of the passage?
A. The bright spotlight causes Elena to lose her place in the sheet music.
B. The intimidating stage and audience force Elena to conquer her nervous fear.
C. The dark room makes it difficult for Elena to see her teacher in the wings.
D. The noisy crowd prevents Elena from hearing the notes she is playing.
B. The intimidating stage and audience force Elena to conquer her nervous fear.
"Unlike her garrulous brother, who would chat endlessly with anyone he met, Sophia preferred to remain quiet and keep her thoughts to herself during family gatherings."
What does the word garrulous mean as it is used in the passage?
A. Extremely talkative
B. Easily frightened
C. Deeply thoughtful
D. Rude and disrespectful
A. Extremely talkative
As the rain poured down, Noah glared out the window at the muddy backyard. His little sister, Lily, dropped a box of board games at his feet, her eyes wide with hope. "Can we play one, Noah? Please?"
Noah sighed, crossing his arms tight against his chest. "I was supposed to be at soccer practice today, Lily. Board games are for little kids." He turned his back to the window, feeling like the entire day was ruined over a little rain.
Part A
What does Noah's reaction in paragraph 2 reveal about his perspective?
A. He enjoys teaching his sister how to play new games.
B. He is focused on his own disappointment and finds his sister's request annoying.
C. He is glad that soccer practice was canceled so he can rest.
D. He feels guilty for not taking his sister outside earlier.
Part B
Which phrase from paragraph 2 best supports the answer to Part A?
A. "...dropped a box of board games at his feet..."
B. "...feeling like the entire day was ruined over a little rain."
C. "...turned his back to the window..."
D. "...rain poured down..."
B. He is focused on his own disappointment and finds his sister's request annoying.
B. "...feeling like the entire day was ruined over a little rain."
Mateo sat on the porch, staring at the scattered, ancient-looking wooden gears of his grandfather’s broken mantle clock. He threw his hands up, convinced the old timepiece was far beyond repair. Abuelo pulled up a chair, picked up a magnifying glass, and held out a tiny copper wheel. "Patience, Mateo," he said softly, showing him how the small teeth were meant to interlock. "Every complex problem is just a puzzle made of smaller, simple parts." Together, they spent the afternoon fitting the gears in place. When the clock finally chimed a clear, steady ring, Mateo grinned at Abuelo, realizing how much he could accomplish when he didn't give up.
Which sentence provides the best summary of the passage?
A. Mateo believes his grandfather's clock is broken forever, but with Abuelo’s guidance, he learns to be patient and helps repair it.
B. Abuelo shows Mateo how to build a brand-new wooden clock using tools like a magnifying glass and copper wheels.
C. Mateo gets frustrated with his grandfather because Abuelo insists on repairing an ancient clock instead of buying a new one.
D. Mateo fixes an old mantle clock all by himself after studying the tiny wooden gears for hours on the porch.
A. Mateo believes his grandfather's clock is broken forever, but with Abuelo’s guidance, he learns to be patient and helps repair it.
“The seeds fall to the ground or are circulated by the wind to a new location.”
Based on the meaning of the Latin root "circ," what does the word circulated mean?
A. moved up
B. moved fast
C. moved around
D. moved forward
C. moved around
Marcus noticed the new student, Sam, sitting alone at the back of the cafeteria, staring down at an empty tray. While the rest of the table laughed and swapped stories about their weekend, Marcus quietly packed up his lunchbox, slid out of his seat, and walked across the noisy room.
Without making a big scene, Marcus sat down opposite Sam, unzipped his bag, and offered half of his sandwich. "Hey, I'm Marcus," he said with a warm smile. "Do you like soccer? We're setting up a game at recess if you want to join."
Part A
Which character trait best describes Marcus based on his actions in the passage?
A. Compassionate and considerate
B. Ambitious and competitive
C. Cautious and timid
D. Impatient and restless
Part B
Which two actions from the passage best support the answer to Part A?
A. Marcus listened to his friends laugh and swap stories about their weekend.
B. Marcus quietly packed up his lunch and walked across the room to sit with Sam.
C. Marcus noticed that Sam was sitting at the back of the cafeteria.
D. Marcus offered Sam half of his sandwich and invited him to play soccer.
E. Marcus sat at a table near the noise of the cafeteria.
A. Compassionate and considerate
B (Marcus quietly packed up his lunch...)
AND
D (Marcus offered Sam half of his sandwich...)
The winter storm brought treacherous conditions to the mountain pass. High winds blew thick sheets of snow across the highway, reducing visibility to almost zero, while a thick layer of black ice transformed the roads into a slick, hazardous mirror. Drivers were urged to stay home unless travel was absolutely necessary.
Part A
What does the word treacherous mean as it is used in the passage?
A. Unpredictable and changing quickly
B. Extremely dangerous and full of hazards
C. Cold and uncomfortable
D. Beautiful yet mysterious
Part B
Which excerpt from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?
A. "The winter storm brought..."
B. "High winds blew thick sheets of snow..."
C. "...transformed the roads into a slick, hazardous mirror."
D. "Drivers were urged to stay home..."
B. Extremely dangerous and full of hazards
B. "High winds blew thick sheets of snow..."
Maya froze as Leo pointed to a broad animal print in the dirt. "Panther," he whispered. Maya’s heart hammered against her ribs, and she stepped back toward the thick brush. Kneeling lower, Leo pointed to dry leaves blown into the center of the track. "Relax," he said softly. "It’s hours old. Whatever made it is miles away." Seeing the dry leaves resting inside the pad mark, Maya took a slow breath as the panic left her chest.
1. How does Maya’s perspective change from the beginning of the passage to the end?
A. She changes from feeling curious about the print to feeling disappointed that the panther left.
B. She changes from feeling terrified of an immediate threat to feeling relieved after examining the track.
C. She changes from feeling annoyed about her chores to feeling excited to find the panther.
D. She changes from feeling confident in her tracking skills to feeling confused by Leo's explanation.
B. She changes from feeling terrified of an immediate threat to feeling relieved after examining the track.
When writing his autobiography, the man used specific dates, times, and names of people who were present for different unique events from his childhood.
Based on the meaning of the Latin root "bio," what does the word autobiography mean?
A. about life
B. about time
C. about science
D. about difference
A. about life
“Burroughs’ colorful writing helps readers visualize them in their natural habitats.”
Based on the meaning of the Latin root "vis," what does the word visualize mean?
A. describe
B. measure
C. see
D. write
C. see