Context Clues
The Amazon rainforest is often referred to as the planet’s “lungs” because of its ability to produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. However, deforestation has left large areas of land barren and unable to regenerate. This degradation not only reduces biodiversity but also affects the global climate by releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
Based on the passage, what does degradation most likely mean?
A. A type of farming method
B. An increase in healthy plant growth
C. The improvement of natural habitats
D. The process of damaging or declining in quality
D. The process of damaging or declining in quality
Key individual
a. The character who opposes the main character. They stand in the way of the main character.
b. A person who is most important to the events, plot, or central message of a story.
c. A secondary character who provides comic relief.
d. Any person who appears in the story. This can be anywhere throughout the entire story.
A person who is most important to the events, plot, or central message of a story.
Alison hated her old skates. She wanted to race with a new pair, but she didn’t have enough money, so she decided to steal a pair. However, when Alison got caught stealing the skates, his parents said she wouldn’t be able to compete in any races until the end of the summer.
What is the primary theme of this passage?
A. That new sports equipment is often too expensive for dedicated young athletes to buy.
B. That stealing something you want will usually result in you losing the chance to use it.
C. That ice skates are a highly desirable item for competitive skaters like Alison.
D. That parents should set limits on their children’s competitive sports participation.
B. That stealing something you want will usually result in you losing the chance to use it.
During the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, strong winds lifted dry soil into the air, creating massive dust storms that swept across the Great Plains. Entire skies darkened at noon, turning day into night. The storms buried fences, drifted against houses, and coated kitchen tables in a thick layer of grit. Farmers watched helplessly as their crops withered and their livestock struggled to survive in the choking dust. With fields left barren and no harvest to sell, families packed their belongings into trucks and wagons. Many left their homes behind and traveled west, hoping to find work and better living conditions elsewhere.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Farmers had to struggle to keep their livestock alive during the 1930s.
B. The Dust Bowl created massive storms that buried fences and coated kitchen tables.
C. The strong winds of the 1930s caused the sky to darken at noon.
D. The severe environmental disaster of the Dust Bowl forced many families to abandon their homes and move west.
D. The severe environmental disaster of the Dust Bowl forced many families to abandon their homes and move west.
The smell of cinnamon and sugar drifted through the bakery as Jordan slid a tray of fresh rolls onto the counter. He glanced at the clock, then at the door, tapping his foot. Outside, the sidewalks were wet from the morning rain, and the street was quiet except for the occasional car. When the bell above the door finally jingled, Jordan’s face broke into a grin.
Which sentence best shows that Jordan was waiting for someone?
A. The smell of cinnamon and sugar drifted through the bakery.
B. He glanced at the clock, then at the door, tapping his foot.
C. Outside, the sidewalks were wet from the morning rain.
D. The street was quiet except for the occasional car.
B. He glanced at the clock, then at the door, tapping his foot.
The town was usually lively on Saturday mornings, but today it was eerily desolate. The bakery’s windows were dark, the park benches empty, and even the fountain in the square stood still. A lone newspaper tumbled across the cobblestones, the only sign of movement. The silence felt heavy, as though the streets themselves had forgotten what it meant to echo with laughter or footsteps.
Based on the passage, what does desolate most likely mean?
A. Small and cozy
B. Busy and noisy
C. Empty and deserted
D. Full of energy and activity
C. Empty and deserted
Plot
a. The emotional tone of the writing. This can be a variety of different tones, but helps the reader better understand what the story is about.
b. The sequence of events in a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution.
c. The description of the setting and environment.
d. The main message or lesson the story teaches.
b. The sequence of events in a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution.
Jason always felt left out at school. He wasn’t the best at sports, and when the other kids played basketball or soccer, he usually sat on the sidelines, watching. Sometimes, the other kids made fun of him for being quiet and not joining in. Jason felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. But one day, the school announced an art contest, and Jason knew this was his moment. He spent weeks working on a painting, staying up late to perfect every detail. The day of the contest arrived, and Jason’s heart raced as they called out the winner. "Jason L." the principal announced. Jason couldn’t believe it. The teasing stopped after that, and people started noticing his talent. Jason realized that everyone has something they’re good at. Sometimes, it just takes time for others to see it.
Who is the protagonist in this story?
Jason
Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea” because they support an incredible variety of life. Brightly colored fish dart between coral branches, sea turtles glide overhead, and tiny shrimp clean the shells of passing crabs. Sharks patrol the deeper edges, while hundreds of smaller species rely on the reef’s protection and steady food supply. However, climate change has led to warmer ocean temperatures, causing coral bleaching, a process that leaves corals weak and vulnerable to disease. Scientists warn that without action, entire reef systems could vanish, taking thousands of species with them and disrupting the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems.
Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that coral reefs
are essential to the survival of other species?
A. Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea.”
B. Climate change has led to warmer ocean temperatures.
C. Coral bleaching leaves corals weak and vulnerable to disease.
D. Scientists warn that without action, entire reef systems could vanish, taking thousands of species with them.
D. Scientists warn that without action, entire reef systems could vanish, taking thousands of species with them.
When the Wright brothers first tested their flying machine in 1903, it stayed in the air for only 12 seconds and traveled just 120 feet. The icy wind whipped across the dunes, carrying the sound of the engine’s sputter and the crunch of footsteps in the sand. Still, the brothers were grinning as they rolled the plane back to the starting point, their breath visible in the cold morning air. They made several more attempts that day, each one flying farther than the last. By the end, a small crowd had gathered, clapping and cheering as the machine touched down, while the brothers exchanged excited shouts over the roar of the engine.
What can you infer about the Wright brothers from the passage?
A. They wanted to keep their tests a secret.
B. They gave up after several failed attempts.
C. They were discouraged by their short first flight.
D. They were determined and excited about their progress.
D. They were determined and excited about their progress.
The old photograph was faded, the edges curled and brittle. A boy with wide eyes and a mischievous grin sat on the front steps of a farmhouse, holding a small wooden sailboat. Behind him, the field stretched out in endless waves of golden grass. It was clear that time had weathered the picture, but the moment it captured still felt alive.
Based on the passage, what does weathered most likely mean?
A. Damaged or worn
B. Repaired and restored
C. Hidden away in a safe place
D. Changed into something new
A. Damaged or worn
Obstacle
a. A helpful tool used by the protagonist.
b. Something that stands in the way or prevents a character from reaching their goal; a challenge.
c. An important detail used to prove a point.
d. The final solution to the story's conflict. This usually happens at the end of the story.
b. Something that stands in the way or prevents a character from reaching their goal; a challenge.
Jason always felt left out at school. He wasn’t the best at sports, and when the other kids played basketball or soccer, he usually sat on the sidelines, watching. Sometimes, the other kids made fun of him for being quiet and not joining in. Jason felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. But one day, the school announced an art contest, and Jason knew this was his moment. He spent weeks working on a painting, staying up late to perfect every detail. The day of the contest arrived, and Jason’s heart raced as they called out the winner. "Jason L." the principal announced. Jason couldn’t believe it. The teasing stopped after that, and people started noticing his talent. Jason realized that everyone has something they’re good at. Sometimes, it just takes time for others to see it.
What is the main obstacle that Jason must overcome in the story?
A. His own shyness, which keeps him from trying out for the school sports teams.
B. The difficulty of finishing his detailed painting before the art contest deadline.
C. The feeling of being excluded and the teasing from the other kids at school.
D. The principal's strict rules about entering and winning the school art contest.
C. The feeling of being excluded and the teasing from the other kids at school.
Monarch butterflies are known for their remarkable migration, traveling up to 3,000 miles from Canada and the northern United States to central Mexico each fall. They rely on environmental cues like daylight and temperature changes to guide their journey. However, deforestation in their overwintering sites has reduced the forest cover they depend on for shelter. Scientists warn that continued habitat loss could disrupt this migration, leading to severe declines in monarch populations.
Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that monarch
migration is at risk due to human activity?
A. Monarch butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles each fall.
B. They rely on environmental cues like daylight and temperature changes to
guide their journey.
C. Deforestation in their overwintering sites has reduced the forest cover they
depend on for shelter.
D. Scientists warn that continued habitat loss could disrupt this migration.
C. Deforestation in their overwintering sites has reduced the forest cover they
depend on for shelter.
The honeybee plays a crucial role in pollination, transferring pollen from flower to flower as it collects nectar. Without this process, many plants would fail to produce fruits and seeds, leaving store shelves emptier and prices higher. In recent years, scientists have reported a sharp decline in honeybee populations, a trend linked to pesticide use, habitat loss, and disease. Entire hives have disappeared almost overnight, a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. This decline has raised serious concerns about global food production and biodiversity, since many crops and wild plants depend on honeybees to survive.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that
honeybees are important to the environment?
A. Honeybees collect nectar from flowers.
B. Scientists have reported a decline in honeybee populations.
C. Without this process, many plants would fail to produce fruits and seeds.
D. Entire hives have disappeared almost overnight, a phenomenon known as
colony collapse disorder.
C. Without this process, many plants would fail to produce fruits and seeds.
The cabin’s interior was sparse, with only a wooden table, two chairs, and a narrow bed pushed against the far wall. Dust motes floated in the sunlight streaming through a single window, drifting lazily in the still air. The wooden floorboards creaked softly underfoot, and the faint scent of pine lingered in the room. Though the space felt empty, it was also calm, as if the quiet itself had settled into the cracks between the boards.
Based on the passage, what does sparse most likely mean?
A. Simple and lacking in unnecessary items
B. Full and overflowing with furniture
C. Bright and cheerful
D. Worn down by age
A. Simple and lacking in unnecessary items
Infer
a. To figure out or conclude.
b. To state facts clearly from the text.
c. To summarize the story's events.
d. To provide facts to back up an assertion.
To figure out or conclude
Even though they were sisters, Suzie and June were nothing alike. If Suzie wanted to jump rope, June wanted to play hopscotch. If June wanted to watch soap operas, Suzie wanted to watch talk shows. Tensions rose to the point that the girls could no longer stand one another’s company. It seemed that they had nothing in common, until the day that progress reports came out. While riding the bus home from school, the girls—startled by how upset the other looked—realized that they were both failing a subject. Suzie was failing math and June was failing reading. Since both girls wanted to pass their classes, they got to talking and agreed to help one another. So everyday after school for the next few weeks, Suzie tutored June in reading and then June tutored Suzie in math. By the time report cards came were distributed, Suzie and June were passing all of their classes. The girls were delighted, but their mother was happiest of all. Not just because her daughters passed their classes, but because they had learned to be good sisters.
What kind of conflict is being faced in this story?
a. Character VS Supernatural
b. Character VS nature
c. Character VS character
d. Character VS society
c. Character VS character
For centuries, sailors referred to the sea as a “restless giant,” a phrase that captured both its beauty and its danger. Calm waters could turn to towering waves within hours, and storms often struck with little warning. Today, scientists still respect that power, using satellites and buoys to track the movements of ocean currents. These currents act like conveyor belts, carrying warm and cold water around the globe. Even small changes in their patterns can trigger unexpected shifts in weather systems, disrupt marine life habitats, and affect communities thousands of miles from shore.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. The use of modern technology like satellites and buoys to track ocean movements.
B. The historical names that sailors gave to the sea, such as the "restless giant."
C. The unpredictable nature and significant global impact of ocean currents and their changes.
D. The difference between calm ocean waters and dangerous, towering waves during storms.
C. The unpredictable nature and significant global impact of ocean currents and their changes.
By the time Mia reached the bus stop, her hair was plastered to her forehead and her shoes squished with each step. She pulled her jacket tighter, but the cold rain still seeped through. Across the street, the café windows glowed with warm light, and the scent of fresh coffee drifted toward her in the wind. Laughter spilled out each time the door opened, and for a moment Mia imagined herself inside, sipping something hot instead of shivering in the downpour. When the bus finally pulled up, she hesitated before climbing aboard, glancing once more at the café before turning away.
Based on the passage, what can you infer about Mia’s feelings?
A. She is excited to get on the bus.
B. She wishes she were in the café instead of at the bus stop.
C. She is upset that she forgot her umbrella at home causing her to be
drenched.
D. She is worried for a friend who is inside the café and might miss the
bus.
B. She wishes she were in the café instead of at the bus stop.
In ancient Rome, aqueducts carried fresh water into the city from miles away, supplying fountains, bathhouses, and homes. These stone structures were considered ingenious because of the clever way they worked. Instead of using pumps or machines, the Romans designed the aqueducts so water would flow smoothly using only gravity. Builders created arches to stretch across valleys and dug tunnels through hills to keep the water moving at a steady pace. The careful planning and smart design of the aqueducts made life in Rome healthier and more comfortable.
Based on the passage, what does ingenious most likely mean?
A. Fragile and weak
B. Ordinary and plain
C. Clever and skillfully designed
D. Expensive and difficult to build
C. Clever and skillfully designed
Derived
a. To introduce a new idea. This can happen throughout the story or text.
b. To suggest an idea without stating it clearly.
c. To state something clearly in a definitive sentence.
d. To have come from, originated, or been traced back to a specific source or root.
To have come from, originated, or been traced back to a specific source or root.
The little grey mouse that lived in my wall prospered for many days on nibbles of my lunch. I’d pack a meal before bed and, while I slept, he would take small bites of my lunch, which I left on the counter. He’d take a cracker crumble here, and a bread crumb there, but he wouldn’t take too much and he’d always clean up after himself. Things were going quite well for him and I didn’t even know he existed, until he got sloppy. One night while I slept, he ate all of my chips and left behind a big mess. When I awoke to this sight, I knew what had happened to my chips. So the next night when he returned for another snack, he found a nice, delicious piece of cheese... lightly balanced on a mouse trap. Now I don’t have to share my chips anymore.
Which character is dynamic in this story:
A. The little grey mouse, because his behavior changes from being careful and neat to being greedy and sloppy.
B. The narrator, because their early morning schedule shifts to include setting a trap.
C. The little grey mouse, because he is always eating the meals set out for him.
D. The narrator, because they are unbothered
A. The little grey mouse, because his behavior changes from being careful and neat to being greedy and sloppy.
In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, marking a milestone in human history. After stepping down from the lunar module onto the dusty surface, he spoke the now-famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” His movements were slow and careful in the moon’s lower gravity, and he paused several times to adjust his equipment before taking samples of moon rock. Back on Earth, an estimated 600 million people watched on television. It was considered the largest audience for a live broadcast at that time. Some cheered, others wiped away tears, and many spoke of feeling a renewed sense of possibility, believing that if humans could reach the moon, perhaps they could achieve anything.
Based on the passage, why was Armstrong’s first step on the moon
significant to people on Earth?
A. It proved space travel was completely safe.
B. It led directly to the colonization of the moon.
C. It inspired hope and showed what humans could accomplish.
D. It ended the competition between scientists and engineers.
C. It inspired hope and showed what humans could accomplish.
My brother claimed he wasn’t nervous about his first big game, but his shaking hands told another story. He paced back and forth in the living room, glancing at the clock every thirty seconds. Every so often, he’d tug at the hem of his jersey or retie his cleats, even though they were already tight. Outside, the crowd’s cheers drifted through the open window, making him move even faster. When the whistle finally blew to start, he sprinted onto the field so quickly that he nearly tripped over his own cleats.
Which sentence best supports the idea that the narrator’s
brother was anxious?
A. He paced back and forth.
B. He sprinted onto the field.
C. He claimed he wasn’t nervous.
D. The whistle finally blew to start.
A. He paced back and forth.