Comprehension

History of Halloween

100

At the beginning of the passage, what is Makayla getting ready to do?

What is...

A. Open Christmas presents

B. go trick-or-treating on Halloween

C. go on an Easter egg hunt

D. eat Thanksgiving dinner

200

Read the following sentences: “Makayla remembered her class earlier that day, when her teacher talked about the origins of Halloween. Mrs. Narula told Makayla and her classmates that the holiday started with an ancient festival called Samhain, 2,000 years ago in Ireland.”

As used in this sentence, what does the word “origin” most nearly mean?

What is...

A. the celebration

B. the length

C. the end

D. the start

300

Based on the passage, what conclusion can you make about how Halloween has changed?

What is...

A. Halloween has become a more serious holiday. 

B. Halloween is now more focused on preparing for winter. 

C. Halloween has become a more lighthearted holiday. 

D. Halloween is now more focused on bonfire rituals.

400

Throughout the story, Makayla remembers information Mrs. Narula taught in class. What does this information describe?

What is...

A. the history of Halloween 

B. the history of Ireland and Scotland 

C. the way different holidays are researched 

D. the importance of wearing costumes 

500

What is one reason why we might dress up in costumes on Halloween today?

What is...

because the ancient Samhain ritual where people dressed in animal furs to disguise themselves so that the dead spirits would not be able to recognize them.

History of Halloween

100

What is the passage mostly about?

What is...

A. the history of Halloween 

B. the ancient people who celebrated Samhain 

C. research at the American Folklife Center 

D. how the tradition of trick-or-treating began

200

 Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

_________ the celebration of Halloween has changed over time, it has also kept some traditions from ancient festivals

What is...

A. Meanwhile

B. Although

C. Therefore

D. For instance

300

Halloween traditions have changed over time. What evidence from the passage supports this conclusion?

A. Trick-or-treating began before Irish immigrants came to America. 

B. People dressed up as angels or saints during All Saints’ Day. 

C. Samhain celebrated the end of summer and beginning of winter. 

D. Playing pranks was not always a part of Halloween celebrations.

400

Halloween started as an ancient festival. What was it called?

What is...

A. Samhain

B. Samal

500

Explain how Halloween has both changed and kept traditions from the past.

What is...

Halloween has changed because it began as a festival called Samhain which celebrated the end of summer and beginning of winter. Now it's focused around trick-or-treating and dressing in costumes.

Halloween has kept it's traditions because during Samhain, people dressed up in animal furs to disguise themselves to that the dead spirits would not be able to recognize them. People still dress up today. 

The What and Who of Elections

100

What is the main idea?

What is...

1. The process of voting in the U.S. has changed over time in many ways. 
2. Citizens of the U.S. vote during elections to choose the people that will serve as their leaders. 
3. In order to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old and is registered to vote. 
4. The winners of an election are called public servants, and they help make and carry out laws

200

What does the author describe in the text?

1. how and why U.S. citizens vote for their leaders 
2. how and why people decide to become public servants 
3. how citizens in different states can register to vote 
4. how the process of voting has changed over time

300

Senators, representatives, and the president have very important and powerful jobs.

What evidence from the text best supports this conclusion?

1. Senators, representatives, and the president are all elected by the public. 
2. Senators and representatives are members of Congress. 
3. They can make or change laws that affect everyone in the U.S. 
4. Senators, representatives, and the president are all public servants

400

Based on the text, why might U.S. citizens decide to vote in an election?

What is...

1. to make decisions for the whole country about important issues 
2. to become public servants and work for the federal government 
3. to prove that they are at least 18 years old 
4. to have a say in who represents them in the government 

500

The president, senators, and representatives make decisions for the whole country by doing what?

What is...

they make decisions for the whole country by making or changing laws that effect everyone in the United States

The What and Who of Elections

100

What is voting?

What is...

1. the process that public servants use to help make and carry out laws while in office 
2. the process that the president uses to make decisions for the whole country 
3. the process that U.S. citizens use to choose leaders, decide on laws, or change laws 
4. the process that states use to teach U.S. citizens about laws 

200

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Jobs of the president, senators, and representatives are all important jobs ____ Americans vote for the people who will represent them.

What is...

1. before 
2. but 
3. even though 
4. so

300

Read this paragraph from the text.

“You may cast your vote in a booth at a polling place. You may also mail in your vote; this is called an absentee ballot. A group of people called election officials then count everyone’s votes. Everyone has one vote and can only cast one ballot. That is why votes are so important.”

Why might the author have used the words “you” and “your” in this paragraph about voting? 

1. to make readers feel like they can take part in the voting process 
2. to suggest that the author cannot take part in the voting process 
3. to force readers to make a choice between voting at polling place or mailing in their votes 
4. to make readers feel like the voting process does not have anything to do with them 

400

The President is elected to be a public servant and work for the federal government. What are two other groups of people that are elected to work for the federal government?

What is...

1. Senators

2. Representatives

3. Judge

4. Cabinet member

500

 Why might it be important for citizens to vote for the people that will serve as their leaders?

What is...

It is important for citizens to vote for their leaders because they will be affected by the decisions that are made by the country's leaders. Voting allows citizens to choose the people who will represent them best as they make important decisions for the county. 

Misc.

100

Which of the following are examples of a comprehension strategy?

What is...

1. reading a book as fast as you can

2. making predications before and as you read

3. only looking at the pictures

4. asking questions as you read

200

Why is it important to do your work during asynchronous time?

What is..

1. So you don't get behind

2. So you are able to learn

3. So you can get good grades

4. all of the above

300

Why is it important to keep stay at your computer the entire class period?

1. so you know what's going on in class

2. so you are able to keep up with the work

3. so you can ask questions if you don't understand something

4. all of the above

400

What does it mean to compare and contrast something?

What is...

To tell how two things, people, objects, etc. are the same and different.

500

Give an example of comparing and contrasting apples and oranges. 

Compare: apples and oranges both are fruits

Contrast: apples are red and oranges are orange