Central Idea-Text Structure
Grammar
Thesaurus
Figurative Language
Text/Graphic Features
100

Read the sentence:


The weather was unpredictable, so we decided to bring our umbrellas just in case.

Think about the prefix un-. What is the meaning of unpredictable as it is used above?
A. certain
B. easy
C. not able to be predicted
D. clear

C. not able to be predicted

100

"There was a large fish in the pelican’s beak."

beak - noun.
Meaning 1: account, check, invoice, statement, tab
Meaning 2: beak, mouth, muzzle

Choose a synonym from the options below to replace the underlined word in the sentence.
A. Mouth
B. Invoice
C. Statement
D. Tab

A. Mouth.

200

Read the passage and answer the question.
Recycling is an important way to help the environment. When we recycle materials like paper, plastic, and glass, we reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Recycling also helps to save energy and decreases pollution. By making the effort to recycle, we can all contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations.

Question:  
What is the central idea of this passage?

A. Recycling is difficult and takes a lot of time.  
B. Recycling helps the environment by reducing waste and conserving resources.  
C. Many people do not recycle at all.  
D. Recycling only benefits certain materials.  

B. Recycling helps the environment by reducing waste and conserving resources.

200

Original Sentence: The cake was more sweet than the cookies! 

What change should be made in the sentence?  
A. Change more sweet to sweeter.  
B. Change more sweet to most sweet.  
C. Change more sweet to more sweeter.  
D. No change is needed.  

A. Change more sweet to sweeter

200

We are going on an adventure to explore the mountains.

adventure - noun.  
Meaning 1: journey, expedition  
Meaning 2: experience, outing  

Choose a synonym to replace the underlined word in each sentence.
A. Journey  
B. Experience  
C. Task  
D. Trip

A. Journey

200

The dry leaves crunched and crackled under Leo’s boots as he crept through the silent forest, trying his best not to wake the sleeping campsite.

Why does the author most likely use the words “crunched” and “crackled” in the sentence?

A. to describe the visual colors of the autumn leaves

B. to show that Leo is trying to walk as loudly as possible

C. to create a sensory detail that highlights how much noise Leo is making

D. to explain that the campsite is located in a very cold climate


C. to create a sensory detail that highlights how much noise Leo is making

200

The baker pulled the tray from the oven and carefully touched the golden crust—it was perfectly crisp.

What does the dash in this sentence tell readers?

A. that the baker is angry about the bread

B. that the reader should pause before the surprising result

C. that the sentence is a question

D. that the reader should skip the last three words

B. that the reader should pause before the surprising result

300

Read the sentence:  
The puppy was very excited to see its owner after being alone for a long time.

Now read the thesaurus entry for "excited":  
excited (ik-sahy-tid): adjective  

thrilled, enthusiastic, eager, animated

Choose the synonym that best matches the way "excited" is used in the sentence.
A. animated
B. happy  
C. thrilled  
D. enthusiastic 

C. thrilled

400

The Busy Honeybee

Honeybees are some of the hardest workers in the natural world. Their main job is to visit flowers and collect nectar, which they turn into honey back at the hive. While they move from plant to plant, they also spread pollen, which helps new fruits and vegetables grow. Without the tireless work of honeybees, many of the foods we love to eat would disappear.

What is the central idea of this paragraph?

A. Honeybees make honey in a hive.

B. Many people are afraid of getting stung by bees.

C. Honeybees do important work that helps plants grow.

D. Fruits and vegetables taste better with honey on them.

C. Honeybees do important work that helps plants grow.

400

Read the sentence:  
The teacher was very proud of her students for their hard work.

Now read the thesaurus entry for "proud":  
proud (praud): adjective  

pleased, satisfied, joyful, honored

Choose the synonym that best matches the way "proud" is used in the sentence.  
A. joyful  
B. pleased  
C. satisfied  
D. honored  

C. satisfied

400

The engine began to sputter and hiss as black smoke rose from under the hood, forcing Sarah to pull over to the side of the highway.

Why does the author most likely use the words “sputter” and “hiss” in the sentence?

A. to emphasize that the car is functioning properly

B. to help the reader hear the sounds of the car breaking down

C. to explain why Sarah was driving so fast on the highway

D. to describe the color of the smoke coming from the engine

B. to help the reader hear the sounds of the car breaking down

500

The Journey of a River

Rivers are essential to life on Earth. They provide water for drinking, irrigation for crops, and habitats for various plants and animals. The journey of a river begins in the mountains, where melting snow and rainwater collect to form small streams. These streams flow downhill, merging together to create larger rivers.

As rivers travel, they carve through landscapes, creating valleys and canyons. They can change their course over time, influenced by weather, erosion, and human activity. Along the way, rivers encounter obstacles such as rocks and fallen trees, causing them to create beautiful waterfalls or gentle rapids.

Rivers also play a crucial role in ecosystems. They support fish populations, provide drinking water for wildlife, and help maintain the balance of local environments. As they flow into oceans or lakes, rivers carry nutrients that support diverse marine life.

Understanding the journey of a river is important for conserving water resources and protecting natural habitats. By learning about rivers, we can appreciate their beauty and significance in our world.

What is the main idea of the passage?  
A. Rivers are only important for fish.  
B. Rivers always flow straight and never change course.
C. The journey of a river is essential for ecosystems and human life.  
D. Only mountains contribute to the formation of rivers. 

C. The journey of a river is essential for ecosystems and human life.  

500

Original Sentence: 

“What is they going to do at the park today?” I wondered. 


What is the correct way to write the following sentence?  
A. “What are they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.  
B. “What is they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.  
C. “What was they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.  
D. No change is needed.  

A. “What are they going to do at the park today?” I wondered.

500

Read the sentence:  
The students were amazed by the colorful decorations in the classroom.

Now read the thesaurus entry for "amazed":  
amazed (uh-meizd): adjective  

astonished, surprised, impressed, awed

Choose the synonym that best matches the way "amazed" is used in the sentence.
A. disappointed  
B. astonished  
C. surprised  
D. awed

D. awed.

500

The old grandfather clock stood in the hallway, marking every second of the quiet afternoon with a steady rhythm. Tick! Tick! Tick! Each sharp sound echoed through the empty house, making the long wait feel even longer as Marcus watched the front door.

Why does the author most likely repeat the word “Tick! Tick! Tick!”?

A. to explain how to fix a broken clock

B. to describe the constant sound the clock makes

C. to show that Marcus is talking to himself

D. to prove that the house is very crowded and noisy


B. to describe the constant sound the clock makes