Story Elements
Main Idea
Vocabulary
Prefixes/Suffixes
Greek/Latin Roots
100
When/Where a story takes place is called the....
Setting
100
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, reaching over 29,000 feet. Every year, climbers travel from around the globe to attempt the dangerous journey to its peak.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Mount Everest is the tallest mountain and attracts climbers worldwide.
B. Only professional climbers can reach the top of Everest.
C. The mountain is too dangerous to climb.
D. Climbers rarely visit Mount Everest.
A. Mount Everest is the tallest mountain and attracts climbers worldwide.
100
hard
100
Which might need to be readjusted?
a. A backpack with straps that are too tight
b. A backpack that is fairly small and light
a. A backpack with straps that are too tight
100
Look at the roots below. Which one means carry?
a. port
b. bio
c. phon
a. port
200
The train screeched to a halt, and David pressed his forehead against the window. The platform was deserted, shadows stretching long in the fading light. He had come all this way to find his brother, yet the silence told him something was wrong. David clutched the letter tighter in his pocket, its smudged words reminding him why he couldn’t turn back now.
What can readers infer about David’s character from the passage?
A. He is careless and forgetful.
B. He is determined, even in uncertain situations.
C. He is joyful and excited about his journey.
D. He is angry about being forced to travel.
B. He is determined, even in uncertain situations.
200
The Great Wall of China was built over centuries to protect against invasions. Today, it is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and a symbol of China’s history.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A.The Great Wall is no longer important.
B. The Great Wall is too long to visit.
C. The Great Wall was built for protection and remains a symbol of China.
D. Tourists dislike visiting the Great Wall.
C. The Great Wall was built for protection and remains a symbol of China.
200
Maria tried to stay calm, but her little brother’s constant humming began to exasperate her. She tapped her fingers on the table, rolled her eyes, and finally shouted, “Will you please stop?!”
What does the word exasperate most likely mean?
A. To annoy or frustrate
B. To entertain or amuse
C. To confuse or puzzle
D. To encourage or help
A. To annoy or frustrate
200
If a star can only be seen during the predawn hours, when might you be able to see it?
a. 6:00 pm
b. 4:00 am
b. 4:00 am
200
What does the root aud mean?
a. look at or observe
b. far away
c. hear or listen
c. hear or listen
300
Emma stared at the acceptance letter in her hands. Attending the art academy was her dream, yet going meant leaving her best friend and family behind. Her excitement was clouded by guilt, and she wondered if following her passion was worth the cost.
What conflict is Emma facing in this passage?
A. She must decide between pursuing her dream or staying with loved ones.
B. She feels nervous about presenting her art to the academy.
C. She argues with her best friend about the importance of art.
D. She doesn’t believe she is talented enough to attend the academy.
A. She must decide between pursuing her dream or staying with loved ones.
300
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s devastated farms across the American Midwest. Years of drought, combined with poor farming practices, turned fertile land into dust. Families lost crops, animals, and their livelihoods, forcing many to migrate west in search of survival.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. The Dust Bowl caused many families to leave their homes.
B. Drought and poor farming practices led to widespread destruction in the Midwest.
C. Families lost crops and animals during the Dust Bowl.
D. Many people moved west during the 1930s.
B. Drought and poor farming practices led to widespread destruction in the Midwest.
300
The teacher gave the class a tedious task: copying the same paragraph ten times. After a few minutes, several students sighed loudly, clearly bored with the assignment.
What does the word tedious most likely mean?
A. Exciting and fun
B. Long and boring
C. Hard and confusing
D. Short and easy
B. Long and boring
300
Where might you find a subway train?
a. underground
b. on the street
a. underground
300
Look at the roots below. Which one means heat?
a. therm
b. bio
c. geo
a. therm
400
For weeks, Jordan struggled with his science project. His first experiment failed, and the second was a disaster. But instead of giving up, he asked his teacher for advice and spent late nights correcting his mistakes. On the day of the fair, Jordan stood proudly beside his working model, smiling as the judges stopped to ask him questions.
What is the resolution of this story?
A. Jordan’s project continues to fail, and he gives up.
B. Jordan asks his teacher for advice but decides not to finish.
C. Jordan finally completes a working model and presents it at the fair.
D. Jordan chooses a new project at the last minute.
C. Jordan finally completes a working model and presents it at the fair.
400
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two different sciences—physics and chemistry. Her research on radioactivity not only advanced science but also led to medical breakthroughs like X-rays. Despite these achievements, she faced discrimination as a woman in her field.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Marie Curie’s discoveries led to X-rays.
B. Marie Curie experienced discrimination as a scientist.
C. Marie Curie achieved groundbreaking success in science despite challenges.
D. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
C. Marie Curie achieved groundbreaking success in science despite challenges.
400
After months of drought, the villagers were elated when rain finally began to fall, laughing and dancing in the streets.
What does the word elated most likely mean?
A. Angry and upset
B. Very tired
C. Slightly worried
D. Extremely happy
D. Extremely happy
400
When do you have to be more watchful?
a. when you are crossing the street
b. when you are strolling through a garden
a. when you are crossing the street
400
What does the root flex mean?
a. own or self
b. break or burst
c. bend or curve
c. bend or curve
500
Ethan borrowed his brother’s bike without asking. At first, he sped down the street, enjoying the rush of wind in his face. But when the chain broke and the bike crashed, Ethan had to admit the truth and face his brother’s anger.
What is the theme of this passage?
A. Borrowing things can be fun.
B. Bikes are dangerous when not cared for properly.
C. Dishonesty can lead to negative consequences.
D. Brothers always forgive each other.
C. Dishonesty can lead to negative consequences.
500
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated African American art, music, and literature. Writers like Langston Hughes and musicians like Duke Ellington brought new voices and rhythms to American culture. This movement reshaped how the nation viewed African American identity and creativity.
Question:
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Langston Hughes and Duke Ellington were famous artists.
B. The Harlem Renaissance was important for African American music.
C. The Harlem Renaissance only focused on literature.
D. The Harlem Renaissance reshaped American culture through African American creativity.
D. The Harlem Renaissance reshaped American culture through African American creativity.
500
The professor’s lecture was so esoteric that only a handful of students seemed to grasp its meaning. While most of the class looked confused, the few who had studied advanced philosophy nodded along in understanding.
What does the word esoteric most likely mean?
A. Popular and easy to understand
B. Known and enjoyed by everyone
C. Intended for or understood by only a small group
D. Unimportant or unnecessary
C. Intended for or understood by only a small group
500
Whom might you describe as penniless?
a. Mrs. Luna
b. someone who is trying to expand her business
c. someone who has no way of paying off her debts
c. someone who has no way of paying off her debts
500
What does the root cred mean?
a. bad or evil
b. bend or cuve
c. trust or believe
d. say or declare
c. trust or believe
600
On the morning of her move to a new city, Lena slipped her old house key into a small box and tucked it deep into her backpack. She knew she would never use it again, but keeping it close made her feel as if a piece of her past was still with her.
In this passage, what does the key most likely symbolize?
A. Lena’s fear of moving to a new place
B. The memory of the home and life she is leaving behind
C. Her need to lock doors wherever she goes
D. The excitement of starting fresh in a new city
B. The memory of the home and life she is leaving behind
600
Coral reefs, often called the “rainforests of the sea,” provide shelter for thousands of species. However, they are under serious threat from rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and overfishing. If reefs continue to decline, marine ecosystems and human communities that depend on them will suffer greatly.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Coral reefs are under threat, and their loss would harm ecosystems and people.
B. Human communities rely on coral reefs.
C. Coral reefs are home to many species.
D. Rising ocean temperatures damage coral reefs.
A. Coral reefs are under threat, and their loss would harm ecosystems and people.
600
Read the passage. Then, select the antonym of the word in bold.
Applaud
600
Which is a more mindless activity?
a. doing homework
b. doing dishes
c. playing chess
b. doing dishes
600
What does the root chron mean?
a. bad or evil
b. time
c. ancient
d. to do something
b. time