Figurative Language
Read the sentence:
"The old tree's branches swayed like dancing arms in the wind." Why does the author use this simile?
A) to show that the tree was very old and weak
B) to help readers picture how the branches moved gracefully
C) to explain why people danced near the tree
D) to prove that trees can actually dance
B) to help readers picture how the branches moved gracefully
"First, Maya gathered her supplies. Next, she mixed the paint colors together. Then, she painted a beautiful sunset. Finally, she hung her painting on the wall."
What text structure does the author use in this passage?
sequence
"Recess is the best part of the school day. Students need time to play and exercise. Playing outside helps kids feel happy and healthy. Exercise makes their bodies strong."
What is the author's claim in this passage?
Recess is the best part of the school day
"Butterflies are amazing insects. They start as tiny eggs on leaves. Then they become caterpillars that eat plants. After that, they form a chrysalis. Finally, they break out as beautiful butterflies with colorful wings."
What is the central idea of this passage?
The life cycle of a butterfly has several stages
"The teacher was unhappy with the messy classroom."
What does the prefix "un-" mean in the word "unhappy"?
A) very
B) not
C) again
D) before
B) not
"Her laugh was music to my ears." What type of figurative language is this?
A) simile
B) metaphor
C) personification
D) alliteration
B) metaphor
Read the following passage. "The storm caused the power to go out. Because the power went out, the family decided to play board games. As a result, they had the best evening together."
What text structure does the author use?
cause and effect
"Dogs make wonderful pets. They are loyal and love their owners. Dogs protect their families from danger. They also play games and make people smile."
Which sentence provides evidence to support the author's claim that dogs make wonderful pets?
Dogs are loyal and love their owners
"Penguins are birds that live in very cold places. They have thick feathers that keep them warm. Penguins cannot fly, but they are excellent swimmers. They use their flippers to swim fast through the water and catch fish to eat."
Which detail supports the central idea that penguins are adapted to cold water?
They have thick feathers that keep them warm
Read the sentence.
"The scientist used a microscope to see tiny organisms."
Which part of the word "microscope" means "small"?
micro
"The stars winked at us from the night sky." Why does the author use personification in this sentence?
A) to show that stars are alive
B) to make the stars seem friendly and playful
C) to explain how stars actually work
D) to tell us what time of night it was
B) to make the stars seem friendly and playful
"Reading books is good for your brain. When you read, you learn new words. Reading helps you imagine new worlds. Books teach you about different people and places."
What evidence does the author use to support the claim that reading is good for your brain?
Reading helps you learn new words and imagine new worlds
Read the paragraph below:
"Our school needs a new playground. The old swings are broken and unsafe. The slide has rust spots, and the monkey bars are too high for younger students."
What is the author's claim?
Our school needs a new playground
"Exercise is important for your health. When you run and play, your heart gets stronger. Exercise helps you sleep better at night. Playing sports also makes you feel happy. Strong muscles help you do things more easily."
What is the central idea of this passage?
Exercise is good for your body and mind
Read the sentence.
"The farmer needed to replant the garden after the storm."
What does the prefix "re-" mean in the word "replant"?
A) to plant again
B) to not plant
C) to plant before
D) to plant with
A) to plant again
"The popcorn popped and crackled like fireworks." What is being compared in this simile?
A) popcorn and movies
B) popcorn and fireworks
C) crackling and popping
D) sounds and colors
B) popcorn and fireworks
Read the following passage. "The basketball team had a problem. They kept losing games because they didn't practice enough. The coach solved this problem by making practice longer. Soon, the team started winning games."
What text structure does the author use?
problem and solution
"Eating healthy food helps you grow strong. Fruits and vegetables have vitamins your body needs. Drinking milk makes your bones healthy. Getting enough sleep also helps you grow."
Which of these is the author's claim?
Eating healthy food helps you grow strong
"Bees are very helpful insects. They fly from flower to flower collecting pollen. As bees move between flowers, they help plants make seeds. Bees also make honey that people can eat. Without bees, many plants and flowers would not grow."
Which two details best support the central idea that bees are helpful?
They help plants make seeds and they make honey
"The teacher gave helpful advice to the students."
Which suffix in the word "helpful" changes the base word "help" to mean "full of"?
A) -ful
B) -less
C) -er
D) -ing
A) -ful
"The classroom was a zoo during lunch time." What does this metaphor suggest about the classroom?
A) that there were actually animals in the classroom
B) that the classroom was messy and chaotic
C) that students learned about animals
D) that the classroom smelled bad
B) that the classroom was messy and chaotic
Read the following passage. "The beach is a wonderful place. The sand is soft and warm. The water is blue and sparkling. Seagulls fly above looking for food."
What text structure does the author use?
description
"We should plant more trees in our town. Trees give us fresh air to breathe. They provide shade on hot days. Trees are homes for birds and other animals. They also make our town look beautiful."
How many pieces of evidence does the author provide to support the claim?
4
"Rain is very important for nature. Rain fills rivers and lakes with water that animals drink. Plants need rainwater to grow tall and strong. Farmers need rain to help their crops grow. Rain also helps keep the air clean."
How does the detail "Rain fills rivers and lakes with water that animals drink" support the central idea?
It shows one way that rain helps living things survive
"The ocean is a vast body of water with many creatures living in it."
Based on the Latin root "aqua" which means water, what does the word "aquatic" mean?
A) related to land
B) related to water
C) related to air
D) related to fire
B) related to water