MSA PREP WEEK 1!

Phonics

Vocabulary

Characters

Plays

Potpourri

100

Which word has the same sound as the vowel sound in bear?

A) Beat B) Care C) Dear D) Rat

100

The student mumbled his answer. Which word means the same or almost the same as mumbled?

A) wrote B) shouted C) corrected D) muttered

100

John thought his sister had taken his magazines. He waited for his sister to go to dance class. Then, John snuck into her room to try to find his belongings. What word would you use to describe John?

A) sweet B) intelligent C) sly D) creative

100

Act I Scene I (The kids' bedroom. They are sitting on the floor with paper and crayons all around them.) Destiny: I think we should make a big cake for Mom's party. I like chocolate cake the best. Jamal: We can't do that, Destiny. We're not allowed to use the oven without Mom's help. Destiny: (looks sad) I forgot. Kayla: Maybe we could draw a cake on her birthday card. Jamal: Yeah! That's a great idea. (The kids start drawing on the paper.) Jamal: We'd better hurry up so we can surprise Mom when she comes home from work. Destiny: She will never expect us to give her a party. Mom: (offstage) Kids! I'm home early. Where are you? Jamal: Oh, no! (The kids begin cleaning up their papers and crayons.) Mom: (enters room) What are you kids doing? Jamal: We were going to give you a surprise party. Destiny: We made you a card with a birthday cake and candles on it. Mom: (hugs all three kids) I love it! This is my best birthday party ever. What do the kids do when they know Mom is home from work?

A. They take the cake out of the oven. B. They start to fight over the card. C. They clean up their papers and crayons. D. They run out into the street to meet her.

100

The band of people waiting in line in the grocery store looked angry. What does the word band mean in the sentence above?

A to stick together B a belt C musical group D crowd

200

In which word does -ed have the same meaning as in walked?

A) Bed B) Need C) Dropped D) Led

200

"We saw alligators in the marsh!" Jamie yelled. Which word means the same or almost the same as marsh?

A) swamp B) lake C) ocean D) desert

200

Amy wants to pull up her Reading grade. She does all of her homework. She knows this is not enough so she also goes to after school tutoring. Finally, she asks her mom to bring her to the library to get more books to read.

A) defiant B) annoying C) determined D) smart

200

A. She yells at the kids. B. She draws a picture. C. She bakes a cake. D. She hugs the kids.

200

Once upon a time, there was a handsome prince. He lived in a beautiful castle on top of a mountain. He had all the land's riches, but he was sad. The handsome prince was sad because he had no princess. He was lonely. He wanted a beautiful princess for a wife. One day, the prince was out riding his horse when he heard a tiny voice. It was a small snail crying, "Help, help, help!" What is the purpose of a fairy tale?

A to provide information B to explain C to persuade D to share a story

300

In which word does -ly have the same meaning as in happily?

A) Silly B) Sly C) Quickly D) Really

300

Choose the word or group of words that has the same or almost the same meaning as the underlined word. Sample means _____ We can sample a piece of cake to see what it tastes like.

A. Try B. Smash C. Cool D. Shake

300

Sensible, Quiet Clifford Jones by Bernice Wells Carlson Clifford Jones went to a Christmas party. He hoped that the chairman would choose him to be first to shake hands with Santa Claus. Clifford Jones sat in the chair where he was supposed to sit. He looked around. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones stood up. He stretched his neck. He raised his right hand high. Then he raised his left hand. He waved both hands around. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones made silly faces and silly motions. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones was tired. He sat down and folded his hands in his lap. He sat quietly. Just then, Santa Claus entered the room, saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Many children stood up and waved and wiggled. Clifford Jones sat with his hands in his lap. He looked at Santa Claus. Santa and the chairman motioned for the children to sit down and be quiet. Santa asked, “Who is that boy sitting there so quietly with his hands in his lap?” “That’s Clifford Jones,” said the chairman. “Clifford Jones,” repeated Santa. “He looks like a quiet, sensible boy. I’d like to shake hands with him and give him the first gift.” Then everyone paid attention to Clifford Jones—quiet, sensible Clifford Jones—when Santa shook his hand and gave him the first gift. Why did Clifford sit down after waving his hands and making silly faces?

A) A comfortable chair became available. B) He was tired from all his movement. C) Santa Claus made him sit in the chair. D) The chairman told him to sit down.

300

Act I Scene I (Two kids are at the zoo talking to the zookeeper. The monkeys are yelling loudly from their cages.) Fatima: Wow, Mr. Brown! Thanks for letting us help run the zoo. Joel: We can't wait to play with all the animals. Mr. Brown: Be extra careful with the monkeys. They can be trouble! (Mr. Brown hands the kids a big key on a chain.) Joel: (amazed) Is this the key to the whole zoo? Mr. Brown: It sure is. I'll be back in one hour. Have fun! (exits) Fatima: What should we do first, Joel? Joel: I'm going to play with the monkeys. (opens the monkey cages) (The monkeys run out of the cages and start to make a mess.) Fatima: (looks afraid) O-o-h-h! That big monkey is trying to take our key. Joel: Look out! That monkey just took my shoe. Fatima: I think this was a big mistake! Joel: I hope Mr. Brown comes back soon! Look at this line from the play.Why does Fatima say "o-o-h-h" in this different way? Fatima: (looks afraid) O-o-h-h! That big monkey is trying to take our key.

A) She is curious about the key. B) She is afraid of the monkeys. C) She is angry at Joel. D) She is lonely by herself.

300

he Joke Is on You It was April Fools’ Day. I was ready to play jokes on my older brother and sister. “What do you want for your afternoon snack?” Mom asked. “Strawberries and sugar!” I answered. Mom put a plate of strawberries, a jar of sugar, and three bowls on the table. “Luke and Cindy should be coming home soon, Peter. Remember to share!” “I will,” I answered with a smile. When Mom left the room, I grabbed a jar of salt. In two of the bowls, I poured some salt, and in the other one, I poured some sugar. I quickly put up the jar of salt and grabbed three sodas from the refrigerator. After shaking two of the cans, I put them on the table. Then, I sat and waited. Two minutes later, Luke and Cindy walked through the door. “Oooo! Strawberries and sugar!” They dropped their backpacks by the door and joined me at the table. I watched as they dipped the strawberries in their bowls and ate them. “Mmmm! These are delicious!” Luke said. “They sure are,” Cindy said. I didn’t understand. How can they like strawberries with salt? I wondered. I dipped a strawberry in my bowl and ate it. “Argh!” I gasped. My bowl had salt in it! I grabbed some soda to wash the awful taste down, but when I opened the can, it burst! Soda spilled all over me! “The joke is on you, Peter!” Cindy and Luke laughed. What happens to Peter when he plays his jokes?

A The jokes get Peter grounded for a week. B The jokes cause his mother to laugh hard. C The jokes do not work like they should. D The jokes make his sister and brother mad.

400

Which word has the same beginning sound as in germ?

A) Great B) Games C) Gifted D) Judge

400

Read the sentence in the box. In which sentence does mind have the same meaning as in the sentence in the box? My mother says reading is food for the mind.

A. Do you mind if I have an apple? B. It was my job to mind my baby sister. C. She speaks her mind at every meeting. D. The scientist had a great mind.

400

Sensible, Quiet Clifford Jones by Bernice Wells Carlson Clifford Jones went to a Christmas party. He hoped that the chairman would choose him to be first to shake hands with Santa Claus. Clifford Jones sat in the chair where he was supposed to sit. He looked around. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones stood up. He stretched his neck. He raised his right hand high. Then he raised his left hand. He waved both hands around. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones made silly faces and silly motions. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones was tired. He sat down and folded his hands in his lap. He sat quietly. Just then, Santa Claus entered the room, saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Many children stood up and waved and wiggled. Clifford Jones sat with his hands in his lap. He looked at Santa Claus. Santa and the chairman motioned for the children to sit down and be quiet. Santa asked, “Who is that boy sitting there so quietly with his hands in his lap?” “That’s Clifford Jones,” said the chairman. “Clifford Jones,” repeated Santa. “He looks like a quiet, sensible boy. I’d like to shake hands with him and give him the first gift.” Then everyone paid attention to Clifford Jones—quiet, sensible Clifford Jones—when Santa shook his hand and gave him the first gift. What lesson did Clifford learn from his experience at the party?

A) The chairman is very unfair. B) Sometimes being quiet will get you noticed. C) Santa gives presents to everybody. D) Waving your arms is the best way to get noticed.

400

Act I Scene I (The kids' bedroom. They are sitting on the floor with paper and crayons all around them.) Destiny: I think we should make a big cake for Mom's party. I like chocolate cake the best. Jamal: We can't do that, Destiny. We're not allowed to use the oven without Mom's help. Destiny: (looks sad) I forgot. Kayla: Maybe we could draw a cake on her birthday card. Jamal: Yeah! That's a great idea. (The kids start drawing on the paper.) Jamal: We'd better hurry up so we can surprise Mom when she comes home from work. Destiny: She will never expect us to give her a party. Mom: (offstage) Kids! I'm home early. Where are you? Jamal: Oh, no! (The kids begin cleaning up their papers and crayons.) Mom: (enters room) What are you kids doing? Jamal: We were going to give you a surprise party. Destiny: We made you a card with a birthday cake and candles on it. Mom: (hugs all three kids) I love it! This is my best birthday party ever. How does Destiny feel about not being able to bake a cake?

A. She feels angry. B. She feels happy. C. She feels hungry. D. She feels sad.

400

Lori had to ship a package to her grandmother. It was a birthday gift for her grandmother. What does the word ship mean in the sentence above?

A to travel B to send C a boat D to leave

500

Which word has the same vowel sound as moon?

A) tube B) book C) moan D) robe

500

Read the sentence in the box. In which sentence does part have the same meaning as in the sentence in the box? I did not like that part of the story.

A. I like to part my hair on the side. B. She had the best part in the play. C. We have to part at noon. D. Which part of the book do you like?

500

Sensible, Quiet Clifford Jones by Bernice Wells Carlson Clifford Jones went to a Christmas party. He hoped that the chairman would choose him to be first to shake hands with Santa Claus. Clifford Jones sat in the chair where he was supposed to sit. He looked around. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones stood up. He stretched his neck. He raised his right hand high. Then he raised his left hand. He waved both hands around. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones made silly faces and silly motions. No one paid attention to Clifford Jones. Clifford Jones was tired. He sat down and folded his hands in his lap. He sat quietly. Just then, Santa Claus entered the room, saying “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Many children stood up and waved and wiggled. Clifford Jones sat with his hands in his lap. He looked at Santa Claus. Santa and the chairman motioned for the children to sit down and be quiet. Santa asked, “Who is that boy sitting there so quietly with his hands in his lap?” “That’s Clifford Jones,” said the chairman. “Clifford Jones,” repeated Santa. “He looks like a quiet, sensible boy. I’d like to shake hands with him and give him the first gift.” Then everyone paid attention to Clifford Jones—quiet, sensible Clifford Jones—when Santa shook his hand and gave him the first gift. Which word best describes how Clifford felt when Santa picked him to receive the first gift?

A) mad B) scared C) surprised D) sad

500

Act I Scene I (Lights up. Two dogs are sitting in an alley next to a trash can. There is trash spilled all over the ground.) Mooch: Well, it looks like those messy raccoons have been at it again. Bitsy: I can't believe they spilled all this trash in just one night. Mooch: I think we are going to have to do something about this problem. If we don't, our owners will start to think we are the ones making a mess. Bitsy: What do you think we should do? (Both dogs think silently for a minute.) Mooch: I know! We will set a trap for the raccoons. Tomorrow night, we will hide behind that tree over there and wait for the raccoons to come out. When we see them walking down the alley, then we will jump out and scare them! Bitsy: (Excited) This is a great plan, Mooch! Those raccoons will never dig in our trash again after tomorrow night. Why does the playwright put the words "Lights up" in parentheses ( )?

A. to show that the lights on stage are supposed to go on B. to show how many characters are in the play C. to show that there is an emergency with the lights on stage D. to show how dark and scary the alley is at night

500

The Joke Is on You It was April Fools’ Day. I was ready to play jokes on my older brother and sister. “What do you want for your afternoon snack?” Mom asked. “Strawberries and sugar!” I answered. Mom put a plate of strawberries, a jar of sugar, and three bowls on the table. “Luke and Cindy should be coming home soon, Peter. Remember to share!” “I will,” I answered with a smile. When Mom left the room, I grabbed a jar of salt. In two of the bowls, I poured some salt, and in the other one, I poured some sugar. I quickly put up the jar of salt and grabbed three sodas from the refrigerator. After shaking two of the cans, I put them on the table. Then, I sat and waited. Two minutes later, Luke and Cindy walked through the door. “Oooo! Strawberries and sugar!” They dropped their backpacks by the door and joined me at the table. I watched as they dipped the strawberries in their bowls and ate them. “Mmmm! These are delicious!” Luke said. “They sure are,” Cindy said. I didn’t understand. How can they like strawberries with salt? I wondered. I dipped a strawberry in my bowl and ate it. “Argh!” I gasped. My bowl had salt in it! I grabbed some soda to wash the awful taste down, but when I opened the can, it burst! Soda spilled all over me! “The joke is on you, Peter!” Cindy and Luke laughed. What is Peter planning in this story?

A He wants to make his brother and sister angry. B He wants to make a huge mess in the kitchen. C He wants to play jokes on his brother and sister. D He wants to make a snack for his brother and sister.