Main Idea
Summarizing
Author's Purpose
Literary Elements/Figurative Language
Text Structure
100
Dear Cafeteria Manager,
I have a suggestion for the school cafeteria. I think the school cafeteria should have more choices. Every day we have two main choices. Usually we can choose between a meat dish and a non-meat dish. For example, we can choose a piece of baked chicken or a peanut butter sandwich. All the choices are very healthy, so all kids end up choosing something good for them. I think we should have a third or fourth choice. The extra choices should be more of the kinds of food kids like. How about more pizza? What about hot dogs with chili? What about fast food? Kids don't always like to eat healthy foods. If we don't like the healthy choices, we may go back to class hungry. Then, we can't concentrate on our lessons. This is a real problem!
Thanks for listening,
Jo
What is the main idea of the letter?
A. Kids should have more food choices.
B. The cafeteria makes bad sandwiches.
C. Students are going back to class hungry.
D. Kids do not like healthy foods all the time.
A. Kids should have more food choices.
100
Delia was so jealous! Her little brother, Ethan, had the chicken pox, and he was getting all of Grandma Thora's attention. When Delia was sick, she just got Mom telling her to rest and take a nap. Grandma Thora was giving Ethan ice cream and letting him watch all of Delia's favorite movies. She wanted to watch them!
Delia huffed and puffed. She could not go in his room because she had never had the chicken pox. She wanted the chicken pox if it meant she got to do fun things with Grandma Thora and miss school. She was going to get in Ethan's room, and fast!
Grandma Thora opened the door to Ethan's room and went downstairs to the kitchen. She was probably getting him more ice cream. Delia just knew he was getting the good sprinkles and chocolate sauce, too!
She slipped in Ethan's room quietly. He was napping. Delia walked up to the bed, took Ethan's arm, and rubbed it against hers. Then she snuck out before anyone would notice.
Two weeks later, Delia was in bed with the chicken pox. She cried and cried because she itched all over. The chicken pox was not fun at all!
Which of the following best summarizes the story?
A. Delia was mad that Grandma Thora ignored her and paid attention to her sick little brother. She decided to get sick too, so she rubbed Ethan's arm against hers.
B. Delia was jealous because she wanted Grandma Thora to take care of her and give her ice cream. Delia huffed and puffed because she wanted the chicken pox too.
C. Delia decided she was going to use her little brother to catch the chicken pox and get attention. When he was napping, she rubbed his arm against hers, and she got sick.
D. Delia was jealous of the attention her brother got when he was sick, so she tried to get sick too. Delia then got the chicken pox and realized they were no fun at all.
D. Delia was jealous of the attention her brother got when he was sick, so she tried to get sick too. Delia then got the chicken pox and realized they were no fun at all.
100
Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean;
And so between the two of them,
They licked the platter clean!
The purpose of a nursery rhyme like the one above is to
A. persuade the reader to like rhyming poems.
B. teach the reader about a married couple.
C. entertain the reader with a simple poem.
D. inform the reader on how to eat healthy.
C. entertain the reader with a simple poem.
100
Look at this sentence from the story.
" 'These roads twist and turn like a pile of snakes,' Mr. Davis muttered."
Why did the author most likely include this sentence in the story?
A. to help the reader imagine how the roads looked
B. to help the reader imagine how the snakes moved
C. to help the reader understand why Lyle is afraid of snakes
D. to help the reader find the best way to the bat cave
A. to help the reader imagine how the roads looked
100
Natural predators such as snakes, sea gulls, and raccoons are threats to sea turtles, but human beings pose the greatest threat to the sea turtles. People threaten the turtles if they disturb the nesting sites or harm the sea turtles at sea. This problem could be solved if people were more educated about sea turtles. Most people do not know what a turtle nesting site looks like or how the things that humans do can harm them. The first step in protecting the turtles is education!
How is the text above organized?
A. Problem/Solution
B. Cause/Effect
C. Chronological Order
D. Compare/Contrast
A. Problem/Solution
200
The ring you sometimes see around the sun or moon is called a halo. It is believed to be caused by the scattering of sunlight by tiny ice crystals very high in the sky. High clouds of ice crystals in the sky are called cirrus clouds or cirrostratus if they form a layer. These often form in front of warm fronts that bring rain. That means a halo around the sun or moon is often a warning that rain may come.
The passage is mainly about
A. a warning that rain may come.
B. how halos are formed.
C. warm fronts that bring rain.
D. the reasons the sun rises.
B. how halos are formed
200
Eric and Francine were at the library. They had a big report due in school, and they wanted to get as much research done as possible. Neither one of them was paying attention to the sky getting darker and darker. It was really late.
"Eric, I think I found a great article for your paper while I was looking for something else," Francine said. "I can print it out, if you want."
"Thanks, that would be great," Eric said. "I could use one more article."
All of a sudden, the lights started going out in the library. The whole first floor was dark. Eric and Francine looked over the railing on the third floor. Not one person was in the library.
"Do you think they forgot we came up here?" Francine asked. "We have been pretty quiet for a while."
"No, they always check to make sure everyone is gone," Eric said. "The librarian is probably just trying to tell us it's time to go. Let's grab our stuff and go downstairs."
Eric and Francine picked up their books and papers and walked slowly down the stairs. It was so dark, Francine was sure she would fall down. When they reached the front, the librarian was not at the desk. Eric called many times, but no one answered. Finally, Francine walked over to try the door.
"It's locked!" she said. "We are stuck in the library!"
Which of the following best summarizes the story?
A. Eric told Francine that someone always checks to make sure everyone left. Eric and Francine picked up their books and papers and went downstairs.
B. Eric and Francine were doing research late one night at the library. The lights started going out, and they realized that they were locked in the library.
C. Francine found an article for Eric to use while she was doing research. Then, Eric and Francine saw that there were no other people in the library.
D. Eric and Francine were studying on the third floor when the lights started going out. Eric and Francine called to the librarian but nobody answered.
B. Eric and Francine were doing research late one night at the library. The lights started going out, and they realized that they were locked in the library.
200
Students should buy their lunches from the school lunch line more often. Too many students buy their lunches from the restaurants like Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. The fact that the school has these restaurants in the school cafeteria is great, but students shouldn't eat fast food every day. The school lunch line offers many fruits, vegetables, and other healthful foods. The students should go through the lunch line for well-balanced meals.
Why did the author most likely write this paragraph?
A. to tell the reader what students eat for lunch
B. to show anger toward fast food restaurants
C. to entertain the reader with jokes about food
D. to persuade students to eat healthful food
D. to persuade students to eat healthful food
200
Which of the following is an example of hyperbole?
A. It will be large enough to touch the moon.
B. The foreman's voice croaks and roars like a bullfrog.
C. The land is like a fugitive on the run.
D. Their footprints in the wet concrete will be seen by everyone.
A. It will be large enough to touch the moon.
200
Many people like to travel to other places by air. Airplanes and helicopters are two ways people can travel by air. There are some differences between airplanes and helicopters.
The first big difference between these two air vehicles is their shapes and designs. An airplane’s body is longer and has a wing on each side of its body. This makes an airplane look like a large bird. A helicopter’s body is rounder and has a propeller that turns above the body.
Many travelers like to fly because it is faster. However, airplanes travel faster than helicopters and can hold more people. For this reason, airplanes tend to be a more popular way to travel. Many of the larger airplanes of large airline companies travel around 500 miles per hour. However, they slow down to about 150 miles per hour when they land. Helicopters are much slower. They can fly up to 350 miles per hour.
Another difference between airplanes and helicopters is the direction they go when they take off. Airplanes move forward. Because of this, they need more room to take off and land. Helicopters go straight up into the air and can move in any direction. They do not need as much room to take off or to land.
Airplanes and helicopters are important for air travel. Because of their differences, each one is used for different purposes.
What is the first contrast the author makes between airplanes and helicopters?
A. their importance in air travel
B. their shapes and designs
C. their different speeds
D. their directions of takeoff and flight
B. their shapes and designs
300
After "Revenge of the Sith," George Lucas will be done with Star Wars. Star Wars has been around for 30 years. There are six major films, TV specials, toys, books, and many other products. Lucas has no plans to continue the series after the sixth film is released.
Six movies make up Star Wars. They are split into 2 trilogies, which means three films as a set. The first Star Wars movie was released in the 1970s. It won much fanfare and praise.
Lucas has been reported saying many different things about the Star Wars movies. He said that it was supposed to be 9 parts long, and he wrote all the parts a long time ago. Other quotes from him say that the first trilogy was all that there was, but he wanted to do the second trilogy as a back story. The real truth is unknown. The only certain thing now is that "Revenge of the Sith" will be the last Star Wars movie.
Which of the following best tells what the article is about?
A. The Star Wars series is divided up into 6 movies which are split into 2 trilogies.
B. George Lucas is finished with the Star Wars series after "Revenge of the Sith."
C. George Lucas wrote all of the Star Wars movies including 3 parts that haven't been released.
D. The first Star Wars film was released in the 1970s, and many people loved it.
B. George Lucas is finished with the Star Wars series after "Revenge of the Sith."
300
The SuperBall, also known as the bouncy ball, was invented in 1965 by Norman Stingley. At the time, Stingley was a chemist living in California. He would take scraps of rubber and pack them together with up to 3500 lbs of pressure per square inch. This made the ball super bouncy. When dropped from shoulder height, it would bounce right back. And if an adult throws it down, it can bounce as high as a three-story house. The SuperBall went through many changes before it was released to the public. At first, the ball would fall apart if it hit a surface with too much force. The toy company Wham-O made it better, and two years later, it hit the shelves. It was an immediate success. To this day, SuperBalls are popular all over the world.
Which is the best summary of the article?
A. The SuperBall was invented by Norman Stingley in 1965. Its amazing bounce makes it a popular toy to this day.
B. The SuperBall was manufactured by Wham-O. It took them two years to get it ready to sell to the public.
C. The SuperBall was invented by Norman Stingley in 1965. It can bounce as high as a three story building.
D. The SuperBall is also known as the bouncy ball. Norman Stingley invented it by packing rubber together.
A. The SuperBall was invented by Norman Stingley in 1965. Its amazing bounce makes it a popular toy to this day.
300
Turning into a Teen
by A. Gautam
I can eat a mountain top—
swallow the ocean whole.
My stomach is an empty cave.
I must be growing up!
My shirts are shrinking fast.
The trousers show my calves.
I'm stretching like a tree.
I must be shooting up!
There's a sound box in my throat;
it makes me sound so coarse.
Zits are crawling on my skin.
Could growing up be worse?
What is the purpose of the passage?
A. to describe to the reader the problems of growing up
B. to persuade the reader that growing up can be hard
C. to inform the reader about the process of growing fast
D. to entertain the reader with a poem about growing up
D. to entertain the reader with a poem about growing up
300
Which sentence from the passage makes something seem human?
A. "All he had to do now was wait for it to finish baking."
B. "He decided to start on the punch while he waited."
C. "The only thing he had left to do was bake a cake."
D. "He opened the mouth of the oven and put the pan in."
D. "He opened the mouth of the oven and put the pan in."
300
Eggs are often called "superfoods." They are a rich source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that keep the body healthy. Many people like eating eggs for breakfast. Some like their eggs boiled, some like them scrambled, and some like to have them as fluffy omelets with toast. An omelet is a great choice for a healthy breakfast. It is filling, easy to make, and can be made using a variety of ingredients and seasonings.
The first step in making an omelet is to gather and prepare the ingredients. The ingredients needed to make an omelet are eggs, salt, pepper, butter, vegetables or meat, and seasoning of your choice. First, break two eggs into a bowl. Add salt, pepper, oregano, chili flakes, or other seasoning. Then beat the mixture until it becomes pale. The next step is to heat a pan on medium flame and melt a tablespoon of butter on it. Make sure the pan is not very hot and the butter does not burn. Now pour the egg batter on the pan and let it cook for a few minutes. Check the edges of the omelet using a spatula1 and then fold it over in half. Once it turns golden underneath, remove the pan from the heat and slide the omelet onto a plate. Finally, serve the omelet with toast and maybe some ketchup.
1a kitchen tool which is used for lifting and turning food on a hot surface
The text organization in this piece is an example of
A. chronological order.
B. similarity and difference.
C. question and answer.
D. cause and effect.
A. chronological order.
400
Flying Lemurs
The flying lemur is a fascinating creature found in the tropical rainforests of Asia. This mammal is neither a true lemur nor does it fly. Flying lemurs can glide so efficiently that it makes them appear to be flying. They use the thin, sheet-like skin that stretches from their front legs to their hind legs to glide.
The flying lemur uses its limbs to push against a tree trunk and hurl itself into the air. Then, it spreads its limbs, stretches the sheet-like skin, and glides down to another tree trunk. This movement resembles a person using a parachute to descend to the ground. Flying lemurs can glide a distance of around 100 meters, or approximately 328 feet.
Flying lemurs glide to escape and protect themselves from other animals. They also glide to search for food quickly by scanning their surroundings. Their diet includes soft parts of plants, such as young leaves, flowers, and fruit.
There are only two species of flying lemur: the Sunda flying lemur and the Philippine flying lemur.
What are the two main ideas of the passage?
A. Flying lemurs can glide because of a thin strip of skin, and they glide to flee from other animals and to search for food.
B. Flying lemurs glide so they can search for their food, and they look like people descending to the ground when they glide.
C. Flying lemurs jump from one tree to another, and they can glide over long distances.
D. Flying lemurs launch themselves into the air while gliding, and there are only two species of flying lemur.
A. Flying lemurs can glide because of a thin strip of skin, and they glide to flee from other animals and to search for food.
400
Cubism is an art form that took off in the early part of the 20th century. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were the first artists to use cubism. They admired African and Native American art, which were simple in their styles. Picasso and Braque tried to copy that style, which became cubism. They helped change the way artists viewed their subjects.
The subjects of cubism are broken up into square blocks. Then they are put back together to point out certain parts of the subject. This causes the subject to look very different from real life. Cubism allows artists to show a subject in a different light.
Which is the best summary of this passage?
A. In cubism, the subjects are broken up into square blocks. These square blocks then are put back together to highlight different parts.
B. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque used different styles to form cubism. This type of art allows artists to show subjects in a new way.
C. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque liked simple styles of art. Picasso and Braque changed the way artists created their works of art.
D. During the 20th century, cubism was a popular art form. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque wanted to copy African and Native American styles.
B. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque used different styles to form cubism. This type of art allows artists to show subjects in a new way.
400
Which best describes the purpose of the sign above?
A. to describe the way elections happen in the U.S.
B. to entertain the reader with a story about voting
C. to persuade the reader to vote for a certain person
D. to express a certain person's views about the U.S.
C. to persuade the reader to vote for a certain person
400
On Sunday afternoon, Ada had only one goal in her mind and that was to complete her homework as quickly as possible. Ada's cousins were staying with her that weekend, and since Friday night, Ada and her brother Sheldon had spent most of their time with them.
Sheldon and her cousins planned to go to the beach in the evening. Ada also wanted to join them, but Mom had told her that she could go only if she completed her homework because she had not done it over the past two days.
Ada decided she would finish her homework by 4 pm. She still had a complete hour before they left. Ada thought how refreshing it would be to visit the beach in this hot weather. She smiled to herself as she thought of the number of games she could play at the beach.
She jumped when she suddenly heard Sheldon calling for their cousins to get in the car. She looked at the time and was shocked to see that it was already half past four, and she still had not started her homework. She shook her head and went outside to say goodbye to her cousins. Ada finally started her homework after they left for the beach.
Which event is the rising action of the story?
A. Ada says goodbye to her brother and cousins.
B. Ada is shocked when she sees the time.
C. Ada tries to complete her homework in the afternoon.
D. Ada spends time with her cousins over the weekend.
C. Ada tries to complete her homework in the afternoon.
400
People have been clearing forests to make space for houses, farms, and factories for a long time now. When a large area of forest area is cleared to make non-forest land, it is called deforestation. Growth in population is one of the major reasons for deforestation. Stretches of trees are cut to make roads or to build factories. People also cut trees for wood and fuel.
Deforestation has many harmful effects on the environment. Forests are home to many animals and birds. Cutting down trees and clearing forests affects these animals. As a result, many animals and birds have become homeless and are finding it difficult to relocate, or find another area to live.
Trees clean the air and produce oxygen. They take in carbon dioxide, which cleans the air, and they release oxygen. Humans need oxygen for breathing. However, deforestation has reduced the number of trees in the ecosystem1. As a result, the air becomes impure. Such impure air is harmful.
Cutting trees has led to several problems. It is important to protect forests and plant more trees. City Planners of a forested southeast town in Texas planned a new kind of community around environmental principles. The community, which has many shopping areas, neighborhoods, and businesses, is carefully nestled amid a densely wooded area. The result is a beautiful woodland city that has preserved trees instead of clearing them out.
1a group of living and nonliving things that form an environment and affect each other
How is this piece organized?
A. chronological order
B. description
C. cause and effect
D. compare and contrast
C. cause and effect
500
Antarctica
(1) For centuries, little was known about Antarctica. It was thought of as a distant, dangerous, frozen wasteland. It was the last continent to be discovered. No one sighted it until the early 1800s. Before that time, many explorers had sailed south in an attempt to visit the ice-covered land. In those days, their trips were as famous as those of the first astronauts.
(2) Even before the land was discovered, stories were told about it. The ancient Greeks thought there was a land at the bottom of the world. Over the years, some of the world's greatest sailors tried to find it. In 1772, the famous Captain James Cook made the trip.
(3) Captain Cook was the first sailor to make it all the way to the ice cap. The ice surrounds Antarctica in the winter. Cook sailed all the way around the continent but was blocked from getting too close by the ice. Captain Cook went farther south than anyone had ever gone. His record stood for 50 years.
(4) In the 1820s, a different type of sailor was setting sail toward Antarctica. Seal hunters and whale hunters made the journey. A young American named Nathaniel Palmer was probably the first person to see Antarctica. He and other adventurers were sailing through uncharted ocean in search of seals. In doing so, they became explorers as well as hunters.
Paragraph 4 is mostly about
A. how sailors were different in the nineteenth century.
B. Nathaniel Palmer sailing to Antarctica in the 1820s.
C. hunters becoming the first explorers of Antarctica.
D. how seals and whales live in the ice cold waters.
C. hunters becoming the first explorers of Antarctica.
500
The Pony Express
Imagine a relay race. One of the early mail systems, the Pony Express, was like a relay race. It was set up to get mail to the people living in the far West, like California. It used to take over a month to get a letter in the West. When people got tired of waiting for mail, two businessmen set up the Pony Express. It was like a relay race on horseback from Missouri to California. It was not used for all mail delivery, but it was only used for mail that needed to be delivered fast.
This is how the Pony Express worked. A young rider grabbed a mailbag, jumped on a horse, and rode for ten miles at high speed. Then, the rider jumped on a fresh horse and kept going. The rider would change horses seven times before passing the mailbag to another rider. The next rider kept going for another seventy miles before passing on the mailbag.
Which is the best summary of this passage?
A. The Pony Express was a relay system that was set up to deliver urgent mail on horseback. A rider changed horses every ten miles for seventy miles before passing the mailbag to the next rider.
B. The Pony Express was started by two businessmen to create a quick way of sending mail to the West. A rider carried the mail on horseback for about seventy miles.
C. The Pony Express was a mail system set up by two businessmen. Using a relay system, mail was carried and delivered on horseback over long distances such as from California to Missouri.
D. The Pony Express was the earliest mail system used to deliver mail on horseback. A rider carried the mail for seventy miles and then changed horses to deliver the mail to its destination.
A. The Pony Express was a relay system that was set up to deliver urgent mail on horseback. A rider changed horses every ten miles for seventy miles before passing the mailbag to the next rider.
500
An activity schedule posted on the bulletin board in Julie's classroom is meant to
A. persuade her to work harder in class.
B. express an opinion about her work.
C. entertain her with a joke of the day.
D. inform her about the day's activities.
D. inform her about the day's activities.
500
The rain had stopped. Dorothy suddenly awoke when her dog Toto put his cold little nose into her face and whined miserably. Dorothy sat up and noticed that it was not dark, for the bright sunshine came in at the window, flooding the little room. She sprang from her bed, and with Toto at her heels, she ran and opened the door. The little girl gave a cry of excitement at the new wonderful sights she saw.
There were lovely patches of green all about, with grand trees bearing rich and delicious fruit. Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant feathers sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes.
Then, she noticed coming toward her a group of the strangest people she had ever seen. They were not as big as the grown folk she had always been used to, but neither were they very small. In fact, they seemed about as tall as Dorothy, who was a well-grown child for her age, although they were, so far as looks go, many years older.
Three were men and one a woman, and all were oddly dressed. They wore round hats that rose to a small point a foot above their heads, with little bells around the brims that tinkled sweetly as they moved.
How does the setting affect the plot in the passage?
A. The strangeness of the new place keeps Dorothy from moving around.
B. The beauty of the area draws Dorothy out to explore the new place.
C. The greenery makes Dorothy want to spend more time with her dog.
D. The unfamiliarity of the area makes Dorothy want to meet new people.
B. The beauty of the area draws Dorothy out to explore the new place.
500
Water is a natural resource without which there would be no life on Earth. Two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered by water. However, this water is salty and cannot be used for drinking. In comparison, very little fresh water is available for consumption. People need water for drinking, cooking, and washing. Water is also necessary for our body. Two-thirds of the human weight is actually the weight of water in our body. A decrease of even two percent of water can cause dehydration1, which can lead to tiredness. Therefore, for one's body to function smoothly, one needs to drink plenty of water. Water is also important for plant and animal life to grow and thrive. Water is also used to create electricity. Household machines such as air conditioners, computers, television sets, and washing machines would be of no use without electricity. Therefore, it is hard to imagine a life without water.
With an increase in population, the needs of people have also increased. As a result, there is a shortage of water all over the world. Rainfall is the source of all water. Insufficient rains have made the problem of water shortage worse.
To fix this problem, one needs to use water wisely and save every drop. For example, taps should be turned off completely when they are not being used. Also, people should take shorter baths and wash their clothes in a limited quantity of water. People need to ensure that they think about the environment and plan their water usage accordingly.
1. a condition in which the water content in the body decreases
How is the text in the piece organized?
A. question/answer
B. compare/contrast
C. chronological order
D. problem/solution
D. problem/solution