Main Idea
Context Clues
Text Structure
Connections
Mixed Bag
100

Dogs can be trained to do many jobs. Some help people who cannot see. Others help police officers find missing people. Dogs can even help farmers care for animals.

Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Dogs help police officers.
B. Dogs can be trained to do many different jobs.
C. Farmers use dogs.
D. Some people cannot see.

B. Dogs can be trained to do many different jobs.

100

Mia was famished after soccer practice. She had not eaten since lunch and quickly finished two sandwiches when she got home.

Question: What does the word famished mean?

A. Excited
B. Hungry
C. Tired
D. Angry

B. Hungry

100

First, wash your hands. Next, spread peanut butter on one slice of bread. Then add jelly and place the second slice on top.

Question: What is the text structure?

A. Cause and Effect
B. Compare and Contrast
C. Sequence
D. Problem and Solution


C. Sequence

100

Jamal studied hard for his science test. As a result, he earned a high score.

Question: How are the two sentences connected?

A. Compare and Contrast
B. Cause and Effect
C. Problem and Solution
D. Description

B. Cause and Effect

100

Marcus had always wanted to learn how to skateboard. At first, he struggled to stay balanced and often stepped off the board before it moved very far. Instead of giving up, Marcus practiced in his driveway every afternoon. His older cousin showed him how to push off correctly and make smooth turns. After several weeks of practice, Marcus could ride around the neighborhood and even perform a few simple tricks.

Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Marcus's cousin owns a skateboard.
B. Marcus practiced and improved his skateboarding skills.
C. Skateboarding is difficult for beginners.
D. Marcus learned how to do tricks.


B. Marcus practiced and improved his skateboarding skills.

200

Passage

When Emma first started playing the violin, she made many mistakes. She practiced every day after school. After several months, she could play difficult songs and even performed in a concert.

Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Emma performed in a concert.
B. Violins are difficult to play.
C. Practice helped Emma improve her violin skills.
D. Emma practiced after school.

C. Practice helped Emma improve her violin skills.

200

The baby rabbit was very timid. Whenever it heard a noise, it quickly hid behind its mother.

Question: What does the word timid mean?

A. Brave
B. Loud
C. Shy
D. Playful


C. Shy

200

A thunderstorm moved through the area overnight. As a result, several trees fell, and many people lost power.

Question: What is the text structure?

A. Description
B. Cause and Effect
C. Sequence
D. Compare and Contrast

B. Cause and Effect

200

The soccer team practiced every day after school. Because of their hard work, they won the championship game.

Question: How does the second sentence connect to the first?

A. It tells the effect of the team's practice.
B. It compares two teams.
C. It describes the players.
D. It tells a new topic.

A. It tells the effect of the team's practice.

200

The storm had finally ended, and the lake was completely serene. The water was smooth, the wind had stopped blowing, and not a single wave disturbed the surface.

Question: What does the word serene mean as it is used in the passage?

A. Dangerous
B. Calm and peaceful
C. Deep and dark
D. Cold and rainy


B. Calm and peaceful

300

Passage

Many animals prepare for winter in different ways. Squirrels collect nuts and store them. Bears eat extra food before hibernating. Some birds fly south where the weather is warmer.

Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Bears hibernate during winter.
B. Birds fly south.
C. Squirrels store nuts.
D. Animals have different ways of preparing for winter.

D. Animals have different ways of preparing for winter.

300

The students were astonished when their teacher announced there would be no homework for the entire week. They could hardly believe what they heard.

Question: What does the word astonished mean?

A. Surprised
B. Bored
C. Worried
D. Confused

A. Surprised

300

Both dolphins and sharks live in the ocean. However, dolphins are mammals, while sharks are fish.

Question: What is the text structure?

A. Compare and Contrast
B. Cause and Effect
C. Problem and Solution
D. Sequence


A. Compare and Contrast

300

Lila wanted to read before bed. However, she could not find her library book.

Question: How are the ideas in the two sentences connected?

A. They show a problem and solution.
B. They show a cause and effect.
C. They show a contrast between what Lila wanted and what happened.
D. They describe the same thing.


C. They show a contrast between what Lila wanted and what happened.

300

Many people enjoy both bicycles and scooters for transportation. Bicycles usually travel faster and can be used for longer distances. Scooters, however, are often lighter and easier to carry. Both are popular choices for people who want a fun way to get around.

Question: What is the text structure of the passage?

A. Sequence
B. Cause and Effect
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Problem and Solution


C. Compare and Contrast

400

Passage:

Lena wanted to grow vegetables in her backyard. She planted seeds, watered them regularly, and pulled weeds. By summer, she had tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers to share with her family.

Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Lena grew a successful vegetable garden.
B. Tomatoes grow in summer.
C. Lena watered her plants.
D. Weeds can be a problem.


A. Lena grew a successful vegetable garden.

400

The old cabin looked dilapidated. Broken boards hung from the walls, and several windows were cracked or missing.

Question: What does the word dilapidated mean?

A. Beautiful
B. New
C. Falling apart
D. Expensive

C. Falling apart

400

The school's garden was drying out because there had been very little rain. To solve the problem, students created a watering schedule and took turns caring for the plants.

Question: What is the text structure?

A. Description
B. Compare and Contrast
C. Sequence
D. Problem and Solution

D. Problem and Solution

400

Many bees help pollinate flowers. This process allows many plants to produce fruits and seeds.

Question: How does the second sentence build on the first?

A. It gives an example of pollination.
B. It explains why pollination is important.
C. It compares plants and bees.
D. It tells when pollination happens.

B. It explains why pollination is important.

400

Paragraph 1: The students noticed that very few butterflies visited the school garden. They wanted to find a way to attract more butterflies.

Paragraph 2: After researching, the students planted flowers that butterflies like to visit. They also placed small water dishes around the garden.

Paragraph 3: By the end of spring, butterflies could be seen throughout the garden each day.

Question: How does Paragraph 3 connect to Paragraph 2?

A. It explains why butterflies need water.
B. It shows the result of the students' actions.
C. It introduces a new problem.
D. It compares two gardens.

B. It shows the result of the students' actions.

500

People once thought the giant panda might disappear forever because its habitat was shrinking. Governments and conservation groups worked together to protect forests and create wildlife reserves. Today, panda populations have grown, although they still need protection.

Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Pandas live in forests.
B. Wildlife reserves are important.
C. People have worked to help pandas recover from being endangered.
D. Pandas still need protection.


C. People have worked to help pandas recover from being endangered.

500

Passage

The scientist was known for being meticulous. She checked every measurement twice, organized her notes carefully, and rarely made mistakes.

Question: What does the word meticulous mean?

A. Careless
B. Very careful and detailed
C. Fast-moving
D. Friendly

B. Very careful and detailed

500

The soccer team practiced every day after school. Because of their hard work, they won the championship game.

Question: How does the second sentence connect to the first?

A. It tells the effect of the team's practice.
B. It compares two teams.
C. It describes the players.
D. It tells a new topic.

B. Description

500

The city built a new playground in the neighborhood. Soon afterward, more families began visiting the park each week.

Question: What is the relationship between the two sentences?

A. The second sentence describes the playground.
B. The second sentence gives a cause of the first sentence.
C. The second sentence shows an effect of the first sentence.
D. The sentences compare two parks.

C. The second sentence shows an effect of the first sentence.

500

When Sofia accidentally spilled paint on her group's project, she felt terrible. For a moment, she thought about staying quiet and hoping no one noticed. Instead, she told her teammates what happened and offered to help remake the damaged section. Although it took extra time, the group finished the project together and thanked Sofia for being honest.

Question: What lesson does Sofia learn in the story?

A. Art projects are difficult.
B. Mistakes should always be hidden.
C. Honesty and taking responsibility can solve problems.
D. Team projects take too much time.

C. Honesty and taking responsibility can solve problems.