Authors purpose
Have you ever been driving down to Houston and noticed a huge white statue? It’s Big Sam--the statue of Sam Houston. The statue, which stands at 67 feet tall, is located in Huntsville, Texas. The monument is the second tallest statue in the United States. The Statue of Liberty is the tallest. However, the state of Sam Houston is the tallest statue in the world honoring an American. David Adickes is the artist who created the statue. His goal was to make the statue extraordinarily large so that people would be inspired to have big dreams. The statue was built on top of a 10-foot granite base and contained several layers of concrete over a steel frame. The entire statue was covered with white fiberglass. Today, Sam Houston stands watch over the state he fought hard to represent.
The author was most likely wrote this selection in order to--
A) persuade readers to visit the statue of Sam Houston.
B) entertain readers with a story about David Adickes.
C) provide information about the statue of Sam Houston.
D) describe the process that was used when designing the statue.
C) provide information about the statue of Sam Houston.
Joseph couldn't believe it. The morning of his 4th grade field trip to the Perot Center of Earth and Science, he didn’t feel well. At all. “This can't be,” he thought to himself. “Science is my favorite subject, and I'm not going to be able to go to the museum with Mr. Miller and my friends?” He pleaded with his parents to let him go to school anyway, but they were firm in their refusal. "The sooner you rest at home, the sooner you'll get better," his mother said. "Don't be so hard on yourself, champ," his father said. "We can always go another time." "I won't be with Mr. Miller and my science class if I go another time," Joseph protested. "It won't be the same."
The reader can conclude that Joseph most likely--
A) doesn’t like missing school because of being sick.
B) really wants to attend the fourth grade field trip with his classmates.
C) disagrees with his parents often about what he wants to do.
D) pretends to be sick so that he doesn't have to attend field trips he doesn’t enjoy.
B) really wants to attend the fourth grade field trip with his classmates.
Adam stared into the trunk of his father’s car, and his shoulders dropped. “I have to carry these?” He looked at the tent poles and tarps in the back of the car with dread. “I’ve never set up the tent before, Dad.” “It’s a rite of passage,” said his father, who was taking some fishing poles from the backseat. “You’re old enough to set that up now.” “I’m barely eleven,” grumbled Adam, as he struggled with the tent bag. It felt heavy and clumsy, and he dropped it after a few steps—fortunately, right where he was supposed to pitch it anyway. After dragging the tarp and the tent poles over, Adam set to work on building camp while his father cleaned up the car from their trip, occasionally glancing at his son’s progress. Adam wasn’t doing too well. The tent poles were tangled, the tarps weren’t spread straight, and after nearly an hour of fighting with the whole thing, Adam lost his cool.
What is the paragraph above mostly above?
A) Adam’s father wants him to learn a new skill.
B) Adam does not want to set up the tent, especially by himself.
C) Tents are difficult to set up when you are working by yourself.
D) Adam struggles to set up a tent by himself because he is too young.
B) Adam does not want to set up the tent, especially by himself.
In 2012, a group of scientists were exploring a rainforest in South America when, all of the sudden, they heard a familiar noise. It was the sound of frogs! When they shined their flashlights in the direction of the noise and found a tiny frog, the frog had large eyes and bright-green colored skin. However, it had one very interesting feature. The skin on its belly was so clear that the scientists could see its organs! Because it had transparent skin, the scientists knew it was a type of glass frog. They had never observed a frog like this in their previous research. “It was amazing,” said Charles Austin, one of the researchers who discovered the frog. “We had a feeling this was a species new to science.”
In the paragraph above, the word transparent means:
A) fragile
B) green
C) slippery
D) clear
D) clear
I grew up in the big city, which is always loud and busy. It was impossible to make friends there because everyone was rude. Sometimes that made me mad. Then, one day my mother told me and my sister that my grandmother was very sick, and she said we we’re moving out to the country to help her out. The country was way different than the city. You could see the stars at night, and there wasn’t another house for miles. The crickets sang a tune at night that was one of the most pleasant noises I’d heard in my entire life.
Whose perspective is this short story being told from?
A Third person narrator
B First person narrator
C Second person narrator
D An outside observer
B First person narrator
When Gustave Eiffel and his team were designing the Eiffel tower, they were convinced that their design would work, but not everyone agreed. Some critics thought that a tower that tall would not handle the wind very well. One famous mathematics professor claimed that high wind speeds would cause even a shorter tower to collapse. Other people had a different concern. After construction began, a group of three hundred artists, writers, and architects tried to have the project stopped. They thought the tower would look ridiculous and would harm the Paris Skyline the same way that a huge black smokestack would.
The author was most likely wrote this selection in order to--
A) show readers that there was disagreement about whether or not to build the Eiffel tower.
B) explain to readers why the Eiffel tower could not be built in the the city of Paris.
C) describe the process that Gustave Eiffel went through while designing the Eiffel tower.
D) persuade the reader to visit the Eiffel tower in Paris, France.
A) show readers that there was disagreement about whether or not to build the Eiffel tower.
Adriana fell onto the bed exhausted. Her first day in the new neighborhood had been stressful. There was the work of unpacking all her stuff. There were the stares from the neighbors. Now she just needed to get some sleep, but the next day was going to be even worse. It was the first day of school! She turned out the light, punched the pillow a handful of times --and looked up at the ceiling. And stared. “Oh, no--not again,” she thought to herself. When her clock showed midnight, she turned over on her back. The next time she looked, it was 1 a.m., then 2 a.m. “Perfect. I'll certainly make an impression on the kids in the lunchroom tomorrow, especially if I fall asleep face down in my soup! I'll bet they haven't seen that before.”
Adriana is most likely unable to sleep because--
A) She is exhausted from unpacking all of her belongings into the new house.
B) Her pillow is uncomfortable.
C) She is worried about being new to the neighborhood.
D) She has never been to school before and is nervous for her first day.
C) She is worried about being new to the neighborhood.
Lindsay Hoffman from Texas won't be playing dodgeball anytime soon. In 2001, Lindsay was playing dodgeball in gym class when she fell on the gym floor and broke her elbow. After Lindsay’s injury, her parents sued the school. They argued that dodgeball is too dangerous for young kids to play in school. Many schools have decided the game should be banned, or not allowed. Many schools across the United States have already banned dodgeball or versions of the game. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education agrees that dodgeball does not belong in schools. That organization is made up of 20,000 gym teachers, coaches, and trainers. Members of the association argue that dodgeball promotes violence and is unfair. They say that the game encourages bullying because stronger kids target weaker ones.
What is passage above mostly about?
A) Lindsay Hoffman no longer plays dodgeball because she was injured while playing.
B) The National Association for Sport and physical Education is made up of teachers, coaches and trainers.
C) Many schools are banning dodgeball because it is dangerous and promotes violence.
D) Dodgeball provides an opportunity for students to bully one another.
C) Many schools are banning dodgeball because it is dangerous and promotes violence.
Before crawling into bed with her favorite book, Angela went online using her computer and internet and learned that in addition to worms, blue jays eat berries and fruits such as grapes, cherries, and tomatoes. The next day, during breakfast, Angela mimicked a mama bird by chirping as she dropped worms and fruit into the chick’s mouth. Angela’s mom complimented her on how talented she was at making bird noises. When breakfast was finally over, the family voted and decided to name the bird.
In the paragraph above, the word mimicked means —
F) fed
G) imitated
H) touched
J) pretended
G) imitated
Which one is an example of a simile
A) I am so hungry i could eat a horse
B) I am as light as a feather
c) He is a cheetah
D) The tree danced in the wind
B) I am as light as a feather
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, American students are performing more poorly than other countries in math, reading and science. Many people believe that an extended school day can help close the gap. For many students going back to school this year, the school day will be nearly 45 minutes longer than it was the previous year. It’s part of a nation-wide trend to increase the amount of time students spend in the classroom. In 2012, nearly 100 elementary schools in Virginia extended their school day by one hour. As a result, many of these schools noticed an increase in students’ reading test scores. In some schools, the extended day allows students more time for special activities like art, music and P.E. Other schools have decided to use the extra time for lunch and recess!
The author’s purpose in writing the paragraph above is to--
A) explain what changes schools are able to make after lengthening their
B) describe how students feel about longer school days
C) inform readers that an extended school day may be beneficial for schools
D) explain the negative results of extending the school day
C) inform readers that an extended school day may be beneficial for schools
Brandon stared at his grandmother. "Grandma, I'm not Bryan. My name is Brandon." Brandon’s grandmother raised her eyebrows and said, "I know my own children. You're Bryan." "Okay, Grandma, I'm Bryan," he said. Brandon turned away. Boy, was Grandma acting weird, he thought. Lately she had been calling him Bryan--that was his dad's name, not his. It was as if she didn't know him at all. Tears welled up in his eyes. Yesterday he had told her several times that he wasn't Bryan. He had thought she was playing games with him. But she became angry and yelled at him after the fourth or fifth time that he insisted he was Bryan. He cried yesterday too.
Which detail from the passage above best shows why Brandon is upset?
A) Brandon turned away. Boy, was Grandma acting weird, he thought.
B) It was as if she didn’t know him at all.
C) He cried yesterday too.
D) He had thought she was playing games with him.
B) It was as if she didn’t know him at all.
Nine of ten teachers say recess is an important part of the school day, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Experts also state that the benefits of recess are more important than the lost class time. Recess gives students the opportunity to take a break, exercise, and socialize with their friends. At recess, many students learn how to work together with others. Many studies also show that recess helps improve test scores. The National PTA and Cartoon Network recently launched a program called Rescuing Recess. Children across the country are being asked to write letters to let their local and state school officials know that recess is important to them.
What is passage above mostly about?
A) Most teachers believe that recess is an important part of the school day.
B) Including time for recess throughout the school day has many benefits for students.
C) The National PTA recently created a program to help bring recess back to schools.
D) At recess, students learn to work together with one another.
B) Including time for recess throughout the school day has many benefits for students.
It did not stop. Cold white confetti came down on the city of Montreal morning, noon, and night, and already Susannah was wondering when the party would end. The other kids in her class loved the snow. They loved that sometimes, when the winds picked up and the roads turned icy, school was cancelled. They liked to build towering forts and snowmen, whose noses were the carrot sticks they found packed in their lunchboxes. Susannah despised the snow. More than that, she hated everything about wintertime. Her family had taken a trip to Florida two winters ago, and she wished that they could live there all year round.
In the paragraph above, the word despised means —
F) disgusted
G) disliked
H) enjoyed
J) played in
G) disliked
Alexa had always needed glasses, for as long as she could remember. She was nine years old, and that was probably about long she’d been wearing glasses. Looking back, Alexa couldn’t even remember when she got them. Who knows, maybe she was born wearing them. Alexa couldn’t see things from far away, but she also struggled with reading. Her vision was very poor. Sometimes, while she was doing her work in class, her glasses would slide down to the tip of her nose. Once, they even fell off her face and landed on the floor. “Alexa, what are you doing?” her teacher, Mrs. Niles, asked when she saw Alexa crawling on the floor with her hands stretched out.
Who is the narrator of this story?
A The reader
B Alexa
C Mrs. Niles
D An outside observer
D An outside observer
Alzheimer’s Disease is an illness that people receive as they age. It leads to individuals losing memories they once possessed. The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) says that with Alzheimer's, the forgetting is about things that are part of everyday life. You might not notice the symptoms of AD at first. The early symptoms usually develop slowly. Only later, when a person starts saying and doing things that seem very different from before, are the symptoms noticeable. A person can forget how to get dressed, or they might not remember how to get home from the grocery store that is visited once a week. Sadly, a person may not recognize loved ones at all. This is why Alzheimer's has also been called the “mind-robbing” disease.
Why did the author include the information in the paragraph above?
F) To explain how so many people get the disease
G) To educate the reader about Alzheimer’s Disease and it’s symptoms.
H) To tell the reader about the ADEAR organization and the work they are doing.
G) To educate the reader about Alzheimer’s Disease and it’s symptoms.
Mariah was too old to play hide-and-seek. But her mother had asked her to babysit her cousins while she was grocery shopping. They were just six. So Mariah did what she could to keep them entertained. But she didn’t hide how she felt about it. “Okay. I have to play with you two. Let’s get it over with,” she said. They rolled their eyes at her. They weren’t happy about the plan either. Every time they visited, the kids were sent to play with her. Today, the game was hide-and-seek. She was “it,” of course. She always picked the best part for herself first. They hid and she found them. The game was boring all of them. Then Mark and Abigail had an idea. “When she hides, let’s not find her. Let’s see how long it takes for her to see that we’re not playing.”
After reading the selection above, the reader can conclude that--
F) Mark and Abigail really like to play hide-and-seek.
G) Mariah is does not enjoy having to babysit her cousins.
H) Mariah and her cousins are about the same age.
J) Mariah’s mother asks Mariah to babysit her cousins often.
G) Mariah is does not enjoy having to babysit her cousins.
Many people, including parents and teachers, are in favor of requiring students to wear school uniforms. Uniforms make schools more suitable for learning, supporters say. They argue that dress codes often improve discipline and reduce bullying. "I think that students focus more on their academics,” principal Blaire Odom told ABC News. Her school, Florence Black Elementary in Mesquite, Texas, has had a uniform policy since 2007. "I like the style of our uniforms, especially the skirts and sweaters," says Florence Black fourth-grader Sarah Woods. Others say that the new uniforms cut costs and save families money for buying casual clothes.
What is the main idea from the selection above?
A) Wearing uniforms helps students focus on their school work.
B) Purchasing school uniforms allows families to save money for buying casual clothes.
C) Some students like the style of school uniforms.
D) Some supporters think there are several benefits to having students wear school uniforms.
D) Some supporters think there are several benefits to having students wear school uniforms.
My parents have been asleep for hours when I open the creaky attic door and climb the steps into the darkness. The flashlight beam sweeps ahead of me, illuminating trunks and piles of junk and who knows what else. I creep across the dusty floor, moving slowly and making sure not a single part of the attic escapes my flashlight’s glare. I ignore my sweaty palms, pounding heart, and the sickening sensation in my stomach that I am making a very bad mistake. This isn’t about facing my fears, I tell myself. It’s about getting some sleep. If I can’t sleep, I can’t study. If I can’t study, I’ll flunk out of school and have to join the circus. And the fact is I don’t like the circus one bit.
In the paragraph above, the word illuminating means —
F) finding the location
G) shining light on
H) searching for
J) gloomy
G) shining light on
What is the suffix of the word disrespectful
A) dis
B) respect
c) ful
D) pectful
c) ful
The armadillo is a strange animal. It looks strange, and it acts strange. And in a strange way, it has become very important in the battle against one of mankind’s strangest and most terrible diseases. The armadillo was given its name by the early Spanish explorers in Central America. Since it is native only to the Americas, the Spanish had never seen one before. They must have stared at the first one in great surprise. El armadillo they called it, meaning “the little armored one.” And it does look somewhat like a soldier’s helmet with feet. Or maybe an iron football. But that’s only the body. At one end, there is a long, round, pointed tail. At the other end is a head almost at long and as pointed as the tail.
The author was most likely wrote this selection in order to--
A) describe how armadillos look and how they received their name
B) explain how armadillos are being used to fight against deadly diseases.
C) entertain the reader with information Spanish explorers in Central America.
D) educate the reader on the armadillo’s habitat and diet.
A) describe how armadillos look and how they received their name
Samuel could see his cousin standing by the front gate waiting for him. He waved and Samuel sprinted across the street and squeezed through the door to give him a huge hug. “Man! You’re going to be as tall as me pretty soon!” his cousin said as he playfully rubbed Samuel’s head. “Come on, cousin. Everyone is waiting for us in the backyard. They’re not going to believe how big you’ve gotten!”
The conversation between Samuel and his cousin in the paragraph above shows that --
A) Samuel and his cousin don’t really get along with one another.
B) Samuel visits his cousin once every year.
C) Samuel had not seen his cousin in a long time.
D) Samuel’s cousin is much older than he is.
C) Samuel had not seen his cousin in a long time.
In 2007, a report highlighted a growing problem in the United States. People had been gaining weight—and they were getting larger at an alarming rate. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 100 million adults in the United States were obese, or severely overweight. It wasn’t just adults who had expanding waistlines. Over the previous 20 years, the percentage of overweight kids in the United States had doubled. When the report was released, about 25 million kids were overweight. That was one out of every three kids. Being overweight can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes, later in life. "Obesity...is now the most serious dietary problem affecting the health of American children.”
What is the main idea of the selection above?
A) People are gaining weight faster than ever before.
B) Millions of people in the United States are considered overweight.
C) Being overweight leads to several other serious health problems.
D) Obesity is beginning to affect children at a higher rate than usual.
D) Obesity is beginning to affect children at a higher rate than usual.
The Secret Service, the organization responsible for protecting the President of the United States, began its work three months after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Lincoln was president during the Civil War (1861-1865). At the time, many southern states wanted to leave the Union. The capital city of Washington was full of thieves and plotters. Many people disagreed with what Lincoln was trying to accomplish and wanted him dead. Some tried to kidnap him. Others took shots at him. A bullet knocked Lincoln’s hat off his head one day when he was riding a horse along a country road.
In the paragraph above, the word assassinated means —
F) shot at
G) kidnapped
H) elected
J) killed
J) killed
what is the correct order of when creating a a short constructive response
A) Text evidence, answer, restate
B) answer, restate, text evidence
C) restate, text evidence
D) restate, answer, text evidence
D) restate, answer, text evidence