The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland
1) What is the main purpose of this selection?
A to inform
B to entertain
C to advertise
D to give directions
2) Based on the selection, what are mother-of-pearl hair combs?
A expensive hair clips
B inexpensive hair combs
C priceless headbands
D cheap scarves
3) What is the most likely reason Bà worked many years, day and night?
A because she had a big house
B because she liked her job
C because she missed her husband
D because she had to start over in a new country
4) With which statement would the author most likely agree?
A People should move to a strange new land.
B People should take care of things that are special to them.
C People should always travel by boat.
D People should not lend things to others.
5) What evidence suggests that the granddaughter loves Bà?
A She helps Bà find the lotus seed.
B She plans to visit Vietnam one day.
C She will cherish the seeds just like her grandmother did.
D She will remember the skyscrapers.
6) Who would most likely be interested in reading this selection?
A someone interested in state flowers
B someone interested in wars
C someone interested in cultural ties
D someone interested in Tokyo, Japan
7) How does the narrator feel at the end of the selection?
A friendly
B lonely
C happy
D bored
8) What can best be inferred from this selection?
A Bà was generous.
B Bà had a bad temper.
C Bà was a serious woman.
D Bà went back to Vietnam.
Where We Come From
1) Which statement best describes the reader’s purpose?
A to enjoy
B to buy a magazine
C to solve problems
D to warn about the hazards of traveling
2) Compare Rogelio to Namita. How are they different?
A Rogelio came to the United States when he was a toddler.
B Namita came to the United States when she was 10.
C Namita most likely came to the United States when she was two.
D Rogelio came to the United States ten years ago.
3) According to the selection, what does Jose remember about El Salvador?
A In El Salvador cars can go over 90 m.p.h.
B Animals walk in the street.
C The ocean is colder than in the United States.
D The ocean is warmer than in the United States.
4) What is the song Where I Come From mostly about?
A Immigrants eat different food items.
B Immigrants wear different clothes.
C Immigrants are proud of who they are in spite of their different customs.
D Immigrants speak different languages.
5) If you doubled the recipe for Green Pulao how many cups of grated coconut would be needed?
A 1 cup
B 2 cups
C ¾ cup
D ½ cup
6) How does the author help the reader understand what grated coconut means?
A places it on the ingredient list
B describes how many cups are needed
C includes a picture of a grater and shredded coconut
D shows the benefits of grated cheese
7) What caused Jose to be sad?
A leaving his relatives behind
B having a better future
C going swimming
D going for a ride with his cousin
8) In the song Where I Come From, what is the best meaning of the word Farsi?
A a song
B a country
C a language
D a landform
A Quarter’s Worth of Fame by Jerry Stanley
1) On page 320, what is the best meaning of the word assignment?
A a specific task
B a school subject
C a contest
D a mint
2) What caused Xander to redraw the quarter?
A A year had gone by.
B The minuteman was smiling.
C His teacher did not like it.
D It was too late to turn it in.
3) What is the main idea of this interview?
A Xander talks about all his talents.
B Xander tells how he won the seed-spitting contest.
C Xander redraws the Mayflower.
D Xander tells how he drew the winning design for the Massachusetts State Quarter.
4) Which statement best explains how Xander found out he had won the contest?
A He found out in the website.
B His teacher told him.
C His mom told him.
D He found out during the summer.
5) What is the most likely reason that Xander carries a few new quarters in his pocket?
A He keeps in touch with his teacher.
B He is proud of his accomplishment.
C He is afraid the mint will run out of quarters.
D He plans to enter a new contest.
6) What can be best concluded from this selection?
A Xander and Mr. Stanley are good friends.
B Xander’s teacher also liked other drawings.
C Xander learned to believe in himself and not give up.
D Xander’s parents are proud of him.
7) Why did the author most likely write this selection?
A He likes to describe people who became important in history.
B He is a teacher, a writer, and a historian.
C He likes to write about famous children.
D He also won the contest when he was ten.
8) According to the selection, did Xander give up easily?
A Yes.
B No.
C It doesn’t say.
D None of the above.
The Tree That Would Not Die by Ellen Levine
1) According to page 342, what is the best meaning of the word nibbled?
A ate in small bits
B swallowed hurriedly
C gulped down
D drank in small quantities
2) Based on page 354, which best describes how the narrator feels?
A jealous
B lonely
C bored
D filled with fear
3) Which question is answered on pages 358 and 360?
A What is the setting of the selection?
B What is the main idea of this selection?
C What did people do to save the tree?
D What is the author’s purpose?
4) How do the children most likely feel about the tree on page 344?
A amused
B respectful
C delighted
D angered
5) Which reason would best explain how the Treaty Oak gets its name?
A An autograph was signed near it.
B A contract was signed near it.
C A recipe was signed near it.
D A card was signed near it.
6) Which quote best shows this selection is an example of historical fiction?
A “The Comanche, Tejas, Lipan Apache, and Tonkawa fought many wars among themselves.”
B “But I knew Calf was also saying hello.”
C “And I grew.”
D “There was a woman who had nine children.”
7) Which characteristic would the Spaniards most likely have in common?
A friendly
B quickness
C seriousness
D bravery
8) What evidence suggests that the tree played an important role in the negotiations between the First People and Austin?
A The tree was poisoned.
B The tree was scared.
C The tree separated east from west.
D The tree was saved.
My Rows and Piles of Coins
By Tololwa M. Mollel
1) Which event happens after Saruni gets the bicycle?
A Saruni loses his savings.
B Saruni rides his new bicycle.
C Saruni buys another bicycle.
D Saruni decides to buy a cart.
2) Which word best describes Saruni’s parents?
A impolite
B hard-working
C determined
D dishonest
3) Which statement best illustrates this selection as autobiographical fiction?
A Saruni got a new bicycle.
B Saruni counted his coins in the lamplight.
C Saruni did not want to push the wheelbarrow.
D Saruni always wore his father’s coat.
4) What is the main purpose of the selection?
A to entertain
B to explain
C to inform
D to persuade
5) Which experience most likely helped the author write this selection?
A writing stories
B having no electricity
C reading stories
D living in Tanzania
6) How would the author most likely describe Saruni?
A helpful and determined
B curious and brave
C musical and cheerful
D prideful and creative
7) Which setting best describes where the story takes place?
A in an urban town
B in a big city
C in a small city
D in a small village
8) How does Yeyo most likely feel about her son?
A sorry
B confused
C proud
D angered
Money by Adele Richardson
1) Based on the information in the selection, what does bartering mean?
A to trade a service for food
B to trade grain for chickens
C to trade a barn for livestock
D to trade by exchanging one thing for another
2) How is American money different from European money?
A In America, people use dollars and in Europe people use euros.
B In America, people use dollars and in Europe people use pesos.
C In America, people use dollars and in Europe people use yen.
D In America, people use dollars and in Europe people use blocks of salt.
3) If you wanted more information about exchange rates, which source would be most helpful?
A an airline ticket counter
B an encyclopedia
C a newspaper
D the post office
4) A bill can be made with which material?
A a secret formula ink
B paper
C zinc, copper, or nickel
D arrows and olive branches
5) Which conclusion about money is best supported by information in the selection?
A In Europe $1 of U.S. money is worth 1.14 euros.
B Everyone needs money.
C A babysitter is only paid in euros.
D Coins are lighter than bills.
6) What could be another title for this selection?
A Europe
B Secret Formulas
C Paper Money
D Currency
7) What is the most likely reason paper money was created?
A Coins were too heavy.
B Coins were too different.
C The rate of paper money changed often.
D Many European nations began to use the euro.
Call Me Ahnighito
By Pam Conrad
1) Where is the best place to look to find the meaning of an unknown word in this selection?
A a table of contents
B an index
C a dictionary
D an encyclopedia
2) According to the selection, which statement is true?
A Meteorites can be found in Greensboro.
B Meteorites are made of star stuff.
C Meteorites can change depending on the weather.
D Meteorites are cold.
3) Which resource would most likely give more information about meteorites?
A a brochure
B a magazine
C a dictionary
D a science book
4) Which of these events occurred first in the selection?
A Ahnighito is displayed at the museum.
B Ahnighito is placed on a cart.
C Ahnighito gets its name on the bridge.
D Ahnighito is placed on a barge.
5) What was the conflict in the selection?
A Ahnighito is too heavy.
B Ahnighito is too stubborn.
C Ahnighito is too lonely.
D Ahnighito is too friendly.
6) What type of organization did the author most likely use when writing this selection?
A problem and solution
B comparing and contrasting
C summarizing
D different sections
7) How does Ahnighito feel after he is named by the girl?
A dull and bored
B free and joyful
C disappointed and sad
D proud and happy
8) Which is the best meaning of the word mighty on page 442?
A small
B rough
C great or imposing in size
D chilly
The Life Story of a Rock
By Phyllis Edwards
1) How is the Hope Diamond different from most diamonds?
A It is used for jewelry.
B It is darker.
C It is bigger.
D It is not made of rock.
2) Which of these events happens first in the life of an igneous rock?
A a volcano erupts
B lava comes out of a vent
C lava cools into solid rock
D rocks melt
3) Which of the following is a fact from the selection?
A Rocks are amazing.
B Rocks can be used for many different things.
C Rocks can be found in other planets.
D All rocks have the same shapes.
4) Which statement is an opinion from this selection?
A “All in all, rocks are pretty wonderful.”
B “People use rocks in all kinds of construction.”
C “Rocks are also important for plant growth.”
D “Sedimentary means settled down.”
5) Which of the following is necessary for a rock to travel?
A heat
B highways
C erosion
D pressure
6) Which is the best meaning of the word institution on page 475?
A bank
B museum
C university
D gallery
7) Which would be the best reference source to help you find more information to add to this article?
A the Internet
B a picture dictionary
C a fiction book
D a recipe book
8) What is the significance of the words in bold type?
A They are explained in the glossary.
B They are not important.
C A definition is given.
D They are printed in italics.
Answer Key
The Lotus Seed
1-B
2-A
3-D
4-B
5-C
6-C
7-C
8-A
Where We Come From
1-A
2-C
3-D
4-C