Main Idea

Mount Everest Getting Smaller?

The world's tallest mountain is Mount Everest. It is also the hardest mountain to climb. Few people have climbed it. It has been measured many times. A new report says that the mountain is smaller than it was 5 years ago. Mountains are supposed to get taller over time. However, scientists are worried about Everest doing the opposite. Heat and the weather are changing the mountain's size. Streams of water from melting ice go down the mountain. The water wears down the mountain as it moves. Scientists do not know how much the mountain's size has changed in the last 5 years.

In March, scientists will climb the mountain. They will find out exactly how big it is. They will use radars and satellites to measure it. They will keep measuring the height over many years.

Which of these best states the main idea of the passage?

• Mount Everest is easy to climb.

• Mount Everest is the tallest mountain.

• Mount Everest was measured in 1999.

• Mount Everest is getting smaller.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

History of Video Games

Video game systems have gone through many changes over the years. In the 1970s, video games could only be played in public places. Players used coins to play arcade video games. Video game makers soon began selling systems for homes. Players hooked the systems to their TVs. The systems came with one or two controllers that attached to the system with cords. Games were sold separately. Popular games included PAC-MAN and Donkey Kong. Many of the games were the same games played on large arcade game machines.

Video game makers continue to come up with new and exciting ways to play at home. Today, most system controllers are used without cords. Some systems do not require controllers at all. These systems are able to "sense" the motion of the players. Also, players no longer have to go out and buy games. Players can download games on their system using the Internet. These games can be played right away. Companies will also ship rented and purchased games directly to homes. Players can be sure that video game systems will keep changing for many years to come.

Which sentence supports the idea that video game makers continue to come up with new and exciting ways to play games at home?

• In the 1970s, video games could only be played in public places.

• Video game makers soon began selling systems for homes.

• Many of the games were the same games played on large arcade game machines.

• Some systems do not require controllers at all.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Glow worms are not really worms. They are the larvae or the babies of the mosquito fly. Glow worms are found in New Zealand. They live in damp areas like caves. Glow worms live in groups called colonies. These insect larvae make a liquid that glows as it leaves their bodies. They also make webs to catch their food. Glow worms build their webs with silk threads. The threads stick to rocks or trees. Other threads hang straight down from the web. The glow worms squirt sticky drops onto the hanging threads. Small insects like gnats are drawn by the glow worms' light. The little insects get stuck on the threads. Then, the glow worms feel the movement of the trapped bugs. Next, the glow worms travel to the insects and eat them. Glow worms can be very bright. However, only the brightest glow worms can be seen in full moonlight.

What is this passage mainly about?

• how glow worms can be seen in moonlight

• how glow worms catch their food

• what glow worms eat

• where glow worms can be found

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Hibernation

Animals have many ways to deal with cold weather. Humans use heaters in the homes and wear jackets. Birds fly south to find warmer winter weather. Some animals dig in and wait for spring. To protect themselves, they go into a kind of sleep. That sleep is called hibernation. It keeps the animals from starving in the winter.

One animal that hibernates is the bear. During the winter, the bear goes into a cave to sleep. While it sleeps, the bear’s breathing and heartbeat slow down. This lets the bear save energy. The bear can go without food for the whole hibernation. The bear does not grow during hibernation. When spring comes, the bear wakes up and goes on with its normal life.

Which statement best supports the main idea of the passage?

• Birds fly south to find warmer winter weather.

• One example of an animal that hibernates is the bear.

• The bear can go without food for the whole hibernation.

• Humans use heaters in their homes and wear jackets.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Scientists recently found dinosaur tracks. They provide proof that big, meat-eating dinosaurs could run. These large animals usually moved slowly. However, the tracks showed that Tyrannosaurus rex could move quickly when necessary. The tracks also helped scientist Julie Day and her team find out how fast these dinosaurs ran. They spread their toes and put one foot in front of the other. They could run up to 19 miles per hour like this.

The tracks showed how these animals ran. Which sentence from the paragraph best supports this idea?

• "They could run up to 19 miles per hour like this."

• "They provide proof that big, meat-eating dinosaurs could run."

• "They spread their toes and put one foot in front of the other."

• "These large animals usually moved slowly."

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

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?

• The SuperBall was invented by Norman Stingley in 1965. It can bounce as high as a three story building.

• The SuperBall was manufactured by Wham-O. It took them two years to get it ready to sell to the public.

• The SuperBall is also known as the bouncy ball. Norman Stingley invented it by packing rubber together.

• The SuperBall was invented by Norman Stingley in 1965. Its amazing bounce makes it a popular toy to this day.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.9

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Peanuts go back as far as 950 B.C. They most likely first existed in South America when the Incas grew them. At some point, peanuts made their way to the U.S. Many believe explorers took peanuts to Africa from South America. The peanuts then may have been traded to Spain. Then, Spanish explorers brought them to the American colonies. It is known that peanuts were grown for profit as early as 1818 in North Carolina. Some people even tried to come up with clever ways to use peanuts. One of these ways involved making a paste using peanuts. This paste later became known as peanut butter.

Peanut butter's development began in the 1890's. A St. Louis doctor was looking for a way to help poor people who had bad teeth and were unable to chew meat. He wanted them to have an easier way to get protein into their diets. He used a meat grinder to grind peanuts into a paste. At about this same time, Dr. John Kellogg patented the peanut butter process with the help of his brother.

Today, the U.S. is the biggest supplier of peanut butter, which can be found in most U.S. homes. Most of the peanuts used in peanut butter come from Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Which of the following titles best paraphrases the passage above?

• Peanut Butter: A Popular U.S. Food

• From Peanuts to Peanut Butter

• Peanut Butter: Packed with Proteins

• Peanuts Bring a Smile to Faces

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Did you know the Sun is actually a star? It's the closest star to Earth. This is why it is so much brighter and bigger to our eyes than any other star. Without the Sun, nothing would be able to survive on Earth.

If someone were taking notes on this passage, which of the following would be correct about the Sun?

• The Sun's light helps plants and animals live.

• A lot of people know the Sun is actually a star.

• The Sun looks brighter and larger, but it really is not.

• The Sun is the furthest star from Earth.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.1

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.1

Franklin Plays Checkers

Franklin loved to play checkers. He loved it so much that he would get very upset when he lost a game. Whenever he played and his friends were winning, they noticed him huffing and pouting as if he didn't want to play at all. That made the game less fun for everyone.

It's no wonder that, after a few months, Franklin ran out of checkers partners. His friends would play hopscotch and cards with him, and they would ride bikes. When he pulled out the checkerboard though, his friends would politely excuse themselves.

One day, he decided to ask Fonda, his big sister, to play. She was busy at her desk in her bedroom.

"I don't have time to play right now, Franklin. I'm working on a book report," Fonda said.

Franklin started to get upset. He really wanted someone to play checkers with him. "Well, what am I supposed to do?" he replied unhappily.

Fonda thought for a moment. "Well, maybe there is something we can do, Franklin," she said. "Come with me."

Fonda put him in front of her computer, and on the screen was a giant checkerboard.

"Now you can play whenever as you want. You're playing against a computer!" Fonda explained.

Franklin was so happy. He found the perfect partner for a checkers fan like him!

Which of these best summarizes the first paragraph?

• Franklin loved checkers so much that he got very upset when he lost.

• Franklin loved to play checkers and had ever lost a game.

• Franklin's friends did not want to play checkers with him anymore.

• Franklin lost most checkers games, but he still thought it was fun to play.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.9

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Diego is writing a report for class about bicycle safety in his hometown of New York City. He needs to paraphrase the following article by making notes in his own words.

(1) There are certain rules people must follow when bicycling in New York City. (2) Riding on the sidewalks is not allowed unless the rider is under 13 years of age and the diameter of the wheels is less than 26 inches. (3) Otherwise, riders need to stay on the streets. (4) Also, riders must go in the same direction as the traffic. (5) It's very important to obey all traffic lights and signs. (6) If you don't come to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign, you may risk getting a ticket. (7) Throughout the city, there are special bike lanes or paths. (8) Riders should use these when they are available. (9) However, there are a few places bikes should not be in motion: expressways, highways, and interstate routes. (10) Helmets must be worn on children who are under the age of 14. (11) Helmets are strongly recommended for people 14 and older. (12) Bikes must have either reflective tires or reflectors so they are more easily seen at night. (13) Also, a white headlight and a red taillight must be used from sundown to sunrise. (14) All bikes must have a bell or horn on them. (15) Following these rules in New York City will increase the rider’s safety.

Which of these notes best paraphrases sentences 7, 8, and 9?

• There are a few places bikes should not go in New York City: expressways, highways, and interstate routes.

• Bicyclists should use bicycle lanes when they are available in New York City.

• Throughout New York City, bicyclists can find special bike lanes or paths.

• Bicyclists should stay in the bike lanes and paths and stay off expressways, highways, and interstate routes.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.9

CCSS.RI.5.9

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2