Final Review: Nonfiction

Irish immigration to the U.S. began during the early development of the American colonies. It is estimated that 200,000 Irish came to the U.S. in the 17th and 18th centuries. The numbers swelled from 1820 to 1850 to almost 2 million Irish immigrants. Most of these were fleeing the potato famine from 1845 until 1852. Steady numbers continued to arrive during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Today, over 36 million Americans claim some level of Irish ancestry.
What is the main idea?

• The potato famine caused many Irish to immigrate to the U.S.
• The U.S. is a country of immigrants.
• The Irish are coming to the U.S. still today.
• The Irish came in large numbers to the U.S.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.2

One the most popular musical instruments is the piano. In the traditional musical instrument classification system of string, woodwind, percussion and brass, the piano falls into two categories. It is considered a string instrument because the sound comes from the strings inside the piano. It is also considered a percussion instrument, since the player strikes the keyboard, which signals an internal hammer to strike the strings.

What is the author main point?

• The piano is both a string and percussion instrument.

• The piano is a string instrument.

• The piano is a popular instrument.

• The strings of a piano makes the sound.

Soccer is known in some countries as football. It is a popular sport across the world, with over 200 countries playing the sport. It is estimated that over 250 million people, both men and women, play soccer. The sport has been part of the Olympic games from 1900 to 1928 and from 1936 to today.

What is the main idea?

• Soccer is important at the Olympics.

• Soccer is a worldwide sport.

• Soccer is also called football.

• Soccer is played by men and women.

Gasping for Air:

A study says that kids living in areas with air pollution are more likely to develop asthma than kids who live in other areas. Asthma is an illness that makes breathing difficult. Over 5 million children in the United States suffer from asthma. More than 3,500 kids, ages 9 to 16, who lived in California took part in the study. About half of those kids lived in areas that had lots of air pollution. The other half lived in areas that had clean air. All the children played outdoor sports. After studying the kids for five years, doctors found that about 260 of them developed asthma. Most of the kids who developed asthma lived in towns that had lots of air pollution. Doctors say that breathing too much polluted air caused the asthma cases. A California health official said the study shows the need to do more to prevent air pollution. Doctors say that children should still play outside but only on days when air pollution isn't bad.

The main idea of this passage is...

• people need to help stop air pollution.

• air pollution happens in both towns and cities.

• a study shows asthma can be caused by air pollution.

• children with asthma should not play outside.

Gasping for Air:

A study says that kids living in areas with air pollution are more likely to develop asthma than kids who live in other areas. Asthma is an illness that makes breathing difficult. Over 5 million children in the United States suffer from asthma. More than 3,500 kids, ages 9 to 16, who lived in California took part in the study. About half of those kids lived in areas that had lots of air pollution. The other half lived in areas that had clean air. All the children played outdoor sports. After studying the kids for five years, doctors found that about 260 of them developed asthma. Most of the kids who developed asthma lived in towns that had lots of air pollution. Doctors say that breathing too much polluted air caused the asthma cases. A California health official said the study shows the need to do more to prevent air pollution. Doctors say that children should still play outside but only on days when air pollution isn't bad.

Which detail best supports the main idea?

• Asthma is an illness that makes breathing difficult.

• Most of the kids who developed asthma during the study lived in towns that had lots of air pollution.

• Over 5 million children in the United States suffer from asthma.

• More than 3,500 kids, ages 9 to 16, who lived in California took part in the study.

A Hole in the Planet!

A hole in Earth has scientists baffled. On March 2 [2007], a team of 12 British scientists set sail aboard the RRS James Cook to find out why a large chunk of Earth's crust, or outer layer, is missing three miles below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. In its place is a large, exposed stretch of mantle—the deep inner layer of Earth. The crew departed from the Canary Islands, which are located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The hole is situated about 2,300 miles southwest of the Canaries. Scientists suspect the hole is 30 miles long and 30 miles wide. Using a robotic device called Toby, the team will film the site and take samples to study. "It is like a window into the interior of Earth," says scientist Bramley Murton from aboard the research ship.

A Peek Inside Earth:

Earth is made up of four layers, which get hotter and hotter from the surface to the center. Crust (5–250 miles thick) The crust is the surface of Earth. The thin layer is made of solid rock. Mantle (about 1,800 miles thick) The mantle is divided into two parts: the upper mantle and the lower mantle. Most of the mantle is solid rock, but the lower mantle rock is softer. Outer Core (about 1,400 miles thick) The hot outer core is made of liquid iron and nickel. Inner Core (about 750 miles thick) The inner core is the center of Earth. It is made up of scorching-hot iron and nickel, which stay solid due to intense pressure.

The author wrote this passage in order to...

• encourage the reader to take a boat trip.

• inform the reader about the study of science.

• encourage the reader to travel to the Canary Islands.

• inform the reader about a hole discovered in Earth’s crust.

A Hole in the Planet!

A hole in Earth has scientists baffled. On March 2 [2007], a team of 12 British scientists set sail aboard the RRS James Cook to find out why a large chunk of Earth's crust, or outer layer, is missing three miles below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. In its place is a large, exposed stretch of mantle—the deep inner layer of Earth. The crew departed from the Canary Islands, which are located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The hole is situated about 2,300 miles southwest of the Canaries. Scientists suspect the hole is 30 miles long and 30 miles wide. Using a robotic device called Toby, the team will film the site and take samples to study. "It is like a window into the interior of Earth," says scientist Bramley Murton from aboard the research ship.

A Peek Inside Earth:

Earth is made up of four layers, which get hotter and hotter from the surface to the center. Crust (5–250 miles thick) The crust is the surface of Earth. The thin layer is made of solid rock. Mantle (about 1,800 miles thick) The mantle is divided into two parts: the upper mantle and the lower mantle. Most of the mantle is solid rock, but the lower mantle rock is softer. Outer Core (about 1,400 miles thick) The hot outer core is made of liquid iron and nickel. Inner Core (about 750 miles thick) The inner core is the center of Earth. It is made up of scorching-hot iron and nickel, which stay solid due to intense pressure.

The author writes that the scientists are baffled. This means...

• scientists are hard at work.

• scientists have a lot of education.

• scientists are confused.

• scientists are making a prediction.

A Hole in the Planet!

A hole in Earth has scientists baffled. On March 2 [2007], a team of 12 British scientists set sail aboard the RRS James Cook to find out why a large chunk of Earth's crust, or outer layer, is missing three miles below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. In its place is a large, exposed stretch of mantle—the deep inner layer of Earth. The crew departed from the Canary Islands, which are located off the northwestern coast of Africa. The hole is situated about 2,300 miles southwest of the Canaries. Scientists suspect the hole is 30 miles long and 30 miles wide. Using a robotic device called Toby, the team will film the site and take samples to study. "It is like a window into the interior of Earth," says scientist Bramley Murton from aboard the research ship.

A Peek Inside Earth:

Earth is made up of four layers, which get hotter and hotter from the surface to the center. Crust (5–250 miles thick) The crust is the surface of Earth. The thin layer is made of solid rock. Mantle (about 1,800 miles thick) The mantle is divided into two parts: the upper mantle and the lower mantle. Most of the mantle is solid rock, but the lower mantle rock is softer. Outer Core (about 1,400 miles thick) The hot outer core is made of liquid iron and nickel. Inner Core (about 750 miles thick) The inner core is the center of Earth. It is made up of scorching-hot iron and nickel, which stay solid due to intense pressure.

The author writes that the hole in the crust is situated near the Canary Islands. Situated means

• expanding.

• located.

• shrinking.

• threatening.

Did you know that smiling is actually easier than frowning? It takes many more facial muscles to frown than to smile. In fact, smiling is also better for your health. When you smile, your sending a message to your brain that you're happy. So, make sure to smile! :) What is the author's purpose?

• To persuade the reader that frowning is easier than smiling.

• To describe how frowns create wrinkles.

• To encourage readers not to smile.

• To inform readers on the benefits of smiling.

Cobras typically live in hot, tropical areas but are also found in savannahs, grasslands, forests and farming areas in Africa and Southern Asia. They like to spend time underground, under rocks and in trees. You can also find cobras in the water. What is the author's purpose?

• To explain why cobras live in hot areas.

• To highlight the different places cobras can be found.

• To describe how cobras interact with other snakes.

• To warn readers to be aware and careful of cobras