RL.5.9 Practice

Passage 1

Uncle Derek and His Nephews

Jack and David were excited about Uncle Derek's visit. Uncle Derek was a gardening expert, and when he arrived, the boys told him about their plan to plant a vegetable garden in their backyard.

"That's a great idea!" said Uncle Derek.

The two brothers started working on their garden the next morning. Uncle Derek helped them choose seeds, and he showed them how to turn over the soil. Then, he taught them how to sow and water the seeds.

The next morning, David went to the garden, but he was disappointed to see nothing. Uncle Derek told him that it takes time for a seed to sprout. David waited for a couple of days, but he soon started to lose interest and began to neglect his garden. On the other hand, Jack watered his seeds regularly, and a week later, he finally saw tiny green sprouts in his part of the garden. He was delighted and called everyone to show them the sprouts. Uncle Derek noticed the sadness on David's face and told him that, if he had waited for a few more days and watered the seeds, he, too, would have succeeded in growing plants. David realized his mistake and promised to follow Uncle Derek's advice next time.

Passage 2

Abigail's Apple Pie

Abigail barged into the kitchen and told her mom that her friends were planning to organize a picnic and that she wanted to make an apple pie for the occasion. She asked her mom if she would help. Abigail's mom smiled and said she would be happy to help.

The next morning, Abigail's mom asked Abigail to mix the flour and other ingredients in a bowl. Abigail followed her instructions carefully, and when the mixture was ready, she added the sliced apples. Abigail's mom put the pie in the oven, and for the next thirty minutes, Abigail waited eagerly. When her mom took the pie out of the oven, they were both disappointed to see that it had not turned out well.

Abigail's mother felt sorry for her daughter and said that she would bake another pie. However, Abigail said that she wanted to bake the pie herself. Her mom was happy to see her daughter's willingness to learn and readily agreed. They started working on the pie again, and this time, it looked and smelled great.

At the picnic, Abigail was filled with pride when her friends told her how tasty the pie was.

What theme is present in both passages?

• Knowledge is the only factor that can lead to success.

• Being loving and kind can make others very happy.

• Patience and hard work always pay off.

• Being honest makes a person successful.

Answer explanation

In Passage 1, Jack plants a vegetable garden and waits patiently for the seeds to sprout. In Passage 2, Abigail fails to bake a good pie, but she tries again and succeeds. Therefore, the correct answer is "Patience and hard work always pay off."

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.9

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.9

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

Passage 1

One day, Jacob and Sara went outside to explore the field behind their house. A thicket of trees blocked them from the wide open space, so they started through the forest. On the way, they found a small pond. Next to the pond, an old well stood.

"Wow, that could be a hundred years old," said Sara.

"You're right. I think Dad said there used to be an old farm out here," Jacob replied. They started to poke around, hoping to discover some clue about the year it was installed. Jacob found the raised up letters of the manufacturer's name, but no year. Sara kicked at the dirt and hit something hard.

"What's this?" She picked up a small metal box.

"I don't know," said Jacob. "Should we try to open it?"

"Definitely. I can't stand the suspense," Sara cried.

And so, they ran back to the house and went into the garage to find a screwdriver. They pried open the little box and some yellow papers, coins, and old photos spilled out.

"I think it's a time capsule!" yelled Jacob.

"What's that?" asked Sara.

"You know, a box with stuff meant to be discovered in the future."

"Oh. Cool! So, anything interesting?"

They rifled through the contents, stopping to look at the pictures. A boy and girl appeared in clothing from about eighty years ago. Sure enough, the date on the coins was from the 1920s. The papers looked like pages from a diary.

"Boring!" said Jacob. "If you're going to sit here all day and read this junk, I'm going over to Paul's."

"Fine. I don't care. You know, it's not every day you find stuff like this," replied Sara.

"Whatever. I'll see you later." Jacob left.

Sara sat down on the stoop in the garage and continued reading. It was an interesting account of daily life written by someone about her age. Sara couldn't believe how much things had changed in less than a century. She got an idea. Her local museum would probably love to get its hands on this stuff. She showed it to her mom, who was amazed. Together, they called the museum, and a special exhibit was set up. Sara even got to take her classmates to see it during a field trip.

Passage 2

One day, Jacob and Sara went outside to explore the field behind their house. On the way, they found an old well and began to check it out. Sara kicked at the dirt and hit something hard.

"What's this?" She picked up a small metal box.

"I don't know," said Jacob. "Should we try to open it?"

"Definitely. I can't stand the suspense," Sara cried.

And so, they ran back to the house and went into the garage to find a screwdriver. They pried open the little box, and some yellow papers, coins, and old photos spilled out.

"I think it's a time capsule!" yelled Jacob.

"What's that?" asked Sara.

"You know, a box with stuff meant to be discovered in the future."

"Oh. Cool! So, anything interesting?"

They rifled through the contents, stopping to look at the pictures. A boy and girl appeared in clothing from about eighty years ago. Sure enough, the date on the coins was from the 1920s. The papers looked like pages from a diary.

Sara and Jacob sat down on the stoop in the garage and continued reading. It was an interesting account of daily life written by someone about Sara's age. Sara couldn't believe how much things had changed in less than a century. She got an idea. Their local museum would probably love to get its hands on this stuff. She showed it to her mom, who was amazed. Together, they called the museum, and a special exhibit was set up. Sara and Jacob even got to take their classmates to see it during a field trip. The museum was very grateful for the unique donation, and the kids knew their find would be well-preserved this way. Now it seems they both have dreams to become archaeologists. Most days after school, they poke around in the woods hoping to dig up another treasure. Jacob started researching the history of the area and learned that many Native American tribes lived there at one point. Sara was more interested in ancient history and hoped to someday visit Greece, Rome, and Egypt.

About a year after the time capsule find, the siblings decided to bury a time capsule of their own. They went to the store with their dad to pick out a sturdy waterproof box. They filled it with some newspapers, magazines, and photos. Jacob put in his favorite CD, and Sara contributed several written pages about their lives. It was all set! They buried it and tried to forget about it.

How is Jacob in passage 1 different from Jacob in passage 2?

• In passage 2, Jacob is mean to Sara.

• In passage 1, Jacob loses interest in the time capsule.

• In passage 1, Jacob found the small metal box.

• In passage 2, Jacob goes to Paul's house.

Answer explanation

To contrast two things is to show differences between the two things. Jacob in passage 1 loses interest in the time capsule and leaves Sara. He says it is "boring" and calls the items in the time capsule "junk." In passage 2, Jacob stays to look at the items with Sara. He later looks in the woods, hoping to find other historical items.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.9

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

Passage 1

Theseus and the Minotaur

Theseus was a young Greek hero who lived in Athens. The people of Athens were suffering because of the Minotaur. The Minotaur was a horrible monster who lived in a maze on the island of Crete. The minotaur would carry off young people from Athens. They would never be seen again. Theseus swore to help the people of Athens and defeat this horrible monster.

When Theseus arrived in Crete, the daughter of the king fell in love with him. She was afraid he would get lost in the Minotaur's maze. To help Theseus find his way out of the maze, the king's daughter gave him a ball of string. Theseus entered the maze with a ball of string, and he would let out a little bit as he went so that it left a trail behind him.

Theseus found the Minotaur and defeated him. The hero also found all the missing people from Athens. Together, they followed the string out of the maze and escaped back to Athens.

Passage 2

Hansel and Gretel

Once upon a time, a girl named Gretel and her brother Hansel became lost in the woods. They had a bit of bread with them, and Gretel left behind a trail of crumbs so they could remember where they had been. Unfortunately, birds came and ate the crumbs, so the children became lost.

After a while, Hansel and Gretel found a house made of candy and gingerbread. The two were hungry so they ran over to the house and began eating it. Quickly, they were caught by an old woman who owned the house. She locked them up and would not let them out.

The children were able to trick the woman and escape. Gretel locked her in the kitchen, and the children ran away into the woods. They happened to run into a woodcutter who led them to safety. They were never troubled by the witch again.

Which of the following is most likely a theme shared by these stories?

• A. Knowing the way to get home is important.

• B. Some puzzles are too difficult for people to solve.

• C. Wasting food can get you into a bad trouble.

• D. Children should not go into dangerous places.

Answer explanation

These two stories are about people who become lost in difficult situations. Characters in both these stories leave behind something to mark a trail. They do so in order to find the way home safely.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.9

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RI.6.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

Passage 1

My first day of high school was years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. I had just gotten a new haircut and outfit. I wanted to look nice, of course. I arrived a little early so that I could organize my locker and hang up some pictures in the door. I made it to homeroom before the bell rang and sat next to a couple of kids I knew from eighth grade. The teacher came in with a briefcase, and we quieted down. We listened to the principal over the loudspeaker. Soon it was time for my first class. I was nervous that it might be really hard, but I had math first and it was all review. I was so relieved.

Passage 2

I got up early and put on a new skirt and sweater. I'm not sure if I like my new haircut. It is so short! Brushing it forever wouldn't make it get any longer, though, so I put down the brush and jumped into the car. I arrived at my new school early and headed to my locker. I had the combination memorized already because they gave it to us during orientation. Of course, it wouldn't open. A sophomore had to help me…how embarrassing! I carefully hung up some pictures and then walked to homeroom. I didn't know what to bring, so I just grabbed a pen and a notebook. Now, here I am, sitting next to Joey and Aimee, two of my friends from last year. The teacher walks in, and we are staring at him. He looks so official with a briefcase and a tie! The principal comes on over the loudspeaker and welcomes us to the first day of class. Some kids don't look too excited. They are already practically asleep at their desks. Soon, homeroom is over, and I look at my schedule. Math! My heart is beginning to pound a little. Not my best subject. I sit quietly in the new room and smile as the teacher speaks. It is all review! High school is going to be a piece of cake.

Which of these is a detail found only in one of the stories?

• A. The principal speaks over the loudspeaker.

• B. The girl has a new haircut and outfit for the first day.

• C. The teacher enters the classroom carrying a briefcase

• D. The girl has trouble opening up her locker.

Answer explanation

Passage 2 tells the reader that the girl had trouble opening her locker on her first day of high school. She is embarrassed because a sophomore has to help her open it. Because passage 2 is told as it is happening (in the present verb tense), the girl is able to relate more detail about her day. In passage 1, she cannot remember as much. The range of observation is wider in passage 2.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.9

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.9

Passage 1

Jake walked home from school slowly. It had not been a good day. His science teacher embarrassed him in front of the class just because he couldn't remember the definition of "work." To make it worse, he got his math test back, and he completely failed it. Now he would have to stay after school two days a week for extra help.

A sudden sound made Jake stop in his tracks. What was that? Jake thought to himself. He spun around and saw a scrawny dog with matted fur following him. His big brown eyes seemed to be pleading with Jake. Jake stood still, looking at the dog. Then he decided. He fished in his backpack for his leftover lunch. Holding a scrap out to the dog, he whistled. The dog leapt and snatched the morsel neatly in his teeth.

Jake laughed. He tossed another piece of bread and this time, the dog caught it in mid-air. Jake continued throwing bits of his sandwich towards the dog, who continued to catch them perfectly each time. By the time Jake got home, the sandwich was gone, and the dog's tail was wagging with joy. Jake's mom agreed to let him keep the dog. Jake decided that his day hadn't been so bad after all.

Passage 2

All the children in the neighborhood knew Mr. Jackson. He was the grumpy old man who lived in the house covered with vines. No one ever spoke to him. Not even the friendly mailman could get a hello out of him. He was just plain grumpy.

That all changed the day Snowball came to the neighborhood. Snowball was the cutest little dog ever. Small and white like a cotton ball, he had been abandoned by his owners. Now a stray, he had decided to live on the friendly street. All the kids loved him, and the neighbors took turns feeding him. He was a neighborhood pet. The only person who did not like him was Mr. Jackson. He tried to have the pound out to collect Snowball, but the children convinced the city worker that Snowball belonged in the neighborhood. So there he stayed.

One winter night, the children heard Snowball barking for a long time. He rarely barked at night, preferring to cuddle up on someone's doorstep or in one of the many soft beds the neighborhood provided. But this night was different. Snowball was really barking! After an hour or so of constant barking, the neighbors decided that something must be really wrong. They thought that maybe Snowball was in trouble. They grabbed flashlights and followed the sound. Surprisingly, the barking led them to Mr. Jackson's house. As they drew closer, the neighbors heard another sound. It was Mr. Jackson. He was sprawled awkwardly on his front step, his leg clearly broken. He was calling out for help. Snowball had saved him.

From then on, whenever a stray dog was in the neighborhood, Mr. Jackson was the first to feed it. And he always had a smile and a wave for any child who passed by his house.

How are Jake and Mr. Jackson similar?

• A. Both of their neighbors like stray dogs.

• B. Both of them are grumpy at the end of the story.

• C. Both of their attitudes change for the better.

• D. Both of them like to feed stray dogs.

Answer explanation

Jake and Mr. Jackson start off in bad moods at the beginning of both stories. Through a meeting with a stray dog, they become more cheerful.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3