Question Bank for Grade 3-5 Reading

Lightning is the flash of light that occurs when electricity moves between clouds or between a cloud and the ground.

A lightning bolt that flashes in the sky can reach a temperature of 60,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That is about five times hotter than the sun! The heat from lightning causes the surrounding air to expand, resulting in the loud sound known as thunder.

What evidence can you find that explains how thunder is created??

• Thunder is created from the rain.

• Heat from the lightning creates thunder.

• Running a comb through your hair creates thunder.

Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower.

Based on the text, how do you know Paul works in construction?

• He has tools

• He goes straight up the stairs to shower

• His boots are muddy and his overalls are dusty

• He wears a hat

Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sob. His mother comforted him, "There, there, Max. We'll just find something else to do." She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a snack. Max snapped, "I don't want a snack!" A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.

Can you explain why Max is upset in this passage?

• It is raining and he cannot go on a picnic.

• He is hungry.

• He is scared of thunderstorms.

• He is bored and has nothing to do.

Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sob. His mother comforted him, "There, there, Max. We'll just find something else to do." She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a snack. Max snapped, "I don't want a snack!" A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.

What line in the text tells you that Max is upset it is raining?

• He says, "I don't want a snack!"

• Dropping his kite from his hand, Max broke out into a full sob.

• Thunder struck and rain poured.

• Mom sighed.

“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “I’m so mad Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone.

What details can you find in the text that shows that the window was broken?

• There was glass all over the floor.

• A neighbor threw a ball through it.

• Tommy threw a baseball through it.

Did you know that tornadoes come from thunderstorms? Thunderclouds build up when cool, dry air runs into warm, wet air. If enough cool air runs into warm air, clouds can start to gain energy and power. A tornado can result from this energy. A tornado is a spinning column created by the thunderstorm’s strong winds. The winds are so strong that they can pick up water, dust, and scraps. A tornado can spin over 200 miles per hour, which means that it has a lot of force.

How do clouds gain enough energy to create a tornado?

• The wind provides energy.

• Water and dust help provide energy.

• If Cool air and warm air run into each other it could provide enough energy.

You may be surprised to hear that earthquakes are not rare. In fact, earthquakes happen every day somewhere in the world. Most of them are weak. There are times, however, when an earthquake is very powerful and causes a lot of damage. One strong earthquake can destroy houses, bridges, railroad tracks, and more.

Can you describe why earthquakes are so dangerous?

• Earthquakes are rare.

• It can destroy houses, bridges, railroad tracks and other things.

• They only happen in North America.

• Earthquakes are mostly weak.

What does peer mean in this sentence?

Yin is my peer, but she looks much younger than I do.

• someone of the same age
• to look closely or curiously

What does exhaust mean in this sentence?
Mrs. Peterson's repair shop on the outskirts of town always smells like exhaust.

• to make someone tired
• the gases produced by a car

What does wave mean in this sentence?
I saw a wave of ducks flying south.

• to move back and forth
• water swell caused by wind or gravity
• large group of people or animals