6th Grade RI2 Review

On November 17, 1968, football fans across the United States sat glued to their televisions. A close game between two top teams—the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders—was being broadcast. When the Jets pulled ahead with only fifty seconds remaining, viewers went wild. But then, just as the Raiders were bringing the ball across midfield, the game disappeared from the screen! In its place, a previously scheduled children's movie, Heidi, started playing. Callers flooded the TV network's phone lines, but it was too late. The Raiders scored two touchdowns in the very final moments—touchdowns that were unseen by all but West Coast viewers. As a result of the interrupted event, dubbed "the Heidi game," television networks began delaying their regularly scheduled programs until football games had ended.

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?

• After Heidi interrupted a crucial moment during a televised football game, networks began to delay regularly scheduled shows until football games were over.

• After Heidi interrupted a crucial moment during a televised football game, the TV network received numerous calls from angry viewers who were unable to watch the final moments of the game.

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When "Planet X" was discovered in 1930, astronomers began debating what to call it. An eleven-year-old girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name "Pluto" to her grandfather, who passed the idea along to a friend who was a professor of astronomy. The professor, in turn, immediately forwarded the suggestion to scientists at the Lowell Observatory, where the planet had been discovered. The astronomers appreciated the fact that Pluto was the ancient Romans' name for the god of the underworld, making it a fitting moniker for such a cold and distant celestial body. In addition, its first two letters matched the initials of Percival Lowell, the astronomer who first proposed the existence of Planet X. The matter was eventually put to a vote, with Pluto the hands-down winner.

What is the central idea of the text?

• Pluto is a good name for a cold, distant planet because it is the name of the Roman god of the underworld.

• After an eleven-year-old girl suggested "Pluto," astronomers chose it as the name of the newly discovered planet.

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In 2016, Vallecito Elementary School in San Rafael, California, became the first U.S. school to replace all of its ordinary desks with raised desks that students stand at. Speaking to a reporter from TIME for Kids magazine, one student at the school gave the standing desks high praise. "You feel happier, you're less tired, and you're more active," she said. According to several studies, children working at standing desks burn more calories and are more focused on tasks. However, some teachers and parents are opposed to the change. They are concerned that standing for long periods of time could cause fatigue, strain on the legs and feet, or posture problems. In addition, standing desks are more expensive than seated desks. Only time will tell whether standing desks will prove to be the next big trend or a failed experiment.

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?

• Studies have shown that standing desks help students focus on their schoolwork while being more active.

• Some people say studies have shown that standing desks promote good study habits, but others are wary about the new desks.

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As Shane Loeffler, a geology student at the University of Minnesota, was flying home from Europe, he looked down at the landscape and began to wonder what he was flying over. He realized that a plane flight would be a good opportunity for people to learn about the geological features of the earth below them. As a result of this experience, with a grant from the National Science Foundation, he created a free app called Flyover Country. The app provides users with information on natural formations, man-made features like dams, and even where fossils can be found. The features are pinpointed on a map that corresponds to the landscape below the plane.

What is the central idea of the text?

• Shane Loeffler's plane flight home from Europe led him to think about the geological features of the land below him.

• Shane Loeffler's experience in a plane led him to create an app that would provide information to flyers about the land below them.

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Boris Pasternak's 1956 novel Doctor Zhivago tells the story of a Russian doctor living at the time of the 1917 Russian Revolution, which led to the establishment of the Soviet Union. Because the book dealt with hardships people faced after the revolution, publishers in the Soviet Union refused to release it, calling it anti-Soviet. Pasternak's solution was to have the book smuggled out of the Soviet Union and published in Europe. Though Soviet authorities tried to prevent it, the book was published in Italy in 1957 and was immediately well-received. In 1958, it was translated into English and went on to become one of the most popular novels of the 1950s.

What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?

• Doctor Zhivago showed the problems that the Russians faced following the Russian Revolution, so it was considered anti-Soviet.

• Boris Pasternak couldn't get his book Doctor Zhivago published in the Soviet Union, so he had the book smuggled out of the country.

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Most people today communicate with others by texting, emailing, and tweeting. However, I believe that keeping in touch with a pen pal should remain a paper-and-pen activity. While some believe that technology rules, I hope the expression “pen pal” is never replaced with “tweet pal.”

2

A letter mailed through the post office is sometimes referred to as “snail mail” because it is slower than other ways of sending messages. I believe, sometimes, slower is better. If everything comes instantly, where is the anticipation? Where is the glee upon its arrival? Getting to know a distant pen pal gradually is fun. Each letter may draw far-away friends a little bit closer to one another.

3

Reading a handwritten note seems more personal than reading a typed message. For example, when you receive an email or a text message, you may wonder, “Did my friend really write this?” In a handwritten note, the writer can doodle little pictures in the margins. The writer can spray the note with perfume to send someone a scented surprise. Your distant friend can let you see a special place by sending you a picture postcard. He or she may also send you personalized photographs or other small gifts.

4

Researchers have compared various modes of communication. Studies show that sending instant messages with technology has had some negative effects. People tend to think less about what they are writing and say things that they may regret later. Many of these studies show that people tend to lie more when sending messages when they communicate instantaneously. Composing a letter by hand gives the writer time to reflect on his or her words and ponder their impact on the recipient. There is no “send” button to push in haste. Well-thought-out, handwritten letters probably help friendships last longer.

5

Finally, I believe that being able to touch a real thing that your friend has also touched cannot be replaced by electronic communication. Pen pals often collect and keep their letters, photographs, and gifts in a special box. They look through the letters and other items and recall the whole history of the friendship. They may want to relive a story sent in a letter and go back to reread it. The look, feel, and smell of the letters may bring up memories of a pen pal. Scrolling through old text messages is just not as fun!

6

I believe using a pen and paper to communicate with pen pals is the best choice. It can bring joy and memories to people for years to come.

• There are many reasons to send letters through the mail. While mailed letters may not move as quickly, they are more thoughtful and personal.

  
  

• 
  Letters that go through the mail can be slower than other messages. The slow speed can create excitement about the letter when it is received.

• 
  One of the best reasons for sending a mailed letter is its personal nature. Letters that are sent through the mail can include touches such as drawings or scent.

• While mailed letters can be slow, there may be reasons to take time when sending a letter. Some fast messages can contain words that the sender may regret.

Passage (Tony Hawk, the Birdman)

One day in 1977, Steve Hawk gave his nine-year-old brother, Tony, a present that would transform his life. Tony was the youngest of four children and was, as his mother said, “challenging.” He was often frustrated and got angry easily, especially when he could not do something perfectly. But when Steve gave Tony a used blue skateboard, and his father built a ramp in the backyard to ride it on, everything changed. Tony had found what he loved to do — and he was very good at it. So good, in fact, that he was a professional by the time he was 14. Two years later, Tony Hawk was among the best skateboarders on the planet.

Which sentence BEST summarizes this paragraph of "Tony Hawk, the Birdman"?

• Tony Hawk developed his skateboard skills when he was a child.

• Tony Hawk received a skateboard for a birthday present.

• Tony Hawk was an amazing skateboarder.

• 
  Tony Hawk sometimes got into trouble.

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The deceptively simple question at the grocery check stand is “Paper or plastic?” However, the story is much more complicated. When plastic bags were introduced, consumers liked the lightweight convenience. The fact that no trees were cut down in the production of plastic bags was another advantage. The real truth is that both plastic and paper bags burn far too much energy and are destructive to the environment.

Almost 1 million plastic bags are used every minute. That is over 100 billion bags a year in the United States alone, with 500 billion bags used yearly around the world. Not only are plastic bags energy wasters, but also they are harmful to the environment. These so-called “disposable” bags will outlive all of us for generations and generations, remaining on the land for about 1,000 years.

Compared to plastic bags, paper bags seem a vast improvement. However, that is a misconception. Producing a paper bag consumes approximately three times the amount of energy that it takes to produce a plastic bag. In addition, paper bags require logging at monstrous rates. In 1999, 14 million trees were sacrificed in order to manufacture 10 billion paper bags. Those statistics are just for the United States; imagine what the global totals are.

Even though this news is bleak, there is hope for change. In 2002, Ireland imposed a tax on plastic bags. This measure reduced plastic bag usage by 90%. Consumers turned to reusable cloth shopping bags. In contrast to paper and plastic bags, reusable cloth bags have no real disadvantages. Each reusable bag you use could mean that 1,000 fewer plastic bags are used. Reusable bags can also save consumers money. Many stores offer a discount of $.05 to $.10 for each reusable bag.

Which statement provides the BEST summary of this text?

• 
  The kinds of bags people use have changed over time depending on their needs and desire for convenience.

• The world can’t afford to continue harming the environment and must find solutions for protecting it.

• People assume that plastic bags are more wasteful and dangerous to the environment than paper bags.

• 
  To save the environment, people should abandon the use of paper and plastic bags in favor of reusable cloth ones.

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