Reading and Comprehension Grade 5

Passage #1: The Busy Ants

Ants are among the hardest-working insects in the world. Living in colonies, they divide tasks efficiently. Some ants collect food, while others protect the nest or take care of the young. Ants use their strong jaws to carry food and even fight predators. Despite their small size, ants can carry items many times their weight. Their teamwork ensures the survival of the entire colony.

What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?

• To entertain readers with a funny story about ants

• To explain how ants work together in their colonies

• To persuade readers to study insects

• To describe the dangers ants face every day

Passage #1: The Busy Ants

Ants are among the hardest-working insects in the world. Living in colonies, they divide tasks efficiently. Some ants collect food, while others protect the nest or take care of the young. Ants use their strong jaws to carry food and even fight predators. Despite their small size, ants can carry items many times their weight. Their teamwork ensures the survival of the entire colony.

Which text feature would best help readers understand the information in this passage?

• A timeline of ant evolution

• A diagram showing the parts of an ant colony

• A glossary of insect-related terms

• A table listing different types of ants

Passage #1: The Busy Ants

Ants are among the hardest-working insects in the world. Living in colonies, they divide tasks efficiently. Some ants collect food, while others protect the nest or take care of the young. Ants use their strong jaws to carry food and even fight predators. Despite their small size, ants can carry items many times their weight. Their teamwork ensures the survival of the entire colony.

What causes ants to survive as a colony?

• Their ability to live alone

• Their strength in carrying heavy items

• Their teamwork and division of tasks

• Their strong jaws

Based on the passage, what can you infer about the importance of teamwork for ants?

• Teamwork is optional for ants to survive.

• Teamwork helps ants grow stronger.

• Teamwork is crucial for the survival of the colony.

• Teamwork prevents ants from fighting predators.

What does the word 'efficiently' most likely mean in the sentence, 'Living in colonies, they divide tasks efficiently'?

• Slowly and carefully

• Quickly and skillfully

• Without making mistakes

• With a lot of energy

How are ants similar to humans in the way they work?

• Both work alone to achieve success.

• Both divide tasks to get work done.

• Both carry heavy items for survival.

• Both protect themselves from predators.

Have you ever worked as a team to complete a task? How was your experience similar to the teamwork of ants described in the passage?

What is the main idea of the passage?

• Ants are very strong and can fight predators.

• Ant colonies rely on teamwork to survive.

• Ants are the hardest-working insects in the world.

• Ants use their strong jaws to collect food.

Which of the following is a fact from the passage?

• Ants are the most interesting insects in the world.

• Ants can carry items many times their weight.

• Teamwork is the best way to work.

• Ant colonies are more organised than human teams.

Passage #2: The Rainy Day

The rain fell steadily throughout the day, creating puddles on the ground. Mia watched from her window, feeling disappointed. She had planned a picnic with her friends, but now it seemed impossible. "Maybe we can have the picnic inside," her mum suggested. Mia brightened up and started setting up the living room with blankets and snacks. When her friends arrived, they had a wonderful indoor picnic, laughing and sharing stories as the rain continued to fall outside.

Why did Mia feel disappointed at the start of the story?

• She didn't like the rain.

• She thought her picnic was ruined.

• She didn't have enough food for the picnic.

• Her friends were late to arrive.