Reading Skills Review

Have you ever stood beside a monster truck?

If you have, you know just how massive these

vehicles are! Monster trucks are typically about 11 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Although they have a body that looks like a huge pickup truck, they are actually more closely related to a four-wheel-drive dune buggy. The front wheels are controlled by a steering wheel, while the back wheels are managed by a toggle switch. Monster trucks are equipped with harnesses, helmets, and head and neck restraints to keep the driver safe.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Monster trucks are monster-sized.

• Driving a monster truck can be dangerous.

• Monster trucks are designed to have certain features.

• Many people are fascinated with monster trucks.

King Kong, Grave Digger, and Bear Foot are well-

known monster trucks. Bigfoot, however, is known as the original monster truck. It was built and operated by Bob Chandler. He began building the first Bigfoot in 1975, using his family’s four-wheel-drive pickup truck. In 1979, Chandler began making appearances at tractor pull events. In 1981, he crushed two old cars in a field and had it video- taped so he could show it in his auto shop. A man saw the video and asked Chandler to perform the same stunt in front of a crowd. It quickly became popular, and now millions of people buy tickets to watch monster trucks in action.

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Bob Chandler built the original monster truck and named it Bigfoot.

• Monster trucks have unusual names.

• Bob Chandler used Bigfoot to crush two cars in a field in 1975.

• Monster trucks have existed for 40 years.

What is your favorite way to eat a potato?

Potatoes are one of the most versatile foods in

the world. You can bake a potato and eat it whole, or you can cut it up and roast it in the oven. Many people boil potatoes and then beat them until the potatoes are smooth, creating mashed potatoes that can be covered with gravy. Potatoes can be made into French fries, potato chips, hash browns, soft dumplings, or potato salad. Cooks often use potatoes in soups and casseroles. No one can accuse the potato of being useless!

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Potatoes are delicious.

• The best way to eat a potato is to mash them and then pour gravy over the top.

• There are several ways that potatoes can be prepared.

• Some methods of cooking potatoes are more nutritious than others.

Allison is wearing a uniform. She is packing her bag

with a glove, ball, and cleats.

I can infer that Allison is going to:

• basketball camp

• swim team

• a softball game

Claire’s best friend just moved to another town. Claire hasn’t come out of her bedroom all day. She doesn’t want to play or eat.

I can infer that Claire is feeling:

• excited

• sad

• angry

Tony likes to play football. Tomorrow there are tryouts

for the team. He really wants to make the team and started biting his nails.

I can infer that Tony is feeling:

• nervous

• happy

• sad

Becky is packing her suitcase. She is getting ready to go to the airport. She has been waiting for this trip to Disney for a long time.

I can infer that Becky is feeling:

• upset

• anxious

• cold

Context Clues

His mother gets anxious if he stays outside after dark.

• nervous

• silly

• happy

• sleepy

Context Clues

After the rainstorm, the rainbow lit up the sky with vivid colors.

• dark

• funny

• bright

• normal

Context Clues

Typewriters became obsolete with the development of personal computers.

• popular

• out-dated

• careful

• round