Reading

Bobby noticed that lately Mrs. Patterson was having a hard time mowing her grass. Mr. Patterson always did it for her, but recently, he passed away. Now, Mrs. Patterson struggles to mow the grass with the push-mower she has. It bothered Bobby that an old lady wouldn't have anyone to help her, so he decided to mow it for her. Bobby waited until she went into town one day, ran over, and mowed her yard without telling her. Bobby was waiting by his window, peering over at her house when she came. He could see by the look on her face that she was thrilled.

The problem in the story is solved when Bobby-

• comes home from shopping

• notices that Mrs. Patterson is having a hard time mowing her grass

• mows his neighbor's grass

Harry and Calvin had always been the best of friends until recently. One day, Harry boasted, "I'm the toughest boy in school." "Really? Well, I bet you that I'm the toughest!" exclaimed Calvin with a smile on his face. A classmate suggested that they settle the debate with an arm wrestling contest, and the boys agreed. Harry and Calvin both slammed their hands together in a fifth with their elbows down on the table. "No lifting your elbows from the table, and make this a fair contest," demanded someone from the crowd that had gathered. At first, Harry was getting the best of Calvin. At one point, Harry almost had Calvin's fist down on the table. Then, like a bolt of lightning out of nowhere, Calvin got a burst of energy and slammed Harry's fist flat on the table. The crowd roared, as Harry said, "You beat me fair and square. Now, let's go get some lunch!"

The boys' main conflict is resolved when-

• the crowd roars with excitement

• the boys argue over who is the toughest

• Calvin beats Harry in an arm wrestling contest

Tomorrow was Halloween, and Patrick couldn't wait to trick-or-treat and wear his costume. He carefully laid out the Dracula costume on the chair in the corner of his room before he crawled into bed for the night. Before Patrick knew it, he was snoozing away. All of a sudden, Patrick awoke to a noise coming from under his bed. He froze like a statue under the covers. He couldn't move an inch. Patrick could just imagine a vampire or something else horrifying under the bed. He was so relieved when he realized it was just a little june bug making a fuss because he couldn't get out. He scooped the little guy up and put him out the window. Patrick's imagination had gotten the best of him tonight. "I guess I've been thinking too much about Halloween," he chuckled to himself.

Which of these is the BEST summary of the story?

• Patrick prepared his costume for Halloween before he went to sleep. He is suddenly awakened by a noise under his bed. He is frightened, until he realizes it is just a little june bug.

• Patrick couldn't wait for Halloween, so he could wear his Dracula costume. He carefully laid it on a chair before he went to bed and fell fast asleep.

• Patrick hears something underneath his bed and imagines that it is probably Dracula. He gains enough courage to quickly look. When he realizes it is just a june bug, he puts him out the window.

Amanda and Hollie decided to go down to the local swimming hole today. All the kids gathered there during the summer to play and have fun. "Amanda, come on in! The water is nice," said Hollie. The girls were swimming and having a good time, when they noticed a small boy and girl they didn't know getting into the water. They looked kind of young to be there without a parent, but the girls didn't think much about it and continued to swim. Suddenly, Amanda and Hollie saw the young boy struggling to stay above water. Then, he disappeared beneath the water. The girls both dove down and tried to find the boy, but weren't having any luck. they dove down again, and Amanda came up with the little boy in her arms. He choked and gasped for breath, but seemed alright.

Why is it important to the story that Amanda and Hollie were down at the swimming hole?

• The girls were able to have a good time together.

• The girls were able to talk about whether or not they would help the young boy.

• The girls probably wouldn't have seen the young boy drowning.

As the waiter brought out my platter of crawfish, potatoes, and corn on the cob, I could hardly wait to eat! "Yummy," I thought. Before I began eating, I sprinkled some extra Cajun seasoning on the top of the crawfish. Then, I cut my potatoes and added a slab of butter on top. Finally, I picked the biggest, juiciest crawfish and peeled it open. They tasted like heaven in my mouth. I am so glad my parents decided to eat out tonight!

Which sequence of events is the BEST answer?

• sprinkle extra seasoning, cut potatoes, add butter, eat

• order, sprinkle extra seasoning, eat, go to Heaven

• sprinkle extra seasoning, add butter, cut potatoes, eat

Terri's mother had been telling her all day to clean her room, but she really wasn't making any progress. Mom decided to check to see how it was going. "Terri, why does your room still look the same way it did an hour ago?" Mom asked. "I'm trying," Terri whined. "I'm going to be back in 30 minutes and if it isn't clean, you are grounded," Mom ordered. Terri knew she could be in trouble, so she decided to get it done. Before the 30 minutes had passed, Terri ran to her mother's room and yelled, "I'm finished!" When her mother looked at the sparkling, clean room, she was amazed. "Now why don't you do this all the time?" Mom asked with a smile.

Terri's main conflict is resolved when-

• Mom grounds her after 30 minutes

• her mother asks her why she doesn't keep her room clean all the time

• her mother approves of her clean room

As Jessica opened the front door, she noticed is was abnormally quiet in the house. She began to fumble for the light switch, so she could see her way into the living room. As Jessica flipped on the lights, she heard, "SURPRISE!" She nearly jumped out of her skin. A dozen or more of her family and friends jumped out from behind her furniture. She noticed steamers and balloons hanging all over the place. There in the middle of the coffee table, sat a beautiful cake that read, "Congratulations on your new job!" Jessica was so excited that her friends and family were there to celebrate with her. She had worked very hard to get this job, and she was happy to celebrate with them all.

Which of these is the BEST summary of the story?

• Jessica noticed streams and balloons all over her living room. She was excited that her family and friends were there to celebrate her birthday.

• Jessica is surprised when her family and friends throw her a party in celebration of her new job. She was excited to celebrate with them all.

• Jessica could hardly believe her friends and family had surprised her with a party. She was so excited.

Sandra had studied so hard for the science exam. She made sure to complete the study guide, and her parents quizzed her every night for a week. She felt good about it before she started, but now that the test was in front of her, she was drawing a blank. She couldn't think of a single answer. Sandra wanted to burst into tears. She didn't know what to do. Then, she remembered her teacher's words, "When you get nervous during a test, take a deep breath, and remember that it isn't the end of the world. Just do your best." So, that is what Sandra did, and it worked! She had been too anxious about the test. Now, she whizzed through it, and knew she would probably earn a 100.

The problem in the story is solved when Sandra-

• follows her teacher's advice and calms herself down

• becomes too anxious about the test

• is unable to think of a single answer and bursts into tears

Chad couldn't wait to get home to tell his parents about being picked for the football team. He peddled his bike quickly as he could down the neighborhood streets. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, an old lady backed out her car in front of him. Chad's bike hit the car and he flew through the air. The lady called an ambulance and she told him everything would be alright. When he got to the hospital, his parents were there. Chad could tell that his injuries must be serious by the look on his mother's face. He assured Mom that he would be fine. The next day, Chad's doctor said he could go home, but he would have to be in a wheelchair for a little while. He had a broken leg and arm, and they would take a while to heal. On the ride home, Chad's coach called Mom to see how he was feeling. "Chad, you didn't tell us you made the football team," Mom said. "I guess I forgot with all of the commotion," he laughed. Mom and Dad were so proud of him and were glad that he would be alright.

What effect does Chad's accident have on the story?

• It helps his parents understand how important football is to him

• It keeps him from telling his parents about making the team

• It gives the family enough time to be together while he heals

School was starting again next week, and Tia's mother insisted that she get a fresh, new haircut for the big day. Tia wasn't very excited about it because she had been trying to grow her hair out long. Tia pleaded with her mother, "Please, Mom, don't make me get it cut!" "Tia, you just need a little trim. you have some split ends, and it will look so much better," Mom replied. Tia reluctantly sat in the hair stylist's chair. "Please, just cut a little," Tia asked. The stylist assured her that she would like it when it was complete. When the last cut was made and her hair was finished, Tia slowly glanced toward a mirror. "Oh my gosh," she gasped, "I love it!" Now, Tia was excited to show off her brand new hairdo at school next week.

Which sentence BEST shows Tia's problem in the story?

• Tia reluctantly sait in the hair stylist's chair.

• Tia pleaded with her mom, "Please, Mom, don't make me get it cut."

• "Oh my gosh," she gasped.