Practice Reading Comprehension

A Problem at the Zoo

Mr. Gonzalez's class was worried. The polar bears at the zoo were acting nervous. The oldest bear was swimming all the time. He never rested!

The zookeeper told the kids the problem was noise. The bear reserve was near the highway. The bears heard cars go by. Drivers blew their horns. What could be done?

The class wrote letters to the mayor. The mayor suggested lowering the speed limit for the cars. She also said she could post signs that said, “NO HONKING! It disturbs the bears.” The signs went up and the speed limit was lowered.

The class noticed right away that the bears were napping more. They felt they had made a change using their government.

How did the class solve the polar bears’ problem?

• They used the government to solve it.

• They made phone calls to solve it.

• They ignored the problem.

• They wrote the signs.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

The Great Library of Alexandria, in Egypt, was a public library. In ancient times, people called it a wonder.<\/p>

The books were not like our books. They were scrolls. They were made of paper. They were round like a tube. The library had many thousands of scrolls.<\/p>

The library wanted as many books as it could get. Kings would write to other kings. They would ask for books. Sometimes they didn’t return them.<\/p>

Books were bought. Sometimes the librarians stole books for the library.<\/p>

Sadly, the library burnt down. But it was a model for libraries we know today. It was the first great library.<\/p>

<\/p>

The librarians stole books because<\/u><\/em><\/p>

• they liked to bother people.<\/p>

• they needed more room for the scrolls.<\/p>

• they wanted many books for the library.<\/p>

• the king told them to steal.<\/p>

What is the primary function of the mitochondria in a cell?

• Energy production

• Protein synthesis

• DNA replication

• Photosynthesis

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

NGSS.MS-LS1-7

Which of the following is a chemical change?

• Melting ice

• Boiling water

• Burning wood

• Breaking glass

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

What is the chemical formula for table salt?

Which planet is known as the Red Planet?

• Earth

• Mars

• Jupiter

• Venus

What is the process by which plants make their food using sunlight?

• Respiration

• Photosynthesis

• Digestion

• Transpiration

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

Which gas is most abundant in the Earth's atmosphere?

• Oxygen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Nitrogen

• Hydrogen

What is the boiling point of water at sea level?

• 100°C

• 0°C

• 50°C

• 200°C

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Which part of the plant is responsible for photosynthesis?

• Roots

• Stem

• Leaves

• Flowers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6