8ELA Q3 Midterm Review: The Five-Second Rule

What is the meaning of the word "bunk" as it is used in paragraph 2? (RI 8.4)

• a narrow shelflike bed, typically one of two or more arranged one on top of the other

• to abscond or play truant from school or work

• the power to restrain something, especially one's own emotions or actions

• a statement that is nonsense or blatantly untrue

What is the central idea of the article “The Truth Behind the Five-Second Rule Revealed”? (RI 8.2.1)

• The Five-Second Rule is invalid because it takes much longer than five seconds for the bacteria to transfer to the food.

• Picking up food and eating food before five seconds is causing people to become sick because of the transferred bacteria.

• The Five-Second Rule is invalid because bacteria transfers to the food almost immediately, meaning it takes less than five seconds.

• Researchers need to complete more studies to definitively prove whether the Five-Second Rule is valid or invalid.

What is the author’s main purpose in writing the article?  

“The Truth Behind the Five-Second Revealed”

• to present data and facts that discredit the five-second rule

• to describe in detail the various attempts to debunk the five-second rule

• to determine whether the five-second rule is supported by scientific research

• to predict whether or not the five-second rule will remain an influence in daily life

Part A: Reread paragraph 5. What is the author’s purpose for including this paragraph in the text? (RI 8.6.2)

• It highlights that only wet food, such as watermelon, picks up bacteria.

• It captures how the moisture level of the surface causes contamination.

• It contrasts the difference between carpet, wool, and steel flooring.

• It suggests that people should consider consuming dry foods from the floor.

Part B: Which paragraph serves the same purpose as Part A? (Paragraph 5)

• 3

• 7

• 8

• 10

What is the central idea of the article “The Five-Second Rule: Microbes Can’t Count”?

• Tests show that the Five Second Rule is an entertaining old wives tale that we shouldn’t take seriously.

• Tests show the Five-Second rule is invalid because it takes much longer than five seconds for bacteria to be present on food.

• Tests show the Five-Second Rule is invalid because, no matter the time on the floor, food picks up bacteria.

• Tests show the Five-Second rule needs more study to come to a conclusion on its validity.

Part A; What is the author's purpose for this text (“The Five-Second Rule: Microbes Can’t Count”)?

• The author is pointing out the fact that microbes do not have human abilities.

• The author is emphasizing the scientific reason why the five-second rule is wrong.

• The author is suggesting that people need to pay attention to the five-second rule.

• The author is communicating her opinion that people take the five-second rule too seriously.

Part B: How does this sentence from paragraph 7 help establish the author's purpose?

"“And while longer times meant more germs, anything longer than a second was long enough for microbes to hop on board.”

• It calls attention to the misunderstandings of the five second rule.

• It emphasizes that the surface on which the food is dropped matters.

• It reveals the effects of dropping your food on any hard surface.

• It highlights the transfer rates of bacteria to dropped sandwiches.

Based on the passage, which two statements most likely describe the author's point of view regarding the five second rule?

• She believes the five-second rule is mostly accurate for keeping food safe from bacteria.

• She suggests microbes are quick to transfer to food once it hits the floor, regardless of time.

• She is disgusted with the idea that only wet food picks up bacteria quickly from the floor.

• She expresses that bacteria is transferred less to food on rough floors than smooth ones.

What is the meaning of the word “control” as it is used in paragraph 8?

• a switch or other device by which a machine is regulated

• the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events

• the power to restrain something, especially one's own emotions or actions

• a group or individual used as a standard for comparing the results of experiment