Grade 4 ELA Skills Assessment

What is the main idea of the passage about the life cycle of a butterfly?

• Butterflies are colorful insects.

• The life cycle of a butterfly includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

• Butterflies can be found in many parts of the world.

• Butterflies feed on nectar from flowers.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights the main idea of the passage, which is the life cycle of a butterfly consisting of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This encapsulates the essential information about their development.

How does the author describe the main character's feelings when they first arrive at the new school?

• Excited and eager to make new friends.

• Nervous and unsure about fitting in.

• Angry and upset about leaving old friends.

• Indifferent and uninterested in the new environment.

Answer explanation

The author portrays the main character as feeling nervous and unsure about fitting in at the new school, highlighting their anxiety about making new friends and adapting to a different environment.

What theme is explored in the story about a boy who learns the value of honesty?

• The importance of friendship.

• The consequences of lying.

• The joy of adventure.

• The power of imagination.

Answer explanation

The story highlights the consequences of lying, showing how dishonesty can lead to negative outcomes. The boy's journey emphasizes the importance of honesty and the lessons learned from deceit.

Which text structure is used in a passage that explains how a plant grows from a seed?

• Cause and effect

• Problem and solution

• Sequence/Chronological order

• Compare and contrast

Answer explanation

The passage explaining how a plant grows from a seed follows a sequence or chronological order, detailing the step-by-step process of growth from seed to plant, making this the correct text structure.

What does the word "benevolent" most likely mean in the sentence: "The benevolent king was loved by all his subjects"?

• Cruel

• Kind

• Wealthy

• Powerful

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'benevolent' describes the king as someone who is kind and caring towards his subjects. This aligns with the answer choice 'Kind', while the other options do not fit the positive connotation of the word.

Summarize the story of "The Tortoise and the Hare" in one sentence.

• A hare wins a race against a tortoise by running fast.

• A tortoise wins a race against a hare by being slow and steady.

• A tortoise and a hare become friends after a race.

• A hare learns to be patient from a tortoise.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that the tortoise wins the race against the hare by being slow and steady, emphasizing the moral that persistence and determination can lead to success, contrary to the hare's overconfidence.

What is the meaning of the prefix "un-" in the word "unhappy"?

• Very

• Not

• Again

• Before

Answer explanation

The prefix "un-" means "not". In the word "unhappy", it indicates the opposite of happy, thus meaning "not happy".

From whose point of view is the story told if the narrator uses "I" and "we"?

• First person

• Second person

• Third person limited

• Third person omniscient

Answer explanation

The story is told from the first person point of view when the narrator uses "I" and "we". This perspective allows the narrator to share personal experiences and thoughts directly.

Why does the author use a flashback in the story?

• To confuse the reader

• To provide background information

• To introduce a new character

• To describe the setting

Answer explanation

The author uses a flashback to provide background information, helping the reader understand the characters' motivations and the context of the current events in the story.

What evidence from the text supports the idea that the main character is brave?

• The character runs away from danger.

• The character faces a dragon to save a friend.

• The character hides when scared.

• The character avoids conflict.

Answer explanation

The evidence that the character faces a dragon to save a friend clearly demonstrates bravery, as confronting such a dangerous creature shows courage and selflessness, unlike the other options which depict avoidance or fear.