1. Question and Answer Samples and Techniques

2. Why is answering comprehension questions a Sherlock-Holmes worthy challenge for readers at all levels? For one, the short passages on tests are de-contextualized-covering everything from essential science topics such as photosynthesis to esoteric, what-were-they-thinking excerpts on the Victorian footstool. These nonfiction passages typically bear little relevance to students' real lives. As such, they call on a reader's ability to recognize the subject and know what to expect. But experts agree that it's crucial for 6 th graders to master short passages, since the majority of reading that adults do-including up to 96% on the Web-is nonfiction. So we asked dozens of experts and teachers what nonfiction skills they emphasize. From looking for signs of a topic sentence to using caption clues, here are their tips for turning out street-wise short-passage readers. Here Come the Short Passage Detectives Five clues 6 th grade students can use to read short passages successfully. By Jayna Rust

3. 1.Observe the suspect passage closely. The best reading detectives know that it's important to investigate and preview a text before reading. The purpose of this step, says Laura Robb, author of Teaching Reading in Social Studies, Science, and Math (Scholastic, 2003), is “to build background knowledge” so that you have a sense of what the passage is about before reading. It's like giving a suspect a once-over. What does this first glance tell you? Looking at titles, captions, and boldface words can reveal a trove of hidden information. The title “Why Columbus Isn't a Hero,” for example, not only lets your detectives know they'll need their history “toolbox” for reading, it also clues them into the author's purpose (convincing the reader of his belief) and point of view. Get your gumshoes in the habit of previewing by asking them to read the title and headings before tackling any nonfiction selection, says Wiley Blevins, co-author of Nonfiction Passages with Graphic Organizers (Scholastic, 2004). Then have them write down their predictions for what the piece will be about. This footwork provides a “framework for reading,” Blevins says-and goes a long way to cracking the case of tricky comprehension cases. Reading Short Passage Testing Strategies

4. 2. Spot who's who in the lineup. Like a badly-drawn crime sketch, obscure pronoun references in a short passage can easily confuse a detective just starting out. (It's hard to keep track of the “shes,” for example, in a passage about the wives of King Henry the VIII). To ensure success, Ron Klemp, Coordinator of Reading for the Los Angeles Unified School District and co-author of Reader's Handbook: A Student Guide for Reading and Learning (Great Source Education, 2002), suggests you teach students a method for relating pronouns to their antecedents. He recommends having students draw arrows to antecedents clarifying to what, or whom, pronouns refer. Reading Short Passage Testing Strategies

5. 3. Highlight the crucial evidence. “While it may sound obvious, I encourage my students to underline words or phrases in passages that stand out to them as important,” says Jessica Hughes, mentor detective (and sixth-grade teacher) at Matawan Avenue Middle School in Cliffwood, New Jersey. “It helps them be more careful readers.” But anyone who's ever seen a rookie highlight a whole passage knows that what's important isn't always obvious to middle schoolers. You can help students learn to identify incriminating evidence by modeling how you yourself approach short passages. This is especially helpful for lower-level readers. Tim Rasinski, co- author of the 3-Minute Reading Assessments series (Scholastic, 2005), advises teachers to “first read the passage with appropriate expression and meaning. Then talk with students about the process you used to make sense of the passage-such as pointing out important words and talking about how you connected the meaning to your own background. Then have the students read the passage on their own. They can then write a quick response, summary or question to what they read.” Reading Short Passage Testing Strategies

6. 4. Keep on top of the case. Reading detectives need to constantly distill and synthesize information, asking themselves “what's the author's main point here?” The easiest way to do this is by finding topic sentences, according to Jennifer Karan, Director of College Prep Programs for Kaplan Test Prep. “This helps students identify what the passage is about as well as its purpose,” she says. Gretchen Peterson, a social studies teacher at Vailsburg Middle School in Newark, New Jersey, trains her students to read each paragraph and then cover up all but one sentence. “If the sentence remaining sums up the paragraph, this is probably the topic sentence,” she says. She advises them to look especially at the first and last sentences of the paragraph, since these are the most likely candidates for the topic sentence. After mastering the ability to analyze one paragraph, students work up to decoding the main idea of the entire article. Reading Short Passage Testing Strategies

7. 5. Identify a motive. Angry? Enthusiastic? Cautiously weighing both sides? Your detectives will have to know how to spot tone when it comes to the test-day trial. Motive always has its moment in court, says Jennifer Karan of Kaplan, and so it's crucial that kids know how to “predict the author's intent in writing the passage.” Brendon Mitchell, of New York City's Harbor Science and Arts Charter School, preps his PIs by “providing them with models and labeling the feelings of authors according to the piece.” He begins teaching the concept by using letters to the editor and some political cartoons (which are especially effective for lower-level readers). Gradually, his students move-and yours will too-to the colder cases that appear on tests. Reading Short Passage Testing Strategies

8. Chancie finished the last step in her hip-hip routine. She was just as nervous now as if she were performing in front of an audience. “If I am this edgy at the performance on Sunday,” she thought, “I will surly make a misstep.” To reassure herself, she decided to try the routine one more time. Suddenly, Marlon, Chancie’s little brother, burst into the room. Chancie didn’t miss a step, she kept right on dancing. When she finished, Marlon began to clap and cheer. It was at that moment, Chancie realized, “I don’t have to be worried about an audience. Not when I have a little brother who barges in and makes all kinds of racket while I practice.” Then she thought, “Next to him, a quiet auditorium will be no problem.” Chancie and Marlon

9. What did Chancie do that made Marlon applaud her? None of the Above All of the Above Fell down while practicing Sang a Song A Dance Routine

10. After reading this passage, you could predict that - None of the above Marlon will not come to the recital. Marlon will dance with Chancie. Chancie will not go to the performance. Chancie will do well at the performance.

11. This story is written from the point of view of - Marlon. the little brother. the audience. Chancie. A narrator.

12. Which of the following could be a simile used for the passage? Chancie felt ready to perform. Chancie danced with little confidence. Chancie a nervous dancer. Marlon is Chancie’s little brother. Marlon is like a private audience.

13. In the passage, what does the word edgy mean? Frightened Excited Scared Ready Nervous

14. In the passage, the word racket means? None of the Above Something you hit a ball with. Something that is quiet. Something that you play with. Something that is noisy.

15. How did the main character’s emotions change throughout the story? Confident to Frustrated Confident to Nervous Scared to Nervous Nervous to Scared Nervous to Confident

16. Why did the author choose the word burst to describe how Marlon entered the room? None of the above To show that Chancie didn’t know he was there To show he snuck in quietly To show that brothers are annoying To show he was distracting

17. Which of the following best describes Marlon? Shy, but loving Nervous, but confident Loud and rude Annoying and bothersome Noisy, but supportive

18. Which of the following is the best summary of this passage? Chancie is a dancer who has a little brother. Marlon loves to watch his sister dance. Chancie and Marlon support each other. Chancie has a bothersome brother. Chancie nervously practices for her upcoming performance.

19. The Surgeon General has reported on the effects smoking has on the health of adults. Furthermore recent studies have found that individuals exposed to second- hand smoke over a period of time also suffer adverse affects to their health. Parents should avoid exposing their children to cigarette smoke and should educate their children on the affects smoking can have on health. Author's Purpose

20. The author most likely wrote this story too - None of the Above Describe Smoking to readers Inform readers about smoking. Entertain readers about smoking. Persuade readers not to smoke.

21. The giant panda is a bearlike animal that has thick white fur with black markings on its ears, limbs, shoulders, and around its eyes. The giant panda feeds on bamboo forests at high altitudes in western China. It also eats bulbs, roots, eggs, and some small mammals. The cubs are born in late winter. The giant panda is an endangered species and is protected by the Chinese government. Author’s Purpose

22. The author most likely wrote this story to - None of the above. Describe pandas to readers. Persuade readers to save pandas. Entertain readers about pandas. Inform readers about pandas.

23. 1 Rebecca didn’t enjoy having long hair. In the swimming pool, her waterlogged hair weighed her head down. If she braided it while it was wet, it took forever to dry. In gymnastics class, it often got in the way. Still, day after day, month after month for two and a half years, Rebecca let her hair grow until it nearly reached her waist. 2 Even though Rebecca often became frustrated with her long hair, the fifth grader had a good reason for letting it grow. As soon as it was long enough, she would donate her beautiful hair to a group in Lake Worth, Florida, called Locks of Love. She would have her hair cut and send it to them as a gift. 3 Rebecca first learned about Locks of Love from a television commercial. Locks of Love is a special charity organization. The members of this group work to help others in need. The members make no money. Using the healthy cut hair that people like Rebecca send them, they will have a wig made for a child who needs it. After watching the commercial, Rebecca decided this was something she could do to help someone else. 4 Children who need wigs are those who lose all their hair because of illness or as a side effect from certain medicines they have to take. Rebecca’s hair will be used to help replace the hair that another child has lost. It will also help make that child feel a little better as she looks in the mirror. 5 Through Locks of Love, kids have the opportunity to help other kids. In fact, about 75 percent of the hair sent to this special charity comes from children. As many as twelve ponytails go into the making of each wig. It takes workers about four months to hand-make each hairpiece. If a family had to buy the hairpiece, it would cost about $3,000. 6 The day finally came to cut her long locks. Rebecca had chosen a beauty shop in her city that gave to the Locks of Love program. The hairstylist who worked there took the time to cut and properly package Rebecca’s hair. 7 First the hairstylist made sure that Rebecca’s hair was clean, dry, and not damaged by chemicals. Since Rebecca had neither a permanent nor dye in her hair, there was no need to worry about that. The hairstylist also made certain that the cut hair would be at least ten inches long. Then, with a few snips of the scissors, he cut Rebecca’s hair. Rebecca had chosen to have her cut hair bundled into a ponytail. She took great pride in placing the cut ponytail into a plastic bag and then a padded envelope to be mailed to Locks of Love. Finally, as her reward, Rebecca’s short hair was styled. 8 Now with short hair, Rebecca made another important decision. She decided to let it grow long again! Again she will give it to Locks of Love. Even though she sometimes got upset and even though it will take a long time to grow out again, Rebecca also knows it is well worth it. Judging from last time, she predicted it will take about three years. Even though Rebecca no longer has long hair, she certainly has a big heart. Gift From the Heart

25. The story, “A gift from the Heart,” is mostly about which of the following? none of the above a fifth grade student proper ways to cut hair children who are very ill a program that helps people

26. The author uses Rebecca’s experience to show… none of the above. that growing one’s hair out can be frustrating. how wigs are made from donated hair. how to become involved in a worthwhile program that one person can make a difference.

27. Which question is answered in paragraph 3 of the story? None of the above. How do they make a wig from donated hair? How did Locks of Love first get started? Why do some children need to have wigs? Why did Rebecca decide to donate her hair?

28. Carefully read the steps on the flyer under the section titled “Sending in a Donation.” Which paragraph in the story includes some of these details? none of the above paragraph 8 paragraph 5 paragraph 3 paragraph 7

29. What is the primary purpose of the flyer titled “Locks of Love”? none of the above to describe the process of making a wig to explain how to properly care for hair to convince people to donate their hair to provide details about how to donate hair

30. Which of the following words best describes Rebecca? none of the above smart nervous outgoing determined

31. Which statement can be supported with information from paragraph 5? None of the above One ponytail can usually make up to 12 wigs. Special machines are used to make the hairpieces. Not all hairpieces are made from human hair. Most of the people who donate hair are children.

32. What can the reader logically conclude about Rebecca? None of the above She has difficulty making decisions. She has many good friends at school. She was unhappy with her new hairstyle. She will continue to find ways to help others.

33. The story of the Titanic is one of the greatest tragedies of the sea. Her tragic fate is also the basis for one of the most popular Hollywood movies of the late 20th century. One reason her story is so fascinating is that she represented the very best of available technology at the time. She was deemed unsinkable; yet four days after setting sail aboard this enormous vessel some of the wealthiest and most influential people of the early 20th century lost their lives. The Titanic was the largest and most luxurious ship in the world when she set sail on her first voyage on April 10, 1912. She stretched 882 feet in length - almost three football fields and stood eleven stories high. She was believed to be the safest ship ever built. Within 96 hours, however, this most remarkable vessel would be resting 2.5 miles underwater on the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean. Fewer than one-third (705) of the 2,228 people aboard this magnificent ship would survive to tell their stories. One of the most disturbing things about this terrible tragedy is that it could have been avoided. The telegraph operator aboard the Titanic had received numerous warnings about huge icebergs from other ships navigating through the area off Newfoundland, Canada. The operator delivered the messages to the ship’s captain. The captain, however, decided to keep the ship sailing at near top speed – over 23 miles per hour, even though it was nighttime and difficult to see. By the time the crew realized an iceberg was looming directly in front of them, it was too late. They could not turn the huge vessel and avoid collision. At 11:40 p.m. on the night of April 14, 1912, an iceberg grazed the side of the ship causing her to take on water. Three hours later, the Titanic was a part of history. Over 1,500 people died in the icy waters that night. It would be 70 years before the remains of the Titanic would be discovered. In 1985, Dr. Robert Ballard, a marine biologist and oceanographer, located the vessel. He kept his find a secret for over a year to prevent treasure-seekers from plundering the ship’s booty 1. On his second visit, Ballard left a plaque honoring the 1,500 people who died that night and requesting that future explorers leave their grave undisturbed. The Titanic

34. Using context clues and your knowledge of root words and affixes, what is the best definition for the word plundering? none of the above selling destroying hiding stealing

35. Irony is when an event occurs that is the opposite of what is expected. Which statement from the passage is ironic, considering the tragedy that occurred? None of the Above He kept his find a secret… They could not turn the huge vessel… The Titanic was a part of history. She was deemed unsinkable;

36. Which statement best summarizes the main idea of paragraph 3? None of the Above The captain of the Titanic tried to avoid the accident. The iceberg caused significant damage to the Titanic. Other ships in the area sent warnings to the Titanic. The Titanic could have escaped disaster that night.

37. What is the overall purpose of this passage? All of the Above To explain To persuade To entertain To inform

38. Which of the following would be a primary source of information about what happened aboard the Titanic on April 14, 1912? None of the Above a television documentary on the Titanic a nonfiction book about disasters at sea the daughter of a survivor of the disaster the journal entries of a victim of the tragedy

39. The writer infers that… none of the above the sinking of the Titanic was not a surprise to most people. the telegraph operator was to blame for the accident. the Titanic was poorly constructed and unsafe. the Captain was responsible for the tragedy.

40. Based on information found in the reading, all of the statements are true except… None of the Above the Titanic had departed from England and was on her way to New York. there were not enough lifeboats for all of the people aboard the ship. the last male survivor from the tragedy died several years ago. Dr. Ballard plans to bring the remains of the ship up from the ocean floor.

41. Marco wants to know more about those people who survived the disaster. He found the following sources on the web. Which of the sources will most likely have information about the survivors? All of the Above On April 10, 1912, the Titanic, largest ship afloat, left Southampton on her.... The first wish on the part of all was to stay near the Titanic. www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/titanic.htm Geographical survey of where the ship lies. Various links to numerous stories and news reports of the time. seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/titanic.html The story of the Titanic and the iceberg has grown into a legend of the sea. It took her discovery in 1985 to begin to find the truth behind the myth…www.gma.org/space1/titanic.html Titanic - main page of History on the Net.The sinking of the Titanic is a topic that has almost universal appeal. Passenger and crew biographies, stories of survival. www.historyonthenet.com/Titanic/

42. The first time I saw a train, I was standing on a wooded slope outside a tunnel in the foothills near Simla in India. Suddenly, with a shrill whistle and a great burst of steam, a green and black engine came snorting out of the darkness. I turned and ran to my father. “A dragon!” I shouted. “There’s a dragon coming out of its cave!” Since then, steam engines and dragons have always inspired the same feelings in me—wonder, awe, and delight. I would like to see a real dragon one day—green and gold—and, because I have always preferred the reluctant sort, rather shy and gentle. But until that day comes, I shall be content with steam engines. India has one of the most extensive railway systems in the world, and the steam engine is still in use on some lines. Some of the trains that crisscross the subcontinent, panting over desert and plain, through hill and forest, are pulled by these snorting monsters that belch smoke by day and scatter red stars at night. Even now when I see a train coming round the bend of a hill, crossing a bridge, or cutting across a wide plain, I experience the same sort of innocent wonder that I felt as a boy. Where are all these people going and where have they come from? What are they really like? When children wave to me from carriage windows, I wave back. It is a habit I never lost. And sometimes I am in a train, waving, and the village children wave back—not to me exactly. It is the train they are waving to. Small wayside stations have always fascinated me. Manned sometimes by just one or two railway employees and often situated in the middle of a damp subtropical forest or clinging to a mountainside, these little stations are outposts of romance—lonely symbols of the pioneering spirit that led people to lay tracks into the remote corners of the earth. Dragon in the Tunnel

43. I remember such a stop on a line that went through the Terai forest near the foothills of the Himalayas. At about ten at night, the khalasi, or station watchman, lit his kerosene lamp and started walking up the tracks into the jungle. “Where are you going?” I asked. “To see if the tunnel is clear,” he said. “The Overland Mail comes in twenty minutes.” I accompanied him along the track through a deep cutting that led to the tunnel. Every night the khalasi walked through the dark tunnel and then stood outside to wave his lamp to the oncoming train as a signal that the track was clear. If the engine driver did not see the lamp, he stopped the train. The train always slowed down near the cutting. Having inspected the tunnel, we stood outside, waiting for the train. It seemed like a long time. There was no moon, and the dense forest seemed to be trying to crowd us into the narrow cutting. The sounds of the forest came to us— the belling of a sambar deer and the cry of a jackal told us that perhaps a tiger or leopard was on the prowl. There were the strange nocturnal voices of birds, and then silence. The khalasi stood outside the tunnel, listening to the faint sounds of the jungle—sounds that only he could identify and understand. Something made him stand very still for a few moments. Peering into the darkness, I felt that something was wrong. “There is an animal in the tunnel,” he said. I could hear nothing at first, but then there came a regular sawing sound, just like the sound made by someone sawing through a branch of a tree. “Bagh,” whispered the khalasi. He had said enough for me to recognize the sound-the sawing of a leopard trying to find its mate. “The train will be coming soon. We must drive the animal out or it will be run over!” Dragon in the Tunnel Cont.

44. He must have sensed my surprise because he said, “Do not be afraid. I know this leopard well. We have seen each other many times. He has a weakness for stray dogs and goats, but he will not harm us.” He gave me his small hand ax to hold, and, raising his lamp high, he started walking into the tunnel, shouting at the top of his voice to try to scare the leopard away. I followed close behind. We had gone about twenty yards into the tunnel when the light from the lamp fell on the leopard that was crouching between the tracks, only about twenty feet away from us. It bared its teeth in a snarl and went down on its belly, tail twitching. I thought it was going to spring. The khalasi and I both shouted—together. Our voices rang and echoed through the tunnel. The leopard, uncertain as to how many humans were in the tunnel with him, turned swiftly and disappeared in the darkness. The khalasi and I walked to the end of the tunnel without seeing the leopard. As we returned to the entrance the rails began to hum, and we knew the train was coming. The khalasi began waving his lamp. I put my hand to one of the rails and felt its tremor. And then the engine came round the bend, hissing at us and scattering sparks into the darkness, defying the jungle as it roared through the steep sides of the cutting. It charged straight at the tunnel and into it, thundering past us like the beautiful dragon of my dreams. And when it had gone, the silence returned and the forest breathed again. Only the rails still trembled with the passing of the train. Dragon in the Tunnel Cont.

45. From which point of view is this story told? None of the Above third person omniscient through eyes of observer first person through eyes of a child as events are occurring third person limited through eyes of the khalasi first person through eyes of adult reflecting on childhood

46. Which analogy does the author use throughout the story? None of the above a khalasi is like a leopard a dragon is like a dark tunnel a leopard is like a huge monster a steam engine is like a dragon

47. There was no moon, and the dense forest seemed to be trying to crowd us into the narrow cutting. The sounds of the forest came to us—the belling of a sambar deer and the cry of a jackal told us that perhaps a tiger or leopard was on the prowl. There were the strange nocturnal voices of birds, and then silence. Which phrase best describes the mood created by the above excerpt. All of the Above intense frustration surprised amazement joyful excitement fearful anticipation

48. The narrator in this story can best be described as None of the Above humorous. lonely. disrespectful. imaginative.

49. …the silence returned and the forest breathed again. The author’s use of figurative language in this statement suggests that None of the Above the dragon was no longer a threat. the leopard had returned to the cave. danger was still lurking nearby. everything was safe for the moment.

50. To which genre does this story belong? None of the Above fantasy biography science fiction historical fiction

51. The author refers to “the belling of the sambar deer and the cry of the jackal.” Based on context clues, what is the best definition for the word belling? All of the Above a rhythmic beat made by deer hooves a soft ringing of bells worn by a deer an act of aggression by a male deer a vocal sound of fear made by a deer

52. Which statement from the story shows that the narrator is curious? None of the Above When children wave to me from carriage windows, I wave back. It is a habit I never lost. And sometimes I am in a train, waving, and the village children wave back… I turned and ran to my father. “A dragon!” I shouted. “There’s a dragon coming out of its cave!” The first time I saw a train, I was standing on a wooded slope outside a tunnel in the foothills near Simla in India. I experience the same sort of innocent wonder that I felt as a boy. Where are all these people going and where have they come from? What are they really like?

53. What is the primary job of the khalasi? All of the above to hunt tiger and leopard in the hills of the Terai forest to protect the narrator from being attacked by animals to light the way along the tracks at night for trains to provide safe passage through the tunnel for trains

54. Some of the trains that crisscross the subcontinent, panting over desert and plain, through hill and forest, are pulled by these snorting monsters that belch smoke by day and scatter red stars at night. The author’s use of imagery and personification in this excerpt contribute most to which of the following? None of the Above plot theme conflict setting

55. A Hurricane Katrina survivor, 4-month-old Chance was rescued after almost three weeks of fending for himself on the flooded streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Chance was a little black-and-white pup with a spot right in the center of his head. He was already at a disadvantage because he was not rescued from a home. He was a homeless stray with no identification. When he arrived at the Arizona Humane Society (a shelter for animals) with the first deployment of Katrina animals on September 18, 2005, the AHS veterinarians decided that Chance needed to spend some time at the AHS Second Chance Hospital™. He was terribly thin because he had not eaten in weeks. He had both hookworm1 and ringworm2. But the Second Chance staff took great care of Chance, who actually was named after the hospital. Soon he was ready to go to a foster home to continue his recovery. Chance’s foster family quickly discovered how entertaining he could be! Sometimes he would put his nose to the ground and, like a vacuum cleaner, gather every single squeaky toy in the house into his mouth… all squeaking at the same time! Other times, he would play in the backyard for hours chasing and barking at his own shadow; he just couldn’t seem to figure out why his shadow’s tail was always wagging! It was impossible not to fall in love with this silly prankster! We are happy to report that Chance’s foster parents could not resist his charms. He has become a permanent part of the family. These days, he is spending his time trying to convince his doggie sisters Caty and Chypsy that chewing on their ears is something they will learn to love. What his family loves most about him is when, at the end of the day, he is all tuckered out, he comes over and plops his big head right in their laps and lets out a long, contented sigh. He knows he’s finally home. Chance’s new family members all agree. “We are so glad we took a chance on ‘Chance’!” About the Arizona Humane Society - Committed to building healthy relationships between people and animals - The Arizona Humane Society is the state’s largest nonprofit animal welfare and protection agency. In 2005, the AHS took in more than 43,000 unwanted, sick, abused, or injured animals. The agency is supported solely by donations and does not receive any government funding. The mission of the AHS is to build healthy relationships between people and animals. For more information about the Arizona Humane Society, go to www.azhumane.org. 1 Any of several types of parasitic worms that attack the lining of the intestines and suck blood from it 2 Any of several contagious (can be spread from one to another) fungal diseases of the skin, hair, or nails of humans and domestic animals. They are ring-shaped, discolored skin patches covered with vesicles and scales A Second Chance for “Chance” Hurricane Survivor Makes Valley His New Home

56. A Hurricane Katrina survivor, 4-month-old Chance was rescued after almost three weeks of fending for himself on the flooded streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Based on the use of the word fending, which of the following statements is MOST LIKELY TRUE about Chance’s time on the streets? None of the Above Chance almost drowned during the hurricane. Chance was well-taken care of by his owners. Chance spent most of his time playing with other dogs. Chance struggled to stay alive after the hurricane.

57. When he arrived at the Arizona Humane Society with the first deployment of Katrina animals… Using context clues, what is the BEST definition for the word deployment? None of the Above arrangement compartment assignment shipment

58. The passage states that Chance was at a disadvantage. What was the direct cause of that specific disadvantage? None of the Above He was only four months old. He was infested with worms. He had not eaten for weeks. He had no identification.

59. Which of the following statements from the passage is an opinion? None of the Above He was a homeless stray with no identification. He was terribly thin because he had not eaten in weeks. Chance was a little black-and-white pup with a spot right in the center of his head. It was impossible not to fall in love with this silly prankster!

60. Which of the sentences BEST summarizes the main idea of the passage? All of the Above The Arizona Humane Society often has to provide medical attention for the homeless animals like Chance. Families that provide foster care for animals from the Arizona Humane Society can also adopt the animals. Many of the pets that had no homes after Hurricane Katrina were sent to live in Arizona rescue shelters. An animal survivor of Hurricane Katrina was able to find a new Home with the help of the Arizona Humane Society.

61. Which of the statements about Chance’s condition when he arrived at the shelter is FALSE? None of the Above He had discolored patches on his skin. He had blood-sucking worms in his intestines. He had a disease that can be given to other animals. He had no contagious skin diseases.

62. Which of the following conclusions can be made after reading the passage about the Arizona Humane Society? None of the Above No stray animals from Louisiana that had identification were sent to the Arizona Humane Society. Only animals that were starving and had diseases were sent to the Arizona Humane Society. All of the animals sent to Arizona from Louisiana after the hurricane were placed in foster homes. Some of the animals found in Louisiana after the hurricane were sent to the Arizona shelter.

63. Which of the statements about the Arizona Humane Society is TRUE? All of the Above The AHS does not accept donations because it has plenty of money. The AHS made more money last year than any other animal shelter. The AHS receives money from both federal and state governments. The AHS gives medical care and finds homes for displaced animals.

64. Which of the following is MOST LIKELY NOT one of the author’s reasons for writing the story about Chance? All of the Above to provide information about the good things being done by AHS to convince people to support the Arizona Humane Society to show that bad situations can have positive, happy outcomes to warn people to avoid stray animals because they carry diseases

65. One of the five main branches of the United States Armed Forces is the U.S. Navy.1 All branches of the armed forces are under the control of the President of the United States. The President is also known as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Navy protects the United States by patrolling the seas and fighting our enemies in the open waters. Members of the U.S. Navy serve aboard ships and submarines. The submarine force during World War II (WW II) was an elite group of well-trained men who made up less than 2% of the U.S. Navy. This group of men sunk over 50% of all Japanese ships lost during the war. The American submarine force sank more than 600,000 tons of enemy warships and more than 5,000,000 tons of merchant shipping. This made it very difficult for Japan to get oil, iron, ore, food, and other materials necessary to continue to fight the war. World War II submarines were designed to be invisible. The primary way of becoming invisible was to submerge and travel underwater. A submarine could safely dive to a depth of 400 feet. The paint on the ship also made it difficult to see. It was painted in shades of gray and black so it would blend in with the water. Though it was a very small part of the Navy, the submarine force lost the highest percentage of men. More than 3,500 men in 52 submarines never returned from patrol during WW II. One of the submarines that returned from battle after successfully completing six war patrols was the USS Pampanito.2 The ship carried a crew of 70 men and 10 officers. It is credited with helping “turn the tide” of the war in the Pacific because it was responsible for sinking six Japanese ships and causing serious damage to four others. World War 2

66. The USS Pampanito is now a National Historic Landmark. It is docked at Pier 45 – Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco. It is now a floating museum and close to 200,000 people tour the ship every year. The ship measures 311 feet 8 inches in length and 27 feet 3 inches at its widest point. World War 2 1 The five branches include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard 2 Named after the gafftopsail pompano, one of the most beautiful fish found in Mexican waters

67. Which of the following is NOT one of the five main branches of the United States Armed Forces? None of the Above Marines Coast Guard Army Secret Service

68. The primary way of becoming invisible was to submerge and travel underwater. Using context clues and your knowledge of affixes, which of the following words or phrases best defines the word submerge. None of the Above remain above join with hide from go beneath

69. A football field measures 100 yards from end zone to end zone and is just over 53 yards across. If we compare the size of the USS Pampanito to the size of a football field, which of the following statements is TRUE? (REMEMBER: 1 yard = 3 feet). All of the Above The submarine is neither wider nor longer than a football field. The submarine is wider but not longer than a football field. The submarine is both longer and wider than a football field. The submarine is longer than a football field but not as wide.

70. What is the main purpose of the passage? None of the Above to convince people to visit the USS Pampanito to persuade people to join the U.S. Armed Forces to explain how the WWII submarines operated to provide information about the WWII submarine force

71. The submarine force is part of which branch of the Armed Forces? None of the Above Marines Coast Guard Air Force Navy

72. It (the USS Pampanito) is credited with helping “turn the tide” of the war in the Pacific because it was responsible for sinking six Japanese ships and causing serious damage to four others. The phrase “turn the tide” is called an idiomatic expression. Which of the following correctly restates the main idea of this sentence. None of the Above The Japanese sent many more ships to the Pacific after the USS Pampanito’s successful attacks. Because the USS Pampanito destroyed several Japanese ships, the Japanese turned their ships around. The United States was winning the war in the Pacific until the USS Pampanito destroyed the Japanese ships. As a result of the USS Pampanito’s success, the United States began winning the war in the Pacific.

73. Based on the passage, which of the following statements IS accurate? All of the Above The submarine force makes up the largest part of the Navy. More than 3,500 men died on the USS Pampanito. The USS Pampanito sank more than 5 million tons of merchant shipping. The USS Pampanito is named after a beautiful fish.

74. Which of the following correctly summarizes the main idea of the passage? None of the Above Without the success of the USS Pampanito the United States would have lost the war. The USS Pampanito is now a major tourist attraction located at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. The United States Navy is the most important branch of the US Armed Forces. The submarine force played an important role in helping the United States during WW II.

75. Which of the following was a direct effect of the sinking of Japanese ships? All of the Above The United States sent more submarines to the Pacific. Over 3,000 men serving on submarines died. The USS Pampanito safely returned from battle. Japan was unable to get war supplies and materials.

76. Which of the following inferences is supported by information in the passage? None of the Above The US Navy is the most important branch of the Armed Forces. The USS Pampanito was the only submarine to return from battle. Submarines escaped damage by traveling at high rates of speed. Being part of the submarine force during WW II was dangerous.

77. If a person wanted to learn more about the role of the submarine force during WW II, which would probably be the best resource? All of the Above almanac ship captain air force pilot encyclopedia

78. The submarine force during World War II (WW II) was an elite group of well-trained men who made up less than 2% of the U.S. Navy. elite : the choice part; the best of a class; superior Based on the passage and the definition for the word elite, one can conclude that members of the submarine force ____ All of the Above all volunteered to be part of this special team. have more wartime experience than everyone else. are older than the rest of the men in the Navy. have skills which place them above others in the Navy.

79. Walter Reed was born in 1851 in Belroi, Virginia. After studying medicine, he joined the Army Medical Corps in 1874 and had a very successful 25-year career as a U.S. Army physician. It was his work in 1900, however, that had an immediate and powerful effect in the field of medicine and has since rid much of the world of a horrible disease. Doctors had long been concerned about yellow fever1, which injured the liver and made the skin turn yellowish. When one person came down with yellow fever, other people soon became ill with the disease too. Doctors did not know how yellow fever spread, so they could not stop it. During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Army became concerned about yellow fever because many American soldiers who went to Cuba contracted it and became ill. In 1900, after the war, the Surgeon General put Walter Reed in charge of a team that went to Cuba to study yellow fever and other diseases. Three other doctors were on Reed’s team. The team quickly saw that nurses took care of patients with yellow fever and did not get sick. Therefore, they knew that yellow fever was not spread by touching sick people or their clothing, sheets, or blankets. Dr. Carlos Finlay of Havana, Cuba, believed that mosquitoes carried yellow fever. The team decided to check his idea. The only sure way to check this idea was to have a mosquito bite a person with yellow fever, and then have the same mosquito bite a healthy person. If the healthy person became ill with yellow fever, the team would know that the illness had been carried by the mosquito. Two doctors and a soldier bravely volunteered to be bitten by yellow-fever mosquitoes. The soldier suffered a mild case. At first, the two doctors did not get sick, but then they both became very ill. After careful experiments on other volunteers, the team members concluded that mosquitoes carried yellow fever from person to person. In 1901, scientists realized that by destroying the mosquito breeding grounds and by using mosquito netting to prevent infected patients from being bitten, they could almost eradicate the disease. It would not be until 1951, however, that a vaccine to protect people from yellow fever would be discovered. In those countries that vaccinate against the disease, very few cases of yellow fever are reported; however, it remains a problem in those areas that do not vaccinate. Reed’s discovery was so important to the medical field that the Army named its medical center in Washington, D.C. after him. They wanted people to have a way to remember the work done by Reed and the courageous volunteers who risked their lives to fight yellow fever. A Story of Dedication, Courage, and Sacrafice

80. What is the primary purpose of the passage? All of the Above to explain why the Army named its medical center after Walter Reed to warn people about the dangers of yellow fever to convince people to get vaccinated against yellow fever to provide information about Walter Reed’s contribution to medicine

81. Which of the statements best summarizes the passage? None of the Above The Cuban physician Dr. Carlos Finlay was a valuable member of Dr. Reed’s team. Dr. Walter Reed was not only a distinguished Army physician, but also a great researcher Yellow fever is a deadly disease carried from an infected person to a healthy person by the bite of a mosquito The discovery by Dr. Reed and his team regarding yellow fever allowed doctors to almost wipe out the disease.

82. What is the main idea of paragraph 6? All of the Above what doctors are doing today to prevent another outbreak the development of a vaccine to prevent yellow fever reasons scientists wanted to use a mosquito netting ways to control the spread of yellow fever

83. Which question is answered in paragraph 4? All of the Above How much contact did the nursing staff have with infected patients? What led Dr. Finlay to his conclusions about the spread of yellow fever? Who were the other doctors that served on Reed’s medical team? Is yellow fever spread by coming in contact with an infected person?

84. During yellow fever epidemics, as many as 85% of those who became infected with the disease, died from it. If the sentence were added to the passage, to which paragraph would it most likely be added? Paragraph 6 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 5

85. Based on information in the passage, all of the following statements are true except All of the Above Reed’s team conducted their research in Cuba. Yellow fever is a serious viral infection that can be deadly. There have been a number of yellow-fever epidemics throughout history. Dr. Reed discovered the vaccine that protects people from yellow fever

86. The reader can most logically conclude that None of the Above Reed received a great deal of money from the Army because of his successful research. Reed and his team were vaccinated against yellow fever before going to Cuba. Cuba was the only country to have outbreaks of yellow fever caused by mosquitoes. Yellow fever would still be a health problem if a vaccine had not been developed.

87. What is the best definition for the word eradicate, as it is used in paragraph 6? All of the Above disarm dissolve elevate eliminate

88. As a young boy, Garfield Minott had two separate, but captivating, interests. His first was a fascination with prehistoric dinosaurs. His second, an aptitude for art. As an adult, Minott found a way to merge these two distinct interests, leading to an unusual career as a paleo-artist. In fact, he has been so successful in this career that paleontologists1 around the world commend him on his precision and attention to detail. Claiming that his life-like dinosaur replicas are among the most anatomically correct reconstructions they have ever seen, scientists who study prehistoric animals, museum curators2, and even motion- picture directors seek Minott’s expertise. There are a number of noted scientists with whom Minott has worked. For example, Dr. Kent A. Stevens from the University of Oregon sought Minott’s advice for his recent publication on vision in dinosaurs. Dr. Paul Sereno, another noted paleontologist, specifically requested Minott be the first to sculpt the newly discovered African dinosaur, Carcharodontosaurus. Dr. Frank Mendel, a scientist at the University of Buffalo, studies the saber-toothed cat3. Upon hearing of Minott’s reputation as the “fastest and most accurate” paleo-artist, he hired Minott to assist him in the study and reconstruction of the dentition (arrangement of teeth) in the saber-toothed cat. As museum curators seek to accurately recreate the world of the dinosaur, they, too, turn to experts like Garfield Minott. His works are so authentic that museums worldwide commission him to assist in their recreations of the prehistoric past. Minott’s replicas can be seen at the Museum of Natural History in Japan, the Natural Science Museum in Morocco, and the Smithsonian Institute in the United States, to name just a few. When Science and Art Collide

89. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Minott’s work is his involvement with the film industry where he specializes in special effects. His work can be seen in quite a number of movies and special features. Among the most well-known was the sculpting of miniature models that he created for the 2002 movie, The Santa Claus 2. He has also done a great deal of work for the National Geographic Channel, the Discovery Channel, and the British Broadcasting Channel. According to Minott, the life-like mechanical saber-toothed tiger he created for a National Geographic special was one of the more challenging replicas he has created to date. He also takes great pride in the Tyrannosaurus rex head that he molded for a recent British documentary on the giant carnivore. By attending science conferences and lectures, Garfield Minott continues to expand his knowledge of the prehistoric creatures that have mesmerized him since he was a child. He also strives to perfect his artistic talents by experimenting with innovative computer graphics and molding techniques. Because Minott continues to study and to learn, he will likely remain one of the top paleo-artists in the field.

90. As a young boy, Garfield Minott had two separate, but captivating, interests… As an adult, Minott found a way to merge these two distinct interests, leading to an unusual career as a paleo-artist. Based on the context, what is the best definition of the word merge? All of the Above define increase develop combine

91. Carefully read paragraph 4. Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of the paragraph? All of the Above He prefers working with directors on special effects for movies and documentaries. Minott’s work requires him to work with scientists, actors, producers, and museum curators. The tiny life-like models he created for a movie were Minott’s most popular and most challenging project. Among Minott’s list of achievements is the work he has done for movies and documentaries.

92. What can the reader logically infer about Garfield Minott? All of the Above He prefers to working on special effects for movies. He is the only paleo-artist in the United States. He is a respected scientist as well as a great artist. He enjoys his work and finds it challenging.

93. As a paleo-artist, Minott must not only possess expert knowledge about dinosaurs, but must also be patient and conscientious in order to create accurate models. In which paragraph does the above sentence belong? None of the Above Paragraph 4 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 1

94. …Garfield Minott continues to expand his knowledge of the prehistoric creatures that have mesmerized him since he was a child. Which phrase from the passage provides a context clue to the meaning of the word mesmerized? None of the Above “to perfect his artistic talents by experimenting with innovative computer graphics…” “…his involvement with the film industry where he specializes in special effects.” “…paleontologists around the world commend him on his precision…” “…Garfield Minott had two separate, but captivating, interests.”

95. Scientists, museum curators, and film directors hire Minott for all of the following reasons except- All of the Above his knowledge of the anatomy of dinosaurs. the fact that he can create models quickly. the degree of accuracy in his models. his ability to use computer graphics.

96. What is the author’s primary purpose for writing “When Science and Art Collide”? All of the Above to persuade people to study paleontology and learn about prehistoric creatures to provide information about the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth to persuade people to choose careers based on their childhood interests to provide biographical information about a successful paleo-artist

97. Which of the following statements from the passage does not contain opinion? All of the Above As an adult, Minott found a way to merge these two interests, leading to an unusual career as a paleo-artist. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Minott’s work is his involvement with the film industry where he specializes in special effects. …the life-like mechanical saber-toothed tiger he created for a National Geographic special was one of the more challenging replicas he has created to date. …scientists who study prehistoric animals, museum curators, and even motion-picture directors seek Minott’s expertise.

98. Which of the following predictions about Minott can be made based on the information in the text? All of the Above He will likely become one of the most popular special effects artists in the field of movies. He will likely lose interest in the field of paleo-artistry. He will likely return to college and pursue a career as a paleontologist. He will likely create even better quality replicas in the future than he did in the past.

99. A museum curator is most likely one who- All of the Above studies the history of each exhibit. takes visitors on tours of museums. sweeps and cleans the museum. selects items and exhibits for display.

100. Which of the following best completes the graphic organizer? None of the Above expert skills in computer technology a college education in science or paleontology contacts with people in the film industry artistic ability to create and to sculpt