Selection: D-29

D-29

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1520 words

Author: R. Bender

Synopsis: When a city catches fire, it takes more than buckets of water to douse the flame.

Excerpt: At that time London was surrounded by a 15-foot wall that had been built centuries earlier. The wall had been built to protect the city from invading armies.

Question: What is the relationship between the two sentences in this excerpt?

1. The second sentence offers supporting information for a statement in the first sentence.
2. The two sentences set up a comparison.
3. The first sentence states the opposite of what is stated in the second sentence.
4. The two sentences are not related in any way.

Selection: HiD-20

HiD-20

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1576 words

Author: Diane Lang

Synopsis: Mattie Stepanek lived a lifetime in just 14 years.

Excerpt: Jeni wrote how Mattie knew, and accepted, the fact that he would have a very short life. But he also knew his memory would live on through his writings and his works. "I want people to remember me some day," he wrote, "and say, 'Oh yes! Mattie! He was a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played.'"

Question: A philosopher is someone who offers thoughts on very deep and important matters. Mattie wanted to be remembered as a "philosopher who played." Based on what you have read, what is the most likely meaning of this phrase?

1. a person who has serious views of the world but still remembers to enjoy life
2. a person who does no work and thinks only about how to make other people laugh
3. a person who plans his or her life around money
4. a person who measures success by how popular he or she is

Selection: HiD-8

HiD-8

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1565 words

Author: Jack London

Synopsis: A proud young man finds out it takes more than just muscle to stay alive in the frozen north.

Excerpt: Still, Tom was alive with joy. He was doing something, achieving something, mastering the elements. Strong as the elements were, he was stronger.

Question: Read this excerpt from the selection. What does the phrase "mastering the elements" mean?

1. He believed he was stronger than nature.
2. He thought he owned that area of land.
3. He knew the long hike would not make him tired.
4. He was sure it would get warmer soon.

Selection: D-49

D-49

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1474 words

Author: Janet S. Anderson

Synopsis: Dragons are happy when they are well-fed. But when they become hungry, watch out!

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: Which statement is correct about the narrator of this selection?

1. The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters.
2. The narrator is a character in the selection.
3. The narrator does not know what the characters are feeling.
4. This selection has no narrator.