Selection: D-16

D-16

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1550 words

Author: R. Bender

Synopsis: What might surprise you about someone you already know?

Excerpt: At the time, Sam's parents were young. They knew they needed to escape the violence and hardship in their village. They heard there were jobs in America, so they saved their money until they could afford to travel there on a small passenger ship.

Question: Sam's parents decided to leave their village. What is the main reason they left?

1. to escape from violence
2. to explore America
3. to find new jobs
4. to get a good education

Selection: D-6

D-6

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1328 words

Author: Kate Carter

Synopsis: Tough and tougher: that describes the plants and animals that make their home in the desert.

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: What is the main idea of this selection?

1. Plants and animals have adapted to life in the dry desert.
2. People cannot survive in the desert but animals can do so.
3. Cold deserts have more plant life and animals than hot deserts.
4. Deserts are disappearing from all parts of the Earth.

Selection: HiD-6

HiD-6

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1477 words

Author: Dustin Rowland

Synopsis: Why would an ancient culture carve huge drawings into the face of the land? And what do they mean?

Excerpt: The Nazca lines are not just simple straight lines. They include many different shapes and patterns. There are hundreds of triangles, spirals, and other figures that cross the valley floor. Even more interesting are the dozens of animal and plant drawings that lay beside them. These land pictures include a monkey, a whale, a spider, a lizard, several birds, and many other living things that they considered to be important at the time. In total, about 900 different designs have been discovered.

Some of the designs are incredible simply for their size. Some of them are massive! They cover an area of more than 200 square miles. One of the largest drawings stretches more than 660 feet across the desert sand. That is the length of two football fields. And some of the straight lines are even longer. One goes on for nine miles!

Question: Reread these two excerpts. The Nazca lines are amazing examples of human skill and effort for which two main reasons?

1. their interesting shapes and patterns
2. their huge sizes
3. their bright colors
4. their thoughtful words and sayings
5. their unusual sounds

Selection: D-7

D-7

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1565 words

Author: Madeline Arroyo

Synopsis: Rafael Cordero made the world a better place, one head and heart at a time.

Excerpt: It seems that most movies and television shows tell us that real heroes are people who often make a lot of noise, occasionally kick up a lot of dust, and generally can't help but get noticed. Makes it kind of hard for people like you and me to believe that someday we could be heroes too, doesn't it?

The truth is that real heroes are everyday people (like you and me) who see a need and have the courage to do something about it, even if no one applauds and cheers. Rafael Cordero y Molina, the son of freed African slaves, was such a hero.

Question: Which of the following statements summarizes the author's opinion about heroes?

1. A true hero is an everyday person who has the courage to make a change in the world.
2. The only kinds of heroes that matter in the world are movie heroes.
3. A movie hero is more likely to be brave than an everyday hero.
4. Most everyday heroes are not as courageous as movies heroes.

Selection: D-5

D-5

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1577 words

Author: Mary Dunn

Synopsis: Things are not going right for Peter--not at all. But it's nothing a few jelly beans can't fix.

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: This selection is mainly about

1. how things sometimes turn out better than you expect them to.
2. how to make a great pot of soup by adding surprising things.
3. two people who don't get along but have to spend the day together.
4. learning how to live without peanut butter for one day.

Selection: D-5

D-5

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1577 words

Author: Mary Dunn

Synopsis: Things are not going right for Peter--not at all. But it's nothing a few jelly beans can't fix.

Excerpt: "Hi, Red," she says, reaching down to pet him. Then she holds out a hand to me and says, "You must be Peter. Your uncle told me that his famous nephew who hits home runs was coming today."

"He did?" I ask, with a grin. "Well, umm, Uncle Jesse wants to know if you have an onion--or some peanut butter."

"I have an onion, but no peanut butter," she says, heading to her kitchen. She returns with a whole bag of onions and drops them in my arms. I thank her, and Red and I head back to Uncle Jesse's place.

Question: What is the most important thing Peter learns from Mrs. James?

1. He learns that his uncle has been talking about him.
2. He learns that she has no peanut butter.
3. He learns that she loves dogs, especially Red.
4. He learns that neighbors often give you more than you ask for.

Selection: D-51

D-51

Grade level: 4

Word count: 1175 words

Author: Daniel Varnell

Synopsis: When a family gets stuck on a faraway planet, they must ask aliens for help.

Excerpt: No excerpt is available for this question.

Question: The theme of a story is its message or "big idea." Which of the following phrases best summarizes the theme of this selection.

1. only the truth matters
2. always show kindness
3. use your manners
4. never talk to strangers