Directions: Read the passage. Then, answer the questions. The author has included some facts and some conclusions based on opinion or prior knowledge.
1. On what floor of the apartment building does the writer live? ___________________________
How can you tell?___________________________________________________________________
2. Was the writer’s best friend a boy or girl? _______________________ How can you tell?______
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3. Of these two choices, which is more likely to be the writer’s home city:
Chicago, Illinois, or San Diego, California? _______________________________ Why? _______
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4. What is the writer’s opinion about living in an apartment building? _______________________
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5. Do you think the writer has ever lived in the country or suburbs? ________________________
What makes you think so? __________________________________________________________
6. Would the writer rather live in the city or suburbs? ________________________ Why?________
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7. What does the title “Close Quarters” mean? ___________________________________________
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Does the writer use it in a positive or negative way? ____________________________________
Directions: It can be helpful to formulate some questions before you read to help you focus on the details. Read the questions below before you read the passage. Then go back and answer them.
Want to get the most from what you read? Then be sure to note the details.
1. Name five different types of objects in our solar system: _____________________
__________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
2. How many stars are in our solar system? ________________
3. What well-known comet will reappear in the year 2061? ___________________________________
4. What is a meteor? _____________________________________________________________________
5. Name a natural satellite of Earth. _________________________________
6. Where is the asteroid belt located? ______________________________________________________
You may think of our solar system as just our sun, the only star, and the nine known planets. But other things are in the solar system, too.
First, there are many satellites. A satellite is any small body orbiting a larger one. The moon is Earth’s natural satellite. There are also many artificial satellites orbiting Earth, which are used for observation and communication.
Within the space of our solar system are also countless asteroids—chunks of rock or metal that range in size from small planets to grains of sand.
The heaviest concentration is the asteroid belt, where thousands orbit the sun between Jupiter and Mars. Sometimes asteroids enter the Earth’s
atmosphere. We call these meteors.
Our solar system is also host to comets—chunks of rock, ice, and gas—that pass through our space.
Occasionally we can see their telltale vapor tail.
The best-known of these is Haley’s Comet, which passes into our view every 76 years. Its next sighting should occur in 2061.
Directions: Whether fact or fiction, you will get more out of what you read by noting the details.
Read the fiction story below. Then choose the correct answer—true or false.
I have an unusual pet and an unusual problem. Chamile is my pet chameleon. I have a big glass tank set up for her with lots of plants, rocks, and a little pond. I regularly provide insects, which she
catches by shooting out her sticky tongue. It is so funny to watch her. Each of her bulgy eyes moves separately, and when she spots a meal, even clear across the cage, she’s caught it and rolled her long tongue back in with it faster than I can see. She’s a great pet and has a luxury terrarium for a home.The problem is she seems to prefer my room.
When she is in the tank among the leaves, she is very difficult to spot. That wouldn’t be so bad except that she takes every
opportunity to escape into my room. You would think it would be easy to spot a bright green lizard among my things. But, chameleons are masters of camouflage. Unlike other animals that are brown to blend in with sticks or speckled to blend in with sand, Chamile can at will change to blend in with whatever is around her, including my curtains, rug, and bedspread. Eventually she comes back to her
home in the terrarium, but I worry that she may be out and about and I will sit on her or something!
To solve this problem I consulted a book about lizards. I found something that just might work the next time she decides to hide by changing her colors. I read that chameleons react to changes in light and, if angry, they turn black! Perhaps if I shine a bright flashlight around the room and catch her unprepared, she will show herself.
1. A chameleon is a type of amphibian.
2. Chameleons can move their eyes independently.
3. Chameleons are the only animals that use camouflage to hide.
4. Chamile’s owner provides live food for her.
5. The proper cage for a chameleon is an aquarium.
6. If angered, a chameleon may turn bright red.
7. Chameleons can change color by choice.
8. Chameleons are brown to blend in with sticks.
9. A chameleon catches its prey with its sticky tongue.
10. Chamile’s owner knows the flashlight plan will solve the problem.
O True O False O True O False O True O False O True O False O True O False O True O False O True O False O True O False O True O False O True O False
Directions: Read the story. Look for details. Then write TRUE or FALSE under each statement.
1. The Chinese invented the umbrella about 1,600 years ago.
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2. Ancient Chinese umbrellas were used as protection from rain.
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3. The ancient Chinese were responsible for inventing many items still used today.
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4. Rice and oiled papers were used to make the first umbrellas.
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5. Men did not use umbrellas.
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6. Only Chinese peasants used umbrellas.
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7. Early umbrellas were often decorated with bright colors and pictures.
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8. Umbrellas were symbols of high society rank.
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