Log inSign up for FREE
Library

Reading Comprehension Take Home Test

Last updated over 1 year ago
52 questions
Reading Comprehension
Directions: Read the selection. Then answer each question.

Exploring the Amazon Rain Forest

The Rain Forest

1 Picture yourself on a boat. You’re exploring the largest river in the
world. You hear the sounds of the animals that make their home here.
Rain is falling so hard it is as if someone is dumping buckets of water
from the sky. You are on the Amazon River. This 4,000-mile river flows
through the largest rain forest in the world.

The First Explorer

2 A Spanish explorer named Don Francisco de Orellana became the first
European to explore the Amazon rain forest in 1541. He was looking
for spices and gold. He didn’t find what he was looking for. But he did
see many of the most beautiful plants and animals in the world.

Pedro Teixeira and Father Acuna

3 A Portuguese explorer named Pedro Teixeira sailed up the Amazon
River 13 years later. Father Cristóbal de Acuña was part of his crew.
His writing includes information about trees, fish, turtles, and farms.

Scientists in the Amazon

4 The first European to explore the Amazon for science was Alexander
von Humboldt. He collected many wildlife samples. Many other
scientists came after von Humbolt.

5 Henry Walter Bates was a scientist from England. He spent 11 years
in the Amazon. He collected more insects from the rain forest than any
other person. He also wrote a book about his time in the Amazon. It is
one of the best books ever written about the rain forest.

6 Scientists spend so much time in the Amazon because there are many
interesting animals that live there. Both crocodiles and alligators make
their home there. The Amazon is a special place. There is nowhere in
the world like it!
1

Which detail shows that the Amazon River is still interesting to modern scientists?

1

Draw an arrow from the name of the explorer to the detail that describes him.

1

Which event happened first?

1

The reason that Don Francisco de Orellana explored the Amazon was to -

1

Which sentence from the selection includes the author's opinion?

1

Which of the following best describes a claim made by the author in the selection?

1

Part A:
The author most likely wrote this selection to -

1

Part B
Which sentence from the selection supports your answer in Part A?

1

Part A
The author uses vivid details in the first paragraph to show -

1

Part B
The purpose of the first paragraph is to -

Directions: Read the selection. Then answer each question.

Operation Clean-Up

1 One day after school, Lisa went to the park near her house. She did
not like what she saw. There was trash all over the park! Lisa wanted
the park to be beautiful again. She talked to her mom, and they came
up with a plan. They called it Operation Clean-Up.

2 They began by going to the store. Lisa and her mom told the owner,
Mr. Dunbar, their idea, and he wanted to help. He gave them the
things they would need: gloves, trash bags, and recycling bins. Lisa
and her mother left the store and headed to the park. On the way,
they met Lisa’s friend Sasha, who was walking her dog with her dad.
Lisa told them the plan. Sasha and her dad wanted to help. As they
walked, they told their neighbors the plan. Everyone wanted to help!
Soon, a whole team of people was walking to the park for Operation
Clean-Up. Lisa couldn’t believe it!

3 When they got to the park, the group split up. Some people went to the
playground. Others went to the baseball field. They put garbage into the
trash bags. They put old newspapers and cans into the recycling bins.

4 Cleaning up was hard work. The team of workers could see the park
changing around them. Mr. Dunbar came with some water and
snacks. He also brought some flowers to plant all around the park.
Before long, the park was beautiful once again.
1

Which equipment shown in the illustration is the same as what Mr. Dunbar provided? Circle the items on the lines.

1

Part A
The illustration of the clean-up is most likely included to -

1

Part B
Which detail in the text helps the reader understand the characters' feelings about the clean-up in the same way as the illustration?

Directions: Read the selection. Then answer the question.
William Meets Richard the Lionhearted
  1. Many years ago, a boy named William lived in a small village with his mother and father in a very small house. They did not have much, but they had what they needed. William’s father worked on a farm in the village. He picked potatoes and pumpkins all day. William’s mother washed clothes. They lived a simple life.
  2. Once a week, the family would gather around the fire and tell stories. William’s father loved to tell stories about their great king, Richard the Lionhearted. William’s father could talk for hours about Richard the Lionhearted’s bravery.
  3. Sometimes, William would stay up at night and imagine going on adventures with the king. William wanted an exciting life. He wanted to leave his village. He wanted to travel around the world with the king. He wanted to be a brave knight. William often thought about a poem he had once heard:        King Richard, you are my inspiration       Thank you for making us a great nation.       You fight strong for the rich and the poor       You charge into battle with a lion’s roar.
  4. One morning, William heard loud noises outside. He looked out and saw a large crowd standing along the road. He ran into the kitchen. William’s mother was making breakfast. William’s father was adding logs to the fire. William asked his parents about the crowd.
  5. “You didn’t hear?” William’s father asked. “King Richard is riding through town with his army!”
  6. “We can hardly believe it!” William’s mother exclaimed.
  7. William and his parents ate breakfast quickly and went outside to join the crowd. Everyone in the village was there. William was so excited, he couldn’t even speak.
  8. Before long, William saw a great army with beautiful horses coming toward the crowd. At the front of the army was Richard the Lionhearted. His silver armor shone in the sunlight. William couldn’t take his eyes off the king. As King Richard passed, he looked right at William and smiled.
  9. William would never forget the day Richard the Lionhearted rode through his village.
1

Part A The main problem in the selection is that William wants —

1

Part A The main problem in the selection is that William wants —

1

The description of William’s family’s home in paragraphs 1 and 2 is important because it shows —

1

Match each character's name next to the detail that describes him or her.

1

Part A What can the reader conclude about how William and his parents feel about King Richard riding through town?

1

Part B What sentence from the selection provides background for the family's feelings?

1

Which sentence best expresses the theme of “William Meets Richard the Lionhearted”?

1

What sentence from the selection best supports the theme?

1

Which lines from the poem within the selection rhyme?

1

Read this line from the poem in the story. You charge into battle with a lion’s roar. The poet uses the phrase “lion’s roar” to show that King Richard —

Directions: Read the selection. Then answer the question.
Eleanor Roosevelt: America’s First Lady
As a Child
  1. Eleanor Roosevelt was born in 1884. Her uncle was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. When she was very young, both of her parents died. She was sent to high school in England. She was a shy child. Going to school in England helped her become less shy. Early Adulthood
  2. When she finished high school, she came back to the United States. Soon, she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They married each other in 1905. They had six children. Mr. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States in 1933. World War II
  3. In 1941, the United States started fighting in World War II. Since many American men had to fight, women had to do the men’s jobs. Women had to work in factories to build machines for the war. Mrs. Roosevelt supported the women workers. She set up day care centers for the women’s children.
  4. Mrs. Roosevelt also visited many wounded soldiers. She traveled to army hospitals around the world. She wanted to thank these soldiers who got hurt fighting in the war.
  5. During the war, Mrs. Roosevelt encouraged the American people to stay strong. She helped her husband inspire the American people. United Nations
  6. After President Roosevelt died in 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt was made the American spokesperson for the United Nations. The United Nations is an organization with spokespeople from many countries in the world. Mrs. Roosevelt spoke about making the world safer. She also thought everyone in the world should be treated fairly. People around the world respected Mrs. Roosevelt. Her Mark
  7. Mrs. Roosevelt was one of the most influential First Ladies in American History. She helped Americans get through World War II. She fought for peace and equality. She was a smart, tough, and caring woman.
1

In section 3, “World War II,” the author writes about the problems Americans had during the war. Below, select two sentences from the paragraph that show that Mrs. Roosevelt helped with the problems.

1

Part A The author organizes the selection by —

1

Which words from the selection supports your answer in Part A?

Directions: Read the selection. Then answer the question.
Frederick Law Olmsted
  1. Frederick Law Olmsted was one of the first American outdoor park designers. He designed some of the most beautiful parks in the United States. Before this accomplishment, however, he did many other things.
  2. First, Olmsted studied farming and engineering, or how to build things, in college. Then, after spending a year sailing to China, he ran a farm. He was also a writer and helped start a magazine.
  3. In 1852, Olmsted and a partner entered a contest. It was for the design of a new park to be built in New York City. Olmsted won the contest, and work began on the new park.
  4. Olmsted had different ideas about parks. Although cities had parks, they were often only for rich people and their families. Olmsted felt that there should be a park that was open to everyone. His park was to be placed in the middle of New York City. People from everywhere could go there to walk, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.
  5. When the park was finished in 1857, anyone and everyone could visit. At almost 800 acres, the park was huge! It had lakes, meadows, and rolling hills. It had fountains and paths for horse-drawn carriages.
  6. After Central Park was completed, Olmsted created other beautiful city parks around the country. He even designed the grounds for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.
  7. His friend Daniel Burnham said this about Olmsted: “An artist, he paints with lakes and wooded slopes; with lawns and banks and forest covered hills; with mountain sides and ocean views.”
1

What words does the author use in paragraph 2 to help the reader recognize that this biography has a time-order text structure?

1

Part A In what way was Olmsted's park in New York City different from other city parks?

1

Part B Which sentence from the selection supports your answer in Part A?

1

Which detail in the selection helps the reader understand how successful Olmsted was as a park designer?

1

Place an X next to the three details that support the idea that Olmsted did many things before becoming a park designer into the box below.

1

The information in paragraph 2 helps the reader understand that Olmsted was good at designing parks because he —

1

The author most likely wrote this selection to —

1

Part A What is the author’s point of view about Olmstead’s talents?

1

Part B Which sentence from the selection supports your answer in Part A?

1

Burnham’s viewpoint at the end of the selection is included because the author wants the reader to know that —

Directions: Read the selection. Then answer the question.
Recycle!
Modern-day School Lunchroom/Classroom Characters: MIA, student MR. MORRIS, Mia’s teacher Scene 1 Lunchroom (MIA frowns while looking at the milk cartons, cardboard trays, and paper napkins spilling out of the garbage can in the lunchroom. She sighs as a student throws another tray on top of the pile.)
  1. MIA (to herself): There has to be a better way. Scene 2 Third grade classroom
  2. MR. MORRIS: Hi, Mia! How are things?
  3. MIA: Not so good. The lunchroom trash cans are piled up with garbage every day. It smells and seems like such a waste.
  4. MR. MORRIS: Why don’t you start a recycling program? It only takes  one person to get a program started. Then the rest of the school could help. Scene 3 Third grade classroom
  5. MIA (to the class): Let’s save all the trash from our lunches for one week. Then we will sort it. Remember to look for the labels that say the item can be recycled!  (Students sort the trash into two separate piles.)
  6. MIA: Wow! Look at how much we saved from going into the landfill!
  7. MR. MORRIS: See, Mia? One person really can make a difference!
1

Read the stage directions from Scene 1 below. Select the two action words that show Mia is concerned about the amount of garbage in the lunchroom.

1

Part A Which element of a play tells the reader when and where the action takes place?

1

Part B Which word or phrase from the selection supports your answer in Part A?

Directions: Read the selection. Then answer the question.
Hurricanes
  1. Trying to figure out the path and strength of a hurricane is very difficult. Meteorologists are people who study the science of weather. They use different tools to guess when and where a hurricane will form. They can also guess its size and wind speed. Seasonal Patterns
  2. First, scientists predict, or guess, how many hurricanes will happen in a season. Next, they try to predict a storm’s wind speeds and strength. They look at where it may go and how long it might last. Finally, scientists can guess how future hurricanes might act. They do this by looking at what has happened with hurricanes in the past. Tracking the Storm
  3. Once a hurricane forms, scientists use different tools to follow the storm. Computers help them get information from the land, sea, air, and space. A barometer measures air pressure. If the air pressure rises, it means fair or dry weather. If the air pressure drops, a storm may be coming. A Doppler radar measures how fast a storm is moving and in which direction. Satellites take pictures of hurricanes from space.

4. Meteorologists use maps to track the direction of a storm. Because of these and other instruments, people may get warnings a week before a hurricane hits. This gives them time to get away from the storm’s path.
1

Part A According to the graphic, what type of weather will there be if the barometer is pointing to 960 millibars?

1

Part B The barometer in Part A points to 960 millibars. Based on paragraph 3 of the selection, what is the barometer measuring?

1

What kind of information does the author include in “Tracking the Storm”?

1

Part A Because scientists have tracked hurricanes in the past, they can —

1

Part B Which sentences from the selection support your answer in Part A?

1

Select two details in paragraph 4 that show how tools allow scientists to help people before hurricanes.

1

One problem solved by using a Doppler radar is that scientists can see —

1

The definition of Meteorologists in paragraph 1 is included most likely to —

Directions: Read the selection. Then answer the question.

Volcano!
  1. I was reading when my mother entered my room. She told me to close all my windows and pull the curtains. Thinking that a bad storm was coming, I looked outside, but the sky was blue. I knew that nature sometimes surprised our beautiful paradise with bad weather. My mother then told me that the volcano Mauna Kea might be erupting again.
  2. I could see Mauna Kea from my window. Thin streams of smoke were rising up from it. I got up and shut my windows. Then my sister, Alani, and my mother started covering all the furniture with sheets.
  3. When the same volcano blew last year, in 1935, our house was covered in dust and ashes. We had to put scarves over our faces any time we went outside. In some areas, there was so much ash that it looked like it had snowed! Some people in my town of Hilo, Hawaii, said that Pele, the goddess of fire, caused the volcano to erupt. They believe that when she becomes angry, her bad temper makes the volcano explode!
  4. Whether Pele was angry or not, I knew we had to be prepared in case the volcano blew again. Volcanic eruptions are unpredictable. I helped my mother and sister get the house ready. We had scarves to breathe through, a first aid kit, and enough food and water for several days. We were ready. Being prepared made us feel safe.
  5. Even though the lava flowing down the mountain looked as though it was headed straight for the center of town, that did not happen. We were very lucky.
1

From what point of view is the selection told?

1

Which pronoun in the selection best helps the reader identify the point of view from which the story is told?

1

Select the two sentences that support the theme that although Earth can be very powerful, planning can help people be less afraid of sudden events.

1

Part A What is one theme expressed in the selection?

1

Part B Which sentence from the selection supports your answer in Part A?