Benchmark Unit 1
Passage:
Maria loved her garden. Every morning before school, she watered her plants and checked for new buds. On weekends, she helped her dad pull weeds and plant new seeds. Her favorite part was watching the flowers bloom in bright colors.
What is the main idea of the passage?
Passage:
James practiced piano every afternoon. He worked on each song until he could play it without mistakes. When he finally performed at the recital, everyone clapped loudly.
Which sentence best supports the idea that James worked hard?
Passage:
The old library was silent except for the soft turning of pages. Even whispers seemed too loud in the peaceful room.
What does the word silent most likely mean?
Passage:
When Maya’s dog ran away, she didn’t give up. She made posters, asked neighbors for help, and searched every evening. After three days, she found her dog near the park.
What is the main idea of this passage?
Passage:
The teacher asked everyone to form a circle on the playground. The students joined hands and stood in a round shape.
Based on the passage, what does the word circle mean?
Story:
During our camping trip, Dad taught me how to navigate the forest using a compass. I wasn’t sure what navigate meant, so I looked it up in my pocket dictionary. It said “to find one’s way.” I smiled because that’s exactly what we were doing—finding our way through the tall trees.
Which resource helped the narrator understand the word navigate?
Story:
I couldn’t believe my eyes when the first snowflakes started to fall. I ran outside, holding out my hands to catch them. The air was cold, but I didn’t care—I had been waiting all year for snow.
How do you know this story is written in first-person point of view?
Story:
If you want to help your community, try volunteering! You could read to younger kids, help clean up a park, or visit a nursing home. Volunteering makes you feel proud and helps others too.
What is the author’s purpose for writing this passage?
Story:
When our soccer team lost the big game, I felt disappointed. Coach said, “We may not have won, but I saw teamwork and effort today.” I realized that winning isn’t everything—working together is what truly matters.
What is the author’s message in this story?
Story:
While reading a science article, Ava saw the word habitat. She didn’t know what it meant, so she checked the glossary in the back of her book. It said “the natural home of an animal or plant.” She wrote the word and meaning in her notebook to remember it.
Which section of the book helped Ava understand habitat?
Story:
Every Saturday morning, Caleb visits his grandmother. They bake cookies together, play board games, and watch old movies. Before he leaves, his grandmother always gives him a big hug and a bag of cookies to take home.
What is the main idea of this story?
Story:
Ella wanted to learn how to ride her bike without training wheels. She practiced every day after school. At first, she fell often, but she never gave up. After a week, she finally rode all the way down the street without falling.
Which sentence best supports the idea that Ella worked hard to reach her goal?
Story:
The baby duck followed its mother across the pond. The water was calm and peaceful, and the sun shone brightly.
What does the word peaceful most likely mean?
Story:
During the class clean-up day, everyone worked together. Some students picked up trash on the playground, others wiped tables, and a few swept the floors. When they finished, the school looked bright and tidy.
What is the main idea of this story?
Story:
When the thunderstorm ended, a rainbow appeared across the sky. Everyone stopped to look at the colorful arch made by the sunlight and raindrops.
Based on the story, what does the word rainbow mean?