Reading Gains Form 3, section 4 - fourth quarter of the year for ELD IV (12/3/2025) (12/4/2025) (12/4/2025) (12/4/2025)

Directions:
Read the paragraph and complete the statement.

Mrs. Jeffrey was meeting them one person at a time. Jana stood in line, holding her costume for the school's spring play. She was going to play one of the evil stepsisters inCinderella, and had enjoyed putting her costume together. She knew that it needed to make her look gaudy and ugly, and had found her dress at a costume shop. It was too long, and could be taken in an inch around Jana's waist, but otherwise it was exactly what she wanted. Luckily, Mrs. Jeffrey was there to make their costumes exactly the way they wanted.

Directions:
Read the paragraph and complete the statement.

Aubrey woke up first, groggy from a night spent sleeping in a bag on the floor. She sat up, still blinking sleep out of her eyes, and looked around Robin's room. All the girls who had spent the night were still asleep, their sleeping bags making colorful stripes on the tan carpet. Cookie and chip bags were strewn around the room, accompanied by nail polish bottles and soda cans. Aubrey knew that once everyone woke up, they would have to do a lot of cleaning before they went home. Aubrey reclined again and dozed until everyone else was ready to wake up.

Directions:
Read the paragraph and complete the statement.

Josh slouched in his chair, the last to leave the classroom for the third time this week. He knew why Mrs. Mason had asked him to stay, and that, even though he'd scored well on his test, his homework had not been turned in once again. Josh didn't know why he never turned his homework in but, instead, left it sitting, completed, on his desk at home. Today, however, a twinge of guilt made Josh uncomfortable. Mrs. Mason looked older, and tired, and Josh knew he could do well in her class if he tried harder.

Directions:
Read the paragraph and complete the statement.

Jenny Holzer is an artist who probes the relationship between words and art in public spaces. She places words and phrases in urban spaces using various media such as street posters, LED signs, stickers, billboards, and benches. For her famous series of works calledTruisms, Holzer posted a series of statements and aphorisms around New York City. Her truisms say things like “A little knowledge can go a long way” and “Everyone's work is equally important.” Her largest installation occurred on one of Times Square's huge electronic billboards. Her conceptual work directs the viewer to think about how words always carry meaning despite their appearance, place, or author.

Directions:
Read the passage about job interviews. Complete the statement with the word for each question number.

    Many students find it beneficial to hold part-time jobs while they are in school. Some do so in order to earn money, while others want to explore potential career paths. Some students intern in jobs that will help them acquire future positions. Regardless of the position, improving your interview skills will make it more likely that you will be hired. You should ____6____ your interview skills.

    Before an interview, applicants should prepare thoroughly. It is helpful to know as much about the company or business as possible and to try to anticipate questions that you may be asked. Try to ____7____ the interview questions. You should also prepare any questions you might like to ask about the position or the company. Preparation includes planning what you will wear to the interview. Your clothing should be clean and neat, as well as appropriate for the position for which you hope to be hired. Also, you should make whatever preparations are necessary so that you can arrive at the interview at the appropriate time. Ideally you should be there ten minutes early. It is important to be ____8____ .

    At the interview, you will want to appear relaxed and confident. There are several ways to accomplish this. First, make sure that your posture, sitting or standing, is straight. Good applicants do not slouch or slump. If you are sitting, lean slightly forward to show your interest. Also, make sure that you make good eye contact with the person who interviews you, as well as with anyone to whom you are introduced. Smile whenever it is appropriate, and make sure that your expression shows interest. You should convey ____9____ . If it is appropriate to shake hands, your grip should be somewhat firm. Answer questions with energy, and don't hesitate to ask a few questions of your own.

    At the end of the interview, be sure to say thank you. Most employers will appreciate your sending a thank-you note, as well. It is good to be ____10____ .

Directions:
Read the passage about Gary. Complete the statement with the word for each question number.

    Gift certificate in hand, Gary opened the bookshop door. Looking up from helping a customer with some used records, Mr. Briggs smiled at Gary. Gary perused the shelf of new arrivals near the register, tilting his head to the right and scanning the spines for graphic novels, but he didn't see any. Perhaps he would save his gift certificate for another week. He had ____11____ .

    “Hey Gary, I've got two new boxes of books in the back,” hollered Mr. Briggs from behind the counter. “I haven't had time to look through them but you can dig around if you want.” Gary thanked Mr. Briggs and went to the back of the store, pushed aside a curtain with an “Employees Only” sign on it, and stepped into the dusty dimness of the storage room. “Well, I'm in here so often that I'm practically an employee,” Gary mused. Mr. Briggs ____12____ allowed Gary in the back of the store.

    Immediately, he found several graphic novels in the boxes. Gary sat on a folding chair to thumb through them when he noticed an old diary. Curious, he opened the diary. Its spine crackled with age and little flecks of leather came loose in his hands. The entries were written in a wavering script, and the first one Gary read was dated November 6, 1903. Whoever had written it was expressing concern for a horse that had injured a hoof. Gary didn't know who had ____13____ the journal.

    The next entry described taking a walk in a deep snowfall. The ink had run a bit around the edges of those pages, and Gary imagined someone writing while standing in the snow, with snowflakes melting on the pages. Gary kept turning pages and reading, enthralled by things that had happened over a hundred years ago to someone who had died before he was born. Gary was ____14____ .

    Mr. Briggs poked his head in the doorway. “Did you find what you were looking for?” he asked. Gary nodded and brought the diary up to the register, leaving the graphic novels in a pile by the chair. Gary ____15____ the other books.

Directions:
Read the passage about martial arts. Complete the statement with the word for each question number.

    The term “martial arts” refers to a wide variety of self-defense systems, including karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, and tae kwon do. These approaches to hand-to-hand combat were developed centuries ago in eastern Asia, though the martial arts are now practiced in almost all countries throughout the world. Martial arts ____16____ in Asia. Physically rigorous, the martial arts appeal to people around the globe for their mental benefits as well.

    Hundreds of thousands of Americans participate in martial arts, finding it a good way to increase physical fitness and stimulate their minds. This is why the martial arts are so popular despite the fact that most of us infrequently have a need to physically defend ourselves from others in close combat situations. We are rarely ____17____ .

    There are three primary health advantages that can be acquired from the practice of martial arts. The first benefit is due to anaerobic training, which requires short bursts of activity. Training might include striking practice bags, sparring against opponents, or performing the different poses and moves of a given discipline. These anaerobic activities increase balance and coordination. When these activities are performed for twenty minutes or more, they provide a second benefit—aerobic activity. Aerobic activity strengthens the heart and increases lung performance. The third health benefit of martial arts training is overall increased strength. Many of the drills require work from one or more of the major muscle groups. Repeating these allow the muscles to grow stronger. The martial arts ____18____ different forms of exercise.

    The martial arts not only produce physical benefits but also psychological benefits. Children with behavior issues often make great strides through the martial arts. Adolescents and adults with attention-deficit disorder can increase their abilities to focus. They may be affected less by ____19____ . The martial arts have even been seen to be an outlet for self-expression. Modern choreographers have been incorporating the movements and including martial artists in their dance companies. Capoeira is a form of martial arts. The Brazilian fight-dance has recently become popular, though it is over 400 years old. Capoeira involves singing, playing musical instruments, and improvisational movement, as well as classic combat sparring. Capoeira incorporates music, movement, and ____20____ martial arts.