Mini practice (Grade 4) modeled after NJSLA–ELA style questions. Read the paired informational passages and answer questions that require you to use evidence from the text.
Read both passages. Then answer the questions that follow.
Passage 1: The Busy Life of Bees
Bees may look small, but they do big work. Many flowers and crops need bees to move pollen from one flower to another. This helps plants make seeds and fruit.
A honeybee colony works like a team. The queen bee’s main job is to lay eggs so the colony can grow. Worker bees do many different jobs. Some worker bees clean the hive. Others feed the baby bees, called larvae. Some workers guard the hive entrance. Many workers fly out to collect nectar and pollen.
When a worker bee finds a good patch of flowers, it returns to the hive and does a “waggle dance.” The dance shows other bees the direction and distance to the flowers. Then more bees can fly out to the same place.
Bees face challenges, too. Bad weather can make it hard to find food. Pesticides can harm bees if the chemicals get on flowers. When bees have enough safe places to find nectar, they can help gardens and farms grow.
Passage 2: Helping Pollinators in Our Neighborhood
Pollinators are animals that help plants by moving pollen. Bees are well known pollinators, but butterflies, beetles, and even some birds can pollinate, too. Without pollinators, many fruits and vegetables would be harder to grow.
People can help pollinators in simple ways. One way is to plant a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year. This gives pollinators food in spring, summer, and fall. Another way is to provide water, such as a shallow dish with small stones, so insects can land safely.
It also helps to use fewer chemicals on lawns and gardens. Some sprays can hurt helpful insects along with pests. Choosing other methods, like pulling weeds by hand or using natural solutions, can make a yard safer.
Even small changes matter. When many neighborhoods plant pollinator-friendly flowers, pollinators have more places to live and find food.
Evidence-Based Question: Using information from BOTH passages, explain why pollinators are important and describe two ways people can help them. Use at least two details from each passage.
In Passage 1, what is the purpose of the “waggle dance”?
Which statement best shows how the two passages are connected?
What is the main idea of Passage 1?
Which details from Passage 2 support the idea that people can help pollinators? Select TWO.