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NB G4 English Reading study materials
NB G4 English Reading study resources

NB G4 English Reading practice questions

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Question 1Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Jin wanted to make the basketball team. Every afternoon, he dribbled the ball up and down his driveway. At first the ball bounced away from his hand. After three weeks, Jin could dribble past his older brother without losing control. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Jin decided to join a different sport.
  2. Practice helped Jin improve at basketball. Correct answer.
  3. Jin bought a brand-new basketball before tryouts.
  4. Jin's older brother is a basketball coach.

Explanation

The passage focuses on Jin's daily dribbling and the change from losing control to dribbling well, so the main idea is that practice led to improvement. The brother, the ball, and other sports are not the central point.

Question 2Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Honeybees live in groups called colonies. Worker bees collect nectar from flowers and carry it back to the hive. Inside the hive, the bees turn the nectar into honey. They store the honey in small wax cells called honeycomb. According to the passage, where do honeybees store honey?

  1. On flower petals
  2. In wax cells Correct answer.
  3. Under nearby rocks
  4. In small water pools

Explanation

The passage explains that worker bees turn nectar into honey and then store it in small wax cells called honeycomb. The flowers are the source of nectar, not the storage place.

Question 3Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Leo searched the park for his lost dog, Pepper. He called her name again and again. Then he heard a bark near the swings. Pepper ran to him, wagging her tail. Leo hugged her tightly and let out a long breath. How does Leo most likely feel at the end of the passage?

  1. Proud of his new dog
  2. Bored by the quiet park
  3. Relieved to find Pepper Correct answer.
  4. Angry that Pepper ran away

Explanation

Leo hugs Pepper tightly and lets out a long breath after he finds her. Those actions show that his worry has ended and he feels relieved.

Question 4Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Last spring, people in Mill Town planted young trees along the riverbank. The tree roots spread through the soil and held it in place. During heavy rains, less mud slid into the river. Soon the water looked clearer than before. What happened because the trees were planted along the riverbank?

  1. The trees grew fruit for the town.
  2. Less mud entered the river. Correct answer.
  3. The river became deeper than before.
  4. The town received less rain than usual.

Explanation

The passage states that the tree roots held the soil and that less mud slid into the river during heavy rains. That direct result is why the water became clearer.

Question 5Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

First, Mia filled a small pot with soil. Next, she pressed three bean seeds into the soil. Then she watered the soil gently. After about a week, tiny green shoots pushed through the surface. Mia placed the pot on a sunny windowsill. Which event happens right after tiny green shoots appear?

  1. Mia sets the pot in sunlight. Correct answer.
  2. Mia fills the pot with soil.
  3. Mia presses seeds into the soil.
  4. Mia waters the soil gently.

Explanation

The passage lists the steps in order and states that after the tiny shoots appeared, Mia placed the pot on a sunny windowsill. The other choices all happen before the shoots appear.

Question 6Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Omar noticed that his neighbor, Mrs. Chen, had trouble carrying her groceries up the steps. He offered to help her every Saturday. In return, she paid him a small amount. Omar put the money in a jar. By summer, he had enough to buy the bike helmet he wanted. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Omar helps a neighbor and saves his pay. Correct answer.
  2. Omar spends all his money on a new bicycle.
  3. Omar buys groceries for his whole family each Saturday.
  4. Mrs. Chen forgets to pay Omar for his weekly help.

Explanation

A summary should include the main actions and result: Omar helps Mrs. Chen, earns money, saves it, and reaches his goal. The other choices add or change details that the passage does not say.

Question 7Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The school library had a problem. On rainy days, students tracked water onto the floor, and books left near the door got wet. The librarian asked the student council for ideas. The students placed a large plastic tray by the entrance and put a sign above it that said, "Please leave wet umbrellas here." What solution did the students create for the wet books problem?

  1. They closed the library whenever it rained.
  2. They placed a tray for wet umbrellas. Correct answer.
  3. They asked students to stay home on rainy days.
  4. They moved all the books to a different room.

Explanation

The problem is that water and books were getting wet near the library door on rainy days. The students' solution was to put a tray by the entrance so wet umbrellas could stay there.

Question 8Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Penguins live in some of the coldest places on Earth. Their feathers are packed tightly and trap warm air. A thick layer of fat under the skin also keeps out the cold. When the wind blows hard, penguins stand close together in groups to share warmth. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Penguins have ways to stay warm. Correct answer.
  2. Penguins live in many different places.
  3. Penguins eat fish and small sea animals.
  4. Penguins are excellent swimmers.

Explanation

All three details-tight feathers, a thick fat layer, and huddling-explain how penguins survive the cold. That shared purpose makes staying warm the main idea.

Question 9Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Nora held the coin jar in her lap and counted each coin twice. At the store, she picked up a bright red candy, looked at the price tag, and then put it back. She walked to the shelf with school notebooks. She checked the price of a blue notebook, counted her coins again, and smiled. What can you infer about Nora from the passage?

  1. She dislikes the taste of red candy.
  2. She has more money than she needs.
  3. She is shopping for a gift for a friend.
  4. She spends her money carefully. Correct answer.

Explanation

Nora counts her coins repeatedly, checks prices, and puts back an item she wants. These actions suggest she is deciding carefully what she can afford, not that she dislikes candy or has extra money.

Question 10Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The desert paintbrush plant lives in very dry places. Its thick stems store water after rare rains. The plant has no broad leaves, so it loses less water through its surface. Its bright flowers open at night, when the air is cooler. Which detail best supports the idea that the desert paintbrush is suited to a hot, dry place?

  1. Its name sounds like a paintbrush.
  2. Its flowers are easy to draw.
  3. Its flowers are bright red.
  4. Its thick stems store water. Correct answer.

Explanation

Storing water in thick stems helps the plant survive long dry periods, which directly supports the idea that it is suited to hot, dry places. Bright flowers, its name, and drawing do not explain survival in dry conditions.

Question 11Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Many kinds of ants farm tiny fungus for food. The ants chew leaves into a soft pulp and pile it in an underground room. Fungus grows on the pulp, and the ants eat the fungus. If the fungus gets sick, the whole colony can starve. What is this passage mostly about?

  1. Ants that grow their own food Correct answer.
  2. How ants chew leaves quickly
  3. Why ants live underground
  4. The many rooms inside an ant nest

Explanation

The main idea is the one idea that all the sentences point to. Here, every sentence describes ants chewing leaves so fungus can grow, and the ants eating that fungus, which adds up to growing their own food.

Question 12Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The morning of the big parade, Tessa's costume hat had a long feather. A gust of wind lifted the feather off and carried it to a roof. Tessa's brother found a bright paper fan in a drawer. He taped it to the hat. At the parade, three people asked Tessa where she bought her hat. What happened to the long feather?

  1. The wind carried it to a roof. Correct answer.
  2. It fell into a drawer at home.
  3. Tessa taped it back on the hat.
  4. It blew away during the parade.

Explanation

A detail question asks for something the passage states directly. The second sentence says a gust of wind lifted the feather off and carried it to a roof, before the parade started.

Question 13Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Ben's little sister could not reach the drinking fountain. Ben lifted her up so she could drink. Then he waited while she tied her shoe. Which word best describes Ben?

  1. shy
  2. careless
  3. bossy
  4. caring Correct answer.

Explanation

A character trait must be shown by the character's actions in the passage. Ben notices what his sister needs and helps her twice, which shows he cares about her.

Question 14Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The town of Harbor Bay built a wall of stones along its beach. Strong waves used to wash away the sand near the road. Now the waves hit the wall first and lose their power. Sand stays in place, and the road stays dry. Why did the town build the stone wall?

  1. To keep waves from washing away sand Correct answer.
  2. To make the beach look more beautiful
  3. To give people a place to sit
  4. To keep fish away from the shore

Explanation

A cause-and-effect question asks why something happened, and the answer must come from the text. The passage says strong waves used to wash away sand, and the wall now stops the waves and keeps the sand in place.

Question 15Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Devon practiced his lines every night. On the day of the class play, he stood backstage and listened to the audience. His hands were cold and his mouth felt dry. When his turn came, he walked out and said his first line. Then he smiled. Which sentence best shows how Devon felt before he went on stage?

  1. His hands were cold and his mouth felt dry. Correct answer.
  2. Then he smiled.
  3. He practiced his lines every night.
  4. He walked out and said his first line.

Explanation

Writers often show feelings through the body instead of naming the feeling. Cold hands and a dry mouth are signs of nervousness, and they happen while Devon waits backstage.

Question 16Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Sea otters float on their backs and wrap kelp around themselves so they do not drift away while they sleep. They crack open clams with a rock they balance on their chests. A mother otter carries her pup on her belly until it can swim on its own. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Sea otters have clever ways of living at sea. Correct answer.
  2. Sea otters sleep floating in the ocean.
  3. Sea otters use rocks to crack open clams.
  4. Mother sea otters groom their pups every day.

Explanation

A summary covers the whole passage in a general way rather than repeating one detail. The passage describes resting, eating, and raising young, so the summary must include several kinds of otter behavior.

Question 17Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Beavers build dams across streams. The dams slow the water and create deep ponds. In the pond, beavers dig a burrow with an entrance hidden underwater. Wolves and other predators cannot easily reach them there, and the pond water stays unfrozen below the ice in winter. How does the pond help beavers survive?

  1. It brings more wolves to the area.
  2. It protects them from predators and freezing. Correct answer.
  3. It gives them wood for building dams.
  4. It makes the stream flow faster.

Explanation

The passage links the pond to two survival benefits, and a good answer puts both together. The underwater entrance keeps enemies away, and the unfrozen water beneath the ice helps the beavers through winter.

Question 18Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Maya wanted to build the tallest tower in class. She stacked blocks fast and did not check them. Her tower leaned and crashed. Maya sighed, then started again. This time she placed each block slowly and tested it before adding another. Her tower was not the tallest, but it stood until the end of the day. What lesson does Maya learn?

  1. Only the tallest tower is worth building.
  2. It is better to work quickly than carefully.
  3. Careful work matters even without winning. Correct answer.
  4. Maya should have chosen an easier project.

Explanation

A lesson is the message a reader takes from what a character learns. Maya's second tower is slower and shorter but does not fall, which shows that careful effort has value even when someone else's tower is taller.

Question 19Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Some plants survive in the Arctic by staying close to the ground. The wind there is strong, and low plants avoid the worst of it. Their roots spread just under the surface, where the soil thaws in summer. Small size also means the plants need less warmth to grow. Which detail shows that being small helps Arctic plants stay warm?

  1. The wind there is strong.
  2. Roots spread just under the surface.
  3. Some plants survive in the Arctic.
  4. Small plants need less warmth to grow. Correct answer.

Explanation

The question asks for a detail that supports one specific point about warmth, not just any sentence from the passage. Only one sentence connects small size to needing less warmth, which is how the plant copes with cold.

Question 20Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Every winter, ice formed on the steps of the town hall and people slipped. The mayor asked for ideas. A shop owner suggested heating wires under the steps. The town council voted to try them. That winter, the steps stayed dry and no one fell. What was the solution to the problem?

  1. The shop owner closed his store during winter.
  2. The mayor asked people for ideas.
  3. People stopped using the town hall steps in winter.
  4. Heating wires were placed under the steps. Correct answer.

Explanation

A problem-and-solution passage names a difficulty and then explains what fixed it. The slippery steps were the problem, and the heating wires are the change that kept the steps dry and stopped people from falling.

Question 21Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Ana's class was collecting books for a family shelter. On the last day, the box held only three books. Ana looked at her shelf. Her favorite story, about a brave mouse, had a torn cover but all its pages. She tucked it into the box and smiled. Why does Ana put her favorite book in the box?

  1. She has already read the story many times.
  2. She wants her teacher to praise her.
  3. She wants the shelter to have more books. Correct answer.
  4. She thinks the cover is too torn to keep.

Explanation

Ana sees that the collection box has only three books, so she adds her own favorite book to help the shelter. Her choice is motivated by wanting the shelter to have more books, not by wanting praise or by the cover's condition.

Question 22Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

A camel's hump does not hold water. Instead, the hump stores fat. When food is scarce, the camel's body uses that fat for energy. This helps the camel travel for days across the desert. What is the passage mostly about?

  1. How camels find food in the desert
  2. Why camels need very little sleep
  3. What a camel's hump stores and does Correct answer.
  4. Why camels travel in groups

Explanation

The paragraph explains that a camel's hump stores fat, which the body uses for energy when food is scarce. All the details support the function of the hump.

Question 23Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Tom could not find his bus pass. He checked his backpack. Then he searched his jacket pockets. At last he looked under his bed and found it. What did Tom do right before looking under his bed?

  1. He missed the bus.
  2. He checked his backpack.
  3. He searched his jacket pockets. Correct answer.
  4. He found his bus pass.

Explanation

The passage lists Tom's search in order: backpack, then jacket pockets, then under the bed. The step just before looking under the bed is searching his jacket pockets.

Question 24Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

During the spelling bee, Marcus misspelled his first word. His face turned red. He took a breath, sat up straight, and kept spelling the next words. He did not win, but he spelled every word after that correctly. Which word best describes Marcus?

  1. determined Correct answer.
  2. shy
  3. proud
  4. silly

Explanation

Marcus makes a mistake but keeps going and spells every later word correctly. That shows determination, or not giving up.

Question 25Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Some birds, like the arctic tern, fly thousands of miles each year. They leave cold places before winter, when food becomes hard to find. They fly to warmer places where fish and insects are still plentiful. When spring returns, they fly back. Why does the arctic tern migrate?

  1. To find food that is available Correct answer.
  2. To escape from other birds
  3. To build a nest in the snow
  4. To teach young birds to fly

Explanation

The passage says the terns leave before winter when food becomes hard to find and fly to places where fish and insects are plentiful. Their migration is driven by food availability.

Question 26Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The giant sequoia trees grow in California. Their bark is very thick and spongy. The thick bark protects the trees from fire. Even when a forest fire burns nearby, a sequoia often survives. Its bark also keeps out insects that might harm it. Which detail best explains how sequoias survive fires?

  1. They grow in California.
  2. Their thick bark protects them. Correct answer.
  3. Their seeds need fire to open.
  4. They are very tall trees.

Explanation

The paragraph states that sequoias have thick, spongy bark and that this bark protects them from fire. That detail directly answers how they survive fires.

Question 27Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Rosa's grandmother taught her to make soup. At first Rosa added too much salt. Grandma laughed and showed her how to taste as she cooked. The next week Rosa made the soup alone. It tasted just right, and Grandma asked for a second bowl. Which sentence best summarizes the story?

  1. Rosa learns to make soup by practicing. Correct answer.
  2. Rosa decides soup is too hard to make.
  3. Rosa's grandmother makes soup every week.
  4. Rosa and her grandmother eat soup together.

Explanation

The story shows Rosa making a mistake, learning from Grandma, and then succeeding when she tries alone. That best summarizes the whole event.

Question 28Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Many desert animals stay underground during the day. The sand is cooler below the surface. Some animals come out only at night, when the air is cooler. Others sleep through the hottest months. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Deserts have few animals.
  2. Desert animals avoid the heat. Correct answer.
  3. Night animals hunt for food.
  4. Desert sand is always hot.

Explanation

The paragraph describes animals staying underground, coming out at night, or sleeping through hot months. All of these are ways desert animals avoid heat.

Question 29Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The night before the science fair, Eli's volcano model would not bubble. He read the directions again. He measured the baking soda and vinegar. Still nothing happened. Then he noticed the box said 'baking powder.' He walked to the store and bought the right powder. What can you infer about Eli?

  1. He gives up when plans fail.
  2. He solves problems by checking details. Correct answer.
  3. He forgets to read directions.
  4. He wants to win the fair more than anything.

Explanation

Eli rereads directions, measures ingredients, and notices a label error. These actions show he solves problems by checking details carefully.

Question 30Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

In the 1800s, many cities had horses pull streetcars. The horses left droppings and sometimes became tired in hot weather. Inventors looked for a cleaner way to move people. They built electric streetcars that ran on tracks. Soon cities replaced most horse cars with electric ones. Why did cities replace horse-drawn streetcars with electric ones?

  1. Electric streetcars were easier to build.
  2. Horses were messy and got tired. Correct answer.
  3. Electric streetcars did not need tracks.
  4. People wanted to travel much faster.

Explanation

The passage says horses left droppings and became tired in hot weather, which led inventors to seek a cleaner way. Those problems explain why cities switched to electric streetcars.

Question 31Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The arctic fox changes its fur with the seasons. In winter its coat is white, so it blends into the snow. In summer the fur turns brown, matching the rocks and plants. This color change helps the fox hide from larger animals. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Arctic foxes live in snowy places all year.
  2. Arctic foxes have brown fur in winter.
  3. The arctic fox's changing fur helps it hide. Correct answer.
  4. Arctic foxes are larger than many animals.

Explanation

The main idea is the most important point that all the details support. Every sentence here describes how the fox's fur color matches its surroundings, and the final sentence states the purpose: hiding. The seasonal colors are details that support that single point.

Question 32Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

On Friday, Kim's class planted a garden beside the school. Kim dug holes for the tomato plants. Luis carried water in a bucket from the outdoor tap. Mrs. Park showed the class how deep to place each seed. By noon, every row was planted. What did Luis do in the garden?

  1. He painted the garden fence.
  2. He dug holes for the plants.
  3. He showed the class how deep to plant.
  4. He carried water in a bucket. Correct answer.

Explanation

A detail question asks for information stated directly in the text. The sentence 'Luis carried water in a bucket from the outdoor tap' names Luis and his job. The other actions in the passage belong to Kim and Mrs. Park.

Question 33Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Jada had practiced her piano piece for weeks. When she sat down at the recital, her hands shook and she forgot the first notes. She took a slow breath and started again. When she finished, she smiled at her teacher. How does Jada most likely feel at the end of the recital?

  1. Bored by the music
  2. Angry at her teacher
  3. Worried about her dog
  4. Proud that she finished Correct answer.

Explanation

Readers infer feelings by connecting what a character does with how people usually feel. Jada forgets her notes, breathes slowly, starts again, and then smiles at her teacher. That smile after a hard moment shows relief and pride at finishing.

Question 34Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The cafeteria had a problem with wasted food. Students often threw away apples they had never opened. The principal put a small basket near the door and asked students to place unopened fruit in it. By the end of the week the basket was full, and a nearby shelter picked up the fruit. What caused the basket to fill with fruit?

  1. The shelter bought fruit for the school.
  2. The principal threw away old apples.
  3. Students ate more apples at lunch.
  4. Students put unopened fruit in the basket. Correct answer.

Explanation

A cause-and-effect question asks what made something happen. The principal's request led students to place their unopened fruit in the basket. That action is the cause of the basket filling and the shelter receiving fruit.

Question 35Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Omar wanted to fly his kite. First he checked the wind by holding up a strip of paper. Next he tied the string to the kite frame. Then he walked to the open field behind his building. Finally he let out the string and ran. What did Omar do right after he checked the wind?

  1. He let out the string.
  2. He tied the string to the kite frame. Correct answer.
  3. He walked to the field behind his building.
  4. He ran across the open field.

Explanation

Sequence questions depend on order words such as first, next, then, and finally. The word 'next' signals the step that follows checking the wind. That step is tying the string to the kite frame.

Question 36Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The city bus was often late, and riders complained. The bus company studied the route and found that two stops slowed the bus because so many people boarded there. The company added a second bus during busy hours. Soon the buses arrived on time, and the complaints stopped. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Bus riders enjoy riding in the city.
  2. A bus company fixed late buses by adding a bus. Correct answer.
  3. Two bus stops are near a busy store.
  4. Complaints are the best way to change a schedule.

Explanation

A summary states the main problem and how it was solved, without small details. This passage describes late buses, a study of the route, an added bus, and on-time service. The correct sentence captures that whole chain.

Question 37Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Many people think spiders are insects. Spiders and insects are both small, but they differ in important ways. Insects have six legs, while spiders have eight. Insects have three body parts, while spiders have two. Insects also have antennae, but spiders do not. Which detail best supports the idea that spiders are not insects?

  1. Spiders live in many parts of the world.
  2. Many people think spiders are insects.
  3. Spiders and insects are both very small.
  4. Spiders have eight legs instead of six. Correct answer.

Explanation

A supporting detail must directly back up the main idea. The main idea is that spiders differ from insects. Having eight legs rather than six is a specific difference that proves the point.

Question 38Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Nina's neighbor, Mr. Alvarado, had trouble carrying his groceries up the stairs. Nina noticed that he stopped to rest on every step. The next week, Nina asked her mother if they could shop on the same day as Mr. Alvarado. Her mother agreed. Why does Nina ask her mother to shop on the same day as Mr. Alvarado?

  1. She likes climbing the stairs in his building.
  2. She wants to buy more groceries for herself.
  3. She wants to help her neighbor with his bags. Correct answer.
  4. She wants to ride in the car more often.

Explanation

A character's motivation is the reason behind an action. Nina sees Mr. Alvarado struggling on the stairs and then plans to shop on his day. That planning shows she wants to make his trip easier by helping.

Question 39Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

For years, the town of Pine Creek held its summer fair in the parking lot behind the grocery store. The lot had no shade, and the asphalt grew hot by midday. Attendance fell. Last year the fair moved to the grassy park beside the river. Families spread blankets under the trees, and the number of visitors doubled. Which statement best explains why attendance increased?

  1. The new spot had shade and cooler ground. Correct answer.
  2. The fair added more games, prizes, and food booths.
  3. The grocery store closed its doors during the whole fair.
  4. The river flooded the old parking lot.

Explanation

An explanation question asks the reader to connect details and draw a conclusion. The passage contrasts a hot, shadeless parking lot with a shady park and reports that visitors doubled. The cooler, shaded location is the change the text links to the crowd.

Question 40Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

When the school library announced a contest to read the most books, Diego did not sign up. His friend Sam read a book every night and told everyone about it. Diego read one thick book about volcanoes slowly, taking notes on each chapter. On the last day, the librarian asked Diego to share his notebook with the class. What does the librarian's request suggest about Diego's reading?

  1. Diego read only the first chapter of his book.
  2. Diego's careful reading was valuable. Correct answer.
  3. Diego read more books than Sam did.
  4. Diego forgot to sign up for the contest.

Explanation

A reader can infer meaning from how other characters respond. Diego read slowly and took notes instead of racing through many books. The librarian's invitation to share his notebook suggests that his careful work was worth notice.

Question 41Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Leafcutter ants do not eat leaves. They cut pieces of leaves and carry them underground. There, a special fungus grows on the leaves. The ants eat the fungus. Without the leaves, the fungus could not grow, and the ants would have no food. What is the main idea of the paragraph?

  1. Ants eat leaves when other food runs out.
  2. Fungus grows only in dark, wet places.
  3. Leafcutter ants carry leaves into their nests.
  4. Ants grow their own food from leaves. Correct answer.

Explanation

The paragraph follows a chain: ants cut leaves, fungus grows on those leaves, and the ants eat the fungus. The leaves matter because they feed the ants' food supply. The other choices are either small steps in that chain or claims the paragraph never makes.

Question 42Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Every morning before school, Ben fills the bird feeder in his yard. When it snows, he brushes the snow off the feeder so the seeds stay dry. He also writes down which birds come to visit. Which word best describes Ben?

  1. Forgetful
  2. Careless
  3. Caring Correct answer.
  4. Impatient

Explanation

Ben's actions all involve looking after the birds: filling the feeder, keeping the seeds dry, and keeping track of visitors. A caring person notices what others need and acts on it. The other words describe someone who ignores, rushes, or forgets such work.

Question 43Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

First, Grandpa mixed the batter. Then he poured it into a pan. While the bread baked, he set the table. Finally, he sliced the warm bread and called everyone to eat. What did Grandpa do right after he poured the batter into the pan?

  1. He sliced the warm bread.
  2. He mixed the batter.
  3. He called everyone to eat.
  4. He set the table. Correct answer.

Explanation

Words such as "first," "then," "while," and "finally" mark the order of the steps. Setting the table happened while the bread baked, which came directly after the batter went into the pan. Mixing came earlier, and slicing and calling everyone came at the end.

Question 44Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The playground slide was too hot to touch in the afternoon sun. Mrs. Patel posted a sign on the gate: "Playground open until 11:00 a.m." Several families began arriving right after breakfast. Why did Mrs. Patel most likely post the sign?

  1. The slide was too hot in the afternoon. Correct answer.
  2. Few families came in the morning.
  3. The gate had been locked.
  4. The playground needed repairs.

Explanation

The passage ties the hot afternoon sun to a sign that limits play to the morning, and families respond by coming early. A reader can connect those details to see the sign was about heat, not about repairs or locks. Nothing in the text mentions broken equipment or a locked gate.

Question 45Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Sea otters float on their backs and wrap themselves in kelp so they do not drift away. They use rocks to crack open clams and mussels. A mother otter carries her pup on her chest and grooms its fur until it floats easily. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Sea otter pups are born in the water.
  2. Sea otters are ocean mammals that eat clams.
  3. Sea otters use clever tricks to live in the ocean. Correct answer.
  4. Sea otters crack open shells with rocks.

Explanation

A summary must cover the whole passage rather than one detail. The paragraph describes kelp wrapping, rock tools, and pup care, which are all ways otters manage life in the sea. Only the first choice names that shared idea.

Question 46Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Kenji signed up to build a bench for the school garden. He drew a plan, then cut the wood right away without checking the sizes. When he tried to fit the pieces together, one board was too short and the legs wobbled. Kenji sighed, then went back to his plan and measured each piece again. What lesson does Kenji's story suggest?

  1. Careful measuring prevents mistakes. Correct answer.
  2. It is best to build with a friend.
  3. Wood is difficult to cut.
  4. Never volunteer for a big job.

Explanation

Kenji's first attempt failed because he cut the wood before checking the sizes on his plan. His response was to go back and measure every piece, which points to measuring as the lesson. Friends and the difficulty of cutting wood are not part of the story.

Question 47Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

The town pool was losing water faster than the staff could replace it. On Monday, a worker found a crack in the liner near the deep end. The pool was closed for two days while the crack was sealed. According to the passage, why was the pool closed?

  1. Too many swimmers came at once.
  2. Water was leaking from a crack. Correct answer.
  3. The staff was on vacation for two days.
  4. The water was too cold for swimming.

Explanation

The passage gives a chain of causes: a crack let water escape, the pool could not stay full, and it closed for repairs. The closure is explained directly by the leaking liner. Weather and staffing are never mentioned.

Question 48Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

Beavers change the land around them more than almost any other animal. They build dams across streams with sticks and mud. The dams slow the water and create ponds. Those ponds give frogs, fish, and birds a place to live. Which detail best supports the idea that beavers change the land around them?

  1. Beavers are large rodents with strong teeth.
  2. Their dams turn streams into ponds. Correct answer.
  3. Beavers build with sticks and mud.
  4. Beavers live in rivers across North America.

Explanation

A supporting detail must show the main idea actually happening. A stream becoming a pond is a visible change to the land itself. The other statements describe beavers or their building materials without showing how the surroundings are altered.

Question 49Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

When the school's robotics club lost its meeting room, Priya expected the club to fall apart. Instead, members began meeting in her garage. Priya's dad lent them tools, and a neighbor offered spare parts. By spring, the club had rebuilt its robot and won a regional contest. What does the passage show about Priya's expectation?

  1. It was wrong, because the club found new ways to work. Correct answer.
  2. It was right, because no one offered the club help.
  3. It was right, because the club never met again.
  4. It was right, because the club missed the contest.

Explanation

Priya assumed the club would collapse without its room, but the text shows it thriving in her garage with help from family and neighbors. A reader must compare her prediction with the outcome to see that she was mistaken. The contest result confirms that the club kept working.

Question 50Key ideas and details in literary and informational texts

In a prairie dog town, one prairie dog stands on a mound while the others eat. If a hawk appears, it barks a short, high call, and every prairie dog dives into a burrow. Scientists have found that different calls send different messages: a slow bark for a hawk, a fast bark for a coyote, and a soft chatter for a person walking nearby. What is the main idea of the passage?

  1. Prairie dog burrows have many entrances.
  2. Hawks are the most dangerous prairie animals.
  3. Prairie dogs warn each other with different calls. Correct answer.
  4. Prairie dogs spend most of the day eating grass in groups.

Explanation

Most of the passage describes the lookout system and the separate calls used for hawks, coyotes, and people. The dive into burrows is a detail that follows the warning. Other choices are minor points or facts the passage never states.