I85PREP
⌘ K
NYS ELA Grade 4 study materials
NYS ELA Grade 4 study resources

NYS ELA Grade 4 practice questions

One question at a time. Build your NYS ELA Grade 4 understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a character named Lena practices her violin every morning before school. Which detail from the story would best show that Lena is determined?

  1. She walks to school with her best friend most days.
  2. She likes the sound of the school orchestra.
  3. She owns a violin that her grandmother gave her.
  4. She keeps practicing even on mornings when her fingers are cold and sore. Correct answer.

Explanation

Determination is shown through actions that reveal persistence despite difficulty. Only the detail about continuing to practice while cold and sore demonstrates effort in the face of an obstacle, which is what determination means in a character.

Question 2Reading (literary and informational text)

Read this sentence from a story: 'The wind howled through the bare branches, and Maya pulled her coat tighter.' What mood does the description mainly create?

  1. A cold and uneasy mood Correct answer.
  2. A warm and cozy mood
  3. A cheerful, playful mood
  4. A silly, humorous mood

Explanation

Word choice creates mood. 'Howled,' 'bare branches,' and pulling a coat tighter all suggest chill and discomfort, so the mood is cold and uneasy rather than happy or cozy.

Question 3Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage explains that honeybees communicate the location of flowers by performing a 'waggle dance.' What is the main purpose of this passage?

  1. To describe the taste of different kinds of honey
  2. To persuade readers to keep bees in their yards
  3. To explain how honeybees share information Correct answer.
  4. To entertain readers with a funny story about bees

Explanation

An informational passage whose central idea is how bees communicate has the purpose of explaining a process. The waggle dance is a method of sharing information, so the passage informs readers about that method.

Question 4Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a boy named Tomas borrows a classmate's marker without asking and later returns it broken. Which event most likely happens next because of this action?

  1. Tomas wins a spelling contest at school.
  2. The teacher cancels the class field trip.
  3. Tomas decides to bring his own markers to school. Correct answer.
  4. The classmate thanks Tomas for the marker.

Explanation

A cause-and-effect chain links a character's action to a later event. Breaking a borrowed item without asking would logically lead Tomas to change his behavior, such as bringing his own supplies.

Question 5Reading (literary and informational text)

Which sentence from a story is written from a first-person point of view?

  1. The children waited quietly by the door.
  2. Diego ran down the hill as fast as he could.
  3. She wondered whether the bus would arrive.
  4. I clutched the letter and read it twice. Correct answer.

Explanation

First-person point of view uses the pronoun 'I' or 'we' because the narrator is a character in the story. Only the sentence using 'I' shows the narrator speaking about their own actions.

Question 6Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage states: 'Unlike frogs, which spend much of their lives in water, toads live mostly on dry land.' What text structure does this sentence use?

  1. Compare and contrast Correct answer.
  2. Chronological order
  3. Problem and solution
  4. Cause and effect

Explanation

The word 'unlike' signals that the sentence points out differences between frogs and toads. Discussing how two things are different is the compare-and-contrast structure.

Question 7Reading (literary and informational text)

In a fable, a lazy grasshopper mocks an ant for storing food all summer. When winter comes, the grasshopper has nothing to eat. What lesson does the fable teach?

  1. It is better to play than to work.
  2. Insects work harder than other animals.
  3. Preparing ahead helps you in hard times. Correct answer.
  4. Winter is the hardest season of the year.

Explanation

A fable's moral is the lesson readers take from the outcome. Because the ant prepared and the grasshopper did not, the story teaches that planning ahead pays off when times get hard.

Question 8Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage about recycling says: 'Glass jars can be melted and shaped into new jars again and again.' Which fact does this sentence support?

  1. Glass jars are expensive to buy in stores.
  2. Glass is made only from sand.
  3. Glass is a material that can be reused many times. Correct answer.
  4. Glass breaks more easily than plastic.

Explanation

A supporting detail is evidence for a main idea. The sentence states that jars can be melted and reshaped repeatedly, which directly supports the idea that glass can be reused many times.

Question 9Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a girl whispers to her friend at the back of the room while the teacher is reading aloud. Which word best describes how the other students most likely feel about this?

  1. Proud of the girl
  2. Confused by the story
  3. Annoyed by the interruption Correct answer.
  4. Amused by the joke

Explanation

Readers infer feelings from context. Whispering during a read-aloud disturbs others who are trying to listen, so classmates would most likely feel annoyed by the interruption.

Question 10Reading (literary and informational text)

A story says: 'Nia stared at the closed door, her hand hovering over the knob. Her heart pounded, and she took a deep breath.' What does Nia most likely feel?

  1. Joyful and relaxed
  2. Bored and sleepy
  3. Angry and cruel
  4. Nervous and hesitant Correct answer.

Explanation

Actions and body signals reveal emotion. Hovering over the knob, a pounding heart, and a deep breath all suggest someone who is anxious about going through the door, which means nervous and hesitant.

Question 11Reading (literary and informational text)

Read the sentence: 'The old truck groaned and shuddered as it climbed the steep hill.' What does the word 'groaned' suggest about the truck?

  1. The truck is silent.
  2. The truck is moving quickly and smoothly.
  3. The truck is struggling to move. Correct answer.
  4. The truck is new and shiny.

Explanation

Figurative language gives human qualities to objects to create meaning. A truck that 'groans' and 'shudders' while climbing is being described as if it were straining, which suggests it is struggling.

Question 12Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage says: 'Some deserts are not sandy at all. The Atacama Desert in Chile is so dry that it is rocky and bare, with almost no plants.' What is the main idea of these sentences?

  1. Deserts can look different from what people expect. Correct answer.
  2. All deserts have deep sand dunes.
  3. Chile is the driest country in the world.
  4. Plants cannot grow in any desert.

Explanation

The main idea is the point the details support. The passage corrects the assumption that deserts are sandy by describing a rocky, bare desert, so the main idea is that deserts can differ from expectations.

Question 13Reading (literary and informational text)

A story begins: 'The sun had not yet risen when Jae laced his boots. He had a long walk to the river before the fish would bite.' What does this opening suggest about Jae?

  1. He dislikes walking.
  2. He has never fished before.
  3. He wants to start early. Correct answer.
  4. He is afraid of the dark.

Explanation

Details about the time of day show a character's choices. Rising before the sun and walking a long way to reach the river before the fish bite suggest Jae wants to begin early.

Question 14Reading (literary and informational text)

An article explains: 'Because beavers build dams, ponds form behind them. These ponds give frogs and fish a place to live.' Which text structure does the article use in these sentences?

  1. Chronological order
  2. Description
  3. Compare and contrast
  4. Cause and effect Correct answer.

Explanation

The word 'because' introduces a reason, and the sentences show what happens as a result of the beavers' dams. Showing how one event leads to another is the cause-and-effect structure.

Question 15Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, two characters both want to lead the school play. What is the conflict mainly about?

  1. A struggle with nature
  2. A struggle within one character's mind
  3. A struggle against a rule
  4. A struggle between characters Correct answer.

Explanation

Conflict is the struggle at the heart of a story. When two characters each want the same role, the struggle is between them, which is a character-versus-character conflict.

Question 16Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage says: 'Sea otters wrap themselves in kelp before sleeping so they do not drift away.' Which question does this detail best answer?

  1. Why are sea otters endangered?
  2. How do sea otters find food?
  3. What do sea otters look like?
  4. How do sea otters stay in place while resting? Correct answer.

Explanation

A good question can be answered directly from the detail provided. The sentence explains that otters use kelp to avoid drifting, which answers how they stay in place while resting.

Question 17Reading (literary and informational text)

A story says: 'The letter lay on the table all morning, and Priya walked past it six times without opening it.' What does this detail most suggest?

  1. The letter is not addressed to Priya.
  2. Priya is worried about what the letter says. Correct answer.
  3. Priya is eager to read the news.
  4. Priya has forgotten the letter exists.

Explanation

Repeated avoidance is a clue to a character's feelings. Walking past a letter many times without opening it suggests reluctance, most likely because Priya fears its contents.

Question 18Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a character says, 'Oh, great,' after learning that the bus has already left. What does the character most likely mean?

  1. The news is the opposite of great. Correct answer.
  2. The character is excited about walking.
  3. The character did not hear the news.
  4. The character is truly delighted.

Explanation

The phrase 'Oh, great' after bad news is used ironically, meaning the opposite of its literal words. The character is expressing frustration that the bus is gone, not genuine delight.

Question 19Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage states: 'Some people believe spiders are insects, but spiders are actually arachnids. Unlike insects, they have eight legs and two body parts.' What is the author's main point?

  1. Arachnids are a kind of insect.
  2. Spiders are dangerous animals.
  3. Spiders are not insects. Correct answer.
  4. Insects have eight legs.

Explanation

The main point is what the author wants readers to understand. The passage corrects a common belief by explaining that spiders have different body features from insects, so its main point is that spiders are not insects.

Question 20Reading (literary and informational text)

An author writes: 'Every student should spend at least thirty minutes reading for fun each night.' What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To explain how libraries are built
  2. To tell a story about reading
  3. To persuade readers to read more Correct answer.
  4. To describe how books are printed

Explanation

A statement about what students 'should' do signals an opinion meant to change behavior. The author is trying to convince readers to read more, which is persuasion.

Question 21Reading (literary and informational text)

Read these two sentences from a story: 'The house was silent. Then a floorboard creaked upstairs.' How does the second sentence change the mood?

  1. It makes the scene feel calm and peaceful.
  2. It makes the scene feel tense and mysterious. Correct answer.
  3. It makes the scene feel sad and lonely.
  4. It makes the scene feel funny and silly.

Explanation

Mood can shift quickly with a new detail. Silent followed by a sudden creak creates suspense, making readers wonder what caused the sound, which produces a tense and mysterious mood.

Question 22Reading (literary and informational text)

A story says: 'Marcus practiced his speech until the words felt like his own, and on the day of the contest he walked to the front of the room without looking at his notes.' What does this show about Marcus?

  1. He was eager to finish quickly.
  2. He forgot everything he had planned.
  3. He wished someone else would speak.
  4. He grew more confident through practice. Correct answer.

Explanation

Character development is shown through change over time. Practicing until the words felt like his own and walking up without notes show that Marcus gained confidence through preparation.

Question 23Reading (literary and informational text)

An article says: 'Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they support about a quarter of all ocean species.' Why does the author include the numbers?

  1. To prove that the ocean is mostly empty
  2. To emphasize how much life reefs support despite their small size Correct answer.
  3. To show that coral reefs are tiny and unimportant
  4. To explain how reefs are formed

Explanation

Authors choose details to support a point. The contrast between 'less than one percent' and 'a quarter of all ocean species' highlights how important reefs are even though they cover little area.

Question 24Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a boy who once refused to share his lunch now quietly hands half his sandwich to a new student. What does this change best show about the character?

  1. He has become more hungry.
  2. He has become more generous. Correct answer.
  3. He is trying to impress the teacher.
  4. He has forgotten his old habits.

Explanation

A character's growth is revealed by a change in behavior. Going from refusing to share to offering half his lunch without being asked shows he has become more generous.

Question 25Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage explains: 'When wolves were removed from Yellowstone, elk numbers grew. The elk ate young trees, and the riverbanks began to erode. When wolves returned, the trees grew back and the banks held firm.' Which statement best summarizes the passage?

  1. Removing wolves upset the balance of the park. Correct answer.
  2. Elk are the most important animal in the park.
  3. Wolves are dangerous to rivers.
  4. Trees always grow back on their own.

Explanation

A summary states the central idea in a few words. The passage traces how losing wolves changed elk, trees, and riverbanks, showing that removing wolves disturbed the park's balance.

Question 26Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage about honeybees says: 'A single hive may contain up to 60,000 bees, and every one of them has a job.' Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that honeybees depend on teamwork?

  1. Every one of them has a job. Correct answer.
  2. A single hive may contain up to 60,000 bees.
  3. The queen bee is larger than the others.
  4. Honeybees are insects that live in hives.

Explanation

Supporting evidence must directly back the stated idea. The claim is about teamwork, and the sentence saying each bee has a job shows that the work is divided among many members of the hive. The other sentences give numbers or facts about bees without showing cooperation.

Question 27Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a boy named Tomas saves his allowance for months to buy a bicycle. On the day he finally rides it home, he stops to let a younger neighbor try it first. Which sentence best describes what Tomas's action shows about him?

  1. He is generous even when something matters to him. Correct answer.
  2. He is eager to show off in front of others.
  3. He is careless with things he has worked for.
  4. He is unsure whether he really wants the bicycle.

Explanation

A character's actions reveal traits. Tomas worked hard for the bicycle, yet he shares it right away with someone younger, which shows generosity rather than carelessness or showing off. The passage gives no sign that he doubts wanting the bicycle.

Question 28Reading (literary and informational text)

An article about the invention of the pencil explains that early pencils were wrapped in string and later covered in wood. Why does the author most likely include this information?

  1. To persuade readers to buy wooden pencils
  2. To explain who first wrote with a pencil
  3. To show how the pencil changed over time Correct answer.
  4. To describe the color of old pencils

Explanation

When an author describes an early form of something and a later form, the purpose is usually to trace a change. The details about string and then wood mark a development in how pencils were made. The sentence does not try to sell pencils or name an inventor.

Question 29Reading (literary and informational text)

Read this sentence from a story: 'The hallway was so quiet that Maya could hear the clock in the office ticking.' What does the sentence mostly tell the reader about the setting?

  1. The hallway is completely empty and still. Correct answer.
  2. Maya is late for an appointment.
  3. The hallway is crowded with people.
  4. The clock in the office is broken.

Explanation

Hearing a clock tick from another room shows that there are no other sounds nearby. The author uses this detail to create a still, empty setting. The sentence does not mention crowds, a broken clock, or lateness.

Question 30Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage about the water cycle states: 'Water that evaporates from oceans rises into the air, cools, and forms clouds. Eventually it falls again as rain or snow.' Which step happens right after water vapor cools in the air?

  1. It soaks into the soil.
  2. It flows into rivers.
  3. It freezes into ice on the ground.
  4. It forms clouds. Correct answer.

Explanation

The passage lists the steps in order: water rises, cools, and forms clouds. Following the sequence means that cloud formation comes directly after cooling. Flowing into rivers and soaking into soil happen later, after the water falls.

Question 31Reading (literary and informational text)

A story says: 'Devon read the note twice, folded it neatly, and slid it into his pocket without a word.' Which word best describes how Devon probably feels?

  1. Excited
  2. Bored
  3. Proud
  4. Troubled Correct answer.

Explanation

Reading a note twice and then hiding it silently suggests worry or concern about its contents. A person who is excited or proud would usually speak or show emotion. The quiet, careful actions point to a troubled feeling.

Question 32Reading (literary and informational text)

An article says: 'Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. Some kinds can grow almost a meter in a single day.' Which detail from the article best shows that bamboo grows quickly?

  1. Bamboo is used to make furniture.
  2. Some kinds can grow almost a meter in a single day. Correct answer.
  3. Bamboo is a kind of grass.
  4. Bamboo grows in many countries.

Explanation

The question asks for the detail that proves fast growth. A plant adding almost a meter in one day is a direct measure of speed. The other details describe what bamboo is or how people use it, not how fast it grows.

Question 33Reading (literary and informational text)

In a fable, a crow finds a pitcher with a little water at the bottom. It drops pebbles in one by one until the water rises high enough to drink. What lesson does the fable most likely teach?

  1. Water is more valuable than food.
  2. Birds are cleverer than other animals.
  3. It is best to give up when a task is difficult.
  4. Small, steady efforts can solve a hard problem. Correct answer.

Explanation

A fable's lesson grows out of how the character solves the problem. The crow succeeds by adding pebbles a few at a time, which shows that patient, small steps can overcome a difficulty. The other choices are not supported by the events.

Question 34Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage about Amelia Earhart says: 'In 1932, Earhart became the first woman to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean. The flight took nearly fifteen hours and was plagued by mechanical problems and bad weather.' What is the main idea of these sentences?

  1. Earhart completed a difficult and historic flight. Correct answer.
  2. Earhart flew at night.
  3. Earhart built her own airplane.
  4. Earhart preferred flying to sailing.

Explanation

The main idea sums up what the sentences are mostly about. Both sentences focus on Earhart's record-setting solo flight and the hardships she faced, so the main idea is that she completed a hard, historic journey. The other choices add details the passage never states.

Question 35Reading (literary and informational text)

Read these sentences from a story: 'The team had practiced every afternoon for six weeks. When the final whistle blew, the players looked at the scoreboard and then at each other.' What does the last sentence most likely suggest?

  1. The players have forgotten the rules.
  2. The players are looking for their coach.
  3. The players are checking the time of day.
  4. The players are reacting to the game's result. Correct answer.

Explanation

Looking at the scoreboard and then at teammates shows players responding to the outcome of the game. The scoreboard holds the result, and the glance at each other shows a shared reaction. The sentence gives no hint about the time, the coach, or the rules.

Question 36Reading (literary and informational text)

An author writes: 'Our town should build a skate park because the nearest one is twenty miles away and many students already skateboard on unsafe sidewalks.' What is the author's main point?

  1. The town needs a nearby, safe place for skateboarders. Correct answer.
  2. Sidewalks are the best place to skateboard.
  3. Skateboarding is dangerous and should be banned.
  4. Students should find a different hobby.

Explanation

The author states an opinion and gives reasons: the closest park is far away and students skate in unsafe places. Together these reasons support building a local, safe skate park. The author does not want to ban skating or change hobbies.

Question 37Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage explains: 'Unlike mammals, which give birth to live young, most birds lay eggs. Both kinds of animals, however, care for their young until they can survive alone.' How does the passage compare birds and mammals?

  1. It shows that birds are better parents.
  2. It shows one difference and one similarity. Correct answer.
  3. It shows that mammals do not care for their young.
  4. It shows they are alike in every way.

Explanation

A compare-and-contrast passage points out both differences and likenesses. The first sentence gives a difference in how young are born, and the second gives a similarity in caring for young. The passage does not rank the animals or claim mammals neglect their young.

Question 38Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a girl named Lila is afraid of the dark. One night the power goes out, and her little brother begins to cry. Lila finds a flashlight, holds his hand, and sings until the lights return. What does this event show about Lila?

  1. She wants to be praised for being brave.
  2. She forgets her own fear to help someone else. Correct answer.
  3. She is no longer afraid of anything.
  4. She dislikes being left alone with her brother.

Explanation

Lila's fear is stated at the start, yet she acts to comfort her brother when the lights go out. Her action shows courage that comes from caring for someone else rather than from losing all fear. The passage gives no sign that she wants praise.

Question 39Reading (literary and informational text)

An article says: 'Many people think a tomato is a vegetable, but botanists call it a fruit because it develops from the flower of the plant and contains seeds.' What is the author's main purpose?

  1. To explain why scientists classify tomatoes as fruit Correct answer.
  2. To teach readers how to grow tomatoes
  3. To describe the taste of different tomatoes
  4. To convince readers to eat more tomatoes

Explanation

The article corrects a common belief and gives a scientific reason for the classification. That makes its purpose to explain why botanists call tomatoes fruit. It does not give growing tips, describe taste, or urge readers to eat tomatoes.

Question 40Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage about volcanoes states: 'When magma rises through a weak spot in Earth's crust, pressure builds until the magma bursts out. The melted rock that flows out is called lava.' According to the passage, what causes magma to burst out of the ground?

  1. The weight of the lava on the surface
  2. Pressure that builds as magma rises Correct answer.
  3. Cold air pushing down on the crust
  4. Rainwater seeping into the crust

Explanation

The passage links the eruption to pressure that builds as magma moves upward through a weak spot. That pressure is what forces the magma out. The passage does not mention cold air, rainwater, or the weight of lava as causes.

Question 41Reading (literary and informational text)

Read this sentence from a story: 'The first day at the new school felt like walking into a room where everyone already knew the dance.' What does the comparison help the reader understand?

  1. The narrator is late for the first class.
  2. The narrator enjoys dancing at school.
  3. The narrator has visited the school before.
  4. The narrator feels out of place among students who already fit in. Correct answer.

Explanation

The comparison to a room where everyone knows the dance suggests that the other students already understand how things work. The narrator, who does not, feels like an outsider. The sentence is about fitting in, not about dancing, visiting before, or being late.

Question 42Reading (literary and informational text)

An article says: 'Each year, millions of plastic bottles end up in the ocean. These bottles can take hundreds of years to break down, and animals sometimes mistake them for food.' Which sentence best summarizes the article's point?

  1. Plastic bottles are useful for storing water.
  2. Plastic bottle waste harms the ocean for a long time. Correct answer.
  3. Most ocean animals eat only plants.
  4. Recycling is a popular hobby for many people.

Explanation

A summary states the main point in a shorter form. The article connects plastic bottles in the ocean with lasting pollution and harm to animals, so the summary should say that bottle waste harms the ocean. The other choices are not what the article says.

Question 43Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, a boy finds a wallet on the playground. He looks around, sees no one watching, and then runs to the office to turn it in. Which word best describes the boy's choice?

  1. Honest Correct answer.
  2. Careless
  3. Foolish
  4. Selfish

Explanation

The boy chooses to return the wallet even though no one is watching, which shows honesty. Acting honestly is not foolish or selfish, and he takes care to bring it to the office rather than losing it. The choice shows good character.

Question 44Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage explains: 'In a food chain, energy passes from the sun to plants, then to animals that eat plants, and then to animals that eat those animals.' Which animal receives energy last in this chain?

  1. The sun
  2. The animal that eats other animals Correct answer.
  3. The animal that eats plants
  4. The plant

Explanation

The passage lists the order in which energy moves: sun, plants, plant eaters, and then animals that eat those animals. The last group in the chain receives energy after all the others. The sun and plants come first, not last.

Question 45Reading (literary and informational text)

An article about Rosa Parks says: 'By refusing to give up her bus seat, Parks helped start a movement that changed laws across the country.' Which word best describes the author's attitude toward Parks?

  1. Doubtful
  2. Amused
  3. Uninterested
  4. Admiring Correct answer.

Explanation

The author says Parks helped start a movement that changed laws, which is a statement of respect for her impact. That wording shows an admiring attitude. A doubtful, amused, or uninterested author would not describe her actions as changing the country.

Question 46Reading (literary and informational text)

A story says: 'Grandpa's workshop smelled of sawdust and oil, and every tool had a place marked with a careful outline on the wall.' What do these details suggest about Grandpa?

  1. He has just moved into the house.
  2. He rarely uses his tools.
  3. He is organized and takes pride in his work. Correct answer.
  4. He prefers to work outdoors.

Explanation

Details about a tidy workshop with a marked place for every tool suggest that Grandpa is orderly and cares about his work. The outlines show planning, not neglect. The passage says nothing about moving or working outdoors.

Question 47Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage states: 'Some bats use echolocation. They send out high sounds that bounce off objects and return as echoes, helping the bats find insects in the dark.' Why does the author most likely include the word 'echolocation' and then explain it?

  1. To introduce a science term and make it clear to readers Correct answer.
  2. To show that bats cannot see at all
  3. To compare bats with birds
  4. To persuade readers that bats are dangerous

Explanation

When an author uses a technical word and then defines it in the next sentence, the purpose is to teach the term clearly. The explanation of bouncing sounds helps readers understand echolocation. The passage does not warn about bats, compare them with birds, or say they cannot see.

Question 48Reading (literary and informational text)

In a story, two sisters share a room. One keeps her side spotless, while the other leaves books and clothes everywhere. Which sentence best describes the conflict?

  1. The sisters disagree about how to keep their shared room. Correct answer.
  2. The sisters are both very tidy.
  3. The sisters argue about which room belongs to whom.
  4. The sisters want to move to different houses.

Explanation

A conflict is a problem between characters. Here the problem grows from different habits in a shared space, so the sisters disagree about tidiness. Both being tidy would remove the conflict, and the story does not mention moving.

Question 49Reading (literary and informational text)

An article says: 'Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor. Even so, they provide homes for about a quarter of all ocean species.' Which idea do these two sentences best support?

  1. Small reefs have a huge importance for ocean life. Correct answer.
  2. Ocean species prefer cold water.
  3. Coral reefs are too small to matter.
  4. Most of the ocean floor is covered by coral.

Explanation

The contrast between a tiny area and a large share of species shows that reefs matter far more than their size suggests. The phrase 'even so' signals this surprising contrast. The other choices contradict the numbers in the passage.

Question 50Reading (literary and informational text)

A passage describes the invention of the telephone: 'Early telephones were large and had to be connected by wires. Today, many phones fit in a pocket and send signals through the air.' How is the passage mainly organized?

  1. By telling events in time order within one day
  2. By comparing the past and the present Correct answer.
  3. By listing the steps of a process
  4. By describing a problem and its solution

Explanation

The passage sets early telephones beside modern ones to show how they differ. That side-by-side structure is a comparison of past and present. It does not give steps, pose a problem with a solution, or follow events within a single day.