5.4 Comprehension Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Source A says: “After a student survey, the library stayed open one hour later on weekdays.” Source B says: “During the following month, weekday library visits rose by 18 percent.” What conclusion is best supported by both sources?
The student survey proved that every student wanted longer hours.
The library gained 18 percent more books during that month.
The later closing time was associated with increased weekday visits.
Longer hours were the only possible cause of increased visits.
2. A student claims that a certain moth is active mainly at night. Which observation is the strongest direct evidence for that claim?
The moths left their resting places after sunset and returned before sunrise.
The moths had gray wings that blended into tree bark.
Several moths rested beneath leaves during a cloudy afternoon.
The moths were found near flowers that also attracted butterflies.
3. Read the notice: “Please choose a reusable cup at the school fair. Last year, visitors threw away more than 600 disposable cups. Reusable cups can be washed and used again.” What is the author’s main purpose?
To persuade visitors to use reusable cups
To entertain readers with a story about the school fair
To compare the prices of several kinds of cups
To explain how disposable cups are manufactured
4. A class wants to test the claim that switching to reusable bottles reduces plastic waste at school. Which evidence would best evaluate the claim?
A list of students’ favorite bottle colors
Plastic-waste measurements taken before and after the switch
An interview with one student who owns a reusable bottle
The number of water fountains in nearby schools
5. Which statement is a fact that could be checked using reliable records?
The new playground is the most exciting place in town.
Everyone prefers the blue playground design.
The town council approved the playground plan on March 12.
The council made a wonderful decision about the playground.
6. Read the sentence: “Eli was reluctant to enter the contest, but after encouragement from his friends, he submitted his painting.” What does “reluctant” most nearly mean here?
Unable to follow the contest rules
Excited to compete immediately
Hesitant or unwilling at first
Certain that the painting would win
7. A walking guide lists these routes: Route A—2.4 km, 35 minutes, paved; Route B—1.8 km, 30 minutes, gravel; Route C—2.1 km, 28 minutes, paved. A walker wants a paved route with the shortest estimated time. Which route best fits?
Route B, because it has the shortest distance
Route C, because it is paved and has the shortest paved-route time
Route B, because 30 minutes is less than 35 minutes
Route A, because all longer routes take less time
8. Read the sentence: “By dawn, a blanket of fog had settled over the harbor.” What does “a blanket of fog” suggest?
The fog made the harbor warmer than a blanket would.
Someone dropped bedding into the harbor.
The fog formed a thick layer covering the harbor.
Sailors used fabric to hide the harbor at dawn.
9. Read the passage: “After several unusually warm spring weeks, the mountain snow melted earlier than usual. Stream levels then dropped by midsummer, so nearby farmers changed when they watered their crops.” Why did the farmers change their watering schedule?
The crops had been planted on the mountain snow.
The farmers wanted to create warmer spring weather.
The streams carried too much water throughout the summer.
The earlier snowmelt led to lower stream levels sooner than expected.
10. Read the passage: “Dark clouds gathered as Maya left home, but she decided not to carry her umbrella. Halfway to school, she began running and covered her backpack with her jacket.” What can you reasonably infer?
Rain probably began falling during Maya’s walk.
Maya was running because she had forgotten her homework.
Maya used her jacket because the morning became cold.
The school had told students not to bring umbrellas.
11. Read the passage: “Students cleaning a creek found plastic wrappers caught among the rocks. They traced many of the wrappers to overflowing bins near a sports field. The school added covered bins and organized weekly checks to prevent more litter from reaching the water.” Which is the best summary?
Students identified a source of creek litter and helped put a prevention plan in place.
Students enjoyed visiting a creek near their sports field.
The school removed every rock and wrapper from the creek.
Covered bins are always more expensive than open bins.
12. Read the instructions: “First rinse the jar. Next, dry it completely. Then attach a label. Finally, fill the jar with rice.” What should happen immediately before the jar is filled?
The jar should be rinsed.
The jar should be dried.
The jar’s lid should be washed.
A label should be attached.
13. Read the passage: “Neighbors turned an unused city lot into a garden. By late summer, the garden supplied vegetables to twelve families and created a shaded place where residents gathered.” What is the main idea?
The city required every neighborhood to grow its own food.
Twelve families decided to move closer to an unused city lot.
Shade was the main reason residents planted vegetables.
The community transformed an empty space into a useful shared garden.
14. Read the passage: “Rosa placed the seedlings beside the window. They had begun to lean toward the light.” What does the word “They” refer to?
The window
The seedlings
The light
Rosa
15. Read the passage: “The classroom became too warm each afternoon. Students measured the temperature at different times and discovered that direct sunlight heated the room. The teacher installed window shades, and the afternoon temperature dropped.” Which text structure is used most clearly?
Chronological biography
Problem and solution
Description of a place
Comparison and contrast
16. Read the passage: “A young fox laughed at a turtle for moving slowly. Later, the fox rushed across loose stones and became stuck. The turtle took a steady route around the stones and reached the food first.” Which theme is best supported?
Fast travelers should never help slow travelers.
Winning always depends on physical strength.
The safest route is always the shortest route.
Steady, thoughtful action can be more effective than careless speed.