Reading Comprehension One

​Read the text then answer the questions.

Ever since he was six years old, Nick had wanted to get a puppy. His parents always refused. They said he wasn’t capable of taking care of a puppy. “You have no idea how much work a puppy is,” Dad said. “You would have to housebreak the puppy, train the puppy to obey you, and groom it, too.” “And then there’s taking the puppy to the vet, playing with it, and feeding it,” Mom added. “It’s not that I’m against having a puppy. But a puppy takes up a lot of time.” Nick couldn’t think of a way that he could convince his parents that he was ready for a puppy. Then, he got an idea. “If I volunteer at the animal shelter,” he thought, “I’ll bet Mom and Dad will see that I’m ready to take care of a puppy!”

Multiple Choice

Which word tells a reader most about the text while previewing it?

• obey

• groom

• idea

• puppy

Multiple Choice

What is the problem in the text?

• Nick’s parents think that he is not capable of taking care of a puppy.

• Nick is allergic to puppies.

• Nick’s parents think that puppies are not a lot of work.

• Nick’s parents think that the family should get a puppy right away.

Multiple Choice

A person who volunteers is someone who...

• studies for tests.

• does not work at all.

• gets a raise.

• does work without being paid.

Multiple Choice

Nick’s parents say he isn’t capable of taking care of a puppy.

Which word or phrase means capable?

• interested

• angry about

• afraid of

• able to

Multiple Choice

What does the phrase have no idea mean?

• do not understand

• can't think

• ran out of ideas

• have an active imagination

​Read the text then answer the questions.

Nick wanted a puppy, so he decided to become a volunteer at the animal shelter. He was hoping to convince his parents that he was ready to take care of a puppy. He volunteered at the shelter twice each week, on Tuesdays after school and on Saturdays. While he was there, Nick did several things. He walked the dogs and washed and brushed them. Grooming the long-haired dogs took a long time! He cleaned up the dogs’ kennels, too. He also played with the puppies to help get them used to people. Sometimes he gave them baths as well. Once in a while, Nick spent time with the kittens and cats, but he preferred working with the dogs. There was always plenty to do at the shelter, so Nick was never bored.

Multiple Choice

What does the first sentence tell about this text? A This text is about volunteering at an animal shelter. B This text is about taking shelter during a storm. C This text is about adopting an animal. D This text is about different animals.

• This text is about volunteering at an animal shelter.

• This text is about taking shelter during a storm.

• This text is about adopting an animal.

• This text is about different animals.

Multiple Choice

What detail does the author include to explain why Nick plays with the puppies?

• to help them learn to eat and drink

• so he can stop being afraid of dogs

• to help them get used to people

• so he can learn about the different breeds of dog

Multiple Choice

To which word can the suffix –ing be added?

• also

• dogs

• care

• plenty

Multiple Choice

What is a kennel?

• A place for animals

• kind of food

• piece of clothing

• helper

Multiple Choice

Which word means once in a while?

• often

• never

• occasionally

• daily

​Read the text then answer the questions.

Nick volunteered at the animal shelter for three months. He learned a great deal about raising puppies and training them. Every time he learned something new, he practiced it. He also told his parents about what he was learning. He wanted to persuade them that he could be trusted with a puppy of his own. One afternoon, Dad picked Nick up from volunteering and asked him how the day went. “Oh, it went great,” Nick answered enthusiastically. “They even let me help introduce the dogs to people who want to adopt them!” “That’s terrific!” Dad answered with a grin. “I’m so glad you’re getting this experience. You’ll need it for our new puppy!” “We’re getting a puppy?” Nick practically shouted. “That’s awesome! I can’t wait!”

Multiple Choice

Which question would help readers monitor their reading and understand the text?

• Does Nick have a sister?

• What do cats eat?

• Will Nick get to have a puppy of his own?

• What is the weather outside?

Multiple Choice

Why is Nick so interested in telling his parents what he is learning?

• He does not want to volunteer at the shelter.

• He wants to stay home from school.

• He wants to persuade them to volunteer at the shelter.

• He wants to persuade them that he can be trusted with a puppy.

Multiple Choice

Which word from the text makes a new word by adding the prefix re–?

• grin

• about

• glad

• told

Multiple Choice

Which is a synonym for convince?

• practice

• volunteer

• trust

• persuade

Multiple Choice

Which word helps to explain Nick’s behaviour and mood at the end of the text?

• learned

• persuade

• enthusiastic

• help

​A New Friend For Nick.

Nick’s parents had finally given him permission to get a puppy. Nick was so excited about it that he could hardly wait to bring his puppy home. The family had decided that they would adopt a shelter puppy, so one Saturday, Nick and his parents visited the shelter where Nick volunteered. When they arrived, Nick told the shelter manager why they were there. “That’s wonderful!” said the manager. “We have two litters of puppies that are waiting for good homes. One is a litter of Dalmatians, and the other is a litter of corgis.” Nick and his parents looked at one another for a moment. Then, Nick said, “I’m pretty sure we don’t have enough room in our home for a Dalmatian. Could we look at the corgi puppies?”

​A New Friend For Nick.

“That sounds sensible,” Mom said. “I like corgis, and I’ve heard that they’re good family pets.” The manager escorted Nick and his parents to the room where the puppies lived. Within a moment, Nick had found the corgi puppy he wanted. “Look,” he pointed. “That’s the one I want!” Everyone looked at the puppy Nick had found. He was the smallest of the litter, but he looked healthy and friendly. The manager let Nick and his family cuddle the puppy and play with him for a few minutes. Then Nick said, “I’m absolutely sure about him, Mom and Dad.” Mom and Dad agreed that he was a good choice. Dad asked, “What’s his name going to be? “How about Tucker? He looks like a Tucker, doesn’t he?” Nick asked.

​A New Friend For Nick.

“Tucker it is,” said the manager as she printed out the adoption papers. Mom and Dad signed the papers, and then the manager handed Nick and his parents a leash, a bag of food, and three dog toys. “Here are some important things you’ll need,” she said, handing Nick a list. Nick looked at the list. They would need a kennel or crate, food and water dishes, and a lot more. “We’ll have to go to the pet-supply store next,” he told his parents.

Multiple Choice

Which prediction is based on the title and illustration?

• Nick is moving to a new town.

• Nick makes a friend at camp.

• Nick will get a new puppy who will become his friend.

• Two puppies do not get along.

Multiple Choice

Why does Nick choose a corgi?

• Dalmatians are too big for the house.

• He is afraid of Dalmatians.

• His parents do not like Dalmatians.

• He likes corgis better than Dalmatians.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of this text?

• to entertain

• to persuade someone to get a puppy

• to learn about training a puppy

• to find out how much a puppy costs

Multiple Choice

Why would Nick suggest going to the pet-supply store next?

• The family does not know where the pet-supply store is.

• The family did not find a puppy.

• The family will need to buy things for Tucker.

• The shelter manager works at the pet-supply store.

Multiple Choice

How does the shelter manager probably feel about Nick

adopting Tucker?

• worried

• jealous

• furious

• glad

Multiple Choice

What do you think Nick will do when he gets home?

• He will play with Tucker.

• He will do his homework.

• He will watch TV.

• He will go on a bike ride.

Multiple Choice

What can readers learn from Nick and his family?

• Pets should be as large as possible.

• Puppies only need food and water.

• There are many things to consider when choosing a puppy.

• Parents should pick the family.

Multiple Choice

Which text would have a similar theme?

• a nonfiction review of a video game

• a poem about cats

• a fictional story about a child choosing a new bike at a toy store

• an advertisement for pet food