Christmas Comprehension

During the winter break, Keegan and Owen decided to build a snowman. First, they pack enough snow to make two large snowballs. One snowball should be a little smaller than the other. They stack the smaller one on top for the snowman's head. Then, they place two lumps of coal for eyes, a carrot for a nose, and some sticks for arms on the top snowball. Last, they put an old hat on top of its head and an old scarf around its neck.

Which definition of pack is used in this paragraph?

• a group of wild animals

• to cram tightly together

• a set of playing cards

• to put in boxes

Owen, Kanter, Keegan, and Teegin were planning a summer trip to the North Pole. They learned that the North Pole is the northernmost place on Earth with no land, only a thick layer of ice about 8 feet thick. The closest land to the North Pole is actually 700 miles away. During the summer, the sun is always up. It rises in March and sets in September. The warmest it ever gets is in July, when the temperature might just get up to freezing level, or 32 degrees.

Based on the information given, what conclusion can they draw about summer at the North Pole?

• They can't swim there because of the thick ice.

• It can be freezing outside even when the sun is out.

• Summer lasts longer there than in other countries.

• It is a summer of beautiful sunsets.

Owen has a plant in his garden called mistletoe, which is a partial parasite. Most of the time, it attaches itself to the oak tree in Kanter's yard to steal its water and nutrients. However, Owen noticed that it can also make its own food like the other green plants in Teegin's garden. The kind of mistletoe that Owen has, which is often used as a Christmas decoration, grows in North America. This plant might have red, orange, yellow, or white berries.

How can Owen's mistletoe be compared to the green plants in Teegin's garden?

• Owen's mistletoe can make its own food.

• The berries of Owen's mistletoe can be many different colors.

• Owen's mistletoe steals water from Kanter's oak tree.

• Owen's mistletoe attaches itself to Kanter's oak tree.

Teegin and Kanter were having a discussion about the North and South Poles. Teegin mentioned that the North Pole is a layer of floating ice in the ocean, while the South Pole is a land mass located on the continent of Antarctica. He also mentioned that it is colder at the South Pole. Kanter added that polar bears do roam within the Arctic Circle, but penguins are only found in the Southern Hemisphere. This means that polar bears and penguins never actually cross paths.

Which of the following statements is true according to their discussion?

• The North Pole is coldest because it is made of ice.

• Polar bears live at the North Pole and South Pole.

• There are no penguins at the North Pole.

• Polar bears like to eat penguins.

Keegan is a jovial, overweight individual with white hair, a white beard, and a mustache. He always wears a red coat with a white collar and white cuffs, and his pants are also red with white cuffs. He prefers black leather boots and a black leather belt. He also has a red floppy hat shaped like a cone with a fluffy white ball at the end. He is often seen with a very large bag packed to the brim with all kinds of toys.

Based on the text, which of the following is most likely true?

• Keegan is tired of carrying a heavy bag of toys around.

• Keegan is not depressed about his large size.

• Keegan wishes his suite was a different color.

• Keegan's favorite color is black.

Kanter is a jovial, overweight man with white hair, a white beard and mustache. He is always seen in his red coat with a white collar and white cuffs, and his pants are also red with white cuffs. He wears black leather boots and a black leather belt. He also has a red floppy hat shaped like a cone with a fluffy white ball at the end. Owen and Keegan often see him with a very large bag packed to the brim with all kinds of toys.

What is the text structure of this paragraph?

• Description

• Cause and effect

• Problem and solution

• Compare and contrast

Teegin and Kanter were discussing the differences between the North and South Poles. Teegin explained that the North Pole is a layer of floating ice in the ocean, while the South Pole is a land mass located on the continent of Antarctica. He also mentioned that it is colder at the South Pole. Owen, who was listening to their conversation, added that polar bears do roam within the Arctic Circle, but penguins are only found in the Southern Hemisphere. This means that polar bears and penguins never actually cross paths.

What text structure did Teegin and Owen use to explain this to Kanter?

• Description

• Sequence

• Cause and Effect

• Compare and Contrast

Owen and Kanter decided to build a snowman as a fun winter activity. First, they packed enough snow to make two large snowballs. One snowball was a little smaller than the other. They stacked the smaller one on top for the snowman's head. Then, they placed two lumps of coal for eyes, a carrot for a nose, and some sticks for arms on the top snowball.

What text structure did Owen and Kanter use to organize this activity?

• Cause and effect

• Problem and Solution

• Sequence

• Compare and Contrast

Owen and Keegan are planning to have a real Christmas tree in their apartment. They are aware that real Christmas trees can catch on fire. Therefore, they decide to follow some safety tips. They make sure the tree is secure and cannot be knocked over. They keep at least one gallon of water in the tree stand to keep the needles fresh. They use smaller bulbs on the Christmas tree lights, because they won't get as hot. They also keep their tree away from the heat.

Before going to bed, what should Owen and Keegan do for the sake of fire prevention?

• Put more water in the tree stand.

• Secure the tree in its stand.

• Have some holiday cookies with milk.

• Turn off the Christmas tree lights.

The first written record of a decorated Christmas tree was in the year 1510. In 1846, Keegan's British royal family put up a fancy tree in their castle. Since Keegan's family was liked so well, everyone including Teegin, Kanter, and Owen wanted to have a tree like they did. After that, Christmas trees were seen everywhere. The first White House tree was in 1853.

When did Christmas trees show the biggest growth in popularity?

• after Keegan's family put one in their castle

• after the president had one

• right after the one written about in 1510

• right after 1853