Reading Literature (RL.5.1-RL.5.4 & RL.5.6)

Read the sentence.

Suddenly, it is as if the sky opens up like a faucet.

What does this sentence mean?

• Clouds hide the sun.

• Rain starts to fall hard.

• Lightning flashes in the sky.

• A gentle wind begins to blow.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

Read the excerpt from "Daniel Craig."

In 1848, the six most important New York newspapers decided that an agency should be formed to collect the news and get it to the papers. The agency was called the Associated Press (AP) news agency. Daniel Craig was hired to send the news from Halifax to the AP.

What is the author's main point?

• Craig always wanted to deliver the news first.

• An agency was formed to get news to papers.

• The telegraph replaced the carrier pigeon.

• Carrier pigeons are useful in sending news.

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CCSS.RI.5.2

Read the passage, "Stevie Dash Daydreamer," and then answer the question.

The train swerved, almost throwing Steve Dash over the cliff, but his fingers clutched the metal roof. Soon he was running along the tops of the train cars to rescue the mysterious Alyssa. Just then— “Stevie, pay attention. We’re on number seventeen.” “Yes, Ms. Marquez,” said the boy, squirming in the uncomfortable chair. He tried to listen to Ms. Marquez explaining punctuation rules he already knew, such as when a sentence needed a comma. Two rows away, Alyssa Williams listened intently to the teacher, and Stevie wondered— Captain Dash of the NYC Police Department, wiped away the drop of sweat rolling down his forehead. Close one, he thought, shuddering to think what would have happened if the tiny drop had fallen into the bomb he was defusing. He clipped the green wire—that was obvious, but deciding whether to clip the blue or red wire next was trickier. The wrong choice would be devastating, but a hunch said blue, so Dash squeezed the wire cutter and— “Stevie! You are daydreaming again. Stay here when recess starts.” “Yes ma’am,” said Stevie, disappointment oozing from the syllables. He had been looking forward to recess—kicking around the soccer ball, maybe even talking with Alyssa. “Agent Dash, you must keep this information confidential,” said Agent 719, a woman Special Agent, Dash felt certain he recognized, but from where? Dash agreed, and she explained how Villain X planned to steal an oil tanker from the middle of the ocean. “We must stop this!” Dash rose from his chair and then recognized that Agent 719 was really— “Class dismissed, except for Stevie.” The conversation began like a well-read book, leading to a predictable end: Stevie promising not to daydream. Then Ms. Marquez surprised him. “You’re not a bad student,” she said. “You simply have an abundant imagination.” “I do?” “Imagination is a gift, one best used in some creative activity. Tonight, I want you to write a story; turn it in tomorrow. Now, go have fun.” Stevie sat in the quiet of his room with a notebook. No matter how long he sat, though, no story appeared on the page. His thoughts clanged like noisy tin cans being dumped in a recycling bin. Stevie set the notebook aside and lay back. Nobel prizewinning biologist Dash would know the solution. “Watch out for the giant ants,” Dr. Dash told his guide. “One bite is intensely painful, and several can be lethal.” They cleared away the thick jungle brush in front of them. In the distance was a high mountain, crowned by soft white clouds. Dash clapped the guide’s shoulder. “There it is, home of the elusive gorillas, never seen by humans.” “How will we find them?” asked the guide. “We must rely on our instincts,” said Dash. “That’s the only way to—” That was it: instincts. Stevie grabbed the notebook and began scribbling words as fast as his fingers could move. “Doctor Dash and the Gorillas” unfolded before his eyes, and there was no end to the possibilities.

Which sentence from the story suggests why Stevie cannot pay attention in class?

• "He tried to listen to Ms. Marquez explaining punctuation rules he already knew . . ."

• "Two rows away Alyssa Williams listened intently to the teacher . . ."

• "'You are daydreaming again.'"

• "'You simply have an abundant imagination.'"

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.1

Read the excerpt from "Sundiata: A Retold Legend from Mali," then answer the question.

Clearly, Sundiata had become quite a superior young man. In fact, he later became a great king and ruled his people wisely. He was known as The Lion King of Mali.

Which of the following sentences BEST expresses the theme of this excerpt?

• Wisdom comes with time.

• Wise kings are unusual.

• One must be born wise.

• Kings rule with wisdom.

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CCSS.RL.5.2

Read this sentence from “Saturday Afternoons.”

Sometimes there are things I would prefer to be doing other than yard work—especially on a Saturday afternoon.

Which word is similar in meaning to the word prefer as it is used in this sentence?

• appear

• choose

• pretend

• rather

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

Read the passage, "Lost: The Summer," then answer the question.

Where has the summer gone? She was here just a minute ago. With roses and daisies To whisper her praises, And everyone loved her so! Has anyone seen her about? She must have gone off in the night! And she took the best flowers, And the happiest hours, And asked no one’s leave for her flight. Have you noticed her steps in the grass? The garden looks red where she went; By the side of the hedge There’s a goldenrod edge, And the rose vines are withered and bent. Do you think she will ever come back? I shall watch every day at the gate For the robins and clover, Saying over and over: “I know she will come if I wait.” asked no one’s leave: did not ask permission from anybody to go goldenrod: a type of wild plant that has large groups of yellow flowers [The American Normal Readers Fourth Book. http://www.archive.org/stream/americannormalr01harvgoog#page/n26/mode/2up (07/25/2013).]

How does the speaker’s point of view influence the expression of ideas in the poem?

• The speaker expresses a negative attitude about what summer offers.

• The speaker expresses a positive attitude about what summer offers.

• The speaker expresses a positive attitude about the upcoming season.

• The speaker expresses a negative attitude about the upcoming season.

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CCSS.RL.5.6