Benchmark Unit 1 Reading Comprehension Ultimate

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Making Mines Safer

1. Inspectors closed down a Kentucky coal mine in 2013. They found safety problems during a visit to the mine. The mine stayed closed for more than three weeks.

2. Each year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration does many safety checks. Inspectors look for problems that may lead to accidents. They also check the air. If the air inside the mine has too much dust, it can cause many problems.

3. In the case of the Kentucky mine, somebody called in to complain. So inspectors paid a surprise visit to the mine. They found more than thirty safety violations. Too much coal dust was floating in the air. Dust in the air can lead to an explosion. It can cause lung disease, too. A belt used to carry coal was broken. Equipment had not been checked. There was not enough air movement in the mine.

4. Since 1969, the government has been checking coal mines across the country. Before that time, mine safety rules were weak. Working in a coal mine could be very dangerous. Accidents happened often. The air in mines was often filled with dust. Many miners ended up with “black lung” disease from breathing in the coal dust. Today, inspectors try to make sure coal mines are safe for workers.

5. There are two kinds of coal mines. In underground mines, miners work below ground. In surface mines, miners work above ground. In 2013, more than 6,600 people worked in underground mines in Kentucky. The state had about 3,400 surface miners.

6. Inspectors check surface mines two times each year. Underground mines are supposed to be checked four times per year. Owners can be fined for safety violations. Unsafe mines can be closed down.

7. Today, mines have fewer accidents than in the past. In fact, the year 2013 had the lowest injury rate ever. That’s good news.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

Part A Which sentence best states the main idea of this passage?

• A coal mine in Kentucky was shut down in 2013.

• U.S. inspectors check the safety of coal mines in Kentucky and elsewhere in the United States.

• Before 1969, mine safety rules in the United States were

  not enforced.

• Coal mines in the United States had the lowest injury rate ever in 2013.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RL.3.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Making Mines Safer

1. Inspectors closed down a Kentucky coal mine in 2013. They found safety problems during a visit to the mine. The mine stayed closed for more than three weeks.

2. Each year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration does many safety checks. Inspectors look for problems that may lead to accidents. They also check the air. If the air inside the mine has too much dust, it can cause many problems.

3. In the case of the Kentucky mine, somebody called in to complain. So inspectors paid a surprise visit to the mine. They found more than thirty safety violations. Too much coal dust was floating in the air. Dust in the air can lead to an explosion. It can cause lung disease, too. A belt used to carry coal was broken. Equipment had not been checked. There was not enough air movement in the mine.

4. Since 1969, the government has been checking coal mines across the country. Before that time, mine safety rules were weak. Working in a coal mine could be very dangerous. Accidents happened often. The air in mines was often filled with dust. Many miners ended up with “black lung” disease from breathing in the coal dust. Today, inspectors try to make sure coal mines are safe for workers.

5. There are two kinds of coal mines. In underground mines, miners work below ground. In surface mines, miners work above ground. In 2013, more than 6,600 people worked in underground mines in Kentucky. The state had about 3,400 surface miners.

6. Inspectors check surface mines two times each year. Underground mines are supposed to be checked four times per year. Owners can be fined for safety violations. Unsafe mines can be closed down.

7. Today, mines have fewer accidents than in the past. In fact, the year 2013 had the lowest injury rate ever. That’s good news.

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A.

U.S. inspectors check the safety of coal mines in Kentucky and elsewhere in the United States.

Then answer Part B.

Part B

Choose two sentences from the passage that support the

main idea in Part A.

• “Inspectors closed down a Kentucky coal mine in 2013.”

• “Each year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration does many safety checks.”

• “If the air inside the mine has too much dust, it can cause

  many problems.”

• “A belt used to carry coal was broken.”

  “In 2013, more than 6,600 people worked in underground mines in Kentucky.”

• “Since 1969, the government has been checking coal mines across the country.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.2

CCSS.RI.4.2

CCSS.RI.5.2

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.5.2

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Making Mines Safer

3. In the case of the Kentucky mine, somebody called in to complain. So inspectors paid a surprise visit to the mine. They found more than thirty safety violations. Too much coal dust was floating in the air. Dust in the air can lead to an explosion. It can cause lung disease, too. A belt used to carry coal was broken. Equipment had not been checked. There was not enough air movement in the mine.

In paragraph 3, what is the meaning of the word

violations ?

• instances of breaking the rules

• rules for keeping people safe

• health problems among miners

• times scheduled for inspection

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Making Mines Safer

1. Inspectors closed down a Kentucky coal mine in 2013. They found safety problems during a visit to the mine. The mine stayed closed for more than three weeks.

2. Each year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration does many safety checks. Inspectors look for problems that may lead to accidents. They also check the air. If the air inside the mine has too much dust, it can cause many problems.

3. In the case of the Kentucky mine, somebody called in to complain. So inspectors paid a surprise visit to the mine. They found more than thirty safety violations. Too much coal dust was floating in the air. Dust in the air can lead to an explosion. It can cause lung disease, too. A belt used to carry coal was broken. Equipment had not been checked. There was not enough air movement in the mine.

4. Since 1969, the government has been checking coal mines across the country. Before that time, mine safety rules were weak. Working in a coal mine could be very dangerous. Accidents happened often. The air in mines was often filled with dust. Many miners ended up with “black lung” disease from breathing in the coal dust. Today, inspectors try to make sure coal mines are safe for workers.

5. There are two kinds of coal mines. In underground mines, miners work below ground. In surface mines, miners work above ground. In 2013, more than 6,600 people worked in underground mines in Kentucky. The state had about 3,400 surface miners.

6. Inspectors check surface mines two times each year. Underground mines are supposed to be checked four times per year. Owners can be fined for safety violations. Unsafe mines can be closed down.

7. Today, mines have fewer accidents than in the past. In fact, the year 2013 had the lowest injury rate ever. That’s good news.

The author states that working in a coal mine could be very dangerous before 1969. Choose two pieces of evidence from the passage that support this statement.

• “Each year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration does many safety checks.”

• “Inspectors look for problems that may lead to accidents.”

  “Today, mines have fewer accidents than in the past.”

• “Since 1969, the government has been checking coal mines across the country.”

• “Accidents happened often.”

• “Many miners ended up with ‘black lung’ disease from breathing in the coal dust.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.8

CCSS.RI.5.8

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RL.4.5

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Making Mines Safer

1. Inspectors closed down a Kentucky coal mine in 2013. They found safety problems during a visit to the mine. The mine stayed closed for more than three weeks.

2. Each year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration does many safety checks. Inspectors look for problems that may lead to accidents. They also check the air. If the air inside the mine has too much dust, it can cause many problems.

3. In the case of the Kentucky mine, somebody called in to complain. So inspectors paid a surprise visit to the mine. They found more than thirty safety violations. Too much coal dust was floating in the air. Dust in the air can lead to an explosion. It can cause lung disease, too. A belt used to carry coal was broken. Equipment had not been checked. There was not enough air movement in the mine.

4. Since 1969, the government has been checking coal mines across the country. Before that time, mine safety rules were weak. Working in a coal mine could be very dangerous. Accidents happened often. The air in mines was often filled with dust. Many miners ended up with “black lung” disease from breathing in the coal dust. Today, inspectors try to make sure coal mines are safe for workers.

5. There are two kinds of coal mines. In underground mines, miners work below ground. In surface mines, miners work above ground. In 2013, more than 6,600 people worked in underground mines in Kentucky. The state had about 3,400 surface miners.

6. Inspectors check surface mines two times each year. Underground mines are supposed to be checked four times per year. Owners can be fined for safety violations. Unsafe mines can be closed down.

7. Today, mines have fewer accidents than in the past. In fact, the year 2013 had the lowest injury rate ever. That’s good news.

How did the Mine Act of 1977 help coal miners?

• It raised miners’ pay.

• It shortened miners’ workdays.

• It supported miners’ rights.

• It opened more U.S. mines.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Making Mines Safer

1. Inspectors closed down a Kentucky coal mine in 2013. They found safety problems during a visit to the mine. The mine stayed closed for more than three weeks.

2. Each year, the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration does many safety checks. Inspectors look for problems that may lead to accidents. They also check the air. If the air inside the mine has too much dust, it can cause many problems.

3. In the case of the Kentucky mine, somebody called in to complain. So inspectors paid a surprise visit to the mine. They found more than thirty safety violations. Too much coal dust was floating in the air. Dust in the air can lead to an explosion. It can cause lung disease, too. A belt used to carry coal was broken. Equipment had not been checked. There was not enough air movement in the mine.

4. Since 1969, the government has been checking coal mines across the country. Before that time, mine safety rules were weak. Working in a coal mine could be very dangerous. Accidents happened often. The air in mines was often filled with dust. Many miners ended up with “black lung” disease from breathing in the coal dust. Today, inspectors try to make sure coal mines are safe for workers.

5. There are two kinds of coal mines. In underground mines, miners work below ground. In surface mines, miners work above ground. In 2013, more than 6,600 people worked in underground mines in Kentucky. The state had about 3,400 surface miners.

6. Inspectors check surface mines two times each year. Underground mines are supposed to be checked four times per year. Owners can be fined for safety violations. Unsafe mines can be closed down.

7. Today, mines have fewer accidents than in the past. In fact, the year 2013 had the lowest injury rate ever. That’s good news.

According to the pie chart, which statement is true of underground mines in Kentucky?

• They produce more coal than surface mines.

• They have serious problems with coal dust.

• They have fewer miners than surface mines.

• They are inspected less often than surface mines.

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.7

CCSS.RI.4.7

CCSS.RL.3.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Making Mines Safer

In paragraph 6, the o in supposed is pronounced like the-

• o in problem.

• u in hundred.

• o in cross .

• oa in coal

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.5.4

Read this passage. Then answer the questions.

Safe and Sound

1. Tim Jackson sat silently at the dinner table. His father was sharing some important news about Big Fork Coal Mine. Dad worked there.

2. “The mine has been getting worse and worse,” Tim’s father said, shaking his head. “Damaged equipment isn’t repaired. The air quality has been terrible. When you walk in there, it’s like walking into a dust storm. I’m not sure what to do.”

3. “Why don’t you report those problems to Mike?” Tim’s mother asked.

4. “Just because Mike is our supervisor doesn’t mean his bosses listen to him. Besides, everybody’s a little nervous about complaining. The big bosses don’t like to hear about what’s wrong at the mine. They won’t allow it.”

5. “So what do you plan to do about it?” Tim’s mother asked. “Somebody will get hurt, and that somebody could be you.” Tim’s father nodded. But then he stopped talking and finished his dinner in silence.

6. That night, Tim had trouble falling asleep because he was worrying about his father. He wondered whether his dad would do anything about the problems at the underground mine. Would he speak up and lose his job? Or would there be an accident?

7. The next afternoon, Tim’s mother and father met him at the door when he got home from school. Tim was surprised to see his father at home before dark. Usually, his dad worked at the mine all afternoon.

8. “The Safety Office got a phone call about some problems at the mine,” his dad explained. “They sent over inspectors for a surprise check. They found dozens of safety problems, so they shut down the mine.”

9. “Does that mean you’re out of work, Dad?” Tim asked.

10. “Just for a few weeks while they fix those safety problems,” his dad said.

11. “Meanwhile, your father and all the other miners are safe and sound,” his mother said, smiling.

12. Tim felt relieved, knowing that his dad wouldn’t get hurt in the mine or lose his job. But he did have one question for his dad, “Who made that phone call about safety problems at the mine?”

13. “They don’t know,” his dad said, “because it was an anonymous call.” He shrugged, looked at his wife, and smiled. “Even if I did know, I’d never spread any rumors.”

In paragraph 4, what is the meaning of the word supervisor?

• a person who directs work

• a safety inspector

• an underground miner

• a person who works for the government

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.4

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.1

Read this passage. Then answer the questions.

Safe and Sound

1. Tim Jackson sat silently at the dinner table. His father was sharing some important news about Big Fork Coal Mine. Dad worked there.

2. “The mine has been getting worse and worse,” Tim’s father said, shaking his head. “Damaged equipment isn’t repaired. The air quality has been terrible. When you walk in there, it’s like walking into a dust storm. I’m not sure what to do.”

3. “Why don’t you report those problems to Mike?” Tim’s mother asked.

4. “Just because Mike is our supervisor doesn’t mean his bosses listen to him. Besides, everybody’s a little nervous about complaining. The big bosses don’t like to hear about what’s wrong at the mine. They won’t allow it.”

5. “So what do you plan to do about it?” Tim’s mother asked. “Somebody will get hurt, and that somebody could be you.” Tim’s father nodded. But then he stopped talking and finished his dinner in silence.

6. That night, Tim had trouble falling asleep because he was worrying about his father. He wondered whether his dad would do anything about the problems at the underground mine. Would he speak up and lose his job? Or would there be an accident?

7. The next afternoon, Tim’s mother and father met him at the door when he got home from school. Tim was surprised to see his father at home before dark. Usually, his dad worked at the mine all afternoon.

8. “The Safety Office got a phone call about some problems at the mine,” his dad explained. “They sent over inspectors for a surprise check. They found dozens of safety problems, so they shut down the mine.”

9. “Does that mean you’re out of work, Dad?” Tim asked.

10. “Just for a few weeks while they fix those safety problems,” his dad said.

11. “Meanwhile, your father and all the other miners are safe and sound,” his mother said, smiling.

12. Tim felt relieved, knowing that his dad wouldn’t get hurt in the mine or lose his job. But he did have one question for his dad, “Who made that phone call about safety problems at the mine?”

13. “They don’t know,” his dad said, “because it was an anonymous call.” He shrugged, looked at his wife, and smiled. “Even if I did know, I’d never spread any rumors.”

Which of these is a key event in the last part of the story?

• Tim comes home from school.

• The mine has too much dust.

• The mine gets closed down.

• Tim worries about his father’s safety.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Read this passage. Then answer the questions.

Safe and Sound

1. Tim Jackson sat silently at the dinner table. His father was sharing some important news about Big Fork Coal Mine. Dad worked there.

2. “The mine has been getting worse and worse,” Tim’s father said, shaking his head. “Damaged equipment isn’t repaired. The air quality has been terrible. When you walk in there, it’s like walking into a dust storm. I’m not sure what to do.”

3. “Why don’t you report those problems to Mike?” Tim’s mother asked.

4. “Just because Mike is our supervisor doesn’t mean his bosses listen to him. Besides, everybody’s a little nervous about complaining. The big bosses don’t like to hear about what’s wrong at the mine. They won’t allow it.”

5. “So what do you plan to do about it?” Tim’s mother asked. “Somebody will get hurt, and that somebody could be you.” Tim’s father nodded. But then he stopped talking and finished his dinner in silence.

6. That night, Tim had trouble falling asleep because he was worrying about his father. He wondered whether his dad would do anything about the problems at the underground mine. Would he speak up and lose his job? Or would there be an accident?

7. The next afternoon, Tim’s mother and father met him at the door when he got home from school. Tim was surprised to see his father at home before dark. Usually, his dad worked at the mine all afternoon.

8. “The Safety Office got a phone call about some problems at the mine,” his dad explained. “They sent over inspectors for a surprise check. They found dozens of safety problems, so they shut down the mine.”

9. “Does that mean you’re out of work, Dad?” Tim asked.

10. “Just for a few weeks while they fix those safety problems,” his dad said.

11. “Meanwhile, your father and all the other miners are safe and sound,” his mother said, smiling.

12. Tim felt relieved, knowing that his dad wouldn’t get hurt in the mine or lose his job. But he did have one question for his dad, “Who made that phone call about safety problems at the mine?”

13. “They don’t know,” his dad said, “because it was an anonymous call.” He shrugged, looked at his wife, and smiled. “Even if I did know, I’d never spread any rumors.”

Based on story details, choose two inferences the reader can make about Tim’s dad

• He has worked in the mine since he was young.

• He worries about safety in the mine.

• He thinks the mine bosses are fair and honest.

• His closest friend is his supervisor, Mike.

  He does not like to work in the afternoon.

• He wants to do what’s right about the mine.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.1