RL 7.2, 7.3 & 7.4

A dog was out walking one day carrying along his favorite bone in his mouth. He was trotting happily along when he came to a bridge. As he crossed the bridge, he looked over the side at the river that flowed below. When he looked closer, he saw a second dog looking up at him. He noticed that the second dog had a much bigger bone than he did!

The first dog became anxious. He decided that he wanted the bigger bone for himself. He crouched closely to the water and placed his mouth near the edge of the river. He was getting himself ready to snatch the bigger bone from the second dog's mouth. The first dog opened his mouth to bark, which caused his bone to fall with a splash as it fell into the river.

The first dog sat there puzzled. The big bone had disappeared. Both he and the second dog looked upon each other sadly.

adapted from "The Dog and Its Reflection" by Aesop

Which sentence best supports the conclusion that the first dog is jealous?

• A. "Both he and the second dog looked upon each other sadly."

• B. "He noticed that the second dog had a much bigger bone than he did!"

• C. "He decided that he wanted the bigger bone for himself."

• D. "He was trotting happily along when he came to a bridge."

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

Cheryl took a deep breath and stepped into the basket of the hot air balloon. Her heart was pounding, and her palms were covered in sweat. The Mayfield Light Aircraft Festival came to her town every year, but she had never had the courage to take a hot air balloon ride. This year, she was determined to take her first ride. The hot air balloon pilot smiled at Cheryl as she grabbed on to the safety bar inside the balloon basket.

“This must be your first time going up, young lady,” said the pilot as he began to prepare the balloon for launch. “Well, I’ve been piloting balloons for 20 years, so you’re in good hands. I promise you’ll have such a good time up there, you won’t want to come back down.” The pilot fired the burner unit, and the hot air balloon slowly lifted into the air. Cheryl gasped as she watched the ground get farther away. Then, she glanced up at the billowing balloon above her. The burner unit lit up the inside of the balloon like a jack-o-lantern on Halloween.

“Isn’t it beautiful up here?” asked the pilot. Cheryl looked out over the top of the basket. From this height, she could see the entire town laid out before her. The autumn leaves on the trees made the ground look like a beautiful orange and red patchwork quilt.

“It looks amazing,” she agreed as the balloon began to descend. The nervous butterflies in her stomach seemed to have disappeared into the cool, clear air. The balloon pilot was right—Cheryl wished she could stay up in the clouds forever.

Which experience is most similar to Cheryl's experience in this passage?

• A. someone training to become a medical doctor

• B. someone learning to play a musical instrument

• C. someone writing a letter to his or her best friend

• D. someone taking his or her first driving lesson

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

Cheryl took a deep breath and stepped into the basket of the hot air balloon. Her heart was pounding, and her palms were covered in sweat. The Mayfield Light Aircraft Festival came to her town every year, but she had never had the courage to take a hot air balloon ride. This year, she was determined to take her first ride. The hot air balloon pilot smiled at Cheryl as she grabbed on to the safety bar inside the balloon basket.

“This must be your first time going up, young lady,” said the pilot as he began to prepare the balloon for launch. “Well, I’ve been piloting balloons for 20 years, so you’re in good hands. I promise you’ll have such a good time up there, you won’t want to come back down.” The pilot fired the burner unit, and the hot air balloon slowly lifted into the air. Cheryl gasped as she watched the ground get farther away. Then, she glanced up at the billowing balloon above her. The burner unit lit up the inside of the balloon like a jack-o-lantern on Halloween.

“Isn’t it beautiful up here?” asked the pilot. Cheryl looked out over the top of the basket. From this height, she could see the entire town laid out before her. The autumn leaves on the trees made the ground look like a beautiful orange and red patchwork quilt.

“It looks amazing,” she agreed as the balloon began to descend. The nervous butterflies in her stomach seemed to have disappeared into the cool, clear air. The balloon pilot was right—Cheryl wished she could stay up in the clouds forever.

This passage would most likely be found in

• A. a magazine article about overcoming fears.

• B. a book about the lives of military pilots.

• C. a newspaper article about cheap ways to travel.

• D. an encyclopedia entry about Halloween.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RL.6.10

CCSS.RL.7.10

The Japanese Garden

"Why must I take off my shoes?" Riku asked his father. He noticed that other people kept their shoes on when they entered the Japanese garden. The stone path looked as though it might hurt the bottoms of his feet.

"It is a Japanese tradition," Riku's father said in a gruff voice. "By taking off our shoes, we recognize that the garden is special. Also, it helps us relax once we are inside the garden."

Riku's father placed their shoes in a designated cubby near the garden's front gate. Then he took his son's hand. They walked to a large plot of gravel, in the middle of which were several jagged stones. The gravel had been raked around the stones in a circular pattern.

"The gravel is supposed to look like water," Riku's father explained. "The lines around the stones represent ripples."

Riku looked curiously up at his father. "Why are you whispering?" he asked his father.

"A Japanese garden is traditionally a quiet place," Riku's father said and waved dismissively at a man nearby who was talking on his cell phone. "He does not understand."

Riku wanted to move on to the next site, but his father forbade it. "We must remain here until our minds grow quiet," he said.

Riku stared at the smooth, raked gravel. After several minutes, he realized his father was right: It did look like water.

Finally, when the other visitors had moved on, Riku's father pointed to a stone path that curved around a maple tree. "It is tradition to go slowly, and to be aware," Riku's father said.

Riku nodded and tried his best to be patient as he followed in his father's footsteps. The rocks were all smooth underfoot except for one that was uneven.

When Riku's father reached the uneven rock, he paused. "Do you feel the difference?" he whispered to his son.

Riku nodded.

"Now, look up." Riku's father pointed at a spot in the trees. There, a small but colorful paper lantern hung from a branch. "This is our reward," he said.

What theme recurs throughout this story?

• A. Sometimes rules are meant to be broken.

• B. It is important to observe tradition.

• C. Using a cell phone in public is impolite.

• D. Fathers are often strict for no reason.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

King Midas and the Golden Touch (Greek myth)

King Midas wants more and more gold and is finally granted his wish: Everything he touches will turn to gold. The Midas touch! He is ecstatic, as even the flowers become gold under his powerful touch. Unfortunately, when King Midas touches his daughter, she turns into a gold statue, and it is at that moment he realizes that all the gold in the world does not compare to his daughter or her love.

Which sentence or phrase from the passage reflects the theme that it is important not to be blinded by greed?

• A. "When King Midas touches his daughter, she turns into a gold statue."

• B. "He is ecstatic, as even the flowers become gold under his powerful touch."

• C. "Everything he touches will turn to gold."

• D. "King Midas wants more and more gold and is finally granted his wish."

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

You read a long novel about many generations of a family living in the southern United States. Over and over again, the family makes a fortune and loses their fortune, first during the Civil War, again at the turn of the 20th century, and yet again during the Great Depression. No matter what they do, they can't seem to hold onto their wealth, and each generation has to start over again to build it back up.

What is the recurring theme in such a novel?

• A. Hard work will lead to a huge fortune.

• B. Money is more valuable than family.

• C. Fortune smiles on good-hearted people.

• D. Fortune is highly unpredictable.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.2

CCSS.RL.5.9

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Joseph hurried out of the exam hall as soon as the bell rang. The exams were over, and he could not contain his excitement at summer vacation starting. He had managed to convince his parents to allow him to join a soccer training camp at school. He would have the opportunity to train with some great coaches, and he would also get the chance to meet his favorite soccer player. His best friend Andy would also be with him at the camp. As he walked back home from school, he thought of the things he had to buy before the start of camp.

Which is the best summary of the paragraph?

• A. Joseph is excited because exams are over, and he will be attending a soccer training camp over the vacations. He wonders what it will be like to train with top-level soccer coaches.

• B. Joseph is preparing to attend a camp at school with his best friend Andy. On his way home from school, he thinks about how little time he has to purchase everything he needs for the camp.

• C. Joseph walks back home from school after his last exam. On the way, he wonders how he can convince his parents into letting him attend the soccer training camp with his friend Andy.

• D. Joseph hurries home after his last exam. He is excited about meeting his favorite soccer player, and training with some great coaches at the soccer training camp that he will be attending with his friend Andy.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

On the Way to the Quickie Mart

Ray and his best friend Harry walked down the street. It was very hot outside; Ray's father had warned him that today was going to be the hottest day on record. The temperature was expected to reach well over 100 degrees in the shade. He held his hand over his eyes to shield himself from the blazing sun. At the same time, Harry tossed his football up and down as the two marched down the sidewalk.

"Okay," Harry said, grinning. "Last one down to the Quickie Mart pays for the food."

"Are you crazy?" Ray asked. "It's 100 degrees out here! The Quickie Mart is a mile away!"

"Football tryouts start soon," Harry said. "We need to get in shape."

Ray bit his lip. Harry was right, of course. The two had promised each other that they would both make the eighth grade football team.

Before Harry knew what was going on, Ray had already snatched the football from out of his hands and was running full tilt down the street with it in the direction of the Quickie Mart.

"Fumble!" Ray cried out as he dashed down the sidewalk. He looked over his shoulder and saw his friend trying to keep up.

The race to the Quickie Mart was only a mile, but in the summer heat, it felt like more. Ray pumped his legs harder, trying to outrun Harry. About twenty paces away from the Quickie Mart, Ray stopped and braced his hands on his knees. His head pounded like a drum. He wandered over to the curb and placed the football in his lap. He was absolutely exhausted.

A moment later, Harry stood over him, gasping and panting in the heat. Ray was so exhausted he couldn't even speak.

Ray and Harry decide to run in the hot weather mainly because

• A. they do not know who should pay for the food.

• B. they need to see who can run faster than the other.

• C. they want to make the eighth grade football team.

• D. they are excited about buying food at the store

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

"Help! Somebody call 9-1-1!" Carmen yelped.

"What's wrong?" Tiffany asked, reaching for her cell phone.

"Look at my legs, they are covered with mosquitoes!" She reached down to brush them off. "I'm a mosquito magnet. If there's a mosquito within two miles of me, it'll find my skin. I'm so tired of being bitten." Carmen and four of her friends had gone to the river to swim and talk.

"That's no reason to call 9-1-1," Tiffany said as she put up her phone.

"Here, try some of this bug spray," Elaine said. "It works for me."

"I don't like the way that stuff feels on my skin," Carmen said. She slapped her legs with both hands. "I didn't think there would be this many mosquitoes this late in the year. I'm afraid I am going to have to leave."

Barb reached in her backpack and pulled out a box of fabric-softener sheets that go in the clothes dryer. "I used to be a mosquito magnet too until I started rubbing these things on my skin," she said. "I haven't had any problem since." She handed the box to Carmen.

Carmen looked doubtful but took out a sheet to sniff it. "It smells better than that bug spray," she said and wiped the sheet over all her exposed skin. Sure enough, not a single mosquito landed on her. "This is fantastic. I'm ready to play!"

What is the main conflict in the passage?

• A. Carmen cannot use the bug spray because she is allergic to it.

• B. Mosquitoes are attacking Carmen, and she wants to leave.

• C. Carmen's friends don't believe that the mosquitoes are biting her.

• D. Carmen and friends are at the river, but she can't swim.

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

CCSS.RL.8.3

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

June has come too soon

The days are too long

I wait forever for the moon

The sun is angry now

With scorching rays like bows

I face its wrath somehow

The worst, school is out

And you are out of sight

I sit alone and fidget about

The pool is not yet coo

lMy best friend is away

I am bored and feel like a fool

Which of these is true about this poem?

• A. The even lines of each stanza end in the same rhyme.

• B. The second and third lines of each stanza rhyme.

• C. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme.

• D. Every line in each stanza ends in the same rhyme.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10