Sample Release Items Part 1

A student is interested in learning about kangaroos and wrote the following paragraph. Kangaroos are a type of large mammal that lives in Australia. These creatures have large feet that help them jump up to 30 feet in a single leap. Their powerful back legs and a long, strong tail help them to jump. In the wild, kangaroos live in small groups of around 50 animals. Which question should the student use to find more information about kangaroos to include in the paragraph?

• Why do kangaroos live in groups?

• Can a person keep a kangaroo as a pet?

• Do other animals live in the area of Australia where kangaroos live?

• What are other types of animals besides kangaroos that move by jumping?

A student is doing research on sea turtles. Read the paragraph from the source. Sea turtles lay eggs. A mother turtle finds a place on land to make a nest. She digs a hole in the sand or dirt on a beach, lays her eggs, and then buries them. The mother leaves the eggs and returns to the water. Weeks later, the eggs hatch. The baby turtles climb out of the nest and make their way to the ocean. They must avoid predators, such as sea birds. If these newborn turtles make it to the ocean, they start a “swimming frenzy” to move miles away into deeper waters. If the student used information from this source, which title would best describe the topic of the report?

• Sea Turtles Love to Swim

• Life Begins for Sea Turtles

• Sea Turtle Nests

• How to Find Sea Turtle Eggs

Read the paragraph from the passage. After a while, Sarah noticed her brother staring silently at the water. She could tell that he was frustrated that he was not finding anything. But Sarah did not get upset. Instead, she continued to search the sandy stream thoroughly. Sarah was determined to give her brother a reason to be proud of her, not make him annoyed that she came along. How does the author’s choice of words contribute to meaning in the passage?

• It shows that Sarah is less worried about getting dirty than Ben is.

• It shows how much Sarah cares about the way Ben feels about her.

• It shows that Sarah is more unsure about her task than Ben is.

• It shows how much Sarah hopes she will find gold before Ben finds gold.

Read the paragraph from the passage. He then handed the pan to Sarah. “Swirl it with your hand until the sand settles on the bottom and the water is on top,” he instructed, enjoying the role of expert. What does the word instructed mean as it is used in the paragraph?

• dared

• directed

• warned

• worried

Read the sentences from “Possible Pets.” Some cats have long hair, while others have short hair. Some cat breeds, like the Sphynx, have no hair at all. Cats can have thin tails or puffy tails. One type of cat, the Manx, has no tail. What do the author’s words help the reader to understand?

• that cats need to be brushed often

• that cats come from different places

• that cats enjoy attention from humans

• that cats can have different appearances

Read the paragraph from “Preparing a Happy Home: A Kitten’s Journal.” So, when I want to see birds or bugs, I just walk through the little door from our living room to the enclosed porch. The porch has windows all the way around. Sometimes I sit for hours on that porch watching the wrens, bluebirds, and cardinals. This way, I am safe from the outdoors but can still enjoy birdwatching. Which words in the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of the word enclosed?

• want to see

• has windows all the way around

• sit for hours

• can still enjoy birdwatching

A student is writing an opinion paper about watching television. Read the opinion. Many adults think that children spend too much time watching TV, but not all TV shows are bad. There are many television programs that are educational. People can learn about places they have never been, discover facts about animals, or even learn how to cook! TV can also be entertaining. Watching shows that are funny or exciting is a perfect way for people to relax. These are just a few of the benefits of watching TV. So, next time you tune in to your favorite show, think about all the interesting things you are learning. Which sentence should be included in the writing to clearly state the student’s opinion about television?

• I have learned lots of information by watching TV.

• Many adults think that watching TV is a waste of time.

• Most children enjoy watching educational TV programs.

• I believe watching TV can actually be good for children.

A student is writing about reptiles. Read the draft. Many people get these two reptiles confused. Although they look similar, there are a few easy ways to tell these two animals apart. One of the main ways to identify these animals is to look at the shape of their heads. Alligators have shorter, wider heads than crocodiles. An alligator’s head is shaped like the letter U, while a crocodile’s head is more pointy or V-shaped. Another way to identify these animals is to look at the color of their skin. Both animals are covered with hard dry scales, but an alligator’s skin appears much darker in color than a crocodile’s skin. Which sentence would best introduce the topic?

• A. Did you know that alligators and crocodiles are both reptiles?

• Can you tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

• Alligators and crocodiles have lived on Earth for a very long time

• Alligators and crocodiles are some of the most feared animals on Earth.

A student is writing a report about animals in winter. The student wants to develop the ideas in the report. Read the report. What do you do when the weather turns cold? Do you put on warmer clothes or snuggle up in a warm blanket? Animals must prepare for cold weather too. Some animals hibernate or go into a deep sleep in the winter. Bears, groundhogs, and turtles are among the many animals that sleep during the winter months. But not all animals hibernate. There are other ways that animals prepare for cold weather. Which sentence best supports the underlined sentence?

• Many squirrels are unable to find food during the winter.

• Some bears remain in a deep sleep throughout the winter.

• Many birds travel to warmer places in the winter.

• Most animals wake from their winter naps in early months of spring.

Which book title has the correct capitalization?

• Lion has a loud Roar

• On the journey to California

• Monkey Fun at the Zoo

• Adventures in space travel