Reading Comprehension Practice

Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system with temperatures around 842 degrees Fahrenheit. Mercury is closer to the sun, but Mercury lacks an atmosphere. An atmosphere is what controls how hot a planet is.

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Which sentence BEST supports the reason why Venus is hotter than Mercury?

• Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system with temperatures around 842 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Mercury is closer to the sun.

• Mercury lacks an atmosphere.

• An atmosphere is what controls how hot a planet is.

There is a theory that the moon used to be a part of the Earth. A long time ago, a large object struck the Earth. After the impact, a piece of the Earth floated into space. The lack of atmosphere on that piece of Earth is why the moon does not look the same as as it did on Earth.

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Which sentence BEST explains how the moon came to be?

• There is a theory that the moon used to be a part of the Earth.

• A long time ago, a large object struck the Earth.

• After the impact, a piece of the Earth floated into space.

• The lack of atmosphere on that piece of Earth is why the moon does not look the same as as it did on Earth.

During the prohibition, the United States was losing the war against alcohol. Government officials decided to order several alcohol manufacturing plants to poison their alcohol. Because of this, over 10,000 people died after stealing the alcohol to make moonshine. The ban on alcohol would soon be lifted in the coming years.

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Which sentence best supports how people died drinking alcohol?

• During the prohibition, the United States was losing the war against alcohol.

• Government officials decided to order several alcohol manufacturing plants to poison their alcohol.

• Because of this, over 10,000 people died after stealing the alcohol to make moonshine.

• The ban on alcohol would soon be lifted in the coming years.

During the 1830s, ketchup was sold as medicine. The creator claimed that ketchup helped with indegestion. It wasn't until the late 1800s that people began using ketchup as a condiment. Most people nowadays only know of ketchup as a condiment.

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Which sentence BEST explains how ketchup was originally used?

• During the 1830s, ketchup was sold as medicine.

• The creator claimed that ketchup helped with indegestion.

• It wasn't until the late 1800s that people began using ketchup as a condiment.

• Most people nowadays only know of ketchup as a condiment.

Shakespeare was one of the most famous playwrights of his time. His blend of comedies and tragedies are still taught today! Two of his MOST famous plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, are both tragedies. However, his comedies are also very popular!

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How does the author feel about Shakespeare?

• The author doesn't like Shakespeare.

• The author likes tragedies more than comedies.

• The author likes comedies more than tragedies.

• The author only likes Hamlet and Macbeth.

Passage A: Global Warming is the belief that the atmosphere is slowly breaking apart. As the atmosphere breaks apart, more heat is able to come to Earth. This results in the Earth slowly becoming warmer.

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Passage B: Some animals are dying because they cannot adapt to the gradual change in temperature. When one animal dies, other animals are sure to be affected. It's only a matter of time until humans are affected too, which is why we need to act now!

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How does Passage A's tone differ from Passage B?

• Passage A is talking about Global Warming.

• Passage B is more concerned with animals than Global Warming.

• Passage A is more factual, and Passage B is more emotional.

• Passage A and Passage B have the same tone.

Passage A: When the World Cup for soccer is held, different countries bid to see who will host the event. Sometimes, the World Cup is held in a country that is too hot or too cold, and the players are affected.

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Passage B: The World Cup is an event where soccer players from around the world compete with one another. The event is held every four years, and only 32 teams can qualify to compete.

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How are the two passages above different?

• Passage A is talking about soccer.

• Passage B is talking about where the World Cup is held.

• Passage B explains more about the World Cup.

• Passage A talks more about the players' safety during the World Cup.

Passage A: The United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to gain freedom from Great Britain. This was the beginning of the American Revolution.

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Passage B: On July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day to honor our forefathers that fought for our independence against Great Britain. We shoot fireworks to mimic the rockets and explosives the revolutionists used during the American Revolution.

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How are the two passages alike?

• Both passages talk about hating Great Britain.

• Both passages are about shooting fireworks.

• Both passages are about the start of the American Revolution.

• The passages are not alike.

Passage A: The Earth's equator is the warmest point on the surface of the planet because the sun's rays consistently reach the middle of the earth. The rays cannot reach the north and south poles as easily.

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Passage B: Living near the equator is fun because the temperature never gets too cold. I love going to the beach and basking in the sun. Although, I wouldn't mind getting some snow a few days a year.

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How does Passage A differ from Passage B?

• Passage A is talking about the equator.

• Passage A is factual, and Passage B is someone's opinion

• Passage A is less formal than Passage B.

• Passage B is talking about how warm the equator is.

Passage A: Owls are nocturnal, meaning they are awake at night and sleep during the day. Owls cannot move their eyes either, so they have the ability to turn their heads 270 degrees!

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Passage B: When an owl eats a rodent, only the meat, organs, and tissue are swallowed. The owl stores things that could potentially harm the owl in its gizzard (second stomach). Later, it regurgitates (vomits) the bones and fur back onto the ground. This is called an "owl pellet."

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What is the difference between Passage A and Passage B?

• Passage A is talking about how owls see rather than eat.

• Passage A was probably written by a different author.

• Passage B is talking about a specific type of owl.

• Passage A and Passage B are not different.