READING

You probably know sharks have very sharp teeth, but did you know they never run out of them? If a shark loses a tooth, another moves forward from within the shark’s jaw, where it keeps a nearly unlimited supply of replacement teeth. This way, it’s almost impossible for a shark to end up without a full set of teeth. This is a phenomenon unique to the shark. No other animal in the world has teeth quite like the shark’s. A shark can go through as many as 20,000 teeth in its lifetime!

What is the main idea from this passage?

• shark loses a tooth

• sharks have keen teeth

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Elephants are the largest living land mammals. The Asian Elephant, also known as the Indian Elephant, can weigh up to 11,000 pounds. The African Elephant is even bigger, weighing as much as 20,000 pounds. The elephant’s gestation period is 22 months, the longest of any mammal, because baby elephants weigh an average of 260 pounds at birth. The largest elephant ever measured was 13 feet tall and weighed 24,000 pounds!

What is the main idea from this passage?

• Elephant is an Asian

• Elephants are land mammals and included the giant mammals.

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Our elementary school chorus had the largest participation in its history this year. They did eight performances - three in school, and five around town - and received an award for Most Improved School Vocal Group from the state. There was a lot of great talent, and ten students make All County Chorus.

What is the main idea from this passage?

• A. Our elementary school chorus is very popular.

• B. Our elementary school chorus had a very successful year.

• C. There are a lot of students in our elementary school chorus.

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Helen held the new baby carefully in her lap, while her anxious parents hovered nearby. Helen could hardly believe how tiny she was. Helen’s heart swelled with pride, and a new sense of responsibility.

What is the main idea from this passage?

• Helen is going to babysit.

• Helen is a nurse.

• Helen has a new baby sister.

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John trudged off the field, his shoulders slumped, as the batter on deck hurried to home plate. John sighed. Was he ever going to get a hit???

What is the main idea from this passage?

• A. John is playing baseball.

• B. John just struck out in baseball.

• C. John is a baseball coach

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The Incredible Machine Everyone has a favorite attraction at an amusement park, and I am no different. However, unlike most people who seem to prefer rollercoasters, my favorite ride is a little more gentle. Every time I go to Coney Island, Navy Pier, or the Santa Monica Pier, I absolutely have to ride the Ferris wheel.

As used in this paragraph , the word "attraction" most nearly means....

• sense

• park

• ride

• vision

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The Ferris wheel is simple and yet also quite complex. That is, riding it is easy, but how it works is complicated. A series of carts are attached to a wheel, which is attached to a rim. That rim rotates vertically around an axis, and gravity keeps the carts upright. As simple as the ride seems, only advanced engineers can make safe and fun Ferris wheels.

As used in this paragraph , which is the best antonym for complex?

• impressive

• beautiful

• exciting

• simple

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What It Lacks in Thrills… While the Ferris wheel is not as thrilling as a rollercoaster, it is still very exciting. The fact of being high in the air makes it so much more entertaining than a lot of rides. I mean, how often do you hang from that high up in daily life? Nevertheless, I have to admit, I don’t seek Ferris wheels out because of their excitement. Rather, I find them very relaxing. At the top of the Ferris wheel, you get beautiful sights of the park. You also get a sense of calm that you don’t get in the hustle and bustle of the park below. Additionally, Ferris wheels are also gorgeous to look at when they are lit up at night. In fact, the original Ferris wheel was designed as much to be seen as to be ridden. It Happened at the World’s Fair The first Ferris wheel was made by and named after George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. He designed it for the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. It was the tallest attraction there, standing 264 feet high. However, visitors to the fair were impressed by the size of the ride as well as the mechanics of it. In 1893, anything that was not turned by hand was considered a sight to see. And the wheel, which was a machine, was truly incredible to see. Further, as one visitor put it, the wheel was amazing because it seemed to be missing support. That is, it did not look like it could stand on its own. And yet it did and even rotated!

According to the passage, the Ferris wheel was originally designed for....

• Coney Island

• the world’s fair

• Disneyworld

• Singapore

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For two months, I have been trying to decide who makes the best ice cream. I have narrowed it down to my four favorite manufacturers: Randolph Farms, Goodies, Disco, and Twinkle. Let's start with Randolph Farms. Randolph Farms makes very good ice cream. They have lots of different flavors, but this doesn't really matter to me. That's because I always get coffee flavor. They make the best coffee ice cream in the world. I've never had hot coffee (the drink) but people tell me that Randolph Farms coffee ice cream tastes just like the real thing. Also, Randolph Farms uses all natural ingredients to make their ice cream. This is a good idea, I think.

Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

• Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Bubblegum Too!

• The Four Top Ice Cream Manufacturers

• The Finest Ice Cream in the World

• Picking the Best Ice Cream Manufacturer

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The United States has given the free world the concept of “the American Dream,” and thousands from all over the earth immigrate to America to pursue it. If one works hard, educates oneself and one’s children, obeys the laws, and executes the responsibilities of a citizen, one can expect prosperity. One’s children can only do better. The main idea of this passage is that ....

• Hard work reaps rewards all over the earth.

• Only the children profit from their parents’ efforts.

• “The American Dream” is only a dream.

• “The American Dream” promises earthly rewards for productive behaviors.

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