Clay Animation Grade 4 PSSA Released Item Passage Questions

1.) Which statement best describes the structure of the second paragraph of the passage?

• It compares drawing a flipbook to making a clay animation film.

• It describes how a flipbook can be turned into a clay animation film.

• It solves the problems of a flipbook by showing how to make a clay animation flim.

• It explains the process of using a flipbook to create a clay animation film.

Answer explanation

The student is asked to identify the structure of the second paragraph of the passage . Option A is the correct answer since the paragraph explains how making a clay animation film is “similar to drawing a flipbook .” Option B is incorrect since the paragraph does not describe how a flipbook can be turned into a clay animation film . Option C is incorrect since the paragraph does not discuss problems related to making a flipbook . Option D is incorrect since the paragraph does not explain how to use a flipbook to create a clay animation film.

2.). What does the phrase "invisible to the naked eye" mean?

• unable to compare

• unable to explain

• too unusual to be believed

• too slow to be noticed

Answer explanation

The student is asked to determine the meaning of the phrase “invisible to the naked eye .” Option D is the correct answer since the phrase emphasizes how imperceptible the movement of the character or object is due to it being moved so slowly . Options A, B, and C are incorrect since they do not describe the given phrase and do not make sense in the context of the passage.

What reason does the author give for why character sculptures are moved slowly when filming clay animation?

• It creates the effect of slow motion.

• The clay that is used is difficult to mold.

• It makes their movements look smoother.

• The camera is unable to capture quick movements.

Answer explanation

The student is asked to determine what reason the author gives for why character sculptures are moved slowly when filming clay animation . Option C is the correct answer since the author states that objects are moved slowly to “create fluid . . . movements . . .” Options A, B, and D are incorrect since there is no textual evidence to support these choices

What does the word desired mean as used in the passage?

• concerned

• preferred

• reasoned

• required

Answer explanation

The student is asked to use context clues to determine the meaning of “desired .” Option B is the correct answer since the word “desired” means “preferred .” Options A and C do not make sense in the given context . Option D is incorrect since the passage does not indicate that objects must be moved to a compulsory position .

Which statement best describes the structure of the section "Steps" at the end of the passage?

• The steps are listed in the order of their importance.

• The steps are listed according to which materials are needed.

• The steps are listed in the order they should be completed.

• The steps are listed according to their level of difficulty.

Answer explanation

The student is asked to identify the structure of the section “Steps” at the end of the passage . Option C is the correct answer since the list presents information in sequential order . Option A is not correct; although some steps may be more important than others, the steps are not presented in order of importance . Option B is not correct; although a list of needed materials is included in this section, the steps are not presented according to the materials needed . Option D is not correct; although some steps may be viewed as more difficult than others, the steps are not presented by level of difficulty

Question 6 Part 1: What is the main idea of the overall passage?

• Claymation is a well-known art that anyone can take part in.

• Claymation can be created using pencil and paper.

• Claymation films can take many years to create.

• Claymation is featured in many movies and television shows.

Answer explanation

Part One: Option A is the correct answer since the passage mainly tells about the art of clay animation and provides a set of directions for creating a clay animation film . Option B is incorrect since flipbooks, not clay animation films, are created using paper and pencil . Option C is incorrect since the fact that a claymation film may take years to create is a detail, not a main idea . Option D is incorrect since the fact that claymation is featured in many movies and television shows is a detail, not a main idea.

Question 6 Part 2: Which evidence from the passage supports the answer in Part One. Choose TWO answers.

• "From that point, filmakers around the world...."

• "When the pages are flipped through..."

• "With the right supplies and a lot of patience..."

• "Use modeling clay to create characters and objects..."

Answer explanation

Part Two: Options A and C are the correct answers; option A supports the idea that clay animation is a “well-known art,” and option C supports the idea that “anyone can take part in” this art . Options B and D are incorrect since they do not support the main idea from Part One .

7.) How does the section "Steps" connect to the rest of the passage?

• It provides instructions for how to make a clay animation film.

• It provides suggestions for how to improve a clay animation film.

• It provides comparisons between clay animation films and other films.

• It provides shortcuts to take when making a longer clay animation film.

Answer explanation

The student is asked to determine how the section titled “Steps” connects to the rest of the passage . Option A is the correct answer since the numbered list provides instructions for how to create a clay animation film . Option B is incorrect since the steps do not provide suggestions for how to improve a clay animation film . Option C is incorrect since the steps do not make any comparisons between clay animation films and other types of films . Option D is incorrect since the steps do not explain any shortcuts when making a clay animation film.

Question 8 Part 1: Based on information from the passage, which inference can be best made about clay animation?

• It is popular with children.

• It has a long history.

• It is more realistic than a flipbook.

• It requires artistic talent.

Answer explanation

Part One: Option B is the correct answer since the passage states that it “was first seen as early as 1902 .” Option A is incorrect; although the passage states that clay animation “has become quite popular,” the passage does not provide enough information for the reader to infer that this art form is popular with children . Option C is incorrect; although the passage does include some information about flipbooks, it does not include information that would allow the reader to infer that clay animation is more realistic than a flipbook . Option D is incorrect; although one could infer that creating clay animation would require artistic talent, the passage makes it seem like practice is more important than artistic talent .

Question 8 Part 2: Which evidence from the passage supports the answer in Part One. Choose one answer.

• "Have you ever seen..."

• "This technique using clay figurines and objects..."

• "...except often times filmmakers will use figures..."

• "Sometimes this process of creating a claymation film can take years."

Answer explanation

Option B is the correct answer since the sentence supports the inference that clay animation has a long history . Options A and C are incorrect since they do not support the correct inference from Part One . Option D is related to the amount of time that creating a clay animation film may take, but it does not relate to the history of the art form