Grade 5 – Module 5 Week 3 Practice Assessment

What does the word departure mean?

• the act of arriving

• the act of deciding

• the act of leaving

• the act of speaking

Passage 1: “Biochar: A Soil Solution” Directions: Read the passage and answer questions 2–5. Biochar is a charcoal-like material made by heating wood and plant waste in a low-oxygen environment. Some farmers use biochar to improve soil conditions. Biochar helps soil hold onto water and nutrients, which is helpful in dry areas. It can also reduce pollution by storing carbon in the ground instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Two farming methods are often compared. In slash-and-burn, trees are cut and burned. The burned material becomes ash, but much of the carbon is released into the air. In slash-and-char, plants are heated in a way that creates biochar instead of ash. This method stores more carbon in the soil. Scientists believe biochar could help improve poor soil and reduce greenhouse gases.

• A. “Biochar is a charcoal-like material made by heating wood and plant waste.”

• B. “Some farmers use biochar to improve soil conditions.”

• C. “It can also reduce pollution by storing carbon in the ground instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.”

• D. “Two farming methods are often compared.”

Which detail correctly matches the farming method?

• A. Slash-and-burn turns wood into biochar.

• B. Slash-and-char releases large amounts of carbon into the air.

• C. Slash-and-char locks carbon into charcoal in the soil.

• D. Slash-and-burn keeps carbon in the ground.

What text structure is MOST used in paragraph 2?

• A. Cause and effect

• B. Compare and contrast

• C. Chronological order

• D. Problem and solution

Which graphic feature would BEST help the reader understand the difference between slash-and-burn and slash-and-char?

• A. A Venn diagram

• B. A map

• C. A timeline

• D. A glossary

Which transition BEST completes the sentence? Biochar can improve soil quality. ________, it may help reduce greenhouse gases.

• Therefore

• For example

• However

• Meanwhile

Which transition shows a contrast?

• Additionally

• On the other hand

• Because

• As a result

Which transition BEST completes the sentence? Many farmers want healthier crops. ________, they are looking for methods that improve the soil.

• Similarly

• In conclusion

• As a result

• For instance