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Name ______________________________________________________________ Date ________________________

Grade 4 Practice Passages A

Reading Passage 1 – Author’s Purpose, Main Idea, Supporting Detail

Do you remember when Mom, Dad, you, and I used to gather around the radio after dinner? That was the best. We would listen to all those great shows with our favorite superheroes. We'd sing along to the theme songs we used to know by heart--in fact, I still know most of them. Then there were the science-fiction shows, with all their marvelous sound effects and crazy situations. The comedy shows were always Dad's favorite. He would laugh enormously at every joke, and get the whole family laughing, too.

|What is the author’s purpose? |What is the main idea? |What is the supporting detail? |

|to tell you a good story |the whole family enjoyed listening to the radio |they gathered around the radio before dinner |

|to convince you to listen to the radio |together |they gathered around the radio after dinner |

|to share a memory |the whole family sang along with the radio |they gathered around radio after the dishes were |

| |Dad loved the comedy shows |washed |

Reading Passage 2 – Using Context Clues, Synonyms and Antonyms

Before the sun had even risen, I bundled up for a walk on a brisk winter morning. I put on my warm boots, heavy jacket, and fur hat. It was refreshing to get up early and be outside in the crisp mountain air. I always felt so happy and alive during those early morning walks where I could appreciate nature all by myself.

|In the first sentence, the word brisk means _____. |Which word is an antonym for crisp? |In this passage, what does the word appreciate mean? |

|hot |crunchy |be grateful for |

|warm |cool |walk |

|cold |warm |build |

|rainy |rainy |destroy |

Reading Passage 3 – Summary, Text Organization, Text Purpose

Erin and her mother were busy making sugar cookies for a party. Erin's mother was focused on mixing ingredients, while Erin was carefully cutting out various shapes in the rolled-out dough. Once Erin's mother had finished mixing the second batch, she put the cookies in the oven, as Erin once again cut shapes into the cream-colored dough. They smiled at each other. There was nothing Erin loved more than cooking with her mother.

|Choose the sentence that best summarizes what happens |How is this text organized? |What is the purpose of this text? |

|in the passage. | | |

|Erin and her mother bake cookies. |problem and solution |to make you hungry for cookies |

|Cookies are great at parties. |steps in order |to explain how to bake with your mom |

|Erin and her mother get ready for dinner. |cause and effect |to tell a story |

|Family activities are important. |description |to persuade |

Reading Passage 4 – Theme, Main Idea, Author’s Purpose

Everyone knows the story of the fisherman who one day pulled a magic fish from the river. Not only was the fish huge, but it could also talk. It said in a small voice, "Fisherman, throw me back into the river, and I'll grant you three wishes."

"I don't need any wishes," the man said. "My life is great just the way it is." And he threw the fish back into the river.

The next day another fisherman came along. Again, the magic fish was caught. "Fisherman," said the huge fish in a small voice, "throw me back into the river and I'll grant you three wishes."

"Hmm, let's see," said the man. "How about some lunch, fresh bait for my hook, and a new pair of boots without holes in them?" The fish granted the man his wishes and leapt back into the river.

The next day yet another fisherman came along. News of the magic fish had spread throughout the village. All day he fished, and he caught lots of huge fish to feed his hungry family. But not a single one of them could talk.

After a while, he started getting hungry too. Finally, he decided not to wait any longer. He would just have to choose -- eat well tonight or go hungry wishing for things he didn't have? When he thought about it that way, he decided to go home to his family.

|What is the main theme of this passage? |Choose the best title for this story. |What is the author’s purpose? |

|A magic fish tries to find the river where it came |A New Pair of Boots |to persuade you to go fishing |

|from. |The Three Fishermen |to give an opinion |

|A kind fisherman helps a magic fish. |The Man Who Waited So Long |to tell a story that has a message |

|Three men get wishes. |The Magic Fish, the Three Fishermen, and The One Who |to give you facts about fishing |

|A fisherman learns the value of what he already has. |Went Home | |

Reading Passage 5 – Genre, Figurative Language, Inference

Princess Mysoon sighed as she stroked the fur of Pax, her unicorn. The animal was as white as snow, with a single horn reaching skyward from the space between his forgiving eyes. He sensed Mysoon's fear.

Lately a wicked troll had been kidnapping the beautiful unicorns from the forest, and Mysoon was sure that her unicorn was in danger. There must be some way to save him from the terrible fate that awaited him. Though she loved the animal dearly, she knew that if Pax stayed here with her, he might be hurt. So Mysoon decided to send Pax far away. The kind princess would miss him, but at least her much-loved pet would be safe.

|What details show that this passage is a fantasy? |Which phrase is an example of figurative language? |What can you infer about Mysoon? |

|The unicorn and troll are fantasy characters. |single horn reaching skyward |She will become a Queen. |

|Mysoon and Pax are common names in fantasy stories. |beautiful unicorns from the forest |She will go to see her pet again after the troll is |

|It is unrealistic that Mysoon wants to send her pet |he sensed Mysoon’s fear |gone. |

|away. |as white as snow |She will capture the troll. |

|Princesses do not exist in real life. |What kind of figurative language is this? |She admires trolls. |

Name ______________________________________________________________ Date ________________________

Grade 4 Practice Passages B

Reading Passage 1 – Inference, Sequence

It was late one night when I was walking home from seeing my grandfather. It was almost nine, and I knew Mom was going to be mad. Even though it was summer, she didn't like me staying out past dark. And I was going to be in even more trouble because after practice, I was so hungry that I spent my allowance on a sandwich.

Just as I was reaching the corner of Maple Avenue, I heard a little squeak. It was a gray kitten tottering toward me. He must have been about five weeks old because he could walk and his eyes were open, but he was still pretty small.

I really wanted to take him home, but I could already hear Mom saying that we couldn't afford to keep another cat. We already had three, and Tiger was getting old. Last week we had to take him to the vet.

I didn't know what to do exactly, so I took my sandwich out of the bag and set it on the sidewalk. The kitten ran away when I unwrapped it, so I just left it there for him, hoping that he would come back and eat the meat.

All night long I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking about the kitten. I felt bad because I should have done more to help him. The next morning on the way to school I went past the corner where I'd seen him, but he wasn't there. I just hope someone is keeping him safe. Yesterday I found out about this neighborhood group that helps rescue wild cats. I think I'm going to ask Mom whether I can volunteer.

|Why didn't the narrator take the kitten home? |What can you infer about Tiger? |What happened after the narrator took the sandwich out|

| | |of the bag? |

|He was worried about its health. | |The kitten came up to get a bite. |

|He didn’t know whether he could keep it. | |He thought about what his mom would say. |

|He felt sorry for his mom. | |He asked his mom if he could volunteer to help wild |

|He wasn’t sure he liked it. | |cats. |

| | |He put the sandwich on the sidewalk. |

Reading Passage 2 – Main Idea, Text Organization, Sequence

Last summer, Alphonse worked at a bakery. He had to get up early in the morning, before sunrise, and walk to the bakery when the streets were still empty. His job was to help bake rolls and pastries. After Alphonse and the baker put the large metal trays in the oven, the rich smell of rolls baking would fill the shop and make them hungry. Then they would eat their breakfast together. The baker was a kind man, and the pastries Alphonse learned to make were delicious!

|What would be a good title for this passage? |How is this text organized? |What happened right after they put the trays of rolls |

| | |in the oven? |

|My Summer with Alphonse |Cause and effect | |

|Working at Night |Sequence | |

|Alphonse’s Job Last Summer |Problem and Solution | |

|Making Rolls and Pastries |Description | |

Reading Passage 3 – Theme, Type of Writing, Antonyms

One day, a lion caught a mouse and was about to eat it. Just when the huge teeth were closing over the little mouse, the mouse squeaked, "Wait! If you allow me to live, I will one day do you a great favor."

The lion laughed at the thought that a weak little mouse could ever aid the king of beasts. But since the lion was not too hungry, and since the mouse's suggestion amused him, the lion smiled and let his dinner go.

Several days later, the lion was trapped in a great net laid down by hunters to trap him. The lion roared and struggled, but could not escape. Even his might could not break the bonds that held him.

The mouse heard the lion's cries and ran to help. He gnawed at the net's ropes until they parted and the lion was free. As the lion stepped away from the broken net, he thought to himself that even a small mouse could do a big favor.

|What did the Lion learn in this story? |What type of writing is this? |What is an antonym for the word aid? |

|He shouldn’t be so humble. |Informative |Stop |

|He was not the king of beasts. |Persuasive |Assist |

|He should be more careful of hunters. |Narrative |Prove |

|He should have more respect for small creatures. |Biography |Carry |

Reading Passage 4 – Supporting Details, Main Idea, Context Clues

Dear Mom,

I'm writing you from the fabulous city of Santiago. It's amazing to see the Andes Mountains covered in snow in June.

I am so happy to be staying with the Alero family. Their house is on the outskirts of town, and it has a large yard where we can play outside on the days it isn't raining.

Outside my window I can see a beautiful persimmon tree. The persimmons look like orange balls hung all over the tree. I tried to eat a persimmon for dessert one night, but it made my tongue go numb! I don't think I'll try it again, but it was fun to taste something that I'd only read about in books. It's not too cold here yet, but we've had a lot of rain.

I can't wait to see you again when I get home. I hope your summer is warm and sunny!

With love from Chile,

Renata

|Which phrase best matches Renata's description of |What is Renata’s letter mainly about? |What is a synonym for outskirts as used in this |

|Santiago? | |passage? |

|Warm and sunny |She is lonely and wants to come home. |Outer edge |

|Rainy and snowy |She is telling her mom about her visit in Santiago. |Center |

|Bright and wintry |She wants her mom to come visit the Alero family. |Mountains |

|Rainy and not too cold |She is giving an opinion about Santiago. |Playground |

Name ______________________________________________________________ Date ________________________

Grade 4 Practice Passages C

Reading Passage 1 – Inference, Author’s Purpose, Antonyms

One of the hardest things I've ever had to learn is to ride a horse. It doesn't help that my cousin Justin has been riding since before he was six. He and his pals have horses of their own and they can ride whenever they want all year long.

When we go to visit my aunt and uncle, I always get invited to ride with Justin. But they give me a slow horse that they call Molasses, and then they laugh at me when Molasses can't keep up.

Justin and his friends like to sprint out in the meadows and not stay on the trails. The only other time I've been riding has been at a stable near our house where they only let you ride on trails and never do anything but walk. I'm always glad when our week visiting my cousins comes to an end.

|Based on the narrator's description, where do you |What is the author’s purpose? |Which word is an antonym for the word sprint as used |

|think he goes to ride horses? | |in this passage? |

|to a zoo |to entertain with a story |walk |

|to the city |to express his feelings |dash |

|to a ranch |to give information about horses |race |

|underground |to talk you into riding a horse |stop |

Reading Passage 2 – Plot, Inference, Figurative Language, Summary

Renae flopped down on the steps of the porch. Her history test drooped in her hand like a wilting flower. Renae's teacher, Ms. Lin, handed back the paper hours ago; Renae held on to it all the way home. Every once in awhile she unfolded it and stared miserably at the grade branded across the top of the page.

"I meant to study for the test," Renae thought to herself as she dragged her feet along the sidewalk. The days leading up to the test had raced by, and Renae kept putting off studying. The night before the test, scared of what might happen the following day, Renae crammed so much information into her head, she felt as if her brain would burst! This last-ditch effort certainly did not pay off. Renae was now very disappointed.

|What is the problem or conflict in this passage? |What can you infer about Renae from this passage? |Find an example of figurative language from this |

| | |passage and tell what it means. |

|Renae does not like history class. |She wants to do well in school. | |

|Renae is angry with Ms. Lin for wrinkling her paper. |She is lazy and careless. | |

|Renae is glad that she has found a fast study method. |She always gets high grades. | |

|Renae is angry with herself for not preparing for the |She didn’t know there was a test. | |

|test. | | |

|Write a brief summary of this passage: |

| |

| |

Reading Passage 3 – Inference, Plot, Setting

Jamal walked up the steps to the library, then stopped at the doors and sighed. The small red book seemed heavy in his hand. He looked up at the sky, then took a deep breath, pushed the doors open, and went inside.

Jamal slowly walked to the circulation desk. Without looking at the librarian, he placed the book on the desk. "Jamal Curtis?" she said, while he stared at his shoes. "You do realize," she said, "that this book isn't due for another week, right?" Jamal looked up, his face spreading into his usual outgoing smile.

|Jamal did not look at the librarian because ________. |What was the conflict in this passage? |Which phrase from passage gives you a clue about the |

| | |mood? |

|he was distracted |Jamal did not like his shoes. |walked up the steps to the library |

|he is a shy person |He thought the librarian didn’t like him. |stopped at the doors and sighed |

|he was embarrassed |The red book was too heavy. |pushed the doors open |

|he was sad |Jamal thought he was returning the book late. |placed the book on the desk |

Reading Passage 4 – Headings, Author’s Purpose

Building a Birdhouse

Feeling like this summer vacation is for the birds? Welcome bluebirds, swallows, and chickadees to your backyard, fire escape, front porch, or window sill with an easy-to-build birdhouse.

Selecting materials: A half-gallon milk carton makes a sturdy body for your bird house. You will also need a stapler, a roll of masking tape, scissors, a pencil, a ruler, and a wire or a wire hanger. Finally, choose paint in a color that resembles the colors of nature, such as green, tan, or brown.

Assembling the body: Make sure that your milk carton is thoroughly washed and dried before stapling the top shut. Cover the carton with masking tape, overlapping one to two inch pieces of tape until the entire carton is covered.

Painting your birdhouse: Though bright colors might really spice up your birdhouse, you want the house to blend in with the surroundings so that predators are not attracted to the house. Paint the entire house in a nature-friendly color and let the paint dry.

Making room for the occupants: Cut a 1.5-inch hole in the birdhouse six inches above the floor. This will welcome your birds to enter. Use your pencil to make several holes in the bottom and top of the carton. The floor holes will allow moisture and rain to drain, while the ceiling holes will keep the birds cool.

Hanging your house: Create a hole through the top of the house near the staples. Weave a short piece of wire through the hole to make a loop. Hang the birdhouse on a tree branch or railing.

Life with the birds: Fill your birdhouse with delicious birdseed and listen for the call of bird song and the flutter of wings.

|What is the purpose of the headings in the article about building |Which heading would be the best place for this |What is the author’s purpose? |

|a birdhouse? |sentence? | |

| |Spread newspaper on the floor to protect your | |

| |painting area. | |

| |Hanging your house | |

| |Painting your birdhouse | |

| |Assembling the body | |

| |Making room for the occupants | |

|The headings are in bold print. | |To give information about birdhouses |

|The headings include steps for selecting materials, painting your | |To express the author’s feelings |

|birdhouse, and hanging your house. | |to explain how to make a birdhouse |

|The headings compare birdhouses. | |to share a personal story |

|The headings summarize all of the steps to follow in the | | |

|construction of the birdhouse. | | |

Name ______________________________________________________________ Date ________________________

Grade 4 Practice Passages D

Reading Passage 1 – Figurative Language, Plot, Summary

Shane and Luis decided to take a shortcut home from school. There was a path that led through the woods, right into Shane's backyard. Most of the boys (and all of the girls) in their class were afraid to take the path. The trees at its entrance stood like soldiers guarding a castle. And when the wind blew, it seemed that their arms could reach out and grab you!

But, they had no time to waste. If they were going to make it to Julie's party, they had to get home as fast as possible and get all their homework done. So they mustered up some courage and headed into the woods. They ran as fast as cougars and made it home in record time.

|What are the trees compared to in this |Find another example of figurative language from this|What is the conflict in this passage? |

|passage? |passage. | |

|cougars | |The trees wanted to fight. |

|arms | |They had to do their homework. |

|monsters |What type of figurative language is this? |They had to take a risky way home. |

|soldiers | |They did not want to go to Julie’s party. |

|Write a brief summary of this passage: |

| |

| |

Reading Passage 2 – Author’s Purpose, Figurative Language, Inference

Dear Bian,

I never got a chance to thank you for the video game you gave me for my birthday. It's so much fun. I've been playing it for millions of hours,and it's one of my favorite gifts.

By the way, I'm moving! From now on, I'll be living on 223 Terrace Ave. near Third St., only about five minutes away from my old house. I'm so excited to live in the new house. It's a big, new, green house, and I'll get my own room. If you want to call me, my new number is 555-7294.

Thanks again,

Lester

|Why did Lester write this letter? |Which phrase from the passage is an exaggeration? |What clue in the passage makes you think Bian might |

| | |call Lester? |

|To thank Bian for her gift |only five minutes from my old house |Bian wants to play the video game. |

|To give Bian directions to his new house |been playing for millions of hours |Lester will have his own room. |

|To thank Bian for her gift and tell her about his new |one of my favorite gifts |Soon it will be Bian’s birthday. |

|house |it’s so much fun |Lester is only moving five minutes away. |

|To apologize to Bian | | |

Reading Passage 3 – Author’s Purpose, Text Organization, Context Clues

Do all artists paint in the same style? Do you have the skills to paint like other artists?

Some kinds of paintings are called landscapes, or pictures of the countryside. Landscapes, and paintings of houses and people, were very popular kinds of painting in the 1800s.

In the 1900s, painting began to change. People began to paint colors and shapes. This kind of painting is often called abstract.

If you look at paintings by Piet Mondrian, you can see examples of abstract painting. In his paintings, he uses bright colors and lines, rectangles and squares. But that wasn't always the case. When he was young, he studied how to paint landscapes.

Maybe you'd like to try painting like Mondrian sometime. How would you start?

|Why did the author write this text? |How is this text organized? |What does the word landscapes mean? |

|to tell a story about Piet Mondrian |problem and solution |pictures of the country |

|to suggest ways to paint |cause and effect |paintings of houses |

|to explain colors and shapes |listing or enumeration |paintings from the 1800s |

|to talk about artists she likes |question and answer |paintings of people |

Reading Passage 4 – Inference

Ever since I was a little kid, I've always loved going to movies. The first movies I ever saw were old black-and-white movies. My favorite stars were Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers, and Buster Keaton. Since then, I've seen hundreds of movies. As much as I love reading books and going to see plays and concerts, there's something magical in a movie--something that will hopefully still be around for years to come.

|The author probably thinks that ________. |What can you infer about Buster Keaton? |How does the author feel about books? |

|Going to the movie theater is a great experience |He is the narrator’s friend. |They are booooooring. |

|Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin are not very |He owns a movie theater. |They are not the same as going to a movie. |

|exciting |He is a movie star. |They are also black and white. |

|Old movies will not last |He starred in black-and-white movies. |They are better than plays and concerts. |

|Books are more interesting than movies | | |

|What connections can you make with this passage? |

| |

| |

| |

| |

Name ______________________________________________________________ Date ________________________

Grade 4 Practice Passages E

Reading Passage 1 – Inference, Main Idea

My friend Randolph plays in the school band with me and he is a lot of fun to have in class. He distracts me from playing sometimes and makes our teacher, Mr. Antonio, get angry with us. But he makes me look forward to band rehearsal, which is not an easy thing to do at all.

Randolph and Mr. Antonio don't get along very well because of Randolph's antics. Just yesterday, Tammy, the girl that plays trumpet with me and Randolph, was being noisy in class. Instead of blaming Tammy for distracting the class, he kept scolding my friend. I didn't think it was very fair, and neither did Randolph.

|Who wrote this passage? |What would be a good title for this passage? |What can you infer about the author? |

|Randolph |Randolph the Wise |He thinks Randolph is funny. |

|Randolph’s father |Band Rehearsal |He gets in trouble just like Randolph. |

|Mr. Antonio |Tammy and her Trumpet |He wishes he could be more like Randolph. |

|Randolph’s friend |My Friend Randolph |He is mad at Tammy. |

Reading Passage 2 – Figurative Language, Style, Inference

The following lines are from the poem "The Kind Moon" by Sara Teasdale

I think the moon is very kind

To take such trouble just for me.

He came along with me from home

To keep me company.

|Which of the following words from the selection rhymes|What do you notice about the style of writing in this |Why does the author feel the moon is kind? |

|with the word me? |poem? | |

|kind |The author used complete sentences. |it lights his way |

|home |The author made each line rhyme. |it is his friend |

|me |The author used rhythm in this poem. |it chased away the storm |

|company |Each line of the poem has the same number of words. |it kept him out of trouble |

Reading Passage 2 – Figurative Language, Style, Inference The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen

"Quack! quack!" they said; and they all came quacking out as fast as they could, looking all around them under the green leaves; and the mother let them look as much as they chose, for green is good for the eye.

"How wide the world is!" said all the young ones, for they certainly had much more room now than when they were in the eggs.

|Which word from the selection imitates the sound that it describes? |What type of figurative language is this? |

|A. wide B. quack C. young D. eggs | |

Reading Passage 3 – Figurative Language

The Wind

I saw you toss the kites on high

And blow the birds about the sky;

And all around I heard you pass,

Like ladies' skirts across the grass--

O wind, a-blowing all day long,

O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,

But always you yourself you hid.

I felt you push, I heard you call,

I could not see yourself at all--

O wind, a-blowing all day long,

O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,

O blower, are you young or old?

Are you a beast of field and tree,

Or just a stronger child than me?

O wind, a-blowing all day long,

O wind, that sings so loud a song!

|Which lines from the poem create the sound of the wind? |What type of figurative language occurs often in this|

| |poem? |

|Are you a beast of field and tree/Or just a stronger child than me? | |

|I saw the different things you did,/But always you yourself you hid. | |

|And all around I heard you pass./Like ladies’ skirts across the grass— | |

|O you that are so strong and cold,/O blower are you young or old? | |

Reading Passage 4 – Fact/Opinion, Synonyms

Amelia Earhart was the first woman to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air. She was also the first woman to fly across the Atlantic alone. She was born in Atchison, Kansas, and developed an interest in flying while working as a nurse's aide during World War I.

In 1937, Earhart tried to fly around the world. On the hardest leg of the trip, her plane vanished in the Pacific Ocean. No trace of Earhart, her navigator, or her plane has ever been found. Some people believe she drowned because her plane ran out of fuel. Others believe she was captured and killed. Even after all these years, there is no evidence to support either belief.

|Which sentence is a fact according to the passage? |Which sentence is an opinion? |Which word is a synonym for vanished as used in this |

| | |passage? |

|Earhart tried to fly around the world in 1937. |She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic |misplaced |

|Earhart was captured and killed. |alone. |found |

|Earhart was the first woman to fly a plane. |She was captured and killed. |used up |

|Earhart is one of the most famous pilots in the world.|She developed an interest in flying while working as a|gone |

| |nurse’s aide. | |

| |She was born in Atchison, Kansas. | |

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