II.

English Language Arts, Reading Comprehension, Grade 3

Grade 3 English Language Arts Reading Comprehension Test

The spring 2007 grade 3 MCAS English Language Arts Reading Comprehension test was based on learning standards in the two content strands of the Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework (2001) listed below. Specific learning standards for grade 3 are found in the Supplement to the Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework (2004). Page numbers for the learning standards appear in parentheses. Language (Framework, pages 1926; Supplement, pages 67) Reading and Literature (Framework, pages 3564; Supplement, pages 79) The English Language Arts Curriculum Framework and Supplement are available on the Department Web site at www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html. In Test Item Analysis Reports and on the Subject Area Subscore pages of the MCAS School Reports and District Reports, ELA Reading Comprehension test results are reported under two MCAS reporting categories: Language and Reading and Literature, which are identical to the two Framework content strands listed above.

Test Sessions and Content Overview

The MCAS grade 3 ELA Reading Comprehension test included three separate test sessions. Each session included selected readings, followed by multiple-choice and open-response questions. Common reading passages and test items are shown on the following pages as they appeared in grade 3 test & answer booklets. Due to copyright restrictions, certain reading passages cannot be released to the public on the Web site. For further information, contact Student Assessment Services at 781-338-3625.

Reference Materials and Tools

The use of bilingual word-to-word dictionaries was allowed for current and former limited English proficient students only, during all three ELA Reading Comprehension test sessions. No other reference materials were allowed during any ELA Reading Comprehension test session.

Cross-Reference Information
The table at the conclusion of this chapter indicates each items reporting category and the Framework general standard it assesses. The correct answers for multiple-choice questions are also displayed in the table.

English Language Arts Reading Comprehension

SeSSion 1
DIRECTIONS This session contains one reading selection with eight multiple-choice questions. Mark your answers by filling in the circle next to the best answer. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about living in America in the late 1800s, when much of our country was still wilderness. In this story, Laura is five years old; Pa has gone into town and has not yet returned. Read the story and answer the questions that follow.

from

Little House in the Big Woods

byLauraIngallsWilder

Students read a selection titled Little House in the Big Woods and then answered questions 1 through 8 that follow on pages 11 and 12 of this document. Due to copyright restrictions, the selection cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the copyright citation below.
Textcopyright1932,1960LittleHouseHeritageTrust.Usedbypermissionof HarperCollinsPublishers.LittleHouseisaregisteredtrademarkofHarperCollins Publishers.

Reading Comprehension

Session 1

Due to copyright restrictions, the selection that appeared on this page cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the citation on the previous page.

Reading Comprehension

Session 1

Due to copyright restrictions, the selection that appeared on this page cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the citation on page 7.

Reading Comprehension

Session 1

Due to copyright restrictions, the selection that appeared on this page cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the citation on page 7.

10

Reading Comprehension

Session 1

Mark your choices for multiple-choice questions 1 through  by filling in the circle next to the best answer.
ID:221213 C Common

ID:221234 C Common

Read the sentence from paragraph 5 in the box below. Thewoodsweredark,buttherewas agraylightonthesnowypath,andin theskytherewereafewfaintstars.

According to paragraph 19, why is Ma pleased with Laura? \ Laura went to bed early. A \ Laura worried about Sukey. B \ Laura obeyed her mother C right away. \ Laura carried the lantern while D Ma milked.

What is true about the sentence? \ It explains the problem in A the story. \ It explains the lesson that the B story teaches. \ It describes the setting for part of C the story. \ It describes the solution to the D problem in the story.

ID:221235 C Common

In paragraph 20, what makes Ma laugh? \ She is happy to be safe inside. A \ She is happy that Pa has come B home safely.

ID:221232 B Common

According to paragraph 17, what is the main reason the barn door is so solid and heavy? \ to keep the farm animals quiet A \ to keep the farm animals safe B \ to keep the barn warm C \ to keep the barn dry D

\ She thinks it is amazing that she C hit a bear. \ She thinks it is silly that Laura is D so worried.

11

Reading Comprehension
ID:221241 A Common

Session 1
ID:221277 B Common

According to the story, why does Ma latch the door before going to bed? \ so nothing can get inside A \ so the girls can go to sleep B \ to block the sound of C the wind \ to keep the wind from blowing D the door open

Read paragraph 16 in the box below. Laurabegantocry.ShehungontoMa andsobbed,Oh,willheeatSukey?

Which word in the paragraph helps the reader understand the word sobbed ? \ began A \ cry B \ hung C \ eat D

ID:221255 D Common

In the story, what proves that a bear had been in the yard?
ID:221268 C Common

\ Pa saw the bear on his A way home. \ Sukey and the horses had bear B claw marks on them. \ Ma and Laura heard the bear C growl as they ran inside. \ There were bear tracks near the D barn the next morning.

Read the sentence from paragraph 7 in the box below. Itwastooearlyinthespringfor SukeytobeletoutintheBigWoods toeatgrass.

Whichsentenceusesthewordspringin thesamewayasthesentenceinthebox? \ The cat will spring toward A the rabbit. \ The campers drink water from B a spring. \ The families plant gardens in C the spring. \ The pink flowers will spring from D the tiny buds.

1

English Language Arts Reading Comprehension

SeSSion 2
DIRECTIONS This session contains three reading selections with sixteen multiple-choice questions and one openresponse question. For multiple-choice questions, mark your answers by filling in the circle next to the best answer. For the open-response question, write your answer in the space provided below the question. In this poem, the poet describes what it is like to gather leaves on a windy day. Read the poem and then answer the questions that follow.

Gathering Leaves
Inautumnthefallingleaves Runracesonthepaths, Tumbleheadoverheels Andcatchagainstthetuftsofgrass.
5

Igathertheminaheap Withastiffbrushandarake, Thoughtheyarelightasfeathers Anddotheirbesttoescape. ThenIsplashrightintotheheap Andtheleaveswashoverme Withalongswishingsound Likeawaveofthesea. Stanley Cook

10

GatheringLeavesbyStanleyCook.ReprintedbypermissionofSarahMatthews.

1

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Mark your choices for multiple-choice questions  through 1 by filling in the circle next to the best answer.
ID:220521 C Common ID:220529 D Common

In line 7, what are light as feathers? \ tufts A \ paths B \ leaves C \ waves D

11

Which of the following lines in the poem rhyme? \ lines 1 and 3 A \ lines 5 and 8 B \ lines 6 and 7 C \ lines 10 and 12 D

ID:220523 D Common

10

In lines 912, what is the speaker doing? \ playing in the ocean A \ raking leaves in the yard B \ running through the woods C \ jumping in a pile of leaves D

ID:220533 A Common

12

Read line 9 from the poem in the box below. ThenIsplashrightintotheheap

In the line, the word splash is an example of a \ verb. A \ noun. B \ contraction. C \ compound word. D

14

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Pilgrims lived in Massachusetts in colonial times. Read this selection about the eating habits and table manners of the Pilgrims. Then answer the questions that follow.

Dont Throw Your Bones on the Floor

by Lucille Recht Penner
1

Pilgrim parents were strict with their children. Some of the rules sound familiar, like this one (from a book called The School of Manners)aboutspeakingwithyourmouthfull: Whenyourmeatisinyourmouth, donotdrinkorspeakorlaugh DameCourtesyforbids. But Pilgrim manners werent always the same as ours. In their first years in America, they were often too busy for regular meals. People just helped themselves right out of the cooking pot.They ate standinginfrontofthefire,ifthedaywascoldandthenhurriedoff toworkagain. When the family did eat together, the dinner table was often just someoldboardslaidontopofbarrels.Thecookingpotwasplacedin themiddle,andthefamilygatheredaround. Later, when the Pilgrims had more timeand more dishesfood wasbroughttothetableonlarge,roundplatterscalledchargers. Noonehadhisorherownplate.Instead,twopeoplewouldsharea trencherabowlcarvedorburnedoutofablockofwood. A mother and father shared a trencher. Children shared, too. The Pilgrimsthoughtthatpeoplewhohadtheirowntrencherswereshow-offs. Somepoorpeopledidnthavewoodentrenchers.Instead,theyused pieces of stale bread as plates.They put the food on top.Then, after theyhadeatenthefood,theyatethebreadplates!

15

Reading Comprehension Almostnobodyusedafork.... Theythoughtforksweresilly.Whybother,theysaid.Fingerswere madebeforeforks. But everyone needed a spoon, because the Pilgrims ate so many soupsandstews.ThefirstspoonsmadeinPlymouthwereclamshells attachedtosticks. Buffalo horns made good spoons, too.You scooped up the food with the open end. Later, when they had more time, people carved spoons out of wood. Some lucky folks had brought pewter or silver spoonsfromEngland. Andeveryonehadhisorherownknife.Ifyouwereagrown-up,it wasokaytostickyourkniferightintothepotandpulloutapieceof food.Butchildrenwerentsupposedtotakeanyfoodforthemselves. Theyweresupposedtoeatwhatevertheirparentshandedtothem. Itwasalwaysfinetoeatwithyourfingers.Theonlyrulewasthat youweresupposedtowashthemoratleastwipethembeforeyou stucktheminthepot. Naturally,thismeantthateveryoneneededanapkin.Abignapkin! ThePilgrimsthrewitoveroneshoulderortieditaroundtheirnecks. It hung down almost to their knees.And your napkin wasnt just for wipingyourhands.Youcoulduseittograbpiecesofhotfood. Often,aPilgrimfamilyhadonlyonechair,andthefatherwasthe onewhosatinit.Theotherfamilymemberssatonstools,sectionsof treetrunk,orwoodenbencheswithoutbacks. Childrensometimeshadtostandatthetable.Insomefamilies,this wasbecausetherewasnothingforthemtositon.Otherfamiliesmade children stand just because they thought it was good manners.They thought it was rude for a child to sit down when a grown-up was in theroom. Sometimes children had to stand at a separate little table. They cametothemaintabletohavetheirtrenchersfilled.

Session 

9 10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

...
19

Menandboyswereallowedtokeeptheirhatsonwhiletheywere eating.Theyneededtotakethemoffonlytodrinkatoast.

1

Reading Comprehension

Session 

20

21

22

23

24

Apolitepersondidnotscratchatthetable.Mostpeoplehadlice andfleaslivingintheirhairandclothes.Butitwasgoodmannersto wait until you were done eating to scratch. It wasnt pleasant to see yourneighbormashafleaandthenreachintothetrencheryouwere sharing. Abigbowlofsaltwasplacedinthecenterofthetable.Important guests sat near the father, toward the head of the tableabove the salt. Children and other less important people were near the foot of thetablebelowthesalt. Itwasverybadmannerstodipyourfoodrightintothesaltbowl. Thesaltwouldgetsticky.Youweresupposedtotakesaltonlywitha cleanknife. Ifyouwantedbread,youbrokeapieceofftheloafwithyourhands. Youcoulduseittomopupyourplate. When you were eating meat, what did you do with the bones? Throwingthemonthegroundwasconsideredpoormanners.Andyou werentsupposedtoputthembackinthepot.Thecorrectthingwasto pilethemneatlyonthetable.

ReprintedwiththepermissionofSimon&SchusterBooksforYoungReaders,animprintofSimon&SchusterChildrensPublishingDivision fromEATINGTHEPLATESbyLucilleRechtPenner.Copyright1991byLucilleRechtPenner.

1

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Mark your choices for multiple-choice questions 1 through 0 by filling in the circle next to the best answer.
ID:220546 B Common

13

ID:220551 A Common

According to the selection, what was the reason the Pilgrims did not have regular meals when they first came toAmerica? \ There was not enough food. A \ They had a lot of work to do. B \ They were too cold to sit C and eat. \ Tables had not been D invented yet.

15

In the selection, if a Pilgrim family had only one chair, who would sit in it at mealtime? \ the father A \ the mother B \ the oldest son C \ the youngest child D

ID:220554 C Common

16
ID:220548 D Common

Whichofthefollowingsentencesbest describesthemainideaofparagraph20? \ Scratching fleas was common. A \ It was rude to have lice or fleas. B

14

What is the main idea in paragraphs 11 and 12? \ Buffalo horns made the A best spoons. \ Spoons were first made B from clamshells. \ Pewter and silver spoons were C very valuable. \ Spoons were made from many D different materials.

\ Scratching at the table was C bad manners. \ It was impolite to share food if D you had fleas.

1

Reading Comprehension
ID:220555 C Common

Session 
ID:220549 D Common

17

According to the selection, who was most likely to sit below the salt? \ a father A \ a mother B \ a young child C \ a special guest D

19

According to the selection, which of the following was most necessary for eating in colonial days? \ a fork A \ a chair B \ a barrel C \ a spoon D

ID:220556 A Common

18

Based on the selection, how did Pilgrims put salt on their food? \ with a knife A \ with a salt shaker B \ by dipping food into C the salt \ by dipping their fingers into D the salt

ID:220557 B Common

20

According to the selection, what were Pilgrims supposed to do with leftover bones? \ wrap them in a napkin A \ stack them on the table B \ throw them onto the floor C \ put them into the cooking pot D

1

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Question 1 is an open-response question. Read the question carefully. Explain your answer. Add supporting details. Double-check your work.

Write your answer to question 1 in the lined space provided below.

ID:220568 Common

21

Based on the selection, describe three eating habits of the Pilgrims and give a reason for each one. Look at the examples in the boxes below, but use different examples in your answer. Way the Pilgrims Ate Reason Example:Theydidnothavebowls. 1.

Example:Peopleusedbreadasaplate. 1.

.

.

.

.

0

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Watching wriggly worms can be very interesting. Read this article about creating a worm farm and then answer the questions that follow.

Watching Worms
by Cassie Brenn
1

Wormshelpourgardensgrow.Theywrigglethroughthesoil,

breakingupchunksofdirtandmakingitloose.Itseasierfor plantrootstopushthroughloosesoilandgrowdeeperinto theground.Thewormtunnelsalsoleavespacesinthesoilfor waterandairtoreachtheplantroots. Thats not all. Worms help feed the plants, too. They add importantnutrientstothesoilbyeatingdeadplantsandleaves thatfallontheground.Theplantsusethenutrientstomakethe foodtheyneedtogrowbigandstrong. Follow these steps to create your own worm farm. Step 1:Washanddryaclear plastictwo-literbottle.Ask anadulttocutoffthetopof thebottle,thenpokeasmall holeinthebottom. Step :Preparesomefoodfor yourworms.Theyeatthings likefruitandvegetablepeels, wiltedlettuceleaves,and fallenleaves.Withadult help,cutthefoodintotiny pieces.

1

Reading Comprehension Step :Fillthebottomofthe bottlewithoneortwoinches ofdamppeatmossorsoil. Next,addalayeroffood. Keeplayeringuntilyoufill thebottlethree-quarters full.Endwithalayerofpeat mossorsoilontop. Step 4:Putabouttenworms ontopofyourwormfarm. Youcanfindwormsunder leafpiles,incompostbins, oratastorethatsellsfishing bait.Besuretogetthe small,skinnyredworms (alsocalledred wigglers or composting worms).Worms dontlikelight,sotheywill quicklymoveunderground. Step 5:Tapeafewsheets ofnewspaperordark constructionpaperaround thebottomthree-fourthsof thebottletoblockoutlight. Thiswillletthewormscome tothesidesofthebottle, whereyoucanseethem.
Copyright2004byHighlightsforChildren,Inc.,Columbus,Ohio.

Session 

Step :Forfun,scatterfast-growing seeds(suchasgrassseeds) acrossthetopofthesoil.Place yourwormfarminasunny location,andaddwaterwhen neededtokeepitmoist.

4

Towatchthewormsatwork, removethepapercovering. Replacethecoveringwhen yourenotwatching.When youredonewithyourworm farm,addthewormsandsoilto agarden.



Reading Comprehension

Session 

Mark your choices for multiple-choice questions  through 5 by filling in the circle next to the best answer.
ID:220707 B Common

22

ID:220715 B Common

According to paragraph 1, how do worms help plants? \ They eat the dead roots. A \ They loosen the soil. B \ They carry water deep into C the soil. \ They cut plant food into D tiny pieces.

24

Based on the article, what is the purpose of creating a worm farm? \ to sell worms A \ to study worms B \ to collect worms C \ to protect worms D

ID:220716 B Common ID:220711 C Common

25

What makes the article nonfiction? \ It solves a problem. A \ It gives information. B

23

According to the article, which statement is true? \ Worms like bright sunlight. A \ Worms must be near grass. B \ Worms eat vegetable peels. C \ Worms need very dry soil. D

\ It includes drawings. C \ It has many paragraphs. D



English Language Arts Reading Comprehension

SeSSion 3
DIRECTIONS This session contains three reading selections with sixteen multiple-choice questions and one openresponse question. For multiple-choice questions, mark your answers by filling in the circle next to the best answer. For the open-response question, write your answer in the space provided below the question. Here is a story about one lucky cat. Read the story to see what makes Moe McTooth so lucky. Then answer the questions that follow.

byEileenSpinelli
1 2 3 4

oeMcToothwasanoutdoorcat.

BydayheprowledDumpstersanddoorways. Bydayhenappedunderthefruitstand. Bydayhechasedafterdocksidetrucksforsardinesthatspilled likesilverintohismouth. BynightMoeMcToothdanceddownalleysinthemoonlight. BynightonbackfenceshewailedTheFishmarketBlues. Bynighthestargazedfromthetarryroofofthefunnelfactory. Andlifewasgood. Thencamewinter. Bydaybigwetflakesofsnowfell. Bynightthewindwassocoldthatthemoonlightcreaked. Slowly,MoeMcToothturnedintoahungryfursackofacat. Shiveringindoorways.Shudderingonbackfences.

5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12

4

Reading Comprehension

Session 

13

14

15 16 17 18

nemorning,asMoelayhuddledinthestuffingofajunkedsofa, ayoungwomancameby. Shestopped.ShelookedatMoeMcTooth.Sheliftedhimintoher arms.Shetookhimtoherapartmentthreeblocksaway. ThereMoeMcToothbecameanindoorcat. Bydayhelappedcreamfromabluesaucer. Bydayhescamperedaftercatniptoys. Bydayhenappedamonggeraniumsonthewindowsill.

19 20 21 22 23

BynightMoeMcToothcurledupintheyoungwomanslap. Bynighthepurredintheglowofthefire. Bynighthewhiskeredaroundthecozyrooms. Andlifewasgood. Andyet...

5

Reading Comprehension

Session 

24

25 26

27

Thereweretimeswhenthetreebranchesscrapedagainstthewindow inthedappledlight. Whenthelate-nightrattleoftruckspromisedsurprises. Whenthecoldperfumeoftheoutdoorsseepedunderthelocked apartmentdoor. AndMoeMcToothsheartstirred.

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36

pringcame. Theairwassoftandsweet. Theneighborhoodturnedwillowygreen. Redtulipsbloomed. Theyoungwomanopenedwindowstothenewbreeze. Sheopenedthedoor.Justacrack. Heartpounding,MoeMcToothslippedout.Hescootedupthestreet. Half-dressedandbarefooted,theyoungwomantriedtocatchhim. ButMoeMcToothwasgone. Alldaythewomanwaitedatthewindow. Allnightshekeptasmalllightburning. ButMoeMcToothdidnotreturn. Notthatday. Notthenext. Sadly,theyoungwomanwashedthebluesaucer. Sadly,sheputthecatniptoysaway. Andlifewaslonely.

37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

45

46 47

OutonthestreetsMoeMcToothprowledthefruitmarket.Thebanana manswattedhimwithabroom.Shoo! Moeleapedontoaladder.Purplepaintspattered. Hefellasleepinanemptyorangecrate.Someonedumpedhimout. Sorry,kitty.



Reading Comprehension

Session 

48

49

50

51 52 53 54 55

56

AfterseveraldaysMoeMcToothbecamelonely,too. Hemissedtheyoungwoman.Hemissedthecozyapartment. Hemissedhisownbluesaucerandcatniptoys. Finally,eartorn,furmatted,MoeMcToothfoundhisway backtotheyoungwomansdoorstep. Shesquealedwithdelight.Sheliftedhimintoherarms. Shedancedhimaroundtheapartment. Onceagain,bydayMoeMcToothwasanindoorcat. Bydayhelappedcreamfromhissaucer. Bydayhescamperedafterhiscatniptoys. Bydayhenappedamonggeraniums. Bynight,however,MoeMcToothpaddedoutthedoorintothecool, starryair. Theyoungwomanwavedgoodbye.Seeyouinthemorning,Moe,she calledafterhim.

57

58 59 60

nenighttheyoungwomanfeltastirringofherown.Thesweetdarkness ofMoesoutdoorworldseemedtoseepintoherheart. Andso,whenMoesteppedintothemoonlight,theyoungwomanfollowed. Togethertheyprowledtheshadowystreets. Togethertheylistenedtothesilverymusicoftheoutdoorcaf. Andwhenthecitygrewstillandquiet,theyclimbedtothe roofoftheapartmentbuilding. Lazily,MoeMcToothgazedupatthestars.Theyoungwoman madedreamywishes. Somewhereadistanttrainwhistlesounded. Andlifewasgood. Together.

61

62

63 64 65

FromMOEMCTOOTH,AnAlleyCatsTalebyEileenSpinelli,illustratedbyLindaBronson.Textcopyright2003byEileenSpinelli. Illustrationscopyright2003byLindaBronson.ReprintedbypermissionofClarionBooks,animprintofHoughtonMifflinCompany.All rightsreserved.



Reading Comprehension

Session 

Mark your choices for multiple-choice questions  through  by filling in the circle next to the best answer.
ID:231938 A Common

26

ID:231946 B Common

Where does the beginning of the story take place? \ outside in a city A \ near a train station B \ inside a cozy room C \ in an apartment building D

28

Read paragraphs 25 27 in the box below. Whenthelate-nightrattleoftrucks promisedsurprises. Whenthecoldperfumeofthe outdoorsseepedunderthelocked apartmentdoor. AndMoeMcToothsheartstirred.

The paragraphs show that \ Moe wants to find a friend. A

ID:231935 A Common

27

Reread paragraph 4.The author compares sardines to \ silver. A \ trucks. B \ the day. C \ a mouth. D

\ Moe misses being outdoors. B \ Moe is grateful to the C young woman. \ Moe is frightened by the sound D of the trucks.

ID:231951 A Common

29

Based on the story, why does the young woman put Moes saucer and toys away? \ She thinks Moe has left forever. A \ She knows his things are broken. B \ She feels Moe is too old for them. C \ Shewantstokeeptheapartmentneat. D



Reading Comprehension
ID:231955 B Common

Session 
ID:231957 D Common

30

Which of the following words best describe Moe a few days after he leaves the apartment? \ purring and fat A \ dirty and lonely B \ angry and mean C \ dancing and cheerful D

32

Read the sentence from paragraph 11 in the box below. Bynightthewindwassocoldthat themoonlightcreaked.

What kind of word is moonlight? \ adjective A \ contraction B \ proper noun C \ compound word D

ID:231965 B Common

31

In the story, how does Moes life change when he returns to the apartment? \ He takes longer naps. A \ He only goes out at night. B \ The young woman shares Moe C with the banana man. \ The young woman makes Moe a D bed from an old crate.



Reading Comprehension
Question  is an open-response question. Read the question carefully. Explain your answer. Add supporting details. Double-check your work.

Session 

Write your answer to question  in the lined space provided below.

ID:232016 Common

33

Based on the story, describe how Moes life on the street is different from Moes life in the apartment. Support your answer with important details from the story.

0

Reading Comprehension

Session 

In the Middle Ages, boys from important families were trained to be brave knights. Read this article to learn how they were prepared for knighthood. Then answer the questions that follow.

A Knights Training
by Patricia Werner

Students read a selection titled A Knights Training and then answered questions 34 through 37 that follow on page 33 of this document. Due to copyright restrictions, the selection cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the copyright citation below.
FromAPPLESEEDSDecember2001issue:ChildrenoftheMiddleAges,2001, CobblestonePublishing,30GroveStreet,SuiteC,Peterborough,NH03458.All RightsReserved.UsedbypermissionofCarusPublishingCompany.

1

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Due to copyright restrictions, the selection that appeared on this page cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the citation on the previous page.



Reading Comprehension

Session 

Mark your choices for multiple-choice questions 4 through  by filling in the circle next to the best answer.
ID:232062 C Common

34

ID:232072 B Common

According to the article, how was Sir Godfrey different from some other knights? \ He only cared about hunting. A \ He had many pages and squires. B \ He thought reading and writing C were important. \ He had a quintain for squires to D practice jousting.

36

According to the article, how did Nicholass duties change when he became a squire? \ He took care of the horses. A \ He worked for Sir Godfrey. B \ He learned to read and write. C \ He served Lady Catherine daily. D

ID:232112 C Common

37
ID:232066 B Common

35

In paragraph 11, what does the word unhorse mean? \ to climb down from a horse A \ to take the saddle off a horse B \ to knock someone off C a horse \ to take a horse away D from someone

According to paragraph 4, a code of honor tells \ how to prepare for battles. A \ how a knight must behave. B \ how to take care of C a horse. \ how a squire is different from D a page.



Reading Comprehension

Session 

This is a story about John Henry, who was bigger, stronger, and faster than most men. Read the story and then answer the questions that follow.

John henry
by

Julius Lester

Students read a selection titled John Henry and then answered questions 38 through 42 that follow on pages 36 and 37 of this document. Due to copyright restrictions, the selection cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the copyright citation below.
FromJOHNHENRYbyJuliusLester,copyright1994byJuliusLester,text.Used bypermissionofDialBooksforYoungReaders,ADivisionofPenguinYoungReaders Group,AMemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.,345HudsonStreet,NewYork,NY 10014.Allrightsreserved.

4

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Due to copyright restrictions, the selection that appeared on this page cannot be released to the public over the Internet. For more information, see the citation on the previous page.

5

Reading Comprehension

Session 

Mark your choices for multiple-choice questions  through 4 by filling in the circle next to the best answer.
ID:220374 A Common ID:220377 B Common

38

In paragraph 1, the narrator uses the word you three times. In the paragraph, the narrator is speaking to \ the reader. A \ the author. B \ John Henry. C \ Ferret-Faced Freddy. D

39

In the story, what is the first clue that John Henry is an unusual person? \ He chops down many trees. A \ He grows very large very quickly. B \ He chases the moon out of C the sky. \ He makes a deal with D Ferret-Faced Freddy.



Reading Comprehension
ID:220384 A Common

Session 
ID:220393 D Common

40

In paragraph 10, what does John Henry mean when he says, Me on my legs? \ He will run in the race. A \ He will work hard all year. B \ He thinks the race is unfair. C \ He is walking straight and tall. D

42

According to the story, what happens to Ferret-Faced Freddy after the race? \ He loses his horse. A \ He grows even meaner. B \ He wants to race again. C \ He becomes a pleasant person. D

ID:220386 B Common

41

In paragraph 11, why does the author describe Freddys voice as bat wings on tombstones? \ to show that Freddy is sad A \ to show that Freddy is scary B \ to show that Freddy is funny C \ to show that Freddy is brave D



Grade  English Language Arts Reading Comprehension Spring 00 Released Items: Reporting Categories, Standards, and Correct Answers
Item No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Page No. 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 14 14 14 14 18 18 18 18 19 19 19 19 20 23 23 23 23 28 28 28 28 29 29 29 30 33 33 33 33 36 36 37 37 37 Reporting Category Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Language Language Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Language Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Language Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Language Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Language Reading and Literature Reading and Literature Standard 12 8 8 8 12 8 4 4 14 14 14 5 8 13 13 13 13 13 13 8 13 13 13 13 10 8 15 15 12 12 12 4 12 13 13 13 4 16 16 6 15 16 C B B C A B A B D B C B B A A B A B B D Correct Answer (MC)* C B C C A D B C C D D A B D A C C A D B

* nswersareprovidedhereformultiple-choiceitemsonly.Sampleresponsesandscoringguidelinesforopen-responseitems, A whichareindicatedbyshadedcells,willbepostedtotheDepartmentsWebsitelaterthisyear.