Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs test – DIRECTONS: Do not write on this test. Bubble in the
correct letter for each best answer. (4 points each for multiple choice)
Read the “A Surprising Ski Trip” and answer questions 1 – 10.
A Surprising Ski Trip
“I don’t think we should ski today,” Ben said to his sister Ellen. He moistened a
finger by sticking it in the wet snow and then held it up. “Because the wind is coming
from the north, which means it’s about to snow again. Besides, it’s too warm to ski,” he
said.
“You always have a ridiculous theory that spoils my fun,” Ellen said. “Now it’s the
wind and weather. Today is my birthday, and for my celebration I want to go skiing. You
canceled our ski trip last month, so today we are going skiing.”
Worried, Ben pulled his ski hat down over his ears before he and Ellen set off
down the hill.
The cold wind made their cheeks glow. The kids enjoyed the crisp air and the
quiet. “I feel like we’re all alone in the world!” Ellen yelled. Ben agreed, but he did not
feel as comfortable about it.
Suddenly Ben heard a low roar, like a lion in the distance. “What could cause that
noise?” he wondered to himself. The sound was getting closer, and quickly. With a
sickening thud in his stomach, Ben realized the noise must be the result of an
avalanche! Before he could warn Ellen, the wall of snow swallowed them, and Ben and
Ellen were buried.
Ski patrolman Steve Walton heard the avalanche call on his radio.
“Two skiers down,” the radio crackled. Steve and his rescue dog Skippy raced to
the site. The snow was deep, but Skippy immediately started digging. In just a few
minutes, she found Ben and Ellen. They were slightly bruised and scared, but they were
not badly hurt.
Steve called for assistance and reassured Ben and Ellen. “Skippy has a good
nose, and she found you quickly,” he said.
“I’m glad I wore my new fragrance,” Ellen said shakily. “I’m sure Skippy smelled
it.”
“Skippy would have found you without that smell,” Steve said. “Our rescue dogs
have a variety of ways to find lost skiers. It’s not easy when the landscape is
transformed by an avalanche. That’s why our rescue dogs are so important.”
Ellen and Ben both agreed that they will need to think about many things before
planning their next ski trip.
1. “He moistened a finger by sticking it in the wet snow.” Which word means the same
as moistened?
a. froze
c. pointed
b. wetted
d. bent
2. Which word would the thesaurus list as a synonym for fragrance in the sentence
below?
The dog picked up the fragrance of the girl’s perfume.
a. sight
b. smell
c. feel
d. taste
3. Which word could replace celebration in this sentence?
The birthday celebration lasted long into the night.
a. cake
b. presents
c. song
d. party
4. Use the thesaurus entry below to answer the question.
theory- Noun. guess, _____, hypothesis
Which synonym belongs in the blank above?
a. truth
c. fact
b. explanation
d. variety
5. What was Ben’s problem at the beginning of the story?
a. His sister does not know how to ski.
b. He is not a good skier.
c. He does not think the weather is good for skiing.
d. He always gets hurt when he goes skiing
6. The strange noise that Ben hears is caused by
a. the rescue dog barking.
c. the strong wind howling.
b. an avalanche of snow.
d. a lion roaring.
7. All of the following are effects of the avalanche except
a. Ben and Ellen are badly hurt.
b. Steve hears about the avalanche on his radio.
c. Ben and Ellen are buried in snow.
d. Steve and Skippy come to the scene.
8. Which type of figurative language is found in the sentence below? What does the
use of figurative language mean?
“Suddenly Ben heard a low roar, like a lion in the distance.”
a. There is a metaphor comparing a loud noise to a distant lion.
b. There is a simile comparing a loud noise to a distant lion.
c. There is actually a lion roaring in the distance.
d. There is no figurative language found in the sentence.
9. What can we infer that Ben and Ellen will do before their next ski trip?
a. They will never ski again.
b. They will want to plan more carefully and take the weather reports more
seriously.
c. They will want to ski in areas where rescue dogs work.
d. b and c
10. What can we infer about Ben and Ellen’s characters?
a. Ben is more risky than Ellen whereas Ellen is more cautious.
b. Ben is more cautious than Ellen whereas Ellen is more risky.
c. Ben and Ellen have the same personality traits.
d. Ben and Ellen are siblings so they are the same.
Use the MAIN IDEA and DETAILS information to answer questions 11 and 12.
MAIN IDEA: Open-class and grand-champion cat shows have several similarities, but
there are some differences in their rules.
DETAILS:
Cat shows are held every year in several large cities.
Cat shows often are sponsored by cat breeders’ associations.
Any breed may be entered in both grand-champion and open-class shows.
Cats are judged on looks and character.
Cats must win in open-class shows before they can enter a grand-champion show.
Open-class shows are held before a grand-champion show.
11. Which sentence is a comparison detail that supports the main idea?
a. Open-class shows are held before a grand-champion show.
b. Cat shows are held every year in several large cities.
c. Cats are judged on looks and character.
d. Any breed may be entered in both grand-champion and open-class cat
shows.
12. Which sentence is a contrast detail that supports the main idea?
a. Cat shows often are sponsored by cat breeders’ associations.
b. Cats must win in open-class shows before they can enter a grandchampion show.
c. Open-class shows are held before a grand-champion show.
d. Cat shows are held every year in several large cities.
Use the MAIN IDEA and DETAILS information to answer questions 13 and 14.
MAIN IDEA: Although volleyball and tennis are very different games, they do have some
things in common.
DETAILS:
Volleyballs are larger than tennis balls.
Tennis is more popular than volleyball.
Volleyball is a team sport, while tennis is usually an individual sport.
Volleyball was invented in the United States.
Volleyball and tennis both involve hitting a ball over a net.
Volleyball is a popular Olympic sport.
13. Which sentence is a comparison detail that supports the main idea?
a. Volleyball and tennis both involve hitting a ball over a net.
b. Volleyball was invented in the United States.
c. Tennis is more popular than volleyball.
d. Volleyballs are larger than tennis balls.
14. Which sentence is a contrast detail that supports the main idea?
a. Volleyball was invented in the United States.
b. Volleyball is a popular Olympic sport.
c. Volleyball is a team sport, while tennis is usually an individual sport.
d. Tennis is more popular than volleyball.
For numbers 15 and 16 read the main idea. Identify one comparison detail and one
contrast detail that support the main idea. Choose the letter of the best answer.
15. MIAIN IDEA: My twin brother and I look alike, but actually we are very different.
Which sentence is a comparison detail that supports the main idea?
a. Mark likes soccer, while I like baseball.
b. Each of us has brown hair and green eyes.
c. Mark acted in the class play last year.
d. Both of us go to Lincoln Elementary School.
16. MAIN IDEA: My twin brother and I look alike, but actually we are very different.
Which sentence is a contrast detail that supports the main idea?
a. We enjoy doing things together.
b. Neither of us likes onions or hot peppers.
c. Mark is seven minutes younger than I am.
d. Mark is very talkative, but I am shy and quiet.
DIRECTIONS: Ally wrote a story about the Labor Day parade in her town. She used a
dictionary to help her choose the right words for her story. Use the dictionary excerpt
below to answer the questions 17 – 18. Choose the letter of the best answer.
17. Which word would appear on the same page as the guide words?
a. material
b. massive
c. mar
d. mantle
18. What is the meaning of the underlined word as it is used in the sentence below?
John Philip Sousa wrote many exciting marches.
a. walk with regular, measured steps
b. low, wet lands covered with grasses
c. musical compositions having a strong, steady beat
d. regions along the borders of countries
Refer to Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs for questions 19 – 24.
19. Which of the following was not a cause for Pipiolo to want to free the roof dogs?
a. Pipiolo has his own freedom and wishes for the other dogs to have the same.
b. Lupe tells Pipiolo that there are other dogs that are imprisoned on roofs.
c. Pipiolo has a crush on Chulita and wants her to be free.
d. Pipiolo wants to free the other dogs so he can become their leader.
20. Which of the following is not a type of figurative language utilized on page 118?
a. metaphor
b. personification
c. onomatopoeia
d. simile
21. What point of view is the story, and who is the narrator?
a. first person, Lupe
b. first person, Pipiolo
c. third person, Lupe
d. third person, Pipiolo
22. Which of the following is not an accurate showing of cause and effect?
Cause
a. Lupe’s house does not have a flat roof.
Effect
Pipiolo is free to walk with Lupe to school.
b. Pipiolo stays up all night.
He is tired during the day.
c. Pipiolo sees “Juan” Wayne jump onto a He gets the idea to rescue the roof dogs.
Moving hay wagon.
d. The driver slams on the brakes and
Pipiolo runs out in front of the truck.
stops.
23. Which adjective would not apply to Pipiolo?
a. resourceful
b. determined
c. disinterested
d. brave
24. At the beginning of the story Lupe finds Pipiolo in a shoe and says she “saw
greatness” in his eyes. Do you think Pipiolo displayed characteristics associated with
“greatness”? Explain your answer using three supporting details from the story. (2
points/detail; 1 point for antecedent; 1 point for answering initial question = 8 points)