Binder – Daily Spark
Name: _______________________________ Date: ______________ Core: __________
PARCC Daily Spark #6
Day #1 – Read the paragraph below and answer the question.
DNA testing, the technique which was developed to solve high-profile murder cases, may now
help to solve crop crimes. Several organizations have started offering DNA testing to the North
American plant breeding and seed industry. Most often, the test will be used by plant breeders
and research scientists to identify important genes. But sometimes, DNA testing will come in
handy when police are trying to solve crimes that involve grain theft. While it is very difficult to
tell the differences in a crop variety just by looking at the seeds, DNA fingerprinting will make it
possible for police investigators or researchers to pinpoint specific plant traits and accurately
identify seed varieties. Easy to use DNA test kits for certain crops should be on the market
within the next few years. Specialized computer-based analysis programs identify the fingerprint,
or specific genes carried in the seed of individual crop varieties.
According to the paragraph, how is solving crop crimes similar to solving murder cases?
A. Solving crop crimes uses the science of human fingerprint analysis to examine evidence.
B. Solving crop crimes uses genetic material inside cells to examine evidence.
C. Solving crop crimes uses specialized computers at crime scenes to examine evidence.
D. Solving crop crimes uses information about the general appearance of living things to
examine evidence.
Day #2 – Which detail from the article best supports the answer to question 1?
A. “Several organizations have started offering DNA testing to North American plant
breeding and seed industry.”
B. “…the test will be used by plant breeders and research scientists to identify important
genes.”
C. “...DNA fingerprints will make it possible for police investigators or research to pinpoint
specific plant traits and accurately identify seed varieties.”
D. “Easy to use DNA test kits for certain crops should be on the market within the next
few years.”
Day #3 – Read the paragraph below and answer the question.
Throughout his life, John Adams continued to request his wife’s advice and opinions on political
matters. After he became president in 1797, John Adams was eager to have his wife at his side.
He wrote, “I never wanted your advice and assistance more in my life…The times are critical
and dangerous, and I must have you here to assist me.” As First Lady, Abigail made a large
impression on the public. She was an advocate for females and expressed original feminist
theory, as well as insightful political thought.
Binder – Daily Spark
What is the meaning of advocate for females as used in this paragraph?
A. Promoter of women’s rights
B. Counselor for women who lack rights
C. Revolutionary demanding women’s control of government
D. Campaigner for women running for political office
Day #4 – Use the paragraph from Day #3 to complete the question below.
Which of Abigail Adam’s actions below best show her being an advocate?
A. “She read any books that were available and became knowledgeable about a variety of
subject matters most women never considered.”
B. Abigail Adams supported the revolution as much as John and she suffered more because
of it.
C. “She asked Warren to petition Congress with her and request that Congress establish
some laws that favor women.”
D. “While her main focus was on her family and home, Adams remained in communication
with several political figures…”
Day #5 – Read the passage from Life in the Limbs by Heather Kaufman-Peters and answer the
question.
“The trees will dictate how a floor plan lays out. Often these are unusual shapes. My tree
houses tend to be square because it is less expensive to build square. If someone has all the
time in the world to design a tree house, then I would make it wacky and fun!”
What does the word dictate mean as used in the paragraph?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Hint
Fix
Understand
Decide