Question Sheets* for CASI 5 Reading Passages
1. The Living Town
2. Why the Sky Is Far Away
3. The Wild Horses of Sable Island
4. Shonar Arches
5. Birds: Grounded
6. Granpa Is Missing on the Mars Tranship
7. Where Black Meets White
8. The Island That Took Care of Itself
9. Albert Einstein
10. Elizabeth's Wish
* The following pages may be reproduced by the purchasing school for classroom use.
NEL
Living Town
Read the article, The Living Town." When you are finished reading, answer the
questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, "The Living Town."
2. Do you think that animals living on a farm live differently from animals
that live in the city? Explain your thinking.
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) How would an exclamation mark change the meaning of the following
sentence?
At night, when most people are asleep, many animals are moving about in our
towns.
0 It would turn the sentence into a quotation.
0 It would turn the sentence into a question.
0 It would make the sentence sound stronger, more exciting and less ordinary.
0 It would add detail to the sentence.
b) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun,
adjective, verb, or adverb:
Urban raccoons often overturn garbage cans...
0 Noun
0 Adjective
0 Verb
0 Adverb
c)Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun,
adjective, verb, or adverb:
...starlings and pigeons gather together...
0 Noun
0 Adjective
0 Verb
0 Adverb
d)Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
...whether that's in a city, in a town, or on a farm.
0 It is used to show that the word that's is plural.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to separate different ideas in a list.
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
4. Why do you think the author chose "The Living Town" as the title for the
text?
5. How do the headings help you understand this article?
6. What information did you learn about animals living in towns and cities?
7. What animals would you find in your neighbourhood and what food
would they eat? Give reasons for your thinking.
8. What information do you think a pest control company would want to
add to this article? Explain your thinking.
Why The Sky Is Far Away
Read the story, "Why the Sky Is Far Away." When you are finished reading,
answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Why the Sky Is Far Away."
2. What happened when the people forgot to appreciate the sky?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Explain the use of the commas (,) in the following sentence:
His servants would cut out pieces of the sky and shape them into wonderful
forms -animals, diamonds, leaves, or flowers.
O They are used to make the sentence sound more exciting.
O They are used to separate items in a list.
O They are used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
O They are used to show ownership or possession.
b)Explain the use of the comma (,) in the following sentence:
"Oba, " a voice boomed above the king's palace.
O It is used to show ownership or possession.
O It is used to separate items in a list.
It is used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
O It is used to show that "Oba" is a proper noun.
c)Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
But as time went on, the people forgot to appreciate the sky.
O be thankful for
O introduce
O understand
O view
d)Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
The sky grew ominously dark.
O fairly
O favourably
O threateningly
O promisingly
4. "Why the Sky Is Far Away" is a folktale. List three characteristics that
show that it is a folktale. For each characteristic, give an example from the
story to support your answer.
5. What makes the first paragraph in "Why the Sky Is Far Away" a good
beginning for the story?
6. What lesson did the people in the story learn?
7. How are some people living in today's world like the people in the story?
8. Whose voice or opinion is missing in this text? What might this voice
want to say to the sky? Explain your thinking.
The Wild Horses of Sable Island
Read the article "The Wild Horses of Sable Island." When you are finished
reading, answer, the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, 'The Wild Horses of Sable
Island."
2. What is the main idea of this article?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
There's a special place in Canada where horses still run wild.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to show that the word there's is plural.
0 It is used to separate different ideas in a list.
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
b)Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
This animal's deep chest, heavy neck and shoulders, and stocky legs give it a
chunky, thick-bodied look.
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to show that the word animal's is plural.
0 It is used to show dialogue.
c)Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun,
adjective, verb, or adverb:
...where horses still run wild...
O Noun
O Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
d) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun,
adjective, verb, or adverb:
Almost 300 horses range across Sable Island today...
O Noun
O Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
4. Would a glossary help a reader to better understand this article? Yes No
(Circle one.) Explain your thinking.
5. How do the headings help you understand this article?
6. How are the wild horses of Sable Island different from horses you would
see on a farm or ranch?
7. Why do you think the Canadian government protects these horses? Use
information from the article and your own ideas to answer this question.
8. Imagine that a company wants to develop a resort on the island. How do
you think the owners of the company will feel about the restrictions that the
government has placed on visitors to the island? Explain your thinking.
Shonar Acres
Read the story, "Shonar Arches." When you are finished reading, answer
the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Shonar Arches."
2. What is the main idea of this story?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Explain the use of the commas (,) in the following sentence:
Somebody, he thought, should arrest all the dumb farmers who grew vegetables.
0 They are used to replace quotation marks.
O They are used to separate items in a list.
O They are used to help clarify the meaning of the sentence.
0 They are used to show ownership or possession.
b) Explain the use of the comma (,) in the following sentence:
"I'm going to, " he muttered in disgust.
O It is used to make you think about what he's muttering.
O It is used to separate items in a list.
0 It is used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter.
c) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
Amit scowled at the stalk of broccoli on his dinner plate.
0 looked
0 whined
0 picked
0 frowned
d) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
The tantalizing smell of cardamom and rosewater filled the air.
0 disgusting
0 mild
0 tempting
bitter
4. "Shonar Arches" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that
this is narrative writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the
story to support your answer.
5. The author begins the story with this paragraph: "Amit scowled at the stalk
of broccoli on his dinner plate. Then he narrowed his eyes, pretending they were
laser guns. Zap! shot the beam, and all that was left on his plate was traces of
melted butter. " Is this an effective beginning for the story?
Yes No
(Circle one.)
Explain your thinking.
6. From reading this story, we get to know some things about Amit. Name
three important characteristics of Amit. Describe something he says,
thinks, or does to show that he has each characteristic.
7. Read the following sentences from the story: "He didn't even like the
word dida. It was Bengali for grandmother. He didn't like the way Mom kept
bab- bling on about her. It was almost as though she was the most
important thing in the world. " Use information from the story and your own
ideas to explain how Amit was feeling and why he was feeling this way.
8. Whose voice or opinion is missing in this text? What might this voice
want to say to Amit? Explain your thinking.
Birds Grounded
Read the article, "Birds: Grounded." When you are finished reading,
answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, "Birds: Grounded."
2. What is the main idea of this article?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun,
adjective, verb, or adverb:
...they lost the ability to fly simply because they stopped needing it...
O Noun
O Adjective
0 Verb
0 Adverb
b) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun,
adjective, verb, or adverb:
Quite a few birds never take to the air...
0 Noun
0 Adjective
0 Verb
0 Adverb
c) Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
...living in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park...
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to show that the word Zealand's is plural.
0 It is used to separate all the proper nouns.
d) Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
It's possible that they came from a common ancestor.
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
0 It is used to show that the word it's is plural.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to separate different ideas in a list.
4. "Birds: Grounded" is a nonfiction article. List three characteristics that
show that this is nonfiction writing. For each characteristic, give an
example from the article to support your answer.
5. How do the headings help you understand this article?
6. Use information from the article to explain why some flightless birds
changed over the years after they lost the ability to fly.
7. According to the article, some birds like the Kakapo, the largest parrot in
the world, have become very rare. Use information from the article and
your own ideas to explain how rare birds can be protected so they don't
become extinct.
8. What information do you think an animal protection agency might want
to add to this article? Explain your thinking.
Graqnpa Is Missing on the Mars Tranship
Read the story, "Granpa Is Missing on the Mars Tranship." When you are
finished reading, answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Granpa Is Missing on the Mars
Tranship."
2. What is the main idea of this story?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
Jay squirmed away and drifted off.
0 rushed
0 wriggled
0 jumped
0 slept
b) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
"What's the ruckus?" he asked.
0 message
0 solution
0 commotion
0 spaceship
c) Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
"Granpa Bunny-bunny's gone. "
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to show that the word Bunny-bunny's is plural.
0 It is used to show that Bunny-bunny's is a compound word.
d) Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
The Mars Tranship would be the family's home for the next nine months.
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to show that the word family's is plural.
0 It is used because the family wanted the Mars Tranship to be their home.
4. "Granpa Is Missing on the Mars Tranship" is a science fiction story. List
three characteristics that show that this is science fiction writing. For each
characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer.
5. Most of the story is written as dialogue. What is the effect on the reader
of a story written this way?
6. Why was Rusty so anxious to help his brother find Granpa Bunnybunny?
7. Use information from the story and your own ideas to describe how
living on a spaceship would be different from living on Earth.
8. How do you think the author wants us to feel about Rusty? Explain your
thinking.
Where Black Meets White
Read the article, "Where Black Meets White." When you are finished
reading, answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, "Where Black Meets White."
2. What is the main idea of this article?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word: The Kermodes" pelts belonged to a
new species of bear.
0 It is used to show that the word Kermodes" is a proper noun.
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to separate different ideas in a list.
b)Explain the use of the apostrophe in the underlined word:
They've noticed that the bears aren't afraid of people.
0 It is used to show that many people noticed that the bears weren't afraid.
0 It is used to show possession or ownership.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
0 It is used to replace the word "of".
c)Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
Kermode spent four gruelling months searching the wild coastal forests.
0 cold
0 relaxing
0 exhausting
0 educational
d)Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence:
He shipped the skins to Hornaday, who declared that the pelts belonged to a new species of
bear.
0 announced
0 guessed
0 screamed
0 whispered
4. Would a glossary help a reader to better understand this article?
Yes No
(Circle one.)
Explain your answer.
5. How do the illustrations help you understand this article?
6. What information did you learn about the scientist's discovery of the Kermode
bear?
7. Do you think that loggers should be allowed to cut down the trees on the
northern part of the island? Why or why not? Use information from the article and
your own ideas to answer this question.
8. How might an employee of the logging company working on the northern part
of the island feel after reading this article? Explain your thinking.
The Island That Care of Itself
Read the story, "The Island That Took Care of Itself." When you are finished
reading, answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "The Island That Took Care of Itself."
2. Why did the people leave the island?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Explain the use of the commas (,) in the following sentence:
With no rabbits, cats, foxes, or people, the isand was back to the way it was in the first
place.
O They are used to make the sentence longer.
O They are used to separate dialogue from the rest of the sentence.
O They are used to show that the words rabbits, cats, foxes, and people are plural.
O They are used to separate different items in a list.
b)Explain the use of the commas (,) in the following sentence:
Finally, the people decided enough was enough.
O It is used to make the sentence shorter.
O It is used to separate dialogue from the rest of the sentence.
O It is used to separate an introductory word from the rest of the sentence.
O It is used to separate different items in a list.
c)Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun, adjective,
verb, or adverb: ...but then an extra-cold winter came along...
O Noun
O Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
e)Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun, adjective,
verb, or adverb:
...so the grass could grow well...
O Noun
O Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
4. Choose one of the following as a new title for the story. (Circle one.)
O Too Many Animals
O People Keep Out
O The Island That Managed Just Fine
Explain why this would be a good title for the story.
5. What makes the first paragraph of "The Island That Took Care of Itself" a good
beginning for the story?
6. What lesson did the people in the story learn?
7. What lesson does this story teach us about people living in today's world?
8. Why do you think the author chose to tell this story from the island's
perspective? Explain your thinking.
Albert Einstein
Read the biography, "Albert Einstein." When you are finished reading,
answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the biography, "Albert Einstein."
2. What is the main idea of this biography?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase:
Albert would improvise little concerts...
O control
O memorize
O make up
Improve
b) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase:
...they were such thoughtful questions, so precise and sharp.
O precious
O difficult
O unusual
O specific
c) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun, adjective, verb, or
adverb:
Instead, he enjoyed looking for hours and hours...
O Noun
O Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
e) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun, adjective, verb, or
adverb:
"...and your poor interest in all I teach... "
O Noun
0 Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
4. "Albert Einstein" is a biography. List three characteristics that show that this is a
biography. For each characteristic, give an example from the biography to support your
answer.
5. The biography begins with these words: "About one hundred years ago, there
lived a boy named Albert Einstein. Albert was a strange boy. Always
absentminded. Always messy. It was a difficult job for him to tie his shoes. But he
knew how to play the violin very well. " Is this an effective beginning for the
biography?
Yes No
(Circle one.)
Give reasons for your choice.
6. From reading this biography, we get to know some things about Albert Einstein.
Name three important characteristics of Albert. Describe something he says,
thinks, or does to show that he has each characteristic.
7. Explain why Albert's father was filled with "anguish, pride, and tenderness"
when he realized the truth about Albert. Use information from the biography and
your own ideas to explain your thinking.
8. Whose voice or opinion is missing in this biography? What might this voice
want to say? Explain your thinking.
Elizabeth’s Wish
Read the story, "Elizabeth's Wish." When you are finished reading, answer the
questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Elizabeth's Wish."
2. What is the main idea of this story?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Explain the use of the commas (,) in the following phrase: ...is sponsoring its first
annual gospel, blues, rhythm, soul, and rap talent search ....
0 They are used to help clarify the meaning of the sentence.
0 They are used to show ownership or possession.
0 They are used to replace quotation marks.
0 They are used to separate items in a list.
b) Explain the use of the comma () in the following sentence:
"Not another talent show, " she sighed.
0 It is used to make the sentence shorter.
0 It is used to separate items in a list.
0 It is used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
0 It is used to replace a missing letter.
(c) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun, adjective,
verb, or adverb:
Pick up your contest applications...
O Noun
O Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
d) Tell whether the underlined word in the following phrase is used as a noun, adjective,
verb, or adverb:
The radio announcer punctuated the words...
O Noun
O Adjective
O Verb
O Adverb
4. "Elizabeth's Wish" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is
narrative writing. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to
support your answer.
5. The author ends the story with this sentence: "She couldn't wait to spread the
good news." Is this an effective ending for the story? Yes No (Circle one.)
Explain your thinking.
6. From reading this story, we get to know some things about Elizabeth. Name
three important characteristics of Elizabeth. Describe something she says, thinks,
or does to show that she has each characteristic.
7. Use information from the story and your own ideas to explain why you think
Sandy said, "Oh no!...Not another talent show. "
8. How do Sandy and Liz differ in their perspectives about the radio contest?
Explain your thinking.