Question Sheets for CASI 4 Reading Passages
1. Joe's Junk
2. Meet a Model Scientist
3. Islands
4. Tell Me About It
5. The Trial of the Stone
6. CyberSurfer
7. The Camel Dances
8. Growing Up
9. Fossils, Big and Small
10. The Day Gogo Went to Vote
The following pages may be reproduced by the purchasing school for classroom use.
JOE'S JUNK
Name: Date:
Read the story, "Joe's Junk." When you are finished reading, answer the
questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Joe's Junk."
2. How did Joe know that his junk was going to good homes?.
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions: a) Give a
synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: I'm famous for my
spectacular collection of junk.
- sparkly
- expensive
- magnificent
- special
b)Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase: "Unfit for
human habitation. "
- clothing
- practice
- fascination
- shelter
c)Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: You trash it and I'll
stash it.
- It is used to show possession or ownership
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
- It is used to make the word I'll stand out in the sentence
- It is used to show that you should pause after reading the word.
d)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: My own brother
was selling tickets to the World's Largest Indoor Dump.
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
- It is used to show that the word World's is plural.
- It is used to show that you should pause while reading the word.
4. "Joe's Junk" 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 word "EMPTY" is written in capital letters in the sentence, "I mean, it was
EMPTY!" Explain why the author wrote that word in capital letters.
6. From reading this story, we get to know some things about Joe. Name three
important characteristics of Joe. Describe something he says, thinks, or does to
show that he has each characteristic.
7. Other people call the things that Joe collects "junk," but he calls them
"treasures." Why did Joe think his stuff was treasure, while other people thought
it was junk? Use information from the story and your own ideas to answer this
question.
8. How do you think Joe's mother feels at the end of the story? Explain your
thinking.
Meet a Model Scientist
Name:
Date:
Read the article, "Meet a Model Scientist." When you are finished reading,
answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, "Meet a Model Scientist."
2. What is the main idea of this article?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions: a) Give a synonym for the
underlined words in the following sentence: When did you get hooked on dinosaurs?
- frightened by
- captivated by
- introduced to
- chased by
b)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase: Today, his passion for making
models...
- dislike
- ability
- responsibility
- enthusiasm
c)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: ,Garfield's mom used to bake a lot.
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
- It is used to show that the word Garfield's is a proper noun.
- It is used to show that the word Garfield's is a plural noun.
d)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: I've been making models ever since I
was a kid.
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
- It is used to show that the word I've needs a capital "I".
- It is used to show that I've is the first word in the sentence.
4. This article is written as an interview. List three characteristics that make this an
interview. For each characteristic give an example from the article to support your answer.
5. "Meet a Model Scientist" has a number of subtitles. Explain why the author chose to
use subtitles in this article.
6. Record the steps in model making using information from the text.
7. How does doing research help Garfield create his models? Use the article and your
own ideas to answer this question.
8. What do you think the author wants us to think about after reading this article? Explain
your thinking.
Islands
Name:
Date:
Read the story, "Islands." When you are finished reading, answer the questions
below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "Islands."
2. What is the main idea of this story?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Why is an exclamation mark used at the end of the following section from the story?
Laura stopped and turned, waiting for her morn to catch up. Snap!
- It links the short sentence to the longer one.
- It turns the short sentence into a question.
- It makes the reader say the word "snap" more slowly.
- It adds energy and excitement to the short sentence.
b)
Why were the marks of other skaters described as "like spider webs"?
- The marks of other skaters were old and worn, like many spider webs.
- The marks of other skaters looked creepy, like spider webs.
- The marks of other skaters were thin and crossed over each other, like spider webs.
- The marks of other skaters led to many spider webs in bushes by the shore.
c)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase: She could imagine them
scared and scurrying away...
- crying
- rushing
- screaming
- strolling
d)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: Step on a crack, you break
your mother's...
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
- It is used to show that the word mother's is plural.
- It is used to show that "back" will be the next word in the sentence.
4. "Islands" 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: "And even now, as she thought of
that pungent scent in the soft summer breeze, her feet felt a little warmer. " Is this an
effective ending for the story?
Yes
No (Circle one.)
Explain your answer.
6. From reading "Islands" we get to know some things about Laura. Name three
important characteristics of Laura. Describe something Laura says, thinks, or does to
show that she has each characteristic.
7. Why were the islands such a special place for Laura? Use information from the story
and your own ideas to answer this question.
8. Why do you think the author chose to tell this story from Laura's point of view? Explain
your thinking.
Tell Me About It
Name:
Date:
Read the article, "Tell Me About It." When you are finished reading, answer the
questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, "Tell Me About It."
2. What is a storyboard outline? Describe how a storyboard outline is created.
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: The story artists
will take a small section of the script and begin to yisualize it.
- sell
- imagine
- visit
- separate
b)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: That's because in a
musical, songs usually occur at critical turning points.
- important
- dangerous
- scheduled
- obvious
c)
Explain the use of the comma (,) in the following sentence: People love to hear storiesbedtime stories, news stories, sports stories, stories about people and places and things
in the world around us.
- They are used to make the sentence sound more exciting.
- They are used to separate items in a list.
- They are used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
- They are used to show ownership or possession.
d)
Explain the use of the comma (,) in the following sentence: The next time you go to an
animated movie, watch closely as the credits roll by. It is used to show ownership or
possession. It is used to separate items in a list. It is used to separate a quotation
from the rest of the sentence. It is used to help clarify the meaning of the sentence.
4. Information articles often include a glossary. How does a glossary help a reader?
Choose two words from this article that you would include in a glossary, and explain
why you chose them.
5. The author ends the article with this paragraph: "The next time you go to an
animated movie, watch closely as the credits roll by. Think about the director, writers,
animators, and many others who worked together to bring the story to life. " Is this an
effective ending for the article?
Yes
No (Circle one.)
Give reasons for your choice.
6. Many people work together to create an animated movie. Describe the job of the
director.
7. In the article, it says, "Directors are careful not to have characters say what can be
shown. It's much easier and stronger to show it than to tell it. " Use information from
the text and your own ideas to explain why the author says this.
8. Why do you think the author wants us to know about all the people and processes
involved in making an animated movie? Explain your thinking.
The Trial of the Stone
Name:
Date:
Read the story, "The Trial of the Stone." When you are finished reading, answer
the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "The Trial of the Stone."
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: He wailed so
loudly that the townspeople came running to see what was wrong.
- sneezed
- whistled
- spoke
- cried
b)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase: ...the crowd raised a
huge commotion in disrespect of the court...
- banner
- emotion
- stone
- uproar
c)
Explain the use of the comma (,) in the following sentence: "Arrest this stone, " he said
to the Constable.
- It is used to make the sentence sound more exciting.
- It is used to separate items in a list.
- It is used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
- It is used to show that stone is a singular noun.
d)
Explain the use of the comma (,) in the following sentence: Now Matt began to cry, for
the money was gone.
- It is used to show ownership or possession.
- It is used to separate items in a list.
- It is used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
- It is used to help clarify the meaning of the sentence.
4. "The Trial of the Stone" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that this is a
narrative. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support your
answer.
5. "The Trial of the Stone" begins with this sentence: A young boy called Matt had
been walking on the road all day to visit his grandfather in another village. Is this an
effective beginning for the story?
Yes
No (Circle one.)
Explain your answer.
6. Why did the Chief arrest the stone when Matt couldn't find his money?
7. Was the chief's solution to Matt's problem a good idea?
Yes
No (Circle one.)
Use information from the story and your own ideas to explain your thinking.
8. How do you think the man in the red shirt feels at the end of the story? Explain your
thinking.
CyberSurfer
Name:
Date:
Read the article, "CyberSurfer." When you are finished reading, answer the questions
below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, "CyberSurfer."
2. What is the main idea of this article?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: The Internet is a
worldwide network.
- newsletter
- company
- system
- computer
b)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: They donate money
to the project.
- return
- loan
- sell
- give
c)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: What's that?
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
- It is used to show that the word what's is plural.
- It is used to show that the reader should pause after the word what's.
d)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: A spider's web houses one
spider.
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
- It is used to show that the word spider's is plural.
- It is used because the word spider is in the sentence twice.
4. "CyberSurfer" is a nonfiction article. List three characteristics of the article that
show that this is nonfiction writing. For each characteristic, give an example from
the article to support your answer.
5. "CyberSurfer" has a number of subtitles. Explain why the author chose to use subtitles
in this article.
6. Using the chart below, explain how the Internet is like a spider's web. How is it
different from a spider's web?
Like a Spider's Web
Different from a Spider's Web
7. Some people say that using the Internet has made the world a smaller place.
Use the article and your own ideas to explain what this means.
8. What do you think the author wants us to think about or do after reading this
article? Explain your thinking.
The Camel Dances
Name:
Date:
Read the story, "The Camel Dances." When you are finished reading, answer the
questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "The Camel Dances."
2. Why did the Camel keep practising her dance even though it made her feet hurt and
her body ache?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: Her feet were blistered and
her body ached with fatigue.
- curved
- broke
- fell
- hurt
b)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase: I must tell you frankly....
- though
- truthfully
- sadly
- unfortunately
c)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: I've worked hard.
- It is used to clarify who has worked hard.
- It is used to tell the reader to pause after the word I've.
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
d)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the underlined word: The camel's feet were blistered.
- It is used to show that the word camel's is plural.
- It is used because the sentence is written in the past tense.
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
4. "The Camel Dances" is a fable. List three characteristics that show that this is a fable. For each
characteristic, give an example from the story to support your answer.
5. What makes the first sentence of "The Camel Dances" a good beginning for the
story?
6. Why didn't the audience clap after the camel danced at her recital?
7. What is the moral of this fable, and what does the moral mean to you?
8. How might the moral be different if it were written from the point of view of the camel's
friends? Explain your thinking.
Growing Up
Name: Date:
Read the autobiography, "Growing Up." When you are finished reading, answer the
questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the autobiography, "Growing Up."
2. What is the main idea of this autobiography?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: My earliest
memory of finding "treasure" is when I was around four years old.
- biggest
- first
- most recent
- fastest
b)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: I was happiest when
I escaped into my world of books.
- scampered
- dreamed
- retreated
- dismounted
c)
Why are brackets (or parentheses) used in the following sentence? Competing against
others (and having people watch me!) was something I never wanted to do.
- They are used to surround a definition.
- They are used to surround a number at the beginning of the sentence.
- They are used to surround clarifying information that the author provided about
how she felt when competing.
- They are used to surround an idea that doesn't fit in the sentence.
d)
Explain the use of the apostrophe (') in the following sentence: I'd simply sit on the
doorstep for hours.
- It is used to show that the word I'd is written in the past tense.
- It is used to clarify who would sit on the doorstep for hours.
- It is used to show possession or ownership.
- It is used to replace a missing letter or letters (to show a contraction).
4. "Growing Up" is an autobiography. List three characteristics that show that this is an
autobiography. For each characteristic, give an example from the text to support your
answer.
5. The author ends the autobiography with this sentence: "Though I didn't know it at
the time, I was about to get both of these things much sooner than I expected." Is this
an effective ending for the story?
Yes
No (Circle one.)
Give reasons for your choice.
6. From reading "Growing Up" we get to know some things about the author. Name
three important characteristics of the author. Describe something the author says, thinks,
or does to show that she has each characteristic.
7. Use information from the article and your own ideas to explain what the author
meant when she said, "By the time I was 15, I began to develop "itchy feet. "
8. Why do you think the author wants you to know how shy she was as a child and
teenager? Explain your thinking.
Fossils, Big and Small
Name:
Date:
Read the article, "Fossils, Big and Small." When you are finished reading,
answer the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the article, "Fossils, Big and Small."
2. What is the main idea of this article?
3. Select the best answer for each of the following questions:
a) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: This perfectly
preserved little creature represented an entire world.
- remembered
- symbolized
- fossilized
- expressed
b) Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following sentence: I became quite a
good amateur entomologist.
- beginner
- active
- animator
- professional
c) Why is an exclamation mark used at the end of the following sentence? Looking
back, I probably lost more money than I made!
- It makes the sentence more interesting.
- It turns the sentence into a question.
- It shows that the author is saying this sentence with excitement or emotion.
- It adds detail to the sentence.
d) Read the following sentence, and tell why the word "fossils" is written in italics. "Over
the years, I have provided many museums and universities with amber fossils. "
- The italics are probably just an error in the printing.
- The italics tell the reader to say the word with expression.
- The italics let the reader know that the word "fossils" is found in the glossary at
the end of the passage.
- The italics let the reader know that fossils are very special.
4. "Fossils, Big and Small" is a nonfiction article. List three characteristics that
show that this is a nonfiction article. For each characteristic, give an example
from the article to support your answer.
5. How do the illustrations in "Fossils, Big and Small" help you to understand the article?
6. From reading "Fossils, Big and Small," we get to know some things about the author.
Name three important characteristics of the author. Describe something the author says,
thinks, or does to show that she has each characteristic.
7. Use information from the article and your own ideas to describe some things scientists
can learn from studying fossils.
8. What do you think the author hopes that readers will do or think after reading this
article? Explain your thinking.
The Day Gogo Went to Vote
Name:
Date:
Read the story, 'The Day Gogo Went to Vote." When you are finished reading, answer
the questions below.
1. In your own words, summarize the story, "The Day Gogo Went to Vote."
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 phrase: She tells me many
stories that her gogo told about how our ancestors lived ....
- aunts and uncles
- relatives from the past
- friends
- farm workers
b)
Give a synonym for the underlined word in the following phrase: ...came to the fence to
ask why all the family was gathered at our house.
- harvested
- developed
- supposed
- assembled
c) Why is an exclamation mark used at the end of the following sentence? "That is why I
must vote, no matter how many miles I have to walk, no matter how long I have to stand
in line!"
- It makes the sentence more interesting.
- It turns the sentence into a question.
- It shows that Gogo is saying the sentence with a great deal of emotion.
- It adds detail to the sentence.
d)
Explain the use of the comma () in the following sentence: "The same way you will go
there, " replied Gogo.
- It is used to make the sentence sound more exciting.
- It is used to separate items in a list.
- It is used to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence.
- It is used to help clarify the meaning of the sentence.
4. "The Day Gogo Went to Vote" is a narrative. List three characteristics that show that
this is a narrative. For each characteristic, give an example from the story to support
your answer.
5. "The Day Gogo Went to Vote" begins: "My gogo is very, very old. When I ask her how
old she is, she says, "I am older than this township. When I was born, there were no cars
or airplanes." Is this an effective beginning for the story?
Yes
No (Circle one.)
Give reasons for your choice.
6. From reading this story, we get to know some things about Gogo. Name three
important characteristics of Gogo. Describe something Gogo says, thinks, or does to
show that she has each characteristic.
7. Use information from the story and your own ideas to explain why it was so important
for Gogo to vote.
8. What do you think the author hopes that readers will do or think after reading this
story? Explain your thinking.