SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Grade 05 Unit 04 Assessment C
Literary and Informational Reading: Westward Expansion
Reading Standards: RL.5.4, RL.5.5, RL.5.6, RI.5.4, RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.6, RI.5.9
(RL.5.1, RL.5.2, RL.5.3, RI.5.3)
Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Date _______________________
Part 1 Directions: Read the following article.
“Women’s Life on the Great Plains” by Sharon Fabian
In the mid-1800’s when people were moving west, advertising for a new wife
would not be as weird as it would be today. The work that
women did was so important that a family could not make
it without her. Having a woman in the family was vital to
a family’s survival. So when a woman died, her husband
needed to look for a new wife.
Women played an important role in the family. Women took care of the children
and the house. They helped with the farm work, too. Women also taught the children
and provided medical care.
The mother of the family made the family’s clothes. They might use cotton or
wool. They would also make shoes and pants for the men.
Doing the wash was a hard chore. First, women made soap from animal fat.
Clothes were washed in large tubs. Hot water didn’t come from the sink; it had to be
heated in a large pot over a fire. The clothes would be scrubbed until they were
clean.
Everyone in the family worked in the field to grow vegetables. They grew
beans, greens, and cabbage. Corn and wheat were grown to make bread. Wild animal
was a source of protein. Cooking was much harder than it is today.
ELA-Unit04-Grade05-Lev C
1
1. Summarize this text in a way that teaches others the central ideas. (RI.5.2, RI.5.1)
This is an informative article about the important role of women during the
Westward Expansion. The beginning of the article discusses_____________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
The middle of the article discusses ___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
Finally, the end of the article states ___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
These are the central ideas of this article.
2. Reread these words from the text:
The work that women did on the prairie was so important that a family could
hardly manage without her. Having a woman in the family was vital to a family’s
survival.
Circle the correct meaning of the word vital.
a. Very important
b. Can be thrown away
c. Not needed
ELA-Unit04-Grade05-Lev C
2
Part 2 Directions:
Read this section from Sarah, Plain and Tall. Anna and Caleb’s mother has died,
and Papa tells some news.
“Did Mama sing every day?” asked Caleb.
“Every day,” I told him.
“And did Papa sing, too?”
“Yes, Papa sang, too.”
“Well, Papa doesn’t sing anymore,” said Caleb quietly.
Outside, there were little piles of snow and ice everywhere. I looked at the long,
dirt road, remembering the morning that Mama had died. They had come for her in a
wagon and taken her away to be buried.
***
After the dishes were cleaned, Caleb spoke up.
“You don’t sing anymore,” he said. “Why?” he asked.
Slowly Papa sat up. There was a long silence. “I’ve forgotten the old songs,”
said Papa. He sat down. “But maybe there’s a way to remember them.”
“How!” asked Caleb excited.
Papa said, “I’ve placed an add in the newspapers. For help.”
“You mean a housekeeper?” I asked.
“No,” said Papa. “Not a housekeeper. A wife.”
Caleb stared at Papa. “A wife? You mean a Mother?”
“That, too,” said Papa.
ELA-Unit04-Grade05-Lev C
3
Papa reached into his pocket and unfolded a letter written on white paper. “And I
have got an answer.” Papa read to us:
Dear Mr. Jacob Whiting,
I am Sarah as you will see from my letter. I am answering your advertisement.
I have lived with my older brother, William, who is about to be married. I am strong
and I work hard and I am willing to travel. But I am not mild mannered. If you should
still care to write, I would be interested in your children and about where you live.
And you.
Very truly yours,
Sarah Elizabeth Wheaten
P.S. Do you have opinions on cats? I have one.
No one spoke when Papa finished reading the letter. He kept looking at it in his
hands, reading it over to himself. I turned my head to look at Caleb. He was smiling.
I smiled, too.
“One thing,” I said.
“What’s that?” asked Papa.
“Ask her if she sings,” I said.
ELA-Unit04-Grade05-Lev C
4
3. Based on the article “Women’s Life on the Great Plains,” what are some reasons
Papa might be interested in finding a new wife? (RI.5.9)
Based on the article “Women’s Life on the Great Plains,” women were very helpful
to the families. One reason papa might want to find a new wife is, _______________
__________________________________________________________________________.
Another reason Papa might need a new wife is _________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
These are some reasons Papa might be interested in a new wife.
4. Why does Anna tell Papa to ask Sarah if she sings? What earlier parts of the text
help you understand the meaning of this line? (RL.5.5)
Anna tells Papa to ask Sarah if she sings. Anna does this because ______________
__________________________________________________________________________.
I know this because in the beginning of the story, ______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
5. How does Anna feel about Sarah’s letter? How do you know? (RL.5.6, RL.5.1)
Anna feels ________________________ about Sarah’s letter. I know this because
in the story Anna ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
This is how I know how Anna feels about Sarah’s letter.
ELA-Unit04-Grade05-Lev C
5