Grade 6 Reading OAT Authentic Questions
Acquisition of Vocabulary Standard
Nathan’s Choice Reading Passage Questions
1. “All afternoon Uncle Orrin barked orders.”
What does the word barked mean in the sentence above?
A. to speak with a weakened voice
B. to yap senselessly like a dog
C. to give a loud, dry cough
D. to talk sharply or roughly
Ella Fitzgerald Reading Passage Questions
2. What do the selection and footnote suggest about “scat” performers?
A. They are jazz composers.
B. They are inventive singers.
C. They are famous musicians.
D. They are experienced instrumentalists.
3. “After her early success at the Apollo, and as a popular performer at a number of other
amateur venues, Fitzgerald was invited to join Chick Webb’s band.”
What does the word venues mean?
A. singing artists
B. musical groups
C. entertainment halls
D. dance competitions
Jump to It! Reading Passage Questions
4. “Lisa Fasano said that, even last year, baby Gabby was really getting the hang of it in
practice. But she wilted under the glare of the spotlight at last year’s contest in Angels Camp.“
‘She was star-struck, and she just sat there looking at everyone ... .’ ”
What does the word wilted mean as it is used in the second sentence above?
A. lost her confidence
B. became thirsty
C. lost all strength
D. became ill
Updated July 2007
5. “Frogs don’t understand about money, and they’re not very coachable.”
In the sentence above, what does the word formed by the root word coach and the suffix –
able mean?
A. having the capacity to be taught
B. in the manner of a teacher
C. in a forward direction
D. showing great ability
Dreams Reading Passage Questions
6. Which definition of fast is used in the first line of the poem?
fast (fast) adv. 1) with speed; quickly 2) in a firm and secure manner; tightly 3) ahead of the
present time 4) in a wild or reckless fashion
A. definition 1
B. definition 2
C. definition 3
D. definition 4
The Inca Empire of the Sun Reading Passage Questions
7. “This careful organization of the empire made it possible to control the lives of everyone. It
also helped the Inca prosper. Inca rulers made sure that everyone had enough to eat.”
What does the word prosper mean in the second sentence above?
A. do well
B. rule kindly
C. become wise
D. become famous
Something to Keep His Ears Warm Reading Passage Questions
8. “Fifteen-year-old Chester Greenwood of Farmington, Maine, had a problem with his ears.
They were very sensitive to the freezing cold of the long Maine winters.”
What does the word sensitive mean in the second sentence above?
A. easily affected or hurt
B. having good sense
C. excited; agitated
D. cautious; careful
Updated July 2007
The Marble Champ Reading Passage Questions
9. “Lupe Medrano, a shy girl who spoke in whispers, was the school’s spelling bee champion,
winner of the reading contest at the public library three summers in a row, blue ribbon
awardee in the science fair, the top student at her piano recital, and the playground grand
champion in chess.”
In the sentence above, what does the word formed by the root word award and the suffix -ee
mean?
A. the highest award
B. an award in science
C. one who gives an award
D. one who receives an award
10. “She also had to admit that her thumb was weaker than the neck of a newborn chick.”
Identify the comparison in the sentence above and explain what it means.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
Boy: Tales from Childhood Reading Passage Questions
11. “It is his own secret storehouse, as secret as a lady’s handbag, and there is an unwritten law
that no other boy, no teacher, not even the Headmaster himself has the right to pry into the
contents of your tuck-box.”
Which phrase from the sentence above is a simile?
A. “It is his own secret storehouse...”
B. “...as secret as a lady’s handbag...”
C. “...no other boy, no teacher, not even the Headmaster himself...”
D. “...the contents of your tuck-box.”
12. “At Prep School in those days, a parcel of tuck was sent once a week by anxious mothers to
their ravenous little sons ... .”
What does the word ravenous mean in the sentence above?
A. well-dressed
B. very hungry
C. handsome
D. naughty
Updated July 2007
The “French 500” Reading Passage Questions
13. “Most of the residents of Gallipolis, preferring not to move again, pooled their money and
bought the town on December 9, 1795.”
What does the word pooled mean in the sentence above?
A. combined
B. borrowed
C. counted
D. wasted
14. “An abundance of snails was used to flavor soups and stews.”
Which word is a synonym for abundance in the sentence above?
A. plentifulness
B. shipment
C. harvest
D. variety
Updated July 2007
Reading Process Standard
Nathan’s Choice Reading Passage Questions
1. What will Uncle Orrin most likely do the next morning?
A. send Nathan home to his family
B. let Nathan sleep late in order to rest
C. wake Nathan up early to start working
D. punish Nathan for planning to run away
2. Predict what action Nathan will take next. Support your prediction with specific details from the
selection.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
Ella Fitzgerald Reading Passage Questions
3. Why was Ella Fitzgerald “too intimidated to dance” at the Apollo Theater?
A. because the previous performers were so good
B. because she felt she had not practiced enough
C. because the crowd in the theater was absolutely silent
D. because she felt comfortable dancing only in smaller theaters
Jump to It! Reading Passage Questions
4. Which organizational tool would most clearly contrast the lengths of winning jumps
years at the Calaveras County event?
over ten
A. a timeline
B. a pie chart
C. a bar graph
D. a Venn diagram
5. In the fifth paragraph of PASSAGE 1, Marsha Karley says, “Everybody has their own
method.” Explain what Karley means by “method” and identify an example from either
passage.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
Updated July 2007
6. According to SELECTION 2, why did Gene Fasano miss the Calaveras County event one
year?
A. His granddaughter Gabby was born.
B. He could not find a good frog.
C. His son entered in his place.
D. He was getting married.
The Inca Empire of the Sun Reading Passage Questions
7. Only particular groups of people were allowed to use Inca roads on a regular basis. Identify
one of these groups and state a likely reason why the travel of this group was acceptable.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
8. According to the author, what was one of the Inca government’s main priorities?
A. to provide equal opportunities for everyone in the social pyramid
B. to make sure everyone had adequate food and clean housing
C. to keep priests as comfortable and happy as possible
D. to collect taxes from the wealthiest citizens
Something to Keep the Ears Warm Reading Passage Questions
9. What was Chester most interested in when he created the first set of earmuffs?
A. creating jobs for his mother and grandmother
B. becoming well-known as an inventor
C. earning money from his invention
D. using his invention himself
10. In the fourth paragraph, how does the attitude of “the other kids” change?
A. from mocking to interested
B. from joyous to sorrowful
C. from amused to bored
D. from cruel to nervous
Updated July 2007
The Marble Champ Reading Passage Questions
11. “It wasn’t until last year, when she was eleven years old, that she learned how to ride a bike.
And even then she had to use training wheels.”
What is the purpose of the second sentence above?
A. It highlights the pressure placed on Lupe by her parents.
B. It shows Lupe’s preference for doing things differently.
C. It demonstrates how strict Lupe’s father really is.
D. It reinforces Lupe’s lack of athletic ability.
12. “Practice, practice, practice. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. Lupe got better and beat her
brother and Alfonso, a neighbor kid who was supposed to be a champ.”
What does the paragraph above suggest?
A. that the other kids are letting Lupe win so she will feel better
B. that Lupe’s persistence is helping her meet her goal
C. that Lupe is growing tired of her repetitive exercises
D. that Lupe’s brother is her toughest opponent
Boy: Tales of Childhood Reading Passage Questions
13. What does the reader learn from the selection?
A. what it is like to travel by paddle-steamer
B. how to raise and care for various types of frogs
C. how English Prep School students lived in the 1920s
D. what English Prep School classes were like in the 1920s
14 Explain why the author mentions Arkle’s pet frog as one of the “treasures” in the final
paragraph. Support your answer with a specific detail from the selection.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
The “French 500” Reading Passage Question
15. How did the French emigrants feel when they began their journey to the United States?
A. grateful
B. excited
C. fearful
D. sad
16. Describe the problem that the French emigrants faced immediately upon landing in Virginia.
Then explain one way they dealt with that problem.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
Updated July 2007
Reading Applications Informational Text Standard
Ella Fitzgerald Reading Passage Questions
1. Identify two factual details from the selection that support the author’s positive evaluation of
Ella Fitzgerald.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
2. Which statement best describes how the selection is organized?
A. The selection describes Ella Fitzgerald’s awards later in life and then flashes back to
important moments in her career.
B. The selection describes Ella Fitzgerald’s first appearance at the Apollo Theater and then
provides career highlights.
C. The selection describes Ella Fitzgerald’s early life in New York and the beginning of her
career.
D. The selection describes Ella Fitzgerald’s life and career in chronological order.
Jump to It! Reading Passage Questions
3. The section in SELECTION 1 titled “Rental Frogs?” includes which piece of information?
A. The Flats Days Celebration is held in February.
B. Wild frogs may jump further than rented frogs.
C. People rent or catch frogs for the Rayne Frog Festival.
D. Contestants use different ways to get their frogs to jump.
4. In SELECTION 1, what was the author’s main purpose?
A. to write a serious historical study of frog jumping
B. to write an essay that is critical of frog-jumping contests
C. to write a scientific analysis of why some frogs jump farther than others
D. to write an entertaining article that provides details about frog-jumping contests
5. Identify four pieces of information about frog jumping that are mentioned in both SELECTION
1 and SELECTION 2.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (4 points)
Updated July 2007
The Inca Empire of the Sun Reading Passage Questions
6. “In Cuzco, each emperor built a magnificent palace filled with gold, silver, and other
treasures.”
Which idea from the sentence above represents an opinion?
A. Palaces were built in Cuzco.
B. Every emperor built a palace.
C. The imperial palaces were magnificent.
D. The imperial palaces were filled with treasures.
7. Why did the Inca farmers build terraces to plant their crops?
A. to carry their grain to government storehouses more easily
B. to be able to grow grain up the sides of very steep mountains
C. to make it hard for officials to inspect and tax the grain harvest
D. to cultivate grain for the priests at the highest elevation possible
8. In the section titled “Connecting the Empire,” the messenger relay system was an example of
cause and effect. Explain what the cause and effect is and how it benefited the Inca people.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
9. Why did Inca farmers build canals in the coastal areas?
A. They had to create a faster way to get to market.
B. They needed to get water for their crops to grow.
C. They were storing water for the dry season.
D. They had to give water to the emperor.
10. Where was the Inca empire located?
A. south of Brazil
B. east of Argentina
C. east of the Pacific Ocean
D. north of the Atlantic Ocean
Something to Keep the Ears Warm Reading Passage Questions
11.“Orders from all over town started pouring in. Chester’s mom and grandmother were busy
helping him make more earmuffs, the name people were calling Greenwood’s clever
invention.”
Identify the opinion in the sentences above and explain why it is an opinion.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
Updated July 2007
12. How does the author organize the information in this selection?
A. by creating categories of information and then supplying specific examples
B. by making the main point first and then presenting supporting details
C. by presenting events in chronological order
D. by comparing and contrasting information
The “French 500” Reading Passage Questions
13. What was the author’s main purpose in this selection?
A. to describe the hardships faced by early pioneers in the United States
B. to tell readers about one group of French emigrants who settled in Ohio
C. to explain how modern cities and towns in Ohio were first founded
D. to contrast French settlers in the United States with settlers from other countries
14. In some ways, the French emigrants had to adapt to life in the United States. In other ways,
they brought change to their new home. Provide two examples of how they adapted and two
examples of how they brought change.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (4 points)
15. Read the following incomplete summary of how the French settlers spent their first few years
at Gallipolis.
The French settlers spent their first winter in small cabins. In the spring, they learned to
cultivate crops, fell trees and hunt for food.
Which detail is the most important to include in the summary?
A. The French settlers amused the surrounding frontier families.
B. The French settlers enjoyed eating the frogs and snails that they found.
C. The French settlers wanted to plant flower and herb gardens in their new homes.
D. The French settlers used their unique skills to produce goods and ship them to New
Orleans.
16. Which sentence from the selection states an opinion?
A. “One of their five ships was lost during the journey.”
B. “What a happy day it was when the weary travelers docked in Virginia.”
C. “He gave his written assurance of assistance, but a deed to the land could not be
transferred.”
D. “They traveled over the mountains to the small frontier town of Pittsburgh.”
Updated July 2007
17. Which sentence most clearly indicates the author’s view of the French emigrants?
A. “The Ohio Company wanted settlers in its territory and said it would allow the emigrants to
settle along the Ohio River anyway.”
B. “... these emigrants, from the lavish homes and elite society of Paris, viewed the sparse,
rugged accommodations with determination and resolve.”
C. “Some frontier families found humor in the French efforts to plant peeled potatoes and to
use cooked peas for seed.”
D. “Those who did not want to repurchase their homes in Gallipolis received land in
northeastern Scioto County ... .”
Updated July 2007
Reading Applications Literary Text Standard
Nathan’s Choice Reading Passage Questions
1. Which event occurs as a result of Nathan’s discussion with Jeremy?
A. Nathan collapses beneath the maple tree.
B. Nathan dreams of sailing ships and clean air.
C. Uncle Orrin points to a pile of straw for Nathan to sleep on.
D. Uncle Orrin tosses bread and cheese to Nathan for supper.
2. What is the most likely reason why Nathan pauses before going inside the blacksmith shop to
meet Uncle Orrin?
A. He is not sure if he is in the right location.
B. He is frightened by Uncle Orrin’s screaming.
C. He is tired from his trip and needs to take a nap.
D. He is aware that he is about to face a challenge.
3. Describe Nathan’s attitude at the beginning of the selection and then at the end. Support your
description of each attitude with a specific detail from the selection.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (4 points)
4. The selection focuses on which theme?
A. the difficulty of growing up and achieving one’s dreams
B. the rewards of learning about people from different cultures
C. the value of listening to one’s conscience and being honest
D. the importance of knowing when to ask other people for help
5. What was the author’s main purpose in writing SELECTION 2?
A. to identify the better locations to find jumping frogs in California
B. to persuade more people to participate in frog-jumping contests
C. to describe frog-jumping contests from the viewpoint of contestants
D. to compare the contest in Calaveras County with other contests around the country
Updated July 2007
6. In SELECTION 2, Frank Fasano claims “ ‘it’s very competitive out there.’ ” Which statement
from SELECTION 1 supports this claim?
A. “Contestants come from all over the country to test their frogs in the home of frog
jumping... ”
B. “Frogs don’t understand about money, and they’re not very coachable.”
C. “Getting a frog airborne is a very individual thing.”
D. “ ‘Contestants get warm water and put it in squirt guns and sort of encourage them ... .’ ”
Dreams Reading Passage Questions
7. In this poem, how does the poet use figurative language?
A. to describe different dreams
B. to make a point about dreams
C. to ask what people’s dreams are about
D. to show where the speaker is while he dreams
8. Identify an example of a word or phrase that is repeated in the poem and explain why the
poet makes this repetition.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
9. Which characteristic can be found in the poem?
A. personification
B. dialogue
C. rhyme
D. simile
The Marble Champ Reading Passage Questions
10. The selection is best described as which type of work?
A. a piece of historical fiction
B. a contemporary short story
C. an informational article about how to play marbles
D. an autobiographical account of the author’s childhood experiences
11. Why does Lupe become interested in marbles?
A. She thinks marbles is a sport that she might actually be able to master.
B. She wants to be like her brother and enter the playground championship.
C. She enjoys the idea of a sport that can be played indoors and away from the rain or mud.
D. She believes that marbles are beautiful objects and that a collection is a “rich glass
treasure.”
Updated July 2007
12. “She hopped out of bed and rummaged through the closet until she found a can full of her
brother’s marbles.”
What does the word rummaged suggest about Lupe in the sentence above?
A. She did not really care whether or not she found the marbles.
B. She and her brother kept the closet neat and well-organized.
C. She had to move a lot of things around in order to find the marbles.
D. She probably used the marbles often, since she knew where to find them.
13. Where is there a major contrast in the selection?
A. Lupe’s academic ability and her athletic ability
B. Lupe’s shy behavior and her classmates’ confident actions at school
C. Lupe’s inexperience at marbles and her brother’s accomplishments in athletics
D. Lupe’s ability to do many hand exercises and her fatigue after shooting marbles
14. Describe Lupe’s problem in the selection and explain how she solves it. Then state a way
that Lupe works toward her specific goal and identify a plot event that demonstrates sign of
progress.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (4 points)
15. Why is Alfonso mentioned at the end of the selection?
A. He highlights Lupe’s improvement when she wins their match.
B. He understands why Lupe’s brother is annoyed with her.
C. He makes Lupe feel useful because he needs her help.
D. He criticizes Lupe the same way everyone else does.
Boy: Tales of Childhood Reading Passage Questions
16. Which feature of St. Peter’s Prep School is mentioned in the selection?
A. The students wore uniforms that showed they belonged to the school.
B. The school was open to boys and girls who attended classes together.
C. The Headmaster taught the classes himself and so had little time to speak with parents.
D. The entire school was housed in one building so that all the students knew one another.
17. What is true of all the descriptions in this selection?
A. They are about real and imaginary objects.
B. They focus on classroom supplies and equipment.
C. They are provided by different students in the school.
D. They involve a detailed examination of various objects.
Updated July 2007
18. The summary below includes important ideas from the first two paragraphs. Complete the
summary by providing the important ideas that take place in paragraph three and then in
paragraph four.
The author describes his trip to school. He then explains what a tuck-box is and provides a
description of tuck.
Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. (2 points)
19. Why does the Headmaster ask parents to send their children food?
A. because he would like parents to keep in touch with their children
B. because he does not want the children to become sad and homesick
C. because he hopes to save money by providing the children less food at school
D. because he knows that the children do not like the meals the school cook prepares
20. “An English school in those days was purely a money-making business owned and operated
by the Headmaster. It suited him, therefore, to give the boys as little food as possible himself
and to encourage the parents in various cunning ways to feed their offspring by parcel-post
from home.”
In the last sentence above, what does the author describe with the phrase “various cunning
ways”?
A. the Headmaster’s respect for the parents
B. the Headmaster’s selfish behavior
C. the boys’ constant requests
D. the offsprings’ imagination 20
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