• strengthen test-taking skills and strategies
• build confidence in taking standardized tests
• learn to manage time
• develop study skills through practice
Perfection Learning®
Many of you may wish that you were better test takers. Doing well on tests, as with
anything else, takes practice. This Better Test Scores book will give you the practice
and confidence you need to become a better test taker. Here are the steps to follow to
use this book.
1. Take Tryout Test 1 and check your answers. Use the chart at the bottom of
this page to find out your strengths and weaknesses in the ten areas covered
on reading tests. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get all the answers right or
if you don’t understand some questions. Remember these hard questions.
They will be the types of questions you need to work on the most.
2. Work through the ten lessons that follow Tryout Test 1. These lessons will
help you with the kinds of questions you will be asked on reading tests. Each
lesson ends with a short practice test to reinforce your new skills. Fill in the
Score Card on page 51 as you complete each practice test.
3. After completing all ten lessons, take Tryout Test 2. Your score on this test
will show how much your test-taking skills have improved.
By following the steps outlined above, you will learn many of the skills you need to
take reading tests.
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Tryout Test 1 Items
Tryout Test 2 Items
Word Meaning
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Word Analysis
7, 8, 9, 10, 11
7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Synonyms and Antonyms
12, 13, 14, 15
12, 13, 14, 15
Context Clues
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Main Idea and Details
24, 25, 26
24
Constructing Meaning
31, 34
25, 32, 33
Drawing Conclusions
35
34
Evaluating Information
27, 33
26, 35
Characters and Plot
32
27, 30, 31
Reading Literature
28, 29, 30
28, 29
Reading
Test
Lessons Practice
✔
Test-Taking Tips
4
Top Ten Reading Tips
6
Lessons and Tests
✔
1
Sample standardized test. Find out
what you know and don’t know.
7
Word Meaning
Identifying the meaning of words
12
Word Analysis
Recognizing prefixes, suffixes, and
word origins
14
Synonyms and Antonyms
Recognizing synonyms and antonyms
16
Context Clues
Using context clues to find word meanings
and to define multiple-meaning words
18
Tryout Test
Vocabulary
1
2
3
4
Reading Comprehension
5
6
7
8
9
10
Main Idea and Details
Finding the main idea and supporting
details in a reading passage
22
Constructing Meaning
Relating ideas to interpret the
meaning of a reading passage
26
Drawing Conclusions
Using logical reasoning to analyze
a reading passage
30
Evaluating Information
Making judgments about what
you read
34
Characters and Plot
Understanding the characters
and plot in a story
38
Reading Literature
Recognizing types of literature
and their characteristics
42
Sample standardized test.
Find out what you’ve learned.
46
Tryout Test
2
Keeping Score
51
Finding Percent
52
Each lesson in this bo
ok offers tips that will
help you
answer the kinds of tes
t questions taught in
th
at lesson.
Here are some tips th
at will help you becom
e a better
test taker no matter wh
at kind of test you’re ta
king.
1
2
3
4
When you begin a test,
quickly
scan all the questions
. This will
help you see what the
test is
about and how many
questions
you will have to answ
er.
It is important to man
age your
time while taking a te
st. Begin by
checking the number
of questions
in the test and the am
ount of
time you have to take
the test.
Try to complete abou
t half of the
questions by the time
you are
about halfway throug
h the total
test time. Keep track
of the time
as you work.
Read all DIRECTIONS
very
carefully. Don’t begin
answering
questions before you
read the
directions.
If you feel nervous be
fore a test,
try this: Close your ey
es and take
several slow, deep brea
ths. Spend
a few minutes relaxin
g your
mind.
5
Try to answer ALL th
e test
questions. Do the easy
ones first.
When you come to a ha
rd
question, don’t spend
too much
time trying to figure
it out. Wait
until you have finish
ed the easy
questions. Then go ba
ck and work
on the hard ones.
All tests have some ha
rd
questions. They are m
eant to
stump you! It is best
to make a
good guess at the answ
er. First,
find any choices that
you know
are wrong. Then look
at the
leftover choices and m
ake your
best guess.
Mark your answers by
filling in
the circle with a dark
pencil
mark. If you make a
mistake,
erase thoroughly. Then
fill in the
circle next to the corr
ect answer.
When you have finish
ed the test,
go back and work on an
y questions
you skipped, or go back
and check
your answers.
6
7
8
Remember, we all lea
rn from our mistakes
! When your test has
been scored, look over
the questions that yo
u missed. Go back an
study each one until
d
you know why you m
issed it. If you still do
understand a questio
n’t
n, ask for help. Then
the next time you see
question like the one
a
you missed, you will
know what to do.
4
1 When answering questions about a read
ing passage, read
the questions first. Th
at way, you’ll know wh
at to look for
as you read the passag
e. Once you’ve read th
e passage, go
on to answer the ques
tions.
2 In reading questions, look for key word
3
4
s, such as who,
what, when, where, wh
y, and how. Key word
s tell you what
to look for when you
read the passage.
Practice scanning a re
ading passage to quick
ly find key
words that will help yo
u answer questions ab
out details.
When answering ques
tions about a reading
passage, look
back at the passage to
locate the answer. Do
n’t just rely
on your memory.
5 When you come to a word you don’t kn
ow in a passage, look
for context clues. Cont
ext clues are other wo
rds in the
sentence or paragrap
h that help define or
ex
plain the
unknown word.
6 For fill-in sentences, always read the en
tire sentence before
you choose an answer
. Use context clues to
help you find
the answer.
7 When choosing a word to complete a se
ntence, try out all
the answer choices in
the sentence. Don’t ru
sh to fill in the
blank. You might get
tricked by words that
are similar but
have different meani
ngs.
8 When looking for word meanings, read
9
10
6
all the answer
choices carefully. Don’
t be fooled by words th
at only look
or sound like the corr
ect answer.
When identifying orde
r of events, look for ke
y words that
signal time sequence
. Some examples are
first, next, then,
after, finally, and at la
st.
Watch out for negativ
e wo
or OPPOSITE. These wo rds in directions, such as NOT
rds tell you exactly wh
at answer to
look for. Such words of
ten appear in bold or
italic type or
in ALL CAPITAL LETTER
S.
This test will tell you how well you might score on a
standardized reading test before using this book.
Tryout Test 1
Time:
30 minutes
Directions: Follow the directions for each part of the test. Read each question
carefully and fill in the circle beside the answer you choose. The answer to the
sample question (S) has been filled in for you.
Questions 1–6. Choose the correct meaning
of the underlined word.
Questions 7–9. Choose the best meaning
for the underlined prefix or suffix.
S To generate is to —
7.
assistant
immigrant
A
donate.
A
filled with
1
produce.
B
without
C
honor.
C
in a way that is
D
compensate.
D
one who
8.
1. Bleak means the same as —
A
common.
C
dreary.
B
foolish.
D
fabulous.
9.
2. A skiff is a type of —
encircle
A
in
C
beyond
B
not
D
again
poetic
A
between
A
boat.
C
mistake.
B
opposite of
B
buoy.
D
sled.
C
of or like
D
before
3. To stifle is to —
endanger
historic
A
fortify.
C
chuckle.
B
fluster.
D
suppress.
Questions 10–11. Choose the word that best
answers each question.
10. Which word most likely comes from
the German word werra, meaning
“combat”?
4. A comrade is a —
A
revolt.
C
part of speech.
B
planet.
D
friend.
5. Someone who is skittish is —
A
slender.
C
busy.
B
nervous.
D
grouchy.
6. Something that is beneficial is —
A
wept
C
warden
B
war
D
whereas
11. Which word most likely comes from
the Middle English word gloumen,
meaning “to become dark”?
A
useless.
C
favorable.
A
glob
C
glow
B
funny.
D
harmful.
B
glare
D
gloom
7
Tryout Test 1 (continued)
Questions 12–15. Choose the word that
means the OPPOSITE of the underlined
word.
19. Coach Martin didn’t need to _____
the team. Her players were already
excited to play the game.
12. surprising variety
A
organize
C
motivate
B
transport
D
watch
A
uniformity
C
loudness
B
diversity
D
complexity
Questions 20–22. Choose the word that has
the same meaning as the underlined word.
20. Antoine’s father gave feedback that
helped Antoine improve his essay.
13. hostile animal
A
aggressive
C
amiable
B
untamed
D
natural
14. desperate situation
A
hopeless
C
testy
B
sensitive
D
secure
improve
C
thrive
B
fail
D
grow
stationery
C
snacks
B
words
D
advice
21. Shelby asked Kevin to be precise when
describing the project.
15. excel greatly
A
A
A
specific
C
noisy
B
quick
D
vocal
22. Alice vigorously denied knowing about
the prank.
Questions 16–19. Choose the word that best
completes the sentence.
16. We settled many issues. It was our
most _____ meeting of the year.
A
fruitless
C
senseless
B
productive
D
subdued
17. The steel is rust-proof, so it should
never _____.
A
shine
C
bend
B
mature
D
corrode
18. Hampton Park is the most _____
location. It’s right around the corner.
8
A
accessible
C
exotic
B
massive
D
inconvenient
A
quietly
C
quickly
B
evenly
D
strongly
Question 23. Read the sentence in the box.
Then choose the sentence below that uses
the underlined word in the same way.
23.
Fred toppled out just as the canoe
began to tip.
A
Dad always gave a good tip to the
waitress.
B
The lighthouse was built on the
outer tip of the island.
C
The lawyer gave his friend a free
legal tip.
D
You must tip the jar in order
to remove the marbles.
Questions 24–35. Read each passage. Choose the best answer to each question.
Chocolate is a favorite treat of children and adults all over the world.
It comes in many different forms and has a variety of flavors. Many
people enjoy the rich sweetness of solid milk chocolate, while others
prefer sipping a steaming cup of hot cocoa. When thinking of fine
chocolate, European countries like Belgium and Switzerland may
come to mind. However, few people know that chocolate is
originally from Central and South America.
Chocolate is made of beans from the cacao (or cocoa) tree, which
grows best in warm climates. Scientists believe that these trees first
grew in the Amazon River basin. The Maya civilization of Central
America and later the Aztec civilization of Mexico both cultivated
cacao beans long ago, and the beans played a role in the traditions
and religion of both groups. To the Mayas, cacao beans symbolized
life, and they carved images of cacao onto the walls of their palaces.
The Aztecs believed that one of their prophets had gained wisdom
by eating the beans. Both cultures ground the beans to make a
thick, rich beverage called xocoatl, and each group used the beans
as money.
Cacao beans reached Europe in the early 16th century, at the end of
one of Christopher Columbus’s voyages. Some years later, the beans
and their many uses spread to Italy, France, and England. Today you
can enjoy your favorite types of chocolate throughout the world.
24. What is the main idea of this passage?
26. What did both the Aztecs and Mayas
use cacao beans for?
A
Chocolate tastes good.
B
Christopher Columbus brought
cacao beans to Europe.
A
wisdom
B
money
C
Chocolate, now popular worldwide,
originated in the Americas.
C
good luck
D
wall carvings
D
The Mayas and the Aztecs both
liked chocolate.
25. Which detail best supports the main
idea of this passage?
A
Many people enjoy solid milk
chocolate.
B
Xocoatl was a thick, rich drink.
C
Images of cacao were carved on
palace walls.
D
The Mayas and the Aztecs both
cultivated cacao beans long ago.
27. The author wrote this passage
mainly to —
A
persuade people to buy chocolate.
B
entertain with a funny story.
C
give information about the history
of chocolate.
D
describe the voyages of
Christopher Columbus.
9
Tryout Test 1 (continued)
My little brother bawls,
The dog howls at neighborhood cats,
The TV blares loudly from the den.
I grab my coat and a scarf and rush
Outside, to the winter night.
The street is empty, quiet,
Except for the sound of snow
Crunching beneath my feet
And wind whispering in my ear.
I hear nothing but the night’s mysterious music.
Around me bare branches hunch over like old men.
Cozy fires glow inside tiny houses.
As snow falls, everything becomes quiet and still, like a prayer.
Little snowflakes dance around the streetlights,
Twisting and pirouetting slowly to the ground.
I circle back to my front door,
Determined to take the quiet of the night inside with me.
28. Which word describes the speaker’s
mood in the first five lines of the
poem?
A
cozy fires glow
A
calm
C
joyous
B
wind whispering in my ear
B
annoyed
D
sleepy
C
everything becomes quiet and still
D
the dog howls at neighborhood cats
29. The phrase “bare branches hunch over
like old men” means that —
10
30. Which of these phrases is an example
of personification?
31. What does the speaker compare
snowflakes to?
A
men are standing near the trees.
B
the trees grow straight and tall.
A
music
C
dancers
C
the trees are bent over.
B
fires
D
streetlights
D
the trees were planted by old men.
I
have auditioned for the play at our community theater every
summer. And every year, I get a part in the chorus while Layla
Clark plays the lead role and gets all the applause.
Well, this year I thought things would be different. The show
was to be about the exciting life of a brave knight. I was
convinced I would get the lead. After all, I’m a boy and
Layla is a girl. She was sure to be stuck in the chorus this
time. I had also been preparing a very special audition.
“Layla Clark, this is my turn in the spotlight!” I thought.
At the audition, I wore a helmet to look more like a
knight. I recited a poem while (and this was the best
part) doing a fencing routine at the same time.
Unfortunately, the helmet blocked my vision, and I
tripped. After knocking over a stack of chairs, I fell flat
on my face. I hoped no one noticed my missteps. I still
was convinced I could be a star.
The next morning, I went to check the cast list. My smile
faded as I made my way to the front of the crowd. The very
first name on the list was Layla Clark. Beside her name it
said Brave Knight. “There must be some mistake,” I
thought. “Layla is a girl! She can’t play the brave knight!”
I searched down the list for my name. It wasn’t there.
Tears welled up in my eyes. Suddenly I felt a hand on my
shoulder. It was Layla. “Congratulations, Donald!” she said.
“I’m not even in the show!” I replied.
“Sure you are,” she said. “You’re the court jester!”
32. Which word best describes how
Donald felt before the audition?
34. Why did Donald most likely get the
part of the court jester?
A
nervous
A
His audition was funny.
B
confident
B
He knows how to juggle.
C
silly
C
D
hungry
Layla asked the director to give
him that part.
D
It was the only part left.
33. Which of these sentences is an
opinion?
35. Which word best describes how
Donald might feel at the end?
A
Layla has the lead role.
B
Donald is not in the chorus
this year.
A
relaxed
B
timid
C
Layla is a very good actress.
C
surprised
D
The play is about a brave knight.
D
bored
Number Correct ⁄ Total = ______ ⁄ 35
11
Context Clues
Using context clues to find word meanings
and to define multiple-meaning words
Directions: Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
A The hiker was clearly _____. He stared longingly
at his companion’s canteen.
A
hungry
C
tired
B
thirsty
D
lonely
This type of question tests your ability to use context clues to
find the meaning of words. Context clues are the other words
in a sentence, or sentences, that can help you understand a
word’s meaning. In Example A, the main clue to the missing
word is “canteen.” Because the hiker is staring longingly at his
companion’s canteen, he must be thirsty. The hiker wouldn’t
stare longingly at the canteen if he were hungry, tired, or
lonely. Choice B is correct.
Now look at these examples.
Directions: Choose the word that has
the same meaning as the underlined
word.
B The Indian cobra’s bite is lethal.
Without medical treatment, a
person can die in just a few hours.
Directions: Read the sentence and
the question. Choose the word that
best answers the question and
completes the sentence.
C Kim skated _____ toward the puck.
A
painful
C
deadly
Which word suggests that Kim is
an energetic hockey player?
B
harmless
D
moderate
A
aggressively
C
sluggishly
B
nervously
D
distractedly
To answer Example B, you have to use context clues to figure out the meaning
of the underlined word. The second sentence says that the Indian cobra’s bite can
cause a person to die in just a few hours, so lethal must mean “deadly,” choice C .
Example C involves word connotations. The exact meaning of a word is its
denotation. The word’s connotation is what the word suggests beyond its
explicit meaning. In this kind of question, every word choice may fit the context
of the sentence, but only one suggests a meaning that answers the question. The
word aggressively suggests that Kim is an energetic hockey player. It has a
positive connotation in the sentence. So the correct answer is A . On the other
hand, the words nervously, sluggishly, and distractedly have negative
connotations. They suggest that Kim is not an energetic hockey player.
18
Vocabulary
Directions: Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the
sentence below that uses the underlined word in the same way.
D
Dad went with me to deposit my paycheck in the bank.
A
The friends landed their canoes on the bank of the river
to eat lunch.
B
The plane made a sharp bank to the left.
C
Todd and Max spent all day playing in the snow bank.
D
Chris needs to get money from the bank before it closes.
This kind of question uses multiple-meaning words.
These are words that have several different meanings. You
must use context clues to figure out which meaning of a word
is being used. In the sentence in the box, the word bank means
“a place where money is kept.” The sentence in choice D uses
the word bank in the same way: “Chris needs to get money
from the bank before it closes.” Choice D is correct. The other
three sentences are incorrect because they use different
meanings of the word bank.
1
2
3
4
Context clues may not be in the
same sentence as the underlined
word or the blank. Look at the sen
tences before and after the
unknown word too. (In Example
A, all the answer choices could
fit
the first sentence, but not the sec
ond.)
For sentences with fill-ins or un
familiar words, try out your wo
rd
choice in the sentence to see if it
makes sense. Watch out for words
that seem to fit the sentence but
do not fit the context clues
exactly. (In Example B, the cobra’s
bite may be painful, but this
word does not fit the context of
causing a person to die in a few
hours.)
For questions involving word con
notations, every answer choice
may fit the context of the senten
ce. Think about what each word
suggests beyond its explicit meani
ng. Choose the word that best
answers the question.
For multiple-meaning words, dec
ide what the underlined word
means in the first sentence. Th
en try out the same meaning in
the
other sentences. Make sure tha
t the sentence you choose uses the
word as the same part of speech
(for example, “a
bank” as compared to “to bank”)
.
Vocabulary 19
Test Practice 4: Context Clues
Time:
Questions 1–6. Choose the word that best
completes the sentence.
Questions 7–12. Choose the word that has
the same meaning as the underlined word.
1. The popular candidate was _____ by
a huge majority.
7.
Tony was distressed about losing his
favorite baseball card.
A
provoked
C
discouraged
A
elated
C
upset
B
elected
D
banished
B
fearless
D
indifferent
2. Mark’s magazines stopped coming
because he forgot to _____ his
subscription
A
cancel
C
renew
B
reassure
D
restrict
8.
9.
3. The naval _____ prevented ships from
trading with the island.
Shannon’s uncle was the last member
of her family to immigrate to the
United States.
A
detain
C
arrive
B
colonize
D
relocate
Matt faced the dilemma of choosing
between his two favorite sports:
basketball and hockey.
A
blockade
C
uniform
A
preference
C
problem
B
submarine
D
culture
B
recreation
D
satisfaction
4. Alice loved the _____ cabin because it
was peaceful and quiet.
A
secluded
C
urban
B
decayed
D
modern
5. The farm produced _____ crops this
year. The surplus would make up for
last year’s poor harvest.
A
insufficient
C
dairy
B
agricultural
D
plentiful
6. The town’s _____ gives the mayor
emergency powers.
20
12 minutes
A
charter
C
capital
B
border
D
commerce
10. The veterinarian told Tom to discipline
his dog when it chewed on the chair.
A
reward
C
approach
B
prepare
D
punish
11. The judge was objective when she
considered her verdict.
A
impartial
C
resolute
B
unsteady
D
biased
12. The midfielder was able to elude
his defenders and score a goal.
A
confuse
C
avoid
B
pursue
D
frustrate
Questions 13–15. Read the sentence and
the question. Choose the word that best
answers the question and completes the
sentence.
Questions 16–18. Read the sentence in the
box. Then choose the sentence below in
which the underlined word is used in the
same way.
13. The Stingrays _____ defeated the
Tigers.
16. The result is simple if you correctly
use the order of operations.
Which word would suggest that
the game was not close?
A
barely
B
handily
C
cleverly
D
evidently
14. Tina faced a _____ situation —
the flood had collapsed the bridge.
Which word would suggest that the
situation was terribly dangerous?
A
The order of monks lived in total
seclusion.
B
I have no idea what to order off
this menu.
C
The sheriff worked hard to
maintain law and order.
D
The encyclopedia volumes were
shelved out of order.
17. David and Sue always root for teams
from Texas.
A
That plant’s main root grows
straight down.
A
thrilling
B
Milo’s pigs love to root in the mud.
B
peculiar
C
C
refreshing
Why don’t you ever root for the
underdog?
D
dire
D
Zachary and Drew finally got to
the root of the problem.
15. The singer was _____ cheered
when she returned to the stage.
Which word would suggest that
most of the audience cheered?
A
roundly
B
harshly
C
hardly
D
never
18. The senate debated the issue for
hours.
A
There’s a great article in the latest
issue of that magazine.
B
Taxes are always the most
important issue in the elections.
C
The president will soon issue his
executive order.
D
Water will issue continuously from
the underground spring.
Number Correct ⁄ Total = ______ ⁄ 18
21
This test will tell you how well you might score on a standardized
reading test after using this book. If you compare your scores
on Tryout Tests 1 and 2, you’ll see how much you’ve learned!
Tryout Test 2
Time:
30 minutes
Directions: Follow the directions for each part of the test. Read each question carefully and
fill in the circle beside the answer you choose. The answer to the sample question (S) has
been filled in for you.
Questions 1–6. Choose the correct meaning
of the underlined word.
Questions 7–9. Choose the best meaning for
the underlined prefix or suffix.
S To radiate means to —
7.
outward
windward
A
speak up.
A
in a way that is
B
orbit.
B
in the direction of
C
spin.
C
the condition of being
1
send out.
D
in opposition to
8.
1. An accord is an —
A
offer.
C
embrace.
B
agreement.
D
occupation.
2. To implore is to —
A
say aloud.
C
beg urgently.
B
wish for.
D
leave behind.
9.
extrasensory
extraordinary
A
between
C
beyond
B
against
D
before
merriment
excitement
A
the condition of being
B
one who studies
C
in favor of
D
in opposition to
3. Someone who is dynamic is —
A
energetic.
C
inactive.
B
famous.
D
dangerous.
4. To jettison is to —
A
fly over.
C
replace.
B
throw away.
D
strengthen.
5. A hybrid is a —
A
right angle.
C
steam engine.
B
mammal.
D
combination.
6. A vague response is —
46
A
unclear.
C
precise.
B
lengthy.
D
well-researched.
Questions 10–11. Choose the word that best
answers each question.
10. Which word most likely comes from
the Middle English word braullen,
meaning “to quarrel”?
A
brave
C
breathe
B
brake
D
brawl
11. Which word most likely comes from
the Latin word macer, meaning “thin”?
A
mighty
C
meager
B
matter
D
mackerel
Questions 12–15. Choose the word that
means the OPPOSITE of the underlined
word.
19. A puppy _____ the football game by
running onto the field.
A
disrupted
C
avoided
B
watched
D
initiated
12. flawed plan
A
botched
C
perfect
B
detailed
D
foolish
Questions 20–22. Choose the word that has
the same meaning as the underlined word.
20. Philip was so frugal that he refused
to buy anything that wasn’t on sale.
13. absolute misery
A
reward
C
anguish
B
poverty
D
bliss
14. eternal gratitude
A
fleeting
C
infinite
B
sincere
D
false
15. fully cooperate
A
oppose
C
understand
B
unite
D
produce
Questions 16–19. Choose the word that best
completes the sentence.
16. Paul was a _____ writer. He always
came up with imaginative plots.
A
quick
C
solemn
B
boring
D
creative
17. Trees flamed like matches as the _____
from the volcano flowed downward.
A
rock
C
ash
B
lava
D
heat
18. Jamie is an _____ student who always
writes down what his teachers say.
A
attentive
C
inept
B
ordinary
D
unobservant
A
charitable
C
hungry
B
noble
D
stingy
21. The rescue helicopter honed in on
the ship’s beacon.
A
signal
C
engine
B
anchor
D
cargo
22. The affluent entrepreneur owned
two businesses and an airline.
A
destitute
C
irrational
B
foreign
D
prosperous
Question 23. Read the sentence in the box.
Then choose the sentence below that uses
the underlined word in the same way.
23. They painted their house’s largest
support beam a bright red color.
A
The sailboat was 20 feet across at
the beam.
B
A powerful laser beam is used in
eye surgery.
C
Lisa began to beam as she read her
test scores.
D
The construction workers lifted
the beam into place.
47
Tryout Test 2 (continued)
Questions 24–35. Read each passage. Choose the best answer to each question.
Y
ou’ve probably heard of the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere. But there’s
another heroic story that you may not have heard about—the ride of Sybil Ludington.
In 1777, the Americans were in the middle of the Revolutionary War, fighting for
independence from Britain. On the night of April 26, 1777, a sixteen-year-old girl
named Sybil Ludington heard a messenger arrive with news for her father, a colonel
in the local militia. The messenger told Colonel Ludington that 2,000 British troops
had marched to the nearby town of Danbury where they were
setting fire to houses and supplies. Colonel Ludington knew
he needed to gather his men quickly to hold off the British.
Someone would need to ride through the countryside, calling
his soldiers together.
Sybil was chosen for this important and dangerous
mission. She might have felt nervous, setting off on that
stormy night. But she bravely rode her horse, Star, through
the countryside, stopping at every farm or inn to shout “The
British have burned Danbury! Muster at Ludington’s!” By the
time Sybil returned three hours later, the militia was ready at
the Ludingtons’ home. Colonel Ludington’s militia marched 20
miles and won the battle with the British, thanks largely to
Sybil’s summons. Although Sybil’s story remained untold for
many years, in the 1900s she finally began to get the
recognition she deserved.
24. What is this passage mostly about?
26. Which of these sentences is a fact?
A
the cruel actions of the British
A
B
the battles of the Revolutionary
War
Sybil Ludington was the bravest
girl in the countryside.
B
a brave heroine named Sybil
Ludington
Sybil’s ride was more dangerous
than Paul Revere’s ride.
C
Sybil was sixteen when she made
her ride.
D
Colonel Ludington’s militia was
the best in America.
C
D
Colonel Ludington’s militia
25. Which event happened first?
48
A
A messenger arrived at Sybil’s
house.
B
Colonel Ludington’s militia
marched to fight the British.
C
Sybil rode through the countryside.
D
Sybil returned home after a threehour ride.
27. Why did Sybil make her night ride?
A
She loved riding a horse at night.
B
She needed to gather the soldiers
for battle.
C
Her father paid her to make
the ride.
D
She was scared of the British.
Alex shivered and snuggled into the blankets. She rolled over and closed
her eyes, but she couldn’t fall asleep. Something had made a noise
somewhere in the house. It sounded like fingernails scratching a
chalkboard, and then tiny footsteps. Alex sat up in bed, her heart beating
fast. She knew that her parents were fast asleep. If she woke them up, they
probably would tell her it was just the wind. So again she tried to fall
asleep, but it was no use. Alex was up late wondering about the sounds.
The next day at school during lunch, she told her friends what she had
heard.
“Do you think it was a prowler?” asked Eliza.
“I bet it was a ghost!” said Miko. “That’s so cool!”
“I don’t know what it was,” Alex said, “but it sure was weird. And I’m
going to need your help to figure it out.” Her friends nodded their heads in
agreement. “Emergency sleepover party at my house tonight,” Alex said.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of this mystery.”
That night Eliza, Miko, Becky, Sarah, and Olivia came to Alex’s house.
The girls had a taco dinner together and watched a movie. Afterward, it was
time to go up to Alex’s room and get ready for bed. When they all were
finally lying down, the girls became quiet and listened. They heard nothing
for a long, long time. Miko declared that she was bored. Just then, they
heard a scratch. Scratch, scratch, scratch. The girls listened closely and
then made a plan to explore the house in pairs. That way no one would have
to be alone.
Becky and Eliza carried a flashlight into the cold, dark basement. Sarah
and Olivia searched the attic. Miko and Alex started in the living room.
They were the first to hear the scratching sounds again. Miko almost
screamed, but Alex clamped her hand over Miko’s mouth.
“Shhhh,” she said. Then they heard tiny footsteps.
We’re being followed!” said Miko. Alex shushed her again.
They heard what sounded like soft voices. Miko’s eyes grew
wide.
“OK, I’ve had enough of this,” said Alex as she flipped on
the light. The two girls stopped in their tracks.
There on the table were two
squirrels, eating left-over corn
chips from the girls’
dinner. Miko and Alex
looked at each other.
Then they burst into
nervous laughter.
“Well,” said Alex,
“there’s our ghost!”
49
Tryout Test 2 (continued)
28. What kind of story is this?
A
science fiction
B
a mystery
C
a fairy tale
D
historical fiction
29. This story mostly takes place in —
A
Eliza’s house.
B
the school gym.
C
a basement.
D
Alex’s house.
30. What is the main problem in this
story?
32. Which of these events happened first
in the story?
A
Sarah and Olivia searched the
attic.
B
The girls ate tacos and watched a
movie.
C
Alex and Miko discovered the
squirrels.
D
Alex told her friends about the
strange noises.
33. What was causing the noises in the
house?
A
a person scratching on a
chalkboard
A
Alex can’t get enough sleep.
B
two squirrels inside the house
B
Some squirrels need a warm place
to stay.
C
Alex’s brother playing a practical
joke
C
Alex’s friends don’t believe her
story about the noises.
D
a neighbor’s cat inside the house
D
Alex is troubled by mysterious
noises in her house.
31. Why doesn’t Alex wake up her
parents?
34. Which word best describes how Alex
probably felt after finding the
squirrels?
A
relieved
C
excited
B
angry
D
tired
A
They really need to sleep.
B
They are scared of strange noises.
C
They will say the noises are just
the wind.
A
Alex was braver than Miko.
B
The noises were very scary.
They will get very angry at her.
C
Alex had a sleepover party at
her house.
D
Alex’s friends were great
detectives.
D
35. Which of these sentences is a fact?
Number Correct ⁄ Total = ______ ⁄ 35
50
Number Total
Correct Number
Tryout Test
1
/35
Percent
Score
%
Test Practice
Word Meaning
1
/12
%
Test Practice
Word Analysis
2
/12
%
Test Practice
Synonyms and Antonyms
3
/12
%
4
/18
%
Test Practice
Main Ideas and Details
5
/8
%
Test Practice
Constructing Meaning
6
/8
%
Test Practice
Drawing Conclusions
7
/8
%
8
/8
%
Test Practice
Characters and Plot
9
/10
%
10
/10
%
2
/35
%
Test Practice
Context Clues
Test Practice
Evaluating Information
Test Practice
Reading Literature
Tryout Test
1. Go to the Number
Correct box and fill in
the number of test
questions you got
right.
2. Use the Finding
Percent chart on page
52 to figure out your
Percent Score. Then
fill in the % box.
3. Compare your Percent
Scores for Tryout Tests
1 and 2. See how much
you’ve learned!
51