New York State
Testing Program
ELA
Common Core Sample Questions
Grade
The materials contained herein are intended for use by New York State teachers. Permission is hereby granted to teachers and nonprofit
organizations or institutions to reproduce these materials for their own use, but not for sale, provided copyright notices are retained as they appear in
this publication. This permission does not apply to mass distribution of these materials, electronically or otherwise.
Grade 4 ELA 1 Common Core Sample Questions TheHawksandTheirFriends
byEllenC.Babbitt
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
AfamilyofHawkslivedonthewesternshoreofalakenotfarfromthegreat
forest.OnthenorthernshoreofthislakelivedaLion,KingofBeasts.Ontheeastern
shorelivedKingfisher.OnthesouthernshoreofthelakelivedaTurtle.
“Have you many friends near here?” the Mother Hawk asked the Father
Hawk.
“No,notoneinthispartoftheforest,”hesaid.
“Youmustfindsomefriends.Wemusthavesomeonewhocanhelpusifever
weareindanger,orintrouble,”saidtheMotherHawk.
“With whom shall I make friends?” asked the Father Hawk. “With the
Kingfisher,wholivesontheeasternshore,andwiththeLiononthenorth,”saidthe
MotherHawk,“andwiththeTurtlewholivesonthesouthernshoreofthislake.”
TheFatherHawkdidso.
Oneday,menhuntedinthegreatforestfrommorninguntilnight,butfound
nothing.Notwishingtogohomeempty‐handed,theywenttothewesternshoreof
thelaketoseewhattheycouldfindthere.“Letusstayhereto‐night,”theysaid,“and
seewhatwecanfindinthemorning.”
Sotheymadebedsofleavesforthemselvesandlaydowntosleep.Theyhad
madetheirbedsunderthetreeinwhichtheHawkshadtheirnest.Butthehunters
couldnotgotosleepbecausetheywerebotheredbythefliesandmosquitoes.
At last the hunters got up and made a fire, so that the smoke would drive
awaythefliesandmosquitoes.
Thesmokeawokethebirds,andtheyoungonescriedout.
“Didyouhearthat?”saidoneofthehunters.“Thatwasthecryofbirds!They
will do very well for our breakfast. There are young ones in that nest.” And the
huntersputmorewoodonthefire,andmadeitblazeup.
ThentheMotherbirdsaidtotheFather:“Thesemenareplanningtoeatour
young ones. We must ask our friends to save us. Go to the Kingfisher and tell him
whatdangerwearein.”
TheFatherHawkflewwithallspeedtotheKingfisher’snestandwokehim
withhiscry.
“Whyhaveyoucome?”askedtheKingfisher.
Grade 4 ELA 2 Common Core Sample Questions 15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Then the Father Hawk told the Kingfisher what the hunters planned to do.
“Fearnot,”saidtheKingfisher.
“I willhelp you.Go back quickly and comfort myfriend yourmate,andsay
thatIamcoming.”
So the Father Hawk flew back to his nest, and the Kingfisher flew to the
westernshoreandwentintothelakeneartheplacewherethefirewasburning.
WhiletheFatherHawkwasaway,thehuntershadclimbedupintothetree.
Just as they neared the nest, the Kingfisher, beating the water with his wings,
sprinkledwateronthefireandputitout.
Downcamethehunterstomakeanotherfire.Whenitwasburningwellthey
climbedthetreeagain.
Once more, the Kingfisher put it out. As often as a fire was made, the
Kingfisherputitout.
MidnightcameandtheKingfisherwasnowverytired.
TheMotherHawknoticedthisandsaidtohermate:“TheKingfisheristired
out.GoandasktheTurtletohelpussothattheKingfishermayhavearest.”
TheFatherHawkflewdownandsaid,“Restawhile,FriendKingfisher;Iwill
goandgettheTurtle.”
So the Father Hawk flew to the southern shore and wakened the Turtle.
“Whatisyourerrand,Friend?”askedtheTurtle.
“Dangerhascometous,”saidtheFatherHawk,andhetoldtheTurtleabout
thehunters.“TheKingfisherhasbeenworkingforhours,andnowheisverytired.
ThatiswhyIhavecometoyou.”
TheTurtlesaid,“Iwillhelpyouatonce.”ThentheTurtlewenttothewestern
shorewheretheHawkslived.Hedivedintothewater,collectedsomemudandput
outthefirewithit.Thenhelaystill.
The hunters cried: “Why should we bother to get the young Hawks? Let us
killthisTurtle.Hewillmakeafinebreakfastforallofus.Wemustbecarefulorhe
willbiteus.Letusthrowanetoverhimandturnhimover.”
Theyhadnonetswiththem,sotheytooksomevines,andtoretheirclothes
intostringsandmadeanet.ButwhentheyhadputthenetallovertheTurtle,they
could not roll him over. Instead, the Turtle suddenly dived down into the deep
water.
Grade 4 ELA 3 Common Core Sample Questions 29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Themenweresoeagertogethimthattheydidnotletgoofthenet,sodown
theywentintothewater.ButtheTurtleescaped.
Astheycameout,theysaid:“HalfthenightaKingfisherkeptputtingoutour
fires.NowwehavetornourclothesandgotallwettryingtogetthisTurtle.Wewill
buildanotherfire,andatsunrisewewilleatthoseyoungHawks.”
Andtheybegantobuildanotherfire.TheMotherHawkheardthem,andsaid
tohermate:“Soonerorlaterthesemenwillgetouryoung.Dogoandtellourfriend
theLion.”
Atonce,theFatherHawkflewtotheLion.
“Whydoyoucomeatthishourofthenight?”askedtheLion.
TheHawktoldhimthewholestory.TheLionsaid:“Iwillcomeatonce.You
gobackandcomfortyourmateandtheyoungones.”
Soon the Lion came roaring. When the hunters heard the Lion’s roar, they
cried,“Nowweshallallbekilled.”Andawaytheyranasfastastheycouldgo.
WhentheLioncametothefootofthetree,notoneofthehunterswastobe
seen. Then the Kingfisher and the Turtle came up, and the Hawks said: “You have
savedus.Friendsinneedarefriendsindeed.”
AdaptedfromMoreJatakaTales
www.gutenberg.org
Grade 4 ELA 4 Common Core Sample Questions 1
Readthislinefromparagraph2ofthestory.
“Haveyoumanyfriendsnearhere?”theMotherHawkaskedtheFatherHawk.
MotherHawkasksthisquestionbecauseshe
A
B
C
D
needsanewplacetolive
knowsherfamilymayneedhelp
feelslonelyontheshore
knowsthatthehuntersarecoming
Key:B
AlignedCCLS:RL.4.1
Commentary: This question aligns with RL.4.1 because it asks students to read
closely,payingattentiontodetailsinordertodrawinferencesfromthetext.
Rationale: Option B is correct. Mother Hawk is worried that they do not have
friendsclosebyiftheywereevertoneedhelp.
Grade 4 ELA 5 Common Core Sample Questions 2
WhichstatementbestdescribeshowFatherandMotherHawkworktogether
throughoutthestory?
A
B
C
D
MotherHawktriestogetFatherHawktochangehismind.
MotherHawkasksforFatherHawk’sopiniononproblems.
FatherHawkcarriesoutwhatMotherHawkrequests.
FatherHawkbringsupideasforMotherHawktoconsider.
Key:C
AlignedCCLS:RL.4.3
Commentary:ThisquestionalignswithRL.4.3becauseitasksstudentstodescribe
importantcharactersinthestory.
Rationale:OptionCiscorrect.TheplotofthestorybuildsonFatherHawkdoing
whatMotherHawkrequests.
Grade 4 ELA 6 Common Core Sample Questions 3
Readthissentencefromparagraph25ofthestory.
“Danger has come to us,” said the Father Hawk, and he told the Turtle about
thehunters.
WhatdangerisFatherHawkworriedabout?
A ThehuntersaretryingtohuntallofFatherHawk’sfriends.
B ThehuntershavesetafiretoburndownFatherHawk’snest.
C ThehuntersareplanningtotraptheTurtleinanet.
D ThehunterswanttoeatFatherHawk’syoung.
Key:D
AlignedCCLS:RL.4.3
Commentary:ThisquestionalignswithRL.4.3becauseitasksstudentstodescribe
importanteventsinthestory.
Rationale:OptionDiscorrect.ThehuntersaretryingtocatchtheyoungHawksto
eatforbreakfast.
Grade 4 ELA 7 Common Core Sample Questions 4
Whichpieceofdialoguesupportsthestory’smaintheme?
A “Let us stay here to‐night,” they said, “and see what we can find in the
morning.”(paragraph7)
B “Go back quickly and comfort my friend your mate, and say that I am
coming.”(paragraph16)
C “Soonerorlaterthesemenwillgetouryoung.”(paragraph31)
D “Whydoyoucomeatthishourofthenight?”(paragraph33)
Key:B
AlignedCCLS:RL.4.2
Commentary: This question aligns with RL.4.2 because it asks students to
determinehowacentralthemeofthestoryisconveyedthroughdetailsinthetext.
Rationale:OptionBiscorrect.Themainthemeofthestoryisthatfriendshelpeach
otherintimesofneed.ThisstatementbytheKingfisherillustratesthattheme.
Grade 4 ELA 8 Common Core Sample Questions 5
Basedonthestory,whichwordbestdescribesthehunters?
A
B
C
D
determined
brave
skillful
considerate
Key:A
AlignedCCLS:RL.4.3
Commentary:ThisquestionalignswithRL.4.3becauseitasksstudentstodescribe
charactersinthestory.
Rationale: Option Ais correct. The hunters continueto go after the young Hawks
throughout the entire story, battling the Kingfisher and the Turtle. Only when the
Lionthreatensthehuntersdotheyfinallygiveup.
Grade 4 ELA 9 Common Core Sample Questions 6
Readthissentencefromparagraph32ofthestory.
Atonce,theFatherHawkflewtotheLion.
HowdoesFatherHawk’sactionleadtotheendingofthestory?
A
B
C
D
MotherHawkaskedFatherHawktoapproachtheLionforhelp.
TheLionaskedFatherHawkwhyhehadcometovisit.
TheLiontoldFatherHawktogobackandcomforthisfamily.
TheLioncametohelpthehawks,chasingawaythehunters.
Key:D
AlignedCCLS:RL.4.3
Commentary: This question aligns with RL.4.3 because it asks students to
determinehowacharacter’sactionsaffecteventsinthestory.
Rationale: Option D is correct. After Father Hawk goes to the Lion, the Lion ends
thestorybychasingawaythehunters.
Grade 4 ELA 10 Common Core Sample Questions WhatisAntarctica?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
WhatisAntarctica?
Antarcticaisacontinent.ItisEarth’sfifthlargestcontinent.Antarcticaiscoveredin
ice.AntarcticacoversEarth’sSouthPole.
WhatisAntarcticaLike?
Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. The temperature in the winter is cold
enoughtofreezewaterallthetime.ThetemperatureinthemiddleofAntarcticaismuch
colderthanthetemperatureonthecoasts.
Antarctica has two seasons: summer and winter. Earth is tilted in space and the
direction of tilt never changes. During summer, Antarctica is on the side of Earth tilted
toward the sun. It is always sunny. In winter, Antarctica is on the side of the Earth tilted
awayfromthesun.Then,thecontinentisalwaysdark.
Antarcticaisadesert.Itdoesnotrainorsnowalotthere.Whenitsnows,thesnow
doesnotmeltandbuildsupovermanyyearstomakelarge,thicksheetsofice,calledice
sheets.Antarcticaismadeupoflotsoficeintheformofglaciers,iceshelvesandicebergs.
Antarcticahasnotreesorbushes.Theonlyplantsthatcanliveinaplacethatcold
aremossandalgae.
WhoLivesinAntarctica?
Antarctica is too cold for people to live there for a long time. Scientists take turns
goingtheretostudytheice.TouristsvisitAntarcticainthe summers.Theoceansaround
Antarctica are home to many types of whales. Antarctica is also home to seals and
penguins.
WhatCanNASALearnAboutEarthFromStudyingAntarctica?
NASA=NationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration
NASA uses satellites to study Antarctica. NASA wants to know how Antarctica is
changing. Scientists want to know what the changes in Earth’s climate are doing to
Antarctica’sicesheets.TheyalsowanttoknowwhatchangesinAntarctica’sicemightdoto
Earth’sclimate.
OnetoolthatNASAusesisICESat.ThatstandsfortheIce,Cloud,andlandElevation
Satellite. Using ICESat, NASA can measure changes in the size of Antarctica’s ice sheets.
ICESatalsohelpsNASAunderstandhowchangingpolaricemayaffecttherestoftheplanet.
MeltingicesheetsinAntarcticamaychangesealevelsallovertheworld.
Grade 4 ELA 11 Common Core Sample Questions 9
10
11
12
NASA instruments have also helped scientists create detailed maps of Antarctica.
These maps help researchers when planning trips to Antarctica. They also give people a
clearerviewofthecontinent.
WhatCanNASALearnAboutSpaceFromStudyingAntarctica?
Antarcticaisagoodplacetofindmeteoritesthatareeasiertoseeonthewhiteice.
Also,meteoritesthatfalltoAntarcticaareprotectedbytheiceforalongtime.
NASAsendsteamstoAntarcticatolearnmoreabouttheplanetMars.Antarcticaand
Marshavealotincommon.Bothplacesarecold.Bothplacesaredrylikeadesert.NASA
testedrobotsinAntarcticathatlaterlandedonMars.
NASA also goes to Antarctica to study astronaut nutrition. Like people who are in
Antarctica in the winter, astronauts in space are not in the sunlight. The sun helps the
human body make vitamins. Scientists study people who visit Antarctica to learn how to
helpastronautsinspacegetenoughvitamins.
www.nasa.gov
Grade 4 ELA 12 Common Core Sample Questions 7
According to the article, NASA studies Antarctica for all of the following
reasonsexcept
A Antarcticahelpsusunderstandice.
B Antarcticahelpsusunderstandimportantrareplants.
C Antarcticaisagoodplacetofindmeteorites.
D Antarcticaisagoodplacetotestrobots.
Key:B
AlignedCCLS:RI.4.2
Commentary:ThisquestionalignswithRI.4.2becauseitasksstudentstoidentify
whichofthedetailslistedintheoptionssupportthemainideaofthepassage:that
AntarcticahasuniquecharacteristicsthatmakeitusefulforNASAresearch.
Rationale:OptionBiscorrect.AlthoughthepassagestatesthatAntarcticahasmoss
andalgae,itisnotoneofthecharacteristicsthatNASAfindsparticularlyusefulto
study. All of the other options are characteristics the passage clearly identifies as
reasonswhyNASAstudiesAntarctica.
Grade 4 ELA 13 Common Core Sample Questions 8
Readthesetwosentencesfromparagraph3:
Inwinter,AntarcticaisonthesideoftheEarthtiltedawayfromthesun.
Then,thecontinentisalwaysdark.
Whichstatementdescribestherelationshipbetweenthesetwosentences?
A Thesentencescontrasttwoevents.
B Thesentencesdescribetwostepsinthesameprocess.
C Thefirstsentenceexplainsthereasonforthesecond.
D Thesecondsentencegivesthecauseofthefirst.
Key:C
AlignedCCLS:RI.4.8
Commentary: The question aligns to CCLS RI.4.8. It asks students to identify the
logical connection between two important sentences in the description of the
Antarcticseasons.Toanswercorrectly,studentsneedtounderstandthebasicideas
oftheparagraphandtheirlogicalrelationship.
Rationale: Option C is correct. The reason for the continual darkness of the
Antarcticwinteristhatitiscontinuallytiltedawayfromthesun.
Grade 4 ELA 14 Common Core Sample Questions 9
What can NASA learn from studying people living in Antarctica that would
helpastronauts?
A thenutritionaleffectsofalong‐termlackofsunlight
B theextravitaminsthebodyhastomakeduringthewinter
C theseasonswhenastronautswouldhavethebestnutritioninspace
D thetypesofvitaminsthebodyneedswhenitisexposedtothesun
Key:A
AlignedCCLS:RI.4.3
Commentary: This question aligns with CCLS RI.4.3. It requires students to trace
therelationshipbetweenaseriesofscientificideas.
Rationale: Option A is correct. The lack of sunlight during the Antarctic winter
reduces the vitamins produced in the bodies of humans who live there, thereby
having potentially harmful nutritional effects. According to the passage, NASA
studies these effects because they are similar to those that astronauts experience
wheninspaceforlongperiods.
Grade 4 ELA 15 Common Core Sample Questions 10
Accordingtothepassage,thechangingsizeofAntarctica’sicesheetshasan
effecton
A livingconditionsonthecontinent
B thetemperatureoftheairandclouds
C theamountofwildlifethatcansurvivethere
D sealevelsallaroundtheworld
Key:D
AlignedCCLS:RI.4.1
Commentary:ThisquestionalignswithCCLSRI.4.1becauseitrequiresstudentsto
answeraquestionbyreferringtodetailsinthepassage.
Rationale:OptionDiscorrect.Thepassagetellsus“meltingicesheetsinAntarctica
may change sea levels all over the world”; students need to infer that when ice
sheetsmelt,theychangesize.Thepassagesaysnothingaboutchangesinicesheets
affectinghumaninhabitants,airandcloudtemperatures,orwildlife.
Grade 4 ELA 16 Common Core Sample Questions 11
Which heading in the article would you look under to find out about the
weatherinAntarctica?
A WhatisAntarcticaLike?
B WhoLivesinAntarctica?
C WhatCanNASALearnAboutEarthFromStudyingAntarctica?
D WhatCanNASALearnAboutSpaceFromStudyingAntarctica?
Key:A
AlignedCCLS:RI.4.5
Commentary:ThisitemalignswithCCLSRI.4.5becauseitasksthestudenttouse
textfeaturestolocateinformationinthepassage.
Rationale:OptionAiscorrect.Questionsabouttemperaturewouldmostlikelybe—
and in fact are—answered in the section under the heading “What is Antarctica
Like?”Theothersectionswould probablynotbeprimarilyfocusedonthistypeof
information.
Grade 4 ELA 17 Common Core Sample Questions PairedPassages:Mythandfactaboutwhyevergreentreesdonotlosetheirleaves
Passage1:Myth
WhytheEvergreenTreesNeverLoseTheirLeaves
byFlorenceHolbrook
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Winterwascoming,andthebirdshadflownfartothesouth,wheretheair
waswarmandtheycouldfindberriestoeat.Onelittlebirdhadbrokenitswingand
couldnotflywiththeothers.Itwasaloneinthecoldworldoffrostandsnow.The
forestlookedwarm,anditmadeitswaytothetreesaswellasitcould,toaskfor
help.
First, it came to a birch‐tree. “Beautiful birch‐tree,” it said, “my wing is
broken,andmyfriendshaveflownaway.MayIliveamongyourbranchestillthey
comebacktome?”
“No, indeed,” answered the birch‐tree, drawing her fair green leaves away.
“Weofthegreatforesthaveourownbirdstohelp.Icandonothingforyou.”
“The birch is not very strong,” said the little bird to itself, “and it might be
that she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak.” So the bird said, “Greatoak‐
tree,youaresostrong,willyounotletmeliveonyourboughstillmyfriendscome
backinthespringtime?”
“In the springtime!” cried the oak. “That is a long way off. How do I know
whatyoumightdoinallthattime?Birdsarealwayslookingforsomethingtoeat,
andyoumighteveneatupsomeofmyacorns.”
“Itmaybethatthewillowwillbekindtome,”thoughtthebird,anditsaid,
“Gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly to the south with the other
birds.MayIliveonyourbranchestillthespringtime?”
The willow did not look gentle then, for she drew herself up proudly and
said,“Indeed,Idonotknowyou,andwewillowsnevertalktopeoplewhomwedo
not know. Very likely, there are trees somewhere that will take in strange birds.
Leavemeatonce.”
Thepoorlittlebirddidnotknowwhattodo.Itswingwasnotyetstrong,but
it began to fly away as well as it could. Before it had gone far, a voice was heard.
“Littlebird,”itsaid,“whereareyougoing?”
“Indeed,Idonotknow,”answeredthebirdsadly.“Iamverycold.”
“Comerighthere,then,”saidthefriendlyspruce‐tree,foritwashervoicethat
hadcalled.“Youshallliveonmywarmestbranchallwinterifyouchoose.”
Grade 4 ELA 18 Common Core Sample Questions 11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
“Willyoureallyletme?”askedthelittlebirdeagerly.
“Indeed,Iwill,”answeredthekind‐heartedspruce‐tree.“Ifyourfriendshave
flownaway,itistimeforthetreestohelpyou.Hereisthebranchwheremyleaves
arethickestandsoftest.”
“My branches are not very thick,” said the friendly pine‐tree, “but I am big
andstrong,andIcankeepthenorthwindfromyouandthespruce.”
“I can help too,” said a little juniper‐tree. “I can give you berries all winter
long,andeverybirdknowsthatjuniperberriesaregood.”
Sothesprucegavethelonelylittlebirdahome,thepinekeptthecoldnorth
windawayfromit,andthejunipergaveitberriestoeat.
Theothertreeslookedonandtalkedtogetherscornfully.
scornfully =Withdisgustordistaste
“Iwouldnothavestrangebirdsonmyboughs,”saidthebirch.
“Ishallnotgivemyacornsawayforanyone,”saidtheoak.
“Ineverhaveanythingtodowithstrangers,”saidthewillow,andthethree
treesdrewtheirleavescloselyaboutthem.
Inthemorningallthoseshininggreenleaveslayontheground,forthecold
northwindhadcomeinthenight,andeveryleafthatittouchedfellfromthetree.
“MayItoucheveryleafintheforest?”askedthewindinitsfrolic.
“No,” said the forest king. “The trees that have been kind to the little bird
withthebrokenwingmaykeeptheirleaves.”
This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are always
green.
www.gutenberg.org
Grade 4 ELA 19 Common Core Sample Questions Passage2:Informational
Whyareevergreentreesgreenallyearround?
1
2
3
4
Evergreentrees(alsoknownasconifersbecauseoftheconesthatholdtheir
seeds)includespruce,firandpinetrees.Evergreentreesdoloseleaves,butnotall
at the same time the way that deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) do.
These trees are specially adapted to live in climates where there may be limited
annualsunshineand/oravailablewater.
Theevergreenthrivesincoldclimatesanditsleavesareadaptedtomakethe
mostofitsenvironment.Theleavesofevergreentreesareoftensmallandnarrow,
likeneedles.Evergreenleavescanremainonatreeforanywherefrom1‐20years
dependingonthespeciesoftree,butmostleavesremainonthetreeforlessthan
fiveyears.Itisthoughtthatbykeepingitsleavesyearroundtheplantmightbeable
totakeadvantageofperiodsofthawduringthewintertomakefood.Italsomeans
that the plant does not need to waste energy re‐growing a full set of leaves each
year.
Theleavesofanevergreenhavethesamefunctionasleavesofother
trees,mainlytomakefoodfortheplantthroughphotosynthesis.Theleaves
are often a dark green color indicating that a lot of the sun‐absorbing
compoundchlorophyllispresent.Byhavingmanysmallleavespackedwith
chlorophyll, the plant gathers as much energy as it can from
the sparse sunlight. It uses this energy to make food in the glucose = A
formofglucose.Thedarkcoloralsohelpskeeptheplantwarm sugar that
initscoldenvironment(thinkaboutwearingdarkclothingon appears widely
sunny day versus light or white clothing. The dark clothing in nature
absorbsmoresunlightandishottertowear).
The cold climate where evergreens often live means that even if there is a
largeamountofprecipitation,thewaterisoftenfrozenandthereforeunavailableto
the plant. The small surface area and the thick coating of wax on the needle‐like
leavesallowtheplanttoretainmorewater(thereislesssurfaceareaavailablefor
evaporation).Thesmallleavesalsohavesmallholescalledstomatathatareusedfor
gas exchange; these can be closed very tightly to stop water loss. Lastly, the small
pointyleavesandthecone‐likeshapeofthetreeitselfshedsnowmoreeasilythan
other trees so the evergreens are not as likely to break under the weight of snow
andice.
www.ccmr.cornell.edu
Grade 4 ELA 20 Common Core Sample Questions ShortAnswerConstructedResponsefor“WhytheEvergreenTreesNever…”
12
What is a theme of the myth “Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their
Leaves”?Usetwodetailsfromthemythtosupportyouranswer.
Writeyouranswerincompletesentences.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
CCLSAlignment:RL.4.2,RL.4.1
Commentary:ThisitemalignswithCCLSRL.4.2becauseitrequiresthestudentto
identify the theme and refer to details and examples in the text when explaining
whatthetextsaysexplicitly.
Rationale: A full credit response identifies a theme and textual support. While
manypossiblethemescanbesupportedbythetext,someeasilysupportedoptions
include:
 Rewardsforgooddeeds
 Selfishnessorpunishmentforselfishness
 Caring
 Helpingothers
Whilemanythemescanbedrawnfromthetext,notallareequallysupported.Afull
credit response provides a logical connection between the claimed theme and the
evidenceusedforitssupport.
Grade 4 ELA 21 Common Core Sample Questions ShortAnswerConstructedResponsefor“Whyareevergreentreesgreen…”
Accordingtothearticle,evergreentreesareoftenfoundincold,icyclimates
13 wherewatermaybefrozen.Howdoesthetreesurviveintheseconditions?
Usetwodetailsfromthearticletosupportyouranswer.
Writeyouranswerincompletesentences.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
CCLSAlignment:RI.4.3
Commentary:ThisitemalignswithCCLSRI.4.3becauseitrequiresthestudentto
refer to specific information in the text in order to explain how evergreen trees
surviveincold,icyclimateswherewatermaybefrozen.
Rationale:Theresponseaccuratelyexplainsthatinordertoconservewaterinthe
frozenclimate,evergreenshaveleaveswithathickcoatingandasmallsurfacearea.
Theyalsohavesmallholescalledstomatathatallowforgasexchange.
Grade 4 ELA 22 Common Core Sample Questions 14
ExtendedConstructedResponsePairedPassages
Themythandthearticlebothprovideexplanationsforwhyevergreentrees
keeptheirleavesinwinter.Howaretheexplanationssimilaranddifferent?
Usespecificexamplesfromthemythandthearticletosupportyouranswer.
Inyourresponse,besuretodothefollowing:
 describewhatthemythsaysaboutwhyevergreentreeskeeptheirleavesin
winter
 describewhatthearticlesaysaboutwhyevergreentreeskeeptheirleaves
winter
 compareandcontrastthetwoexplanations
 includedetailsfromboththemythandthearticletosupportyouranswer
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
CCLSAlignment:RL.4.9,RI.4.9,W.4.2,W.4.4
Commentary: This extended response aligns with CCLS RL.4.9, RI.4.9, W.4.2, and
W.4.4 because it requires the student to compare and contrast the treatment of
similarthemesandtopicsusingsupportingdetailsfromeachtext.
Rationale: The response accurately compares and contrasts both passages,
describingthereasonsgiveninthemythandarticleforwhyevergreenskeeptheir
leavesinthewinter.Theresponserecountstherequestofthebird,therejectionof
thevarioustrees,andtheacceptanceoftheevergreens.Theresponsealsoexplains,
basedontheinformationaltext,theadaptationsevergreenshavemadetosurvivein
colderclimatesresultinginyear‐roundleaves.
Grade 4 ELA 23 Common Core Sample Questions Grade 4
ELA
Common Core Sample Questions
These materials are copyrighted. Reproducing any part of these materials by anyone other than New York State school personnel is illegal.
Grade 4 ELA 24 Common Core Sample Questions