®
to the COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS
4
English
Language
Arts
Practice Tests
Form A & Form B
Answer Keys
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Buckle Down to the Common Core State Standards, English Language Arts, Grade 4, Practice Tests, Answer Keys
USR2045K1
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Contents
Lexile Measures Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Writing Rubric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Form A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Answer Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Form B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Answer Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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Lexile Measures Chart
Practice Test Form A
Passage Title
Lexile Measure
Part 1
The Travellers and the Purse
Not prose
A Journey West
730L
Mateo’s Move
740L
Meet Neil deGrasse Tyson
1000L
Comets*
1040L
Part 2
A Special Bracelet
740L
Part 3
Zach Bonner and His Red Wagon
990L
Practice Test Form B
Passage Title
Lexile Measure
Part 1
The Heron and the Hummingbird
760L
The Backyard Alien
Not prose
Trash Into Art
970L
Q and A with a Witness to the Mount Saint Helens Eruption
Not prose
The Mount Saint Helens Eruption
950L
To Cut or Not to Cut
740L
Part 3
So You Want to Be an Astronaut*
1090L
Meet Mae Jemison
850L
* T he Lexile measures for both passages are elevated because of the scientific vocabulary which is clearly defined. The content of the
texts and the tasks expected of the student fall within the grade-level complexity band.
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Part 2
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The response does not
analyze or inaccurately
analyzes the text, showing
little to no comprehension
of ideas expressed in the
text(s).
The response is
underdeveloped and
therefore inappropriate to
the task, purpose, and/or
audience.
The response demonstrates
a lack of coherence, clarity,
and cohesion.
The response shows little
to no awareness of the
norms of the discipline,
lacking descriptions,
sensory details, linking
and transitional words, or
domain-specific vocabulary
to clarify ideas.
The response demonstrates
little to no command of the
conventions of standard
English, with frequent and
varied errors in grammar
and usage that often impede
understanding.
Reading:
Comprehension
of Key Ideas and
Details
Writing:
Development of
Ideas
Writing:
Organization
Writing:
Clarity of
Language
Writing:
Knowledge of
Language and
Conventions
0
1
The response demonstrates
limited command of the
conventions of standard
English, with multiple
distracting errors in
grammar and usage
that sometimes impede
understanding.
The response shows limited
awareness of the norms
of the discipline, including
limited descriptions,
sensory details, linking
and transitional words, or
domain-specific vocabulary
to clarify ideas.
The response demonstrates
limited coherence,
clarity, and/or cohesion
and may not include a
clear introduction and/or
conclusion.
The response is addressed
with minimal development
of the topic and/or
narrative elements through
limited reasoning, details,
and/or description; the
development is limited in its
appropriateness to the task,
purpose, and/or audience.
The response minimally
analyzes the text and may
reference the text, showing
limited comprehension
of ideas expressed in the
text(s).
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The response demonstrates
inconsistent command
of the conventions of
standard English. There are
a few patterns of errors in
grammar and usage that
may occasionally impede
understanding.
The response attends to
the norms and conventions
of the discipline, including
concrete words and
phrases, sensory details,
linking and transitional
words, and/or domainspecific vocabulary to clarify
ideas.
The response demonstrates
coherence, clarity, and
cohesion and includes an
introduction and conclusion.
The response is addressed
with effective development
of the topic and/or narrative
elements through reasoning,
details, and/or description;
the development is largely
appropriate to the task,
purpose, and audience.
The response for the most
part accurately analyzes
the text explicitly and
inferentially and references
the text to support analysis,
showing comprehension of
ideas from the text(s).
2
The response demonstrates
command of the
conventions of standard
English consistent with
edited writing with a
few distracting errors
in grammar and usage;
meaning is clear.
The response uses language
well to attend to the
norms and conventions
of the discipline, including
concrete words and
phrases, sensory details,
linking and transitional
words, and/or domainspecific vocabulary
effectively to clarify ideas.
The response demonstrates
effective coherence, clarity,
and cohesion and includes
a strong introduction and
conclusion.
The response is addressed
with effective and
comprehensive development
of the topic and/or
narrative elements through
clear reasoning, details,
and/or description; the
development is consistently
appropriate to the task,
purpose, and audience.
The response accurately
analyzes the text explicitly
and inferentially and
references the text to
explicitly support the
analysis, showing full
comprehension of complex
ideas from the text(s).
3
The response demonstrates
command of the
conventions of standard
English consistent with
effectively edited writing
with few minor errors
in grammar and usage;
meaning is clear throughout.
Score of 4 not applicable to
this skill.
Score of 4 not applicable to
this skill.
Score of 4 not applicable to
this skill.
Score of 4 not applicable to
this skill.
4
Writing Rubric
5
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Practice Test Form A
Item
Key
Common Core
State Standard
Skill
Lesson
Correlation
1
Part A: A; Part B:
See answer on page 7.
RL.4.1, RL.4.2
Text Evidence, Theme
3
2
Part A: C; Part B: B
RL.4.1, RI.4.4, L.4.4.a
Text Evidence, Context Clues
2, 3
3
B, D
RL.4.3
Character
6
4
3, 5, 2, 4
RL.4.3
Story Events
6
5
Part A: C; Part B: B
RL.4.1, RL.4.5
Text Evidence, Elements of Poetry
3, 5
6
Part A: B; Part B: D
RL.4.3
Character
3, 6
7
Part A: A; Part B: A
RL.4.1, RL.4.6
Text Evidence, Point of View
3, 6, 11
8
Part A: D; Part B: C
RL.4.1, RL.4.9
Text Evidence, Compare and Contrast
3, 11
9
B
L.4.5b
Figurative Language
7
10
Part A: C; Part B: D
RL.4.1, RL.4.9
Text Evidence, Theme
3, 11
11
See answer on page 7.
RL.4.3
Story Events
6
12
B
RL.4.3
Character
6
13
A3, B2, C5
RL.4.2
Plot
2
14
5, 2, 4, 3
RI.4.2
Summary
3, 4
15
Part A: B; Part B: D
RI.4.1, RI.4.5
Text Evidence, Chronological Order
4, 8, 9
16
See answer on page 7.
RI.4.2
Main Idea
3, 4
17
B, F
RI.4.8
Author’s Evidence
8
18
Part A: C; Part B:
See answer on page 7.
RI.4.1, RI.4.4, L.4.6
Text Evidence, Domain-Specific
Vocabulary
2, 4
19
Part A: C; Part B: B
RI.4.1, RI.4.2
Text Evidence, Main Idea and Details
3, 4
20
B, C
RI.4.3
Domain-Specific Concepts
9
21
Part A: A; Part B:
See answer on page 8.
RI.4.1, RI.4.2
Text Evidence, Main Idea and Details
3, 4
22
Part A: C; Part B: D
RI.4.1, RI.4.7
Text Evidence, Interpret Visual
Information
4, 10
23
A or D
RI.4.2
Main Idea and Details
3, 4
24
A1, B2, B3, A4
RI.4.7
Interpret Visual Information
4, 10
25
See answer on page 8.
RI.4.4, L.4.6
Domain-Specific Vocabulary
2
26
Part A: A; Part B: C
RI.4.1, RI.4.4, L.4.6
Text Evidence, Domain-Specific
Vocabulary
2, 4
Part 2
See answer on page 8
and rubric on page 5.
W.4.3.a-e, W.4.4,
W.4.5, L.4.1, L.4.2,
L.4.3
Narrative Writing, Use Conventions
12, 13, 14, 17, 20,
21, 22
Part 3
See answer on page 8
and rubric on page 5.
W.4.2.a-e, W.4.4,
W.4.5, W.4.7, W.4.9,
L.4.1, L.4.2, L.4.3
Research Writing, Use Conventions
12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20,
21, 22
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Answer Key
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Answer Explanations
1.
Part A: A This sentence best states the theme
of the poem. The other choices are not
supported by the poem.
Part B: Underlined sentences may vary.
Students should underline “Nay, do not say
we,” said his friend, “for you know / You
claimed the sole right to the prize!”
2.
Part A: C; Part B: B Sociable means “friendly.”
The word friends in the first line of the poem
provides the context for determining the
meaning of sociable.
3. B, D Each of these character traits is supported
by the character’s actions.
4. 3, 5, 2, 4 This order indicates the correct order
of events in the poem.
5. Part A: C; Part B: B The author’s use of rhyme
scheme makes this passage recognizable as
a poem.
6. Part A: B; Part B: D Many of the main
character’s words in “A Journey West”
indicate her excitement, while events
in “Mateo’s Move” point to the main
character’s nervousness and anxiety.
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7. Part A: A; Part B: A “A Journey West” is a
series of diary entries written in the first
person; “Mateo’s Move” is written in the third
person.
8. Part A: D; Part B: C The only answer that is
clearly supported in the text is D. Other
answer choices may be plausible reasons
for the families’ moves, but they are not
supported by the text. Mateo’s father’s
acquisition of a good job supports the idea
that the family is moving to acquire a better
way of life.
9.BThe phrase “with the tiniest glimmer of
excitement in his eyes” is an example of
figurative language used to convey a sense
of hope.
10. Part A: C; Part B: D This statement most
accurately states the theme of both
passages. Mateo’s ability to reconnect with
a friend shows that new opportunities are
available.
11.Mateo’s father is able to get a better job. The
other choices are plausible reasons for the
family’s move, but they are not supported by
information in the passage.
12. BShe walked fifteen miles behind the wagon.
None of the other events happened on
April 13 or are clearly stated as a reason for
Elizabeth’s being exhausted.
13. A3, B2, C5Events are correctly matched to the
days on which they happened.
14. 5, 2, 4, 3This order indicates the correct order
of events in the passage.
15. Part A: B; Part B: D The author arranges
the information in the paragraph in
chronological order, starting with
Dr. Tyson’s birth and giving information
about his childhood, studies, and steps
in his education. The transitional phrase
“From there” indicates chronological
order.
16.“Dr. Tyson also finds time to appear on TV,
to write, and to talk to people about important
scientific issues.” All other sentences in
the paragraph are details that support this
main idea.
17. B, FOther answer choices provide interesting
information about Dr. Tyson but do not
support the author’s claim that Dr. Tyson
enjoys sharing his love of the stars with
people.
18. Part A: C A
n astrophysicist studies stars and the
universe.
Part B:The words “so that he could spend
his life studying the stars” provide the
context for determining the meaning of
astrophysicist.
19. Part A: C; Part B: B The correct answers show
that people in the past did not know
enough about comets, so they were
afraid of them.
20. B, C All other answers are not factually accurate.
21. Part A: AHalley knew that the three comets he
studied had the same orbital path.
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Part B: The sentence “His studies led him to
discover that the comets of 1531, 1607, and
1682 followed the same orbit, or path around
the sun.” provides the answer to Part A.
22. Part A: C; Part B: D C is the only true answer.
In the chart, the Last Observed and Orbital
Period (in years) information provides the
answer to Part A.
23. A or D All other answer choices are not
accurate.
24. A1, B2, B3, A4 The chart at the end of the
passage provides the given answers.
Part 2: Responses will vary. See rubric on page 5.
Students should write a narrative that uses the
main character from the passage, completes
the story begun in the passage, uses dialogue
and descriptive details, and follows the rules
for correct grammar.
Part 3: Responses will vary. See rubric on page 5.
Students should write an essay that explains
how Zach Bonner is a philanthropist and how
his work is philanthropy. Essays should have a
main idea with supporting details, use text
evidence, and follow the rules for correct
grammar.
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25.
The term “Long-Term Comets” belongs at the
top of the first column in the chart as all the
information in that column is true of long-term
comets. The term “Short-Term Comets” belongs
at the top of the second column.
26. Part A: A; Part B: C The sentence that says
“path around the sun” indicates the
meaning of orbit.
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Practice Test Form B
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Answer Key
Item
Key
Common Core
State Standard
Skill
Lesson
Correlation
1
Part A: C; Part B: D
RL.4.1, RL.4.3
Text Evidence, Character
3, 6
2
Part A: A; Part B: C
RL.4.1, RL.4.2
Text Evidence, Theme
3
3
Part A: B; Part B: D
RL.4.1, L.4.5c
Text Evidence, Antonyms
2, 3
4
A, E
RL.4.3
Character
6
5
Part A: C; Part B: D
RL.4.1, RL.4.3
Text Evidence, Character
3, 6
6
A, C
RL.4.3
Character
6
7
3, 5, 2, 4
RL.4.2
Summary
3
8
Part A: D; Part B: B
RL.4.1, RL.4.5
Text Evidence, Structure
3, 5
9
Part A: C; Part B: D
RL.4.1, L.4.5c
Text Evidence, Synonyms
2, 3
10
Part A: B; Part B:
See answer on page 10.
RL.4.1, RL.4.3
Text Evidence, Character
3, 6
11
A6, B2, C5
RL.4.5
Structure
5
12
Part A: D; Part B: A
RL.4.5
Structure
5
13
Part A: A; Part B: See
answer on page 10.
RL.4.1, RL.4.3
Text Evidence, Story Events
3, 6
14
Part A: A; Part B: C
RI.4.1, RI.4.2
Text Evidence, Main Idea
3, 4
15
A4, B2, C3
RI.4.4, L.4.4
General Academic Vocabulary, Context Clues
1, 2
16
See answer on page 10.
RI.4.5
Structure
8, 9
17
Part A: A; Part B: D
RI.4.1, RI.4.5
Text Evidence, Structure
4, 8, 9
18
See answer on page 10.
RI.4.2
Main Idea
3, 4
19
Part A: B; Part B: A
RI.4.1, RI.4.6
Text Evidence, Identify Firsthand Accounts
4, 11
20
A
RI.4.6
Compare First and Secondhand Accounts
11
21
See answer on page 10.
RI.4.2
Main Idea
3, 4
22
Part A: C; Part B: A
RI.4.1, RI.4.5
Text Evidence, Structure
4, 8, 9
23
A2, B5, C3
RI.4.4, L.4.6
Domain-Specific Vocabulary
2
24
Part A: D; Part B: C
RI.4.1, RI.4.2
Text Evidence, Main Idea/Details
3, 4
25
Part A: B; Part B: See
answer on page 10.
RI.4.1, RI.4.2
Text Evidence, Main Idea/Details
3, 4
26
See answer on page 10.
RI.4.7
Interpret Visual Information
4, 10
Part 2
See answer on page 11
and rubric on page 5.
W.4.2.a-e, W.4.4,
W.4.5, W.4.7, W.4.9,
L.4.1, L.4.2, L.4.3
Literary Analysis, Use Conventions
12, 13, 14, 16,
18, 19, 20,
21, 22
Part 3
See answer on page 11
and rubric on page 5.
RI.4.9, W.4.2.a-e,
W.4.4, W.4.5, W.4.7,
W.4.9, L.4.1, L.4.2,
L.4.3
Integrate Information, Research Writing,
Use Conventions
8, 11, 12, 13,
14, 16, 18, 20,
21, 22
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Answer Explanations
likely hid behind the recycling bin to avoid
Mr. Collins: “Sparky sniffs at the recycling
bin and growls but then follows Mr. Collins
inside.”
1. Part A: C; Part B: D This answer choice best
describes the character’s actions. The other
choices are not correct.
3. Part A: B; Part B: D The word new is the
opposite of ancient. The word old from the
sentence shows the meaning of the word
ancient, which leads to the understanding of
its opposite.
4. A, E Both birds are said to eat fish, and they
both fly in the story.
5. Part A: C; Part B: D Heron’s actions in
the story show that he is steady and
determined.
14. Part A: A; Part B: C These choices best
state and support the main idea of the
passage.
15. A4, B2, C3 This matching is correct.
16. About one trillion plastic bags are still used every
year. This sentence states a problem artists solve
when they use plastic bags to create art.
17. Part A: A; Part B: D The author organizes
the passage by topic, and the headings
identify the topics.
18. “Some artists find beauty in spare car parts.” This
sentence states the main idea.
6. A, C In his conversation with the alien, Eric shows
that he is knowledgeable and confident.
19. Part A: B; Part B: A This Q and A interview is
an example of a firsthand account.
7. 3, 5, 2, 4 This reflects the order of events in the
passage.
20.A This answer choice best compares the two
passages.
8. Part A: D; Part B: B
in two acts.
21. “A total of fifty-seven people lost their lives as a
result of the eruption.” This is the only possible
answer.
This passage is a play set
9. Part A: C; Part B: D The word doubtful means
the same as skeptical. “That’s a good one”
shows that the alien thinks Eric is joking,
proving he is skeptical.
10. Part A: B This statement most accurately states
how the alien’s view of Eric changes.
Part B: There are other options, but the
most likely choice for Part B is “I did not
expect to learn so much from such a young
Earthling.”
22. Part A: C; Part B: A The author organizes
the passage in chronological order—
indicating by the headings what
happened before, during, and after the
eruption.
23. A2, B5, C3These combinations match the terms
to their meanings.
24. Part A: D; Part B: C These choices best state
the main idea and a supporting detail.
11. A6, B2, C5 All other answer choices are
incorrect.
25. Part A: BThis choice best states what kept the
family safe from the eruption.
12. Part A: D; Part B: A This answer choice shows
stage directions. The author includes stage
directions to tell actors how to say their lines
and to describe what the stage or setting
should look like.
13. Part A: A; Part B: The following excerpt from
the passage shows that the alien most
Part B:
he most likely answer is “Mount
T
Saint Helens was in the distance, to
the southwest.”
26. “Other trees were left standing without branches,
like a field of skeletons.” This sentence best
describes what students see in the photograph.
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2. Part A: A; Part B: C “Slow and steady wins the
race” is the theme of this passage. Heron’s
actions support the theme.
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what NASA looks for in astronauts, using
information from the first passage including
educational background and the qualities
needed to get through Phases 1 and 2 of
training. Essays should also mention Mae
Jemison’s education and her involvement with
medicine and languages. Essays should have a
main idea with supporting details, use text
evidence, and follow the rules for correct
grammar.
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Part 2: Responses will vary. See rubric on page 5.
Students should write a literary analysis that
analyzes the main character from the passage,
explaining how the author uses dialogue,
descriptive details, and other literary devices to
make the character of Christy come alive.
Essays should have a main idea with supporting
details, use text evidence, and follow the rules
for correct grammar.
Part 3: Responses will vary. See rubric on page 5.
Students should write an essay that explains
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This book is printed on paper containing
a minimum of 10% post-consumer waste.
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