Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
Assessment ID: dna.10994
ib.146559
Directions: Answer the following question(s).
1
During a discussion on health and nutrition,
the students in Mr. Jenkins's 5th grade class
came up with a list of Pros and Cons of eating
fast food.
Pros:
●
●
●
●
Fast food is convenient
Fast food is inexpensive
Fast food fills you up
Fast food tastes good
Cons:
●
●
●
●
Fast food contains high levels of fat and
salt
Fast food is higher in calories and the
portions are larger than recommended for
a healthy diet
Fast food meals are not balanced among
the food groups
Fast food is made from low–quality
ingredients
Using the information above, write a
paragraph that provides your opinion about
eating fast food. Use your previous
knowledge and the facts presented in the box
as evidence to support your opinion.
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Page 1
Assessment ID: dna.10994
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
Scrumptiously Seasoned Sensations
Would you like potato chips with your sandwich? This is a familiar food that could be eaten as a side dish, a
snack, or as an appetizer. What is a potato chip? It is a thinly–sliced white potato that is cooked until it is crunchy
and crisp. This everyday snack is a delicious treat for Americans all over. Since its invention over 150 years ago,
potato chips have gone from just plain ol' potato slices to scrumptiously seasoned sensations.
Picky Potato Eater
This amazing food came about in a weird way in 1853. In fact, potato chips
were invented because of a picky eater. A young chef, George Crum, worked at Moon
Lake Lodge's restaurant in Saratoga Springs, New York. French–fried potatoes were a
side dish that he often made.
On one particular day, a customer ordered some of Crum's potatoes and
thought they were too thick and mushy. He sent them back to the kitchen to be cooked
a little more. Crum was rather insulted and wanted to annoy the guest by slicing the
potatoes paper thin and frying them up so it would be impossible to pick them up with
a fork. The reaction Crum looked for did not go as planned. The customer loved them.
In fact, they became so popular that they were put on the menu.
Mass Quantities
Potato chips gained much popularity over the next forty years. One man, named William Tappendon, began
making chips in his barn and delivered them to people's houses. It did not reach the grocery store until the 1920s,
once the mechanical potato peeler was invented. After that, the potato chip became accessible at many grocery
stores.
There was one downfall to the potato chip industry; the chips got too stale too fast. Most of the potato chips
were kept in barrels or glass display cases which caused them to go bad quickly. Then in 1926, Laura Scudder
decided to put them into a wax paper bag and seal the edges. This kept the potato chips fresh longer and allowed
them to be delivered all over.
No More Seasonless Spuds
In the 1950s, Joe "Spud" Murphy developed a way to season the potatoes while they were being produced
in his factory. He came up with salt and vinegar and cheese and onion flavoring for the chips. This great idea was
a recipe for success. Large potato chip companies all over the United States wanted to know how to do what he
did. He eventually shared his idea with the other companies.
Popular Potato
George Crum's invention created a side dish that became extremely famous. Over the last 150 years, the
potato chip industry has massively grown. This delicious treat has become one of America's favorite snacks and is
still very popular today.
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Page 2
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
Assessment ID: dna.10994
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
2
Select all options that represent main ideas
from the passage.
A. Laura Scudder's potato chips became the most
popular snack in America.
B. Potato chips were created because of a picky
eater.
C. Mass production brought the potato chip to
almost every household.
D. The idea of seasoning the potato chips further
increased its popularity.
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Page 3
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
Assessment ID: dna.10994
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
Larry Jackson
Larry Jackson works as a grocery clerk. He works from midnight until eight o'clock in the morning,
otherwise known as the "graveyard shift." During this time, Larry is responsible for making sure that several areas
of the store are restocked before it opens the following day. The first area he restocks is the shelves that have the
non–perishable items such as canned goods and boxed foods. Next, he makes sure that the frozen food sections
have been replenished. After that, he must put out the fresh meats and cheeses in the refrigerated section of the
store. Finally, Larry helps others arrange the fresh fruits and vegetables before his shift is over and the store
opens at 8:30 a.m.
3
Which of the following sentences best
summarizes the key events in the passage?
A. During the "graveyard shift" at the grocery store,
Larry Jackson stocks the fruits and vegetables
first, followed by the frozen and refrigerated
foods, and lastly the non–perishable food items.
B. During the "graveyard shift" at the grocery store,
Larry Jackson stocks the frozen and refrigerated
foods first, followed by the non–perishable food
items, and lastly the fruits and vegetables.
C. During the "graveyard shift" at the grocery store,
Larry Jackson stocks the non–perishable food
items first, followed by the frozen and
refrigerated foods, and lastly the fruits and
vegetables.
D. During the "graveyard shift" at the grocery store,
Larry Jackson stocks the non–perishable food
items first, followed by the fruits and vegetables,
and lastly the frozen and refrigerated foods.
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Page 4
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
Assessment ID: dna.10994
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
China: Yesterday and Today
written by Michael N. Lawson
Think About It: How has the China changed the world throughout the ages?
Zhu's Great Dynasty
Do you know who ruled China many years ago? China was ruled by dynasties. A dynasty is a series of
rulers from the same family. The Ming dynasty began in 1368 by a man named Zhu. He was a servant who did
not like how he or other servants were being treated. Zhu decided to go up against his rulers. His army took over
the capitol city and began a new dynasty.
The Mings had many years of prosperity, which were
filled with success. During that time, many new things were
invented. They stepped ahead in farming by creating new ways
to grow crops. The leaders also began to save water. In
addition, the people made a product called porcelain, a hard
white material that was made by firing clay and then glazing it.
The leaders really enjoyed science. In fact, they were
more ahead than anyone else in the world. Also, the army's
weapons were better than other countries during this time. This
dynasty also built the famous Great Wall of China.
The people of China also wrote novels. They took their
old stories that were passed down and wrote them so that everyone could read them. Some of these novels are
still read today.
Alas, every good thing comes to an end. The Ming Dynasty was eventually taken over by another ruler and
ended in 1644. Other dynasties continued on for hundreds of years.
Today's Empire
The dynasties ended in 1911. The government came up with a new way to rule the land. China's name
changed to the Republic of China. It began in 1912 with a new president, Sun Yat-sen. Then in 1949, the
country became known as the People's Republic of China.
They carried on many of the same traditions from the past. Although the same language has been used
for hundreds of years, they changed part of the language by taking away some of the old Chinese characters, or
letters.
Since the start of the dynasties, making new things has been really important. Even today, China is known
for being a nation that invents great things.
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Page 5
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
Assessment ID: dna.10994
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
4
Which of these statements best summarizes
the ideas in the text?
A. Many dynasties continued on after the Ming
dynasty was taken over in the 1600s.
B. Throughout time, China's many inventions have
left a huge impact on the world today.
C. The Chinese are still using the same language
from their past and have only changed a few of
the characters.
D. The Ming Dynasty was more advanced than any
other nation at that time.
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Page 6
Assessment ID: dna.10994
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
Dreaming Big
(1) Have you ever heard the phrase, "Reach for the Stars"? This inspirational phrase means to have high
hopes. The perfect example of someone who really "reached for the stars" is Mae Jemison.
(2) As a young child, Mae was really bright and loved to learn. When she was in kindergarten, her teacher
asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Mae confidently told her that she wanted to be a scientist;
however, her teacher did not think that was the best idea and told her that she should become a nurse. It was not
very common for a woman, let alone an African–American woman, to become a scientist. Already as a child, Mae
had set her eyes on a large goal.
(3) All throughout elementary school, Mae wanted to learn more and more about science. She would often
go to the library to read any science book she could find. She was a sponge that soaked up any scientific
information she could get her hands on. Time and again, Mae would look out into the sky and dream about going
into space. Not only was Mae a dreamer and a smart student, but she also loved to participate in school activities.
Mae was involved in the student body government, school plays, and even took dance lessons.
(4) When Mae was in junior high, she experienced something that changed her life. Through her bedroom
window she watched a civil rights protest. She watched the police and National Guard walk the streets of Chicago
trying to prevent any problems from arising. She was frightened and confused. Then Mae realized that she was
just as important to her country as the men walking in the streets.
(5) She continued her education all the way through college. While in school, Mae learned more about
science and also learned to speak a total of four different languages. After graduation, Mae went on to medical
school to become a doctor.
(6) At that point, most people would say that Mae already reached a large goal in life and did not need to
do much more. However, she did not stop there. After watching a television show about space, she knew that was
what she was meant to do. She wanted to be an astronaut. Mae's first attempt to enter the NASA space program
was unsuccessful, yet she did not stop there. Mae applied again and was accepted into the NASA program in
1987. While she was in the program, Mae learned about space exploration. Her dream was to fly in a space
shuttle.
(7) After many years of working for NASA, Mae got her opportunity to fly into space. This was a
momentous occasion for Mae and many others because she would be the first African–American woman to orbit
the Earth in space. The space shuttle Endeavor launched on September 12, 1992. During the beginning of the
flight Mae looked out and saw the city where she grew up. As she passed over Chicago, she remembered that as
a little girl she always knew she would go into space.
(8) Mae was always able to accomplish what she set out to do. She did not let things like race or gender
get in the way of her dreams. Throughout her childhood and adult life, Mae set high goals for herself and did not
let anyone or anything get in the way of achieving them. Mae Jamison is truly a remarkable person.
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Page 7
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
Assessment ID: dna.10994
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
5
All of these are main ideas from the passage
except for which of the following?
A. Ever since she was a little girl, Mae set her eyes
on high goals.
B. Mae was a civil rights leader who stood up to
people who treated her poorly.
C. Mae would not let the color of her skin keep her
from accomplishing her dreams.
D. Mae worked really hard throughout her life and
never gave up.
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Page 8
Grade 5 Unit 2 Pre Assessment
Assessment ID: dna.10994
ib.146559
Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question(s) that follow.
It Could Save Your Life
Look around you. There is probably one in the room where you're sitting. A red canister in a corner
probably covered with dust. It is a bright spot of color in the room. It may seem useless. But, it could save your
life!
Fire extinguishers are made to remove one of three things present in a fire: intense heat, oxygen (or some
other gas), or fuel. They are made of metal and filled with water. If it is not water, an extinguisher is filled with
something that suffocates fire, like foam. This material is forced out of the extinguisher like spray from a can. A
special valve keeps the gas from escaping from the extinguisher until the lever at the top is pressed.
You may have an extinguisher at home that is not filled with water. It is essential that you have it inspected
every six years. Sometimes the gauge says the extinguisher has the right pressure and will work properly. But,
the gauge could be incorrect. That's why an inspection is important.
If you ever need to use an extinguisher, remember to aim the spray of water or foam at the source of the
fire. Move the can in a back–and–forth motion, like you're sweeping. Do not use a water–filled extinguisher for
putting out electrical fires. Use it for putting out wood or paper fires only. Most fire extinguishers only have a
small amount of substance in them. It can be used up in seconds. So, extinguishers are best for small fires that
haven't spread. For large or fast–spreading fires, call 9–1–1 and go to a safe place.
6
Read a summary of "It Could Save Your Life"
below.
Fire extinguishers are useful in putting out small
fires because they are filled with a substance
that can suffocate the fire. Although they are
not used often, they are extremely essential to
your safety. As a result, it is important to have
them inspected to make sure they are working
properly. There is a special valve in the
extinguisher that keeps the gas from leaking
out.
Which sentence does not summarize the
main ideas of the text and should be taken
out?
7
Which statement from the passage best
supports the main idea?
A. Fire extinguishers are made to remove one of
three things present in a fire: intense heat,
oxygen (or some other gas), or fuel.
B. Sometimes the gauge says the extinguisher has
the right pressure and will work properly. But,
the gauge could be incorrect.
C. If you ever need to use an extinguisher,
remember to aim the spray of water or foam at
the source of the fire.
D. It can be used up in seconds. So, extinguishers
are best for small fires that haven't spread.
A. Fire extinguishers are useful in putting out small
fires because they are filled with a substance
that can suffocate the fire.
B. Although they are not used often, they are
extremely essential to your safety.
C. As a result, it is important to have them
inspected to make sure they are working
properly.
D. There is a special valve in the extinguisher that
keeps the gas from leaking out.
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