Reading & Writing · Unit 2 · Weeks 7–12 · 45–55 min (fine to split over two sittings)

Main Idea, Opinions & Narratives

41 points total · Name: ____________________ Date: __________

For the adult

This test covers Weeks 7–12: finding the main idea and key details in an article, cause and effect, opinion writing, and the parts of a narrative, plus sentence types, dialogue punctuation and this unit's spelling rules. You may read all directions and the reading questions aloud, but your child reads the article 'Prairie Dog Towns' alone. In Language and Word Study, read only the directions, not the words or sentences. For the story at the end, read the prompt aloud and give your child a minute to plan; a quick sketch or list is fine. Do not spell words or punctuate for them. Splitting the test over two sittings is fine, for example the article and craft questions on one day and the rest on the next.

Part 1: Reading: An Article

11 points

Read the article. Then answer the questions. You can look back at the article.

1.
Which sentence tells the main idea of the whole article?
(2 pts)
○ Prairie dogs live together in towns that help them and many other animals survive.○ Hawks and coyotes hunt on the Great Plains.○ Burrowing owls make nests in the ground.
2.
Look at the part called "Watching Out for Danger." What is its main idea? Write two key details that support it.
(2 pts)
3.
Why does a burrow have a door that is built up higher?
(1 pt)
4.
Prairie dogs clip the tall grass short. What is the effect?
(1 pt)
5.
Finish the cause and effect. Cause: A prairie dog barks a sharp warning call. Effect: ____________
(1 pt)
6.
Read: "Bison and pronghorn like to graze on the fresh, short grass." What does graze mean?
(1 pt)
7.
How does the part "Good Neighbors" connect to the rest of the article? What new idea does it add?
(2 pts)
8.
Copy the sentence from the last paragraph that explains why prairie dogs are important to the grasslands.
(1 pt)

Part 2: Opinion & Story Craft

8 points

Answer each question about opinion writing and story writing.

9.
Which sentence is an opinion?
(1 pt)
○ Prairie dogs live in burrows.○ Prairie dogs are the cutest animals on the plains.○ Some owls nest in empty burrows.
10.
Choose the best linking words to fill the blank in this opinion paragraph. I think every town should have a park. Kids need a safe place to play. ____, my cousins and I play tag at our park every Saturday.
(1 pt)
○ For example○ In the end○ But
11.
Number the parts of a story arc in order from 1 to 4. ___ climax ___ opening ___ ending ___ rising action
(2 pts)
12.
Underline the two time-order words or phrases. After lunch, we packed the car. Soon we were on the road.
(2 pts)
13.
This sentence names a feeling: Ella was nervous. Rewrite it to show the feeling with an action or a body clue instead.
(2 pts)

Part 3: Language

9 points

Read each sentence by yourself. Follow the directions.

14.
Is this sentence simple, compound or complex? If a hawk flies over, the prairie dogs hide.
(1 pt)
○ simple○ compound○ complex
15.
Join the two sentences with a comma and but. The burrow is dark. It feels safe inside.
(2 pts)
16.
Circle the verb that agrees with the subject. The prairie dogs (dig / digs) new tunnels.
(1 pt)
○ dig○ digs
17.
Write the sentence in the past tense. I catch the bus.
(1 pt)
18.
Copy the sentence. Add a comma and quotation marks. Grandma said We can plant the seeds today.
(2 pts)
19.
Copy the sentence. Add the missing marks. I found it shouted Ruby
(2 pts)

Part 4: Word Study

9 points

Read each word by yourself. Follow the directions.

20.
Circle the word whose first syllable is open (it ends with a vowel).
(1 pt)
○ raven○ rabbit○ napkin
21.
Draw a line to divide each word into syllables. tennis motor
(2 pts)
22.
Write the plural of each word. bench → ____ pony → ____
(2 pts)
23.
Add the ending. Use the spelling rules. skip + ed = ____ plan + ing = ____
(2 pts)
24.
Add the ending. Use the spelling rules. joke + ed = ____ bake + ing = ____
(2 pts)

Part 5: Writing: A Short Narrative

4 points

Write a short story on your own paper or in the box.

25.
Write a short story about a time something went wrong and then got fixed. It can be real or made up. Include an opening that shows the setting and characters, the problem, at least one line of dialogue, time-order words, and an ending that solves the problem.
(4 pts)