5th grade English Language Arts practice sheet
New York State Learning Standards · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
Question 1
Put the events of “The Spelling Bee” in order, from the exposition to the resolution.
- She takes a deep breath, pictures her flashcard and spells the word correctly to win.
- She makes it to the final round, but her mind goes blank on a word she knows.
- Her classmates clap as the principal hands her the trophy.
- Zoe has practiced for the school spelling bee for months.
- Zoe puts the trophy on her shelf, right next to her flashcards.
Zoe has practiced for the school spelling bee for months. → She makes it to the final round, but her mind goes blank on a word she knows. → She takes a deep breath, pictures her flashcard and spells the word correctly to win. → Her classmates clap as the principal hands her the trophy. → Zoe puts the trophy on her shelf, right next to her flashcards.
Hint: Start with the event that introduces the characters. End with how things turn out.
Question 2
What does the idiom “hit the books” mean in this sentence?
Ana hit the books all weekend before her test.
- returned her library books
- knocked books off a shelf
- studied hard
- forgot about the test
studied hard
Hint: She had a test coming up. What would she be doing with her books?
Question 3
What is the author's main purpose?
“Who left their socks in the fridge?” Dad shouted. Everyone looked at the dog, and the dog looked at the ceiling.
- to entertain
- to persuade
- to inform
to entertain
Hint: Is it a made-up story or something meant to be fun or funny? Then the purpose is to entertain.
Question 4
Which meaning of “file” is used in this sentence?
Please file your worksheets in the blue folder.
- a line of people, one behind another
- a tool for smoothing nails
- to put in order and store
to put in order and store
Hint: “file” has more than one meaning. Read the whole sentence, then try each meaning in its place.
Question 5
What does the root “spect” mean?
spectinspect · spectator · spectacular- look
- build
- throw
- write or draw
look
Hint: Think about what these words have in common: inspect, spectator, spectacular. The root “spect” means “look.”
Question 6
What kind of sentence is this?
Although the hill was steep, Ana rode her bike to the top.
- compound sentence
- simple sentence
- complex sentence
complex sentence
Hint: A complex sentence has an independent clause plus a dependent clause that starts with a word like because, when or although.
Question 7
Which is the correct contraction for “they are”?
- there
- they're
- theyr'e
- their
they're
Hint: The apostrophe replaces the missing a in “are”: they + are = they're.
Question 8
Which persuasive technique does this ad use?
Don't let your grandparents feel lonely. Call them every week with this easy video phone.
- bandwagon
- testimonial
- exaggeration
- emotional appeal
emotional appeal
Hint: An emotional appeal tries to make you feel something strong, like love, worry or excitement.
Question 9
Why choose a large, clear font for a poster?
- so it can be read from far away
- to use more ink
- to hide mistakes
so it can be read from far away
Hint: Think about your audience.
Question 10
What does it mean to paraphrase?
- copy the words exactly
- add made-up facts
- skip the main idea
- put someone's idea in your own words
put someone's idea in your own words
Hint: Paraphrasing uses your own words, and you still give credit.
Answer key
- 1. Zoe has practiced for the school spelling bee for months. → She makes it to the final round, but her mind goes blank on a word she knows. → She takes a deep breath, pictures her flashcard and spells the word correctly to win. → Her classmates clap as the principal hands her the trophy. → Zoe puts the trophy on her shelf, right next to her flashcards. (Plot and Conflict)
- 2. studied hard (Figurative Language)
- 3. to entertain (Purpose and Structure)
- 4. to put in order and store (Context Clues)
- 5. look (Greek and Latin Roots)
- 6. complex sentence (Complex Sentences)
- 7. they're (Punctuation Power)
- 8. emotional appeal (Media Smarts)
- 9. so it can be read from far away (Create With Words, Pictures and Sound)
- 10. put someone's idea in your own words (Research Ready)
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback. See all English language arts units.