The theme is the life lesson the story teaches, not just what happens.
Explain why characters act as they do using clues about their feelings and goals.
The best evidence is the sentence that proves your answer most directly.
Example: Maya practised her speech every night for a month. Which sentence best shows she is hard-working? Hard-working means putting in steady effort. Every night for a month shows lots of effort. Answer: She practised her speech every night for a month.
Question 1
Which statement best expresses the theme of this story?
Two Ideas, One Project
Lena wanted their science fair project to be about bees. Ravi wanted it to be about bridges. For two days, they barely spoke during work time.
On the third day, Ms. Chen asked how their plan was going. Lena looked at the blank poster board and sighed. “We don't have one,” she admitted.
That night, Ravi watched a video about how bees build honeycomb out of six-sided cells. He sat straight up. The shape was strong and light, and it used very little wax. Those were exactly the things a good bridge needed.
The next morning, he met Lena at the door with a sketch. “What if we test whether honeycomb shapes make stronger bridges?” Lena stared at the paper, then laughed. “Why didn't we think of that two days ago?”
Arguing with a partner always ruins a project.
Bees are more interesting than bridges.
Combining different ideas can lead to a better solution.
Science fair projects should be done alone.
Combining different ideas can lead to a better solution.
Hint: A theme is a lesson the characters learn. How did Lena and Ravi finally solve their problem?
Question 2
Why did Ravi bring a sketch to school?
Two Ideas, One Project
Lena wanted their science fair project to be about bees. Ravi wanted it to be about bridges. For two days, they barely spoke during work time.
On the third day, Ms. Chen asked how their plan was going. Lena looked at the blank poster board and sighed. “We don't have one,” she admitted.
That night, Ravi watched a video about how bees build honeycomb out of six-sided cells. He sat straight up. The shape was strong and light, and it used very little wax. Those were exactly the things a good bridge needed.
The next morning, he met Lena at the door with a sketch. “What if we test whether honeycomb shapes make stronger bridges?” Lena stared at the paper, then laughed. “Why didn't we think of that two days ago?”
He wanted to prove that bridges were better than bees.
He wanted to quit the science fair.
Ms. Chen had asked him to draw a honeycomb.
He wanted to show Lena a plan that mixed both of their ideas.
He wanted to show Lena a plan that mixed both of their ideas.
Hint: His question links honeycomb (bees) with bridges. Whose ideas are in it?
Question 3
Why did Lena sigh when she looked at the poster board?
Two Ideas, One Project
Lena wanted their science fair project to be about bees. Ravi wanted it to be about bridges. For two days, they barely spoke during work time.
On the third day, Ms. Chen asked how their plan was going. Lena looked at the blank poster board and sighed. “We don't have one,” she admitted.
That night, Ravi watched a video about how bees build honeycomb out of six-sided cells. He sat straight up. The shape was strong and light, and it used very little wax. Those were exactly the things a good bridge needed.
The next morning, he met Lena at the door with a sketch. “What if we test whether honeycomb shapes make stronger bridges?” Lena stared at the paper, then laughed. “Why didn't we think of that two days ago?”
She had finished the poster and was tired.
She was frustrated that they had made no progress.
She didn't like the colour of the board.
She was bored by Ms. Chen's question.
She was frustrated that they had made no progress.
Hint: The board was blank, and she admits, “We don't have one.” How does that feel after two days?
Question 4
What does Lena's question at the end suggest?
Two Ideas, One Project
Lena wanted their science fair project to be about bees. Ravi wanted it to be about bridges. For two days, they barely spoke during work time.
On the third day, Ms. Chen asked how their plan was going. Lena looked at the blank poster board and sighed. “We don't have one,” she admitted.
That night, Ravi watched a video about how bees build honeycomb out of six-sided cells. He sat straight up. The shape was strong and light, and it used very little wax. Those were exactly the things a good bridge needed.
The next morning, he met Lena at the door with a sketch. “What if we test whether honeycomb shapes make stronger bridges?” Lena stared at the paper, then laughed. “Why didn't we think of that two days ago?”
She wants to switch partners.
She is angry that Ravi didn't ask her first.
She likes the new idea and wishes they had found it sooner.
She thinks the idea will never work.
She likes the new idea and wishes they had found it sooner.
Hint: She laughs before she asks it. What does “Why didn't we think of that…?” usually mean?
Question 5
Why does Priya try the trick “once more” instead of going home?
The Practice Lot
Every afternoon, Priya carried her skateboard to the empty lot behind the community centre. She had been trying to land the same trick for three weeks.
Today, a younger kid named Leo sat on the curb and watched her fall again and again. Priya's face went hot. She almost packed up and went home.
Instead, she brushed the gravel off her knees and tried once more. This time the board flipped, spun and landed right under her feet.
Leo cheered so loudly that a pigeon flapped off the fence. “Can you teach me?” he asked. Priya grinned. “Only if you're ready to fall a lot.”
The community centre is about to close.
She doesn't want to give up on the trick.
Her coach is timing her.
She doesn't want to give up on the trick.
Hint: Leo doesn't speak until the end. Think about how long Priya has worked on this trick.
Question 6
Which sentence best shows that Priya is persistent?
The Practice Lot
Every afternoon, Priya carried her skateboard to the empty lot behind the community centre. She had been trying to land the same trick for three weeks.
Today, a younger kid named Leo sat on the curb and watched her fall again and again. Priya's face went hot. She almost packed up and went home.
Instead, she brushed the gravel off her knees and tried once more. This time the board flipped, spun and landed right under her feet.
Leo cheered so loudly that a pigeon flapped off the fence. “Can you teach me?” he asked. Priya grinned. “Only if you're ready to fall a lot.”
Today, a younger kid named Leo sat on the curb.
She had been trying to land the same trick for three weeks.
Priya's face went hot.
She had been trying to land the same trick for three weeks.
Hint: Persistent means you keep trying for a long time. Which sentence shows effort over many days?
Question 7
Why did Priya's face go hot?
The Practice Lot
Every afternoon, Priya carried her skateboard to the empty lot behind the community centre. She had been trying to land the same trick for three weeks.
Today, a younger kid named Leo sat on the curb and watched her fall again and again. Priya's face went hot. She almost packed up and went home.
Instead, she brushed the gravel off her knees and tried once more. This time the board flipped, spun and landed right under her feet.
Leo cheered so loudly that a pigeon flapped off the fence. “Can you teach me?” he asked. Priya grinned. “Only if you're ready to fall a lot.”
She felt embarrassed falling while someone watched.
The afternoon sun was too strong.
She was angry because Leo laughed at her.
She felt embarrassed falling while someone watched.
Hint: Look at what happens just before: Leo was watching her fall again and again. How would you feel?
Question 8
What would most likely happen if a beaver could not chew wood?
Nature's Engineers
Beavers are sometimes called nature's engineers. Using their strong front teeth, they cut down small trees and drag the branches to a stream. Then they pile up branches, mud and stones to build a dam.
The dam slows the water and creates a pond. In the pond, beavers build a home called a lodge. Its entrances are underwater, which helps keep predators out.
A beaver's front teeth never stop growing. Chewing on wood keeps them from getting too long. The teeth are orange because they contain iron, which makes them extra tough.
Beaver ponds help many other living things. Ducks, frogs, fish and insects find food and shelter in the calm water. In this way, one busy animal can change a whole habitat.
Its front teeth would grow too long.
Its teeth would turn white.
It would no longer need a lodge.
Its front teeth would grow too long.
Hint: Paragraph 3 explains what chewing wood does for a beaver's teeth.
Question 9
Why does the author call beavers “nature's engineers”?
Nature's Engineers
Beavers are sometimes called nature's engineers. Using their strong front teeth, they cut down small trees and drag the branches to a stream. Then they pile up branches, mud and stones to build a dam.
The dam slows the water and creates a pond. In the pond, beavers build a home called a lodge. Its entrances are underwater, which helps keep predators out.
A beaver's front teeth never stop growing. Chewing on wood keeps them from getting too long. The teeth are orange because they contain iron, which makes them extra tough.
Beaver ponds help many other living things. Ducks, frogs, fish and insects find food and shelter in the calm water. In this way, one busy animal can change a whole habitat.
They study nature in a lab.
They work for the government.
They design and build structures, as engineers do.
They design and build structures, as engineers do.
Hint: Engineers plan and build things like dams and bridges. What do beavers build?
Question 10
Why are a lodge's entrances underwater?
Nature's Engineers
Beavers are sometimes called nature's engineers. Using their strong front teeth, they cut down small trees and drag the branches to a stream. Then they pile up branches, mud and stones to build a dam.
The dam slows the water and creates a pond. In the pond, beavers build a home called a lodge. Its entrances are underwater, which helps keep predators out.
A beaver's front teeth never stop growing. Chewing on wood keeps them from getting too long. The teeth are orange because they contain iron, which makes them extra tough.
Beaver ponds help many other living things. Ducks, frogs, fish and insects find food and shelter in the calm water. In this way, one busy animal can change a whole habitat.
to keep the lodge dry
to help keep predators out
so beavers can store mud
to help keep predators out
Hint: Paragraph 2 gives the reason in the same sentence.
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Answer key
1. Combining different ideas can lead to a better solution.
2. He wanted to show Lena a plan that mixed both of their ideas.
3. She was frustrated that they had made no progress.
4. She likes the new idea and wishes they had found it sooner.
5. She doesn't want to give up on the trick.
6. She had been trying to land the same trick for three weeks.
7. She felt embarrassed falling while someone watched.
8. Its front teeth would grow too long.
9. They design and build structures, as engineers do.
10. to help keep predators out
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