Nebraska NSCAS ELA — Grade 4

Lila planted a small garden behind her house. She watered the seeds every morning and pulled weeds each afternoon. After a few weeks, green shoots pushed through the soil. Lila smiled at her hard work. What is the main idea of the passage?

• ALila cares for her garden and watches it grow.
• BLila does not like working in the garden.
• CLila only plants flowers in the spring.
• DLila's garden fails to grow any plants.

The little seed / sleeps in the ground. / It drinks the rain / without a sound. / It reaches up / to see the sun. / Its growing work / is never done. What is the theme of the poem?

• AGrowing takes patience and quiet effort.
• BSeeds cannot grow without sunlight.
• CRain is harmful to seeds.
• DSeeds make loud sounds when they grow.

Marco and his sister Rosa built a kite together. Marco tied the knots while Rosa decorated the tail with ribbons. When the kite was ready, they ran to the park to fly it. Who decorated the kite's tail?

• ARosa
• BMarco
• CTheir mother
• DA friend at the park

The cabin sat high on a snowy mountain. Wind howled outside the wooden walls. Inside, a fire crackled in the stone fireplace. Where does the story take place?

• AIn a mountain cabin in winter
• BOn a sunny beach
• CIn a city apartment
• DIn a desert tent

Jamal practiced piano for thirty minutes every day after school. His fingers grew faster at the hard song. On Friday, he played it perfectly for his teacher. How did Jamal improve at the piano?

• ABy practicing every day after school
• BBy watching someone else play
• CBy buying a new piano
• DBy skipping practice on weekends

I woke up early and looked out my window. Snow covered the ground like a white blanket. I could not wait to build a snowman. From which point of view is the story told?

• AFirst person
• BSecond person
• CThird person
• DNo point of view

First, Priya gathered flour, sugar, and eggs. Next, she mixed them in a big bowl. Then she poured the batter into a pan. Finally, she baked the cake for thirty minutes. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

• APriya follows steps to bake a cake.
• BPriya eats a cake at a party.
• CPriya buys a cake from a store.
• DPriya cleans the kitchen after cooking.

Tom's dog, Biscuit, loved to chase squirrels. One morning, Biscuit spotted a squirrel near the oak tree. He ran after it, but the squirrel scampered up the trunk. Biscuit sat at the bottom and barked. Why did Biscuit bark at the tree?

• AThe squirrel climbed up where he could not reach it.
• BHe saw a cat in the tree.
• CHe wanted to go inside the house.
• DHe was hungry for his breakfast.

Ben poured cereal into a bowl. Then he added milk. After that, he sliced a banana on top. Finally, he sat down to eat. How is the passage organized?

• AIn the order the events happen
• BBy comparing two things
• CBy cause and effect
• DBy a problem and its solution

The wind / can push / a sailing ship. / The wind / can spin / a windmill's wheel. / The wind / can lift / a kite so high. / But wind / can never / be held still. What is the main idea of the poem?

• AWind has many powers but cannot be captured.
• BWind is dangerous and should be avoided.
• CWind only helps sailing ships move.
• DWind is easy to hold in your hand.

Elena wanted to join the school play, but she was afraid of forgetting her lines. Her friend told her to practice in front of a mirror. Elena practiced every night. On the day of the play, she spoke her part without a single mistake. What is the theme of the story?

• APractice and preparation help you overcome fear.
• BPlays are too scary for children.
• CFriends should always be in the same play.
• DMirrors help you learn your lines.

Whenever someone dropped papers in the hallway, Devon stopped to help pick them up. He shared his lunch with anyone who forgot theirs. His teacher said he was the kindest student in class. Which word best describes Devon?

• AKind and helpful
• BShy and quiet
• CBossy and loud
• DLazy and tired

The playground was empty. The swings moved slightly in the wind. A basketball sat alone on the court, slowly rolling to a stop. What can you infer about the playground?

• ANo one is playing there right now.
• BIt is a brand-new playground.
• CChildren are playing a game of basketball.
• DThe playground is being repaired.

The snow fell like feathers from the sky, covering the town in a soft white blanket. What does the phrase 'like feathers' help the reader understand?

• AThe snow was light and gentle as it fell.
• BThe snow was heavy and wet.
• CThe snow was full of real feathers.
• DThe snow was falling very fast.

She tucked the blanket around the baby and hummed a soft song. The baby's eyes slowly closed. Outside, the stars began to appear in the dark sky. From which point of view is the story told?

• AThird person
• BFirst person
• CSecond person
• DIt changes between sentences

Ava found a stray kitten behind the grocery store. It was thin and shivering. She wrapped it in her jacket and carried it home. Her family helped her feed it warm milk and gave it a soft bed. Which sentence best summarizes the story?

• AAva rescues a stray kitten and brings it home to care for it.
• BAva loses her kitten at the grocery store.
• CAva's family does not like animals.
• DAva buys a kitten from a pet store.

Sam's bicycle had a flat tire. He could not ride it to school. He looked in the garage and found a pump. He filled the tire with air, and it held. What problem does Sam solve?

• AHe fixes his flat tire so he can ride his bike.
• BHe buys a new bicycle at the store.
• CHe walks to school instead of riding.
• DHe lends his bike to a friend.

The market was loud and colorful. Vendors called out prices from behind tables piled with mangoes, peppers, and beans. The smell of fresh bread floated from a nearby bakery. Which detail helps you picture the market?

• AVendors call out prices and tables are piled with colorful food.
• BThe market is closed on Sundays.
• CThe market sells only bread.
• DThe market is very small and quiet.

Noah tried to build a birdhouse. His first attempt fell apart. He tried again, measuring more carefully this time. The second birdhouse stood strong. A week later, a robin moved in. What is the theme of the story?

• ATrying again after a mistake leads to success.
• BBirdhouses are easy to build.
• CRobins are picky birds.
• DMeasuring is not important.

When Maria saw the surprise on the table, her eyes grew wide and she gasped. She hugged her mother tightly. What is Maria feeling?

• ASurprised and happy
• BBored and tired
• CAngry and upset
• DScared and worried

Whales and fish both live in the ocean and have streamlined bodies. However, whales are mammals that breathe air, while fish use gills to breathe underwater. How does the author organize this passage?

• ABy comparing and contrasting whales and fish
• BBy telling events in order
• CBy cause and effect
• DBy asking and answering a question

The moon / glows bright / above the trees. / The crickets chirp / a nightly tune. / An owl hoots / soft in the breeze. / The stars / and fireflies / share the moon. Which detail is supported by the poem?

• AThe poem takes place at night.
• BThe poem takes place in the morning.
• CThe poem takes place in winter.
• DThe poem takes place at school.

Grandpa placed his reading glasses on the table and rubbed his eyes. The book in his lap was open to page 200. The fire in the fireplace was almost out. What can you infer about Grandpa?

• AHe has been reading for a long time and is tired.
• BHe just started reading the book.
• CHe is about to go outside.
• DHe lost his glasses.

Every Saturday, the community center hosts a farmer's market. Farmers bring fresh vegetables, fruit, and honey. Families come to shop and visit with neighbors. Musicians play music near the front door. What is the main idea?

• AThe community center's farmer's market is a lively Saturday gathering.
• BFarmers only sell vegetables at the market.
• CThe community center is closed on weekends.
• DMusicians are paid to play at the market.

I built / a tower / block by block. / It wobbled once, / it wobbled twice. / It tumbled down / with a noisy knock. / I sat and stared / at blocks of ice— / No, just wood, / so try again. / I'll build / my tower / taller then. What is the theme of the poem?

• APersistence helps you improve after a setback.
• BTowers are impossible to build.
• CWooden blocks are better than ice.
• DFalling towers are dangerous.

From the top of the hill, Mia could see the whole town. She pointed to the red roof of the school. 'That's where I go,' she told her cousin. Her cousin had just arrived from the city and had never seen such a small town. How does Mia likely feel about her town?

• AProud and excited to share it
• BBored and wishing to leave
• CAngry about the small size
• DScared of her cousin

The classroom was a zoo the moment the teacher stepped out. Students jumped on chairs, paper airplanes flew, and someone had turned the chalk upside down. What does 'the classroom was a zoo' mean?

• AThe classroom was wild and noisy.
• BAnimals were loose in the classroom.
• CThe class was visiting the zoo.
• DThe classroom was very clean.

Passage A: 'I ran to the bus stop, my backpack bouncing with every step.' Passage B: 'He ran to the bus stop, his backpack bouncing with every step.' How are the two passages different?

• APassage A is first person and Passage B is third person.
• BPassage A is third person and Passage B is first person.
• CBoth passages are first person.
• DBoth passages are second person.

The river / hums a quiet song. / A heron stands / as still as stone. / The sun / will not / be here for long. / The heron stands / alone, alone. What time of day is suggested by the poem?

• AEvening, because the sun will not be there for long
• BMorning, because the heron just woke up
• CNoon, because the sun is bright overhead
• DMidnight, because the river is dark

On Monday, the class learned about bees. On Tuesday, they watched a video about how honey is made. On Wednesday, a beekeeper visited with a glass hive. On Thursday, each student wrote a report. Which sentence best summarizes the week?

• AThe class spends a week studying bees and sharing what they learned.
• BThe class only watches videos about bees.
• CThe beekeeper brings bees to the classroom on Monday.
• DThe class writes reports about insects on Friday.

Trees help people in many ways. They give us shade on hot days. Their leaves clean the air we breathe. Some trees even grow fruit for us to eat. What is the main idea of the passage?

• ATrees are helpful to people in several ways.
• BTrees are only useful for their wood.
• CTrees are dangerous near houses.
• DTrees only grow in deep forests.

A diagram shows the parts of a plant. Under the picture, a label points to the roots and says 'roots take in water from the soil.' What is the purpose of the label under the diagram?

• ATo explain what the roots do
• BTo show the color of the flower
• CTo tell who drew the picture
• DTo show how tall the plant grows

Penguins live in cold places near the South Pole. They cannot fly, but they swim very well. They use their flippers to move through the water. How do penguins move through the water?

• AThey use their flippers to swim.
• BThey fly above the water.
• CThey walk on the bottom.
• DThey ride on ice blocks.

Read this sentence from a book about volcanoes: 'A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a pool of molten rock below the surface.' Why did the author most likely write this sentence?

• ATo explain what a volcano is
• BTo tell a story about a volcano
• CTo make readers laugh
• DTo argue that volcanoes are fun

First, a caterpillar hatches from an egg. Next, it eats leaves and grows. Then, it forms a chrysalis. Finally, it comes out as a butterfly. How is the passage organized?

• AIn the order of steps in a process
• BBy comparing two animals
• CBy cause and effect
• DBy a problem and solution

The desert is a dry place. It gets very little rain. During the day, the sand can be very hot. At night, the desert can become cold. What is the main idea?

• AThe desert is a dry place with hot days and cold nights.
• BThe desert is always cold.
• CThe desert gets a lot of rain.
• DThe desert is covered in grass.

You see a section in a book titled 'How Beavers Build Dams.' What is this section most likely about?

• AThe steps beavers use to build dams
• BWhy beavers have long tails
• CHow fish swim in rivers
• DA story about a beaver family

The water cycle moves water around the Earth. Heat from the sun turns water into vapor. The vapor rises and forms clouds. When clouds get heavy, water falls as rain. What causes water to turn into vapor?

• AHeat from the sun
• BCold air from clouds
• CWind from the ocean
• DRain falling down

Recycling helps the earth. Glass bottles can be used again. Paper can be turned into new paper. Cans can be melted and made into new things. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

• AMany materials can be recycled and used again.
• BOnly glass can be recycled.
• CRecycling is too hard for kids.
• DPaper cannot be recycled.

Honeybees live in large groups called colonies. Each bee has a job. The queen lays eggs. Worker bees gather nectar and build the hive. Drones help the queen. What is the main idea of the passage?

• AHoneybees live in colonies where each bee has a special job.
• BHoneybees work alone most of the time.
• COnly the queen bee is important.
• DDrones gather nectar for the hive.

A chart shows the average rainfall for each month. The tallest bar is in May. The shortest bar is in January. What can you learn from the chart?

• AMay has the most rainfall of the year shown.
• BJanuary is the wettest month.
• CIt rains the same every month.
• DNo rain falls in May.

An article explains how to stay safe during a thunderstorm. It says to go inside, stay away from windows, and not use corded phones. Why did the author most likely write this article?

• ATo teach readers how to stay safe in a storm
• BTo entertain readers with a storm story
• CTo persuade readers to like storms
• DTo describe a character in a storm

When factories burn coal, they release smoke into the air. The smoke can make the air dirty. Dirty air can make people cough and have trouble breathing. How is this passage organized?

• ABy cause and effect
• BBy events in order
• CBy comparing two things
• DBy a problem and solution

Book A says, 'Some frogs can jump twenty times the length of their body.' Book B says, 'A frog's strong leg muscles help it leap far.' What do both books help you understand?

• AFrogs have strong legs that help them jump far.
• BFrogs cannot jump very well.
• CFrogs only live in trees.
• DFrogs eat insects for food.

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth. It rises more than 29,000 feet above sea level. Many climbers try to reach the top, but the cold and thin air make it very hard. What is the main idea?

• AMount Everest is very tall and difficult to climb.
• BMount Everest is easy to climb in summer.
• CMount Everest is the shortest mountain.
• DClimbers never try to reach the top.

The bald eagle is a large bird of prey. It has a white head and a brown body. Bald eagles live near lakes and rivers where they can catch fish. They build huge nests at the tops of tall trees. Which detail tells where bald eagles live?

• AThey live near lakes and rivers where they can catch fish.
• BThey live in deserts far from water.
• CThey live in cold mountains only.
• DThey live in cities and towns.

A map shows the routes explorers took across the ocean. A key shows a solid line for one explorer and a dotted line for another. What does the dotted line most likely show?

• AThe route taken by one of the explorers
• BThe depth of the ocean
• CThe wind direction
• DThe location of treasure

An editorial says, 'Our town should build more bike lanes so children can ride safely to school.' What is the author's purpose?

• ATo persuade readers to support bike lanes
• BTo explain how bikes are made
• CTo tell a story about riding a bike
• DTo describe the parts of a bicycle