PSSA English Language Arts — Grade 5

Read the passage 'The Mapmaker of Laurel Ridge' before answering the question. Why is Maya determined to climb Laurel Ridge?

• AShe wants to fulfill a personal goal to finish her great-grandfather's survey.
• BShe needs to locate a missing water bottle that Sam dropped along the stream.
• CShe is competing against her cousin Sam to see who can reach Ohiopyle first.
• DShe was instructed by the state park rangers to clear overgrown hiking trails.

Read the passage 'The Mapmaker of Laurel Ridge' before answering the question. In paragraph 4, what does the word 'legible' mean?

• AClear enough to be read easily
• BExtremely old and fragile
• CWritten in a foreign language
• DTorn along the edges

Read the passage 'The Mapmaker of Laurel Ridge' before answering the question. How does the setting of the mountain trail affect Sam's attitude during the story?

• AThe physical difficulty of the steep climb makes him tired, but recognizing the landmark…
• BThe cold autumn wind scares him, prompting him to run back toward the park visitor center.
• CThe loud noise of the roaring river prevents him from hearing Maya's directions.
• DThe thick fog makes it impossible to see the trail, forcing him to set up a tent.

Read the passage 'The Mapmaker of Laurel Ridge' before answering the question. Which theme is best supported by the events in the story?

• AHonoring family history through determination and teamwork can overcome doubts.
• BHiking alone is safer than hiking with family members.
• CAncient maps are always inaccurate and should not be trusted.
• DPhysical strength is more valuable than careful planning.

Read the passage 'The Mapmaker of Laurel Ridge' before answering the question. Which statement best describes the point of view of the story?

• AThird-person limited, focusing primarily on Maya's thoughts and actions
• BFirst-person, told directly from Sam's personal perspective using 'I'
• CFirst-person, told directly from Maya's personal perspective using 'I'
• DThird-person omniscient, revealing the secret thoughts of all park visitors

Read the passage 'The Mapmaker of Laurel Ridge' before answering the question. How does Sam's response to the hike differ from Maya's response, and what evidence supports this difference?

• ASam experiences physical fatigue and doubt, while Maya remains focused and confident; Sam…
• BSam wants to finish the survey quickly, while Maya wants to stop and rest at every stream.
• CSam is an expert mapmaker who leads the way, while Maya relies entirely on memory.
• DSam wants to explore Ohiopyle, while Maya insists on returning home immediately.

Read the passage 'The Lantern in the Storm' before answering the question. Why do Caleb and Grandma Rose go to the woodshed?

• ATo get a brass kerosene lantern in case the electricity fails during the snowstorm.
• BTo gather pine cones for decoration on the front porch.
• CTo rescue a stray dog hiding under the stack of firewood.
• DTo repair the broken wooden steps of the cabin porch.

Read the passage 'The Lantern in the Storm' before answering the question. What does the simile 'The wind howled like an angry wolf' in paragraph 3 convey about the weather?

• AThe wind was loud, fierce, and wild as the blizzard grew stronger.
• BActual wolves were surrounding the woodshed in the forest.
• CThe wind was making soft, musical whistle sounds through the trees.
• DThe storm was rapidly stopping and clearing up.

Read the passage 'The Lantern in the Storm' before answering the question. How do Caleb and Grandma Rose demonstrate mutual support during the storm?

• ACaleb prepares equipment and carries the lantern, while Grandma Rose provides guidance an…
• BCaleb builds a new fireplace in the kitchen, while Grandma Rose shovels the long driveway.
• CCaleb stays inside drinking hot cocoa, while Grandma Rose walks to the shed alone.
• DGrandma Rose carries Caleb on her shoulders through the deep snow drifts.

Read the passage 'The Lantern in the Storm' before answering the question. What does the brass lantern represent in the final paragraph of the story?

• APreparation, hope, and guidance amidst difficulty
• BFear of being lost forever in the wilderness
• CThe desire to leave the Pocono Mountains permanently
• DThe dangers of using matches in wood buildings

Read the passage 'The Lantern in the Storm' before answering the question. How does the author create a contrast in mood between paragraphs 3 and 5?

• AParagraph 3 creates a cold, tense mood through harsh sensory details, while paragraph 5 c…
• BParagraph 3 creates a joyful celebration mood, while paragraph 5 creates a scary atmosphe…
• CParagraph 3 creates a silly mood, while paragraph 5 presents an educational science lectu…
• DParagraph 3 creates a mysterious fantasy mood, while paragraph 5 creates an aggressive ar…

Read the passage 'The Lantern in the Storm' before answering the question. What can the reader infer about Caleb's character development from his actions in paragraph 5?

• AHe gained confidence in taking responsibility during challenging situations.
• BHe decided he prefers living alone in the woodshed.
• CHe became fearful of snowstorms and refused to go outdoors again.
• DHe realized he no longer needs his grandmother's guidance for anything.

Read the passage 'The Secret of Pine Creek Gorge' before answering the question. Which character trait best describes Elena in the story?

• AObservant and patient
• BCareless and forgetful
• CImpatient and easily distracted
• DFearful and reluctant

Read the passage 'The Secret of Pine Creek Gorge' before answering the question. Why is Pine Creek Gorge an ideal setting for finding peregrine falcons?

• AIt features high sandstone cliff ledges and vast open airspace for nesting and diving.
• BIt is a dense underground cave system free of natural sunlight.
• CIt is a shallow farm pond surrounded by flat cornfields.
• DIt is an urban city park filled with tall skyscrapers.

Read the passage 'The Secret of Pine Creek Gorge' before answering the question. What causes Julian to confirm that the bird Elena spotted is a peregrine falcon?

• AHe observes its narrow, pointed wings and dark helmet mark as it rises on an updraft.
• BHe hears the bird sing a melodic tune listed in his audio guide.
• CHe reads a metal tag attached to the bird's leg through his telescope.
• DThe local bird researcher walks up and points out the nest to them.

Read the passage 'The Secret of Pine Creek Gorge' before answering the question. What does the metaphor 'a vast sea of emerald green treetops' in paragraph 1 emphasize?

• AThe immense size and rich green color of the dense forest filling the deep canyon
• BThe presence of saltwater ocean waves crashing against the gorge walls
• CThe small, patchy grass growing near the parking lot
• DThe blue color of the river flowing along the bottom

Read the passage 'The Secret of Pine Creek Gorge' before answering the question. How does paragraph 3 shift the pacing of the story?

• AIt moves from a period of quiet, tiring waiting to a sudden moment of exciting action whe…
• BIt slows down the story by describing historical details of the park creation.
• CIt interrupts the hike with a flashback to their school science classroom.
• DIt ends the story abruptly without resolving whether falcons exist.

Read the passage 'The Secret of Pine Creek Gorge' before answering the question. Which detail from the text best supports the conclusion that Elena and Julian view birdwatching as a purposeful scientific activity?

• AElena logs exact times, weather conditions, and location coordinates in her field noteboo…
• BElena complains about her arms getting tired after looking through binoculars.
• CJulian mentions that turkey vultures were floating through the sky above the canyon.
• DThey enjoy looking at the emerald green color of the trees across the gorge.

Read the passage 'Echoes of the River Bench' before answering the question. What are Marcus and Pappy Joe building in the workshop?

• AA wooden bench for the town waterfront park
• BA wooden canoe for paddling down the Allegheny River
• CA set of bookshelves for the local public library
• DA dining room table for Pappy Joe's house

Read the passage 'Echoes of the River Bench' before answering the question. In paragraph 7, what does Pappy Joe mean when he says Marcus 'didn't cut a single corner'?

• AMarcus did careful, thorough work without rushing or taking shortcuts.
• BMarcus forgot to saw off the sharp edges of the wooden planks.
• CMarcus used a round saw instead of a hand plane.
• DMarcus refused to measure the timber before cutting it.

Read the passage 'Echoes of the River Bench' before answering the question. How does Marcus's perspective on woodworking change from the beginning of the project to the end?

• AHe initially thinks woodworking is tedious, but grows to appreciate the pride of craftsma…
• BHe starts out loving woodworking, but grows frustrated and gives up before finishing.
• CHe wants to sell the bench for money, but decides to keep it in his bedroom.
• DHe prefers video games at first and remains completely disinterested throughout.

Read the passage 'Echoes of the River Bench' before answering the question. What is the main internal struggle Marcus faces in the story?

• AOvercoming his impatience so he can focus on careful, quality work
• BDeciding whether to move away from his riverside town
• CArguing with Pappy Joe over who gets to keep the wooden plane
• DTrying to fix a broken trailer tire on the way to the park

Read the passage 'Echoes of the River Bench' before answering the question. Which summary best captures the key sequence of events in the story?

• AMarcus learns woodworking techniques from Pappy Joe, patiently finishes a cherry wood ben…
• BMarcus plays video games in the workshop until Pappy Joe asks him to load a finished benc…
• CPappy Joe cuts down a cherry tree near Warren, builds a boat, and sails down the Alleghen…
• DA neighbor asks Pappy Joe to repair her porch bench, and Marcus orders new lumber from ou…

Read the passage 'Echoes of the River Bench' before answering the question. How do words such as 'ribbon candies', 'sweet scent', 'calloused hand', and 'warm reddish wood' contribute to the atmosphere of the story?

• AThey create a rich sensory experience that conveys warmth, tradition, and respect for woo…
• BThey suggest that the workshop is dirty, unsafe, and overwhelming to visitors.
• CThey show that Marcus disdains manual labor and wishes to leave immediately.
• DThey build a mysterious, frightening mood about old forests.

Read the passage 'The Clockmaker's Apprentice' before answering the question. What is the main problem Clara faces at the beginning of the story?

• AA 150-year-old historical clock has stopped ticking and needs repair.
• BMaster Thomas lost his magnifying eyeglasses and cannot see.
• CThe town historical society wants to replace all antique clocks with digital ones.
• DClara dropped a glass clock cover and shattered it on the floor.

Read the passage 'The Clockmaker's Apprentice' before answering the question. Which detail best supports the idea that Clara works with high precision?

• AShe uses a tiny file smaller than a toothpick with steady, deliberate movements to remove…
• BShe pushes the heavy brass pendulum to see if it will swing.
• CShe asks Master Thomas to take over the workbench while she rests.
• DShe leaves the clock disassembly unfinished until the following week.

Read the passage 'The Clockmaker's Apprentice' before answering the question. In paragraph 3, what does the word 'microscopic' mean?

• AExtremely small; visible only with close inspection or magnification
• BHeavy and made of solid iron
• CBrightly glowing in the dark
• DBroken into many tiny pieces

Read the passage 'The Clockmaker's Apprentice' before answering the question. What signals that the central problem of the story has been successfully resolved?

• AThe heavy brass pendulum sways and a deep, rhythmic chime echoes through the shop.
• BMaster Thomas hands Clara a brand new set of magnifying glasses.
• CThe historical society calls the shop to ask about repair prices.
• DClara turns off her desk lamp and cleans her workbench.

Read the passage 'The Clockmaker's Apprentice' before answering the question. How does the author craft the atmosphere from paragraph 2 to paragraph 5?

• AThe atmosphere shifts from careful, concentrated tension to satisfying accomplishment.
• BThe atmosphere shifts from lighthearted comedy to intense anger.
• CThe atmosphere shifts from frightening panic to sorrowful regret.
• DThe atmosphere shifts from chaotic confusion to total silence.

Read the passage 'The Clockmaker's Apprentice' before answering the question. Which statement best captures the underlying theme shared by 'The Clockmaker's Apprentice' and 'Echoes of the River Bench'?

• ATrue skill and lasting achievement require patience, attention to detail, and mentorship.
• BWorking with old mechanical items is easier than modern technology.
• CYoung people should only pursue hobbies that yield financial rewards.
• DCompleting tasks quickly is more important than checking for small mistakes.

Read the passage 'Pennsylvania's Iron and Steel Heritage' before answering the question. What is the main idea of the passage?

• APennsylvania played a crucial role in American industry by using its natural resources to…
• BThe Empire State Building was the only landmark constructed with Pennsylvania steel.
• CBlast furnaces operate best when temperatures remain below 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
• DIron ore is a soft wood material harvested from hemlock forests in Pennsylvania.

Read the passage 'Pennsylvania's Iron and Steel Heritage' before answering the question. In paragraph 2, what are 'impurities'?

• AUnwanted materials or waste mixed in with raw iron ore
• BPure gold and silver coins trapped inside rocks
• CSpecial chemical dyes used to paint finished steel rails
• DFresh river water added to cool down molten metal

Read the passage 'Pennsylvania's Iron and Steel Heritage' before answering the question. Which text structure does the author primarily use in paragraph 2 to describe iron production?

• AChronological sequence of steps in a process
• BCompare and contrast between steel and copper
• CProblem and solution regarding environmental laws
• DQuestion and answer format

Read the passage 'Pennsylvania's Iron and Steel Heritage' before answering the question. According to the passage, why was steel preferred over raw iron for constructing major infrastructure?

• ASteel was stronger, lighter, and far more flexible than raw iron.
• BSteel could be mined directly out of mountain soil without smelting.
• CSteel was cheaper than limestone and did not require high furnace heat.
• DSteel dissolved easily in water to form liquid cement.

Read the passage 'Pennsylvania's Iron and Steel Heritage' before answering the question. What is the author's primary purpose in writing this article?

• ATo inform readers about Pennsylvania's historical role in iron and steel manufacturing
• BTo persuade readers to buy antique iron tools from historic heritage sites
• CTo entertain readers with a fictional story about a steelworker's family
• DTo explain how modern bridges are painted to prevent rust

Read the passage 'Pennsylvania's Iron and Steel Heritage' before answering the question. Which statement from the passage expresses an opinion rather than a verifiable fact?

• A"Blessed with abundant natural resources... the Commonwealth possessed every raw ingredie…
• B"Iron ore was combined with limestone and coke... inside tall stone stacks heated to temp…
• C"Pennsylvania mills supplied steel for famous structures across America, including the Br…
• D"...heritage sites such as the Cornwall Iron Furnace in Lebanon County... preserve Pennsy…

Read the passage 'The Marvelous Migration of Monarch Butterflies' before answering the question. Where do eastern monarch butterflies spend the winter?

• AIn the oyamel fir forests of central Mexico
• BUnderneath underground rock ledges in Canada
• CInside heated greenhouses in Florida
• DOn floating lily pads in the Gulf of Mexico

Read the passage 'The Marvelous Migration of Monarch Butterflies' before answering the question. In paragraph 2, what does the word 'generation' mean?

• AA group of organisms born and living at the same stage of a family lineage
• BA type of electrical engine used in airplanes
• CA strong storm that blows insects across oceans
• DA scientific tool used to measure insect weight

Read the passage 'The Marvelous Migration of Monarch Butterflies' before answering the question. Why is the 'super generation' of monarchs able to complete the long fall migration to Mexico?

• AThey can live up to eight months, whereas summer monarchs live only four to six weeks.
• BThey develop thick fur coats that protect them from freezing winds.
• CThey eat corn leaves instead of milkweed to gain extra fat.
• DThey fly inside hollow trees to avoid exhausting their wings.

Read the passage 'The Marvelous Migration of Monarch Butterflies' before answering the question. Why is milkweed essential to the survival of monarch butterfly populations?

• AFemale monarchs lay eggs exclusively on milkweed, and caterpillars depend on milkweed lea…
• BMilkweed trees provide the only thick branches strong enough to support monarch winter ro…
• CMilkweed roots store clean water that adult monarchs drink during heavy summer rainstorms.
• DMilkweed flowers produce a warm fragrance that keeps monarchs safe from birds.

Read the passage 'The Marvelous Migration of Monarch Butterflies' before answering the question. Which statement best summarizes paragraph 5?

• AHuman activities threaten monarch survival, but individuals can help by planting pesticid…
• BPesticides should be sprayed heavily on all garden flowers to keep caterpillars away.
• CMonarchs are no longer endangered because they migrate to Canada every year.
• DSchools should capture wild monarchs and keep them in glass cages indoors.

Read the passage 'The Marvelous Migration of Monarch Butterflies' before answering the question. How does the author connect the scientific facts about monarch breeding in paragraph 4 to the conservation action suggested in paragraph 5?

• ABy explaining that caterpillars rely exclusively on milkweed, the author justifies why pl…
• BBy showing that monarchs live up to eight months, the author argues they do not need huma…
• CBy describing the cold temperature of Mexican forests, the author proves that planting ga…
• DBy comparing monarchs to birds, the author recommends building birdhouses along migration…

Read the passage 'Understanding Pennsylvania's Cave Ecosystems' before answering the question. What is the main difference between stalactites and stalagmites?

• AStalactites hang down from cavern ceilings, whereas stalagmites build upward from cavern…
• BStalactites are made of ice, whereas stalagmites are made of hot volcanic lava.
• CStalactites are living cave insects, whereas stalagmites are underwater plants.
• DStalactites grow in ocean water, whereas stalagmites grow on mountain peaks.

Read the passage 'Understanding Pennsylvania's Cave Ecosystems' before answering the question. In paragraph 3, what is a 'troglobite'?

• AAn organism that lives its entire life underground in total darkness and cannot survive o…
• BA type of bat that migrates south to Mexico every winter
• CA tourist who visits commercial caves during summer months
• DA large stone pillar formed when a stalactite meets a stalagmite

Read the passage 'Understanding Pennsylvania's Cave Ecosystems' before answering the question. How do troglobites differ from hibernating bats in how they use cave habitats?

• ATroglobites spend their whole lives inside caves, whereas bats use caves primarily for se…
• BTroglobites require bright sunlight to photosynthesize, whereas bats prefer shade.
• CTroglobites fly out of caves every night to hunt insects, whereas bats cannot fly.
• DTroglobites build nests on cavern ceilings, whereas bats live underwater in cave pools.

Read the passage 'Understanding Pennsylvania's Cave Ecosystems' before answering the question. Which problem and solution relationship is detailed in paragraph 4?

• AProblem: Human disturbance and fungal diseases threaten hibernating bats. Solution: Conse…
• BProblem: Acidic rainwater dissolves cave ceilings. Solution: Workers fill cave cracks wit…
• CProblem: Troglobites cannot find food. Solution: Park rangers feed them breadcrumbs daily.
• DProblem: Caves get too warm in summer. Solution: Giant air conditioning units are built i…

Read the passage 'Understanding Pennsylvania's Cave Ecosystems' before answering the question. What is the central focus of the entire article?

• AHow Pennsylvania's limestone caves formed, the unique ecosystem they support, and efforts…
• BWhy tourists should avoid visiting state parks in Pennsylvania during summer months
• CThe history of mining gold and silver in Pennsylvania mountains
• DHow weather forecasters measure humidity levels above ground

Read the passage 'Understanding Pennsylvania's Cave Ecosystems' before answering the question. Based on information in paragraph 3, what would most likely happen to troglobite populations if the population of hibernating cave bats drastically declined?

• ATroglobites would face a severe food shortage because bat guano provides essential nutrie…
• BTroglobites would leave the caves and move into surface ponds.
• CTroglobites would begin photosynthesizing using cave minerals.
• DStalactites and stalagmites would stop growing immediately.