Puerto Rico CRECE English as a Second Language — Grade 4

Read the excerpt from 'Coquí's Special Concert': As twilight settled over El Yunque rainforest, nine-year-old Sofia walked quietly along the damp stone path. The air smelled of rain and sweet white ginger flowers. Suddenly, a tiny chirping sound echoed from under a broad palm leaf: 'Co-quí! Co-quí!' Sofia knelt down and held out her hand gently. She had read in her science book that the golden tree frog was rare and timid. Sofia stayed perfectly still because she wanted to see the tiny creature without scaring it away into the dense brush. Based on the excerpt, why does Sofia stay perfectly still on the stone path?

• AShe is too tired from walking along the rainforest path.
• BShe wants to observe the timid tree frog without startling it.
• CShe is waiting for her brother to catch up with her.
• DShe is trying to hide from a sudden rainstorm.

Read the excerpt from 'Coquí's Special Concert': Sofia watched in wonder as the tiny frog hopped onto a mossy rock. Though no bigger than a thumbnail, its voice filled the quiet forest with a clear, cheerful song. Sofia realized that even the smallest living things in nature have a special role to play and can bring great happiness to those who listen carefully. She promised herself to protect the rainforest and its creatures. Which sentence best expresses the central theme of this story?

• ARainforests are dangerous places to visit at night.
• BEven small creatures in nature have great value and deserve care.
• CScience books are the only way to learn about wild animals.
• DLoud songs are better than quiet sounds in nature.

Read the excerpt from 'Coquí's Special Concert': As twilight settled over El Yunque rainforest, nine-year-old Sofia walked quietly along the damp stone path. The air smelled of rain and sweet white ginger flowers. Where does this story take place?

• AA sandy beach along the coast
• BA busy city neighborhood in San Juan
• CEl Yunque rainforest along a damp path
• DA dry desert park

Read the excerpt from 'Coquí's Special Concert': Sofia held her breath, her eyes wide with excitement. A bright smile spread across her face as the frog chirped its rhythmic song. She felt as though she were listening to a private lullaby written just for her. How does Sofia feel while listening to the frog?

• AScared and nervous
• BDelighted and fascinated
• CBored and restless
• DConfused and angry

Read the sentence from the story: 'The frog's tiny green skin glistened in the moonlight like a polished emerald.' What does the simile 'like a polished emerald' help the reader understand about the frog?

• AThe frog was made of hard green stone.
• BThe frog's skin was shiny, smooth, and vibrant green.
• CThe frog was hidden deep inside a jewelry box.
• DThe frog was heavy and difficult to carry.

Read the excerpt from 'Coquí's Special Concert': Sofia stepped carefully over the wet roots. She remembered what her grandfather had told her about nocturnal animals. He had explained that rainforest creatures come alive after sunset. Sofia felt proud to witness the evening forest concert. Which point of view is used in this passage?

• AFirst-person point of view (using 'I' and 'we')
• BSecond-person point of view (using 'you')
• CThird-person point of view (using 'she', 'her', 'he')
• DNo narrator point of view

Read the excerpt from 'The Kite on Luquillo Beach': Mateo and his sister Camila sat on the wooden porch with supplies spread around them. They had lightweight bamboo sticks, bright red tissue paper, a roll of thin twine, and colorful cloth strips for the tail. They were building a homemade kite for the annual island wind festival. What material did Mateo and Camila use for the tail of the kite?

• ALightweight bamboo sticks
• BBright red tissue paper
• CColorful cloth strips
• DThin plastic string

Read the excerpt from 'The Kite on Luquillo Beach': When they arrived at Luquillo Beach, a strong ocean gust suddenly snapped the kite's top frame stick. Camila gasped, thinking their day was ruined. Mateo quickly searched his backpack, pulled out a roll of strong yellow tape, and wrapped it neatly around the cracked stick until it was firm again. How did Mateo solve the problem of the broken kite stick?

• AHe bought a new kite from a nearby shop.
• BHe repaired the cracked stick with strong yellow tape.
• CHe tied the cloth strips around the broken piece.
• DHe decided to cancel flying the kite.

Read the excerpt from 'The Kite on Luquillo Beach': Even after the wind knocked the kite down twice, Camila did not complain. She picked it up, smoothed the red paper, and ran across the sand again until the wind caught the kite and carried it into the blue sky. Which word best describes Camila in this passage?

• AImpatient
• BDetermined
• CFearful
• DCareless

Read the sentence from 'The Kite on Luquillo Beach': 'The red kite **soared** high above the ocean, dancing gracefully in the warm Caribbean wind.' What is the meaning of the word **soared** as used in the sentence?

• AFell quickly to the ground
• BFlew high into the air
• CSpun around in circles on the sand
• DFloated on top of the sea water

Read the excerpt from 'The Kite on Luquillo Beach': Because Mateo tied long colorful cloth ribbons to the bottom of the kite, it stayed balanced and steady in the strong sea breeze without spinning out of control. Why did the kite stay balanced in the strong breeze?

• AMateo wrapped it in yellow tape.
• BMateo attached long cloth ribbons to the bottom.
• CCamila held the kite frame with both hands.
• DThe sun warmed the air around the kite.

Read the steps Mateo and Camila followed: 1. Gathered bamboo sticks and tissue paper. 2. Built the kite frame and attached the cloth tail. 3. Repaired the cracked stick with yellow tape at the beach. 4. Ran along the sand to launch the kite into the sky. What did Mateo and Camila do right after building the kite frame and attaching the tail?

• AGathered bamboo sticks
• BRepaired the cracked stick with tape at the beach
• CPacked their beach chairs
• DWon a medal at the wind festival

Read the fable excerpt: A proud pelican boasted that he could catch more fish than anyone else because of his wide beak. A quiet turtle suggested they share the calm waters near the mangrove trees. The pelican ignored the advice, flew recklessly into choppy waves, and lost his fish. Meanwhile, the patient turtle slowly gathered food near the shore. Realizing his mistake, the pelican thanked the turtle for showing him that patience is wiser than pride. What is the main moral of this fable?

• ABoasting and flying fast always leads to success.
• BPatience and humility are wiser than pride and boasting.
• CTurtles can fly faster than pelicans.
• DMangrove trees grow only in deep oceans.

Read the fable excerpt from Question 13 again. How is the turtle different from the pelican?

• AThe turtle is boastful and loud, while the pelican is silent.
• BThe turtle is patient and thoughtful, while the pelican is proud and reckless.
• CThe turtle flies into choppy waves, while the pelican swims underwater.
• DThe turtle refuses to help other animals.

Read the sentence from the fable: 'The pelican flew **recklessly** into the stormy ocean waves, paying no attention to the danger ahead.' What does **recklessly** mean in this sentence?

• ACarefully and safely
• BWithout care or thought of danger
• CSlowly and quietly
• DHappily and gently

Read the fable excerpt: At the end of the day, the pelican sat beside the turtle in the calm mangrove shade and shared half of his catch. Why did the pelican share his fish with the turtle?

• AHe wanted to show gratitude for the turtle's wise lesson.
• BThe turtle threatened to take all his fish.
• CHe did not like the taste of fresh fish.
• DHe was forced by other seabirds.

Read the excerpt from 'The Legend of the Golden Mango Tree': Long ago, a kind villager named Don Tomas planted a tiny seed during a dry season. Day after day, he carried buckets of river water up the steep hill to nourish the sprout. Years later, the seed grew into a magnificent tree bearing golden mangoes that fed the entire village during tough harvests. The villagers remembered Don Tomas's hard work and generosity. What is the central idea of this legend excerpt?

• ASteep hills are bad places for farming.
• BHard work and selfless care can produce lasting blessings for a community.
• CGolden mangoes are difficult to cook.
• DRiver water is cleaner than rainwater.

Read the excerpt from 'The Legend of the Golden Mango Tree': What action did Don Tomas take every day during the dry season?

• AHe sold fruit at the town market.
• BHe carried buckets of river water to nourish the sprout.
• CHe built a house on top of the hill.
• DHe asked villagers for money.

Read the sentence from the story: 'The gentle evening breeze whispered secrets through the mango tree's golden leaves.' Which type of figurative language is used in this sentence?

• ASimile
• BPersonification
• CHyperbole
• DAlliteration

Read the excerpt from 'The Legend of the Golden Mango Tree': How did the dry climate challenge Don Tomas in the story?

• AIt made him travel down to the river to get water for his plant.
• BIt destroyed all the wooden buckets in the village.
• CIt forced him to move away from his farm.
• DIt flooded the town streets.

Read the excerpt from 'Grandmother's Secret Sofrito': Carlos washed the fresh culantro leaves, sweet peppers, and garlic cloves under cool sink water. Abuela Rosa chopped the onions into tiny white cubes. Together, they tossed the fresh ingredients into the large mortar to blend the seasoning for Sunday dinner. What task did Carlos complete in the kitchen?

• AHe chopped onions into tiny white cubes.
• BHe washed the fresh leaves, sweet peppers, and garlic.
• CHe baked bread in the oven.
• DHe bought vegetables from the market.

Read the excerpt from 'Grandmother's Secret Sofrito': 'Cooking is not just about combining ingredients,' Abuela Rosa whispered as she handed Carlos the wooden pestle. 'It is about sharing our family stories and cooking with love.' Carlos smiled as the fragrant aroma filled the warm kitchen. What is the main message Abuela Rosa teaches Carlos?

• ACooking quickly is the most important skill in a kitchen.
• BFamily recipes connect people through shared love and heritage.
• CGarlic should never be added to traditional food.
• DChildren should avoid helping adults cook.

Read the sentence from the story: 'A **fragrant** smell of herbs and garlic drifted from the pot, making everyone's mouth water.' What does **fragrant** mean in this sentence?

• AHaving a sweet or pleasant smell
• BExtremely cold to touch
• CLoud and noisy
• DBitter and unpleasant

Read the sentence from the story: 'The green paste glistened like fresh rain on leaves as Carlos stirred it gently in the clay pot.' Which sense does this sensory detail appeal to most?

• ASense of sight
• BSense of hearing
• CSense of touch
• DSense of taste

Read the stanza from the poem 'Caribbean Breeze': The palm trees sway beneath the sun, (Line 1) Our ocean game has just begun. (Line 2) The sparkling waves rush to the shore, (Line 3) We jump and laugh and ask for more! (Line 4) Which words from the poem rhyme?

• Asun / begun and shore / more
• Bsway / game and sun / shore
• Ctrees / ocean and waves / jump
• Dbeneath / rushed and just / ask

Read the stanza from 'Caribbean Breeze': The palm trees sway beneath the sun, Our ocean game has just begun. The sparkling waves rush to the shore, We jump and laugh and ask for more! What is the main idea of this stanza?

• AChildren enjoying a fun day playing in the ocean waves
• BA thunderstorm causing people to leave the beach
• CFarmers harvesting coconut trees
• DSwimmers losing their belongings in the tide

Read the lines from 'Caribbean Breeze': 'The sea is a blanket of turquoise blue, Reflecting the sky in a bright new hue.' What metaphor is used to describe the sea?

• AA blanket of turquoise blue
• BA sharp piece of glass
• CA dark cloud of rain
• DA fast galloping horse

Read the poem lines: 'We jump and laugh and ask for more! The sunny day is what we adore!' What is the speaker's tone in these lines?

• ASad and lonely
• BJoyful and enthusiastic
• CAngry and serious
• DScared and nervous

Read the line from the poem: '**S**oft **s**ilver **s**and **s**parkles under the sun.' Which sound device is created by repeating the beginning 's' sound?

• ARhyme
• BAlliteration
• COnomatopoeia
• DMetaphor

Read the poem structure question: A poem is divided into a group of lines separated by spaces. What is each group of lines called?

• AA paragraph
• BA stanza
• CA chapter
• DA heading

Read the excerpt from 'Bioluminescent Bays of Puerto Rico': Puerto Rico is home to three of the world's rare bioluminescent bays: Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Laguna Grande in Fajardo, and La Parguera in Lajas. These special bodies of water glow in the dark when tiny single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates are disturbed. When water moves, these organisms release a burst of bright blue-green light. Thousands of visitors travel each year to witness this natural glowing phenomenon. What is the main idea of this passage?

• APuerto Rico has rare bioluminescent bays that glow bright blue-green due to tiny organism…
• BTourists visit Vieques only to swim in deep swimming pools.
• CDinoflagellates are large fish that live in river streams.
• DAll ocean water across the world glows bright green every night.

Read the excerpt from 'Bioluminescent Bays of Puerto Rico': According to the passage, what produces the blue-green light in the bays?

• AUnderwater flashlights used by tour guides
• BTiny single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates
• CElectrical wires lying on the ocean floor
• DReflections from bright street lamps along the shore

Read the sentence next to a photograph in the article: *[Photograph Caption: Kayakers paddling through Mosquito Bay in Vieques as glowing blue water trails behind their oars.]* What is the purpose of this text feature?

• ATo explain what is happening in the photograph
• BTo list the ingredients needed to cook seafood
• CTo provide a dictionary definition of kayaks
• DTo show rules for boat engines

Read the sentence from the article: 'When a kayak paddle strikes the surface of the bay, the chemical reaction inside the dinoflagellates causes an immediate flash of blue light.' What causes the immediate flash of light?

• AThe movement disturbing the organisms and triggering a chemical reaction
• BThe kayak engine starting up
• CSunlight reflecting off metal paddles
• DRaindrops warming the water temperature

Why did the author write the article 'Bioluminescent Bays of Puerto Rico'?

• ATo persuade readers to buy expensive boats
• BTo inform readers about Puerto Rico's glowing natural bays and how they work
• CTo entertain readers with a funny fictional story about glowing sea monsters
• DTo instruct readers on how to build a kayak out of wood

Which sentence from the article states a **fact** rather than an opinion?

• AMosquito Bay is the most beautiful place in the entire world.
• BDinoflagellates are single-celled microscopic organisms.
• CNight kayaking is much more fun than daytime swimming.
• DEveryone ought to spend every vacation visiting Puerto Rico.

Read the excerpt from 'Manatees: Gentle Giants of the Caribbean': West Indian manatees are large marine mammals that live in warm coastal waters, rivers, and estuaries around Puerto Rico. These gentle creatures are herbivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of seagrasses, algae, and aquatic plants. An adult manatee can eat up to 100 pounds of sea plants every single day. What do manatees eat according to the passage?

• ASmall fish and crabs
• BSeagrasses, algae, and aquatic plants
• CInsects found on riverbanks
• DFruit dropped from trees

Read the paragraph from the article: Because boat propellers can hurt manatees swimming near the surface, wildlife experts created protected speed-limit zones in coastal bays. Signs warn boaters to slow down so manatees can swim safely. Which text structure is used in this paragraph?

• AChronological order
• BProblem and solution
• CCompare and contrast
• DSpatial organization

Read the paragraph from the article: Conservation centers in Puerto Rico rescue injured or orphaned manatees. Marine biologists treat the animals, feed them special formula, and help them gain weight. Once the manatees are healthy and strong, experts release them back into their natural ocean habitat. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• AManatees prefer living in aquariums permanently.
• BConservation centers rehabilitate injured manatees so they can return to the wild.
• CMarine biologists train manatees to perform tricks.
• DManatees can swim faster than motorized boats.

Read the sentence from the article: 'Because manatees are **herbivores**, they spend most of their day grazing on underwater plant beds.' What does the word **herbivores** mean?

• AAnimals that eat only meat
• BAnimals that eat only plants
• CAnimals that live underground
• DAnimals that migrate across deserts

Read the heading from an article: **Protecting Coastal Habitats for Caribbean Wildlife** What information would a reader expect to find in the section under this heading?

• AHow to cook seafood dishes at home
• BEfforts and methods used to keep coastal environments safe for animals
• CA history of sports played in Puerto Rico
• DInstructions on building mountain roads

Read the excerpt from 'Manatees: Gentle Giants of the Caribbean': Manatees must come to the surface every few minutes to breathe air through their nostrils, even while sleeping. Based on this information, why are shallow coastal waters important for manatees?

• AShallow water allows them to reach the surface easily to breathe.
• BDeep ocean water contains no air.
• CManatees cannot swim in water deeper than two feet.
• DShallow water keeps them away from all sunlight.

Read the excerpt from 'Coffee Farms of Maricao': High in the cool mountains of western Puerto Rico, coffee trees flourish on shady hillsides. Farmers carefully pick ripe red coffee cherries by hand during the autumn harvest. The cherries are washed, dried in the sun, and roasted to produce flavorful coffee beans enjoyed around the world. What is the main topic of this passage?

• AHow coffee is grown and harvested in Puerto Rico's mountains
• BHow to build wooden furniture
• CThe history of mountain hiking trails
• DDifferent types of tropical birds

Read the steps described in 'Coffee Farms of Maricao': 1. Pick ripe red coffee cherries by hand. 2. Wash the harvested cherries. 3. Dry the beans in the sun. 4. Roast the dried beans. What happens immediately after the cherries are washed?

• AThe beans are dried in the sun.
• BThe ripe cherries are picked from the tree.
• CThe roasted beans are packed in bags.
• DThe trees are planted in shady soil.

Which of the following is a **fact** from the passage about coffee farming?

• AMountain coffee is the tastiest drink ever created.
• BCoffee cherries are picked by hand during autumn harvest.
• CHarvesting coffee is the most fun job in Puerto Rico.
• DEveryone should drink coffee every morning.

Read the sentence from the article: 'Shade-grown coffee trees protect forest soil from eroding during heavy tropical rainstorms.' What can the reader infer about shade-grown coffee trees?

• AThey help keep the mountain environment healthy and stable.
• BThey cause heavy flooding in valley towns.
• CThey grow better without any water.
• DThey require artificial lights to produce fruit.

Read the sentence from the passage: 'For generations, mountain farmers have **cultivated** coffee plants on steep green hillsides.' What does the word **cultivated** mean?

• AGrown and cared for
• BCut down and destroyed
• CPainted brightly
• DHidden underground