Puerto Rico CRECE English as a Second Language — Grade 5

Read the passage excerpt below. 'El Yunque National Forest is a tropical rainforest located in northeastern Puerto Rico. It receives a massive amount of rainfall each year, creating lush green trees, waterfalls, and unique habitats for animals like the tiny coquí frog and the green Puerto Rican parrot.' What is the main idea of this passage excerpt?

• AEl Yunque is a wet tropical rainforest in Puerto Rico that provides a rich habitat for wi…
• BThe coquí frog is the loudest animal living in the mountains of Puerto Rico.
• CRainforests in Puerto Rico receive less water during the summer months.
• DTourists visit waterfalls in northeastern Puerto Rico every weekend.

Read the text below. 'Solar panels installed on school rooftops in San Juan capture energy from the sun. This solar energy powers classroom lights, computers, and fans without burning fossil fuels.' According to the passage, what is one benefit of using solar panels on school rooftops?

• AThey generate clean energy from sunlight without burning fossil fuels.
• BThey make the school building taller than other buildings.
• CThey store rainwater for school gardens during dry weather.
• DThey reduce the number of computers needed in classrooms.

Read the sentences below. 'Because heavy winds damaged many old trees during the storm, scientists planted hundreds of young native seedlings across the forest trail.' What caused scientists to plant young native seedlings?

• AHeavy winds during the storm damaged many old trees.
• BThe forest trail was widened for large buses.
• CStudents collected seeds during a science class field trip.
• DScientists wanted to remove all the waterfalls in the park.

Read the step-by-step instructions below. 'First, rinse the fresh mango under cool running water. Second, peel the yellow skin with a vegetable peeler. Finally, slice the fruit carefully into small cubes.' What should you do immediately BEFORE slicing the fruit into small cubes?

• APeel the yellow skin with a vegetable peeler.
• BRinse the fruit under cool running water.
• CPlace the fruit cubes into a glass bowl.
• DServe the mango to your family members.

Read the sentence below. 'Remember to always wear a life jacket when riding in a small boat, because safety comes first on the water!' What is the author's primary purpose for writing this sentence?

• ATo persuade readers to take a safety precaution when boating.
• BTo describe the historical construction of wooden canoes.
• CTo entertain readers with a funny story about a boat trip.
• DTo explain how deep the ocean is around Puerto Rico.

Read the short paragraph below. 'Sea turtles lay their eggs on sandy beaches at night. When the tiny hatchlings emerge from their buried shells, they use the bright moonlight reflecting on the ocean wave tops to find their way to the sea.' Which statement is supported by evidence in the paragraph?

• AHatchling sea turtles use light reflecting off the water to guide their movement toward t…
• BAdult sea turtles stay on the beach to feed their young for three weeks.
• CSea turtles lay eggs high up in palm tree branches near the shore.
• DHatchlings only crawl toward the ocean during bright sunny afternoons.

Look at the text feature description below. 'Beneath a color photograph of a green parrot perched on a pine branch, the text reads: "The endangered Puerto Rican parrot features vibrant green feathers and a bright red forehead patch."' What is the purpose of this text feature (caption)?

• ATo provide details that explain what is shown in the photograph.
• BTo list all the chapters included in the science textbook.
• CTo show the exact page numbers for vocabulary definitions.
• DTo give instructions on how to draw a tropical bird.

Read the story excerpt below. 'Mateo sat on the wooden balcony of his grandmother's house in Utuado. As dusk fell over the lush mountain valley, the air grew cool and the pleasant chirp of the coquí frogs filled the night.' What is the setting of this story excerpt?

• AAt dusk on a wooden balcony in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
• BIn a crowded city bus station during a noisy morning rush.
• COn a sunny boat dock near a busy sea port in San Juan.
• DInside a quiet library classroom during noon lunch break.

Read the paragraph below. 'When Clara noticed that her classmate dropped his box of colored pencils, she immediately stopped drawing, walked across the room, and helped him gather every fallen pencil.' Which character trait best describes Clara?

• AHelpful
• BSelfish
• CCareless
• DImpatient

Read the story segment below. 'Diego had practiced his speeches for weeks, but as he stepped up to the microphone in front of the whole school, his heart pounded violently against his chest.' What conflict is Diego experiencing?

• AAn internal conflict with his own nervous feelings before speaking.
• BA physical fight with another student on the playground.
• CAn argument with his teacher about missing homework.
• DA struggle against cold snowy weather on his walk to school.

Read the fable summary below. 'A little bird wanted to build a sturdy nest before the rain came. At first, her twigs kept falling down. Instead of giving up, she kept trying different branches until her nest was strong and warm. When the storm arrived, she stayed safe and dry inside.' What is the central theme of this fable?

• APerseverance and hard work lead to success and safety.
• BBirds should only fly during sunny morning hours.
• CBuilding nests requires expensive plastic materials.
• DStorms always destroy everything in nature.

Read the sentence below. 'I packed my backpack with my favorite sketchbook, picked up my binoculars, and walked eagerly toward the nature trail.' From which point of view is this story told?

• AFirst-person point of view (using pronouns like 'I' and 'my').
• BSecond-person point of view (using pronouns like 'you' and 'your').
• CThird-person point of view (using pronouns like 'he', 'she', and 'they').
• DFourth-person objective point of view.

Read the sentence below. 'The coconut palm trees danced gently in the warm ocean breeze.' Which type of figurative language is used in this sentence?

• APersonification (giving human qualities to non-human objects).
• BSimile (comparing two things using 'like' or 'as').
• CHyperbole (extreme exaggeration).
• DOnomatopoeia (words that imitate natural sounds).

Read the sentence below. 'After running across the sandy beach under the midday sun, Maria's lemonade tasted as sweet as honey.' What two things are being compared in the simile above?

• AThe taste of the lemonade and the sweetness of honey.
• BThe sandy beach and the midday sun.
• CMaria's running speed and the flying sea gulls.
• DThe cold ice cubes and the warm ocean breeze.

Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence. 'The students in Grade 5 ______ excited about their upcoming field trip to the science museum.'

• Aare
• Bis
• Cwas
• Dbe

Choose the correct past tense verb to complete the sentence. 'Yesterday, Carlos ______ a beautiful song on his acoustic guitar during music class.'

• Aplayed
• Bplays
• Cwill play
• Dplaying

Choose the correct irregular past tense verb to complete the sentence. 'Last night, Sofia ______ a wonderful book about marine animals.'

• Aread
• Breads
• Creading
• Dwill read

Choose the correct pronoun to complete the sentence. 'Gabriel forgot his raincoat, so Mr. Rivera lent ______ an extra umbrella.'

• Ahim
• Bhe
• Chis
• Dhimself

Choose the correct comparative adjective to complete the sentence. 'Mount Jayuya is ______ than the hills near the coast.'

• Ataller
• Btallest
• Cmore taller
• Dtall

Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence. 'The blue bird built its small nest ______ the dense leaves of the mango tree.'

• Aamong
• Bbetween two
• Cthroughout of
• Dinto from

Which sentence is capitalized correctly?

• AMy cousin lives in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
• BMy cousin lives in ponce, puerto rico.
• Cmy Cousin lives in Ponce, Puerto rico.
• DMy Cousin lives In Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Read the sentence below. 'The water in the shallow bay was so **transparent** that we could see small silver fish swimming near our feet.' What is the meaning of the word **transparent** as used in the sentence?

• AClear enough to see through easily.
• BDeep and dark blue in color.
• CSalty and very warm.
• DMoving very fast in big waves.

Which word is a **synonym** for the word **eager** in the sentence below? 'The young students were **eager** to start their science experiment.'

• AExcited
• BFearful
• CBored
• DSilent

What does the prefix **un-** mean in the word **unhappy**?

• ANot
• BAgain
• CBefore
• DMany

What does the suffix **-ful** mean in the word **playful**?

• AFull of
• BWithout
• CAble to be
• DAction of

Choose the correct homophone pair to complete the sentence. 'The students went to ______ classroom to get ______ jackets.'

• Atheir / their
• Bthere / there
• Cthey're / their
• Dtheir / there

Which of the following is a complete sentence?

• AThe green turtle swam peacefully near the reef.
• BUnderneath the tall palm trees on the beach.
• CRunning fast toward the finish line.
• DBecause the weather was warm and bright.

Read the paragraph draft below. '(1) Recycling paper and plastic helps protect our environment in Puerto Rico. (2) When we recycle, less trash goes to local landfills. (3) Pizza is my favorite food to eat on Friday nights. (4) Reusing items also saves natural resources.' Which sentence should be removed because it does not belong in this paragraph?

• ASentence 3
• BSentence 1
• CSentence 2
• DSentence 4

Which transition word best fills the blank to show sequence? 'First, gather all your art supplies. ______, draw the outline of the island on your poster board.'

• ANext
• BHowever
• CTherefore
• DIn contrast

Which statement expresses a **fact** rather than an opinion?

• APuerto Rico is an island located in the Caribbean Sea.
• BCaribbean beaches are the most beautiful places in the world.
• CMangoes taste much better than any other fruit.
• DScience is the most interesting school subject for everyone.

Read the passage below. 'Coral reefs around Puerto Rico act as natural underwater barriers. During strong tropical storms, these coral structures absorb the impact of huge ocean waves. By breaking up the wave energy before it reaches the coastline, coral reefs protect coastal communities from severe beach erosion and flooding.' What is the main topic of this passage?

• AHow coral reefs protect coastal areas from wave damage and erosion.
• BThe different species of tropical fish living in warm water.
• CWhy tourists enjoy scuba diving along coral reefs.
• DHow sand dunes are built by coastal construction crews.

Read the text excerpt below. 'In 1937, scientists established the Luquillo Experimental Forest to study tropical forestry and wildlife conservation. Over the decades, researchers have monitored rainfall patterns, tree growth rates, and animal populations. Today, data collected in this forest helps scientists worldwide understand how tropical ecosystems respond to climate changes.' Based on the text, why is the research at Luquillo Experimental Forest important globally?

• AData collected there helps scientists understand tropical ecosystem responses to climate…
• BIt is the only forest in the entire world that grows fruit trees.
• CIt sells seeds to farmers across North America every spring.
• DIt constructed the world's largest weather station satellite in 1937.

Read the paragraph below. 'When invasive species are accidentally introduced into island ecosystems, they often compete with native animals for food and nesting sites. Because native island animals have not developed defenses against these new competitors, their populations can decrease rapidly unless conservationists intervene.' What is the direct result of invasive species competing with native island animals?

• ANative animal populations can decrease rapidly.
• BIsland plants grow twice as fast as normal.
• CNative animals immediately relocate to cold mountain regions.
• DInvasive species quickly transform into native species.

Read the summary of the coffee production process. '(1) Ripe red coffee cherries are hand-harvested from bushes in the Central Mountain Range. (2) The outer pulp is removed to extract the inner beans. (3) The green beans are dried thoroughly under the sun. (4) The dried beans are roasted at high temperatures until brown.' What happens immediately after the green coffee beans are extracted from the cherries?

• AThey are dried thoroughly under the sun.
• BThey are hand-harvested from bushes.
• CThey are roasted at high temperatures.
• DThey are ground into fine dark powder.

Read the article excerpt below. 'Installing rainwater collection barrels at home is a simple yet effective way to conserve water. By collecting rain from your roof, you can water household plants and wash outdoor patios without using treated tap water. Start saving water today to help protect our island's natural water supply!' What is the author's main purpose in writing this article excerpt?

• ATo encourage readers to install rainwater collection barrels to save water.
• BTo describe the architectural history of roof gutters in the 1800s.
• CTo explain how water purification plants filter drinking water.
• DTo warn readers about severe ocean wave surges during winter storms.

Read the paragraph below. 'Manatees are large, gentle marine mammals that inhabit shallow coastal waters and rivers around Puerto Rico. Because they feed exclusively on seagrasses, they spend many hours grazing along shallow sea floors. Unfortunately, because manatees swim slowly near the surface, they are often at risk of colliding with motorboats.' What can be inferred about protecting manatees based on the text?

• AReducing motorboat speeds in shallow coastal waters can help protect manatees from harm.
• BManatees can easily outswim fast motorized watercraft.
• CManatees hunt deep-water ocean fish during the night.
• DSea grass grows best in deep ocean trenches far from shore.

Read the excerpt below. 'Humpback whales migrate thousands of miles from cold northern feeding grounds to the warm Caribbean waters near Rincón every winter. In these calm, warm waters, female whales give birth and nurse their newborn calves until the young whales build enough strength for the long return journey North.' Why do female humpback whales travel to Caribbean waters near Rincón in winter?

• ATo give birth and nurse their calves in warm, calm waters.
• BTo escape dark caves in deep underground rivers.
• CTo search for freshwater lakes located inside mountain forests.
• DTo avoid swimming with other ocean mammals.

Read the passage excerpt. 'In 1521, Spanish colonists built stone walls surrounding the city of Old San Juan. These thick masonry ramparts, along with Fort San Felipe del Morro, defended the city harbor against attacking enemy ships for hundreds of years.' What was the primary function of the stone walls and Fort San Felipe del Morro?

• ATo defend the harbor and city from attacking enemy vessels.
• BTo store imported goods for local grocery markets.
• CTo collect rainwater for agricultural sugar fields.
• DTo connect the island of Puerto Rico to the North American mainland.

Read the passage below. 'Mangrove forests grow along coastline estuaries where saltwater meets freshwater. Their tangled stilt roots anchor coastal sediment, preventing soil erosion. Additionally, mangrove root networks create safe nurseries for young fish and crustaceans to grow protected from large predators.' How do mangrove root networks benefit marine life?

• AThey create safe nurseries that protect young fish and crustaceans from predators.
• BThey filter all salt out of the open ocean water.
• CThey provide dry roosting nests for mountain forest birds.
• DThey block sunlight from reaching the water surface.

Read the passage excerpt. 'Traditional Taíno instruments, such as the maraca and the güiro, were crafted from dried gourds found in nature. Hollowed-out gourds were filled with small pebbles or carved with outer grooves to create rhythmic musical sounds during ceremonial gatherings called *areytos*.' What materials were originally used to make Taíno güiros and maracas?

• ADried gourds carved with grooves or filled with small pebbles.
• BMolded plastic shapes imported from distant factories.
• CHollow aluminum tubes wrapped in copper wires.
• DCarved blocks of solid white marble stone.

Read the paragraph below. 'In school science fairs across the island, 5th-grade students built hydroponic vegetable gardens. Instead of soil, plant roots rested in nutrient-enriched water solutions. The gardens used 80 percent less water than traditional soil farming and allowed veggies to grow in smaller spaces.' What is the main advantage of hydroponic gardens highlighted in the paragraph?

• AThey use significantly less water and require less space than traditional farming.
• BThey require heavy soil brought from rainforest valleys.
• CThey only work inside dark windowless storage rooms.
• DThey grow vegetables that do not require any water.

Read the story excerpt below. 'Lucia tiptoed quietly into the courtyard garden. She held her breath as a tiny shimmering hummingbird hovered near a bright red hibiscus flower. As she watched its wings flutter like lightning, a sudden wave of joy swept through her.' How does Lucia feel while observing the hummingbird?

• AAmazed and filled with joy.
• BAngry and annoyed by the noise.
• CScared that the bird might bite her.
• DBored and eager to go inside.

Read the passage below. 'Tito sat under the sea grape tree on Luquillo Beach, staring at the tangled kite string in his lap. The wind was perfect today, filling the sky with colorful kites. He tried untying the knot, but it only grew tighter. Just as Tito felt like packing up, his elder sister Elena sat down beside him. "Let us untangle it together, thread by thread," she encouraged with a gentle smile.' What is the plot conflict introduced in this scene?

• ATito is frustrated because his kite string is tangled and he cannot fly his kite.
• BElena refuses to share her beach umbrella with Tito.
• CA strong rainstorm forces everyone to leave Luquillo Beach immediately.
• DTito loses his sandals in the deep ocean water.

Read the continuation of the story from the previous question. 'Elena held the wooden spool while Tito carefully unlooped the stubborn knot. Within ten minutes, the line was smooth and straight. Together, they ran along the shore until the kite caught the sea breeze and lifted high into the blue sky.' How is the story's conflict resolved?

• ATito and Elena work together patiently to untangle the kite line so it can fly.
• BThey buy a brand-new kite from a beachfront store.
• CTito gives up and decides to build a sandcastle instead.
• DThe breeze stops completely and they walk home disappointed.

Read the poem excerpt below. 'The coconut tree stands tall and proud, Its leafy arms reach toward the cloud. It whispers secrets to the sea, And drops sweet fruit for you and me.' Which lines in the stanza end with rhyming words?

• ALine 1 and Line 2 (proud/cloud), and Line 3 and Line 4 (sea/me).
• BLine 1 and Line 3 (proud/sea), and Line 2 and Line 4 (cloud/me).
• COnly Line 1 and Line 4 (proud/me).
• DNone of the lines contain rhyming words.

Read the story excerpt below. 'Camila looked around the sunlit kitchen. The aroma of ripe plantains frying in corn oil filled the house. Outside the window, a warm breeze rustled the green banana leaves, and the gentle clinking of glass cups echoed from the dining table.' Which sense is engaged by the sensory details 'aroma of ripe plantains frying'?

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

Read the sentence below. 'During the torrential downpour, the mountain stream became a raging lion roaring through the valley.' What is the metaphor in this sentence comparing?

• AThe rushing mountain stream to a roaring lion.
• BThe torrential rain to a quiet house cat.
• CThe green valley to an ocean wave.
• DThe dark storm clouds to a flock of birds.