Puerto Rico CRECE Spanish Language Arts — Grade 4

Lee el siguiente fragmento del cuento 'El Coquí de la Montaña de Luquillo': 'En una verde ladera del bosque de El Yunque vivía Coquí, un pequeño anfibio de piel dorada. A diferencia de sus hermanos, Coquí le tenía miedo a las alturas. Mientras los demás subían a las hojas más altas de los tabonucos para cantar su famoso «co-quí», él prefería quedarse entre los helechos cerca del suelo. Un día, una tormenta repentina llenó los riachuelos de agua y atrapó a una joven cotorra puertorriqueña en una rama baja. Sin pensarlo dos veces, Coquí saltó con agilidad entre las grandes hojas de helecho y logró guiar a los rescatistas con su potente canto hasta poner a salvo a la cotorra. Desde aquella noche, Coquí comprendió que el verdadero valor no consiste en estar en lo más alto, sino en actuar cuando otros te necesitan.' What is the main idea (idea central) of this story?

• AGolden frogs should never climb tabonucos during rainstorms.
• BPuerto Rican parrots prefer to nest near lower fern leaves.
• CTrue bravery is demonstrated by taking action to help others when they are in need.
• DThe song of the coquí is louder when sung from the highest tree branches.

Based on 'El Coquí de la Montaña de Luquillo', which adjective (adjetivo) best describes Coquí's behavior during the storm?

• ATímido (Timid)
• BValiente (Brave)
• CEgoísta (Selfish)
• DIndiferente (Indifferent)

In the story 'El Coquí de la Montaña de Luquillo', what event occurred immediately after the sudden storm filled the streams with water?

• AA young Puerto Rican parrot became trapped on a low tree branch.
• BCoquí decided to climb to the top of the highest tabonuco tree.
• CCoquí lost his voice and could no longer sing his famous song.
• DThe other frogs fled the forest and left the mountain completely.

Why was Coquí able to successfully guide the rescuers to the trapped parrot during the storm?

• AHe flew above the treetops to spot the parrot from the sky.
• BHe stayed near the lower ferns and used his powerful song to direct the rescuers.
• CHe called his brothers down from the high tabonuco branches for help.
• DHe built a wooden shelter around the parrot using fallen leaves.

In the sentence 'Los tabonucos susurraban secretos mientras el viento soplaba en el bosque', what literary device (figura literaria) is used?

• ASímil (Simile)
• BPersonificación (Personification)
• CMetáfora (Metaphor)
• DHipérbole (Hyperbole)

Lee el texto 'La Leyenda del Guaraguao y el Pitirre': 'Cuenta una antigua leyenda del campo puertorriqueño que el guaraguao, un ave rapaz de alas anchas, gobernaba los cielos del batey. Todas las aves pequeñas le temían por su enorme tamaño y su mirada severa. Sin embargo, el pequeño pitirre no se dejaba intimidar. Cuando el guaraguao se acercaba demasiado a los nidos, el pitirre volaba en círculos rápidos alrededor del gigante, emitiendo su valeroso grito para defender a su familia. Con su agilidad y perseverancia, el pitirre demostró que la valentía y la astucia pueden vencer a la fuerza física.' What is the central theme of this legendary fable?

• ASize and physical strength are the only factors that determine victory.
• BLarge birds always protect smaller birds from dangerous weather.
• CCourage, agility, and determination can overcome much larger opponents.
• DPitirres avoid conflict by hiding inside hollow palm trees.

The Puerto Rican proverb 'Cada pitirre tiene su guaraguao' originates from folk stories like the one above. What does this refrán mean?

• AEvery small or humble person can stand up to and challenge a powerful adversary.
• BGuaraguaos only hunt in areas where pitirres build their nests.
• CSmall birds must always submit to larger birds of prey.
• DEvery farmer must keep a bird in their backyard.

What is the primary conflict (conflicto principal) in 'La Leyenda del Guaraguao y el Pitirre'?

• AThe guaraguao trying to teach the pitirre how to fly in high mountain winds.
• BThe pitirre defending its nest and family against the threatening presence of the large g…
• CThe farmers trying to capture both birds to protect their agricultural crops.
• DA severe drought causing the birds to compete for water in the river.

In the passage 'La Leyenda del Guaraguao y el Pitirre', what does the word 'intimidar' mean in context?

• ACausar miedo o temor para dominar a otros (To instill fear or frighten)
• BCantar alegremente al amanecer (To sing happily at dawn)
• CConstruir un nido con ramas secas (To build a nest with dry twigs)
• DVolar libremente sobre el océano (To fly freely over the ocean)

What tone (tono del autor) does the narrator use when describing the actions of the pitirre?

• ABurlesco y sarcástico (Mocking and sarcastic)
• BTriste y melancólico (Sad and melancholy)
• CTemeroso e incierto (Fearful and uncertain)
• DAdmiración y respeto (Admiration and respect)

Lee las siguientes estrofas del poema 'Canción del Coquí': 'Cuando la noche cae en el batey, canta en la sombra el pequeño rey. Entre la verde hoja del platanal, suena su nota como de cristal: «¡Co-quí, co-quí!», resuena en la loma, canción de cuna que el viento asoma. No necesita corona ni altar, su patria entera lo oye cantar.' How many stanzas (estrofas) and total verses (versos) does this poem contain?

• A2 estrofas y 8 versos (2 stanzas and 8 lines)
• B4 estrofas y 4 versos (4 stanzas and 4 lines)
• C8 estrofas y 2 versos (8 stanzas and 2 lines)
• D1 estrofa y 10 versos (1 stanza and 10 lines)

In the poem 'Canción del Coquí', examine the rhyming words at the ends of lines 1 and 2: 'batey / rey'. What type of rhyme is present?

• ARima asonante (Assonant rhyme)
• BRima consonante (Consonantal rhyme)
• CVerso libre sin rima (Free verse without rhyme)
• DRima cruzada imperfecta (Imperfect cross rhyme)

Which figure of speech is present in the line 'suena su nota como de cristal'?

• AMetáfora directa (Direct metaphor without comparative words)
• BSímil (Simile comparing the sound to crystal using 'como')
• COnomatopeya (Onomatopoeia)
• DPersonificación (Personification)

In the poem 'Canción del Coquí', to whom does the expression 'el pequeño rey' refer?

• AUn antiguo cacique taíno que gobernaba la isla.
• BEl sol que cae sobre las montañas de Puerto Rico.
• CEl coquí, el pequeño anfibio que canta por las noches.
• DUn niño que juega en el platanal.

What is the central theme (tema central) expressed throughout the poem 'Canción del Coquí'?

• AThe danger of nocturnal storms in the countryside.
• BLove, pride, and appreciation for Puerto Rico's nature and symbolic native song.
• CThe steps required to cultivate plantain trees in the mountain.
• DThe history of ancient kings who ruled Caribbean islands.

Lee la historia 'El Trompo de Madera de Abuelo Mateo': 'Mateo guardaba en su caja de recuerdos un trompo de madera de guayacán pulida que le había regalado su abuelo. En las tardes calurosas de Utuado, los niños de la vecindad se reunían en la plaza para competir a ver cuál trompo bailaba por más tiempo. El trompo de Mateo tenía un cordón azul gastado por el uso, pero al girar trazaba círculos perfectos. Un día, durante la competencia final de las fiestas patronales, el cordón del trompo se rompió en el último lanzamiento. En vez de rendirse, Mateo improvisó un nudo firme con un pedazo de cuerda que le prestó su amigo Luis. El trompo giró más firme que nunca y los dos amigos compartieron el trofeo.' What did Mateo do when his spinning top's cord broke?

• AHe left the competition and bought a new wooden top at the store.
• BHe made a firm knot using a piece of string borrowed from his friend Luis.
• CHe threw his wooden top away in frustration.
• DHe asked the judge to cancel the festival competition.

How did Luis demonstrate true friendship toward Mateo during the competition?

• ABy lending him a piece of cord so Mateo could fix his spinning top and stay in the game.
• BBy giving Mateo his own trophy before the game started.
• CBy quitting the competition so Mateo could win automatically.
• DBy carving a new wooden top out of guayacán wood during the match.

Where and when does the story 'El Trompo de Madera de Abuelo Mateo' take place?

• AAt a beach in San Juan during early morning hours.
• BInside a school classroom during winter examinations.
• CIn the town plaza of Utuado during hot afternoons and patron saint festival games.
• DAt a forest sanctuary in El Yunque during a heavy rainstorm.

Why was the wooden spinning top so special to Mateo?

• AIt was a cherished handcrafted gift from his grandfather made of polished guayacán wood.
• BIt was the most expensive toy sold in the town market.
• CIt contained a silver coin hidden inside the wood.
• DHis teacher gave it to him for achieving perfect marks in school.

Which positive value is best highlighted by the resolution of Mateo's story?

• AIndividual ambition and winning at all costs without helping others.
• BReplacing old items immediately whenever a minor defect occurs.
• CPerseverance, friendship, and resourcefulness in moments of difficulty.
• DAvoiding outdoor games to prevent toys from getting worn out.

Lee el texto 'La Mariposa Monarca en el Jardín de Doña Carmen': 'Doña Carmen cuidaba con esmero su jardín en Jayuya, repleto de flores de malva y trinitarias. Cada primavera, observaba el vuelo pausado de las mariposas monarcas que descendían a poner sus huevos en las hojas de algodón de seda. Carlitos, su nieto de nueve años, quería atrapar una mariposa con una red de tela para guardarla en un frasco de cristal. Doña Carmen tomó la mano de Carlitos suavemente y le explicó que las alas de la mariposa son muy frágiles y que su verdadera belleza brilla cuando vuelan libres entre las flores. Carlitos soltó la red y decidió tomar fotografías en su lugar.' What key lesson does Doña Carmen teach Carlitos?

• AButterflies belong in nature and their beauty is best appreciated when they remain free.
• BGlass jars are the safest place to protect monarch butterflies from predators.
• CCatching insects with nets is the best way to study science in school.
• DFlowers in Jayuya grow faster when butterflies are kept inside.

Why did Carlitos change his mind and choose to take photographs instead of capturing the butterfly?

• ABecause the butterfly flew away before he could reach the garden.
• BBecause his net broke when it touched the trinitaria flowers.
• CBecause his grandmother gently explained how fragile butterfly wings are and why freedom…
• DBecause his grandmother gave him a new glass container.

What was Carlitos's initial intention when he saw the monarch butterflies in the garden?

• ATo catch a butterfly with a net and keep it inside a glass jar.
• BTo plant more milkweed flowers for the butterflies to feed on.
• CTo take high-resolution pictures for a school science fair.
• DTo chase the butterflies away from his grandmother's trinitarias.

From what narrative point of view (punto de vista narrativo) is the story 'La Mariposa Monarca' told?

• APrimera persona (First-person narrator telling his own story as Carlitos)
• BSegunda persona (Second-person addressing the reader as 'tú')
• CTercera persona (Third-person narrator describing the characters' actions)
• DDiálogo dramático sin narrador (Pure theatrical dialogue)

Which statement best summarizes the overarching moral theme of 'La Mariposa Monarca en el Jardín de Doña Carmen'?

• ARespecting living creatures in their natural habitat is a higher form of love than captur…
• BGrandmothers should always buy digital cameras for their grandchildren.
• CTrinitaria flowers are easier to grow than milkweed plants in mountain towns.
• DCapturing wild animals is acceptable as long as you feed them daily.

Lee el siguiente texto informativo 'El Yunque: Tesoro Natural de Puerto Rico': 'El Bosque Nacional El Yunque, ubicado en la Sierra de Luquillo en Puerto Rico, es el único bosque lluvioso tropical en el Sistema Forestal Nacional de los Estados Unidos. Este ecosistema único recibe más de 200 pulgadas de lluvia al año, lo que permite el crecimiento de cientos de especies de plantas, como el helecho gigante y la palma de sierra. Además, es el hogar exclusivo de la cotorra puertorriqueña, una especie en peligro de extinción que ha sido protegida mediante esfuerzos científicos de conservación. Los científicos monitorean constantemente la calidad del agua y la biodiversidad para asegurar que las futuras generaciones puedan disfrutar de este patrimonio natural.' What is the main idea (idea central) of this informational article?

• AEl Yunque is a unique tropical rainforest in Puerto Rico essential for ecological diversi…
• BThe Sierra de Luquillo is the highest mountain peak in North America.
• CGiant ferns require over 500 inches of rainfall per month to survive.
• DThe Puerto Rican parrot has completely recovered and no longer requires protection.

According to the article 'El Yunque: Tesoro Natural de Puerto Rico', how much rainfall does El Yunque receive annually?

• ALess than 50 inches of rain per year.
• BMore than 200 inches of rain per year.
• CExactly 10 inches of rain per year.
• DRainfall only occurs during the month of December.

Which statement from 'El Yunque: Tesoro Natural de Puerto Rico' represents an objective fact (hecho) rather than an opinion?

• AEl Yunque is the most beautiful forest in the entire world.
• BEl Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System.
• CWalking in El Yunque is the most exciting activity in Puerto Rico.
• DEveryone enjoys studying giant ferns more than tropical trees.

What text structure (estructura textual) is primarily used in the article 'El Yunque: Tesoro Natural de Puerto Rico'?

• ADescripción e información expositiva (Descriptive and expository text structure)
• BOrden cronológico de batallas históricas (Chronological historical timeline of battles)
• CComparación directa entre dos continentes lejanos (Direct comparison between distant cont…
• DEstructura dramática de comedia teatral (Dramatic comedy dialogue structure)

What is the author's primary purpose (propósito del autor) in writing 'El Yunque: Tesoro Natural de Puerto Rico'?

• ATo persuade people to build commercial hotels inside the national forest.
• BTo inform readers about the natural value, biodiversity, and conservation of El Yunque.
• CTo entertain readers with a fictional fairy tale about talking birds.
• DTo instruct farmers on how to harvest palm trees for timber.

Lee el texto informativo 'Los Taínos y la Cultura Boricua': 'Los taínos fueron los habitantes indígenas que poblaron la isla de Borikén antes de la llegada de los españoles. Eran excelentes agricultores que cultivaban yuca, maíz, batata y calabaza mediante técnicas respetuosas con la tierra. Construían sus viviendas, llamadas bohíos, con madera de palma y paja, mientras que el cacique vivía en el caney. En el batey, una plaza central de piedra, realizaban ceremonias religiosas y jugaban al batú, un juego de pelota tradicional. Hoy en día, muchas palabras de origen taíno forman parte del español puertorriqueño, tales como hamaca, barbacoa, canoa y borinquen.' What is the central topic of this informational text?

• AThe lifestyle, agricultural practices, and cultural legacy of the Taíno people in Puerto…
• BThe rules of modern international soccer played on grass fields.
• CHow Spanish explorers introduced palm trees to Caribbean islands.
• DThe manufacturing process of metal hammocks in factories.

According to 'Los Taínos y la Cultura Boricua', what was the name of the central stone plaza where Taínos held ceremonies and played batú?

• ABohío
• BBatey
• CCaney
• DHamaca

Based on the passage 'Los Taínos y la Cultura Boricua', what were 'bohíos'?

• ATaíno homes built using palm wood and thatch.
• BStone canoes used for ocean fishing.
• CReligious ceremonies held during full moons.
• DWooden bats used to hit leather balls in batú.

What conclusion can be drawn from the text about the enduring legacy of Taíno culture in Puerto Rico?

• ATaíno influence persists today through vocabulary words like hamaca and barbacoa used in…
• BTaíno words were completely forgotten after the Spanish colonial period ended.
• CTaínos only communicated using written symbols on stone walls.
• DModern Puerto Rican Spanish shares no vocabulary with indigenous languages.

How does the final sentence of 'Los Taínos y la Cultura Boricua' connect to the rest of the text?

• AIt demonstrates the lasting linguistic effect and influence of Taíno culture on contempor…
• BIt introduces a completely new topic about European navigation routes.
• CIt contradicts the agricultural details mentioned in the second paragraph.
• DIt asks a rhetorical question to challenge the reader's memory.

Lee el texto informativo 'La Preservación de los Manglares': 'Los manglares son ecosistemas costeros formados por árboles adaptados a vivir en agua salobre. En las costas de Puerto Rico existen cuatro tipos principales de mangles: el rojo, el blanco, el negro y el botón. Estos bosques cumplen funciones vitales: protegen las costas contra el oleaje de las tormentas, evitan la erosión de las playas y sirven como criaderos naturales para peces, crustáceos y aves marinas. Sin embargo, la contaminación plástica y la construcción desmedida amenazan su supervivencia. Por esta razón, grupos comunitarios y estudiantes participan en jornadas de limpieza y reforestación de mangle rojo para conservar estos valiosos filtros naturales.' Why are mangrove forests vital to Puerto Rico's coastal ecosystems?

• AThey protect beaches from wave erosion, absorb storm impacts, and provide habitats for ma…
• BThey produce commercial plastic products used in city construction.
• CThey reduce ocean water salinity so that freshwater fish can live in the sea.
• DThey block sea breezes from reaching coastal towns during summer.

According to 'La Preservación de los Manglares', how many main species of mangroves grow along Puerto Rico's coastlines?

• ATwo species (red and blue)
• BFour species (red, white, black, and buttonwood)
• CTen species (all growing in high mountain forests)
• DOne single giant mangrove species

What problem-and-solution relationship (problema y solución) is described in 'La Preservación de los Manglares'?

• AProblem: Pollution and urban construction threats; Solution: Community cleanups and mangr…
• BProblem: High ocean tides; Solution: Building concrete dams across all coastal beaches.
• CProblem: Lack of rain; Solution: Transporting river water to the ocean floor.
• DProblem: Excessive fish population; Solution: Cutting down red mangrove trees.

Which of the following statements represents an opinion (opinión) rather than a verified fact?

• AMangrove restoration is the most enjoyable weekend activity for all students in Puerto Ri…
• BFour main species of mangroves exist along the coasts of Puerto Rico.
• CMangroves protect coastal areas against erosion caused by storm waves.
• DMany species of fish use mangrove root systems as natural nurseries.

Based on 'La Preservación de los Manglares', what would most likely happen if mangrove forests along the coast were destroyed?

• ACoastal beaches would suffer severe erosion and young marine life would lose vital nurser…
• BOcean water levels would drop significantly across the Caribbean.
• CCoral reefs would expand rapidly onto dry land areas.
• DTropical hurricanes would completely cease to form in the ocean.

Lee el texto 'El Coquí Sabanero y la Conservación de los Humedales': 'El coquí sabanero es la especie de coquí más pequeña de Puerto Rico, midiendo apenas 1.5 centímetros de longitud. Fue descubierto en 1999 en los humedales del pueblo de Toa Baja. A diferencia de otras especies que viven en los árboles del bosque de montaña, el coquí sabanero habita exclusivamente en vegetación herbácea cerca de cuerpos de agua dulce. Debido a su tamaño reducido y a su distribución geográfica limitada, se encuentra clasificado como una especie en peligro crítico de extinción. El Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA) promueve la preservación de su hábitat para evitar su desaparición.' What makes the coquí sabanero unique among coquí species in Puerto Rico?

• AIt is the smallest coquí species and lives exclusively in freshwater wetland grasses rath…
• BIt is the largest frog in the Caribbean and lives high in pine trees.
• CIt changes skin color like a chameleon to blend into ocean sand.
• DIt migrates to North America every winter to avoid tropical rain.

In what year and municipality was the coquí sabanero first discovered according to the text?

• AIn 1999 in the wetlands of Toa Baja.
• BIn 1950 in the rainforest of Luquillo.
• CIn 2020 on the island of Culebra.
• DIn 1898 in the mountains of Ponce.

Why is the coquí sabanero classified as critically endangered (en peligro crítico de extinción)?

• ABecause of its tiny body size and restricted wetland geographic habitat threatened by hum…
• BBecause it eats larger birds that hunt in wetlands.
• CBecause it cannot sing during nighttime hours.
• DBecause its population is too large for local ponds to sustain.

Which organizational pattern does the author use in 'El Coquí Sabanero y la Conservación de los Humedales'?

• ADescription of the species followed by cause-and-effect explanation of its endangerment.
• BA fictional story structured with chapter dialogues.
• CStep-by-step instructions for building an artificial aquarium.
• DA chronological timeline of world history.

What can the reader infer about the role of the DRNA (Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales) from this article?

• ADRNA implements policies and conservation strategies to protect endangered wildlife and n…
• BDRNA builds commercial shopping centers on wetland reserves.
• CDRNA captures all wild animals and exports them to foreign zoos.
• DDRNA only conducts research on deep ocean fish.

Lee el texto 'El Reciclaje y el Cuidado del Planeta': 'Reducir, reutilizar y reciclar son las tres reglas fundamentales para disminuir la cantidad de basura que llega a los vertederos de Puerto Rico. Cada día, los hogares generan toneladas de desperdicios de cartón, aluminio, vidrio y plástico. Al clasificar los materiales reciclables en contenedores especiales, ayudamos a ahorrar energía y a conservar los recursos naturales. Por ejemplo, reciclar una lata de aluminio ahorra suficiente energía para mantener encendido un televisor durante tres horas. Cuidar el medio ambiente es una responsabilidad compartida entre la escuela, la familia y la comunidad.' What is the main objective of practicing the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle)?

• ATo decrease waste volume in landfills, conserve natural resources, and save energy.
• BTo increase paper production in local factories.
• CTo replace all glass containers with single-use plastic bottles.
• DTo encourage households to throw away reusable materials.

According to the passage 'El Reciclaje y el Cuidado del Planeta', recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for how long?

• AOne minute
• BThree hours
• CTwenty-four hours
• DOne whole week

What direct benefit comes from separating recyclable materials into designated bins at home and school?

• AIt conserves natural resources and prevents useful materials from filling up municipal la…
• BIt eliminates the need for electricity in homes.
• CIt turns paper waste into drinking water automatically.
• DIt allows households to stop buying groceries.