Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System English Language Arts — Grade 4

Read the summary draft of a story: "Leo spent all weekend trying to fix his grandfather's vintage wooden toy sailboat. After carefully gluing the hull and replacing the sails, he tested it on the Roger Williams Park pond. The sailboat glided smoothly across the water." Which detail is most essential to include in a complete summary of the story?

• AThe color of the paint Leo used on the sailboat hull
• BLeo's careful work to repair the sailboat and its successful test on the water
• CThe exact temperature of the park pond water on Sunday afternoon
• DThe kind of snacks Leo brought with him to the park pond

Read the short fable: "A hound found a juicy bone and ran to enjoy it. As he crossed a wooden bridge over a clear stream, he saw his reflection in the water. Thinking it was another dog with a larger bone, he barked loudly to snatch it. His own bone fell into the water and sank to the bottom." What is the best summary of this fable?

• AA dog enjoys swimming in a clear stream with a friend.
• BA greedy dog loses his bone after barking at his own reflection in the water.
• CA hound visits a wooden bridge to look for new bones.
• DA dog shares his large bone with another dog by the stream.

Read the passage: "Clara felt discouraged during her first month of cello lessons. Her fingers hurt, and the notes sounded squeaky. Whenever her brother played soccer effortlessly outside, Clara wanted to quit. But her music teacher, Mr. Vance, showed her how to hold the bow gently and encouraged her to practice ten minutes each day. By winter, Clara performed her first solo at the school concert, receiving warm applause from the audience." Which summary best captures the entire passage?

• AClara preferred playing soccer outside with her brother instead of practicing music.
• BMr. Vance was a music teacher who taught many students how to play winter solos.
• CDespite initial frustration, Clara persisted with cello practice under her teacher's guid…
• DClara's fingers hurt because she practiced the cello for hours every single day without b…

Read the excerpt: "Ethan and Sam argued over whether to build a snow castle or a snow fort. Realizing the sun was starting to set, Ethan suggested combining their ideas. They built high fort walls with decorative castle towers on top. By evening, both brothers stood back proudly to admire their shared creation." What is the best summary of the excerpt?

• ATwo brothers waste the afternoon arguing until the snow melts away completely.
• BEthan and Sam resolve their argument by blending their ideas into a snow structure they b…
• CSam builds a castle towers structure while Ethan goes indoors to rest.
• DThe brothers decide that building snow structures is too difficult in the evening.

Read the story: "Milo the tabby cat slipped out the back door while the storm raged. Scared by thunder, he hid under the neighbor's porch. When the rain stopped, Milo heard his owner, Nora, ringing his dinner bell on the front step. Recognizing the familiar sound, Milo trotted back home safely." Which sentence best summarizes the main event?

• ANora lost her favorite dinner bell during a rainstorm.
• BA cat gets scared during a storm but returns home safely after hearing his owner's bell.
• CMilo spends the night under the neighbor's porch waiting for morning.
• DA neighbor finds a lost cat and brings him inside out of the rain.

Read the paragraph: "Every Saturday morning, Mateo helped his grandmother in the Providence community garden. They weeded the tomato beds, watered the sweet peppers, and picked fresh herbs. At noon, they placed extra produce into a wooden crate marked 'Free for Neighbors.' Mateo felt proud seeing community members smile as they gathered fresh vegetables." Which statement belongs in a summary of this paragraph?

• AMateo and his grandmother grow produce in a community garden to share with their neighbor…
• BMateo sells fresh tomatoes to local market shoppers every Saturday afternoon.
• CGrandmother teaches Mateo how to plant flowers in indoor pots.
• DThe Providence community garden charges neighbors for fresh herbs.

Read the story segment: "The East Bay relay team was trailing in last place after the second lap. Maya, the third runner, focused on smooth handoffs and steady breathing, closing the distance. When she handed the baton to Jonah, he sprinted past the lead runner right at the finish line. The team celebrated their unexpected victory together." Which summary accurately reflects the plot resolution?

• AThe relay team dropped their baton during the second lap handoff.
• BJonah refused to run the final lap because the team was behind.
• CThrough steady running and effective baton handoffs, the relay team overcame a delay to w…
• DMaya sprinted across the finish line ahead of all other third-lap runners.

Read the passage: "When Marcus noticed that a new student, Lucas, was sitting alone at lunch without a meal, Marcus opened his lunchbox. He split his turkey sandwich in half, offered Lucas a crisp apple, and invited him to join his table." Which character trait best describes Marcus?

• AGenerous and welcoming
• BCompetitive and boastful
• CShy and quiet
• DImpatient and strict

Read the passage: "For three weeks, Maya studied chess books every night after finishing her homework. Even when she lost practice matches against her older sister, she analyzed her mistakes and tried new defensive strategies. What was Maya's primary motivation for practicing so diligently?

• ATo avoid doing her daily school homework
• BTo improve her skill and succeed in chess through determination
• CTo convince her sister to quit playing board games
• DTo win a prize money reward from her school principal

Read the story excerpt: "Mateo accidentally knocked over the class globe while retrieving a basket of markers. Although no one else saw it happen, he immediately walked up to Ms. Rhode and admitted what he had done, offering to help repair the base." What trait does Mateo demonstrate?

• ARecklessness
• BHonesty and responsibility
• CCuriosity
• DStubbornness

Read the passage: "As dark clouds rolled over Narragansett Bay, wind whipped through the coastal yard. Most animals took shelter, but Maya stayed outside on the porch step, holding a warm blanket and calling out for her lost puppy, Barnaby. She ignored the chilly rain, refusing to step inside until she saw Barnaby trotting up the driveway." What motivates Maya's actions during the storm?

• AHer deep care and protective concern for her puppy's safety
• BHer desire to experience a severe coastal rainstorm firsthand
• CHer fear of staying inside an empty house during thunder
• DHer goal to prove to her parents that she can endure cold weather

Read the short text: "Ben noticed his mother looked exhausted after working a long shift. Without being asked, he cleared the dinner table, washed the dishes, and drew a warm cup of herbal tea for her." Which adjective best characterizes Ben?

• AThoughtful
• BForgetful
• CAmbitious
• DClumsy

Read the passage: "Julian had been captain of the neighborhood soccer team for two years. When he saw that nine-year-old Leo felt intimidated and sat on the bench during games, Julian offered Leo his captain's armband for the second half. 'You have great field vision, Leo,' Julian said. 'Take the lead.'" Why did Julian give his armband to Leo?

• AHe was tired of playing soccer and wanted to leave the field early.
• BHe wanted to encourage Leo and help build his confidence.
• CHe lost a bet with the opposing team captain.
• DHe was punished by the referee for breaking a game rule.

Read the excerpt: "Sophia stared at her watercolor sketch of Newport Harbor. 'It looks messy,' she whispered, hiding it under a folder. But when her teacher gently pointed out her expressive brushstrokes and vibrant color choices, Sophia took a deep breath, submitted her piece to the school art show, and stood proudly by her display." How does Sophia change from the beginning to the end of the excerpt?

• AShe changes from insecure about her art to confident in sharing her work.
• BShe changes from eager to win first place to uninterested in art.
• CShe changes from angry at her teacher to grateful for extra homework.
• DShe changes from preferring oil paints to watercolors.

Read the fable: "A mighty oak tree mocked a slender reed standing by the riverbank. 'You bow and bend at every gentle breeze,' snorted the oak. 'Look how tall and rigid I stand!' Soon after, a fierce hurricane roared across the valley. The proud oak stood stiff against the gale until its trunk snapped, while the flexible reed bent low with the wind and survived unhurt." What is the central theme of this fable?

• ABeing big and strong guarantees you will overcome every danger.
• BFlexibility and adaptability can overcome challenges better than rigid pride.
• CRiverbanks are unsafe places for young plants during heavy rains.
• DOak trees grow much faster than reeds near river water.

Read the story: "Toby told his friends he couldn't help clean the playground because he had a sprained wrist. However, ten minutes later, his friends saw him swinging smoothly across the monkey bars. Disappointed by his lie, his friends walked away and refused to let Toby join their game." Which theme is best expressed in this story?

• AHonesty is essential for building and keeping trust with friends.
• BSwinging on monkey bars requires strength and coordination.
• CPlaygrounds should be cleaned every day after recess.
• DSprained wrists take a long time to heal completely.

Read the narrative: "Nora and Hannah both entered the school science fair. Nora spent weeks building a solar oven, while Hannah designed a wind turbine. When Hannah's turbine motor failed right before judging, Nora immediately paused setting up her own display to help Hannah re-wire the motor. Hannah won second place, and Nora won third. Walking home together, both girls agreed that supporting each other was their biggest reward." What is the primary theme of the passage?

• AWinning first place is the only measure of true success in school.
• BTrue friendship and mutual support are more valuable than winning competitions alone.
• CSolar ovens generate more electricity than small wind turbines.
• DScience fairs should only award prizes to individual projects.

Read the story: "When heavy coastal rains flooded the basement of the Rossi family bakery in Cranston, every family member stepped up. Papa pumped out water, Mama moved flour sacks to safety, and young Ella labeled unaffected bread pans. Working together without complaint, they opened on time for morning customers." What theme does this story convey?

• ARainstorms always ruin small business operations.
• BCooperation and family unity can overcome unexpected hardships.
• CBaking bread requires expensive industrial machinery.
• DBasements should never be used to store food supplies.

Read the text: "On her first day of pottery class, Maya's clay vase collapsed three times on the spinning wheel. Frustrated, she wanted to drop out. But her instructor guided her hands to keep the clay centered. Maya tried again each week, and by her fourth class, she created a smooth, balanced bowl." Which statement expresses the theme?

• APersisting through initial failures leads to skill and accomplishment.
• BPottery wheels are dangerous tools for beginner students.
• CVases are more difficult to shape than round bowls.
• DArt classes should be taken only by naturally gifted people.

Read the passage: "In a small farming village, Elder Caleb harvested a bumper crop of sweet potatoes. Instead of storing them all for himself, he distributed baskets to neighboring families whose crops had suffered from dry soil. Two months later, when Caleb fell ill, his neighbors took turns tending his fields until he recovered." What theme is demonstrated?

• AGenerosity toward others creates a caring community that supports everyone in times of ne…
• BFarming sweet potatoes requires wet soil and heavy rainfall.
• CElderly farmers should not work in the fields without help.
• DStoring food for winter is more important than sharing with neighbors.

Read the narrative: "Grandmother Sitting Bear gathered the children by the hearth fire each evening to retell ancient tribal legends. Young Kai loved listening, but felt the old tales belonged to the past. Years later, when Kai became a father, he realized those stories taught courage, respect for nature, and honor. Sitting by his own hearth, Kai began sharing the very same legends with his daughter." What is the central theme?

• AFireplaces provide necessary warmth during cold winter nights.
• BOral traditions and cultural stories connect generations and pass down vital life values.
• CChildren should spend less time listening to old stories.
• DLegends change completely every time a new person tells them.

Read the sentence: "Cleaning out the overgrown garage was a monumental chore, but Uncle Leo tackled it with the strength of Hercules." What does the allusion to "Hercules" mean in this sentence?

• AUncle Leo used magical weapons to clean the garage.
• BUncle Leo worked with immense physical strength and effort.
• CUncle Leo completed the job very slowly over many years.
• DUncle Leo asked twelve friends to help him move boxes.

Read the sentence: "Aunt Clara seemed to have the Midas touch in her flower garden; every seedling she planted bloomed into a vibrant, healthy flower." What does the allusion to the "Midas touch" mean?

• AShe turned all her flower petals into solid gold metal.
• BShe had a remarkable ability to make everything she worked on successful.
• CShe spent a great deal of money buying rare garden flowers.
• DShe picked flowers only during sunny morning hours.

Read the paragraph: "When the committee opened the old file cabinet without checking the lock, they accidentally opened a Pandora's box of misplaced documents, confusing schedules, and unexpected complaints." What does the allusion "Pandora's box" convey?

• AA mysterious box containing valuable golden treasure
• BA situation that unexpectedly creates many new problems and troubles
• CA neatly organized storage container for important papers
• DA gift given to express gratitude to committee members

Read the excerpt: "Julian was the fastest sprinter in Rhode Island's track meet, but running on wet mud was his Achilles' heel; his footing slipped every time it rained." What does the phrase "Achilles' heel" mean in this context?

• AJulian's favorite pair of running sneakers
• BA person's specific area of vulnerability or weakness
• CThe fastest lap time recorded during a championship race
• DA painful physical injury suffered on the track

Read the sentence: "When the cashier gave Oliver ten extra dollars by mistake, Oliver returned the bill immediately, proving he was an honest Abe." What does the allusion "honest Abe" refer to?

• AA famous fictional detective from a mystery book
• BAbraham Lincoln, known for his reputation of complete truthfulness
• CA local bank manager in Oliver's neighborhood
• DA character from a comic book who has super vision

Read the passage: "When the two arguing neighbors couldn't decide how to share the apple tree on their property line, Judge Miller offered a solution worthy of Solomon, suggesting they alternate harvesting apples each year." What does the literary/biblical allusion "solution worthy of Solomon" mean?

• AA quick decision made by tossing a coin
• BAn exceptionally wise and fair judgment that resolves a tricky dispute
• CA harsh punishment handed down to both parties
• DA rule that requires cutting down the disputed property

Read the poem stanza: "The golden leaves fall to the ground, (Line 1) They tumble down without a sound. (Line 2) The chilly autumn breeze blows cold, (Line 3) And turns the forest trees to gold." (Line 4) What is the rhyme scheme of this stanza?

• AABAB
• BAABB
• CABCB
• DABBA

Read the poem lines: "Silver waves dance on Narragansett shore, Crashing softly with a rhythmic roar. White seagulls soar beneath the morning sun, As coastal daily routines have begun." Which line contains personification?

• A"Silver waves dance on Narragansett shore,"
• B"Crashing softly with a rhythmic roar."
• C"White seagulls soar beneath the morning sun,"
• D"As coastal daily routines have begun."

Read the poem excerpt: "The old pine tree tapped on my window glass, And whispered secrets to the passing grass." What poetic element is used when the tree 'tapped' and 'whispered secrets'?

• AHyperbole
• BPersonification
• CSimile
• DAlliteration

Read the poem: "Galloping, galloping, down the dark lane, Thundering hooves in the pouring cold rain. Fast as the lightning that flashes above, Speeding home swiftly to those that I love." How does the rhythm and word choice affect the tone of the poem?

• AIt creates a slow, sleepy mood for bedtime.
• BIt creates a fast-paced, urgent feeling of excitement and movement.
• CIt creates a mournful and sad atmosphere.
• DIt creates a humorous, silly tone about farm animals.

Which line of poetry contains alliteration?

• AThe blue ocean water was warm today
• BSilent sea stars shine soft in the sand
• CBirds flew over the wooden garden fence
• DI rode my bicycle down to the park

Read the poem: "I slept tucked tight inside my woody shell, Until the spring rain fell into my cell. I stretched my tiny green shoots to the sky, And watched the bluebirds fly on high." Who is the narrator (speaker) of this poem?

• AA young bluebird building a nest
• BA sprouting seed or acorn growing in the soil
• CA rain cloud floating in the spring sky
• DA gardener planting flowers in pots

Read the poem: "Thick fog creeps in on velvet paws, It wraps the harbor in gray gauze. Lighthouses blink their amber eyes, As night-time blankets coastal skies." What imagery is conveyed by describing the fog as wrapping the harbor in 'gray gauze' and creeping on 'velvet paws'?

• AThe fog is noisy and sharp like breaking glass.
• BThe fog moves quietly, softly, and covers everything in a smooth gray layer.
• CThe fog is hot and bright like desert sand.
• DThe fog blows away instantly in strong ocean gusts.

Read Stanza 1 and Stanza 2: Stanza 1: "Dark grey clouds cover the morning light, Cold raindrops fall through the gloomy night. Trees bend low as winter winds blow, And cover the fields in icy snow." Stanza 2: "Golden sunshine breaks through the sky, Yellow butterflies flutter up high. Warm green buds sprout on every tree, As sweet summer breezes set us free." How does the mood shift from Stanza 1 to Stanza 2?

• AFrom cheerful and warm to scary and dark
• BFrom cold and gloomy to bright, warm, and joyful
• CFrom loud and angry to quiet and lonely
• DFrom silly and playful to serious and solemn

Read the informational paragraph: "Honeybees play a vital role in our food supply. As they fly from flower to flower gathering nectar, pollen sticks to their fuzzy bodies. They transfer this pollen to other plants, helping flowers produce fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Without honeybees, many of the crops we eat would not grow." What is the main idea of the paragraph?

• AHoneybees make honey inside wooden hives.
• BHoneybees are essential pollinators that help crops and plants grow.
• CFuzzy bodies help insects stay warm during winter.
• DFlowers produce nectar to attract birds.

Read the passage: "Narragansett Bay is Rhode Island's largest natural estuary, where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean. This unique environment creates habitats for over 100 species of fish, shellfish, and migratory sea birds. Local conservation groups work continuously to keep the bay's water clean so marine life can thrive." What is the central idea of the passage?

• AAtlantic Ocean saltwater is colder than river water in Rhode Island.
• BNarragansett Bay is a vital estuary whose rich wildlife relies on clean water.
• CLocal conservation groups focus only on counting sea bird nests.
• DOver 100 species of freshwater fish live in mountain rivers.

Read the text: "Solar panels convert energy from sunlight into clean electricity for homes and schools. Inside each solar panel, photovoltaic cells absorb sun rays and create an electrical current. Inverters then convert this current into usable power for lights, appliances, and computers. Because solar energy produces no greenhouse gases, it helps reduce air pollution." Which sentence best expresses the main idea?

• AComputers and appliances require electricity to function properly.
• BSolar panels turn sunlight into clean electrical power that powers buildings and reduces…
• CGlass panels on rooftops protect houses from heavy rainstorms.
• DInverters are small devices installed inside kitchen refrigerators.

Read the short article: "Monarch butterflies undergo a remarkable metamorphosis during their life cycle. They start as tiny eggs laid on milkweed leaves, hatch into striped caterpillars, form a protective chrysalis, and finally emerge as winged adult butterflies." What is the main idea?

• AMilkweed leaves taste bitter to most garden birds.
• BMonarch butterflies go through four distinct stages of metamorphosis in their life cycle.
• CCaterpillars crawl faster than adult butterflies can fly.
• DChrysalises are made out of spun silk thread.

Read the text: "Lighthouses along Rhode Island's coast, such as the Beavertail Light in Jamestown, have guided ships safely past rocky shores for centuries. Historically, lighthouse keepers trimmed oil lamps and sounded foghorns during dark storms. Today, automated lights and satellite GPS assist ships, but historical lighthouses remain valuable symbols of maritime safety." What is the main idea?

• AJamestown is the largest island in Narragansett Bay.
• BRhode Island lighthouses have played a crucial role in maritime navigation past and prese…
• CGPS satellites are built inside historic lighthouse towers.
• DOil lamps produce more light than modern electric bulbs.

Read the paragraph: "Beavers are known as nature's engineers. By chewing down small trees and weaving sticks with mud, they construct sturdy dams across streams. These dams slow down water flow and form pond wetlands. Wetlands provide habitats for fish, frogs, ducks, and aquatic plants, showing how beaver activity benefits entire ecosystems." Which detail supports the main idea that beaver dams benefit ecosystems?

• ABeavers have sharp front teeth that grow continuously.
• BDams create pond wetlands that provide homes for fish, frogs, and ducks.
• CStreams flow faster during spring rainstorms.
• DBeavers build lodges out of tree bark.

Read the passage: "Energy sources are categorized as renewable or non-renewable. Renewable resources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, naturally replenish themselves and generate minimal pollution. Non-renewable resources, like coal and petroleum, exist in limited quantities and release harmful emissions when burned. Transitioning to renewable energy helps protect Earth's environment for future generations." What is the central idea?

• ACoal is the cheapest fuel available for home heating.
• BRenewable energy sources naturally replenish and protect the environment compared to limi…
• CHydroelectric dams should be built on every river in America.
• DPetroleum is used primarily to manufacture plastic toys.

Read the passage: "Recycling paper, glass, and aluminum saves natural resources and energy. When factories process recycled aluminum cans instead of raw bauxite ore, they use 95% less energy. Reducing landfill waste also prevents toxic runoff from polluting groundwater." Which detail supports the claim that recycling saves energy?

• AProcessing recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy than raw ore.
• BGlass bottles come in green, clear, and brown colors.
• CGroundwater is drinking water stored underground.
• DLandfills are managed by municipal sanitation teams.

Read the text: "Every autumn, millions of songbirds migrate thousands of miles south to warmer climates. Scientists discovered that birds navigate using multiple cues, including Earth's magnetic field, the position of the sun, and star patterns in the night sky. These natural navigation tools allow birds to return to the exact same nesting spots every spring." What is the main idea?

• ASongbirds fly south during winter because food is scarce in the north.
• BMigrating birds use natural cues like magnetic fields, sun positions, and stars to naviga…
• CBlue jays remain in Rhode Island throughout the entire winter season.
• DStars are large burning balls of gas located light-years away.

Read the passage: "First, gather fresh apples, cinnamon, and flour. Next, peel and slice the apples thin. Then, mix the ingredients into a pie crust and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Finally, let the pie cool before serving." Which organizational text structure is used?

• ACause and Effect
• BChronological / Sequence
• CCompare and Contrast
• DProblem and Solution

Read the passage: "When heavy rain falls on steep clear-cut hillsides, water washes away rich topsoil because there are no tree roots to hold the dirt in place. As a result, streams become clogged with mud, causing fish habitats to suffer." What text structure is used in this passage?

• AProblem and Solution
• BCause and Effect
• CChronological Order
• DSpatial / Descriptive