RISE English Language Arts — Grade 4

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Mystery of Great Salt Lake High in the desert valley of northern Utah lies the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike most lakes, the Great Salt Lake has rivers flowing into it—such as the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers—but no rivers flowing out. Because water can only leave the lake by evaporating into the air under the hot desert sun, minerals and salts brought by river currents are left behind. Over thousands of years, these minerals accumulated, making the lake up to eight times saltier than the ocean! Because the water is so salty, fish cannot live in the main body of the lake. Instead, billions of tiny brine shrimp and brine flies thrive in the salty water. Millions of migratory birds, including phalaropes and American white pelicans, stop at the lake each year to feed on these tiny creatures before continuing their long flights across North America. What is the main idea of this passage?

• AThe Great Salt Lake is a unique, highly salty ecosystem that supports brine shrimp and mi…
• BThe Jordan River is the longest river flowing into the Great Salt Lake.
• CAmerican white pelicans live near the Great Salt Lake all year without migrating.
• DBrine shrimp are caught by local fishermen to sell in fresh food markets.

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Mystery of Great Salt Lake High in the desert valley of northern Utah lies the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike most lakes, the Great Salt Lake has rivers flowing into it—such as the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers—but no rivers flowing out. Because water can only leave the lake by evaporating into the air under the hot desert sun, minerals and salts brought by river currents are left behind. Over thousands of years, these minerals accumulated, making the lake up to eight times saltier than the ocean! Because the water is so salty, fish cannot live in the main body of the lake. Instead, billions of tiny brine shrimp and brine flies thrive in the salty water. Millions of migratory birds, including phalaropes and American white pelicans, stop at the lake each year to feed on these tiny creatures before continuing their long flights across North America. According to the passage, why cannot fish live in the main body of the Great Salt Lake?

• AThe lake water is up to eight times saltier than the ocean.
• BThe lake freezes solid during the cold Utah winter.
• CBrine shrimp eat all the smaller fish in the lake.
• DNo rivers carry fresh oxygen into the water.

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Mystery of Great Salt Lake High in the desert valley of northern Utah lies the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike most lakes, the Great Salt Lake has rivers flowing into it—such as the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers—but no rivers flowing out. Because water can only leave the lake by evaporating into the air under the hot desert sun, minerals and salts brought by river currents are left behind. Over thousands of years, these minerals accumulated, making the lake up to eight times saltier than the ocean! Because the water is so salty, fish cannot live in the main body of the lake. Instead, billions of tiny brine shrimp and brine flies thrive in the salty water. Millions of migratory birds, including phalaropes and American white pelicans, stop at the lake each year to feed on these tiny creatures before continuing their long flights across North America. Which cause-and-effect relationship is described in the text?

• ABecause water evaporates without an outlet river, minerals remain and accumulate in the l…
• BBecause birds fly over Utah, the lake receives more rainfall every spring.
• CBecause brine flies bite fish, the fish migrate down the Jordan River.
• DBecause the lake is shallow, rivers flow backward into the mountains.

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Mystery of Great Salt Lake High in the desert valley of northern Utah lies the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike most lakes, the Great Salt Lake has rivers flowing into it—such as the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers—but no rivers flowing out. Because water can only leave the lake by evaporating into the air under the hot desert sun, minerals and salts brought by river currents are left behind. Over thousands of years, these minerals accumulated, making the lake up to eight times saltier than the ocean! Because the water is so salty, fish cannot live in the main body of the lake. Instead, billions of tiny brine shrimp and brine flies thrive in the salty water. Millions of migratory birds, including phalaropes and American white pelicans, stop at the lake each year to feed on these tiny creatures before continuing their long flights across North America. Based on how it is used in the passage, what does the word 'accumulated' mean?

• AGathered or built up over time
• BWashed away into the ocean
• CDisappeared completely
• DFroze into solid ice crystals

Read the passage below before answering the question. The Mystery of Great Salt Lake High in the desert valley of northern Utah lies the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike most lakes, the Great Salt Lake has rivers flowing into it—such as the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers—but no rivers flowing out. Because water can only leave the lake by evaporating into the air under the hot desert sun, minerals and salts brought by river currents are left behind. Over thousands of years, these minerals accumulated, making the lake up to eight times saltier than the ocean! Because the water is so salty, fish cannot live in the main body of the lake. Instead, billions of tiny brine shrimp and brine flies thrive in the salty water. Millions of migratory birds, including phalaropes and American white pelicans, stop at the lake each year to feed on these tiny creatures before continuing their long flights across North America. What can the reader infer about what would happen to migratory birds if the brine shrimp population disappeared?

• AThe birds would struggle to find food during their migration stopover.
• BThe birds would learn to swim underwater and catch ocean fish.
• CThe birds would build permanent nests in the salty lake water.
• DThe birds would stop migrating across North America entirely.

Read the fable below before answering the question. The Tale of the Desert Tortoise In the dry sagebrush hills of southern Utah, Toby the Desert Tortoise walked at a steady, deliberate pace. While Swift Coyote bounded past, boasting of his speed and mocking Toby's heavy shell, Toby simply smiled and kept walking toward the distant waterhole. Coyote sprinted far ahead, but soon felt exhausted under the blazing sun and laid down under a juniper bush to sleep. Toby did not stop to rest or brag. He kept moving one foot after another. By late afternoon, Toby reached the cool waterhole and drank deeply. When Coyote finally woke up parched and thirsty, he ran to the hole only to find Toby resting peacefully. Coyote lowered his head in embarrassment. Which character trait best describes Toby the Tortoise?

• APatient and persistent
• BBoastful and impatient
• CCareless and lazy
• DFearful and shy

Read the fable below before answering the question. The Tale of the Desert Tortoise In the dry sagebrush hills of southern Utah, Toby the Desert Tortoise walked at a steady, deliberate pace. While Swift Coyote bounded past, boasting of his speed and mocking Toby's heavy shell, Toby simply smiled and kept walking toward the distant waterhole. Coyote sprinted far ahead, but soon felt exhausted under the blazing sun and laid down under a juniper bush to sleep. Toby did not stop to rest or brag. He kept moving one foot after another. By late afternoon, Toby reached the cool waterhole and drank deeply. When Coyote finally woke up parched and thirsty, he ran to the hole only to find Toby resting peacefully. Coyote lowered his head in embarrassment. What is the theme or moral of the fable?

• ASteady effort and determination can overcome boastful speed.
• BSleeping under juniper bushes guarantees success.
• CRunning fast is the only way to reach important goals.
• DTeasing others helps them walk faster.

Read the fable below before answering the question. The Tale of the Desert Tortoise In the dry sagebrush hills of southern Utah, Toby the Desert Tortoise walked at a steady, deliberate pace. While Swift Coyote bounded past, boasting of his speed and mocking Toby's heavy shell, Toby simply smiled and kept walking toward the distant waterhole. Coyote sprinted far ahead, but soon felt exhausted under the blazing sun and laid down under a juniper bush to sleep. Toby did not stop to rest or brag. He kept moving one foot after another. By late afternoon, Toby reached the cool waterhole and drank deeply. When Coyote finally woke up parched and thirsty, he ran to the hole only to find Toby resting peacefully. Coyote lowered his head in embarrassment. Which is the best summary of the story?

• AA boastful coyote sprints ahead but sleeps, allowing a steady tortoise to reach the water…
• BA desert tortoise builds a shell to protect himself from hungry coyotes near a juniper tr…
• CA coyote teaches a slow tortoise how to run fast across the desert hills.
• DTwo desert animals search for water but decide to go home empty-handed.

Read the fable below before answering the question. The Tale of the Desert Tortoise In the dry sagebrush hills of southern Utah, Toby the Desert Tortoise walked at a steady, deliberate pace. While Swift Coyote bounded past, boasting of his speed and mocking Toby's heavy shell, Toby simply smiled and kept walking toward the distant waterhole. Coyote sprinted far ahead, but soon felt exhausted under the blazing sun and laid down under a juniper bush to sleep. Toby did not stop to rest or brag. He kept moving one foot after another. By late afternoon, Toby reached the cool waterhole and drank deeply. When Coyote finally woke up parched and thirsty, he ran to the hole only to find Toby resting peacefully. Coyote lowered his head in embarrassment. In the story, what does the word 'parched' mean when describing Coyote?

• AExtremely dry and thirsty
• BVery cold and shivering
• CFull of energy and well-fed
• DSoaked with rainwater

Read the fable below before answering the question. The Tale of the Desert Tortoise In the dry sagebrush hills of southern Utah, Toby the Desert Tortoise walked at a steady, deliberate pace. While Swift Coyote bounded past, boasting of his speed and mocking Toby's heavy shell, Toby simply smiled and kept walking toward the distant waterhole. Coyote sprinted far ahead, but soon felt exhausted under the blazing sun and laid down under a juniper bush to sleep. Toby did not stop to rest or brag. He kept moving one foot after another. By late afternoon, Toby reached the cool waterhole and drank deeply. When Coyote finally woke up parched and thirsty, he ran to the hole only to find Toby resting peacefully. Coyote lowered his head in embarrassment. From which point of view is this story narrated?

• AThird-person point of view by an outside narrator
• BFirst-person point of view by Toby the Tortoise using 'I'
• CFirst-person point of view by Coyote using 'my'
• DSecond-person point of view addressing the reader as 'you'

Read the myth below before answering the question. How Mountain Lions Got Their Tawny Coats Long ago, when the Uinta Mountains were young, Mountain Lion possessed a coat of pure silver fur that gleamed in the moonlight. Proud of his shining coat, Lion refused to hunt in the thickets, fearing sharp brambles would snag his precious fur. While other animals gathered food for winter, Lion spent his days preening by the mountain streams. Wise Grandmother Willow warned him, 'A coat is meant for living, not for vanity.' When winter arrived with icy blizzards, Lion grew desperate for food. Forced to hunt through dense pine thickets and rocky canyons, his silver coat was brushed by golden dust and brown pine needles. By spring, the earth and sun had transformed his silver fur into a warm, tawny golden-brown coat that blended perfectly with the Utah rocks. Grateful to finally blend in and hunt successfully, Mountain Lion thanked Grandmother Willow for her wisdom. Why did Mountain Lion refuse to hunt at the beginning of the story?

• AHe was proud of his silver coat and feared brambles would snag it.
• BHe was too weak to run after deer in the snow.
• CGrandmother Willow ordered him to stay by the stream.
• DThe pine thickets were guarded by fierce bears.

Read the myth below before answering the question. How Mountain Lions Got Their Tawny Coats Long ago, when the Uinta Mountains were young, Mountain Lion possessed a coat of pure silver fur that gleamed in the moonlight. Proud of his shining coat, Lion refused to hunt in the thickets, fearing sharp brambles would snag his precious fur. While other animals gathered food for winter, Lion spent his days preening by the mountain streams. Wise Grandmother Willow warned him, 'A coat is meant for living, not for vanity.' When winter arrived with icy blizzards, Lion grew desperate for food. Forced to hunt through dense pine thickets and rocky canyons, his silver coat was brushed by golden dust and brown pine needles. By spring, the earth and sun had transformed his silver fur into a warm, tawny golden-brown coat that blended perfectly with the Utah rocks. Grateful to finally blend in and hunt successfully, Mountain Lion thanked Grandmother Willow for her wisdom. How does Mountain Lion's motivation change from the start to the end of the story?

• AHe shifts from caring only about his appearance to valuing survival and camouflage.
• BHe shifts from loving winter sports to hating cold mountain streams.
• CHe shifts from obeying Grandmother Willow to ignoring all animal advice.
• DHe shifts from hunting small insects to eating only pine needles.

Read the myth below before answering the question. How Mountain Lions Got Their Tawny Coats Long ago, when the Uinta Mountains were young, Mountain Lion possessed a coat of pure silver fur that gleamed in the moonlight. Proud of his shining coat, Lion refused to hunt in the thickets, fearing sharp brambles would snag his precious fur. While other animals gathered food for winter, Lion spent his days preening by the mountain streams. Wise Grandmother Willow warned him, 'A coat is meant for living, not for vanity.' When winter arrived with icy blizzards, Lion grew desperate for food. Forced to hunt through dense pine thickets and rocky canyons, his silver coat was brushed by golden dust and brown pine needles. By spring, the earth and sun had transformed his silver fur into a warm, tawny golden-brown coat that blended perfectly with the Utah rocks. Grateful to finally blend in and hunt successfully, Mountain Lion thanked Grandmother Willow for her wisdom. What central lesson does Grandmother Willow teach Mountain Lion?

• AUseful function and survival matter more than vain appearance.
• BSilver fur is superior to golden-brown fur in deep snow.
• CTree branches should never touch wild animals.
• DWinter blizzards last longer than summer sunshine.

Read the myth below before answering the question. How Mountain Lions Got Their Tawny Coats Long ago, when the Uinta Mountains were young, Mountain Lion possessed a coat of pure silver fur that gleamed in the moonlight. Proud of his shining coat, Lion refused to hunt in the thickets, fearing sharp brambles would snag his precious fur. While other animals gathered food for winter, Lion spent his days preening by the mountain streams. Wise Grandmother Willow warned him, 'A coat is meant for living, not for vanity.' When winter arrived with icy blizzards, Lion grew desperate for food. Forced to hunt through dense pine thickets and rocky canyons, his silver coat was brushed by golden dust and brown pine needles. By spring, the earth and sun had transformed his silver fur into a warm, tawny golden-brown coat that blended perfectly with the Utah rocks. Grateful to finally blend in and hunt successfully, Mountain Lion thanked Grandmother Willow for her wisdom. Which event happens first in the narrative sequence?

• AMountain Lion preens his silver coat by mountain streams.
• BIcy blizzards force Mountain Lion to hunt in thickets.
• CMountain Lion's fur turns tawny golden-brown.
• DMountain Lion thanks Grandmother Willow for her advice.

Read the myth below before answering the question. How Mountain Lions Got Their Tawny Coats Long ago, when the Uinta Mountains were young, Mountain Lion possessed a coat of pure silver fur that gleamed in the moonlight. Proud of his shining coat, Lion refused to hunt in the thickets, fearing sharp brambles would snag his precious fur. While other animals gathered food for winter, Lion spent his days preening by the mountain streams. Wise Grandmother Willow warned him, 'A coat is meant for living, not for vanity.' When winter arrived with icy blizzards, Lion grew desperate for food. Forced to hunt through dense pine thickets and rocky canyons, his silver coat was brushed by golden dust and brown pine needles. By spring, the earth and sun had transformed his silver fur into a warm, tawny golden-brown coat that blended perfectly with the Utah rocks. Grateful to finally blend in and hunt successfully, Mountain Lion thanked Grandmother Willow for her wisdom. What does the word 'tawny' mean as used to describe the lion's new coat?

• AWarm brownish-yellow or tan
• BBright neon green
• CDeep ocean blue
• DPure snow white

Read the passage below before answering the question. Pioneer Handcarts on the Utah Trail In the 1850s, thousands of pioneers traveled more than 1,000 miles across rugged plains and mountain passes to reach Utah's Salt Lake Valley. Because many families could not afford expensive oxen and heavy wooden covered wagons, leaders designed wooden handcarts. These two-wheeled carts, built from sturdy timber, were pushed and pulled entirely by human strength. Each family was allowed only 17 pounds of luggage per person, including bedding, clothing, and cooking utensils. Pushing handcarts across rivers, muddy trails, and steep rocky canyons required immense physical endurance and teamwork. Despite facing severe summer heat and sudden early winter snowstorms, over 3,000 handcart pioneers successfully completed the journey, establishing settlements and farms across Utah. What is the primary main idea of this historical article?

• AHandcart pioneers used human-powered carts to overcome financial obstacles and complete a…
• BCovered wagons drawn by oxen were the only safe way to cross mountain passes in the 1850s.
• CEach pioneer family carried 500 pounds of personal belongings in heavy steel suitcases.
• DWinter snowstorms in Utah lasted from May through September in the 1850s.

Read the passage below before answering the question. Pioneer Handcarts on the Utah Trail In the 1850s, thousands of pioneers traveled more than 1,000 miles across rugged plains and mountain passes to reach Utah's Salt Lake Valley. Because many families could not afford expensive oxen and heavy wooden covered wagons, leaders designed wooden handcarts. These two-wheeled carts, built from sturdy timber, were pushed and pulled entirely by human strength. Each family was allowed only 17 pounds of luggage per person, including bedding, clothing, and cooking utensils. Pushing handcarts across rivers, muddy trails, and steep rocky canyons required immense physical endurance and teamwork. Despite facing severe summer heat and sudden early winter snowstorms, over 3,000 handcart pioneers successfully completed the journey, establishing settlements and farms across Utah. Which detail from the text explains why handcarts were created for the pioneers?

• AMany families could not afford expensive oxen and heavy wooden covered wagons.
• BSalt Lake Valley had no rivers or streams for cooking utensils.
• CHandcarts could carry up to ten passengers inside comfortable seats.
• DPioneers preferred walking rather than riding in wagons.

Read the passage below before answering the question. Pioneer Handcarts on the Utah Trail In the 1850s, thousands of pioneers traveled more than 1,000 miles across rugged plains and mountain passes to reach Utah's Salt Lake Valley. Because many families could not afford expensive oxen and heavy wooden covered wagons, leaders designed wooden handcarts. These two-wheeled carts, built from sturdy timber, were pushed and pulled entirely by human strength. Each family was allowed only 17 pounds of luggage per person, including bedding, clothing, and cooking utensils. Pushing handcarts across rivers, muddy trails, and steep rocky canyons required immense physical endurance and teamwork. Despite facing severe summer heat and sudden early winter snowstorms, over 3,000 handcart pioneers successfully completed the journey, establishing settlements and farms across Utah. What problem-and-solution structure is present in the text?

• AProblem: High cost of oxen and wagons; Solution: Designing human-powered wooden handcarts.
• BProblem: Too much luggage; Solution: Buying larger covered wagons in Salt Lake City.
• CProblem: Winter snowstorms; Solution: Building paved roads across Utah canyons.
• DProblem: Muddy trails; Solution: Riding steam locomotives across the plains.

Read the passage below before answering the question. Pioneer Handcarts on the Utah Trail In the 1850s, thousands of pioneers traveled more than 1,000 miles across rugged plains and mountain passes to reach Utah's Salt Lake Valley. Because many families could not afford expensive oxen and heavy wooden covered wagons, leaders designed wooden handcarts. These two-wheeled carts, built from sturdy timber, were pushed and pulled entirely by human strength. Each family was allowed only 17 pounds of luggage per person, including bedding, clothing, and cooking utensils. Pushing handcarts across rivers, muddy trails, and steep rocky canyons required immense physical endurance and teamwork. Despite facing severe summer heat and sudden early winter snowstorms, over 3,000 handcart pioneers successfully completed the journey, establishing settlements and farms across Utah. What does the word 'endurance' mean as used in the passage?

• AAbility to withstand hardship and continue over a long time
• BSpeed when sprinting short distances
• CSkill in carving wooden utensils
• DFear of cold weather and mountain snow

Read the passage below before answering the question. Pioneer Handcarts on the Utah Trail In the 1850s, thousands of pioneers traveled more than 1,000 miles across rugged plains and mountain passes to reach Utah's Salt Lake Valley. Because many families could not afford expensive oxen and heavy wooden covered wagons, leaders designed wooden handcarts. These two-wheeled carts, built from sturdy timber, were pushed and pulled entirely by human strength. Each family was allowed only 17 pounds of luggage per person, including bedding, clothing, and cooking utensils. Pushing handcarts across rivers, muddy trails, and steep rocky canyons required immense physical endurance and teamwork. Despite facing severe summer heat and sudden early winter snowstorms, over 3,000 handcart pioneers successfully completed the journey, establishing settlements and farms across Utah. Based on text evidence, what can the reader conclude about the pioneer families who used handcarts?

• AThey demonstrated exceptional determination and willingness to make sacrifices.
• BThey carried many unnecessary luxury items across the plains.
• CThey gave up as soon as they encountered heavy mud or steep canyons.
• DThey traveled without any central organization or leadership.

Read the poem below before answering the question. Canyon Winds at Sunset The red rock towers touch the sky, As crimson clouds go drifting by. The mountain breeze begins to sing, And touches every pine tree's wing. It whispers secrets to the cliff, And dances past the canyon stiff. It cools the sandstone baked all day, And blows the dusty heat away. Which line from the poem contains an example of personification?

• AIt whispers secrets to the cliff
• BAs crimson clouds go drifting by
• CThe red rock towers touch the sky
• DAnd blows the dusty heat away

Read the poem below before answering the question. Canyon Winds at Sunset The red rock towers touch the sky, As crimson clouds go drifting by. The mountain breeze begins to sing, And touches every pine tree's wing. It whispers secrets to the cliff, And dances past the canyon stiff. It cools the sandstone baked all day, And blows the dusty heat away. How is this poem structured?

• ATwo stanzas of four lines each (rhyming AABB per stanza)
• BThree stanzas of six lines each without any rhyming words
• CA single continuous paragraph of prose with dialogue
• DFour stanzas of two lines each with free verse rhythm

Read the poem below before answering the question. Canyon Winds at Sunset The red rock towers touch the sky, As crimson clouds go drifting by. The mountain breeze begins to sing, And touches every pine tree's wing. It whispers secrets to the cliff, And dances past the canyon stiff. It cools the sandstone baked all day, And blows the dusty heat away. What tone does the speaker create in describing the canyon sunset?

• APeaceful and appreciative
• BFrightened and nervous
• CAngry and disappointed
• DComical and silly

Read the poem below before answering the question. Canyon Winds at Sunset The red rock towers touch the sky, As crimson clouds go drifting by. The mountain breeze begins to sing, And touches every pine tree's wing. It whispers secrets to the cliff, And dances past the canyon stiff. It cools the sandstone baked all day, And blows the dusty heat away. What relief does the evening wind bring to the canyon landscape?

• AIt cools the hot sandstone and blows away dusty daytime heat.
• BIt knocks down the red rock towers to make flat ground.
• CIt floods the canyon floor with heavy mountain rain.
• DIt strips all the green needles off the pine trees.

Read the poem below before answering the question. Canyon Winds at Sunset The red rock towers touch the sky, As crimson clouds go drifting by. The mountain breeze begins to sing, And touches every pine tree's wing. It whispers secrets to the cliff, And dances past the canyon stiff. It cools the sandstone baked all day, And blows the dusty heat away. What is the main theme of the poem?

• ANature brings refreshing beauty and calm transition at the end of a hot day.
• BCanyons are dangerous places that people should avoid at night.
• CMountain trees cannot survive without human care.
• DSunsets happen faster in Utah than anywhere else.

Read the informational guide below before answering the question. Building a Simple Solar Oven Solar ovens use heat from the sun to cook food without electricity. You can build your own using a cardboard pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper. First, cut a three-sided flap on the top lid of the box, leaving one edge attached. Next, line the inside of the flap with shiny aluminum foil to reflect sunlight. Then, tape black construction paper to the bottom inside of the box; black absorbs heat from light. After that, stretch clear plastic wrap over the opening under the flap to trap warm air inside like a greenhouse. Finally, place a small s'more or marshmallow inside, set the box in direct sunlight, and prop the foil flap open with a ruler. In about 30 minutes, the trapped solar heat will melt your treat! What is the step to take right after taping black construction paper to the bottom of the box?

• AStretch clear plastic wrap over the opening under the flap.
• BProp the foil flap open with a ruler.
• CCut a three-sided flap on the top lid.
• DPlace a s'more inside and wait 30 minutes.

Read the informational guide below before answering the question. Building a Simple Solar Oven Solar ovens use heat from the sun to cook food without electricity. You can build your own using a cardboard pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper. First, cut a three-sided flap on the top lid of the box, leaving one edge attached. Next, line the inside of the flap with shiny aluminum foil to reflect sunlight. Then, tape black construction paper to the bottom inside of the box; black absorbs heat from light. After that, stretch clear plastic wrap over the opening under the flap to trap warm air inside like a greenhouse. Finally, place a small s'more or marshmallow inside, set the box in direct sunlight, and prop the foil flap open with a ruler. In about 30 minutes, the trapped solar heat will melt your treat! Why does the guide instruct you to use black construction paper at the bottom of the box?

• ABlack paper absorbs heat from light.
• BBlack paper reflects sunlight into the sky.
• CBlack paper keeps the cardboard box from folding.
• DBlack paper makes the box look like a commercial oven.

Read the informational guide below before answering the question. Building a Simple Solar Oven Solar ovens use heat from the sun to cook food without electricity. You can build your own using a cardboard pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper. First, cut a three-sided flap on the top lid of the box, leaving one edge attached. Next, line the inside of the flap with shiny aluminum foil to reflect sunlight. Then, tape black construction paper to the bottom inside of the box; black absorbs heat from light. After that, stretch clear plastic wrap over the opening under the flap to trap warm air inside like a greenhouse. Finally, place a small s'more or marshmallow inside, set the box in direct sunlight, and prop the foil flap open with a ruler. In about 30 minutes, the trapped solar heat will melt your treat! What is the author's primary purpose in writing this text?

• ATo instruct the reader step-by-step on how to build a solar oven.
• BTo convince the reader to stop buying electric kitchen stoves.
• CTo tell a humorous story about a failed science experiment.
• DTo explain the history of pizza box manufacturing.

Read the informational guide below before answering the question. Building a Simple Solar Oven Solar ovens use heat from the sun to cook food without electricity. You can build your own using a cardboard pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper. First, cut a three-sided flap on the top lid of the box, leaving one edge attached. Next, line the inside of the flap with shiny aluminum foil to reflect sunlight. Then, tape black construction paper to the bottom inside of the box; black absorbs heat from light. After that, stretch clear plastic wrap over the opening under the flap to trap warm air inside like a greenhouse. Finally, place a small s'more or marshmallow inside, set the box in direct sunlight, and prop the foil flap open with a ruler. In about 30 minutes, the trapped solar heat will melt your treat! What role does the clear plastic wrap play in the solar oven?

• AIt seals the opening to trap warm air inside like a greenhouse.
• BIt bounces sunlight away from the cardboard box.
• CIt holds the ruler steady on the outer edge.
• DIt turns solar energy into electricity.

Read the informational guide below before answering the question. Building a Simple Solar Oven Solar ovens use heat from the sun to cook food without electricity. You can build your own using a cardboard pizza box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and black construction paper. First, cut a three-sided flap on the top lid of the box, leaving one edge attached. Next, line the inside of the flap with shiny aluminum foil to reflect sunlight. Then, tape black construction paper to the bottom inside of the box; black absorbs heat from light. After that, stretch clear plastic wrap over the opening under the flap to trap warm air inside like a greenhouse. Finally, place a small s'more or marshmallow inside, set the box in direct sunlight, and prop the foil flap open with a ruler. In about 30 minutes, the trapped solar heat will melt your treat! If a student builds a solar oven but forgets to seal the plastic wrap edges tightly, what will most likely happen?

• AWarm air will escape through the gaps, making the oven cook much slower.
• BThe box will instantly catch on fire from trapped sunlight.
• CThe aluminum foil will turn black and absorb all light.
• DThe s'more will freeze solid within 10 minutes.

Read the story below before answering the question. Maya's School Science Fair Project Maya stared at her spilled plant experiment on the kitchen floor and felt tears prickling her eyes. Her hypothesis had been that marigolds grow faster with organic compost than with plain soil. But just two days before the school science fair, her dog Buster knocked over the pots, mixing up the sprouts. Her mother knelt down and said, 'Mistakes and accidents happen in real science, Maya. What matters is how you respond.' Maya took a deep breath, gathered the remaining intact sprouts, and carefully logged the accident in her journal. She decided to present her initial three weeks of documented data alongside a new section titled 'Unplanned Variables: What I Learned When My Experiment Was Disrupted.' On Friday, the science fair judges praised Maya for her honesty, accurate data graphs, and scientific resilience, awarding her second place. What is the main conflict Maya faces in the story?

• AHer dog knocks over her science project two days before the fair.
• BShe forgets to turn in her science fair application form on time.
• CHer mother refuses to let her enter the school science fair.
• DThe judges disqualify her project for using organic compost.

Read the story below before answering the question. Maya's School Science Fair Project Maya stared at her spilled plant experiment on the kitchen floor and felt tears prickling her eyes. Her hypothesis had been that marigolds grow faster with organic compost than with plain soil. But just two days before the school science fair, her dog Buster knocked over the pots, mixing up the sprouts. Her mother knelt down and said, 'Mistakes and accidents happen in real science, Maya. What matters is how you respond.' Maya took a deep breath, gathered the remaining intact sprouts, and carefully logged the accident in her journal. She decided to present her initial three weeks of documented data alongside a new section titled 'Unplanned Variables: What I Learned When My Experiment Was Disrupted.' On Friday, the science fair judges praised Maya for her honesty, accurate data graphs, and scientific resilience, awarding her second place. How does Maya's attitude change from the beginning to the end of the story?

• AShe goes from feeling tearful and hopeless to feeling proud and resilient.
• BShe goes from excited to angry at her science teacher.
• CShe remains tearful and refuses to speak to the judges.
• DShe gives up on science and decides to study art instead.

Read the story below before answering the question. Maya's School Science Fair Project Maya stared at her spilled plant experiment on the kitchen floor and felt tears prickling her eyes. Her hypothesis had been that marigolds grow faster with organic compost than with plain soil. But just two days before the school science fair, her dog Buster knocked over the pots, mixing up the sprouts. Her mother knelt down and said, 'Mistakes and accidents happen in real science, Maya. What matters is how you respond.' Maya took a deep breath, gathered the remaining intact sprouts, and carefully logged the accident in her journal. She decided to present her initial three weeks of documented data alongside a new section titled 'Unplanned Variables: What I Learned When My Experiment Was Disrupted.' On Friday, the science fair judges praised Maya for her honesty, accurate data graphs, and scientific resilience, awarding her second place. What is the theme of the story?

• AResilience and honesty when facing setbacks lead to true learning and success.
• BPets should never be allowed inside houses with house plants.
• CWinning first place is the only measure of a good experiment.
• DScience projects are too risky for fourth graders.

Read the story below before answering the question. Maya's School Science Fair Project Maya stared at her spilled plant experiment on the kitchen floor and felt tears prickling her eyes. Her hypothesis had been that marigolds grow faster with organic compost than with plain soil. But just two days before the school science fair, her dog Buster knocked over the pots, mixing up the sprouts. Her mother knelt down and said, 'Mistakes and accidents happen in real science, Maya. What matters is how you respond.' Maya took a deep breath, gathered the remaining intact sprouts, and carefully logged the accident in her journal. She decided to present her initial three weeks of documented data alongside a new section titled 'Unplanned Variables: What I Learned When My Experiment Was Disrupted.' On Friday, the science fair judges praised Maya for her honesty, accurate data graphs, and scientific resilience, awarding her second place. In the story, what does the word 'hypothesis' mean?

• AAn educated prediction or testable scientific guess
• BA final gold trophy awarded at a competition
• CA type of organic flower fertilizer
• DA severe thunderstorm that ruins outdoor crops

Read the story below before answering the question. Maya's School Science Fair Project Maya stared at her spilled plant experiment on the kitchen floor and felt tears prickling her eyes. Her hypothesis had been that marigolds grow faster with organic compost than with plain soil. But just two days before the school science fair, her dog Buster knocked over the pots, mixing up the sprouts. Her mother knelt down and said, 'Mistakes and accidents happen in real science, Maya. What matters is how you respond.' Maya took a deep breath, gathered the remaining intact sprouts, and carefully logged the accident in her journal. She decided to present her initial three weeks of documented data alongside a new section titled 'Unplanned Variables: What I Learned When My Experiment Was Disrupted.' On Friday, the science fair judges praised Maya for her honesty, accurate data graphs, and scientific resilience, awarding her second place. What can the reader infer about why the judges awarded Maya second place?

• AThey valued her honest data analysis and mature handling of unexpected experimental varia…
• BThey felt sorry for her because her dog was injured in the kitchen.
• CMaya was the only student who entered the science fair competition.
• DHer mother secretly rebuilt the entire project board on Friday morning.

Read the article below before answering the question. The Remarkable Honeybee Colony Inside a honeybee hive, thousands of individual bees work together as a highly organized superorganism. A single queen bee lays up to 2,000 eggs every day during the spring. Female worker bees perform a sequence of specialized duties depending on their age. Young worker bees start by cleaning comb cells, nursing larvae, and building wax honeycomb. As they mature, workers become foragers, flying up to three miles from the hive to collect nectar and pollen from flowering plants. When a scout bee discovers a rich patch of wildflowers, she returns to the hive and performs a special figure-eight movements known as the 'waggle dance.' This dance communicates the exact distance and direction of the food relative to the position of the sun. Through this cooperative communication, the colony produces surplus honey to survive cold winters. What is the central idea of this passage?

• AHoneybees operate as an organized colony with specialized roles and complex communication.
• BQueen bees fly three miles every day to collect pollen from sunflowers.
• CHoneybee hives are destroyed every winter by cold winds.
• DThe waggle dance is performed by worker bees to scare away predators.

Read the article below before answering the question. The Remarkable Honeybee Colony Inside a honeybee hive, thousands of individual bees work together as a highly organized superorganism. A single queen bee lays up to 2,000 eggs every day during the spring. Female worker bees perform a sequence of specialized duties depending on their age. Young worker bees start by cleaning comb cells, nursing larvae, and building wax honeycomb. As they mature, workers become foragers, flying up to three miles from the hive to collect nectar and pollen from flowering plants. When a scout bee discovers a rich patch of wildflowers, she returns to the hive and performs a special figure-eight movements known as the 'waggle dance.' This dance communicates the exact distance and direction of the food relative to the position of the sun. Through this cooperative communication, the colony produces surplus honey to survive cold winters. How does the article compare young worker bees with mature worker bees?

• AYoung worker bees work inside cleaning and nursing, while mature worker bees forage outsi…
• BYoung worker bees lay eggs, while mature worker bees build honeycomb cells.
• CYoung worker bees perform the waggle dance, while mature worker bees sleep all day.
• DYoung worker bees fly three miles away, while mature worker bees nurse larvae inside.

Read the article below before answering the question. The Remarkable Honeybee Colony Inside a honeybee hive, thousands of individual bees work together as a highly organized superorganism. A single queen bee lays up to 2,000 eggs every day during the spring. Female worker bees perform a sequence of specialized duties depending on their age. Young worker bees start by cleaning comb cells, nursing larvae, and building wax honeycomb. As they mature, workers become foragers, flying up to three miles from the hive to collect nectar and pollen from flowering plants. When a scout bee discovers a rich patch of wildflowers, she returns to the hive and performs a special figure-eight movements known as the 'waggle dance.' This dance communicates the exact distance and direction of the food relative to the position of the sun. Through this cooperative communication, the colony produces surplus honey to survive cold winters. What text evidence explains how scout bees share the location of new flowers with the hive?

• AThey perform a figure-eight 'waggle dance' that communicates distance and direction.
• BThey buzz loudly in high-pitched musical notes near the queen's cell.
• CThey leave scent trails of honey along the ground for three miles.
• DThey carry small pieces of wildflower leaves back to the nursery.

Read the sentence from the passage below: 'Young worker bees start by cleaning comb cells, nursing larvae, and building wax honeycomb.' The passage describes bees building. The Latin root 'struct' means 'to build.' If the prefix 're-' means 'again' and the suffix '-ion' forms a noun naming an action or process, what does the word 'reconstruction' mean?

• AThe act of building something again after it was damaged or destroyed
• BThe process of tearing down an old house completely
• CA person who paints flowers in a wild garden
• DA tool used to measure water temperature in a lake

Read the article below before answering the question. The Remarkable Honeybee Colony Inside a honeybee hive, thousands of individual bees work together as a highly organized superorganism. A single queen bee lays up to 2,000 eggs every day during the spring. Female worker bees perform a sequence of specialized duties depending on their age. Young worker bees start by cleaning comb cells, nursing larvae, and building wax honeycomb. As they mature, workers become foragers, flying up to three miles from the hive to collect nectar and pollen from flowering plants. When a scout bee discovers a rich patch of wildflowers, she returns to the hive and performs a special figure-eight movements known as the 'waggle dance.' This dance communicates the exact distance and direction of the food relative to the position of the sun. Through this cooperative communication, the colony produces surplus honey to survive cold winters. What is the author's overall purpose in writing this article?

• ATo inform readers about the fascinating social structure and communication of honeybee co…
• BTo entertain readers with a fictional tale about a queen bee who learned to dance.
• CTo persuade readers to buy honey from local Utah farms.
• DTo warn readers about dangerous wild bee stings in mountain forests.

Read the tall tale below before answering the question. The Legend of Old Ephraim High in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah, trappers used to tell tall tales about Old Ephraim, a grizzly bear so enormous he stood ten feet tall on his hind legs! According to mountain legend, when Ephraim took a single step, the ground shook like a minor earthquake, causing pinecones to rain down from the trees. Ranchers claimed Ephraim could catch a leaping salmon out of Logan River with one paw while sleeping with his eyes closed. His tracks were said to be as wide as dinner platters, and his roar could be heard across three county lines. Though real grizzly bears once roamed Utah's high country long ago, Old Ephraim's legendary feats grew bigger with every story told around the campfire. Which detail from the text is a clear example of tall-tale exaggeration?

• AHis single step caused earthquakes and his roar could be heard across three county lines.
• BGrizzly bears once roamed the mountains of northern Utah.
• CLogan River flows through the Bear River Mountains.
• DCampfire stories were told by trappers in the high country.

Read the tall tale below before answering the question. The Legend of Old Ephraim High in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah, trappers used to tell tall tales about Old Ephraim, a grizzly bear so enormous he stood ten feet tall on his hind legs! According to mountain legend, when Ephraim took a single step, the ground shook like a minor earthquake, causing pinecones to rain down from the trees. Ranchers claimed Ephraim could catch a leaping salmon out of Logan River with one paw while sleeping with his eyes closed. His tracks were said to be as wide as dinner platters, and his roar could be heard across three county lines. Though real grizzly bears once roamed Utah's high country long ago, Old Ephraim's legendary feats grew bigger with every story told around the campfire. Where do the trappers tell these tall tales about Old Ephraim?

• AAround campfires in the Bear River Mountains
• BInside modern television studios in Salt Lake City
• COn fishing boats sailing across the Pacific Ocean
• DAt public libraries in downtown Denver

Read the tall tale below before answering the question. The Legend of Old Ephraim High in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah, trappers used to tell tall tales about Old Ephraim, a grizzly bear so enormous he stood ten feet tall on his hind legs! According to mountain legend, when Ephraim took a single step, the ground shook like a minor earthquake, causing pinecones to rain down from the trees. Ranchers claimed Ephraim could catch a leaping salmon out of Logan River with one paw while sleeping with his eyes closed. His tracks were said to be as wide as dinner platters, and his roar could be heard across three county lines. Though real grizzly bears once roamed Utah's high country long ago, Old Ephraim's legendary feats grew bigger with every story told around the campfire. What purpose do tall tales like 'The Legend of Old Ephraim' serve in folk literature?

• AThey entertain listeners by exaggerating real elements of wilderness life.
• BThey provide exact mathematical formulas for calculating bear weights.
• CThey warn travelers that wild animals speak fluent English.
• DThey instruct farmers on how to build modern concrete dams.

Read the sentence from the tall tale below: 'His tracks were said to be as wide as dinner platters, and the ground shook like a minor earthquake.' Which type of figurative language is used in this sentence?

• ASimile, comparing tracks to dinner platters and shaking to an earthquake using 'as' and '…
• BMetaphor, directly stating tracks are dinner platters without using 'like' or 'as'
• CPersonification, giving human feelings to the salmon in the river
• DOnomatopoeia, using sound words like 'pop' and 'fizz'

Read the tall tale below before answering the question. The Legend of Old Ephraim High in the Bear River Mountains of northern Utah, trappers used to tell tall tales about Old Ephraim, a grizzly bear so enormous he stood ten feet tall on his hind legs! According to mountain legend, when Ephraim took a single step, the ground shook like a minor earthquake, causing pinecones to rain down from the trees. Ranchers claimed Ephraim could catch a leaping salmon out of Logan River with one paw while sleeping with his eyes closed. His tracks were said to be as wide as dinner platters, and his roar could be heard across three county lines. Though real grizzly bears once roamed Utah's high country long ago, Old Ephraim's legendary feats grew bigger with every story told around the campfire. What can the reader infer about how Old Ephraim's story changed over time?

• AStorytellers added bigger exaggerations each time they retold the legend.
• BThe trappers gradually forgot the bear's name and stopped telling stories.
• CScientists proved that Old Ephraim was actually a small black bear.
• DThe story was written down in an encyclopedia and never changed again.

Read the science passage below before answering the question. How Fossils Form in Utah's Red Rocks Utah is world-famous for its rich fossil deposits, including dinosaur bones in Dinosaur National Monument and ancient sea creatures in Millard County. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that lived millions of years ago. The fossilization process happens in several step-by-step stages. First, an animal dies near a river or floodplain and is quickly buried by sand, mud, and silt. This rapid burial protects the remains from scavengers and weathering. Next, over millions of years, heavy layers of sediment accumulate on top, pressing down with immense pressure. Water carrying dissolved minerals trickles through the tiny pores in the bones. Mineral crystals gradually replace the organic bone material in a process called permineralization, turning the bone into solid rock. Finally, wind and water erosion wear away the outer rock layers, exposing the ancient fossils at Earth's surface for paleontologists to discover. Which sequence correctly outlines how a dinosaur bone becomes a fossil?

• ARapid burial -> Sediment layers accumulate -> Minerals replace bone material -> Erosion e…
• BErosion exposes bone -> Rapid burial -> Scavengers eat bone -> Sediment washes into ocean
• CPermineralization turns bone into ice -> Scavengers build rock -> Water evaporates -> Din…
• DPaleontologists dig a hole -> Animal dies in mud -> Bone melts into liquid -> Sand turns…

Read the science passage below before answering the question. How Fossils Form in Utah's Red Rocks Utah is world-famous for its rich fossil deposits, including dinosaur bones in Dinosaur National Monument and ancient sea creatures in Millard County. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that lived millions of years ago. The fossilization process happens in several step-by-step stages. First, an animal dies near a river or floodplain and is quickly buried by sand, mud, and silt. This rapid burial protects the remains from scavengers and weathering. Next, over millions of years, heavy layers of sediment accumulate on top, pressing down with immense pressure. Water carrying dissolved minerals trickles through the tiny pores in the bones. Mineral crystals gradually replace the organic bone material in a process called permineralization, turning the bone into solid rock. Finally, wind and water erosion wear away the outer rock layers, exposing the ancient fossils at Earth's surface for paleontologists to discover. Why is rapid burial essential immediately after an animal dies?

• AIt protects the remains from scavengers and weather damage.
• BIt allows sun rays to bake the bones into white powder.
• CIt turns mud into shiny golden coins.
• DIt helps scavengers locate the bones faster.

Read the science passage below before answering the question. How Fossils Form in Utah's Red Rocks Utah is world-famous for its rich fossil deposits, including dinosaur bones in Dinosaur National Monument and ancient sea creatures in Millard County. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms that lived millions of years ago. The fossilization process happens in several step-by-step stages. First, an animal dies near a river or floodplain and is quickly buried by sand, mud, and silt. This rapid burial protects the remains from scavengers and weathering. Next, over millions of years, heavy layers of sediment accumulate on top, pressing down with immense pressure. Water carrying dissolved minerals trickles through the tiny pores in the bones. Mineral crystals gradually replace the organic bone material in a process called permineralization, turning the bone into solid rock. Finally, wind and water erosion wear away the outer rock layers, exposing the ancient fossils at Earth's surface for paleontologists to discover. In the text, what cause leads directly to permineralization?

• AWater with dissolved minerals trickling into bone pores and depositing mineral crystals
• BWind erosion blowing away sand from desert dunes
• CScavengers dragging bones into mountain caves
• DPaleontologists brushing dust off rock layers