Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program ELA — Grade 5

Read the passage: For weeks, Maya practiced her violin piece every evening after dinner. On the night of the spring concert, her hands trembled as she walked onto the stage. However, as soon as her bow touched the strings, she remembered all her quiet practice at home and played every note smoothly. When the audience applauded, Maya smiled, proud that she had faced her fears. What is the main theme of the story?

• AHard work and practice help overcome fear and build confidence
• BViolin is the most difficult instrument to play in a concert
• CSpring concerts should always be held in the evening
• DStage fright prevents musicians from performing well

Read the passage: Liam found a small stray dog shivering near the covered bridge. Even though he was running late for soccer practice, Liam wrapped his coat around the puppy and walked it to the local animal shelter. He made sure the staff had water and food for the dog before he left. Which character trait best describes Liam?

• ACompassionate
• BForgetful
• CCareless
• DCompetitive

Read the passage: Deep in the Green Mountains, a thick morning fog rolled across the sugar maple forest. Sunbeams slowly broke through the mist, illuminating the buckets hanging from the tap holes in the trees. Caleb zipped his heavy jacket tightly against the brisk March chill as he began collecting the fresh sap. How does the setting influence the events of the story?

• AThe cold March weather in the maple forest creates the conditions for gathering sap
• BThe warm summer sunshine forces Caleb to stay indoors all afternoon
• CThe muddy trail causes Caleb to give up his work early
• DThe dark night prevents Caleb from finding the sugarhouse

Read the sentence: After hiking up Mount Mansfield, Chloe's feet felt like heavy sacks of lead. What does the simile "like heavy sacks of lead" mean in this sentence?

• AChloe's feet were extremely tired and heavy from the steep hike
• BChloe had placed metal lead weights inside her hiking boots
• CChloe was carrying heavy bags of rocks in her backpack
• DChloe fell down during the hike and injured her legs

Read the passage: First, Noah gathered dry kindling from the woodshed. Next, his father lit the small fire inside the woodstove. Finally, warm air began to fill the cozy cabin as snow started falling outside. What happened right after Noah gathered the dry kindling?

• ANoah's father lit the fire in the woodstove
• BWarm air filled the entire cabin
• CSnow started falling outside the window
• DNoah went back into the woodshed for more logs

Read the passage: I stepped carefully onto the frozen pond, hearing the ice crackle beneath my skates. I held my breath for a second, but then I glided smoothly across the clear blue surface. From which point of view is the passage written?

• AFirst-person point of view
• BSecond-person point of view
• CThird-person limited point of view
• DThird-person omniscient point of view

Read the sentence: The old wooden barn was fragile, so the farmer handled the loose wall boards with extreme care. What does the word "fragile" mean in this sentence?

• AEasily broken or damaged
• BBrightly painted and modern
• CEnormous and sturdy
• DHeavy and difficult to lift

Read the passage: During autumn in Vermont, visitors travel from miles away to view the vibrant leaves. Sugar maples turn brilliant shades of scarlet red, while birch trees glow bright yellow. Towns host harvest festivals with warm apple cider and pumpkin pie. Which sentence directly explains what color birch trees turn in autumn?

• ABirch trees glow bright yellow.
• BSugar maples turn brilliant shades of scarlet red.
• CVisitors travel from miles away to view the vibrant leaves.
• DTowns host harvest festivals with warm apple cider and pumpkin pie.

Read the poem lines: The mountain brook sings a merry song, Dancing over pebbles all day long. Which sense does the phrase "sings a merry song" appeal to most?

• AHearing
• BSight
• CTouch
• DTaste

Read the passage: Oliver wanted to build a birdhouse for the cardinals in his backyard. He measured wooden boards, nailed them together carefully, and painted the roof green. By afternoon, a red cardinal landed right at the entrance to eat seeds. Which is the best summary of the passage?

• AOliver built a wooden birdhouse, and a cardinal visited it soon after
• BOliver painted a birdhouse roof green because cardinals like green paint
• COliver spent the morning shopping for birdseed at a store
• DCardinals are bright red birds that nest in backyard trees

Read the informational paragraph: Maple syrup production is an important tradition in Vermont. In late winter, farmers tap maple trees to collect clear sap. The sap is transported to a sugarhouse, where it is boiled in large pans until the excess water evaporates. It takes about 40 gallons of raw sap to create just one gallon of pure maple syrup. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

• AProducing pure maple syrup in Vermont involves tapping trees and boiling sap
• BSugarhouses are built out of wooden planks near sugar maple trees
• CVermont farmers prefer drinking maple sap rather than boiling it
• DBoiling water takes a very long time in large metal pans

Read the paragraph: Beavers are skilled animal engineers. They use their strong front teeth to cut down small trees and branches. Next, they build dams across streams to create calm, deep ponds. Inside these ponds, beavers construct secure lodges that protect their families from predators like wolves and bears. Which detail supports the idea that beavers alter their environment for protection?

• AThey construct secure lodges inside ponds to protect their families from predators
• BBeavers have orange front teeth that grow continuously
• CWolves and bears are common mammals in North American forests
• DBeavers swim faster than most freshwater fish in shallow streams

Read the paragraph: To make apple cider, orchard workers first pick ripe apples from the trees. Second, they wash the fruit thoroughly with clean water. Third, the apples are crushed into a coarse pulp. Finally, a heavy press squeezes out the sweet, fresh juice. Which text structure is used in this paragraph?

• AChronological / Chronology (Sequential Order)
• BCompare and Contrast
• CProblem and Solution
• DCause and Effect

Read the sentence: During photosynthesis, green plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. What is the domain-specific word for the process by which green plants make food using sunlight?

• APhotosynthesis
• BEvaporation
• CPrecipitation
• DHibernation

Read the paragraph: Lake Champlain is one of North America's most historic lakes. Situated between Vermont and New York, it stretches over 100 miles long. Visitors can explore historic forts, sail across its clear waters, and observe over 300 species of birds along its shores. What is the author's primary purpose for writing this paragraph?

• ATo inform readers about key facts and features of Lake Champlain
• BTo persuade readers to move permanently to Vermont
• CTo entertain readers with a fictional myth about sea monsters
• DTo instruct readers on how to build wooden sailing ships

Read the sentence: Look at the heading above the section: "Winter Adaptations of the Snowshoe Hare." How does this text feature help the reader?

• AIt tells the reader that the upcoming section will discuss how snowshoe hares survive win…
• BIt provides a complete index of all animals found in Vermont forests
• CIt defines difficult vocabulary words in a glossary at the back of the book
• DIt shows a step-by-step photograph of a snowshoe hare running

Read the paragraph: Because winter temperatures in Vermont drop well below freezing, black bears enter dens to hibernate. As a result, their heart rate drops and their bodies conserve valuable energy until spring arrives. According to the passage, what causes black bears to enter their dens?

• AFreezing winter temperatures in Vermont
• BAn increase in spring rainfall
• CNoise caused by forest hikers
• DA sudden rise in summer food sources

Read the paragraph: Covered bridges were originally built with roofs to protect their wooden support beams from rain and snow. Without a cover, heavy moisture would rot the timber frame within ten years. With a sturdy roof, many covered bridges have stood for more than a century. Which quote directly explains why roofs were added to wooden bridges?

• A"to protect their wooden support beams from rain and snow"
• B"many covered bridges have stood for more than a century"
• C"within ten years"
• D"timber frame"

Read the text: Solar energy relies on sunlight captured by photovoltaic panels, while wind energy relies on moving air turning large turbine blades. Both are clean, renewable energy sources that generate electricity without burning fossil fuels. What similarity between solar energy and wind energy is highlighted in the passage?

• ABoth are clean, renewable sources of energy
• BBoth require large turbine blades to operate
• CBoth function only during night hours
• DBoth depend directly on underground fossil fuels

Read the paragraph: Heavy snowfall can block rural roads and isolate towns. To solve this problem, state highway departments deploy snowplows equipped with wide steel blades and salt spreaders as soon as storms begin. What problem is described in the paragraph?

• AHeavy snowfall blocking rural roads and isolating towns
• BSnowplows breaking down during winter storms
• CSalt spreaders spilling onto frozen lakes
• DHighway workers lacking warm winter gear

Which conjunction best completes the sentence? Emma wanted to go snowshoeing, ______ it was raining too hard outside.

• Abut
• Bor
• Cso
• Dand

Which word in the following sentence is a preposition? The hiker walked through the tall pine forest.

• Athrough
• Bwalked
• Ctall
• Dforest

Which sentence is capitalized correctly?

• ALast July, my family visited Montpelier, the capital of Vermont.
• BLast july, my Family visited montpelier, the capital of Vermont.
• Clast July, my family visited Montpelier, the Capital of vermont.
• DLast July, My family visited montpelier, the capital of vermont.

Which sentence uses commas correctly in a series?

• AWe bought apples, cheese, maple candy, and fresh cider at the farm stand.
• BWe bought apples cheese maple candy, and fresh cider at the farm stand.
• CWe bought, apples, cheese, maple candy and fresh cider, at the farm stand.
• DWe bought apples, cheese, maple candy and, fresh cider at the farm stand.

Read the sentence: The student was reluctant to try out for the play because she was afraid of speaking on stage. What does the word "reluctant" mean?

• AUnwilling or hesitant
• BEager and excited
• CConfused and lost
• DProud and confident

Which word is a synonym for "vast" in the sentence below? From the summit of the hill, we looked out over a vast forest stretching to the horizon.

• AHuge
• BTiny
• CNarrow
• DHidden

Which word is an antonym for "ancient" in the sentence below? The museum displayed ancient tools alongside modern machines.

• AModern
• BOld
• CHistorical
• DValuable

Read the two sentences: Benjamin loves outdoor sports. Benjamin plays ice hockey every winter. Which is the best way to combine these two sentences into one smooth sentence?

• ABenjamin loves outdoor sports and plays ice hockey every winter.
• BBenjamin loves outdoor sports, but he plays ice hockey every winter.
• CBecause Benjamin loves outdoor sports, although he plays ice hockey every winter.
• DBenjamin loves outdoor sports so ice hockey every winter plays.

Read the draft paragraph: Recycling paper helps save forests. When we recycle, paper mills re-use wood fibers instead of cutting down fresh trees. Recycling also reduces energy usage and cuts down landfill waste. Which sentence provides the best concluding statement for this paragraph?

• AIn conclusion, recycling paper protects natural resources and benefits our environment.
• BPaper was first invented in ancient China thousands of years ago.
• CMany people prefer writing with blue ink pens rather than wooden pencils.
• DTrees can grow very tall in rainy rainforest regions.

Read the draft sentence: First, we packed our backpacks with water and snacks. ______, we laced up our boots and headed up the trail. Which transition word best fills in the blank to show sequence?

• ANext
• BHowever
• CFor example
• DOtherwise

Read the passage: Sam stared at his grand-uncle's antique pocket watch lying on the desk. The hands hadn't moved in decades, but when Sam turned the small brass knob, a delicate ticking filled the room. A wide grin spread across Sam's face as he held the watch close to his ear. How does Sam feel when the watch starts ticking?

• ADelighted and fascinated that the old watch is working
• BAnxious that he broke an expensive family heirloom
• CBored because he expected a music box sound instead
• DIrritated by the loud noise in the quiet room

Read the passage: When the storm blew down Mr. Henderson's garden fence, he worried he could never fix it alone. By noon, three neighbors arrived with tools and lumber. Working together, they repaired the fence before sunset. Mr. Henderson thanked them, realizing that community support makes any burden lighter. Which sentence from the text best supports the theme that teamwork makes difficult tasks easier?

• AWorking together, they repaired the fence before sunset.
• BWhen the storm blew down Mr. Henderson's garden fence, he worried.
• CBy noon, three neighbors arrived with tools and lumber.
• DThe storm blew down the garden fence.

Read the passage: During the crisp October morning, the maple trees were flaming torches against the gray sky. What does the metaphor "the maple trees were flaming torches" emphasize?

• AThe bright orange and red autumn colors of the leaves
• BThat the leaves had caught fire from lightning
• CThat smoke was rising from the branches
• DThat the trees provided heat for campers nearby

Read the passage: When the school power cut out during the thunderstorm, Leo groaned and leaned back in his chair. Meanwhile, Ava pulled out her pocket flashlight, opened her sketchbook, and began drawing by the warm beam. How do Leo's and Ava's reactions to the power outage differ?

• ALeo is frustrated by the inconvenience, whereas Ava remains positive and creative
• BLeo immediately leaves the room, while Ava tries to fix the electrical generator
• CLeo enjoys the dark atmosphere, but Ava feels frightened and cries
• DBoth Leo and Ava react with identical enthusiasm for flashlight drawing

Read the passage: As the canoe neared the middle of Lake Champlain, sudden wind squalls churned up high waves. Water splashed over the gunwales, threatening to tip the boat. Hannah gripped her paddle firmly, calling out clear steering directions to her brother in the front. How does the setting create conflict in the plot?

• AThe sudden lake wind and rough waves create a physical danger the characters must navigate
• BThe calm water makes the characters bored and tired during their trip
• CThe shallow water forces the characters to get out and carry the canoe across mud
• DThe hot sun makes the characters too thirsty to keep paddling

Read the passage: I looked at the steep sledding hill in front of us. My heart thumped against my ribs as my cousin hopped onto the front of the wooden sled. "Hold on tight!" I yelled, pushing off into the snow. Which feature proves this story is told from the first-person perspective?

• AThe narrator uses words like "I" and "my" to share personal feelings and actions
• BThe narrator explains what every person in the town is thinking
• CThe story addresses the reader as "you" throughout the paragraph
• DThe events are presented in alphabetical order

Read the poem excerpt: The autumn leaves begin to fall, Upon the garden stone and wall. They spin like dancers in the breeze, And tumble gently from the trees. How is this poem stanza structured?

• AFour lines with an AABB rhyming pattern (fall/wall, breeze/trees)
• BThree lines with no rhyming words at all
• CSix lines written in free verse without rhythm
• DTwo repeating couplets that use the exact same words

Read the passage: Grandma eyed the stormy clouds over the ridge. "Looks like we're in for a real stem-winder of a blizzard tonight," she remarked quietly, pulling her woolen shawl tighter. What tone does Grandma's informal expression "stem-winder of a blizzard" set?

• AA rustic, experienced tone showing she knows mountain weather well
• BA scientific, academic tone analyzing atmospheric pressure
• CA humorous, silly tone mocking winter snowstorms
• DAn angry, aggressive tone directed at her family

Read the passage: Before leaving for the hiking trip, Uncle Dan checked his compass twice and glanced nervously at the dark clouds gathering over the mountain peak. "Let's keep a fast pace today, kids," he warned, double-checking his rain jacket. What event does this passage foreshadow?

• AAn upcoming rainstorm while they are on the trail
• BFinding a lost treasure chest near the summit
• CGetting sunburnt from hot clear summer skies
• DCanceling the trip to go swimming in a lake

Read the passage: When the school fair ended, Ella noticed a small plush bear lying forgotten under a bench. She picked it up and walked across the crowded gym to the Lost and Found table. Ten minutes later, a young boy ran up to the table, hugged the bear tight, and cheered. Ella felt a warm glow inside as she walked home. Which sentence best summarizes the plot resolution?

• AElla returned a lost plush bear to Lost and Found, reuniting it with its happy owner
• BElla bought a plush bear at the school fair with her ticket tokens
• CA young boy lost his plush bear under a bench during gym class
• DThe school fair was held in the gym after classes ended

Read the passage: Julian spent his entire allowance on a rare field guide to northeastern birds. Every weekend, he woke at dawn to sit quietly in the woods with his binoculars, recording each bird call he heard. What motivates Julian to wake up early every weekend?

• AHis deep passion for observing and documenting birds
• BA requirement from his school principal to earn extra credit
• CA desire to earn money by selling bird guidebooks
• DFear of missing the morning school bus

Read the sentence: The old grandfather clock in the hallway groaned softly as its heavy pendulum swung back and forth. What does the personification "groaned softly" suggest about the clock?

• AIt is old and makes a creaking sound as it operates
• BIt is feeling sad because nobody wound its springs
• CIt speaks words out loud to alert people of the time
• DIt has human voice boxes installed inside its wooden case

Read the scene from a script: [SCENE START] ATWATER: (whispering, looking toward the dark forest) Did you hear that rustling in the bushes? BETH: (stepping back nervously) It might just be the wind... or something larger. [SCENE END] What is the purpose of the italicized text in parentheses?

• AThey are stage directions that tell the actors how to speak and move
• BThey are lines of dialogue meant to be spoken loudly by the narrator
• CThey are chapter titles that describe the setting history
• DThey are rhyming poem lines placed between character speeches

Read the summaries of two stories: Story A: A boy practices skating every afternoon on a frozen pond until he finally masters doing a spin. Story B: A girl tries five times to build a floating wooden model boat before she successfully sails it across the stream. Which shared theme connects both stories?

• APersistence and repeated effort lead to ultimate success
• BOutdoor activities are dangerous during winter months
• CBuilding wooden boats requires professional tools
• DSkating on frozen ponds is easier than sailing boats

Read the sentence: When the teacher asked for a volunteer to lead the science project, Marcus was on the fence about taking the role. What does the idiom "on the fence" mean in this sentence?

• AUndecided or unsure about making a choice
• BSitting physically on top of a wooden garden fence
• CEager to start the work immediately
• DClimbing over an obstacle to escape the room

Read the informational text: Vermont's quarries have produced fine marble and granite for over two centuries. Barre, Vermont, is known as the "Granite Capital of the World," supplying durable stone for monuments across the globe. Meanwhile, Danby houses the world's largest underground marble quarry. Today, stone carving remains both a historic industry and a thriving artistic tradition in the state. Which two main ideas are developed in the text?

• AVermont is famous for its marble and granite production, and stone quarrying is both an i…
• BBarre is the capital city of Vermont, and Danby produces wooden furniture
• CGranite is lighter than marble, and stone carving is no longer practiced in North America
• DQuarries are dangerous places to visit, and stone monuments are easy to carve

Read the passage: While both red foxes and gray foxes inhabit Vermont forests, they differ in several key habits. Red foxes prefer open fields and farmland, hunting mostly small rodents on the ground. In contrast, gray foxes have strong curved claws that allow them to climb trees to escape predators and forage for berries. Which text structure is used in this passage?

• ACompare and Contrast
• BChronological Order
• CProblem and Solution
• DCause and Effect