the all-american berry

4th Grade ELA EQT #2 Practice

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COMPREHENSION

Directions Read this selection about blueberries. Then answer the questions that follow.

The All-American Berry

The blueberry deserves the title of all-American berry. The blueberry has been

growing in North America for thousands of years. It is a native plant and now grows in

thirty-five different states in the United States. Almost all the blueberries grown in the

world are grown here in the United States. Americans grow about 300 million pounds of

blueberries every year. Blueberry pancakes, blueberry muffins, and blueberry pies are all

favorites.

National Blueberry Month is celebrated in July. That is when there are plenty of

fresh, ripe berries. Most blueberries are picked then, but you can find them at the market

all year long. There are canned blueberries on the shelf. There are frozen berries in the

freezer case. There are even dried blueberries to eat as a snack.


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Native Americans picked blueberries. They ate them in the summer, and they made

tea from the leaves. They drank blueberry juice to cure coughs. They also dried berries for

winter consumption. Some dried berries were pounded to a powder; then the blueberry

powder was mixed with cornmeal and water to make a blueberry mush. The berries were

also added to dried meat. Blueberries helped to ensure good health through the long, tough

winters.

When settlers from Europe arrived in North America, they learned about blueberries

from the Native Americans. The settlers liked the taste of the sweet berries. It is very

possible that blueberry mush was on the first Thanksgiving menu. In later years, the

settlers added milk, butter, and sugar to the mush.

You can make blueberry mush yourself. Here is the recipe. Be careful,

and have an adult help you.

1 What is the topic of this selection?

A cornmeal mush

B Native Americans’ foods

C European settlers’ foods

D blueberries

2 The main idea of the third paragraph is that Native Americans

F dried blueberries and made blueberry powder.

G made and ate blueberry mush.

H taught settlers about blueberries.

J used blueberries in many ways.


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3 Compared to the first blueberry mush they ate, the mush made by the settlers later

on was probably

A thicker.

B healthier.

C sweeter.

D saltier.

4 Which sentence in the first paragraph is a statement of opinion?

F The blueberry deserves the title of all-American berry.

G The blueberry has been growing in North America for thousands of years.

H Almost all the blueberries grown in the world are grown here in the United States.

J Americans grow about 300 million pounds of blueberries every year.

5 What is the last step in making blueberry mush?

A mixing the milk and water

B adding the blueberries

C adding the maple syrup or honey

D slowly stirring in the cornmeal

6 In making blueberry mush, when do you cover the pan?

F as soon as you turn on the heat

G just before you add the cornmeal

H just after you add the cornmeal

J when you take the pot off the stove

7 Why did the author probably include the recipe for blueberry mush?

A It is a very popular dessert for people to eat.

B It lets the reader share the settlers’ experience.

C It is the best way to celebrate National Blueberry Month.

D It is a simple way to store blueberries for later use.


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8 Which statement is supported by information from the selection?

F North America produces most of the world’s blueberries.

G Blueberries will grow only in North America.

H Americans eat more blueberries than any other fruit.

J The most popular way to eat blueberries is in pancakes.

9 Why should you have an adult help you with this recipe?

A because you need two people to stir the pot

B so you can eat while the adult cooks

C so you do not burn yourself

D because an adult has made the mush before

10 You can tell from the selection that blueberries grow

F best in the forest.

G ripe in autumn.

H only in the South.

J in many states.


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Directions Read this selection about planning and building a playground. Then answer the

questions that follow.

Yesterday afternoon, Pine Lake marked the opening of its new playground. There

were balloons, speeches, and a lot of prizes. The people of Pine Lake are proud of their

new playground. They are also proud that everybody worked together to build it.

It all started last September in a fourth-grade classroom. The teacher, Miss Green,

asked her class to think about Pine Lake. Miss Green wondered how the town could be

better. Her students decided that a playground would enhance the town.

Some students drew pictures of a new playground. Others wrote stories about it.

Students in other classes got excited about the idea too. They talked to family members

about the project. Everyone worked to make the dream come true.


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A group of parents met to work on park plans. Mrs. Schein said, “I was sure many

people would lend a hand. We sent out a letter asking people to list ways they could help.

A lot of people answered the letter. Some said they could build things. Others agreed to

pick up supplies. An artist made a poster. Neighborhood businesses gave money and

goods.”

In January, the town had a planning day. The children had many ideas about the

playground. They knew what they wanted. Sue Wing, a builder, wrote down the ideas. She

spent the next month drawing the design. Wing said, “Designing the playground was the

most fun I have had in years. The kids had such good ideas.”

March was building month. Wood, sand, and other goods were ordered. Helpers

picked up the supplies and dropped them off beside the lake. Tom Smith used his

bulldozer to level the ground at the site.

Last Saturday, the people of Pine Lake built the playground. The weather was warm

and sunny. It was a great day for building. More than two hundred people showed up to

help. Some people were unavailable, but everybody who was there went to work. By the

end of the day, the job was done. Pine Lake had its playground.

11 What is the main idea of this selection?

A There were balloons, prizes, and speeches at the grand opening.

B Pine Lake needed a new playground for the town.

C Miss Green’s class was responsible for the new playground.

D The people of Pine Lake built a new playground together.

12 You would most likely see writing like this in

F a local newspaper.

G an encyclopedia.

H an atlas.

J a sports magazine.

13 What happened in January?

A The idea of a playground was introduced.

B The playground was built.

C The playground site was prepared.

D The town planned the playground.


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14 What did Tom Smith do for the playground?

F He led the parents’ group.

G He designed the playground.

H He gave money.

J He leveled the ground.

15 The idea of having a playground came from

A a group of parents.

B Miss Green.

C a group of students.

D Sue Wing.

16 You can tell from paragraph five that Sue Wing

F had built a playground in Pine Lake before.

G used the students’ ideas in her design.

H had a lot of trouble drawing the design.

J did not like all of the students’ ideas.

17 This selection shows how people can gain from

A playing games.

B holding a contest.

C doing research.

D working together.

18 The last paragraph of the selection is mainly about the

F grand opening of the playground.

G design of the playground.

H actual building of the playground.

J uses for the playground.

19 Which of the following types of details does the author use to present information?

A quotes from people involved

B diagrams of the playground’s design

C lists of the work required

D facts from national experts


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20 The parents’ group wrote a letter asking for help from

F town officials.

G construction companies.

H Miss Green’s class.

J Pine Lake residents and businesses.

Nobel Work

The Nobel Prizes are presented this week in Sweden and Norway.

There are prizes, and then there are really big prizes! On December 10, 2006 winners of the Nobel

Prizes received their prestigious1, or important, awards for helping others.

Accepting the Nobel award for work in promoting peace was Muhammad Yunus and Grameen

Bank. It might seem strange that someone would receive a peace prize for founding a bank. But

Yunus is no ordinary banker.

In 1983, Yunus founded Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, a country in Asia. The bank gives small

loans2 to poor villagers, especially women. The Nobel Prize committee honored Yunus because

"peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of pov-

erty."

Nobel Awards

In addition to celebrating progress toward peace, the Nobel committee gives awards for achieve-

ments in other areas, such as literature, physics, chemistry, and medicine. Each of the winners re-

ceives $1.4 million, a gold medal, and a diploma.

The peace prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway. The other Nobel Prizes are given out in Stockholm,

Sweden. Both countries are in Europe.

Science Sweep

This year, all five of the science Nobels went to Americans—the first time that has happened since

1983. Scientist Roger Kornberg won the chemistry prize for his work on how people inherit dis-

eases. In 1959, as a 12-year-old, Roger watched his father, Arthur Kornberg, win a Nobel Prize.

The Kornbergs are the sixth father-and-son pair to have won Nobel Prizes.

Although Roger was stunned by his win, his father saw it coming. "His work has been awesome,"

says his dad.

The Man Behind The Prizes

The Nobel Prizes were the brainchild of Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833– 1896) of Sweden, the in-

ventor of dynamite. At the time of his death, Nobel left $9 million to fund the prizes that bear his

name. The first annual Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. The prizes are presented each year on

December 10—the anniversary of Nobel’s death.


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1 prestigious: highly regarded 2 loans: money given to someone with the understanding that they will pay it back later

“Nobel Work” Questions:

21. It is a fact that

a. some winners of the Nobel Prize don't deserve it.

b. the winners deserve the prize.

c. Muhammad Yunus won the prize.

d. Muhammad Yunus is very nice.

22. One opinion mentioned in that passage was that

a. it seems strange for a banker to win a peace prize.

b. the winner receives a gold medal.

c. many father-son pairs have won the prize.

d. the first prize was awarded in 1901.

23. In the sentence, “Scientist Roger Kornberg won the chemistry prize for his work on how peo-

ple inherit diseases,” inherit means

a. give to others.

b. invent.

c. receive from others.

d. cure.

24. The opinion of Roger Kornberg's dad of Roger's work was that

a. It was awesome.

b. It was about inheriting diseases.

c. It was not well researched.

d. It won the prize for chemistry.

25. Why did Muhammad win the Nobel Peace Prize?

a. founded a bank that gave small loans to poor villagers

b. gave poor people money to keep

c. built a bank in a small country

d. fed the poor villagers


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Time for Change

Past presidents will appear on $1 coin.

Just in time for Presidents' Day on

February 19, [2007] the U.S. Mint is

releasing new $1 coins honoring former

U.S. presidents. Beginning February 15, [2007], the

mint1 will circulate

2 the first

coin, which depicts George Washington—

and that's only the start.

The series will honor four different presidents per

year in the order in which they served in office.

On the reverse side of the coin will be the

Statue of Liberty. The next three coins released

this year [2007] will feature John Adams, Thomas

Jefferson, and James Madison. They will debut,

or be introduced, throughout the year.

"I believe this program is a great opportunity for ed-

ucating both children and adults about the history of

our country," says lawmaker Michael Castle from

Delaware. He helped pass the new coin legislation, or law.

With the exception of Grover Cleveland, each president will appear on only one coin. Cleveland

was the only president to serve two terms that weren't consecutive, or back-to-back. To be depict-

ed on a coin, a president must have been dead for at least two years.

Past presidents aren't the first people to be depicted on $1 coins.

Female leaders Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea have appeared on the coins. Anthony dedicated

her life to fighting for women's rights in the 1800s. Native American guide Sacagawea led explor-

ers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their westward journey to find a route to the Pacific

Ocean.

The idea of rotating coin designs comes from the 50 State Quarters

Program. Those quarters began circulating in 1999. The State Quarters Program has been very

popular, introducing millions of people to coin collecting. The U.S. Mint hopes the presidential

coins will be as successful.

1 mint: a place where money is made 2 circulate: to be passed from person to person

U.S. Mint


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“Time for Change” Questions

26. The main idea of this passage is:

a. most presidents will appear once on a one-dollar coin.

b. four new coins will be introduced this year.

c. the U.S. mint has started making presidential one-dollar coins.

d. lawmakers are hoping that the presidential coins will educate chil-

dren and adults.

27. Which detail does not support the main idea?

a. Coins will debut throughout the year.

b. Michael Castle helped to pass the law.

c. Only Cleveland did not serve consecutive terms.

d. Presidents are not the only historical people to be depicted on coins.

28. The author quotes Michael Castle because

a. he is a coin expert.

b. he helped to pass the law.

c. he is from Delaware.

d. he is a past President.

29. People that will soon be on the presidential coins are

a. John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison.

b. George Bush, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt.

c. John Adams, Calvin Coolidge, Bill Clinton.

d. James Madison, Jimmy Carter, Benjamin Franklin.

30. Which detail from the passage supports the main idea?

a. Susan B. Anthony appeared on the coins.

b. Sacagawea appeared on the coins.

c. The State Quarters Program introduced millions to coin collecting.

d. The mint will circulate the first coin February 15, 2007, depicting

George Washington.


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All Split Up?

Are all-girls and all-boys classes a good idea?

Should classes be girls only and boys only? Public schools now have more freedom to teach boys

and girls separately. The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that it is changing the

regulations, or rules, of Title IX. That law prohibits public schools from treating boys and girls

differently.

After the Title IX rules were put in place in 1975, single-gender classes were allowed only in spe-

cific cases, such as gym class. Under the new rules, school officials can separate boys and girls if

they think it helps the students learn better. The decision has stirred up debate about equality in the

classroom.

All-girls and all-boys classes in public schools have become more common. Since 1995, the num-

ber has jumped from three to more than 240. Of those, 51 are in completely single-gender schools.

Supporters say single-gender schools help kids improve their performance in school. "Research

shows that some students may learn better in single-[gender] environments," says Secretary of

Education Margaret Spellings.

Boys and girls may feel more comfortable raising their hands if they know they won't be embar-

rassed in front of the opposite gender. "[Single gender schools] can offer a learning environment

with less peer pressure," Arne Duncan, head of the Chicago, Illinois, public schools, told WR

News. Chicago has had success with single-gender schools. Critics argue that the new rules vio-

late, or go against, the U.S. Constitution. Dividing boys and girls in classes can result in an unfair

and unequal environment.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) opposes the rules, saying they harm advances that

women have made, thanks in part to Title IX. "[Separate classes don't] prepare boys and girls for

the real world, where they will have to interact with and work alongside each other," says Kim

Gandy, NOW president. NOW and other groups want to improve coed1 schools rather than sepa-

rate boys and girls.

1 coed: open to or used by both men and women


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“All Split Up?” Questions

31. What types of advances have women made thanks in part to Title IX?

a. Women are allowed to play the same sports as boys.

b. Women are allowed to work in the same careers as men.

c. Women have the same legal rights as men.

d. All of the above.

32. Supporters of single-gender classrooms think that

a. boys are smarter than girls.

b. students feel more secure learning with the same sex.

c. only girls should be given jobs.

d. Title IX should be illegal.

33. The author of this passage

a. supports single-gender classrooms.

b. opposes single-gender classrooms.

c. does not state a clear opinion.

d. does not support any public school.

34. It is a fact that

a. students in single-gender classrooms have less peer pressure.

b. students in single-gender classrooms receive unequal education.

c. a law was passed in 1975 restricting single gender classrooms.

d. single-gender classrooms do not prepare students for the real world.

35. Which example does not support single-gender classes?

a. Some students may learn better in this environment.

b. Students may feel more comfortable raising their hands.

c. Students will feel less pressure.

d. This environment can result in an unfair and unequal environment.


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Answer Sheet

1. d

2. j

3. c

4. f

5. b

6. h

7. b

8. f

9. c

10. j

11. d

12. f

13. d

14. j

15. c

16. g

17. d

18. h

19. a

20. j

21. c

22. a

23. c

24. a

25. a

26. c

27. d

28. b

29. a

30. d

31. a

32. b

33. c

34. c

35. d

the all-american berry

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