Skills Assessment

Supplement
Focus on
English-Language Arts Standards

FORM B

TEACHER MATERIALS

GRADE 6
©2006 Reading Lions Center
 Skills Assessment Supplement

Focus on Language Arts Standards

Preface

The Skills Assessment Supplement: Focus on Language Arts Standards has

been developed to help teachers monitor student progress toward mastery
of grade-level standards. Three forms (Forms A, B, and C) are available to
Reading First school districts (www.calread.net). These forms may be used
in any order and independently of each other, as each form provides different
questions to test the same standards to assess student achievement.

Formal directions for the administration of the Skills Assessment Supple-

ment have intentionally not been included, to allow flexibility in the use of
the supplements for assessment and instruction. Time limits have not been
suggested for any section. Individual districts or schools may develop their
own administration guidelines. However, it is recommended that students
independently read the directions and answer the questions prior to receiving
teacher support. Additional instruction and practice should be provided for
students who are unable to independently read and follow directions or have
not mastered specific content standards.
 READING
1.0 Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Read each sentence. Mark the answer that
Vocabulary Development correctly completes the statement.
Vocabulary and Concept Development
4. “I’ve told you a million times to pick up
1.2 Identify and interpret figurative language and
your shoes!”
words with multiple meanings.
Read each sentence. Mark the answer that has The underlined words are an example
the same meaning as the underlined word. of _____.

1. The difficulty of the dive was based on a  A. an idiom

scale of 1 to 10.  B. hyperbole

 A. He tried to scale off the old paint.  C. personification

 B. Our teacher explained the grading  D. a metaphor

scale at the beginning of class.
 C. Will she be able to scale the peak
tomorrow? 5. The team won the game by the skin of
their teeth.
 D. The violinist played the difficult
scale with confidence. The underlined words are an example
of _____.
2. Our recess break was canceled because it
was raining  A. a simile
 B. personification
 A. Did you see the shark’s fin break the
water?  C. hyperbole

 B. My supervisor gave me a break and  D. an idiom

changed my shift.
 C. The prisoners attempted a prison
break last night. 6. Our old car moaned and groaned as it
slowly climbed the hill.
 D. We took a break from studying for
the science test. The underlined words are an example
of _____.
3. Unfortunately, the goal would not count in
the final score.  A. personification
 B. an idiom
 A. He was asked to take a count of the
students on the bus.  C. a metaphor

 B. Count to ten before you start  D. a simile

running.

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 C. The witness’s testimony did not
count for much in court. GO ON
 D. We were introduced to the count at
the palace.
©2006 Reading Lions Center –1– Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B
 1.3 Recognize the origins and meanings of fre­ 1.4 Monitor expository text for unknown words or
quently used foreign words in English and use these words with novel meanings by using word, sentence,
words accurately in speaking and writing. and paragraph clues to determine meaning.

Read each question and mark the correct Read each sentence. Mark the answer that
answer. means the same or about the same as the
under­lined word.
7. Which word probably comes from the
Latin verb vacuare, meaning “to make 11. The jury found the police officer’s
empty”? testimony to be very credible.
 A. empty-handed  A. able to be seen
 B. evacuated  B. able to be believed
 C. vaccination  C. able to be proved
 D. vacation  D. able to be heard

8. Which word probably comes from the

French word cafe, meaning “coffeehouse”? 12. We compared several cultures in our
sociology class.
 A. coffin
 A. the study of religion
 B. coherent
 B. the study of environment
 C. caffeine
 C. the study of the way people live
 D. cashier
 D. the study of animal life

9. Which word probably comes from the

Spanish verb tornar, meaning “to turn”?
13. The editor wanted to check the author’s
 A. tortilla original manuscript pages.
 B. turquoise  A. illustrated
 C. tortoise  B. handwritten
 D. tornado  C. signature
 D. copied
10. Which word probably comes from the
Native American word makisin meaning
“soft shoe”?

 A. shoelace
 B. moccasin
 C.
 D.
mockery
softer

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Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B ©2004 Reading Lions Center, Sacramento County Office of Education
1.5 Understand and explain “shades of meaning”
in related words (e.g., softly and quietly).

Read each sentence. Mark the answer that

means the same or about the same as the
under­lined word.

14. Voters will cast their ballots in the next

election.

 A. indicate
 B. throw
 C. roll
 D. calculate

15. Many fine artists live in Rome, Italy.

 A. small in size
 B. thin
 C. sharp
 D. skillful

16. He took the news of the accident lightly.

 A. of little weight
 B. using small amounts
 C. without care
 D. moving easily

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©2006 Reading Lions Center –3– Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

2.0 Reading Comprehension (Focus on 3. Where would you find information about
Informational Materials) the weather in Washington, D.C.?

Structural Features of Informational  A. C3

Materials  B. B6
2.1 Identify the structural features of popular media  C. A4
(e.g., newspapers, magazines, online infor­ma­tion)  D. A1
and use the features to obtain information.
Read the following newspaper index. Use it to
4. How many sections does this newspaper
answer questions 1, 2, 3 and 4.
have?

INSIDE THE TIMES TODAY  A. 6

WORLD NEWS............... A BUSINESS.....................C  B. 8

Events...........................A1 Financial News.............C1  C. 18
People...........................A3 Stocks...........................C3
 D. 20
NATIONAL NEWS.......... A CLASSIFIED...................D
People...........................A2
ART &
Weather........................A4
ENTERTAINMENT.........E
LOCAL NEWS................B Art and Music................E3
Editorials.......................B4 Comics..........................E3
Letters to the Editor......B3 Dear Abby.....................E2
Obituaries.....................B6 Movies..........................E5

SPORTS......................... F

1. In which section of the newspaper would

you find information about a new exhibit at
a local art gallery?

 A. E
 B. A
 C. C
 D. B

2. In which section of the newspaper would

you find job listings?

 A. B
 B. C
 C.
 D.
D
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Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B –4– ©2006 Reading Lions Center

2.2 Analyze text that uses the compare-and- 5. How are Rembrandt and Van Gogh alike?
contrast organizational pattern.
 A. Both began painting at an early age.
Read the passage. Then read each question  B. Both used extreme darkness and
and mark the correct answer. light in their paintings.
 C. Both attracted wealthy art patrons.
Two pioneers in the world of art were the
 D. Both showed artistic talent as
Dutch painters Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Both
children.
had wealthy parents, and both showed artistic
talent at an early age. However, Van Gogh did
not begin to paint seriously until he was twenty- 6. How are Rembrandt and Van Gogh
seven. By the time Rembrandt was twenty-six, different?
he had already completed many paintings.
 A. Van Gogh began painting at an
Rembrandt established himself in Amster­ early age and Rembrandt did not.
dam; there he attracted many wealthy patrons
 B. Van Gogh liked living in
who paid him to paint their portraits. When Amsterdam and Rembrandt liked
Holland defeated Spain in war, Rembrandt living in France.
was asked to create a painting to celebrate the  C. Van Gogh used wild brushstrokes,
vic­tory. Many people did not understand Rem­ and Rembrandt used extremes of
brandt’s use of extreme darkness and light in dark and light.
the painting, “The Night Watch.” As a result,  D. Rembrandt died a poor and lonely
man, and Van Gogh did not.
his work lost popularity, and he died a poor
and lonely man.
Not liking Amsterdam, Van Gogh moved
7. Which statement about the passage is
to France. He remained a poor man all his life,
true?
making over 800 paintings but selling only one.
While Rembrandt tried to hide his painting  A. Both artists painted over 500
paintings.
technique, Van Gogh drew attention to his can­
 B. Paintings of both artists were not
vases by using wild, feverish brushstrokes. His
popular during their lifetime.
work was not well-received during his lifetime.
 C. Both artists had sold many paintings
Like Rembrandt, Van Gogh died a poor and
by the time they were thirty.
lonely man.
 D. Both artists used the same painting
techniques.

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©2006 Reading Lions Center –5– Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

Comprehension and Analysis of Grade- 8. What is the topic of this passage?
Level-Appropriate Text
 A. the Venus’s-flytrap
2.3 Connect and clarify main ideas by identifying
 B. why plants need insects
their relationships to other sources and related
topics  C. carnivorous plants
 D. nutritional requirements of plants
Read the passage. Then read each question and
mark the correct answer.
9. What is the main idea of this passage?
Plants that trap insects for food are called
 A. Carnivorous plants are also called
carnivorous plants. The Venus’s-flytrap is the insectivorous plants.
most well-known of flesh-eating plants. Others
 B. The Venus’s-flytrap catches insects
include the bladderwort, the butterwort, the in its trap-like leaves.
pitcher plant, and the sundew. These plants are
 C. Carnivorous plants do not need
sometimes called insectivorous plants. They are nitrogen for survival.
especially equipped to catch the food they need
 D. Carnivorous plants have special
for their nutritional requirements. methods for catching food.
Carnivorous plants need insects because they
grow in soil that does not have enough nitrogen
10. Which of these is a detail that supports the
available for the plant’s survival. For example, main idea of the passage?
the Venus’s-flytrap grows in bogs which lack
 A. The Venus’s-flytrap grows in bogs.
nitrogen. They get the needed nitrogen from the
decaying bodies of insects which they trap and  B. The nutritional requirements of
carnivorous plants are different than
digest. The plants secrete special digestive fluids those of other plants.
that break down the bodies of insects.
 C. Carnivorous plants get nitrogen
The plants trap their prey in various ways. from the soil.
Some have flowers that look or smell like
 D. Some plants get nitrogen from
­decay­ing meat which attract the insects to them. insects.
The Venus’s-flytrap has two leaves that stand
open in the shape of a bear trap. The leaves are
edged with bristles which hold the insect inside
when the leaves snap closed. Pitcher plants hold
water, and the insect simply drowns in it. The
sundews catch insects on the sticky hairs of
their leaves which then curl around the insect.
Thus, the carnivorous plants are equipped with
efficient ways to get the nutrition they need.

Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B –6–

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©2006 Reading Lions Center

2.4 Clarify an understanding of texts by creating 11. What is the best topic for II in the outline?
outlines, logical notes, summaries, or reports.
 A. Streaks of light in night sky
Read the passage and the outline. Then read
 B. Meteorites
each question and mark the correct answer.
 C. Falling stars
 D. Sizes of meteors
Have you ever seen a streak of light in the
night sky? The streak was probably a meteor – a
12. What is the best subtopic for IC in the
chunk of metal or stone that enters the earth’s
outline?
atmosphere from outer space. Meteors travel
at such great speeds that they heat up and glow  A. Enter Earth’s atmosphere
from friction with the air. The extreme heat  B. The glow of meteors
causes most meteors to burn up in the atmos­  C. Most burn up
phere. Meteors are the “falling stars” you see
 D. Meteorites
in the night sky.
A few meteors fall to the Earth’s surface
before they burn up. These meteors are called 13. In this passage, prehistoric means _____.
meteorites. Although meteorites can be any  A. after recorded history
size, only a few are large enough to cause great
 B. before mankind
damage. Many scientists believe a meteorite
from prehistoric times caused a mile-wide  C. after dinosaurs
crater in Arizona. A meteorite that fell in Siberia  D. before recorded history
in 1908 caused trees for thirty miles around to
die from the extreme heat and fire. However,
because most of the earth’s surface is water, most
meteorites fall into the oceans.

I. Meteors
A. Chunks of metal or stone
B. Great speed
C. _______________________

II. _____________________________
A. Meteors that land on earth
B. Damage caused
1. Arizona crater
2. Siberian trees

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©2006 Reading Lions Center –7– Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

2.5 Follow multiple-step instructions for preparing applications (e.g., for a public library card, bank
savings account, sports club, league membership).
Read the following application. Then read each question and mark the correct answer.

River Park Public Library Card

APPLICATION

To obtain a River Park Public Library Card, you will need the following:

• Two forms of identification with your River • If you are under 18, a parent or guardian sig-
Park address (one photograph identification) nature — completed at the library’s circula-
• An application form which must be signed at tion desk
the library’s circulation desk • Non-residents must provide a certificate of
residence (available at the City Clerk’s office)

River City Public Library Card

Last Name First Name MI

Home Address - Number and Street

City State Zip

-
Telephone - area code and number

River Park Public Library Lending Policy

Most circulating books may be borrowed for 28 days. Audiocassettes and videocassettes may be checked
out for 7 days. Overdue items will be charged to the account of the cardholder at the rate of 10 cents per
day for books, and $1.00 per day for audio and videocassettes.

I agree to be responsible for all materials borrowed with my library card and for all charges incurred.

Date of Birth Signature of Applicant Date

(if under 18)

Name of Parent or Guardian (PRINT) __________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent or Guardian____________________________________________________________________

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Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B –8– ©2006 Reading Lions Center

14. If you are 18, you __________.
 A. must obtain a certificate of
residence
 B. must have a parent or guardian
signature
 C. must have two forms of
identification
 D. may check out videocassettes for
14 days

15. If you do not live in River Park, you ____.

 A. must have a photograph

identification
 B. must provide a certificate of
residence
 C. must have a parent or guardian
signature
 D. may not obtain a River Park Public
Library card

16. You may check out audiocassettes for ___.

 A. 1 day
 B. 7 days
 C. 10 days
 D. 28 days

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Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

©2006 Reading Lions Center
Expository Critique 17. The author of the passage is most likely to
support which statement?
2.6 Determine the adequacy and appropriateness
of the evidence for an author’s conclusions.  A. Indian jewelry was more valuable
than metal.
Read the passage. Then read each question and  B. Forts signaled the end of the Santa
mark the correct answer. Fe Trail.
In 1821, William Becknell led the first  C. The Indians welcomed the men
wa­gon train from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa who built the railroad.
Fe, New Mexico. This was the beginning of a  D. The Indians and Spanish welcomed
trade route, called the Santa Fe Trail, that was trade with each other.
to last for fifty years.
Until the start of the trail, the only outsiders
the Indians of the West had known were the 18. Why do you think the Santa Fe Trail
Spanish. The Indians had learned about horses ceased to operate?
and metal from the Spanish. The relations  A. Passengers stopped traveling to the
between the Spanish and Indians were not West.
always friendly, but the Indians liked some of  B. Indians stopped trading with
the Spanish goods and adapted them to their “Easterners.”
way of life. Spanish settlers traded for beautiful  C. The railroad was faster and safer.
Indian jewelry, blankets, and baskets.
 D. There were not enough forts along
When the wagon trains began crossing the
the Santa Fe Trail.
prairies, the relationship between the Indians
and the “Easterners” was similar to the Indians’
experience with the Spanish. Many Indians
welcomed the goods being brought for trade, but 19. Which of the following conclusions is NOT
some felt the arrival of the wagon trains was an supported by evidence in the passage?
invasion of their lands.  A. The Spanish and Indians did not
Forts were built along the trail to protect the always get along.
growing trade and passenger route and the many
 B. The Santa Fe Trail was one of the
men who were hired to build the railroad. Soon first trade routes in the West.
after the railroad began service, the Santa Fe
 C. The Indians learned about horses
Trail ceased to operate.
from the Spanish.
 D. The arrival of wagon trains led to a
decrease in trade with the Indians.

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Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B – 10 – ©2006 Reading Lions Center

2.7 Make reasonable assertions about a text 20. Based on the information in the passage,
through accurate, supporting citations. which statement is true?
Read the passage. Then read each question  A. Photoelectric detectors work better
and mark the correct answer. than ionization detectors.
 B. Smoke detectors need electric
Smoke detectors alert people to fire. One currents to work.
kind of smoke detector is an ionization detector.  C. Battery-operated detectors are more
It has a tiny radioactive cell that creates particles reliable than plug-in detectors.
called ions. These ions produce an electric cur­  D. Having both detectors helps protect
rent which flows at a constant rate. If the ions people from both types of fires.
become attached to smoke, the rate of the cur­
rent slows down and the alarm sounds.
The other kind of smoke detector is a photo­ 21. Which detail supports the statement that
smoke detectors save lives?
electric detector. This kind of device uses a
photocell which is sensitive to light. If smoke  A. If the ions become attached to
passes in front of the photocell, the alarm is smoke, the rate of the current slows
triggered. down and the alarm sounds.
Ionization detectors sound their alarms faster  B. If smoke passes in front of the
in flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are faster photocell, the alarm is triggered.
in smoldering fires. Either kind is available in a  C. Smoke detectors alert people to the
plug-in or battery-operated model. People must danger of fire.
check to make sure their detectors are in good  D. Either kind is available in a plug-in
operating condition. or battery-operated model.

22. Based on the information in the passage,

which statement is false?
 A. Ionization detectors work best in
flaming fires.
 B. All smoke detectors require
maintenance.
 C. Photoelectric detectors work best in
smoldering fires.
 D. Photoelectric detectors are better
than ionization detectors.

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©2006 Reading Lions Center – 11 – Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

2.8 Note instances of unsupported inferences, 23. Which statement is NOT supported by
fallacious reasoning, persuasion, and propaganda evidence in the passage?
in text.
 A. Paul Revere was an active
Read the passage. Then read each question and participant in the Boston Tea Party.
mark the correct answer.  B. Paul Revere played an important
part in the Revolutionary War.
Paul Revere played an important part in the  C. If Paul Revere hadn’t made his
famous ride, we would not be a free
Revolutionary War. Revere made his famous
nation today.
ride on April 18, 1775, to warn the colonists
 D. Paul Revere warned the colonists
that the British were coming. He told the people that the British were coming by sea.
that the British were coming by sea. He knew
this because he had arranged with two other
patriots to give him a signal from a distance. 24. Which statement supports the author’s
opinion that Paul Revere will be best
When Revere saw two lantern lights in the
remembered for his craftsmanship?
church steeple, he set off on his famous ride.
 A. Paul Revere participated in the
If he hadn’t made that ride, we would not be a
Boston Tea Party.
free nation today.
 B. Paul Revere was a silversmith
Although he is most famous for his midnight before the war.
ride to warn colonists of a British raid, Paul  C. Objects made by Paul Revere are
Revere was an active participant in the Boston very valuable today.
Tea Party in December 1773. Before the event,  D. Paul Revere played an important
he was one of the colonists who guarded the tea part in the Revolutionary War.
ship; he is also believed to have been on the
ship’s deck dumping tea into Boston harbor.
25. Based on information in the passage,
Before the war, Revere had been a successful which statement is true?
silversmith. After the war, he invented a process
 A. Paul Revere was the most famous
for rolling sheet copper. He used his skills to silversmith of his time.
make many fine art objects of copper. Objects  B. Copper objects made by Paul
made by Paul Revere are very valuable today, Revere are more valuable than
and it is for his craftsmanship that he will be those made of silver.
best remembered in American history.  C. Patriots used signals to warn that
the British were coming.
 D. Paul Revere is the most famous
participant in the Boston Tea Party.

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Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B – 12 – ©2006 Reading Lions Center

3.0 Literary Response and Analysis
The characters in the play are King Acrisios
Structural Features of Literature of Argos, an ancient city in southern Greece;
Zeus, king of the Greek gods; Apollo, Greek
3.1 Identify the forms of fiction and describe the god of light. The first scene opens in the palace
major characteristics of each form. of King Acrisios.

Read the passages below and mark the answer

that correctly completes each statement. 3. This passage would be found in the
introduction of a book of _____.
Max bought the time machine at a garage
sale for $3.00. As he pulled the lever, he felt  A. science fiction
the mar­vel­ous machine whirling; he was on
 B. fantasies
a vibrating conveyor belt, out of control and
hurtling through a long ink-black tunnel to the  C. folktales
Middle Ages.  D. myths

1. This passage would be found in a book of

_____.

 A. fantasies
 B. myths
 C. fables
 D. realistic fiction

Finn MacCool was not the bravest of all

giants. He knew Cuchulain was the biggest and
strongest of all the giants in Ireland. But Finn
also knew Oona was good at thinking quickly.
She would save him.

2. This passage would be found in a book of

_____.

 A. myths
 B. realistic fiction
 C. folktales
 D. science fiction

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©2006 Reading Lions Center – 13 – Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level- 4. How do Lisa and Joe feel about the science
Appropriate Text class?
3.2 Analyze the effect of the qualities of the  A. Lisa enjoys the class, but Joe does
character (e.g., courage or cowardice, ambition not.
or laziness) on the plot and the resolution of the
conflict.  B. Lisa is excited about using the
microscope, but Joe doesn’t think it
Read the passage. Then read each question and will work.
mark the correct answer.
 C. Both Lisa and Joe are eager to learn
Lisa had always been curious by the world more about cells.
that was hidden to the naked eye. Although she  D. Neither Lisa nor Joe likes using the
had never read about cells, she had seen illustra­ microscope, but Joe enjoys science.
tions of one-celled organisms in her science
book. Joe was sharing a microscope with her
5. In this passage, Lisa’s goal is to _____.
today in science class. He yawned when Lisa
examined the microscope. Usually Joe enjoyed  A. persuade Joe that microscopes are
science class, but he was sure that even with important
the microscope, they wouldn’t be able to see
 B. make her teacher proud of her
actual cells.
Ms. Turner, the science teacher, had passed  C. see cells under a microscope
out pieces of onions to each student. She  D. learn more about onions
­care­fully demonstrated how to separate a thin
piece of the onion’s skin and place it under the 6. What probably would have happened if
micro­scope. She said it was extremely import­ Lisa had used a thick piece of onion?
ant that the onion skin be as thin as possible.
After separating the thinnest piece she could,  A. Lisa would not have been able to
Lisa put the piece of onion on a slide and clipped see the onion cells.
it under the microscope. Lisa looked through the  B. The microscope would not have
eyepiece with anticipation, but she saw nothing. been focused.
She pulled the slide out and put it back again.  C. Lisa would have been able to see
She turned the light on and off. She even more onion cells.
cleaned the eyepiece, but nothing worked. She
 D. The light from the microscope
asked her teacher what was wrong. “You have to
would have been too bright.
focus the microscope,” Ms. Turner said, turning
a knob near the base of the microscope.
Lisa looked through the eyepiece after Ms.
Turner had adjusted it. What she saw amazed
her. She couldn’t get over the fantastic number
of cells she saw. The cells of the onion skin
looked like thousands of clear squares or
­rec­tangles, each one just like the rest.
Lisa had almost forgotten about Joe because
he had wandered off and was now looking out
the window.

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Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B ©2006 Reading Lions Center

3.3 Analyze the influence of setting on the problem 7. What problem does Beth have because she
and its resolution. lives in a Puritan village?

Read the passage. Then read each question  A. She is not allowed to read or study.
and mark the correct answer.  B. She doesn’t want to be like her
mother.
“Beth! Are you reading again? Put that  C. The harsh winters make Beth’s life
book down now! You’ll get in trouble!” Mrs. difficult.
Mason worried about her headstrong daughter.  D. She doesn’t like making candles,
cooking, and sewing clothes.
Girls were not supposed to want to read in
their colonial village in the New World. In fact,
Puritan parents only allowed their children to
8. What is the setting of this story?
read the Bible. In some communities girls were
not taught to read at all.  A. present-day United States
Beth quickly put the book behind the loose  B. England in the 1900s
log next to her bed. She hated to disobey, but it  C. colonial America
was the only way she could get “book learning.”  D. the midwest in the 1800s
Beth knew times were hard for all the colonists.
She knew she was expected to do her share of
the work: making candles, cooking, and sewing 9. How does the setting influence the
resolution of the story?
clothes for the harsh winter months ahead.
She understood that, and she accepted it. But  A. The ending shows that Beth Mason
she didn’t understand why she wasn’t allow­ed was a typical Puritan woman.
to learn and study, too, as long as she did her  B. At the end of the story, Beth Mason
work first. is like her mother and older sister.
Beth wasn’t sure why she didn’t want to be  C. Beth Mason proved that housework
like her mother. She only knew that she wanted was not important in Puritan
society.
to learn all that she could. She wished she could
 D. Beth Mason achieves what few
be like her older sister, satisfied with learning
women were able to do in Puritan
only women’s skills, but Beth felt differently. society.
So she continued to read and study in secret.
Years later, when Beth Mason became one of
the first businesswomen in all the colonies, she
would know the reason why.

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GO ON

©2006 Reading Lions Center – 15 – Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

3.4 Define how tone or meaning is conveyed in 11. The words FIERCE and ROARING
poetry through word choice, figurative language, ­describe ____.
sentence structure, line length, punctuation, rhythm,
repetition, and rhyme.  A. the speaker’s car
 B. the speaker’s feelings
Read the poem. Then read each question and
 C. friends
mark the correct answer.
 D. a kite in a storm
Sometimes I’m like ice cream,
all sugary and sweet.
12. The speaker uses a metaphor to ____.
Sometimes I’m like a prickly pine tree,
ready to jab you  A. compare pine trees and needles.
with my sharp needles.  B. emphasize the speed of sound
I’m like a sleek, red sports car,  C. compare himself to a spring day
racing as fast as the speed of sound.
 D. compare spring and summer
I’m like a friendly puppy
when I’m around my friends.
3.5 Identify the speaker and recognize the differ­
But I’m like a
ence between first- and third-person narration (e.g.,
FIERCE, ROARING autobiography compared with biography).
lion
   when I see an injustice. Read cach passage. Mark the answer that ­
cor­­rectly completes each statement.
I’m like a kite,
blowing this way and that way
in the wind Passage A
   if I’m unsure. I am the computer-game champion of my neigh­
I’m a bright, sunshiny spring day, borhood. Every day after school, my friends and
I meet in my room to challenge one another.
just waiting to turn into summer.
We play outer-space games, fantasy games,
I’m like so many different things and math games.
but I’m nothing like anyone else.
I’m just me. Passage B
George Washington Carver liked working in
the lab best of all. The lab reminded him of
10. To show the difficulty of making a decision the greenhouse he had as a boy. He rose every
the speaker uses a _____. morning at four to work in the lab; it was here
that he discovered many uses for the sweet
 A. sports car potato and the peanut.
 B. lion
 C. pine tree

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 D. kite
GO ON

Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B – 16 – ©2006 Reading Lions Center

13. Passage B is _____. leaf and let it fall into the stream. The little
raft settled down on the water right beside the
 A. written from a third-person point of
drowning Ant. The insect climbed aboard and
view
was soon safe on shore again.
 B. a passage from an autobiography But what did he see? Hidden behind a bush,
 C. written from a first-person point of a hunter was spreading his net. He was going
view to snare the Dove!
“No, indeed!” the grateful Ant said. “You
 D. written by a character in the story
shall not take the bird that saved my life!” And
with all his might he stung the hunter on his
14. Passage A is ____.
bare heel.
 A. written by a speaker outside the With a cry, the hunter dropped his net. The
story next moment the startled Dove was flying away
 B. a third-person narration into the woods.

 C. a passage from a biography

16. Dove helped Ant by _____.
 D. written from a first-person point of
view  A. plucking Ant from the stream
 B. holding out a branch to save Ant
15. Passage B is probably found in _____.  C. dropping a leaf so Ant would not
drown
 A. a fairy tale
 B. a biography  D. taking the hunter’s net

 C. a fable
17. Dove helps Ant because _____.
 D. an autobiography
 A. she knows Ant will save her
3.6 Identify and analyze features of themes conveyed  B. she is kind and feels sorry for Ant
through characters, actions, and images.
 C. she knows the hunter is behind the
Read the passage. Then read each question and bush
mark the correct answer.  D. Ant is her friend

The Ant and the Dove

from a fable by Aesop 18. Which of the following best states the
theme of the passage?
A thirsty Ant was climbing down a blade of  A. One never knows how a kindness
grass that grew beside a stream. He was trying may be repaid.
to reach the water so he could take a drink.  B. In nature, ants and doves make
Unfortunately, he slipped and tumbled into the good friends.
stream.
 C. The hunter dropped his net because
Now a Dove was sitting on a branch over the
Ant stung him.

‹
water. She saw the Ant fall in and was struck
with pity. Quick as a wink she plucked off a  D. Ant should be more GO ON
careful near the stream.

©2006 Reading Lions Center – 17 – Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

3.7 Explain the effects of common literary devices 21. The theme of the passage is _____.
(e.g., symbolism, imagery, metaphor) in a variety
of fictional and nonfictional texts.  A. green holly makes life more jolly
 B. the wind is not seen
Read the passage. Then mark the answer that  C. the winter wind is cold
correctly completes each sentence.
 D. friendship can be unkind
From As You Like It
Act 2, Scene 7
Blow, blow thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude.
Thy tooth is not so keen,
Because thou art not seen,
Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh-ho, sing heigh-ho, unto the green holly.
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere
folly.
Then heigh-ho, the holly!
This life is most jolly.

19. In the passage, “Thy tooth” and “thy

breath” are used as _____ to describe the
wind.

 A. personification
 B. simile
 C. metaphor
 D. idiom

20. In the passage, man’s ingratitude is

­symbolized by _____.

 A. a tooth
 B. green holly
 C. the winter wind
 D. friendship

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GO ON

Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B – 18 – ©2006 Reading Lions Center

Literary Criticism 23. Where was Amy’s little brother during the
story?
3.8 Critique the credibility of characterization and
the degree to which a plot is contrived or realistic  A. outside playing by himself
(e.g., compare use of fact and fantasy in historical
 B. hiding in the hallway making a
fiction).
scary noise
Read the passage. Then read each question and  C. staying overnight at a friend’s house
mark the correct answer.  D. sound asleep in his bed

Outside the night was dark and the wind

was howling. Inside Amy’s house, she and
Alisha clicked off the TV. “That was a really
spooky show,” said Amy. “I wish we could have
an adventure like that one.”
“Your pesty little brother would probably
ruin it,” said Alisha. “He’s always making fun
of us or playing tricks.”
“Shh! What was that noise?” asked Amy.
“I don’t know,” said Alisha. “Let’s get out
of here!”
“We can’t; we’re babysitting, remember?”
Amy reminded her. Just then they heard the
sound again. Then the lights went out. The girls
tiptoed into the kitchen to get a flashlight.
“The noise! It’s back here.” Alisha pointed
to the hallway leading to the bedrooms. The
girls crept slowly down the hallway.

22. What did Amy and Alisha probably find at

the end of the hallway?

 A. a ghost
 B. another TV with the volume turned
up too high
 C. someone breaking into the house
 D. Amy’s little brother

‹
GO ON

©2006 Reading Lions Center – 19 – Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

 WRITING
1.0 Writing Strategies 1. The name of the periodical in the entry
is _____.
Research and Technology
 A. Vegetables for All Seasons
1.4 Use organizational features of electronic text
(e.g., bulletin boards, databases, keyword searches,  B. Nutrition
e-mail addresses) to locate information  C. Feature Article
 D. Western Living
The Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature
is an index that lists articles from periodicals
– news­papers and magazines. Use the example
of an online Readers’ Guide entry to answer 2. Information about vegetables is found
questions 1, 2, and 3. in ____.

 A. volume 2
 B. volume 23
ONLINE

Result of Online Search of Readers’ Guide

 C. volume 37
Author: Stanley, Charles A.  D. volume 98
Title: Vegetables for all seasons
Source: Western Living v.37 no. 2
Dec. ’98 pp. 23-28 il. 3. You would find related topics under ____.
Standard No: 0029-0804
 A. seasons
Date: 1998
Contents: feature article  B. nutrition
Subject: nutrition  C. western living

3 4
6
 D. feature article

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GO ON

Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B – 20 – ©2006 Reading Lions Center

 WRITTEN AND ORAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CONVENTIONS
1.0 Written and Oral English Language Read the sentences and mark the answer that
Conventions best combines each group of words without
changing the meaning.
Sentence Structure
3. I will walk the dog. When I have finished
1.1 Use simple, compound, and compound- my homework.
complex sentences; use effective coordination
and subordination of ideas to express complete  A. I will walk the dog, and I have
thoughts. finished my homework.
Read each question and mark the correct  B. When I walk the dog I will have
answer. finished my homework.
 C. When I have finished my
1. Which of the following sentences is a homework, I will walk the dog.
compound-complex sentence?
 D. I have finished my homework, I
 A. In the United States, diamonds are will walk the dog.
precious gems, but they are also
used in industry. 4. Our school has just started a peer-tutoring
 B. Since diamonds are not mined in program. I plan to join.
the United States, the demand for
them is high.  A. Our school, having just started a
peer-tutoring program; I plan to
 C. Because they are very durable,
join.
diamonds are very valuable, but
some emeralds are even more  B. Our school has just started a peer-
valuable. tutoring program, I plan to join.
 D. The diamond glitters with different  C. Our school has just started a peer-
colors; one type of gem cut has tutoring program; I plan to join.
fifty-eight facets.  D. I plan to join our school peer-
tutoring program, it has just started.

2. Which word is a subordinating

conjunction in the following sentence?

Because they are millions of miles away,

even the largest stars look like little points of
light.

 A. because
 B. even
 C. like
 D. away

– 21 –
‹
GO ON

Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

©2006 Reading Lions Center
Grammar Punctuation

1.2 Identify and properly use indefinite pronouns 1.3 Use colons after the salutation in business
and present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect letters, semicolons to connect independent clauses,
verb tenses; ensure that verbs agree with compound and commas when linking two clauses with a
subjects. conjunction in compound sentences.

Read each question and mark the correct Read each question and mark the correct
answer. answer.

5. Which of the following sentences is written 8. Which salutation in a business letter is

correctly? written correctly?

 A. Everybody was pleased with the  A. Dear Editor,

test scores.  B. Dear Editor
 B. Both of the concerts was canceled.  C. Dear Editor;
 C. Have each of you finished the test?  D. Dear Editor:
 D. One of these books are mine.
9. Which sentence is written correctly?

6. Which of the following sentences correctly  A. The tickets for the game went on sale
uses the past perfect tense of the verb at nine o’clock they were all sold by
give? noon.
 B. The tickets for the game went on sale
 A. She has given us the assignment. at nine o’clock, they were all sold by
 B. She had gave us the assignment. noon.
 C. She had given us the assignment.  C. The tickets for the game went on sale
 D. She will have given us the at nine o’clock; they were all sold by
assignment. noon.
 D. The tickets for the game went on sale,
at nine o’clock they were all sold by
7. Which of the following sentences is written noon.
correctly?

 A. Our computer and television is both 10. Which sentence is written correctly?
broken.
 B. Math and science require hours of  A. You may come on the camping trip
study. but, you will have to carry your own
gear.
 C. Last year a library and museum was
built in our city.  B. You may come on the camping trip but
you will have to carry your own gear.
 D. He and Sam makes many kinds of
candles.  C. You may come on the camping trip,
but you will have to carry your own
gear.

‹
 D. You may come on the
camping trip; but you will GO ON
have to carry your own gear.

Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B – 22 – ©2006 Reading Lions Center

Capitalization Spelling

1.4 Use correct capitalization. 1.5 Spell frequently misspelled words correctly
(e.g., their, they’re, there).
Read each sentence. Mark the sentence that uses
correct capitalization. Read each sentence. Mark the sentence in
which the underlined word is used and spelled
11.  A. Did your vacation include a visit to correctly.
buckingham palace in London?
 B. Mr. Williams said, “on Memorial 14.  A. Researchers discovered the ancient
Day we honor Americans who died idol in the temple.
in war.”  B. Freedom of speech is a key
 C. During the Revolutionary War, ­principal of democratic ­government.
the Johnson brothers fought on  C. We found cones from the fur trees
­opposite sides. scattered on the ground.
 D. His father worked as an electrician  D. The school bored approved the
for the Copper Lantern lighting purchase of new equipment.
company.

15.  A. I only needed for nails to repair the

12.  A. We planned a tour of the fence.
smithsonian institution in
 B. According to legend, the brave
Washington, D.C.
knight rides a white horse.
 B. The gardener remarked, “These
 C. She waists no time in getting her
plants should bloom in May.”
homework finished.
 C. She found the article in the San
 D. Terms of the piece agreement were
Francisco chronicle.
announced yesterday.
 D. In Oregon, the hunting season
began last tuesday.
16.  A. His science project is do this
Friday.
13.  A. He wanted to borrow the Pushcart
 B. She did quiet well on last week’s
War, a book by Jean Merrill.
test.
 B. Ms. Williams asked, “does anyone
 C. Did you drive through the long
know Mark Twain’s real name?”
tunnel?
 C. “Valentine for Earth” is a delightful
 D. We could here thunder in the
poem by Francis Frost.
­distance.
 D. Did you see the Statue of Liberty
when you were in new york city?

©2006 Reading Lions Center – 23 – Grade 6 Teacher Edition - Form B

 First Edition

© 2006 Reading Lions Center

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