We can look at living things, and we can put them into groups. One group is called mammals.

Mammals all have fur or hair. Their fur or hair can keep them warm. It covers some or all parts of their bodies.
Most of their babies are born alive. They are like little copies of their parents. They look just like them.
Some other mammals live on land. People are mammals. They have a lot of hair on the top of their heads. Dogs and
cats are mammals. They have fur all over their bodies. Rabbits and zebras are mammals, too. They also have fur all
over their bodies.
Other mammals live in the water. Whales and dolphins live in the ocean. They do not have long fur or hair. Their
skin is smooth, but they are still mammals.
Some of them live in and out of the water. Sea lions do this.
They have very short fur. They sit in the sun during the day. They also swim in the water much of the day and at
night.

1. Which sentence below is NOT TRUE?

A. People are mammals.
B. Rabbits have fur all over their bodies.
C. Dolphins can live on land.
D. Sea lions swim in the water.

2. Which one is NOT a mammal?

A. a pig
B. a crow
C. a cow
D. a hooman

3. What characterizes the babies of most mammals?

A. They are born as eggs
B. They are born in pouches
C. They look similar to their parents
D. They are born with scales

4. What distinguishes mammals from other groups of animals?

A. Having scales on their bodies
B. Possessing fur or hair
C. Laying eggs
D. Having wings for flight

5. What distinguishes aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins from other mammals?
A. They lack fur or hair
B. They give birth to live young
C. They breathe through the gills
D. They have scales on their bodies

6. How do sea lions differ from purely aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins?
A. They have longer fur
B. They have scales on their bodies
C. They have very short fur
D. They breathe through the gills

Birds are a different kind of animal. They are not like a mammal or a fish. They are like themselves!
First, they all have feathers. The feathers are very light. They come in many colours and sizes. Each bird has
special feathers. The feathers keep them warm. Some of them help the bird to fly.
Birds do not have babies that are born alive. They lay eggs. The eggs have hard shells. Birds lay eggs in their nests.
They sit on them to keep them warm. For example, the father ostrich sits on the eggs and makes sure they are
warm. When they are ready, they hatch. Baby birds come out of the shells.
Some birds have feathers, but they cannot fly. The ostrich cannot fly, but it can run fast.
 1. How is the ostrich different from the other birds?
A. It cannot fly.
B. It is not a bird.
C. It is small.
D. It only likes to eat bananas.

2. The author wanted you to learn about . . .

A. animals that are mammals.
B. animals that are birds.
C. animals that are insects.
D. animals that are fish.

3. What do all birds have?

A. scales
B. feathers
C. whiskers
D. manos

4. What is a unique characteristic of birds?

A. They can live both on land and in water
B. They possess fur or hair
C. They are the only animals that lay eggs
D. They are distinct from other animal categories

5. How are birds different from mammals and fish?

A. They have feathers instead of fur or scales
B. They lay eggs in the water
C. They cannot regulate body temperature
D. They lack the ability to reproduce

6. How do baby birds emerge from their eggs?

A. They break the shells with their beaks
B. They melt the shells with body heat
C. The shells crack open
D. They are helped by other adult birds

Fish are another kind of animal. Fish are not like mammals. They are not like birds. Fish live in water. Most of them
hatch out of eggs. They have scales on their bodies. They have gills and fins. They have a tail, eyes, and a mouth.
The scales are small shapes on their bodies. They look like pieces of paper cut into small shapes. The scales help
to keep the fish safe. They give them protection.
Fish have gills on the sides of their bodies. These gills look like small slits. These small slits open and close. They
help the fish to breathe in the water.
The fins help the fish move around in the water. They help it stay afloat in the water.
The tail moves to help the fish move fast or slowly. It makes it easy to move from place to place.
Eyes help them to see where they are going, and the mouth opens to eat smaller fish or algae.
Fish are fun to watch. They are always moving and always on the go!

1. The author wanted you to learn about . . .

A. animals that are mammals.
B. animals that are fish.
C. animals that are insects.
D. animals that are birds.
 2. How are fish scales described in the passage?
A. Large and protective
B. Colourful and patterned
C. Lightweight and protective
D. Fragile and transparent

3. How do fish typically breathe underwater?

A. Through their mouth
B. Via specialized skin cells
C. Absorbing oxygen through fins
D. Using gills to extract oxygen from water

4. What physical feature allows fish to navigate underwater?

A. Eyesight
B. Whiskers
C. Lateral lines
D. Hearing capabilities

5. What role does a fish's mouth serve primarily?

A. Vocalization
B. Defence
C. Reproduction
D. Feeding

6. What traits do fish share with birds?

A. Scale structure
B. Egg-laying reproduction
C. Feather-like skin
D. Similar respiratory systems

Did you know that there are over 1,000,000 different species, or types, of animals? With so many species, scientists
have to find a way to sort them into groups. Two of the main groups are vertebrates and invertebrates.
Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone. Humans are in this group. Also in this group are whales, monkeys,
birds, and frogs. Just about any pet you have in your home is a vertebrate. Dogs, cats, goldfish, hamsters, and
snakes are vertebrates.
Invertebrates have no backbone. Many of them live in the ocean. Clams, jellyfish, squids, and octopuses are
invertebrates. Those that live on land are spiders, worms, and insects. Scientists are finding new species of animals
every day. Every one of them can be put into one of these two groups.

1. What are two ways, according to this passage, animals are classified or sorted?
A. land and water animals
B. mammals and jellyfish
C. invertebrates and vertebrates
D. colour and shape
2. Based on the passage, which is the best definition of invertebrates?
A. animals that have several backbones
B. animals that have one backbone
C. animals that have no backbones
D. animals that prefer to swim in the ocean

3. Which of the animals below would fit into the category of invertebrates?
A. Giraffe
B. Bird
C. Squid
D. Pig
 4. Which of the following animals is NOT a vertebrate?
A. Monkey
B. Jellyfish
C. Frog
D. Bird

5. What characteristic defines vertebrates?

A. Having tentacles
B. Having a backbone
C. Being aquatic
D. Living underground

6. What is a common trait of invertebrates?

A. Having fur
B. Laying eggs
C. Living in water
D. Lacking a backbone

7. Which of these animals is NOT an invertebrate?

A. Clam
B. Spider
C. Whale
D. Octopus

8. What category do humans fall into based on the information provided?

A. Fish
B. Invertebrates
C. Vertebrates
D. Mammals

9. Where do many invertebrates live according to the passage?

A. On trees
B. In the ocean
C. Underground
D. In caves

10. What type of animal is NOT mentioned as an invertebrate?

A. Squid
B. Dog
C. Worm
D. Octopus

11. How do scientists classify animals into groups?

A. By their colour
B. By their size
C. By their habitat
D. By their characteristics

It is important for scientists to sort animals into groups. It just as important to sort plants. Scientists sort them by how
they make another plant like themselves. This is called reproduction. Scientists have decided to sort plants into
three groups.

The first group of plants reproduces with spores. Spores are parts of the plant that break away and travel in the
wind. Each one grows into a new plant if it lands on soil that is wet and rich. Ferns and mosses are plants that make
a copy of themselves with spores.
Other plants reproduce with seeds. They are the second group. Seeds fall from the trees. They become part of the
soil and grow into new plants. Evergreens, pine trees, and fir trees are plants that reproduce with seeds.

The third group is the plant that reproduces by flowering. Before seeds can form, the pollen inside the flower needs
to move from one part of the flower to another. The seeds form inside the flower. Birds and insects help this by
moving the pollen when they land on the flower.

Some of the flowering plants grow into fruits to eat. The seeds are hidden inside the fruit. Apples, oranges, cherries,
daisies, and roses are plants that have flowers.

1. Which group of words mean the same as the word reproduction?

A. make a copy of itself
B. plant the flowers
C. helps us understand
D. flowering and pollen

2. Scientists have broken plants into three different groups:

A. colors, sizes, and shapes.
B. spores, flowers, and seeds.
C. vertebrates, invertebrates, and seeds.
D. cherries, grapes, and oranges.

3. How do the plants that have spores reproduce?

A. by seeds falling on the ground
B. by floating in the wind from place to place
C. by bees moving the pollen inside the flowers
D. by pushing their roots into the ground

4. Which type of plant group needs help from birds or insects?

A. plants that reproduce with spores
B. plants that reproduce with flowers
C. plants that reproduce with leaves
D. plants that reproduce with sunlight

5. How do seeds from the second group of plants grow into new plants?
A. By being carried by birds
B. By falling in water
C. By becoming part of the soil
D. By being eaten by insects

Have you ever been in an earthquake? How did it feel? An earthquake can be a scary experience. What is an
earthquake? An earthquake is really Earth’s way of getting rid of stress. The earth has plates that shift back and
forth. This stress and strain causes the surface of the earth to crack. It is like pushing against the two ends of a stick.
The stick will eventually bend and break from the pressure. The earth’s crust reacts the same way. As the plates
move, they put pressure on each other. When the force is strong enough, the crust breaks. The stress is released as
energy that moves through the earth in the form of waves. These waves are what we call earthquakes.

Did you know that there are different types of earthquakes? They are called tectonic, volcanic, and explosion
earthquakes. A tectonic earthquake is the most common. These happen when the rocks on Earth’s crust break
because of the tectonic plates shifting. A volcanic earthquake takes place during the eruption of a volcano.
Explosion earthquakes happen when there has been a chemical or nuclear detonation. These earthquakes take
place in underground mines.

Earthquakes can be measured in many ways. One of the ways is to measure how intense an earthquake is.
Magnitude is another way to measure an earthquake. The Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude. Seismic
measurement is measured by using seismic waves.
 1. Why are earthquakes likened to waves?
A. Earthquakes begin out in the ocean.
B. The waves of the ocean cause the earthquakes.
C. The force of energy released when the crust breaks is called a wave.
D. Nuclear chemicals form a wave.

2. What is the purpose of the third paragraph?

A. to explain how earthquakes are measured
B. to explain how earthquakes are formed
C. to explain how earthquakes are prevented
D. to explain how earthquakes are survived

3. Where would you read to find out about the three types of earthquakes?
A. first paragraph
B. end of the third paragraph
C. second paragraph
D. end of the second paragraph

4. Which scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?

A. Volcano scale
B. Seismic scale
C. Richter scale
D. Tectonic scale

5. What is the primary cause of earthquakes according to the passage?

A. Movement of tectonic plates
B. Volcanic eruptions
C. Chemical reactions in the Earth's core
D. Magnetic shifts in the Earth's crust

Saturn is the sixth planet from our sun. This amazing planet is best known for its rings. We may think that these
rings are small in number, but when seen through a telescope, there are hundreds of them. The rings of Saturn are
made up of very tiny pieces of matter. There are so many objects floating that from a distance, they look like solid
rings. The rings are also very thin. The rings are made up of rocky ice particles and dust. Saturn also has many
moons.
Galileo was the first person to look at Saturn through a telescope. The year was 1610. He was amazed at what he
could see, but he didn’t understand it. The telescopes today are much better and can reveal the intricate details of
the rings and moons.

Another interesting fact about Saturn is that it could float. That seems surprising because Saturn is the second-
largest planet. Even though it is big, it doesn’t weigh very much. It is less dense less than water. Saturn rotates very
quickly, which means that a day on Saturn is only about 10 hours long. Saturn is made up mostly of hydrogen and
helium. There have been many unmanned trips to get a closer look at Saturn. Four spacecrafts have taken pictures
and visited Saturn. These were the Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and Cassini.

1. What would be the best title for this passage?

A. “Saturn: The Planet with Rings”
B. “Outer Planets”
C. “Low-Density Planets”
D. “Planets with Moons”

2. According to the passage, which of the following is not a fact about the planet Saturn?
A. Saturn is the second-largest planet.
B. A day on Saturn is about 10 hours long.
C. Saturn has a great red spot.
D. Saturn rotates very quickly.
 3. What is one reason why humans cannot live on Saturn?
A. Saturn has more rings than other planets.
B. Saturn is so light it could float.
C. Saturn rotates quicker than Earth.
D. Saturn is made up of mostly hydrogen and helium.

4. How did the telescope change what people thought about Saturn?
A. Saturn was the first planet viewed through a telescope.
B. Galileo discovered that Saturn had rings.
C. It was determined that Saturn was not located in a star’s position.
D. Saturn was discovered to be the center of the universe.

5. What makes Saturn stand out compared to other planets in our solar system?
A. Its dense atmosphere
B. The abundance of its moons
C. The complexity and visibility of its rings
D. Its proximity to the Sun

6. Which spacecraft was responsible for the most detailed observations of Saturn?
A. Pioneer 11
B. Voyager 1
C. Voyager 2
D. Cassini

7. What was Galileo's reaction upon observing Saturn through a telescope?

A. He accurately understood and described the rings.
B. He was confused and couldn't comprehend what he saw.
C. He immediately recognized the rings' composition.
D. He mistook Saturn for a star.

8. Why does Saturn have a low density, allowing it to hypothetically float in water?
A. Its rings contribute to its low density.
B. It is primarily made of helium.
C. It is less dense than water due to its composition.
D. Its distance from the Sun affects its density.

How much do you know about the sun? Did you know that it is the closest star to the planet Earth? The sun is
actually just like billions of other stars in the sky. It just looks different because it is so close. It is also the centre of
the solar system. The sun is a huge ball of gas. The temperature of the sun is over 27,000,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

From Earth, the sun doesn’t look that big, but the sun is so large that more than a million Earths could fit inside of it.
The sun is by far the largest object in the solar system. It is even bigger than the planet Jupiter.

Astronomers say that the sun has layers. These layers are called the photosphere, chromosphere, and the corona.
Astronomers have also discovered that the sun spins just like the Earth except more slowly. The sun has quiet
periods and active periods. During active periods, there are solar flares and sunspots. Sunspots are dark spots that
often appear on the surface of the sun. What makes these sunspots? Scientists think that they are cool spots. Solar
flares are bursts of hot gases. These bursts shoot far into the solar system.

1. What would be another good title for this passage?

A. “The Sun: The Closest Star”
B. “Solar Flares”
C. “Sun Spots”
D. “Stars in the Universe”
 2. Which of the following is a fact about the sun?
A. The sun is the largest planet.
B. The sun is the central planet.
C. The sun has a great red spot.
D. The sun has quiet and active periods.

3. What was meant by the term solar flares?

A. sunspots on the sun
B. indications of being the largest object in the solar system
C. bursts of hot gases
D. a way to track the sun’s movement

4. How many Earths could fit inside the sun based on the information provided?
A. A thousand
B. A million
C. Ten million
D. More than a billion

5. During active periods of the sun, what phenomena occur?

A. Solar eclipses and lunar phases
B. Solar flares and sunspots
C. Planetary alignments and comet sightings
D. Aurora borealis and magnetic pole shifts

6. What causes the dark spots known as sunspots on the sun's surface according to scientists in the passage?
A. Solar flares
B. Cool spots
C. Magnetic storms
D. Bursts of hot gases

One of the least known weather phenomena is the microburst. It is a wind occurring beneath certain clouds that is
strong enough to damage buildings, knock down trees, and crash airliners. Microbursts can produce wind speeds
higher than 175 miles per hour, which is greater than many tornadoes and hurricanes.

Microbursts are fast-moving columns of air that develop beneath cumulonimbus clouds. These are the same clouds
that produce thunderstorms and tornadoes. The air develops quickly and moves straight down from the cloud base.
It then moves along the ground and curls back up and around in a circular manner. They are also called “cloud
sneezes.”

Since 1975, eight airline crashes have been directly attributed to microbursts. The crashes occur during either
takeoff or landing. Let’s consider an aircraft landing as an example. Flying low in its approach, the aircraft
encounters the outer area of the microburst’s curling wind. The pilot senses the updraft and forces the nose of the
aeroplane down to compensate. As the aeroplane continues, it encounters a strong downdraft at the centre.
Because the nose of the plane is already lowered, the down-moving air forces the nose rapidly lower, and the pilot is
unable to compensate. This forces the aeroplane down to the ground.

The most famous microburst airline crash was Delta Airlines Flight 191 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport on
August 2, 1985. The airliner crashed on approach due to a microburst, and 137 passengers and crew members
died.
As a result of that airliner crash, the government sought ways to detect microbursts with various types of weather
radar. This and other precautionary measures have lessened the number of airline crashes due to microbursts.
1. What primary structure does the author use to organize the thoughts in the text?
A. cause and effect
B. compare and contrast
C. problem and solution
D. sequential or chronological approach
 2. What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
A. how people can avoid a microburst
B. how a microburst is formed
C. how a microburst affects airlines
D. how the government has stopped microbursts from happening

3. What is a microburst?
A. A type of tornado
B. A fast-moving column of air beneath specific clouds
C. A rainstorm phenomenon
D. A type of snowstorm

4. What kind of clouds are associated with microbursts?

A. Stratus clouds
B. Cumulonimbus clouds
C. Cirrus clouds
D. Cumulus clouds

5. Based on what you read in the text, what is the best way to describe the effect a microburst has on an
aircraft?
A. A microburst limits a pilot’s visibility during landings.
B. The extreme shifts in wind direction make it difficult to navigate the plane safely.
C. The force of wind in a microburst prevents a plane from taking off.
D. The extreme wind speeds knock aircraft sideways, and they crash.

6. What does the word compensate mean as it is used in the third paragraph?
A. to make equitable with financial return
B. to make amends
C. to counteract or make allowance for
D. to navigate

The Titans were the original twelve rulers in Greek mythology. They existed before the twelve deities that ruled on
Mount Olympus. According to the various myths, in the beginning, there was Chaos. From Chaos came Heaven and
Earth, and from these came the Titans.

According to the myths, the Titans had other children besides the twelve deities on Mount Olympus, but these
children would be the ones they would fight with for power over Earth. For ten years, the Titans fought their children.
Eventually, the children would lose and be banished. The Olympic gods and goddesses had the Titans banished to
Tartarus, a place below the Underworld. Here they were to remain imprisoned forever.

Although there are many myths about the Titans, and some modern-day books and movies deal with the Titans, one
of the most important myths relates to one of the Titans’ children, Prometheus. Prometheus was not one of the
twelve Olympians. The myths state that Prometheus played an important role for mankind. Prometheus liked
mankind and wanted to help them. To help make their lives easier, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and shared it
with mankind.

The Titans are portrayed as harsh rulers and often as cruel parents in the many myths about them. Yet it is through
their descendent Prometheus that mankind was able to have fire. Thus, to the ancient Greeks, the Titans were a
vital part of mankind’s history.

1. Who were the Titans?

A. the gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus
B. the children of Chaos
C. deities who were created for modern-day books and movies
D. the parents of the twelve deities who lived on Mount Olympus
 2. Which statement is a fact from the story?
A. The Titans had other children besides the twelve deities on Mount Olympus.
B. The Titans were the strongest deities of all the Greek gods and goddesses.
C. There are more myths about the Titans than any other Greek deities.
D. The Titans could never escape from the Underworld.

3. How are the Titans generally portrayed in the myths?

A. Benevolent and helpful
B. Cruel and oppressive
C. Wise and compassionate
D. Heroic and valiant
4. Why is Prometheus considered an important figure in Greek mythology?
A. He saved mankind from severe punishment from the rulers of Mount Olympus.
B. He let mankind live on Mount Olympus.
C. He was the father of all the Titans.
D. He gave fire to mankind.
5. According to the myths, how long did the battle between the Titans and their children last?
A. A decade
B. A century
C. A millennium
D. It never ended

6. What does the word vital mean as it is used in the fourth paragraph?
A. unimportant
B. frivolous
C. desperate
D. Essential

Codex: 2/63+64+65 - 3/63+64 - 4/61 - 5/58 - 6/57 - 7/56 - 8/77

Answers
1. Which sentence below is NOT TRUE? Dolphins can live on land.
2. Which one is NOT a mammal? a crow
3. What characterizes the babies of most mammals? They look similar to their parents
4. What distinguishes mammals from other groups of animals? Possessing fur or hair
5. What distinguishes aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins from other mammals? They have scales on
their bodies
6. How do sea lions differ from purely aquatic mammals like whales and dolphins? They have very short fur

7. How is the ostrich different from the other birds? It cannot fly.
8. The author wanted you to learn about . . . animals that are birds.
9. What do all birds have? feather
10. What is a unique characteristic of birds? They are distinct from other animal categories
11. How are birds different from mammals and fish? They have feathers instead of fur or scales
12. How do baby birds emerge from their eggs? They break the shells with their beaks

13. The author wanted you to learn about . . . animals that are fish.
14. How are fish scales described in the passage? Lightweight and protective
15. How do fish typically breathe underwater? Using gills to extract oxygen from water
16. What physical feature allows fish to navigate underwater? Eyesight
17. What role does a fish's mouth serve primarily? Feeding
18. What traits do fish share with birds? Egg-laying reproduction

19. What are two ways, according to this passage, animals are classified or sorted? invertebrates and
vertebrates
20. Based on the passage, which is the best definition of invertebrates? animals that have no backbones
21. Which of the animals below would fit into the category of invertebrates? Squid
22. Which of the following animals is NOT a vertebrate? Jellyfish
23. What characteristic defines vertebrates? Having a backbone
24. What is a common trait of invertebrates? Lacking a backbone
25. Which of these animals is NOT an invertebrate? Whale
26. What category do humans fall into based on the information provided? Vertebrates
27. Where do many invertebrates live according to the passage? In the ocean
28. What type of animal is NOT mentioned as an invertebrate? Dog
29. How do scientists classify animals into groups? By their characteristics

30. Which group of words mean the same as the word reproduction? make a copy of itself
31. Scientists have broken plants into three different group: spores, flowers, and seeds.
32. How do the plants that have spores reproduce? by floating in the wind from place to place
33. Which type of plant group needs help from birds or insects? plants that reproduce with flowers
34. How do seeds from the second group of plants grow into new plants? By becoming part of the soil

35. Why are earthquakes likened to waves? The force of energy released when the crust breaks is called a
wave.
36. What is the purpose of the third paragraph? to explain how earthquakes are measured
37. Where would you read to find out about the three types of earthquakes? second paragraph
38. Which scale is commonly used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes? Richter scale
39. What is the primary cause of earthquakes according to the passage? Movement of tectonic plates

40. What would be the best title for this passage? “Saturn: The Planet with Rings”
41. According to the passage, which of the following is not a fact about the planet Saturn? Saturn has a great
red spot.
42. What is one reason why humans cannot live on Saturn? Saturn is made up of mostly hydrogen and
helium
43. How did the telescope change what people thought about Saturn? Galileo discovered that Saturn had
rings.
44. What makes Saturn stand out compared to other planets in our solar system? The complexity and visibility
of its rings
45. Which spacecraft was responsible for the most detailed observations of Saturn? Cassini
46. What was Galileo's reaction upon observing Saturn through a telescope? He was confused and couldn't
comprehend what he saw.
47. Why does Saturn have a low density, allowing it to hypothetically float in water? It is less dense than water
due to its composition.

48. What would be another good title for this passage? “The Sun: The Closest Star”
49. Which of the following is a fact about the sun? The sun has quiet and active periods.
50. What was meant by the term solar flares? bursts of hot gases
51. How many Earths could fit inside the sun based on the information provided? A million
52. During active periods of the sun, what phenomena occur? Solar flares and sunspots
53. What causes the dark spots known as sunspots on the sun's surface according to scientists in the passage?
Cool spots

54. What primary structure does the author use to organize the thoughts in the text? sequential or
chronological approach
55. What is the main idea of the second paragraph? how a microburst is formed
56. What is a microburst? A fast-moving column of air beneath specific clouds
57. What kind of clouds are associated with microbursts? Cumulonimbus clouds
58. Based on what you read in the text, what is the best way to describe the effect a microburst has on an
aircraft? The extreme shifts in wind direction make it difficult to navigate the plane safely.
59. What does the word compensate mean as it is used in the third paragraph? to counteract or make
allowance for

60. Who were the Titans? the parents of the twelve deities who lived on Mount Olympus
61. Which statement is a fact from the story? The Titans had other children besides the twelve deities on
Mount Olympus.
62. How are the Titans generally portrayed in the myths? Cruel and oppressive
63. Why is Prometheus considered an important figure in Greek mythology? He gave fire to mankind.
64. According to the myths, how long did the battle between the Titans and their children last? A decade
65. What does the word vital mean as it is used in the fourth paragraph? Essential