Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. How does a forager bee show the direction of a flower patch?

The angle of her waggle dance, relative to the sun

The scent of pollen carried on her body

Signals sent by a leader bee in the hive

The length of her waggle, which shows how far away the flowers are

Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. What do farmers rent each spring?

hives, so that crops are pollinated

tools for treating parasitic mites

meadows planted with wildflowers

bees that will make honey to sell

Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. Which sentence best states the central idea of paragraph 2?

Bees are essential to crops because they carry pollen between flowers.

Bees live in colonies with many different workers, each with a job to do.

Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring.

Bees land on blossoms to collect sugary nectar.

Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. Which detail supports the idea that bees communicate?

Farmers rent hives for their crops each spring.

Beekeepers are testing treatments for mites.

Some pesticides disturb the bees' navigation.

Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. Which sentence best states the third central idea?

Honeybee colonies face growing threats, and people are working to protect them.

Beekeepers should stop using pesticides on farms.

Mites are small parasites that live on bees.

Pesticides are the main reason that bees are disappearing from farm fields.

Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. How does the author develop the idea that bees matter beyond the hive?

By explaining how pollen moves between flowers and naming crops that depend on it

By describing the waggle dance in great detail and how it shows the distance

By listing the dangers that colonies face

By comparing honeybees with other insects

Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. How is the text organized?

Each paragraph develops a separate central idea about honeybees.

It repeats one claim again with the same evidence.

It compares honeybees with bumblebees throughout.

It tells events in time order from spring through the winter months.

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The Honeybee Colony

A honeybee colony can hold fifty thousand insects, yet it runs without a leader giving orders. Instead, the colony depends on communication. When a forager finds a rich patch of flowers, she returns to the hive and performs a waggle dance. The angle of the dance shows the direction of the flowers relative to the sun, and the length of the waggle shows the distance.

1. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. How does a forager bee show the direction of a flower patch?
1. A. The scent of pollen carried on her body
2. B. Signals sent by a leader bee in the hive
3. C. The length of her waggle, which shows how far away the flowers are
4. D. The angle of her waggle dance, relative to the sun ← Answer
2. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. About how many insects can one honeybee colony hold?
1. A. five thousand
2. B. five hundred thousand
3. C. fifty thousand ← Answer
4. D. five hundred
3. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. What do farmers rent each spring?
1. A. tools for treating parasitic mites
2. B. meadows planted with wildflowers
3. C. bees that will make honey to sell
4. D. hives, so that crops are pollinated ← Answer
4. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. What do parasitic mites do to adult bees?
1. A. They carry their pollen away.
2. B. They weaken them. ← Answer
3. C. They disturb their navigation.
4. D. They remove their food supply.
5. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. Which sentence best states the central idea of paragraph 2?
1. A. Bees live in colonies with many different workers, each with a job to do.
2. B. Bees are essential to crops because they carry pollen between flowers. ← Answer
3. C. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring.
4. D. Bees land on blossoms to collect sugary nectar.
6. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. Which detail supports the idea that bees communicate?
1. A. Farmers rent hives for their crops each spring.
2. B. Beekeepers are testing treatments for mites.
3. C. The length of the waggle shows the distance. ← Answer
4. D. Some pesticides disturb the bees' navigation.
7. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. Which sentence best states the third central idea?
1. A. Beekeepers should stop using pesticides on farms.
2. B. Mites are small parasites that live on bees.
3. C. Honeybee colonies face growing threats, and people are working to protect them. ← Answer
4. D. Pesticides are the main reason that bees are disappearing from farm fields.
8. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. How does the author develop the idea that bees matter beyond the hive?
1. A. By describing the waggle dance in great detail and how it shows the distance
2. B. By listing the dangers that colonies face
3. C. By explaining how pollen moves between flowers and naming crops that depend on it ← Answer
4. D. By comparing honeybees with other insects
9. Bees also matter far beyond the hive. As foragers move from blossom to blossom, pollen sticks to their bodies and is carried to other flowers, allowing plants to produce seeds and fruit. Farmers in many countries rent hives each spring so that crops such as almonds, apples and blueberries are pollinated. Unfortunately, colonies face growing threats. Parasitic mites weaken adult bees, some pesticides disturb their navigation, and the loss of wildflower meadows leaves them with less food. Beekeepers and scientists are testing treatments for mites and encouraging farmers to leave strips of wildflowers along their fields. How is the text organized?
1. A. It repeats one claim again with the same evidence.
2. B. It compares honeybees with bumblebees throughout.
3. C. It tells events in time order from spring through the winter months.
4. D. Each paragraph develops a separate central idea about honeybees. ← Answer

Lights Along the Coast

For centuries, lighthouses stood on rocky coasts to warn sailors of danger. The earliest were simple fires on hilltops, but by the 1700s, towers carried oil lamps and mirrors that could be seen many miles out to sea. A ship's crew that spotted a particular flashing pattern knew exactly which stretch of coast it was approaching.

10. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. What was the earliest form of lighthouse?
1. A. An oil lamp with mirrors
2. B. A tower with a glass lens
3. C. A simple fire on a hilltop ← Answer
4. D. A floating beacon
11. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. What did the lens designed in the 1820s do to light?
1. A. It reflected the light back to the tower.
2. B. It split the light into flashing patterns.
3. C. It made the lamp burn without oil.
4. D. It bent scattered light into one powerful beam. ← Answer
12. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. How far could light from the improved lens be seen?
1. A. fifty miles
2. B. two miles
3. C. ten miles
4. D. twenty miles ← Answer
13. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. What did keepers record in their daily logs?
1. A. the weather ← Answer
2. B. repairs to the tower
3. C. the names of passing ships
4. D. the price of oil
14. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. Which sentence best states the central idea of paragraph 2?
1. A. A new lens made lighthouse beams stronger and visible from farther away. ← Answer
2. B. A French physicist worked with glass prisms to make a better and brighter lens.
3. C. Oil lamps burned only a few ounces of oil.
4. D. Light scatters in every direction from a flame.
15. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. How does a flashing pattern help a ship's crew?
1. A. It signals that a keeper needs help from other passing ships.
2. B. It tells them what the weather will be ahead.
3. C. It tells them which stretch of coast they are approaching. ← Answer
4. D. It tells them how deep the water is nearby.
16. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. Which detail supports the idea that lighthouses shaped coastal life?
1. A. Satellite navigation replaced most lighthouses for ships at sea.
2. B. Rings of glass prisms gathered the light.
3. C. Mirrors could be seen many miles out to sea.
4. D. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations. ← Answer
17. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. Why does the author mention that the keepers' logs became valuable?
1. A. To compare the logs with satellite records
2. B. To show an effect of keepers' work beyond guiding ships ← Answer
3. C. To prove keepers were better scientists than the sailors they warned
4. D. To explain why lighthouses were automated
18. A major improvement came in the 1820s, when a French physicist designed a lens built from rings of glass prisms. This lens gathered light that once scattered in every direction and bent it into one powerful beam. A lamp that burned a few ounces of oil could now be seen from twenty miles away. Lighthouses also shaped coastal life. Keepers and their families lived at remote stations, trimming wicks, polishing lenses and recording the weather. Their daily logs became valuable records for later scientists. Today, satellite navigation has made most lighthouses unnecessary for ships, and nearly all are automated, but many have been preserved as museums. What does 'automated' suggest about most lighthouses today?
1. A. They are run by volunteers from nearby towns.
2. B. They burn only oil in the old lamps.
3. C. They have been closed for good and abandoned.
4. D. They run by machine instead of with keepers. ← Answer

The Public Library

The first public libraries in the United States were not free. In the 1700s, groups of neighbors paid dues to share a collection of books, since few families could afford many of their own. By the 1850s, some cities began using tax money to open libraries that anyone could enter without paying, based on the belief that a democracy needs informed citizens.

19. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. How did the first libraries in the United States get their books?
1. A. Cities paid for the books with tax money from every family.
2. B. Authors gave away copies of their work.
3. C. Churches gave their books to the town.
4. D. Neighbors paid dues to share a collection. ← Answer
20. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. By when did some cities begin opening libraries paid for with tax money?
1. A. the early 1900s
2. B. the 1850s ← Answer
3. C. the 1990s
4. D. the 1700s
21. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. What kind of evening classes did many libraries offer?
1. A. classes in English ← Answer
2. B. classes in music
3. C. classes in cooking
4. D. classes in art
22. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. Besides print books, what do most libraries lend today?
1. A. e-books and audiobooks ← Answer
2. B. evening classes
3. C. newspapers from other cities
4. D. meeting halls
23. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. Which sentence best states the central idea of paragraph 1?
1. A. Few families could afford to buy many books.
2. B. Neighbors in a town shared books with one another.
3. C. Library access changed from a paid arrangement to a free public service. ← Answer
4. D. Democracies depend on the votes of their citizens in each election.
24. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. Why did some cities decide to fund libraries with taxes?
1. A. Newspapers asked the cities to build them.
2. B. Wealthy families in each town demanded free libraries for all.
3. C. Dues were too low to pay for new books.
4. D. They believed a democracy needs informed citizens. ← Answer
25. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. Which detail best supports the idea that libraries became community centers?
1. A. Meeting halls for local clubs ← Answer
2. B. Dues paid by neighbors
3. C. E-books and audiobooks
4. D. Tax money to open libraries
26. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. What is the purpose of the final paragraph?
1. A. To show that libraries change formats but keep the same purpose ← Answer
2. B. To list every service that libraries offer
3. C. To compare libraries in different countries
4. D. To argue that printed books will soon disappear from public libraries
27. Libraries soon became more than book collections. Many offered evening classes in English, reading rooms with newspapers from other cities, and meeting halls for local clubs. For a newcomer to a town, the library was often the first place to find a job notice or ask for help filling out a form. Today, libraries continue to adapt. Most lend e-books and audiobooks, and many provide computers, internet access and quiet workspaces. Although the formats keep changing, the central purpose has stayed the same: to give everyone, not only those who can pay, a way to learn. Which central idea does the sentence 'Most lend e-books and audiobooks' support?
1. A. Libraries are funded by taxes.
2. B. Libraries are crowded with computers.
3. C. Libraries adapt to new technology. ← Answer
4. D. Libraries began as paid clubs among neighbors.

The Story of Salt

Long before refrigerators, salt was the main way to keep food from spoiling. Packing meat or fish in salt draws out moisture, and without moisture, the bacteria that cause rot cannot grow. A sailor on a long voyage or a family facing winter depended on salted food to survive.

28. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. Why does salt keep food from spoiling?
1. A. It cooks the food slowly as it sits.
2. B. It freezes the food solid.
3. C. It adds a strong flavor that bacteria dislike and avoid.
4. D. It draws out moisture, so bacteria cannot grow. ← Answer
29. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. What did caravans carry across the Sahara to trade for gold?
1. A. dried fish
2. B. salt ← Answer
3. C. cloth
4. D. spices
30. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. What health problem do doctors link to high salt intake?
1. A. weak bones
2. B. high blood pressure ← Answer
3. C. low blood sugar
4. D. poor eyesight
31. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. What word may come from Roman soldiers being paid partly in salt?
1. A. caravan
2. B. marsh
3. C. salary ← Answer
4. D. soldier
32. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. Which sentence best states the central idea of paragraph 2?
1. A. Caravans crossed the Sahara carrying salt and gold.
2. B. Salt was found in marshes as well as mines.
3. C. Soldiers in ancient Rome were sometimes paid partly in salt rather than coins.
4. D. Salt's value made it important to trade, wealth and government. ← Answer
33. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. Which detail best supports the idea that people needed salt to survive?
1. A. Some governments taxed salt as a source of money.
2. B. Cities that controlled salt mines grew rich.
3. C. A sailor or a family facing winter depended on salted food. ← Answer
4. D. Health agencies encourage people to read the labels on food.
34. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. How does the author develop the idea that salt shaped power?
1. A. With examples of trade, rich cities, taxes and payment ← Answer
2. B. With directions for packing meat and fish in salt at home
3. C. With a comparison between salt and refrigerators
4. D. With medical studies about the effects of salt
35. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. What does 'now requires careful limits' mean in the last sentence?
1. A. Governments now limit how much salt is sold.
2. B. The body no longer needs any salt to function properly after childhood.
3. C. People today should be careful not to eat too much salt. ← Answer
4. D. Salt can no longer be traded for gold.
36. Because it was so valuable, salt also shaped trade and power. Caravans carried salt across the Sahara to be exchanged for gold, and cities that controlled salt mines or marshes grew rich. Some governments taxed salt, and in ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid partly in salt, which some historians believe is one origin of the word salary. The human body needs a small amount of salt to function, but modern diets often contain too much of it. Doctors link high salt intake to high blood pressure, and health agencies now encourage people to read food labels. The substance that once protected people from hunger now requires careful limits. Why does the author begin with 'Long before refrigerators'?
1. A. To show that salt did an important job before modern technology ← Answer
2. B. To explain how salt is mined from the ground and sold in towns and cities
3. C. To argue that refrigerators are unhealthy
4. D. To begin a short history of refrigerators

How Volcanic Islands Form

Volcanic islands begin on the sea floor. When magma rises through a crack in the crust, it erupts as lava, cools in the water and builds a cone that grows layer by layer. After thousands of eruptions, the cone may finally rise above the surface. The Hawaiian Islands formed this way, and new land is still being added on the largest island today.

37. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. Where do volcanic islands begin?
1. A. on the edge of a continent
2. B. inside a coral reef
3. C. at the mouth of a river
4. D. on the sea floor ← Answer
38. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. What does volcanic rock become as it slowly breaks down?
1. A. mineral-filled soil ← Answer
2. B. smooth black glass
3. C. salty sand
4. D. a layer of hot ash
39. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. How do seeds reach a new island, according to the text?
1. A. Birds drop them from other lands. ← Answer
2. B. Earthquakes shake them loose.
3. C. Scientists plant them.
4. D. Lava carries them up from the sea floor.
40. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. What do scientists place on volcano slopes?
1. A. signs that warn hikers
2. B. instruments that measure gas and ground movement ← Answer
3. C. walls built around the crater to stop lava from reaching towns
4. D. pumps that cool the lava
41. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. Which sentence best states the central idea of paragraph 1?
1. A. Volcanic islands are built from many eruptions on the sea floor. ← Answer
2. B. Hawaii has one very large island and several smaller ones nearby.
3. C. Lava cools quickly when it meets the water.
4. D. Magma can be found under the crust of the Earth.
42. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. Which detail supports the idea that islands become rich in life?
1. A. Ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood. ← Answer
2. B. Eruptions can bury whole villages in ash.
3. C. The cone grows layer by layer on the sea floor.
4. D. Earthquakes often come before an eruption.
43. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. Why do scientists measure gas and ground movement?
1. A. To count the species living on the island each year
2. B. To help new cones grow back faster
3. C. To give communities time to prepare for eruptions ← Answer
4. D. To find the richest soil for farming
44. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. What does the word 'however' signal in paragraph 3?
1. A. It repeats the earlier point about soil.
2. B. It signals a contrast with the benefits just described. ← Answer
3. C. It adds a new example of fertile land near the volcano's slopes.
4. D. It points to a cause of the earthquakes.
45. Once an island cools, it can become unusually rich in life. Volcanic rock slowly breaks down into mineral-filled soil, which is ideal for farming. Birds drop seeds from other lands, and ocean currents carry coconuts and driftwood, so plants gradually take hold. Some islands develop species found nowhere else on Earth. Living near a volcano, however, carries risk. Eruptions can bury villages in ash, and earthquakes often come before them. Today, scientists place instruments on volcano slopes to measure gas and ground movement, giving nearby communities time to prepare. How does the author develop the idea that islands become rich in life?
1. A. By listing the risks to nearby villages
2. B. By explaining how soil forms and how seeds and plants arrive ← Answer
3. C. By describing a series of eruptions in the exact order that they occur
4. D. By comparing islands with the continents

The Printing Press

Before the 1450s, every book in Europe was copied by hand, a process that could take a scribe many months. A single volume could cost a skilled worker many months of pay, so only churches, universities and wealthy families owned them. When Johannes Gutenberg introduced a press with movable metal type, a workshop could produce hundreds of identical pages in the time a scribe copied one.

46. Books became cheaper, and literacy spread. Merchants kept written records, farmers bought almanacs, and ordinary readers gained access to ideas once limited to scholars. By 1500, presses in more than two hundred European cities had printed millions of books. Printing also helped standardize languages. Printers chose one spelling and one style of grammar for each book, and readers across a region began to follow the same rules. Dialects once spoken differently from town to town slowly shifted toward a shared written form. How was each book made in Europe before the 1450s?
1. A. It was printed on metal plates.
2. B. It was copied by hand. ← Answer
3. C. It was made in a workshop with a press.
4. D. It was written by students in class.
47. Books became cheaper, and literacy spread. Merchants kept written records, farmers bought almanacs, and ordinary readers gained access to ideas once limited to scholars. By 1500, presses in more than two hundred European cities had printed millions of books. Printing also helped standardize languages. Printers chose one spelling and one style of grammar for each book, and readers across a region began to follow the same rules. Dialects once spoken differently from town to town slowly shifted toward a shared written form. What did Gutenberg's press use to print pages?
1. A. carved wooden blocks
2. B. one large metal plate
3. C. movable metal type ← Answer
4. D. hand-lettered pages
48. Books became cheaper, and literacy spread. Merchants kept written records, farmers bought almanacs, and ordinary readers gained access to ideas once limited to scholars. By 1500, presses in more than two hundred European cities had printed millions of books. Printing also helped standardize languages. Printers chose one spelling and one style of grammar for each book, and readers across a region began to follow the same rules. Dialects once spoken differently from town to town slowly shifted toward a shared written form. About how many European cities had presses by 1500?
1. A. fewer than fifty
2. B. more than two thousand
3. C. more than two hundred ← Answer
4. D. about ten
49. Books became cheaper, and literacy spread. Merchants kept written records, farmers bought almanacs, and ordinary readers gained access to ideas once limited to scholars. By 1500, presses in more than two hundred European cities had printed millions of books. Printing also helped standardize languages. Printers chose one spelling and one style of grammar for each book, and readers across a region began to follow the same rules. Dialects once spoken differently from town to town slowly shifted toward a shared written form. Who owned books before the printing press?
1. A. most farmers and merchants
2. B. sailors and traveling merchants who carried books between ports
3. C. churches, universities and wealthy families ← Answer
4. D. nearly every family in a town
50. Books became cheaper, and literacy spread. Merchants kept written records, farmers bought almanacs, and ordinary readers gained access to ideas once limited to scholars. By 1500, presses in more than two hundred European cities had printed millions of books. Printing also helped standardize languages. Printers chose one spelling and one style of grammar for each book, and readers across a region began to follow the same rules. Dialects once spoken differently from town to town slowly shifted toward a shared written form. Which sentence best states the central idea of paragraph 2?
1. A. Farmers bought almanacs to plan the planting for their fields.
2. B. Merchants kept written records of their sales.
3. C. Cheaper books helped literacy and access to ideas spread. ← Answer
4. D. Millions of books had been printed by 1500.

UpOnly Learning · uponlylearning.com · free to print and photocopy for your own studentsReading — Grade 7

UpOnly Learning · uponlylearning.com · Reading Grade 7

From the workbook

A real page of Reading · Grade 7

Two Big Ideas, One Text

The student will determine two or more central ideas in an informational text, analyze how each develops, and write an objective summary. · 40 min

Warm-up — say this

“Some texts carry more than one big idea. Our job is to find each one and follow how it grows.”

Worked example

Identify two central ideas in the passage.

Answer: 1. Affordable bicycles gave ordinary people new freedom of movement, changing where they lived and worked. 2. The bicycle challenged social customs, especially expectations for women.

A mistake students make

A text has only one central idea.

How the book fixes it

Longer texts often develop several. Have the student check whether each paragraph supports the same point; if not, there may be a second central idea.

Note to the parent

When your student summarizes something, ask, 'Was there just one big idea, or more?' It pushes them past single-idea summaries.

That is one topic of many. The free questions above check a skill; this is the part that teaches it.

Practice checks. Our reading workbooks teach.

These questions check a skill. The workbook teaches it.

TeachesA 40-minute lesson per topic that tells you what to say.
ExplainsWorked examples and the common mistakes, with fixes.
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PlansEvery topic in teaching order, matched to the standards.

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