READING COMPREHENSION PASSAGES

ANSWERS

Step 3 - Identifying the Main Idea

Main Idea 1 Misc
1.
2.
3.
4.

This paragraph
This paragraph
This paragraph
This paragraph
each year.
5. This paragraph
automobile.
6. This paragraph
platypus.
7. This paragraph

is
is
is
is

about
about
about
about

rare and valuable pennies.

the origins of Halloween.
how reality television isn't always "real."
how much of popular candies are produced

is about how a braking system functions on an

is about strange and unique attributes of the
is about physical features of Yellowstone Park.

Main Idea 2 Valentines Day

1. This text explains how to make a Valentine's Day card.
2. This text is comparing and contrasting Valentine's Day and Sweetest
Day.
3. This text describes how the candy industry wanted money (cause)
so they created Sweetest Day (effect).
4. This text describes the evolution of the Valentine's Day card.
5. This text describes the problem of forgetting holidays and the
solution of claiming not to celebrate them.
6. This text tells the story of a young boy making a card for a girl.
Main Idea 3 Amnesia
1. This paragraph describes post-traumatic amnesia.
2. This paragraph describes the strange case of Ansel Bourne.
3. This paragraph describes how you can improve your memory through
diet.
4. This paragraph compares and contrasts real life amnesia and amnesia as
depicted on television and in movies. .
5. This paragraph describes ways in which a person with anterograde
amnesia could treat their condition.
6. This paragraph describes the parts of the brain.
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Step 6 - Using Context Clues To Understand Word

Meanings

Context Clues - 1

1. entitle: give someone rightful ownership or the authority to do something

- Readers can conclude that Patrick comes from a privileged family.
2. usurp: to wrongfully take a position of power -Readers can conclude that
Joseph's uncle does not legitimately belong on the throne.
3. candid: truthful, straightforward, open, sincere-Readers can conclude that
Alan does not sincerely agree with the new policy.
4. magnanimous: forgiving, big-hearted, noble, or generous of spirit Readers can conclude that the judge is a good-natured person.
5. acquiesce: to give way to another's will reluctantly-Readers can conclude
that Angela ended up doing what her sister wanted her to do.
6. grievance: Something which causes grief; something which is grounds for
complaint- Readers can conclude that the workers do not like working long
hours in dangerous places for low pay.
7. seize: to take something by force; to use authority to take something Readers can conclude that the police officer has taken the fireworks away
from the underage children.
8. deprive: to take something away from someone; to deny someone of
something that they expected to receive - Readers can conclude that the
principal has taken away the prom.
9. ascertain: to find out for certain - Readers can conclude that the
teacher's website will provide accurate information about the homework
assignment, if such an assignment exists.
10.
compulsory: mandatory; required by law or rule -Readers can
conclude that the principal is forcing Bruce to participate.
11.
enumerate: to go over a list of items in numerical order; to explain
a series of ideas or arguments in order-Readers can conclude that Kelly
has given Bobby many reasons why they shouldn't go.
2

12.
prohibitive: very expensive; a thing which prevents access to
someone-Readers can conclude that until now the speaker has not been
able to afford the Game Box.

Context Clues 2
1. Disposition: Somebody's temperament or habitual mood - Cattie is
calm and John is wild.

2. Amiable: Friendly; kind - Smiling, laughing good naturedly, and

dancing are usually friendly behaviour
3. Scarce:: Rarity; an inadequate amount of something - The lioness has
to go far to find food.
4. Fastidious: Excessively particular or demanding; fussy about
details.- His mother is not happy with an A
5. Conceited: Taken with oneself; having an excessively favourable
opinion of oneself - Kylie is staring at herself too much.
6. Candor: The state of being sincere, honest, or open - Annie tells
David the hard truth.
7. Ostentatious: Overly showy; gaudy; intended to attract attention The gown is big, puffy, and golden.
8. Endeavor: An attempt to complete something; to try something - His
mother is waiting to see if he will stick with it.
9. Provoke: To cause someone to become annoyed or angry; to try and
get a reaction from someone - He insults the speaker's family
10. Engross: : Completely engaged or absorbed in something - The
child didn't notice the offer of cake.
11. Deficient: Inadequate, incomplete, or lacking something - Zach
cannot catch or throw the ball.
12. Benevolence: Good nature; charity; the disposition to do good - The
nuns gave up their money to save the children.
Context Clues 3

1. torrid: really hot and dry - Readers can conclude the bearded man is very
hot.
2. partake: to take part in something; to join in - Readers can conclude that
Joshua does not want to bully the new kid.
3. vestibule: a room that separates the outside from the inside of a building
- Readers can conclude that Jon is definitely not outside yet not quite fully
inside of the building.
4. meritorious: worthy of praise and admiration - Readers can conclude
that the soldier has performed heroically.
5. ecstatic: Overwhelmed with joy; supremely happy - Readers can
conclude that The Mountain Boys' millions of fans will be really excited to
hear the news.
6. contempt: a feeling that a person or thing deserves hatred - Readers can
conclude that the teacher dislikes the speaker for committing a despicable
act.
7. askance: showing suspicion or distrust - Readers can conclude that the
clever farm boy is right not to trust the man claiming to be wallet
inspector.
8. havoc: widespread destruction and devastation - Readers can conclude
that the giant fire-breathing monster was unleashed to destroy the city.
9. terrestrial: of or related to Earth; inhabiting Earth - Readers can conclude
that these new plants and animals are out of this world!
10.

actuate: to incite or cause someone to behave in a certain way Readers can conclude that the speaker believes her daughter's feelings
for Larry are causing her to behave badly.
11.
subside: to become less intense - Readers can conclude that
Raphael will wait until he is in a more peaceful mood before returning to
the classroom.
12.
predominant: consisting of the largest part or the most in number Readers can conclude that the boys are mainly talking about football.
Step 9 - Signal Words
Below are some of the signal words that are most often used by
writers. Place each word under its proper heading below:
for example

differ

consequently
4

alike
therefore

as a result

most significant

moreover

in addition

however

most important

for instance

such as

but

just as

similarly

also

especially valuable

Emphasis
most important
most significant
especially valuable

Addition
moreover
also
in addition

Comparison
alike
just as
similarly

Contrast
but
differ
however

Illustration
for example
for instance
such as

Cause-and-Effect
therefore
as a result
consequently

Circle the main signal words in the selections that follow. The
number in parentheses tells you how many signal words to look
for in each case. Also write in the margin beside each signal
whether it shows emphasis, addition, comparison, contrast,
illustration, or cause-and-effect.
1. Many restless and dissatisfied sons and daughters of middle, uppermiddle, and upper class homes have never known poverty. Consequently,
(cause and effect) they cannot understand their parents emphasis upon
money, status, and work. Parents on the other hand (contrast), cannot
understand how some of their children can be indifferent, even hostile, to
such practical things as formal education and preparation for work. (2
signal words)
2. The greatest value (emphasis) of play technique is in the study of
personality. Children often cannot or will not explain themselves in the
first person. However (contrast), they may reveal much of their inner lives
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in play. The child who will not tell about his or her own fears and conflicts
may readily project these feelings into dolls. Feelings of rejection,
insecurity, ambivalent attitudes toward parent, repressed hatred, fears,
and aggressions may all be freely revealed in play. As a result (cause and
effect), the play technique, when properly handled, offers opportunities for
understanding the child that are otherwise difficult to create. (3 signal
words)
3. One of the most persistent (emphasis) desires of human beings has
been to indulge in mood-changing and pleasure-giving practices. For
instance (example), diverse cultures have engaged in the drinking of
alcoholic beverages of all descriptions. But, (contrast) as with most
pleasure, over indulgence can be harmful to oneself and others. Also
(addition), not everyone agrees that drinking or using other mood
modifiers should be an accepted pleasure. (4 signal words)
4. Energy is used to cause chemical changes. For example (illustration), a
chemical change occurs in the electroplating of metals when electrical
energy is passed through a salt solution in which the metal is submerged.
A chemical change also (addition) occurs when radiant energy from the
sun is utilized by plants in the process of photosynthesis. Moreover
(addition), as we say, a chemical change occurs when heat causes
mercuric oxide to decompose. Chemical changes are often used to
produce energy rather than (contrast) new substances. The heat or thrust
generated during the combustion of fuels is more important (emphasis)
than the products formed. (5 signal words)
5. Along with (addition) food production, human beings have found time
to develop the arts and sciences. Some hunter-gatherers, must have had
considerable leisure without making any notable movement toward
civilization. A difference (contrast) between the hunter-gatherers and
farmers that is important to note (emphasis) is that the former are usually
nomadic whereas (contrast) the latter are sedentary. (4 signal words)
But (contrast) even those pre-agricultural people who had fairly stationary
living sites did not develop in civilizing ways comparable to the farmers.
Agriculture probably required a far greater discipline than (contrast) did
any form of food collecting. Seeds had to be planted at certain seasons,
some protection had to be given to the growing plants and animals,
harvests had to be reaped, stored, and divided. Thus (cause and effect)
we might argue that it was neither leisure time nor a sedentary existence
that produced great changes in human culture. The cause (cause and
effect) was rather (contrast) the more rigorous demands associated with
an agricultural way of life. Humanity was changing plants and animals to
suit its needs, and living in close relation with plants and animals was
changing humans way of life. (9 signal words)
Step 10 - Critical Reading

Fact vs Opinion Dancing

Directions: Read each statement and then circle whether it is a
fact or opinion. Explain your answer.
1. The history of ballet began in Italy during the fifteenth and sixteenth
centuries.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be proven with historical documents.
2. Dancing is a safe and healthy activity.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might believe that dancing is
dangerous.
3. Hip hop dancing has been featured in movies such as Step Up and
Stomp the Yard.
Fact or Opinion Explain: One only needs to view these movies to
demonstrate these statements.
4. People have been dancing for thousands of years.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be proven with historical records.
5. Ballet dancing requires more training than hip hop dancing.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might believe that hip hop
dancing requires more training.
6. Dancing isn't a real sport.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people believe that dancing is a real
sport.
7. It takes two people to do the Tango as it was intended to be done.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be demonstrated by attempting to
perform the Tango alone.
8. In 2007 over 8,400 people were hospitalized in America for dance
related injuries.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Hospital records support this fact.
9. Jazz dancing is more respectable than hip hop dancing.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might believe that hip hop
dancing is more respectable.
7

10. The longest that anyone has played a dancing video game in one
session is 24 hours and 2 minutes.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be proven through world records.
11. Dancing is a lot more fun when you have a partner.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might have more fun dancing
alone.
12. Break dancing is a style of dance that originated in New York in the
1970s.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be proven with historical records.
13. Michael Jackson is one of the greatest dancers of all time.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might not think that he is one of
the best dancers.
14. Dancing is forbidden in some societies.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be proven by examining societies
where dancing is forbidden.
15. Kevin Bacon plays the leading role in the movie Footloose.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be proven by looking at the film
credits.
16. It is hard to dance without the right kind of music playing.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people think that it is easy to dance to
any song or no song.
17. The waltz is danced in triple time.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Musical experts unanimously agree with this
statement.
18. The tarantella is a folk dance that originated in Italy.
Fact or Opinion Explain: One could turn to historical records to
document this.
19. The waltz is a classy dance.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might not believe that it is
classy.
8

20. Tap dancing is one of the most difficult styles of dance to master.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might believe that tap dancing is
not one of the most difficult styles to master.
21 Tap dancing shoes have a piece of metal called a "tap" attached to the
heel and toe.
Fact or Opinion Explain: This can be proven by examining a tap dancing
shoe.
22. Ballroom dancing is more sophisticated than krump dancing.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might believe that krump
dancing is more sophisticated.
23. Choreography is an important part of the music industry.
Fact or Opinion Explain: Some people might believe that choreography is
not important to the music industry.
24. Line dancers generally do not make physical contact with each other.
Fact or Opinion Explain: One of the defining characteristics of line
dancing is that the dancers are expected to not make contact with each
other in the course of dancing.
25. More youngsters should settle their rivalries through competitive
dance instead of fighting.
Step 10 -

Inferencing

Directions: Read each passage and then respond to the questions. Each
question will ask you to make a logical inference based on textual details.
Explain your answer by referencing the text.
1. Why is Gina upset at the beginning of the passage?
Gina is upset because she has a pimple on her nose. - - I know this
because the more she messes with it the worse her mood gets.
2. Who is Eric?
Eric must be Gina's date. -I know this because he is here to pick her up
and she becomes really emotional when he arrives. She probably would
not react so emotionally if she were not interested in Eric.
3. What is Iggy doing in this building?

He is robbing the place. - I know this because he appears to grab a

large bag of money from a terrified woman with her hands raised.
4. Why does Iggy tip "an imaginary hat to the woman"?
This gesture is typically done to show respect. Iggy is acting
respectful or appreciative even though he is engaged in a dishonest
activity. He may be joking around or trying to act charming.
I know this because he is robbing her. She does not want to give him the
money, and he isn't really asking for it, he's demanding it. The gesture of
appreciation is ironic; therefore, he tips his hat out of mock appreciation.
5. Why does Iggy return inside of the building after having left?
Iggy returns inside of the building because the police have
arrived and he doesn't want to get arrested.
I know that the police have arrived because blue and red lights begin
flashing through the windows as Iggy tries to exit. Since police generally
have blue and red lights on their cars, this means that the police have
arrived.
6. Why is Missy in such a bad mood?
Missy is mad because they are missing a piece to a puzzle that
they have been working on for a long time. - I know this because
they only have 2,499 out of 2,500 pieces and the flame on the Statue of
Liberty is missing.
7. Why is Missy specifically mad at Kirk?
She believes that Kirk is responsible for the lost puzzle piece.- I
know this because she yells at him for having moved the puzzle pieces.
She must think that the puzzle piece was lost during this move.
8. What is Pam doing?
Pam is taking her driving test.- I know this because she is driving
around with a man whom she doesn't know and he appears to be rating
her performance.
9. Who is the man with Pam?
He appears to be the man who is scoring her driving test.- I know
this because he carries a clipboard, on which he makes notes, and he
gives Pam specific directions and she follows them.
10. What information is the man putting on his clipboard?
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He is probably taking points off of Pam's score and writing the

reasons why.I know this because Pam is driving horribly and he writes more with every
mistake that she makes.
Step 12 - Summarising
Summary Exercise 1
1. Reality TV shows are not very realistic because they are filmed in
unrealistic places, may contain restaged events, and may be scripted.
2. The platypus is a strange mammal because it has venom, uses its beak
to sense prey, and lays eggs.
3. Yellowstone Park, in Wyoming, is on a large plateau & has a bunch of
waterfalls.
4. When you step on the brakes, fluid is stored in a chamber that allows
the car to stop.
Summary Exercise 2 Colonizing America
Directions: Read each passage. Highlight or underline necessary
information. Write your summary.
1. The English were not the first Europeans to
land their ships on American soil. The Vikings
had discovered North America in the 11th
century. Columbus landed in the Bahamas in
1492 for Spain, and the French began
expeditions to the New World in 1524. But the
first English presence in North America is
important because the thirteen English
colonies that would later be established
eventually became the country now known as
the United States of America.

Other countries landed in America

before England, but England's
colonies grew into the United States
of America.

2. In April of 1585 Sir Walter Raleigh, under the

authority of Queen Elizabeth of England, sent an
expedition of seven ships carrying 600 men, half of
them soldiers, to found an English colony in North
America. The colony was to be used to establish an
English presence in the New World as well as a base

11

Sir Walter Raleigh started the first

English colony to plunder Spanish
treasure ships.

from which English privateers, or pirates, could

attack and plunder Spanish treasure fleets. Raleigh's
cousin, Sir Richard Grenville, led the expedition.

3. In July of that year the bulk of the fleet reached

a small island off the coast of Virginia that was called
Roanoke. After building a small fort on the north side
of the island, the colonists initiated relations with a
Native American tribe that lived on the island, the
Aquascogoc. These natives showed little interest in
building relations with the English colonists, and they
soon parted company. After this encounter, however,
the English noticed that one of their silver cups had
gone missing, and they attributed its disappearance
to the Aquascogoc. Grenville, the English captain, was
furious. He believed that the Aquascogoc had stolen
the silver cup. Whether or not this was true, angry
exchanges followed and soon the English burned the
Aquascogoc village. The English held their fort
against the subsequent attacks of the natives.

The English settlers at Roanoke got into

a fight with the natives over a small
property dispute. The English burned
their village and the natives attacked the
English fort.

4. Despite their success in battle, the colonists had

a miserable time because they were mainly soldiers
and adventurers, not farmers. They were hungry.
They missed the comforts of England, such as soft
feather beds and dainty foods. Also they had
expected to find gold and silver on the island, and
were disappointed when they found none. Grenville
soon tired of these conditions and set out on his ship
to plunder Spanish treasure fleets and return to
England. The colony was gradually abandoned.

Another group of English settlers

The English adventurers were

disappointed with the New World and
unfit colonists. The colony was
abandoned.

5. In 1587 Sir Walter Raleigh dispatched a

further expedition of three ships and 150
colonists, led by John White, to Roanoke. This

12

was dispatched to Roanoke. They

fought with the natives. Leader John
White left his family behind to get
help.

time the expedition included women and

children, including White's pregnant daughter,
Elenora. Shortly after they reached Roanoke,
Elenora delivered a child whom they named
Virginia. Virginia was the first English person
born in America. But the English soon ran into
more trouble with the Native Americans. A
colonist named George Howe was killed by
natives while searching for crabs alone on the
beach. The colonists were scared. They
persuaded White to sail back to England to ask
Sir Walter Raleigh for help. White left behind
114 colonists, including his daughter Elenora
and granddaughter Virginia.

John White got stuck in England. When

he returned the colonists, including his
family, had vanished.

None of the colonists were ever seen

again.

13

6. Unfortunately for White and the colonists, England

was preparing for a naval war with Spain. All shipping
from English ports was ceased. It took White three
years to get his relief expedition back to Roanoke.
When he returned in August of 1590, White found no
sign of his daughter, granddaughter, or anyone else.
They found three letters, "CRO," carved on a tree and
the full word, "CROATOAN," on a nearby post.
Possibly this referred to the Croatoan Island, which
was nearby. White searched long and anxiously, but
failed to find them.

7. No further trace of the lost colony has ever been

found. Sir Walter Raleigh himself searched for the
colonists in 1595, and he sent another search-party
in 1602, but nothing came of either attempt. To this
day no one knows for certain what happened to the
colonists.

All Concepts
GUTENBERG 840 words speed reading approx 3 mins
Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer.
Refer to the text if necessary. Write your answer on the provided space.
1. Which best describes the structure of the text in paragraph 2?
a) Compare and contrast

b) Problem and solution

c) Chronological order
d) Spatial order
2. Which of the following expresses the correct order of events?
a) Gutenberg was born in Mainz, invested in mirrors, and then became a
goldsmith.
b) Gutenberg created the printing press, printed the bible, and then
invented the metal mirror.
c) Gutenberg went to college, revealed his press, and then invested in
shiny mirrors.
d) Gutenberg studied goldsmithing, invented the printing press, and then
lost his shop.

3. Which best explains why Gutenberg's plan to sell mirrors

failed?
14

a) The mirrors were less popular than he had expected.

b) Flooding delayed the event for an entire year.

c) The investors demanded their money early.
d) Newly invented glass mirrors rendered his metal mirrors obsolete.

4. Which of the following did Gutenberg invent?

a) Reflective mirrors b) The printing press with movable type
c) Written language

d) Scientific inquiry

5. Which is not listed in the text as a movement to which

Gutenberg's idea contributed?
a) The Great Schism b) The Scientific Revolution

c) The Renaissance d) The Age of Enlightenment

6. Which of the following is best supported by evidence from the

text?

a) Gutenberg's idea was a tremendous success that made him incredibly

wealthy.
b) Gutenberg's idea didn't catch on in his lifetime, but grew very popular
after his death.
c) Gutenberg's idea did not make him rich but spread very quickly.
d) Gutenberg's idea did not catch on right away but made him incredibly
rich over time.
A

15

7. Which best explains why most people were illiterate during

Gutenberg's time?
a) Books were rare and very expensive.
b) The public school system had not yet been created.
c) Writing had not yet been invented.
d) Emperor Charlemagne made reading and writing illegal for common
people.
D
8. Which best expresses the author's purpose in writing this
text?
a) To describe what life was like during the Middle Ages
b) To persuade people to read and write more
c) To chart the spread of printing technologies across Europe
d) To provide biographical information about Johannes Gutenberg

9. Which best explains why so few of Gutenberg's bibles were

sold to private individuals?
a) Gutenberg wanted to use his talents to help churches and universities.
b) Gutenberg's Bible was pretty expensive and most people couldn't
read.
c) Most Europeans were not religious and did not care about the bible.
d) Gutenberg's investors forbade him from selling the bibles to private
individuals.

10. Which of the following titles best expresses the main idea of
this text?
a) Investing Wisely: Turning Your Good Ideas into Money
b) How to Make Books Using the Gutenberg Method
c) The City of Mainz: Life in Medieval Germany
d) Gutenberg: A Man Who Changed the World

16

......................................................................................................................
..............................
GOOGLE 590 words 2 mins. Average adult
reading limit
1. Which event happened last?
a. Lycos released their search engine.
search engine.
c. Google released their search engine.
copy machine.

b. Yahoo! released their

d. Xerox released their

C
2. Which statement would the author of this text most likely
disagree with?
a. Part of Google's success is due to the design of their homepage.
B
b. Google succeeded by following examples of others in their field.
c. Google wasn't the first search engine, but it was the best.
d. Google's success may not have been possible without Larry Page.

3. Which best expresses the main idea of the third paragraph?

a. There are lots and lots of websites connected to the internet.
D
b. Google created a better way to organize search results.
c. Many smart people have worked on search engines over the years.
d. Older search engines used unreliable methods to order results.

4. What is the author's main purpose in writing this article?

a. To explain how Google overtook its rivals
A
17

b. To compare and contrast Google and Xerox

c. To persuade readers to use Google for internet searches
d. To discuss how companies can influence language over time

5. Which statement would the author most likely agree with?

a. Google became successful because its founders were well-connected.
C
b. Google was the world's first and best search engine.
c. Google changed the world by solving an old problem in a new way.
d. Google's other products are now more important to its success than
search.

6. Which best expresses the main idea of the fourth paragraph?

a. Links allow people to surf from one website to the next.
B
b. Larry Page's ideas about links helped Google get to the top.
c. Larry Page contributed to the internet by inventing the link.
d. Google is a website that serves important links to users.

7. Which best explains why the author discusses Xerox in this

text?
a. He is discussing big companies that came before Google.
C
b. He is explaining how companies must change with the times.
c. He is showing how companies can affect our language.
d. He is comparing and contrasting Google and Xerox.
18

8. How did Google improve search quality in 1998?

a. They counted how many times queries appeared on each page.
D
b. They looked more closely at the words in search queries.
c. They linked to more pages.
d. They studied the relationships of links.

9. Which was cited as a reason why Google became so popular?

a. Google's homepage was clean.
A
b. Google provided catchy news stories on their homepage.
c. Google homepage loaded quickly.
d. Google provided useful stock quotes on their homepage.

10. Which title best expresses the author's main purpose in

writing this text?
a. Xerox Vs. Google: Battle of the Titans
C
b. Search Engines: How They Work and Why They're Important
c. A Better Way: How Google Rose to the Top
d. Search Engines: A Short History of Important Tools

Long Answers
1. What can readers learn about Google's approach to doing
business based on reading this article? Use information from the
text to support your response.
2. Explain how Google was able to overcome its competitors. Cite
information from the text to support your response.
19

3. What do Google and Xerox have in common? Support your

answer with information from the text.
...................................................................................................
........................................
KOKO 601 words 2 mins reading
speed
1. Which best expresses the main idea of this article?
a. Bees, whales, and apes like Koko all use language to communicate.
B
b. Koko uses sign language but some think it's just a trick.
c. It is natural for gorillas and house cats to live together.
d. If you want a lot of "likes" on Facebook, get a talking gorilla.

2. Which best describes how the second paragraph is organized?

A
a. Chronological order
b. Cause and effect
c. Compare and contrast
d. Problem and solution
3. Which best expresses the author's purpose in writing the
second paragraph?
a. The author is describing the environment in which Koko lives.
D
b. The author is informing readers how Dr. Patterson developed her skills.
c. The author is persuading readers that Koko should be freed.
d. The author is telling readers about Koko and Dr. Patterson's
background.

20

4. Which happened last?

a. Koko got a stuffed cat for Christmas.
B
b. Koko lost All Ball.
c. Koko began living with the Gorilla Foundation.
d. Dr. Patterson began teaching Koko to sign.

5. Which statement would the author most likely agree with?

a. Koko has mastered sign language without a doubt.
D
b. Everybody likes how Dr. Patterson has raised Koko.
c. Koko doesn't really know sign language.
d. Some people are troubled by how Koko was raised.

6. Which best defines the word duplicated as it is used in the

sixth paragraph?
a. To dispute a fact or disagree with someone
C
b. To lie to someone or to fool them
c. To copy or recreate something
d. To be disproven through debate

7. Which event happened first?

a. Koko moved onto the Stanford University campus.
A
b. Koko picked All Ball out for her birthday.
c. Koko began living with the Gorilla Foundation.

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d. Koko got a stuffed cat for Christmas.

8. Which best describes the main idea of the sixth paragraph?

a. Dr. Patterson has treated Koko very cruelly.
C
b. Dr. Patterson and Koko have a beautiful, pure, and unconflicted
relationship.
c. Some people think that Koko should not have been treated like a
human.
d. Some people are working very hard to prove that Dr. Patterson is
wrong.

9. Which statement would the author most likely disagree with?

a. Dr. Patterson has worked hard to teach Koko sign language.
D
b. Some people think that Koko only signs to get food.
c. The Gorilla Foundation would like to move Koko to an ape preserve.
d. Dr. Patterson has no regrets about working with Koko.

10. If a book were being written about Koko and All Ball, which
title would best summarize their story?
a. Long Wanted, Short Lived: A Tale of Strong Loves Lost
A
b. Happy Ending: The Gorilla Who Got What She Wanted
c. A Tale of Two Kitties: A Stuffed Cat Versus a Real One
d. Plushy Love: How A Gorilla Fell in Love with a Stuffed Cat
Long Answers- Inferencing

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1. Does Koko really understand sign language? Support your

position with quotes from the text. Explain your quotes clearly.
Argue your point thoroughly.
2. What lesson can readers learn from this text? Use evidence
from the text to support your position. Explain what your
evidence shows.
3. Make an inference. Describe how Dr. Patterson feels about her
relationship with Koko. Use evidence from the text to support
your response. Explain your evidence clearly.

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