Reading Practice (Grades 6-8) Flashcards

Read: "Although the experiment failed, Dr. Reyes smiled. Every failure, she reminded her team, eliminated one wrong path and brought them closer to the right one." Which statement best describes Dr. Reyes's attitude?

Answer: She views setbacks as useful steps toward success.

Dr. Reyes smiles and explains that each failure brings the team closer to success, showing an optimistic attitude.

Which of the following is the best summary of this passage? "Bees communicate the location of flowers through a 'waggle dance.' The angle of the dance shows direction relative to the sun, and the length of the waggle shows distance. Other bees watch and then fly to the food source."

Answer: Bees use a waggle dance to tell other bees the direction and distance of food.

A good summary captures the main idea and key details: the dance communicates direction and distance of food.

What does the prefix "inter-" mean in the word "international"?

Answer: Between or among

"Inter-" means between or among, so "international" means between nations.

An author writes: "The abandoned factory loomed over the town, its broken windows like hollow eyes watching the empty streets." What mood does this description create?

Answer: Eerie and unsettling

Words like "abandoned," "loomed," "broken," and "hollow eyes" create an eerie mood.

Which sentence from an article about recycling is a statement of opinion rather than fact?

Answer: Everyone should feel ashamed for not recycling more.

Saying everyone "should feel ashamed" expresses a personal judgment, not a verifiable fact.

Read: "Carlos had practiced the speech a hundred times, yet when he stepped up to the podium, the words scattered like startled birds." What does the phrase "the words scattered like startled birds" suggest?

Answer: Carlos forgot what he planned to say.

The simile shows that Carlos's carefully practiced words suddenly flew away from his mind.