School Improvement in Maryland

Public Release Items: Reading Grade 6

 (1) Selected Response Public Release
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


My father was not moved by my request for an allowance.

In which sentence does the word moved mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. The dark storm clouds moved quickly across the sky.
  2. Sue moved the chair closer to the fireplace to keep warm.
  3. Doug's father found a new job, and his family moved away.
  4. The sad look on my sister's face moved me to buy her a special treat.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_030.xml

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 (2) Selected Response Public Release
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


My teacher asked our group to plot a calendar for finishing the project.

In which sentence does the word plot mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. Before my trip I will use a road map to plot the shortest route.
  2. The play has an unusual plot about the search for a magic cave.
  3. We had to plot against my sister to get her to her surprise party.
  4. My aunt has a vegetable garden on a plot of land near her house.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_031.xml

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 (3) Selected Response Public Release
Read the sentence in the box. Then choose the answer in which the underlined word is used in the same way. Mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


My sister's new job as store manager begins an important stage in her business career.

In which sentence does the word stage mean the same as in the sentence above?

  1. The city will stage a concert at the theater in the park.
  2. The play will be performed on the stage in the cafeteria.
  3. A butterfly goes through more than one stage as it grows.
  4. There are plans to stage a rally for Mayor Tate at city hall.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_032.xml

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 (4) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


It was a hot day, but I felt cooler after a sudden rain doused my clothes.

Doused means —

  1. disguised
  2. drenched
  3. lightened
  4. wrinkled

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_033.xml

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 (5) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


Jacob is an ardent piano student who practices every day and plans to study music in college.

What does ardent mean?

  1. devoted
  2. famous
  3. helpful
  4. relaxed

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_034.xml

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 (6) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


My brother needs peace and quiet when he studies for a test, so he shuns other people until he is through with his work.

What does shuns mean?

  1. avoids
  2. interrupts
  3. questions
  4. watches

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_035.xml

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 (7) Selected Response Public Release
As you read each sentence, use the other words in the sentence to help you figure out what the underlined word means. Then mark the space for the answer you have chosen.


Terry had been waiting for her favorite singer's concert for months, so it was hard for her to restrain her excitement when the day of the event finally arrived.

What does restrain mean?

  1. work out
  2. look over
  3. hold back
  4. forget about

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_036.xml

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 (8) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


Which of these sentences most clearly suggests that this article is nonfiction?

  1. You stare at the dripping burger and the tantalizingly crisp, golden French fries.
  2. When yogurt sits undisturbed, it is a jellylike solid.
  3. Why can't they just make up their minds and be one or the other: solid or liquid?
  4. It depends on how badly you want that ketchup out of the bottle.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_037.xml

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 (9) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


In the last paragraph the author says that thixotropic solutions are "mysterious."

Explain whether the information in the article supports the idea that thixotropic solutions are mysterious. In your response, use information from the article that supports your explanation. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_038.xml

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 (10) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


Read this sentence from paragraph 1 of the article.

The only thing that's missing is the ketchup, so you grab the bottle and prepare to slather your entire plate.

The details in paragraph 1 suggest that slather means —

  1. clean
  2. cover
  3. pass
  4. stack

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_039.xml

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 (11) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


Read these sentences from paragraph 2 of the article.

Ketchup is a liquid, right? Not really. A solid? Nope.

Which of these words best describes the tone of these sentences?

  1. serious
  2. confused
  3. demanding
  4. conversational

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_040.xml

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 (12) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


Explain what could be added to help a reader better understand this article. In your response, use information from the article that supports your explanation. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_041.xml

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 (13) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


According to this article, which of these statements about quicksand is true?

  1. Quicksand molecules become thinner over time.
  2. Animals cannot see through quicksand molecules.
  3. Motion causes quicksand molecules to break apart.
  4. Strings of quicksand molecules are usually tightly packed.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_042.xml

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 (14) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


How is paragraph 6 organized?

  1. by main idea and supporting details
  2. by comparison and contrast
  3. by least to most important idea
  4. by time order of events

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_043.xml

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 (15) Selected Response Public Release
Read this article titled "Why Is It So Hard to Get Ketchup Out of the Bottle?" Then answer the question below.


Which other title would best help a reader understand the main idea of this article?

  1. Oil Rigs in the Mud
  2. Understanding Fast Food
  3. Protecting Bones and Joints
  4. Two Properties and One Solution

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_044.xml

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 (16) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Which of these sentences would be most important to include in a summary of this story?

  1. Alex's father worries about his employees having to pack up and move.
  2. Alex's father usually gets home from work long past dinnertime.
  3. Alex's father reads some papers at the dining room table.
  4. Alex's father has been driving a rusty, old car.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_045.xml

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 (17) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Read paragraph 16 of the story.

"Business?" My parents discussing business? That's a first. "Like what?"

Which of these words best describes the tone of Alex's thoughts?

  1. annoyed
  2. bitter
  3. concerned
  4. surprised

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_046.xml

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 (18) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Explain a lesson that Alex learns from his father. In your response, use details from the story that help to explain this lesson. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_047.xml

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 (19) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Alex's main conflict in this story is between his —

  1. friendship with Darren and his dream of playing for the Pirates
  2. desire to play for a winning team and his feelings for his friends
  3. respect for Coach Landstrom and his fear of going to a new school
  4. concern for his parents and his determination to be a better athlete

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_048.xml

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 (20) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Which other title would best help a reader understand a theme of this story?

  1. Following the Rules
  2. Moving to a New Town
  3. Making the Right Choice
  4. Moving Away From the Past

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_049.xml

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 (21) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Explain how you or someone you know is like Alex. In your response, use details from the story that support your explanation. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_050.xml

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 (22) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Read this sentence from paragraph 27 of the story.

We'd razzed him about being the only guy to lose fly balls in his own personal fog.

Details in paragraph 27 suggest that the phrase personal fog refers to the —

  1. coolness of the air
  2. brightness of the lights
  3. size of Frank's glasses
  4. steam on Frank's glasses

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_051.xml

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 (23) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Details in this story suggest that Alex and his teammates —

  1. would like to have a different coach
  2. enjoy playing together on the same team
  3. are more concerned with winning than having fun
  4. prefer practicing at night to practicing during the day

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_052.xml

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 (24) Brief Constructed Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Explain how Alex's memories affect his decision not to join the Pirates. In your response, use details from the story that support your explanation. Write your answer in the box below.

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_053.xml

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 (25) Selected Response Public Release
Read this story titled "A Team Full of Reasons." Then answer the question below.


Darren's words and actions in this story suggest that he —

  1. is probably a selfish person
  2. is unfriendly to his teammates
  3. believes that loyalty is important
  4. tries hard to be a good baseball player

/toolkit/vsc/assessment_items/msa_ela_6_054.xml

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