Get Ready! F O R S TA N DA R D I Z E D T E S T S R E A D I N G, G R A D E F O U R Other Books in the Get Ready! Series: Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Joseph Harris, Ph.D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Joseph Harris, Ph D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Karen Mersky, Ph.D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Joseph Harris, Ph.D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Leslie E Talbott, Ph.D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Shirley Vickery, Ph.D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Math, Grade by Sandy McConnell Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Math, Grade by Kristin Swanson Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Math, Grade by Susan Osborne Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Math, Grade by June Heller Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Reading, Grade by Molly Maack Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Reading, Grade by Louise Ulrich Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Reading, Grade by Joanne Baker TEST PREPARATION SERIES Get Ready! F O R S TA N DA R D I Z E D T E S T S R E A D I N G, G R A D E F O U R Kris Callahan Carol Turkington Series Editor McGraw-Hill New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto Copyright © 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher 0-07-141534-3 The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: 0-07-137408-6 All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners Rather than put a trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion only, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark Where such designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps McGraw-Hill eBooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs For more information, please contact George Hoare, Special Sales, at george_hoare@mcgrawhill.com or (212) 904-4069 TERMS OF USE This is a copyrighted work and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc (“McGraw-Hill”) and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work Use of this work is subject to these terms Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the work, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce, modify, create derivative works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the work or any part of it without McGraw-Hill’s prior consent You may use the work for your own noncommercial and personal use; any other use of the work is strictly prohibited Your right to use the work may be terminated if you fail to comply with these terms THE WORK IS PROVIDED “AS IS” McGRAW-HILL AND ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF OR RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM USING THE WORK, INCLUDING ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE WORK VIA HYPERLINK OR OTHERWISE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE McGraw-Hill and its licensors not warrant or guarantee that the functions contained in the work will meet your requirements or that its operation will be uninterrupted or error free Neither McGraw-Hill nor its licensors shall be liable to you or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error or omission, regardless of cause, in the work or for any damages resulting therefrom McGraw-Hill has no responsibility for the content of any information accessed through the work Under no circumstances shall McGraw-Hill and/or its licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential or similar damages that result from the use of or inability to use the work, even if any of them has been advised of the possibility of such damages This limitation of liability shall apply to any claim or cause whatsoever whether such claim or cause arises in contract, tort or otherwise DOI: 10.1036/0071415343 A special thank you to family and friends who believed in me and encouraged me through this project To my kids, past, present, and future: Remember that Captain Callahan knows you can it! Kris Callahan This page intentionally left blank For more information about this title, click here READING, GRADE FOUR Contents Skills Checklist xi Introduction Types of Standaridzed Tests The Major Standardized Tests How States Use Standardized Tests Valid Uses of Standardized Test Scores Inappropriate Use of Standardized Test Scores Two Basic Assumptions A Word about Coaching How to Raise Test Scores Test Questions 2 3 4 Chapter Test-Taking Basics What This Book Can Do How to Use This Book Basic Test-Taking Strategies What You and Your Child Can Do Practice Skill: Following Directions 7 9 Chapter Vocabulary 13 13 14 14 Chapter Word Meanings in Context 17 17 17 17 19 19 19 20 20 Chapter Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homophones 23 Synonyms and Antonyms What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Synonyms Practice Skill: Antonyms Homophones What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do Practice Skill: Homophones 13 What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Vocabulary Words in Context What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Word Meanings in Context Multiple Meanings What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Multiple Meanings of Words Chapter Spelling Root Words What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Root Words Prefixes and Suffixes 17 17 vii Copyright 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Click Here for Terms of Use 23 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 26 29 29 29 29 30 30 31 READING, GRADE FOUR: GET READY! What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do Practice Skill: Prefixes and Suffixes Singular and Plural What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Singular and Plural Compound Words What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Compound Words Contractions What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do Practice Skill: Contractions Chapter Grammar Parts of Speech What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Nouns Practice Skill: Verbs Practice Skill: Pronouns Practice Skill: Adjectives Punctuation What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Punctuation Chapter Breaking It Down Main Idea What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Sequence What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Sequence Characters and Settings What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Characters and Settings 32 32 33 34 34 35 35 35 36 36 37 37 37 38 38 38 38 Chapter Reading Comprehension Reading Critically What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do Cause and Effect What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Cause and Effect Compare and Contrast What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Compare and Contrast Predicting Outcomes What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Predicting Outcomes Drawing Conclusions What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Drawing Conclusions 41 41 41 41 42 42 43 43 44 44 44 44 44 45 47 Chapter Literary Genres 47 47 47 48 48 48 48 49 49 51 Facts versus Opinions What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Facts versus Opinions Character Analysis What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask viii 51 51 51 51 53 53 53 53 54 54 54 54 54 55 55 55 55 56 56 56 57 57 58 58 58 59 59 61 61 61 61 62 62 63 63 64 64 CONTENTS Practice Skill: Character Analysis Reality versus Fantasy What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Reality versus Fantasy Biography What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Biography Poetry What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Poetry Chapter 10 Study Skills Alphabetical Order What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Alphabetical Order Dictionaries What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Dictionaries Parts of a Book What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Parts of a Book Reference Books What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Reference Books Charts and Graphs What Fourth Graders Should Know What You and Your Child Can Do What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Charts and Graphs 64 65 65 65 65 65 66 66 66 66 67 67 67 68 68 68 71 71 71 71 72 72 73 73 73 73 73 75 75 75 75 75 77 77 77 77 77 78 78 78 78 79 Appendix A: Web Sites and Resources for More Information 81 Appendix B: Read More about It 85 Appendix C: What Your Child’s Test Scores Mean 87 Appendix D: Which States Require Which Tests 95 Appendix E: Testing Accommodations 105 Glossary 107 Answer Keys for Practice Skills 109 ix Sample Practice Test 111 Answer Key for Sample Practice Test 126 READING, GRADE FOUR: GET READY! 22 23 will not A willn’t B won’t C will’nt D wont 118 Rachel and Natalie went to the house to play for the day A Millers B Miller’s C Millers’ D Milleres they are 26 The British colonists had to use the ships to sail to the New World A they’re B there A king’s C their B kings D theyre’ C kings’ D kinges Directions: Read each sentence Choose the correct possessive form to fill in the blank 24 25 The _ hat blew off during the night A snowmen’s B snowmans’ C snowman’s D snowmans SAMPLE PRACTICE TEST READING COMPREHENSION Directions: Read each question Then choose the statement that best answers the question 27 28 Which of the following statements is a fact? A Poinsettias are the most beautiful flower B The school bought one dozen poinsettias for the holiday play C The poinsettias looked sad after the holiday passed D White poinsettias are the prettiest ones to have on holidays Felicia sat on the sofa with a cup of hot chocolate She enjoys this kind of a day She has watched the white flakes drifting from the sky while she sipped her hot drink Felicia thought today would be a good day to start reading her new book 30 Which of the following statements is a fact? A Lucky was an English springer spaniel B Springer spaniels are the cutest dogs you can have C Brown and white dogs are the most handsome spaniels D 29 Directions: Read each passage Then read the questions and choose the best answer Everyone should have an English springer spaniel 31 In which season does this paragraph take place? A spring B summer C winter D fall What was Felicia watching drifting from the sky? A hot chocolate B cats C rain D snowflakes Which of these statements is an opinion? A Miss Callahan is a fourth-grade teacher B Miss Callahan is a nice teacher C Miss Callahan has 12 girls in her class D Miss Callahan has taught for nine years GO 119 READING, GRADE FOUR: GET READY! The students at Central School had only two days before the big performance The teachers knew the days would be filled with practices and a lot of singing The children had practiced their songs so much that they were singing the songs while they worked and ate and played 32 33 34 What were the children preparing for? A a math test B a big test C a school play D a car wash 35 Which statement best tells the main idea of this story? A Ms Smith had to go out in the snow B Ms Smith had to send the children home early C Ms Smith had a bad day D Ms Smith has planned a history test for today Which of these statements is not a supporting detail of the main idea? A Ms Smith had no wood in the schoolhouse B The school was not warm when the children arrived C Ms Smith loved snow D Most of the sixth grade was absent When did the children sing their songs? A in their sleep B while they ate C on the bus D walking in the halls Directions: Read each story and answer each question This was the worst day of Ms Smith’s week It was Friday and the last day of the week, and Ms Smith was looking forward to a nice quiet weekend at home When she got to the schoolhouse, she discovered there was no wood in the building for the fire She had to go outside and walk through the inches of freshly fallen snow to get the wood It took longer than she thought, and the building was still cold when the children arrived As Ms Smith took attendance, she realized most of her sixth graders were absent because of the snow This meant her plan to give the history test would have to be postponed until the following week And then—more trouble at noon! It started to snow again, and she had to send the children home in the middle of the day Lee’s favorite book is Carry On, Mr Bowditch! by Jean Lee Latham It is a historical fiction novel about sailing during the colonial period The story tells about the life of Nathaniel Bowditch and how he became the captain of a ship In the book there are exciting stories of adventure out at sea 36 Which statement is the main idea of the paragraph? A In the book there are exciting stories of adventure out at sea B Lee’s favorite book is Carry On, Mr Bowditch! by Jean Lee Latham C It is a historical fiction novel about sailing during the colonial period D The story tells about the life of Nathaniel Bowditch and how he became the captain of a ship GO 120 SAMPLE PRACTICE TEST Directions: Read the story Use the information in the story to answer each of the questions The game was tied to The coach knew it was crucial to the team to win this game Joey was up at bat The first two pitches were strikes Joey wiped the sweat off his brow The next three pitches were high and outside Now it was three balls and two strikes Joey had to hit this next pitch out of the park He looked the pitcher right in the eye and took a deep breath as the ball came right at him He swung with all of his might, and his teammates and the crowd cheered with delight Joey was a hero! 37 38 What happened when Joey hit the ball? A He struck out B He fell down C He hit a home run D He hit a foul ball What kind of ball game is Joey playing? A baseball B football C soccer D tennis 121 READING, GRADE FOUR: GET READY! STUDY Directions: Use the words in each group to answer the questions 39 SKILLS 42 Which word would be last in alphabetical order? 41 A organism A catastrophe B orbit B caroling C obtuse C caterpillar D organic D casting 43 40 Which word would be found on the dictionary page with these guide words: obstacle/octopus? Which word would be first in alphabetical order? Which word would not be on a dictionary page with these guide words: drain/drape? A quilt A drama B quail B drank C Quebec C drainage D quaint D drop Which word would be next in alphabetical order: magazine, maggot, magnificent, _? 44 Which dictionary page would the word substantial be on? A mantel A sulk/summit B magnify B submit/subtotal C magic C stall/stand D math D sand/sink GO 122 SAMPLE PRACTICE TEST Directions: The following questions refer to a page from a telephone book reproduced below Read each question, and choose the correct answer C 338 CRAFTS—CREDIT CARDS  Bell State 2000 CRAFT SUPPLIES Johnson’s Paint Supplies Art classes, paints, canvas, papers 501 Main Street, Leesport (800) 555-4457 Kris Kringle Crafts Craft materials 456 North Main Street (800) 555-3642 Le Petit Crafter CRAFT MATERIALS “Huge collection of beads and feathers” 439 Main Street (800) 238-0987 Sally’s Stamping Store Rubber stamp supplies 239 Lake Shore Drive (800) 555-7467 Scrap Book Central Complete scrap-booking supplies, papers, punches 892 Dunbar Road (800) 555-2839 Tully’s Crafts 2300 Douglas Road (800) 555-0566 Turner’s Kuntry Krafts 39 Red Town Road (800) 555-9395 Warner’s Fabrics 394 Old Mill Road, Milton (800) 555-0596 GO 123 READING, GRADE FOUR: GET READY! 45 46 47 124 Look at the telephone book page above Where would you go to buy supplies to help your mom start rubber stamping? Directions: Read each question, and then choose the best answer A Kris Kringle Crafts Which would you find at the beginning of a reference book? B Johnson’s Paint Supplies A introduction C Sally’s Stamping Store B glossary Scrap Book Central C index D D appendix Which store is on Dunbar Road? 48 A Kris Kringle Crafts Where would you look to find the meaning of the word medieval? B Johnson’s Paint Supplies A introduction C Sally’s Stamping Store B glossary D Scrap Book Central C index D appendix What number would you call to ask about signing up for art classes? A (800) 555-4457 B 49 50 In which part of a book would you look in to find the titles of different chapters? A table of contents (800) 555-7467 B introduction C (800) 238-0987 C glossary D (800) 555-2839 D index This page intentionally left blank READING, GRADE FOUR Answer Key for Sample Practice Test Vocabulary C A D B Spelling Word Meanings in Context A C B C B 10 A 11 C 12 D 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 C A D A B A C B D B A C C A Reading Comprehension Study Skills 39 C 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 B 41 B 42 C 43 D 44 B 45 C 46 D 47 A 48 A 49 B 50 A B A B C D C B C C B C A 126 Copyright 2001 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Click Here for Terms of Use WORKSHEET WORKSHEET WORKSHEET WORKSHEET WORKSHEET WORKSHEET ... What Tests May Ask Practice Skill: Drawing Conclusions 41 41 41 41 42 42 43 43 44 44 44 44 44 45 47 Chapter Literary Genres 47 47 47 48 48 48 48 49 49 51 Facts versus Opinions What Fourth Graders... Heller Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Reading, Grade by Molly Maack Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Reading, Grade by Louise Ulrich Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Reading, Grade by Joanne... Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Joseph Harris, Ph D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Karen Mersky, Ph.D Get Ready! for Standardized Tests: Grade by Joseph Harris, Ph.D Get Ready!