Reading Detectives

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

1. Question 1

   What was most likely the special occasion?

   Kenji's Early Morning

   Kenji tiptoed into the kitchen before anyone else was awake. He took a bowl from the cupboard as quietly as he could, then held his breath when the door squeaked.

   He washed a handful of strawberries, sliced a banana with a butter knife and arranged the fruit in the shape of a smiling face. Then he folded a sheet of paper in half and drew a cake with candles on the front.

   When his grandmother came downstairs, the bowl and the card were waiting at her place at the table. She read the card, laughed, and gave Kenji a long hug.

   • a class picnic
   • the first day of school
   • his grandmother's birthday
   • Kenji's birthday
   Show answer

2. Question 2

   What did Kenji draw on the card?

   Kenji's Early Morning

   Kenji tiptoed into the kitchen before anyone else was awake. He took a bowl from the cupboard as quietly as he could, then held his breath when the door squeaked.

   He washed a handful of strawberries, sliced a banana with a butter knife and arranged the fruit in the shape of a smiling face. Then he folded a sheet of paper in half and drew a cake with candles on the front.

   When his grandmother came downstairs, the bowl and the card were waiting at her place at the table. She read the card, laughed, and gave Kenji a long hug.

   • a sleeping cat
   • a smiling face
   • a bowl of fruit
   • a cake with candles
   Show answer

3. Question 3

   “Kenji tiptoed into the kitchen.” What does “tiptoed” mean?

   Kenji's Early Morning

   Kenji tiptoed into the kitchen before anyone else was awake. He took a bowl from the cupboard as quietly as he could, then held his breath when the door squeaked.

   He washed a handful of strawberries, sliced a banana with a butter knife and arranged the fruit in the shape of a smiling face. Then he folded a sheet of paper in half and drew a cake with candles on the front.

   When his grandmother came downstairs, the bowl and the card were waiting at her place at the table. She read the card, laughed, and gave Kenji a long hug.

   • walked quietly on his toes
   • ran very fast
   • crawled on his knees
   • jumped up and down
   Show answer

4. Question 4

   How did Kenji's grandmother feel at the end?

   Kenji's Early Morning

   Kenji tiptoed into the kitchen before anyone else was awake. He took a bowl from the cupboard as quietly as he could, then held his breath when the door squeaked.

   He washed a handful of strawberries, sliced a banana with a butter knife and arranged the fruit in the shape of a smiling face. Then he folded a sheet of paper in half and drew a cake with candles on the front.

   When his grandmother came downstairs, the bowl and the card were waiting at her place at the table. She read the card, laughed, and gave Kenji a long hug.

   • confused and upset
   • worried and nervous
   • happy and loved
   • tired and grumpy
   Show answer

5. Question 5

   What is the main idea of this passage?

   Nature's Engineers

   Beavers are sometimes called nature's engineers. An engineer is someone who designs and builds things, and beavers are amazing builders.

   Using their strong front teeth, beavers cut down small trees and branches. They pile the wood across a stream and pack the gaps with mud and stones. This dam slows the water and makes a deep pond.

   In the pond, beavers build a home called a lodge. Its entrance is underwater, which helps keep the family safe from predators such as wolves.

   Beaver ponds help other living things, too. Ducks, frogs, fish and moose often visit or live in the wetlands that beavers create.

   • Beavers are skilled builders whose work changes the land around them
   • Ducks and frogs live in ponds
   • Wolves are predators
   • Beavers have strong front teeth
   Show answer

6. Question 6

   Why does the author call beavers “engineers”?

   Nature's Engineers

   Beavers are sometimes called nature's engineers. An engineer is someone who designs and builds things, and beavers are amazing builders.

   Using their strong front teeth, beavers cut down small trees and branches. They pile the wood across a stream and pack the gaps with mud and stones. This dam slows the water and makes a deep pond.

   In the pond, beavers build a home called a lodge. Its entrance is underwater, which helps keep the family safe from predators such as wolves.

   Beaver ponds help other living things, too. Ducks, frogs, fish and moose often visit or live in the wetlands that beavers create.

   • Because they eat wood
   • Because they design and build things
   • Because they drive trains
   • Because they live underwater
   Show answer

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