Grade 5 English Language Arts practice sheet

Ontario Curriculum · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________

Question 1
Which root do all three words share?
visible • vision • visual
- photo
- therm
- mit
- vis
Show answer
vis
Hint: Look for the letters that appear in all three words. Then think: what do visible, vision, visual have in common in meaning?
Question 2
What kind of context clue helps you understand “citrus”?
Ravi loves citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons and limes.
- definition (the meaning is explained)
- examples (examples are listed)
- antonym (an opposite is given)
Show answer
examples (examples are listed)
Hint: “Such as” introduces a list of examples.
Question 3
Which pair completes the sentence? You can ___ walk ___ take the bus.
- either … nor
- either … or
- neither … or
Show answer
either … or
Hint: Either goes with or.
Question 4
Which is a compound-complex sentence?
- After the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag, and Maya held the door.
- After the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag.
- Kenji grabbed his bag, and Maya held the door.
Show answer
After the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag, and Maya held the door.
Hint: Two complete ideas joined by and, plus a dependent clause starting with after.
Question 5
Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
- We visited: three provinces Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
- We visited three provinces: Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
- We visited three provinces Ontario: Quebec and Manitoba.
Show answer
We visited three provinces: Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
Hint: A colon follows a complete statement and introduces a list.
Question 6
What was the main conflict in this story?
Partners
Kenji and Lena were partners for the science fair. Kenji wanted to build a robot arm. Lena wanted to test which kind of paper towel soaked up the most water. They argued for two days and got nothing done.
On the third day, their teacher, Ms. Duarte, asked them one question: “What do you each enjoy most?” Kenji said he liked building things. Lena said she liked measuring things carefully.
Together, they built a robot arm that dipped paper towels into water at exactly the same speed every time. Then Lena measured how much water each towel soaked up. Their project won a ribbon for Best Teamwork.
- Ms. Duarte was upset with them.
- The robot arm kept breaking.
- They ran out of paper towels.
- Kenji and Lena couldn't agree on a project.
Show answer
Kenji and Lena couldn't agree on a project.
Hint: What problem kept them from getting anything done for two days?
Question 7
Put the events of “The New Player” in order, from the exposition to the resolution.
- Maya has just moved to a new town and doesn't know anyone at her school.
- At the school chess tournament, Maya faces the best player in the final game and wins.
- Maya starts a chess club, and soon it has twelve members.
- The other players crowd around and ask her how she planned her moves.
- She asks to join the lunchtime chess games, but the players tell her the boards are full.
Show answer
Maya has just moved to a new town and doesn't know anyone at her school. → She asks to join the lunchtime chess games, but the players tell her the boards are full. → At the school chess tournament, Maya faces the best player in the final game and wins. → The other players crowd around and ask her how she planned her moves. → Maya starts a chess club, and soon it has twelve members.
Hint: Start with the event that introduces the characters. End with how things turn out.
Question 8
What does this hyperbole really mean?
I've told you a million times to close the door.
- I've told you exactly one million times.
- I've never told you.
- I told you once, quietly.
- I've told you many times.
Show answer
I've told you many times.
Hint: Hyperbole exaggerates. Nobody has said anything a million times, but they may have said it a lot!
Question 9
How is this text organized?
Many birds fly into large windows because they see the sky reflected in the glass. One solution is to put stickers or patterns on the window. The markings help birds see that the glass is a solid surface.
- cause and effect
- description
- sequence
- problem and solution
Show answer
problem and solution
Hint: The text names a problem and then explains how it was, or could be, solved.
Question 10
How does a photograph in a news article help the reader?
- It tells the reader what to think.
- It adds details and helps show what the words describe.
- It takes the place of the text.
Show answer
It adds details and helps show what the words describe.
Hint: Images and graphics add meaning to the words.

Answer key

1. vis (Greek and Latin Roots)
2. examples (examples are listed) (Context Clues)
3. either … or (Grammar Gears)
4. After the bell rang, Kenji grabbed his bag, and Maya held the door. (Sentence Builders)
5. We visited three provinces: Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. (Punctuation Power)
6. Kenji and Lena couldn't agree on a project. (Reading Detectives)
7. Maya has just moved to a new town and doesn't know anyone at her school. → She asks to join the lunchtime chess games, but the players tell her the boards are full. → At the school chess tournament, Maya faces the best player in the final game and wins. → The other players crowd around and ask her how she planned her moves. → Maya starts a chess club, and soon it has twelve members. (Plot and Conflict)
8. I've told you many times. (Figurative Language)
9. problem and solution (Purpose and Structure)
10. It adds details and helps show what the words describe. (Style & Perspective)

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Answer key