Spring Math & Reading — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. An article explains that spring begins when daylight hours equal nighttime hours, then describes how longer days trigger plant growth. What text structure does this passage use?
A) Problem and solution
B) Compare and contrast
C) Cause and effect
D) Chronological order
The correct answer is C) Cause and effect. An article explains that spring begins when daylight hours equal nighttime hours, then describes how longer days trigger plant growth. What text structure does this passage use — the answer is Cause and effect.
2. A passage states: "The vernal equinox marks the official start of spring." Which sentence would BEST support this claim?
A) Many people enjoy planting flowers during the spring season.
B) On the equinox, the sun crosses the equator and day and night are nearly equal in length.
C) Spring is the favorite season of most students surveyed.
D) Farmers markets open in spring with fresh fruits and vegetables.
The correct answer is B) On the equinox, the sun crosses the equator and day and night are nearly equal in length.. A passage states: "The vernal equinox marks the official start of spring." Which sentence would BEST support this claim — the answer is On the equinox, the sun crosses the equator and day and night are nearly equal in length..
3. A writer describes how spring weather in the mountains differs from spring weather near the coast. Which text structure is the writer using?
A) Cause and effect
B) Sequence of events
C) Compare and contrast
D) Description
The correct answer is C) Compare and contrast. A writer describes how spring weather in the mountains differs from spring weather near the coast. Which text structure is the writer using — the answer is Compare and contrast.
4. An article about spring flooding says: "Melting snow fills rivers beyond their banks. Communities prepare by building sandbag walls." What is the main idea?
A) Snow is the main cause of all flooding.
B) Sandbag walls are the only way to prevent floods.
C) Spring snowmelt can cause flooding, and communities take steps to prepare.
D) Rivers are always dangerous during the spring season.
The correct answer is C) Spring snowmelt can cause flooding, and communities take steps to prepare.. An article about spring flooding says: "Melting snow fills rivers beyond their banks. Communities prepare by building sandbag walls." What is the main idea — the answer is Spring snowmelt can cause flooding, and communities take steps to prepare..
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The main idea is the most important point the author makes in a passage.
The main idea is the central point the author wants readers to understand, and all the supporting details in the passage connect back to it.
2. Facts, examples, and details that back up a claim are called supporting evidence.
Supporting evidence includes facts, examples, and details from the text that prove or strengthen the author's main claim.
3. A text that explains why something happens and what results from it uses a cause and effect structure.
Cause and effect structure shows the relationship between why something happens (cause) and what happens as a result (effect).
4. Signal words like "similarly" and "on the other hand" indicate a compare and contrast text structure.
Signal words like "similarly" show likeness and "on the other hand" shows difference, both pointing to a compare and contrast structure.
5. The spring equinox is also called the vernal equinox, from the Latin word for spring.
"Vernal" comes from the Latin word "ver" meaning spring, so the vernal equinox marks the official start of the spring season.