Students analyze three winter reading passages — a personification example, a community theme story, and an informational article about road salt — to identify literary devices, theme, and author's purpose. Part B has five fill-in-the-blank problems about author's purpose, theme, and simile.
Analyzing winter passages for author's purpose, theme, and figurative language — applying the same evidence-based ELA reasoning used year-round — ensures seasonal activities maintain Grade 5 academic rigor.
Style:
Winter Holiday Math & Reading
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. An author writes: "The old oak stood guard over the frozen pond, its bare arms reaching toward the gray sky." What literary device is used?
A) Simile
B) Personification
C) Hyperbole
D) Alliteration
2. A story describes a child helping neighbors shovel snow after a blizzard. What is the most likely theme?
A) Winter is dangerous
B) Community and kindness matter
C) Snow is fun to play in
D) Children are stronger than adults
3. A news article explains how salt melts ice on roads. What is the author's primary purpose?
A) To persuade readers to use less salt
B) To entertain with a funny story
C) To inform readers about a scientific process
D) To express a personal opinion about winter
4. "The blizzard roared like a freight train through the valley." This sentence contains which two devices?
A) Metaphor and alliteration
B) Simile and personification
C) Hyperbole and metaphor
D) Onomatopoeia and simile
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The reason an author writes a text is called the author's purpose.
2. The central message or lesson of a story is called the theme.
3. A comparison using "like" or "as" is a simile.
4. Words that imitate sounds, such as "crunch" or "whoosh," are called onomatopoeia.
5. The setting of a story is where and when it takes place.
Winter Holiday Math & Reading
★ Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. An author writes: "The old oak stood guard over the frozen pond, its bare arms reaching toward the gray sky." What literary device is used?
A) Simile
B) Personification
C) Hyperbole
D) Alliteration
2. A story describes a child helping neighbors shovel snow after a blizzard. What is the most likely theme?
A) Winter is dangerous
B) Community and kindness matter
C) Snow is fun to play in
D) Children are stronger than adults
3. A news article explains how salt melts ice on roads. What is the author's primary purpose?
A) To persuade readers to use less salt
B) To entertain with a funny story
C) To inform readers about a scientific process
D) To express a personal opinion about winter
4. "The blizzard roared like a freight train through the valley." This sentence contains which two devices?
A) Metaphor and alliteration
B) Simile and personification
C) Hyperbole and metaphor
D) Onomatopoeia and simile
★ Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1) The reason an author writes a text is called the author's purpose.
2) The central message or lesson of a story is called the theme.
3) A comparison using "like" or "as" is a simile.
4) Words that imitate sounds, such as "crunch" or "whoosh," are called onomatopoeia.
5) The setting of a story is where and when it takes place.
Ready to Practice?
Complete each section carefully.
9 Questions
12-18 minutes
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