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Grade 4 Reading Comprehension Practice Set 6

Question

Number

Code Standard Student Mastery

1 RI.4.8.

W.4.2.

Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. _________/ 2 points

2 RI.4.4.

W.4.2.

Determine the meaning of general academic words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.


3 RI.4.1.

W.4.2.

Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.


1

U.S. Presidents: Andrew Jackson

Used with permission by ReadWorks.org

Read the passage. Then answer question 1 in the space provided.

1 Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States. He was also the first president to be born in a log cabin. He grew up on the frontier of the Carolinas. His parents were a poor farm couple from Northern Ireland. Jackson’s father died before he was born. His mother died several years later, leaving Jackson an orphan1 at the age of 14. Despite Jackson’s difficult childhood, he eventually moved to Tennessee and became a lawyer and landowner.

2 Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” because of his toughness. He became famous for his skill as a general in the War of 1812. But his resilience2 was apparent years earlier when he served his country during the Revolutionary War. Thirteen-year old Jackson and his younger brother were captured by the British. When a British commander ordered Jackson to scrub his boots, he refused. He argued he had rights as a prisoner of war. The commander got angry and lashed out with his sword. Jackson tried to protect himself with his arms. Jackson’s hand was cut to the bone, and he suffered a gash to the head.

3 Soon after, Jackson and his brother were forced to march 40 miles to a military prison. Both of them contracted smallpox in prison. Jackson survived, but his brother was not so fortunate. Eventually, Jackson’s mother arranged for his freedom. Tragically, she died soon after. “I felt utterly alone,” Jackson said years later about losing his family.

4 Jackson stayed active in the military until he reached the age of 54. Although he was not interested, his friends nominated3 him for president. He served as president from 1829 to 1837. Jackson became known as a champion of the people. He was a founder of the Democratic Party. He also supported efforts to give workers more rights. Jackson’s policies are often remembered for helping with the “rise of the common man.”

1 orphan—a child whose parents are dead 2 resilience—the power to recover 3 nominated—named as a candidate

2

Score Response Features2 • Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by the prompt

• Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt• Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text as required by the prompt• Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability

1 • A mostly literal recounting of events or details from the text as required by the prompt• Some relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Incomplete sentences or bullets

0 • A response that does not address any of the requirements of the prompt or is totally inaccurate• A response that is not written in English• A response that is unintelligible or indecipherable

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1. What evidence does the author use to support the idea that Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” because of his toughness? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.

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U.S. Presidents: Abraham Lincoln

Used with permission by ReadWorks.org

Read the passage. Then answer question 2 in the space provided.

1 Abraham Lincoln was America’s 16th president and perhaps one of our nation’s greatest leaders. He helped guide America through the Civil War. Lincoln also helped end slavery in the United States. His leadership proved that America’s democratic government could survive even a war at home. Sadly, Lincoln was assassinated near the end of the Civil War in 1865. He became the first U.S. President to be killed in office.

2 Lincoln became President in 1860 in a very tight election. Most people did not know much about Lincoln or his humble background. He was born on Feb. 12, 1809 in a Kentucky log cabin. When he was eight, his family moved to the wild Indiana frontier. Shortly afterward Lincoln’s mother died. Lincoln helped his father farm and work the fields. He barely had time for school. He only spent one year in a classroom. Even so, he learned how to read and write on his own. Books were scarce on the frontier, but he read every book he could get his hands on. Lincoln pored over the family Bible. He would walk for miles to borrow great titles like Aesop’s Fables and Pilgrim’s Progress.

3 As a young man, Lincoln worked many jobs to earn a living. He was tall and strong. He split logs and fence rails for neighbors. He helped take a flatboat down a river to New Orleans. Eventually, he started a general store with a friend. When the store went into debt, he paid those debts off working other jobs for a year. His integrity4 earned him the nickname “Honest Abe.” A friend eventually encouraged Lincoln to become a lawyer. In Lincoln’s day there were few law schools. That didn’t stop him. Lincoln taught himself what he needed to know. “Your own resolution5 to succeed is more important than any one thing,” he would later say.

4 Lincoln was a keen judge of character and able to use that skill in his political career. He saw ways to deal with the deep differences between Northerners and Southerners over slavery. He also persuaded people with his great speeches and writing. His most famous piece of writing is the Emancipation Proclamation. It declared that the slaves in the southern states rebelling during the Civil War were free. The proclamation6 paved the way for the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which ended slavery in the U.S. In his most famous speech, known as the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln’s words reassured a suffering people at war that democracy would survive.

5 Lincoln’s stand against slavery caused him to make many enemies. Even so, his assassination was felt across the nation from North to South. Millions of people admired his spirit and service to his country. They called him “Father Abraham” and mourned as if they had lost a father. Mourners lined the tracks as a train carried his body to Springfield, Illinois. People visit Lincoln’s grave to pay their respects to this day.

4 integrity—honesty or sincerity5 resolution—determination 6 proclamation—an official announcement

4

Score Response Features2 • Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by the prompt

• Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt• Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text as required by the prompt• Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability



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2. What does the author mean when he says that Lincoln had a “humble background” in paragraph 2? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.

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The following question refers to both passages. Reread them and answer question 3 in the space provided below.

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3. Compare and contrast Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Use details from both passages to support your answer.

In your response, be sure to:

Explain two similarities between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Explain two differences between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Use details from both passages in your answer.

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ANSWER KEY

7

1. What evidence does the author use to support the idea that Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” because of his toughness? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.

Answers will vary. Use the enclosed rubric as a guideline for scoring.

Example of a 2-level answer:

The author supports the idea that Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” for his toughness by

describing several stories in which Jackson acted tough. For example, when Jackson was captured

during the Revolutionary War his hand was cut to the bone because he bravely tried to protect himself

with his arms, since he did not have a sword. Another example the author provides of Jackson’s

toughness is that he survived after marching 40 miles to a military prison.

Suggestions for class review:

This question requires students to identify the evidence the author uses to support the idea that

Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” for his toughness. Students might not understand the

connotation of the term “Old Hickory,” and might let this misunderstanding inhibit them from

successfully answering this question. Point out to students that even if they don’t know what “Old

Hickory” means, they know that he was given this nickname for his toughness. Direct their focus on

identifying details that show why Jackson was tough. Encourage students to annotate the text for these

details before answering the question.

Score Response Features2 • Valid inferences and/or claims from the text where required by

the prompt• Evidence of analysis of the text where required by the prompt• Relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text to develop response according to the requirements of the prompt• Sufficient number of facts, definitions, concrete details, and/or other information from the text as required by the prompt• Complete sentences where errors do not impact readability



8

2. What does the author mean when he says that Lincoln had a “humble background” in paragraph 2? Use at least two details from the text to support your answer.



When the author says that Lincoln had a “humble background” in paragraph 2, he means that Lincoln

did not grow up with many resources. He was born in a log cabin and he worked as a farmer as a child,

with very little time for school. This shows that he came from a humble background.


This question requires students to determine the meaning of the phrase “humble background” in the

context of the passage. If students are not familiar with this particular use of the word humble, they

might struggle with this question. Encourage them to focus on the details that follow this particular

sentence in the text. Ask students what the author is telling us about Lincoln in these sentences. This

should provide students with clues as to the connotation of the phrase “humble background.” Review

specific details such as the fact that Lincoln was born in a log cabin, he worked with his father, and he

barely went to school.

9

3. Compare and contrast Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Use details from both passages to support your answer.

In your response, be sure to:

Explain two similarities between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Explain two differences between Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. Use details from both passages in your answer.



Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln had similar upbringings, but different presidencies. Their

upbringings were similar because they both came from humble backgrounds. Both men were born in

log cabins. They both also lost a parent at a young age. Jackson’s father died before he was born and

Lincoln’s mother died when he was about 8 years old.

Lincoln and Jackson contributed to the country in different ways during their presidencies.

While Jackson founded the Democratic Party, Lincoln worked to end slavery. They also had different

nicknames. Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” because he was considered tough. Lincoln was

nicknamed “Honest Abe” for his honesty. These nicknames show differences in their personalities as

presidents. The two men had similar upbringings but different contributions as presidents.


This question requires students to compare and contrast Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. There

is plenty of information available about both presidents, but students might struggle to identify differences and

similarities. Remind students of the importance of using graphic organizers such as a venn diagram to help them

pre-write before answering a question like this. Brainstorm some similarities and differences as a class.

Encourage the students to go back to the text and carefully examine the details about both presidents. Remind

students to think about basics- who, what, when, where, why, and how—when thinking about similarities and

differences.

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