elementary school (4-5) text-based informational writing ...intellimetric® prompts informational...
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Elementary School (4-5) Text-based Informational
Writing Prompts
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Elementary School (4-5) Text-based Informational
Writing Prompts
Table of Contents
IntelliMetric® Prompts ............................................................................................................................. 3 "A Remarkable Explorer" ..................................................................................................................... 3 A Visit to the Rain Forest ..................................................................................................................... 4 An Invitation to Steven Spielberg......................................................................................................... 5
Asteroid Selections ............................................................................................................................... 6
Benefits of Daily Exercising for Young Children ................................................................................ 7
Harvest Time ........................................................................................................................................ 8
"The Patient Peregrine" ........................................................................................................................ 9 Pilot Prompts .......................................................................................................................................... 10
3D Printing Technology Improves Lives (pilot) ................................................................................ 10 "Here Kitty, Kitty..." (pilot) ................................................................................................................ 10 Main Idea in “A Little Dust” (pilot) ................................................................................................... 11 Main Ideas in “Mysteries in Outer Space” (pilot) .............................................................................. 12
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IntelliMetric® Prompts
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 2 – Grades 4, 5
"A Remarkable Explorer"
Carefully read "A Remarkable Explorer." Then write a multi-paragraph essay in which you summarize
the article. Be sure to use specific details and examples from the article to support your response.
A Remarkable Explorer
Most of the history books in our schools say that Christopher Columbus was the first explorer to
sail to America. His group of three ships reached the Caribbean in 1492. Five years later, a Portuguese
sailor named Vasco da Gama became the first to sail from Europe around the tip of Africa to India.
Ferdinand Magellan, another Portuguese explorer, has long been considered the first person to sail
around the world. His voyage began with three ships in 1519 and ended in 1521. But what if these
explorers were really not the first to accomplish these feats? Would our views of the world change?
In March 2002, an amateur British historian named Gavin Menzies made a surprising
announcement to the Royal Geographical Society in England. He claimed that a Chinese sailor named
Zheng He (pronounced "jung huh") reached America and sailed around the world at least 70 years
before Columbus!
Gavin Menzies was a submarine commander in the British navy, and he has had broad experience
with ocean voyages and navigation. After retiring from the navy, he became interested in naval history
and began researching some of the early voyages from Italy in the 1400s. During his research, he
found an old map dated 1459 that showed the tip of southern Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.
Those parts of the world were supposedly unknown in Europe until da Gama's voyage in 1497, but
here they were on a map. Menzies believes that map came originally from China.
In the 1400s, the Chinese had the largest navy in the world and were undoubtedly the masters of the
sea. They had already built ships much larger than European ships. They had also invented the rudder
and watertight compartments, and they used the compass for navigation. According to Chinese
historians, the emperor of the Ming dynasty in 1405 made Zheng He the admiral of the Chinese navy.
The emperor then ordered him to travel to countries beyond the horizon and to the end of the earth. His
mission was to show off the power of China and increase China's wealth by collecting tribute from
people of other countries.
From 1405 to 1433, Admiral Zheng He made seven important voyages. Based on written accounts
and fragments of maps from these journeys, historians agree that Zheng He sailed throughout southeast
Asia, to India, to parts of Africa, and to the land now called Australia.
On one of his trips that began in 1421, Zheng He sailed from China with a fleet of more than 100
ships, many of them very large. Apparently, Zheng He's own flagship was 440 feet long. The ships of
the fleet carried enough food for a voyage of two years, and they carried treasures, such as silk and
porcelain, for trading with people in other lands.
According to Gavin Menzies, Zheng He sailed around the southern tip of Africa on that voyage and
across the Atlantic Ocean to some islands in the Caribbean. Menzies reports that he has found evidence
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of nine Chinese shipwrecks in the Caribbean that date back to the 1400s. Then, according to Menzies,
Zheng He sailed south around the tip of South America, up the coast as far as the land that is now
Mexico, and across the Pacific Ocean back to China. If so, then Zheng He was the first person to sail
around the world and the first explorer to reach the Americas.
Menzies is working on a book about the remarkable Zheng He's voyages of discovery, and he
claims that the book will provide enough evidence to convince historians that his view of Zheng He's
travels is correct. If Menzies is correct, then we will need to rewrite the history books to give Zheng
He and the Chinese credit for many enormous accomplishments that we now credit to Columbus, da
Gama, Magellan, and other European explorers. It may turn out that the European explorers were
actually rediscovering places that Admiral Zheng He had already visited many years before.
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 2 – Grades 4, 5
A Visit to the Rain Forest
Write a letter to a friend persuading him or her to visit a rain forest. Be sure to include information
from the passage to make your argument. Write your response to the task described. Your response
should show how well you understand what you have read and how well you write about it.
They Only Come Out at Night
By Sneed B. Collard III
Most of us have seen pictures or movies of tropical rain forests. We know they are bursting with
birds, jaguars, monkeys, insects, and lots of other creatures. If you ever visit a rain forest, however,
you may find yourself asking. Where are all the animals?
Most of them are hiding!
Different animals hide in different ways. Some use camouflage to blend in with their
surroundings. They are hard to see, and they stay safe. Other animals are nocturnal. They hide during
the daytime and only come out at night.
I once visited a tropical rain forest atop a mountain in Costa Rica. During the day, I hiked through
the forest and saw hundreds of marvelous rain forest plants. I also spotted beautiful birds, a few
butterflies, and even a monkey or two. But to see more, I decided I'd have to act like a rain forest
animal myself and come out at night.
An hour after sunset, several other visitors and I followed a guide into the forest. Equipped with
flashlights, we began walking down a trail. All around us, the trees rose into the dark sky like silent
guards. Overhead, clouds blanketed the stars, wiping out all traces of light.
The forest was much noisier now than in the daytime. Insect and frog voices hummed and buzzed
and croaked all around me. Water from the damp tropical air rolled off leaves and dripped onto the
rain forest floor.
But the biggest surprise was yet to come. When I shone my flashlight on the nearby trees and
shrubs, I found hundreds of eyes shinning back at me! These watchful eyes belonged to insects,
lizards, frogs, spiders, and other small forest creatures. It seemed that I had stumbled onto an all-night
animal party.
Most amazing of all were the insects--especially the walking sticks. They're among the longest
insects on earth. The ones I saw were about as long as a pencil and looked almost exactly like twigs.
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Another fascinating group of insects was the katydids. They make high, whining calls and have
surprising shapes. Some resembled grasshoppers, while others looked like leaves with legs.
Moths of all kinds sat on branches or flitted about us. Their wings ranged from bright orange to the
gray-blue of a tree trunk. Lots and lots of bats flitted about, too. Why are so many animals
nocturnal? Coming out at night has its advantages. Predators are always on the prowl, and hiding
during the day is one way to stay alive.
Of course, many predators are also nocturnal. Bats are a perfect example. Over forty-two kinds
live in and around the rain forest I was visiting. Many of them prey on insects.
My favorite nocturnal predator, though, lives in underground burrows about as wide as a half-
dollar. Walking quietly, my group and I sneaked up on one of these burrows. Sitting at the entrance
was a red-legged tarantula--a princely predator if I ever saw one.
The tarantula was about the size of my palm, and it lay in wait for a tasty cockroach or other
creature to come by. When it did, the tarantula would pounce, injecting its venom into the prey and
dragging it into its burrow for a feast. We saw so many creatures that before I knew it, my watch read
eleven o'clock. Our guide shone a flashlight on a branch and we saw a sleeping bird called a bush
tanager. I decided that the bird had the right idea. It had been fun to see so many nocturnal rain forest
animals, but I realized I was not one of them. Yawning, I said goodnight to my guide, the rest of the
group, and the rain forest creatures.
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 2 – Grades 4, 5 An Invitation to Steven Spielberg
Read the Biographical Sketch of Steven Spielberg.
Would Steven Spielberg be a good speaker for a school assembly? Write a letter convincing your
principal that Steven Spielberg would or would not be a good speaker for an assembly at your
school. Use information from the passage to support your argument.
Steven Spielberg - A Biographical Sketch
Steven was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1946. He began making his own movies as a child. His
first movies were simple ones. Once he had his mother boil a cherry dessert in a pressure cooker until
it exploded because Steven wanted to film the mess it made when the walls and floor were covered
with sticky red goo.
To make one of his most exciting early movies, Steven carefully set up two electric trains so that
they would run into each other. Then he got his father's camera and filmed the train wreck. He was
only twelve years old, but he knew what audiences would like.
When Steven got his first movie camera he joined a Boy Scout photography program. The movie
he made for the scouts was only three minutes long, but it told a complete story. One of his friends
dressed up in a cowboy outfit and robbed a stagecoach. The picture ended with the outlaw counting
his stolen money.
The movie won Steven his first filmmaking award - a Boy Scout merit badge. It also helped him
become, at the age of 13, one of the youngest Eagle Scouts ever
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After he moved to California, Steven got to see the inside of a Hollywood film studio for the first
time. During one summer vacation, he joined a group on a guided tour of Universal Studios. He
waited for a chance to hide, and then let the bus go on without him, so that he could wander around on
his own.
Soon Steven had made friends with the workers. Each day, he dressed up in a suit and tie and
carried a briefcase under his arm. Looking like an important studio worker, he walked right past the
guard.
Once inside, he watched the filming of movies and television shows. He even found an empty desk
he could use for an office and managed to get the telephone operator to list his name with the
switchboard so that he could receive phone calls. Finally, the summer was over. But before he left,
Steven told his new friends, "I want to write and direct motion pictures."
Today, Spielberg is one of Hollywood's most famous directors. He has a long list of film
accomplishments such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Twister.
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 9 – Grades 4, 5
Asteroid Selections
Carefully read the selections “Hitching a Ride” and “Asteroid Away!”. Write a multi-paragraph essay
in which you explain how the information in “Asteroid Away!” would be helpful to Renata from
“Hitching a Ride.” What steps could Renata take to change the path of the asteroid? Be sure to include
details from both texts to support your answer.
Passage One:
Asteroid Away!
A team of astronomers has made a scary prediction. They have been following the path of an
asteroid called 1950 DA. The scientists say there is a 1-in-300 chance that 1950 DA will crash into
Earth. Since the asteroid is almost a mile wide, it could cause a lot of damage. It could wipe out a large
city and the area around it. If it landed in the ocean, it could set off tidal waves and terrible floods.
Surprisingly, the astronomers say there is nothing for us to worry about. Why not? If Earth and
1950 DA cross paths at all, it won't happen for another 878 years. That gives the astronomers lots of
time to find a way to keep the crash from happening.
Still, the astronomers aren't wasting any time. They've already come up with a few ideas. One plan
calls for covering part of the asteroid with shiny plastic. The plastic would reflect the sun's rays away
from the 1950 DA. Since the asteroid gets some energy from the sun, this plan would reduce the
asteroid's energy enough to change its path. Instead of crashing into Earth, it would pass right by.
What else might be done? The astronomers think the asteroid could be coated with a layer of dirt, or
explosives might be used to make rough spots on the surface. Like the plastic covering, the dirt or
rough spots would change the asteroid's path by changing how much energy it gets from the sun.
There's even an idea that sounds like something right out of a science fiction story. Astronomers
think a rocket engine could be attached to the asteroid. Then it would be turned on to power the
asteroid away from Earth!
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As great as these plans sound, astronomers will probably think up even better ones. After all, time is
on their side. But this situation almost makes you wish you could be around to find out how it all turns
out, doesn't it?
Passage Two:
Hitching a Ride
Renata looked forward to her return to Earth. She and her crew had been up in space for more than
a year.
"One more Earth day, just twenty-four hours," Renata beamed. "I can't wait to see my family."
"I can't wait to have a home-cooked meal," said José, a member of the crew.
"I just want to feel the water from Earth splash when we touch down in the ocean," Cynthia said.
A few hours later, Renata and the crew took their seats by the controls and checked all the systems.
For every system, Renata called out and the crew answered, "Okay." Renata finished the check by
calling out, "Rocket fuel?"
José looked at the control panel, and his mouth dropped open. "How can this be!" he gasped.
Cynthia checked the panel, too. Then she looked out at the back of the spaceship and pointed to a
stream of vapor and gas. "Our fuel is almost gone," she concluded with a deep sense of dread.
Without enough fuel, the ship would never break through the Earth's atmosphere. The crew would
not be able to slow it down or splash safely into the ocean, either. All three crew members suddenly
realized they might never see another home-cooked meal.
It seemed as if all was lost until Renata looked out and spotted a bright light behind the spaceship.
As she watched, the light seemed to be coming closer. Then Renata suddenly understood what she was
looking at.
"Come here, everyone," Renata said. "That bright light is coming closer and closer. I'm pretty sure
it's an asteroid heading toward Earth. Otherwise, it would be traveling with many other asteroids in the
asteroid belt on the other side of Mars. Our only hope is to meet up with the asteroid without crashing
into it. Then maybe we can catch a ride most of the way home. It may be our only chance."
As the asteroid approached the ship minutes later, each crew member took a control. Captain
Renata flew alongside the asteroid until she reached exactly the same speed as the huge piece of rock.
Then she carefully maneuvered the spaceship above the asteroid and gently set it down on the surface
of the rock. The crew members held their breath for a moment until the spaceship settled down with a
dull thud.
"All systems go!" Renata called out to the crew as she turned off the engines to save fuel, and
everyone cheered.
When their ship got closer to Earth, Renata would start the engines again. But for now, she and her
fellow crew members just strapped in to enjoy the ride.
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 3 – Grades 4, 5
Benefits of Daily Exercising for Young Children
Recent studies indicate that children today are not as physically fit as children were 30 years ago.
Research the benefits of daily exercising for young children. Write a multi-paragraph essay discussing
the benefits of daily exercise. Be sure to include details from your research to support your discussion.
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Literature Standard 1 – Grade 4
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 3 – Grades 4, 5
Harvest Time
Watch the video "Harvesting Plants: Ripe" and read the selection “Grandpa’s Garden” to learn about
gardening and harvesting fruits and vegetables.
After reading the selection and viewing the video, write a multi-paragraph essay to explain what
you’ve learned about choosing and preparing fresh fruits and vegetables. Be sure to use details from
the video and the selection to support your explanation.
Passage One:
Grandpa's Garden
From the first time I remember seeing Grandpa, I could picture him in his garden. He loved that
place. "Jimmy", he would say, "even though it's difficult, I would rather work all day in the garden
than do much of anything else. It doesn't matter if it is summer, winter, or spring. This place is my
pride and joy." I cannot tell you how many times I heard him say that. He had quite a feeling for
nature.
Well, I had the chance to go visit Grandpa this past weekend, and not much has changed. Grandma
and Grandpa still live off of the land. They harvest everything from cucumbers to peaches. It is truly
amazing that, even at their age, they do not have to rely on anyone else.
Every time I visit, the first thing we do is walk out to the garden as soon as the sun comes up. Each
of us grabs a bucket and a pair of leather gloves. We walk down to the far side of the garden by the
peach tree. We pick peaches that are a little pink, but not too soft. Grandpa likes to let them ripen
inside the house in brown paper bags. It gives them a chance to get sweet and stops insects from
getting to them first.
Our next stop is the tomatoes. We pick every color except green. These, too, can be ripened inside a
brown bag. It is important to pick tomatoes for several reasons. First, the raccoons love to eat ripe
tomatoes right off the vine. And, since they grow on a vine, they're always on the ground near the
home of many insects. Finally, tomatoes can be used at different stages of ripeness. If they are placed
inside bags in the house, you can quickly decide what you want to do with them. The ripe ones can be
made into a sauce, while the less ripe ones can be made into a relish.
We slowly make our way through the prickly okra (the reason for the gloves), cucumbers, potatoes,
peppers, green beans, and corn. All of these can be canned in jars. Then, we select the fruit that is "in
season." That includes the watermelon, honeydew melon, and strawberries. Only the strawberries or
peaches are good fruits for canning, though.
Grandma is a real pro at canning vegetables. She boils the vegetables, and then she "cans" the warm
veggies directly into special jars called Mason jars. Mason jars help everything stay fresh. She includes
a teaspoon of salt in each jar (as a preservative) and tightly closes the lid. She then places the filled jars
in a pressure cooker, and boils them as the extra air is sucked out of the jars. The canned vegetables
can be kept in a cool location for up to five years.
Another vegetable that I find really interesting is the gourd. They are an odd-shaped vegetable that
you cannot eat. At Grandpa's they grow on a metal chain-linked fence. They hang down from the top,
and can grow to a length that is almost unbelievable! Grandpa has several gourds that are four feet
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long. Since you cannot eat these, they are used for other things. Grandpa cuts them off the vine, dries
them out, and sands them smooth on the outside. Then, he paints each one and cuts out a small two-
inch hole. He attaches a rope to the top and a small stick beneath the hole. He hangs it from a tree as a
birdhouse. Mosquito-eating Martin birds quickly move into their new home.
Grandpa's garden is one place I will never forget. It is a place where I wish more people could visit.
It is peaceful and full of life. I am glad that Grandpa and I have spent all of this time together. I sure
have learned a lot from both Grandma and Grandpa.
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 2 – Grades 4, 5
"The Patient Peregrine"
Carefully read "The Patient Peregrine." Then write a multi-paragraph essay in which you summarize
the article. Be sure to use specific details and examples from the article to support your response.
The Patient Peregrine
Peregrine falcons once lived in great numbers in many parts of the world. But about 50 years ago,
these birds were dying out. In the United States, a group of bird scientists made a plan to save the
peregrines.
The scientists found wild peregrines and brought them to a special laboratory called the Hawk Barn.
There the peregrines mated and laid eggs. Once the eggs hatched, the scientists cared for the baby
birds. They taught the birds how to survive in the wild. When a peregrine was ready to go off on its
own, name tags were placed on its legs. Then the bird was set free.
One day, one of these peregrines landed on a skyscraper ledge in the city of Baltimore. For days,
workers in the building watched as the peregrine rested on the ledge. Worried that the peregrine might
be sick, they called a bird scientist. The scientist saw the tags on the bird's legs. He knew at once that
she was one of the peregrines raised at the laboratory. He also knew that she wasn't sick. The
peregrine, whose name was Scarlett, was simply looking for a mate. From the skyscraper ledge, she
could see for miles around. If she nested there and monitored the skies every day, she would find a
mate sooner or later.
However, weeks, months, and years passed, and no mate appeared. Bird scientists tried to help
Scarlett by bringing male peregrines to her nesting place. For one reason or another, these pairings
failed. But Scarlett did not give up. She stayed put on the ledge and waited.
Finally, five years after Scarlett first settled on the ledge, her patience paid off. A male peregrine
flying high above Baltimore spotted Scarlett. He landed on the ledge and then flew off again. Scarlett
took to the sky and flew by his side. Watching the peregrines' flight, the office workers knew that
Scarlett had found her mate. His name, they decided, would be Beauregard.
Before long, Scarlett laid four eggs. She and Beauregard took turns sitting on them. When the eggs
hatched, Scarlett and Beauregard became the parents of the first wild peregrines born in the eastern
United States in 30 years. The office workers and the bird scientists were thrilled with Scarlett and
Beauregard's success. But the two peregrine parents were much too busy with their babies to notice the
excitement they had caused.
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10
Pilot Prompts
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 3 – Grades 4, 5
3D Printing Technology Improves Lives (pilot)
Mike Ebeling from Not Impossible Labs was inspired in 2012 by an article he read about a 14-year-old
boy named Daniel who had lost both arms when a bomb exploded near him in Sudan. Ebeling
believed 3-D printing could improve the lives of amputees. Research Ebeling’s Project Daniel and the
many uses of 3-D printing and write a multi-paragraph essay discussing the ways that 3-D printers can
improve lives now and in the future. Be sure to use specific details and examples from your research
to support your discussion.
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 2 – Grades 4, 5
"Here Kitty, Kitty..." (pilot)
Carefully read "Here Kitty, Kitty...." Then write a multi-paragraph essay in which you summarize the
article. Be sure to use specific details and examples from the article to support your response.
Here, Kitty, Kitty...
You may have heard it said that cats have nine lives. More than other animals, cats get into terrible
trouble and then get out of it alive. But if you doubt that cats are the luckiest animals around, these
real-life stories will change your mind.
Tigger's Story
On February 26, 2002, Ceridwen Jones realized that her cat Tigger was missing. She looked all over
and spoke to her neighbors in the town of Ilfracombe, England, but none of them had seen Tigger. As
days turned into weeks, Ceridwen refused to give up on Tigger. Every morning she walked through the
neighborhood calling his name. As it turns out, Tigger could hear Ceridwen but could not come to her.
Why not? He was stuck under a pile of dirt and rocks in a neighbor's yard. On the day he went missing,
wet weather had caused a landslide in the yard and buried the poor cat alive!
How long can a cat survive in such a trap? With nothing to eat and only the moisture he licked from
his fur to drink, Tigger lasted for a month. In that time, the once-chubby cat slimmed down enough to
squeeze through the crevices in the rubble. Once he freed himself, Tigger slipped into the neighbor's
house through an open window. Tigger was terribly weak and thin, and the neighbor brought him to a
veterinarian. Guessing that the cat might be the long-lost Tigger, the vet contacted Ceridwen Jones.
Before long, Ceridwen and Tigger were happily reunited.
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11
Polly's Story
One summer day in 2001, Maureen Morris's cat, Polly, wandered off from their home in Clacton,
England. When Polly did not come back after several days, Maureen got busy. She made some "Lost
Cat" posters and put them up all over her neighborhood. She even tacked up a few in a nearby area
where new houses were being built. But when no one called with word about Polly, Maureen sadly
decided her cat was gone for good.
In fact, Polly was still alive. Where was she? Under the concrete floor of one of the new houses
near Maureen's neighborhood! It seems that Polly had hidden herself away there before the concrete
was poured. Six weeks later, as a couple visited the house to see if they might like to buy it, they heard
scratching and meowing under their feet. The house builder cut a hole in the floor, and out popped a
very skinny and worn-out Polly! But thanks to lots of pampering from Maureen, Polly is once again
looking fine and feeling frisky.
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 2 – Grades 4, 5
Main Idea in “A Little Dust” (pilot)
Some of the best stories to read teach valuable lessons. In the short story “A Little Dust,” the main
character learns an important lesson. What lesson, or main idea, does the author reveal in the story?
After reading “A Little Dust,” think about what the main character, Glen, learned from his experience
in the story. Provide a brief summary of the story, and then explain the author’s main idea and how it is
supported by key details in the text. Be sure to include specific evidence from the text to support your
thesis.
A Little Dust
Glen was grinning from ear to ear when he arrived home from school on Monday. "I've made a new
friend named Malcolm!" he exclaimed. "He wants to come over tomorrow to play with my model
train. Please say he can, Mom. Please!"
"Well," Mom answered, "first you have to clean up that disaster area you call your room. But if you get
busy now, you might make it."
Standing in the middle of his room, Glen groaned. It was obvious he hadn't cleaned up for weeks. Dirty
clothes, empty juice boxes, sports equipment, and toys covered the floor. His desk and his train table
were piled high with school papers and overdue library books. The room even smelled bad. When Glen
opened a window to let in some fresh air, the breeze sent dust balls rolling across the floor.
Glen took a dust cloth and the vacuum cleaner from the closet. But before he could use them, he had to
clear away the clutter. One by one, he put each item away. Just straightening up took nearly an hour. In
that time the fresh air had chased the stale smell from the room. With a satisfied sigh, Glen decided he
had done enough. He put the cloth and vacuum cleaner away without using them. After all, he thought,
a little dust never hurt anyone.
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database or any retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Vantage Learning. Revised 8/28/15.
12
The next afternoon, Glen and Malcolm burst into the house and ran straight to Glen's room. The two
boys knelt beside the train table, and Glen turned the train on.
"Cool!" exclaimed Malcolm as the train snaked around the track.
"I knew you'd love it," laughed Glen.
Just then Malcolm wrinkled his nose. "Uh oh," he said, "I feel sneezes coming on. AACHOO!
AACHOO! AAAACHOOO!" Malcolm's last sneeze had enough force to set the dust balls rolling
across the floor. When Malcolm saw them, he hurried out of Glen's room.
Glen followed his friend to the kitchen. He found Malcolm pulling tissues from a box Mom had given
him.
Between sneezes, Malcolm told Glen about his dust allergy. "When I'm around dust, I can't stop
sneezing," he explained. "So I'd better go home now."
Glen's voice was heavy with disappointment. "If I dust and vacuum my room, can you come back
tomorrow?"
Malcolm paused for a couple of sneezes. Then he laughed and said, "You bet, Glen!"
Informational Text Standard 1 – Grades 4, 5
Informational Text Standard 2 – Grades 4, 5
Main Ideas in “Mysteries in Outer Space” (pilot)
Scientists are continually learning about the mysteries of outer space. One of the most puzzling of
these mysteries may be the presence of black holes in our universe. Learning how and why they exist
may unlock possibilities for future space explorations.
Read “Mysteries in Outer Space.” Think about the important facts presented in the text. In a well-
developed essay, discuss main ideas emphasized in the text. Be sure to include specific details from the
text to show how the author supports the main ideas.
Mysteries in Outer Space
Imagine that you are standing on Earth and you throw a ball into the air. It goes up for a while, then
falls as Earth's gravity pulls it down. The gravity on any body in space depends on the mass of the
body. The greater the mass, the greater the pull of gravity. For example, if you were on the moon, the
ball would travel much farther before it came back down. This is because the moon has much less
mass than Earth.
What if you could throw the ball so hard that it escaped the gravity of the planet? It would rise into
space forever. But, the greater the mass of a planet, the harder it is to escape its gravitational pull. If
COPYRIGHT © 2015 by Vantage Learning. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be used, accessed, reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means or stored in a
database or any retrieval system, without the prior written permission of Vantage Learning. Revised 8/28/15.
13
you were on a very massive object, it would be impossible to throw the ball hard enough for it to
escape the gravity of the object.
What if an object were so massive that nothing could ever escape from it? There are such things in the
universe. They are called "black holes." A scientist predicted the existence of black holes in 1783. He
called them "dark stars."
A black hole is so massive that not even light can escape its gravitational pull. This makes black holes
invisible. Scientists can find them, though, by watching how other things in space act around them. For
example, a nearby star might "feed" the black hole. As the black hole pulls material from the star,
scientists can tell where the black hole is.
Most black holes form when a huge star dies. A star dies when it uses up all the fuel that keeps it
burning. Then the star collapses under its own weight. Here's where things start to get really strange.
Imagine that you took a big ball of modeling clay and squeezed it down into a tiny ball. Now you have
a ball with the same mass as your original ball, but compressed into a small space. This is what
happens when a black hole forms. The dying star collapses into a point that is infinitely dense. This
point has a kind of gravitational force field. If something comes near the black hole, it is pulled in and
crushed by gravity.
Some people worry that black holes will eventually suck in the whole universe, like giant vacuum
cleaners. This is not true. Only things that pass near a black hole get "sucked in." Stars, planets, and
other objects at a safe distance from the black hole will orbit it, just as the planets in our solar system
orbit the sun.
The idea of a black hole is very hard for most of us to understand. Even scientists have trouble
understanding just what happens in and around a black hole. If they keep studying, however, maybe
someday we will even figure out how to go through a black hole. We might find ourselves in unknown
parts of the universe—places we can't even imagine today. With black holes, anything may be
possible.